AB 190 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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.

AB 190 modifies state public records law to allow requesters who win partial victories to recover attorney fees. Specifically, it enables fee recovery when a government agency voluntarily releases a contested record *after* a lawsuit is filed, and a court determines the lawsuit was a substantial factor in that release. This directly affects public record requesters who successfully pressure agencies to disclose documents through litigation without a full court judgment. The bill creates a clear mechanism for fee awards in these specific scenarios, avoiding the need for a formal court order on the record's disclosure.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 15, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Jul 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Jul 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on State Affairs, Ayes 9, Noes 0
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Novak, Swearingen, Anderson, Armstrong, Behnke, Franklin, Goeben, Gundrum, Gustafson, Kitchens, Knodl, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, O'Connor, Rodriguez, Steffen, Tittl, Tranel, Tusler, Wichgers, Wittke and Allen; cosponsored by Senators Wanggaard, Feyen, Kapenga, Nass, Quinn, Roys, Spreitzer, Stafsholt and Tomczyk
lower
23 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors