LRBs0337/1
MJL&RPN:wlj:rs
2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE
ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1,
TO 2003 ASSEMBLY BILL 651
February 5, 2004 - Offered by Representative Montgomery.
AB651-ASA1,1,13 1An Act to repeal 814.04 (1) (b); to renumber and amend 895.035 (2); to amend
216.007 (6) (a), 812.34 (2) (a), 812.34 (2) (b) 1., 812.37 (1), 812.38 (1) (b), 812.44
3(4) (form) 1., 812.44 (4) (form) 3., 814.04 (1) (a), 814.04 (2), 814.07, 815.18 (3) (k),
4895.035 (4), 895.80 (1), 895.80 (2), 895.80 (3) (b), 938.245 (2) (a) 5. am., 938.32
5(1t) (a) 1m., 938.45 (1r) (a), 938.45 (1r) (b), 943.24 (3) (b), 943.24 (3) (c), 943.245
6(3), 943.245 (4), 943.51 (3) and 943.51 (3m); to repeal and recreate 895.80 (3)
7(a) and 895.80 (4); and to create 29.962, 218.04 (9j), 812.34 (2) (c), 895.035 (2)
8(b) 2. and 3., 895.80 (3) (c) and 895.80 (6) of the statutes; relating to: (parental
9liability for acts of their minor child,) recovery of damages for certain criminal
10actions, garnishment, attorney fees, exemption from execution of accounts, civil
11actions by collection agencies, earnings garnishment, retail theft, recovery in
12actions involving worthless checks, and revocation of fish and game approvals
13for which payment is made by worthless checks.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB651-ASA1, s. 1 1Section 1. 16.007 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,2,72 16.007 (6) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), whenever the claims board by
3unanimous vote finds that payment to a claimant of not more than the amount
4specified in s. 799.01 (1) (d) is justified, it may order the amount that it finds justified
5to be paid on its own motion without submission of the claim in bill form to the
6legislature. The claim shall be paid on a voucher upon the certification of the
7chairperson and secretary of the board, and shall be charged as provided in sub. (6m).
AB651-ASA1, s. 2 8Section 2. 29.962 of the statutes is created to read:
AB651-ASA1,2,19 929.962 Worthless checks for approvals. If a person tenders a check or other
10order for payment to an issuing agent appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 3. to make
11payment for an approval issued under this chapter to an issuing agent, and the check
12is drawn on an account that does not exist or on an account with insufficient funds,
13or is otherwise worthless, the issuing agent may give notification to the department
14of the fact after having made an effort to receive payment from the person who
15tendered the check or other payment. If the issuing agent gives such notification, the
16department shall revoke the approval and send notification to the holder of the
17approval that it has been revoked for failure to make payment for the approval. The
18holder of the approval shall return the approval to the department within 7 days
19after receiving the notification.
AB651-ASA1, s. 3 20Section 3. 218.04 (9j) of the statutes is created to read:
AB651-ASA1,3,321 218.04 (9j) Consolidation of accounts. (a) A licensee may, after receiving
22authorization from a creditor, consolidate the creditor's account or accounts relating
23to a particular debtor with those of any other creditor or creditors relating to that

1debtor and may cause an action to be brought on behalf of the creditor or creditors.
2All of the following apply to any action caused to be brought by a licensee on behalf
3of a creditor or creditors under this subsection:
AB651-ASA1,3,54 1. The summons and complaint shall be prepared by an attorney or at the
5direction of an attorney.
AB651-ASA1,3,86 2. The name or names of the creditor or creditors shall appear in the pleadings
7and in the caption of the case as the real party or parties in interest and the licensee's
8name shall not appear in the caption or pleadings.
AB651-ASA1,3,139 3. The creditor or creditors in each instance shall be given the opportunity
10either to select an attorney to commence the action or to designate, as a part of the
11authorization process, the collection agency as the agent of the creditor or creditors
12to retain an attorney and forward the claim or claims to the attorney on behalf of the
13creditor or creditors.
AB651-ASA1,3,1714 (b) In any action brought by a licensee under this subsection, the licensee shall
15not appear on behalf of any creditor or creditors before any court, including the clerk
16of any small claims court in an action on the debt or in garnishment proceedings,
17except when called as a witness by the plaintiff's attorney in open court.
AB651-ASA1, s. 4 18Section 4. 812.34 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,3,2119 812.34 (2) (a) Unless the court grants relief under s. 812.38 (2) or par. (b) or (c)
20applies, 80% of the debtor's disposable earnings are exempt from garnishment under
21this subchapter.
AB651-ASA1, s. 5 22Section 5. 812.34 (2) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,3,2423 812.34 (2) (b) 1. The debtor's household income is below the poverty line, or the
24garnishment would cause that result; or
.
AB651-ASA1, s. 6 25Section 6. 812.34 (2) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB651-ASA1,4,4
1812.34 (2) (c) If the garnishment of 20% of the debtor's disposable income under
2this subchapter would result in the debtor's household income being below the
3poverty line, the amount of the garnishment is limited to the debtor's household
4income in excess of the poverty line before the garnishment is in effect.
AB651-ASA1, s. 7 5Section 7. 812.37 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,4,116 812.37 (1) Except as provided in s. 812.34 (1), the debtor may claim an
7exemption under s. 812.34 (2) (b) or a limit to the garnishment under s. 812.34 (2)
8(c)
, or may assert any defense to the earnings garnishment, by completing the answer
9form and delivering or mailing it to the garnishee. The debtor or debtor's spouse may
10file an answer or an amended answer at any time before or during the effective period
11of the earnings garnishment.
AB651-ASA1, s. 8 12Section 8. 812.38 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,4,1813 812.38 (1) (b) The debtor may file with the court a written petition for relief
14from the earnings garnishment if the exemption percentage under s. 812.34 (2) (a)
15is insufficient for the debtor to acquire the necessities of life for the debtor and his
16or her dependents. The petition shall state with reasonable specificity the grounds
17for the relief requested and shall include any additional information necessary to
18support the petition.
AB651-ASA1, s. 9 19Section 9. 812.44 (4) (form) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,4,2220 812.44 (4) (form) 1. Your household income is below the federal poverty level,
21or this garnishment would cause that to happen. See the enclosed schedules and
22worksheet to determine if you qualify for this exemption.
AB651-ASA1, s. 10 23Section 10. 812.44 (4) (form) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,4,2524 812.44 (4) (form) 3. At least 25% of your disposable earnings are assigned by
25court order for support.
AB651-ASA1,5,3
1If the garnishment of 20% of your disposable income would result in the income
2of your household being below the poverty line, the garnishment is limited to the
3amount of your household's income in excess of the poverty line.
AB651-ASA1,5,74 If you qualify for a complete exemption or for a limit on the amount of the
5garnishment to the amount that your household's income exceeds the poverty line
,
6you must give or mail a copy of the enclosed debtor's answer form to the garnishee
7in order to receive that increased exemption.
AB651-ASA1,5,98 If your circumstances change while the garnishment is in effect, you may file
9a new answer at any time.
AB651-ASA1,5,1310 If you do not qualify for a complete exemption, but you will not be able to acquire
11the necessities of life for yourself and your dependents if your earnings are reduced
12by this earnings garnishment, you may ask the court in which this earnings
13garnishment was filed to increase your exemption or grant you other relief.
AB651-ASA1,5,1514 IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE
15 CONSULT AN ATTORNEY
AB651-ASA1,5,2116 If you have earnings that are being garnisheed that are exempt or subject to a
17defense, the sooner you file your answer or seek relief from the court, the sooner such
18relief can be provided. This earnings garnishment affects your earnings in pay
19periods beginning within 13 weeks after it was served on the garnishee. You may
20agree in writing with the creditor to extend it for additional 13-week periods until
21the debt is paid.
AB651-ASA1,5,2222 PENALTIES
AB651-ASA1,5,2523 If you wrongly claim an exemption or defense in bad faith, or if the creditor
24wrongly objects to your claim in bad faith, the court may order the person who acted
25in bad faith to pay court costs, actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.
AB651-ASA1, s. 11
1Section 11. 814.04 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,6,92 814.04 (1) (a) When the amount recovered or the value of the property involved
3is $1,000 or over greater than the maximum amount specified in s. 799.01 (1) (d),
4attorney fees shall be $100 $500; when it is equal to or less than $1,000 and is $500
5or over, $50
the maximum amount specified in s. 799.01 (1) (d), but is $1,000 or more,
6attorney fees shall be $300
; when it is less than $500 and is $200 or over, $25; and
7when it is less than $200, $15
$1,000, attorney fees shall be $100. In all other cases
8in which there is no amount recovered or that do not involve property, attorney fees
9shall be $300
.
AB651-ASA1, s. 12 10Section 12. 814.04 (1) (b) of the statutes is repealed.
AB651-ASA1, s. 13 11Section 13. 814.04 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,6,2412 814.04 (2) Disbursements. All the necessary disbursements and fees allowed
13by law; the compensation of referees; a reasonable disbursement for the service of
14process or other papers in an action when the same are served by a person authorized
15by law other than an officer, but the item may not exceed the authorized sheriff's fee
16for the same service; amounts actually paid out for certified and other copies of
17papers and records in any public office; postage, telegraphing photocopying,
18telephoning, electronic communications, facsimile transmissions, and express or
19overnight delivery
; depositions including copies; plats and photographs, not
20exceeding $50 $100 for each item; an expert witness fee not exceeding $100 $300 for
21each expert who testifies, exclusive of the standard witness fee and mileage which
22shall also be taxed for each expert; and in actions relating to or affecting the title to
23lands, the cost of procuring an abstract of title to the lands. Guardian ad litem fees
24shall not be taxed as a cost or disbursement.
AB651-ASA1, s. 14 25Section 14. 814.07 of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,7,3
1814.07 Costs on motion. Costs may be allowed on a motion, in the discretion
2of the court or judge, not exceeding $50 $300, and may be absolute or directed to abide
3the event of the action.
AB651-ASA1, s. 15 4Section 15. 815.18 (3) (k) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,7,75 815.18 (3) (k) Depository accounts. Depository accounts in the aggregate value
6of $1,000, but only to the extent that the account is for the debtor's personal use and
7is not used as a business account
.
AB651-ASA1, s. 16 8Section 16. 895.035 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 895.035 (2) (a) and
9amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,7,1510 895.035 (2) (a) The parent or parents with custody of a minor child, in any
11circumstances where he, she, or they may not be liable under the common law, are
12liable for damages to property, for the cost of repairing or replacing property or
13removing the marking, drawing, writing, or etching from property regarding a
14violation under s. 943.017, for the value of unrecovered stolen property , or for
15personal injury attributable to a willful, malicious, or wanton act of the child.
AB651-ASA1,7,1816 (b) 1. The parent or parents with custody of their minor child are jointly and
17severally liable with the child for the damages imposed under s. 943.51 for their
18child's violation of s. 943.50.
AB651-ASA1, s. 17 19Section 17. 895.035 (2) (b) 2. and 3. of the statutes are created to read:
AB651-ASA1,7,2220 895.035 (2) (b) 2. If a parent is jointly and severally liable under this paragraph
21and has physical placement of the child, the parent's liability is limited to that
22percentage representing the time that the child actually spends with that parent.
AB651-ASA1,8,323 3. Notwithstanding sub. (1), a parent does not have custody of a child for
24purposes of this paragraph if at the time of the violation the child has been freed from
25the care, custody, and control of the parent through marriage or emancipation or if

1at the time of the violation the parent does not reasonably have the ability to exercise
2supervision and control of the child because the child is uncontrollable or because
3another person has interfered with that parent's exercise of supervision and control.
AB651-ASA1, s. 18 4Section 18. 895.035 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,8,135 895.035 (4) Except for recovery under sub. (4a) or for retail theft under s.
6943.51, the maximum recovery under this section from any parent or parents may
7not exceed the amount specified in s. 799.01 (1) (d) $5,000 for damages resulting from
8any one act of a juvenile in addition to taxable costs and disbursements and
9reasonable attorney fees, as determined by the court. If 2 or more juveniles in the
10custody of the same parent or parents commit the same act the total recovery under
11this section may not exceed the amount specified in s. 799.01 (1) (d) $5,000, in
12addition to taxable costs and disbursements. The maximum recovery from any
13parent or parents for retail theft by their minor child is established under s. 943.51.
AB651-ASA1, s. 19 14Section 19. 895.80 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin Act 36,
15is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,8,2316 895.80 (1) Any person who suffers damage or loss by reason of intentional
17conduct that occurs on or after November 1, 1995, and that is prohibited under s.
18943.01, 943.20, 943.21, 943.24, 943.26, 943.34, 943.395, 943.41, 943.50, 943.61,
19943.74, or 943.76, or by reason of intentional conduct that occurs on or after April 28,
201998, and that is prohibited under s. 943.201 or 943.203, or by reason of intentional
21conduct that occurs on or after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts
22date], and that is prohibited under s. 943.011, 943.012, or 943.017
, has a cause of
23action against the person who caused the damage or loss.
AB651-ASA1, s. 20 24Section 20. 895.80 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,9,8
1895.80 (2) The burden of proof in a civil action under sub. (1) is with the person
2who suffers damage or loss to prove his or her case a violation of s. 943.01, 943.011,
3943.012, 943.017, 943.20, 943.201, 943.203, 943.21, 943.24, 943.26, 943.34, 943.395,
4943.41, 943.50, 943.61, 943.74, or 943.76
by a preponderance of the credible evidence.
5A conviction under s. 943.01, 943.011, 943.012, 943.017, 943.20, 943.201, 943.203,
6943.21, 943.24, 943.26, 943.34, 943.395, 943.41, 943.50, 943.61, 943.74, or 943.76 is
7not required to bring an action, obtain a judgment, or collect on that judgment under
8this section.
AB651-ASA1, s. 21 9Section 21. 895.80 (3) (a) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB651-ASA1,9,1310 895.80 (3) (a) Actual damages, including the retail or replacement value of
11damaged, used, or lost property, whichever is greater, for a violation of s. 943.01,
12943.011, 943.012, 943.017, 943.20, 943.201, 943.203, 943.21, 943.24, 943.26, 943.34,
13943.395, 943.41, 943.50, 943.61, 943.74, or 943.76.
AB651-ASA1, s. 22 14Section 22. 895.80 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB651-ASA1,9,1715 895.80 (3) (b) All costs of investigation and litigation that were reasonably
16incurred, including the value of the time spent by any employee or agent of the
17victim
.
AB651-ASA1, s. 23 18Section 23. 895.80 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB651-ASA1,9,2119 895.80 (3) (c) Exemplary damages of not more than 3 times the amount
20awarded under par. (a). No additional proof is required under this section for an
21award of exemplary damages under this paragraph.
AB651-ASA1, s. 24 22Section 24. 895.80 (4) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB651-ASA1,9,2423 895.80 (4) Any recovery under this section shall be reduced by the amount
24recovered as restitution under ss. 800.093 and 973.20 and ch. 938.
AB651-ASA1, s. 25 25Section 25. 895.80 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
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