Relating to: attorney general enforcement authority for civil rights violations and providing a penalty. (FE)
This bill expands the Wisconsin attorney general's authority to file civil lawsuits on behalf of the state against individuals or entities accused of violating civil rights in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It allows the attorney general to investigate these potential violations by requiring sworn statements, accessing relevant documents, and issuing subpoenas to gather information. If a violation is found, the attorney general can seek court orders to stop the illegal conduct, recover investigation costs, and impose civil penalties of up to $50,000 for first offenses or $100,000 for subsequent violations within seven years. The bill also permits the attorney general to accept voluntary compliance agreements as an alternative to litigation, though breaking such agreements would still be treated as a violation subject to penalties.
Bill status
failed
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 19, 2026
Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Mar 19, 2026
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Mayadev, Udell, Clancy, Hong, Hysell, Miresse, Roe, Anderson, Subeck, Stubbs and Goodwin;
cosponsored by Senators L. Johnson, Dassler-Alfheim, Larson, Ratcliff, Roys and Spreitzer
lower
11 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Andrew Hysell
DDemocratic
P
Ann Roe
DDemocratic
P
Clint Anderson
DDemocratic
P
Francesca Hong
DDemocratic
P
Lisa Subeck
DDemocratic
P
Randy Udell
DDemocratic
P
Renuka Mayadev
DDemocratic
P
Russell Goodwin
DDemocratic
P
Ryan Clancy
DDemocratic
P
Shelia Stubbs
DDemocratic
P
Vinnie Miresse
DDemocratic
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