2025-2026 Regular Session • Wisconsin Legislature
SB194: Obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court.
Legislative Summary
An Act to renumber 19.37 (2) (a); to create 19.37 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes; Relating to: obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court.
Demographic Impact
Overall analysis of equity impact
Neutral
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Bill History
4/14/2025
Introduced
Senate
4/14/2025
Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
Senate
4/30/2025
Public hearing held
Senate
5/8/2025
Senator Drake added as a coauthor
Senate
5/8/2025
Executive action taken
Senate
5/8/2025
Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0
Senate
5/8/2025
Available for scheduling
Senate
5/13/2025
Placed on calendar 5-15-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
Senate
5/15/2025
Senators Ratcliff and Carpenter added as coauthors
Senate
5/15/2025
Read a second time
Senate
5/15/2025
Ordered to a third reading
Senate
5/15/2025
Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
Senate
5/15/2025
Read a third time and passed
Senate
5/15/2025
Ordered immediately messaged
Senate
5/15/2025
Received from Senate
State Assembly
Status Information
Current Status
Engrossed(5/15/2025)
Chamber
State Assembly
Sponsors
Republican: 29
Democrat: 3
Primary Sponsor

Van Wanggaard
Republican
Co-Sponsors (31)
Dan Feyen
Republican
Chris Kapenga
Republican
Romaine Quinn
Republican
Kelda Roys
Democrat
Mark Spreitzer
Democrat
Rob Stafsholt
Republican
Steve Nass
Republican
Cory Tomczyk
Republican
Todd Novak
Republican
Rob Swearingen
Republican
Clinton Anderson
Democrat
David Armstrong
Republican
Elijah Behnke
Republican
Benjamin Franklin
Republican
Joy Goeben
Republican
Rick Gundrum
Republican
Nate Gustafson
Republican
Joel Kitchens
Republican
Dan Knodl
Republican
David Murphy
Republican
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican
Amanda Nedweski
Republican
Jerry O'Connor
Republican
Jessie Rodriguez
Republican
David Steffen
Republican
Paul Tittl
Republican
Travis Tranel
Republican
Ron Tusler
Republican
Chuck Wichgers
Republican
Robert Wittke
Republican
Scott Allen
Republican