Senate
Record of Committee Proceedings
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
Senate Bill 194
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.
By Senators Wanggaard, Feyen, Kapenga, Quinn, Roys, Spreitzer, Stafsholt, Nass and Tomczyk; cosponsored 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.
April 14, 2025 Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
April 30, 2025 Public Hearing Held
Present: (8) Senator Wanggaard; Senators James, Wimberger, Jacque, Hutton, Drake, L. Johnson and Roys.
Absent: (0) None.
Excused: (0) None.
Appearances For
· President Bill Lueders - Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council
· Maxted Lenz - Wisconsin Newspaper Association
· Policy Director Kyle Koenen - WILL
· Senator Van Wanggaard - 21st Senate District
Appearances Against
· None.
Appearances for Information Only
· None.
Registrations For
· General Counsel and Dir. of Tax, Transportation, and Legal Affr's Evan Umpir - Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
· Brandon Scholz - Wisconsin Broadcasters Association
· Beth Bennett - WI Newspaper Association
· Jerry Ponio - AFP-Wisconsin
· Representative Todd Novak - 51st Assembly District
Registrations Against
· None.
Registrations for Information Only
· None.
May 08, 2025 Executive Session Held by Paper Ballot
Present: (8) Senator Wanggaard; Senators James, Wimberger, Jacque, Hutton, Drake, L. Johnson and Roys.
Absent: (0) None.
Excused: (0) None.
Moved that Senate Bill 194 be recommended for passage.
Ayes: (8) Senator Wanggaard; Senators James, Wimberger, Jacque, Hutton, Drake, L. Johnson and Roys.
Noes: (0) None.
PASSAGE RECOMMENDED, Ayes 8, Noes 0
______________________________
Eric Barbour
Committee Clerk
