2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
LRBs0154/1
MPG:cdc
ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1,
TO ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 8
February 9, 2026 - Offered by Representative Allen.
AJR8-ASA1,1,5
1To create section 10 (1) (d) of article V and section 10 (1) (e) of article V of the 2constitution; relating to: restricting the governor’s partial veto authority to
3allow the governor to reject only parts of an appropriations bill that are
4capable of separate enactment and allowing the governor to reduce
5appropriations in an appropriations bill (first consideration). Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
The Wisconsin Constitution gives the governor the power to veto appropriations bills in whole or in part. As provided in the constitution, the governor’s partial veto authority is currently limited only in that he or she may not create a new word by rejecting individual letters in the words of the enrolled bill and may not create a new sentence by combining parts of two or more sentences of the enrolled bill.
This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2025 legislature on first consideration, amends the constitution to further restrict the governor’s partial veto authority. Specifically, the amendment prohibits the governor from rejecting any part of the enrolled bill that itself is not capable of separate enactment as a complete, entire, and workable law.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has held that the governor may reduce appropriation amounts in an appropriations bill. The constitutional amendment explicitly gives the governor that authority.
A proposed constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.
AJR8-ASA1,2,1
1Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That: AJR8-ASA1,12Section 1. Section 10 (1) (d) of article V of the constitution is created to read: AJR8-ASA1,2,53[Article V] Section 10 (1) (d) In approving an appropriation bill in part, the 4governor may not reject any part of the enrolled bill unless the part rejected is 5capable of separate enactment as a complete, entire, and workable law. AJR8-ASA1,26Section 2. Section 10 (1) (e) of article V of the constitution is created to read: AJR8-ASA1,2,87[Article V] Section 10 (1) (e) In approving an appropriation bill in part, the 8governor may reduce appropriations in the enrolled bill. AJR8-ASA1,2,119Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the 10legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3 11months previous to the time of holding such election.
