LRB-3325/1
JTK:kmg:ks
1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE
October 5, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives Ourada, Ainsworth, Albers,
Boyle, Duff, Goetsch, Gunderson, Hahn, Hanson, Ladwig, Musser, Olsen,
Owens, Plache, Schneiders, Springer, Wirch, Ott, Seratti and Grothman.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations.
AB603,1,3
1An Act to renumber 19.83;
to amend 19.84 (2); and
to create 19.83 (2) of the
2statutes;
relating to: public comments and action on public comments at
3meetings of governmental bodies.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Currently, state and local governmental bodies are required to give public
notice of their meetings, which must include the subject matter of the meetings. The
attorney general has advised that if there is an item of a general nature listed on the
agenda included in the notice, such as "other matters authorized by law", the
governmental body may take up a matter that is not of great public concern even if
the matter is not specified in the agenda and, if the matter is urgent, act upon it. See
66 OAG 68, 143, 195 (1977).
This bill provides specifically that public notice of a meeting of a governmental
body may include a period of public comment on matters not included in the agenda,
during which the body may receive information and discuss any such matter, and,
if the matter cannot be adequately dealt with at a future meeting, take action on the
matter.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB603, s. 1
4Section
1. 19.83 of the statutes is renumbered 19.83 (1).
AB603, s. 2
5Section
2. 19.83 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
AB603,2,3
119.83
(2) During a period of public comment under s. 19.84 (2), a governmental
2body may discuss any matter raised by the public and, if the matter cannot be
3adequately dealt with at a future meeting, take action on the matter.
AB603, s. 3
4Section
3. 19.84 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB603,2,115
19.84
(2) Every public notice of a meeting of a governmental body shall set forth
6the time, date, place and subject matter of the meeting, including that intended for
7consideration at any contemplated closed session, in such form as is reasonably likely
8to apprise members of the public and the news media thereof.
The public notice of
9a meeting of a governmental body may provide for a period of public comment on
10matters not included on the agenda, during which the body may receive information
11on such matters.
