Relating to: the use of videoconferencing technology in certain civil actions.
AB 447 amends Wisconsin law to clarify when courts must address objections to video testimony in certain civil cases. It removes a specific exception that previously required courts to sustain objections about expert witness testimony via video in cases under Chapters 51 or 55 of the statutes. For all such proceedings - including expert testimony objections - the bill requires courts to apply their discretion under existing rules (s. 885.56) rather than automatically sustaining objections. This change directly affects defendants and respondents in civil matters listed under the statute who may object to remote testimony.
Bill status
failed
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Sep 19, 2025
Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Jan 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on calendar 1-22-2026 by Committee on Rules
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary, Ayes 8, Noes 0
lower
Sep 19, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Novak, Dittrich, Franklin, Gundrum, B. Jacobson, Kaufert, Kitchens, Knodl, Maxey, Melotik, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, O'Connor, Piwowarczyk, Subeck, Wichgers and Tranel;
cosponsored by Senators James and Marklein
lower
18 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Amanda Nedweski
RRepublican
P
Barbara Dittrich
RRepublican
P
Ben Franklin
RRepublican
P
Brent Jacobson
RRepublican
P
Chuck Wichgers
RRepublican
P
Dan Knodl
RRepublican
P
Dave Maxey
RRepublican
P
Dave Murphy
RRepublican
P
Dean Kaufert
RRepublican
P
Jeff Mursau
RRepublican
P
Jerry O'Connor
RRepublican
P
Jim Piwowarczyk
RRepublican
P
Joel Kitchens
RRepublican
P
Lisa Subeck
DDemocratic
P
Paul Melotik
RRepublican
P
Rick Gundrum
RRepublican
P
Todd Novak
RRepublican
P
Travis Tranel
RRepublican
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