RJM&JTK:cmh&jlg:jf
1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE
March 30, 2000 - Introduced by Representatives Pocan, Berceau, Boyle and
Miller. Referred to Committee on Colleges and Universities.
AB955,2,2 1An Act to renumber 5.60 (1) (a); to amend 5.02 (3) and (23), 5.58 (2) (title), 5.58
2(3), 5.60 (1) (title), 5.60 (1) (b), 7.60 (4) (a), 7.60 (5), 7.70 (3) (d), 8.11 (3), 11.26
3(9) (b), 11.50 (1) (a) 1. and 2., 11.50 (4) (intro.), 11.50 (4) (cm), 11.50 (7) (intro.),
411.50 (9), 15.07 (1) (cm), 15.07 (5) (intro.), 15.07 (5) (e), 15.91, 17.01 (2) and
525.42; to repeal and recreate 11.50 (3) (title); and to create 5.58 (2e), 5.60 (1)
6(a), 7.70 (6), 8.10 (3) (ae), 8.25 (6), 8.50 (4) (em), 9.10 (1) (e), 11.24 (1x), 11.25 (1x),
711.26 (1) (am) and (2) (am), 11.26 (9) (bm), 11.31 (1) (de), 11.50 (3m), 15.07 (1)
8(a) 7., 15.07 (5g), 17.02 (2), 17.17 (2), 17.19 (3t), 20.855 (4) (ba) and 36.115 of the
9statutes; relating to: the method of selection of the board of regents of the
10University of Wisconsin System, funding of campaigns for member of the board
11of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, compensation of certain
12members of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System,

1granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation and providing a
2penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Currently, the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System (board)
is composed of 18 members. Fifteen members are appointed by the governor, subject
to senate confirmation, and serve for staggered seven-year terms. One of the
members is a student who serves for a two-year term. In addition, the state
superintendent of public instruction and the president (or, by his or her designation,
another member) of the state technical college system board serve as ex officio
members. Under current law, members of the board are reimbursed for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties but are not compensated for
their service on the board.
This bill requires each member of the board who is not a full-time state officer
to be paid $10,000 annually. The bill also changes the method of selection of the
members of the board to provide for the board to be composed of 15 members, nine
of whom are to be elected by the electors of the state, one from each congressional
district; four of whom are to be elected by the students of the University of Wisconsin
(UW) System, one from each of four student regent districts created under the bill;
one of whom is to be appointed by the technical college system board; and one of
whom is to be the superintendent of public instruction. Under the bill, the members
elected from each congressional district and the member appointed by the technical
college system board serve for four-year terms. Student members serve for two-year
terms. The bill directs the board to prescribe, by rule, a method for allowing all
students at all campuses within the UW System the opportunity to vote by secret
ballot to elect the student representatives to the board.
Under the bill, each board member who is elected from a congressional district
and the board member who is appointed by the technical college system board must
be an elector of the state. Each board member who is a student must be a student
who is currently enrolled at an institution or college within the UW System. The
board must promulgate rules to define who is "enrolled". These rules must specify
that if an individual ceases to be enrolled due to graduation in the spring semester,
the individual ceases to be enrolled effective July 1 following that semester.
Under the bill, contributions to candidates for publicly elected seats on the
board are limited to $100 from a single source. No candidate may accept more than
a total of 25% of the disbursement (expenditure) limit for the office from sources other
than individuals. The bill provides for candidates for publicly elected seats on the
board to be eligible to receive grants from the Wisconsin Election Campaign Fund,
financed from state general purpose revenues, for campaign expenses. Under the
bill, a candidate who accepts a grant is limited to disbursements of not more than
$90,000 in the election and is eligible for a grant in the same amount. A candidate
who accepts a grant may also make disbursements of not more than $10,000 prior
to the date of the primary election or the date that the primary election would be held

if a primary were required. A candidate who accepts a grant must also agree not to
accept a contribution from any private source after the date of the primary election,
or the date that the primary election would be held if a primary were required, other
than for debt retirement purposes.
The bill directs the board to provide for primary elections to be held whenever
there are more than two candidates for any student-elected seat on the board, and
to provide grants of $9,000 to a candidate for purposes of campaign financing if a
candidate agrees to be bound by an expenditure limit of $10,000. Of this amount, not
more than $1,000 may be expended before the date of the primary election or the date
that the primary election would be held if a primary were required. A candidate who
accepts a grant must also agree not to accept a contribution from any private source
after the date of the primary election or the date that the primary election would be
held if a primary were required, other than for debt retirement purposes. Candidates
for student-elected seats on the board are bound by a contribution limit of $100 from
a single source and an aggregate contribution limit of 25% of the expenditure limit
for the office that may be accepted from sources other than individuals.
The bill provides for vacancies on the board to be filled by appointment of the
governor. With certain exceptions, a member appointed to fill a vacancy serves until
a successor is elected. The elected successor then serves for the remaining portion
of any unexpired term. If an election is required to fill a vacancy in the office of a
member who is elected from a congressional district, the election must be held either
at the succeeding spring election or at the second succeeding spring election,
depending upon when the vacancy occurs. If an election is required to fill a vacancy
in the office of a student member, the election must be held in the manner prescribed
by the rules of the board.
Members of the current board are to be replaced on July 1 of the year following
the date on which the bill becomes law. The bill becomes law on November 15
following the date of publication.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB955, s. 1 1Section 1. 5.02 (3) and (23) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB955,3,42 5.02 (3) "Educational officer" means the state superintendent, member of the
3board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System elected under s. 8.25 (6)
and
4school board members.
AB955,4,3 5(23) "State office" means the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary
6of state, state treasurer, attorney general, state superintendent, justice of the

1supreme court, member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System
2elected under s. 8.25 (6),
court of appeals judge, circuit court judge, state senator,
3state representative to the assembly and district attorney.
AB955, s. 2 4Section 2. 5.58 (2) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,4,65 5.58 (2) (title) State superintendent of public instruction Nonpartisan state
6officers
; judiciary; county executive; and county supervisors supervisor.
AB955, s. 3 7Section 3. 5.58 (2e) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,4,158 5.58 (2e) Board of regents of University of Wisconsin System. There shall
9be a separate ballot for the seat of any member of the board of regents of the
10University of Wisconsin System that is filled by the electors of the state.
11Arrangement of the names on the ballot shall be determined by the board in the
12manner specified in s. 5.60 (1) (b). The ballot shall be titled "Official Primary Ballot
13for Member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System". The
14candidates shall be designated on the ballot as follows: "For Member of the Board
15of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, .... District".
AB955, s. 4 16Section 4. 5.58 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,5,917 5.58 (3) Names on spring ballot. Only 2 candidates for state superintendent,
18for member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System within any
19congressional district,
for any judicial office, for any elected seat on a metropolitan
20sewerage commission or town sanitary district commission, in counties having a
21population of 500,000 or more only 2 candidates for member of the board of
22supervisors within each district, in counties having a population of less than 500,000
23only 2 candidates for each member of the county board of supervisors from each
24district or numbered seat or only 4 candidates for each 2 members of the county board
25of supervisors from each district whenever 2 supervisors are elected to unnumbered

1seats from the same district, in 1st class cities only 2 candidates for any at-large seat
2and only 2 candidates from any election district to be elected to the board of school
3directors, in school districts electing school board members to numbered seats, or
4pursuant to an apportionment plan or district representation plan, only 2 school
5board candidates for each numbered seat or within each district, and twice as many
6candidates as are to be elected members of other school boards or other elective
7officers receiving the highest number of votes at the primary shall be nominees for
8the office at the spring election. Only their names shall appear on the official spring
9ballot.
AB955, s. 5 10Section 5. 5.60 (1) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,5,1211 5.60 (1) (title) State superintendent Nonpartisan state officers; judiciary;
12county executive; and county
supervisors supervisor.
AB955, s. 6 13Section 6. 5.60 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 5.60 (1) (am).
AB955, s. 7 14Section 7. 5.60 (1) (a) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,5,1715 5.60 (1) (a) There shall be a separate ballot for the seat of each member of the
16board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System that is elected by the electors
17of the state.
AB955, s. 8 18Section 8. 5.60 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,6,519 5.60 (1) (b) The board shall certify the candidates' names and designate the
20official ballot arrangement for candidates for state superintendent, justice, member
21of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System,
court of appeals judge,
22circuit judge, municipal judge elected under s. 755.01 (4) and, if commissioners are
23elected under s. 66.23 (11) (am), the metropolitan sewerage commission. The
24arrangement of names of all candidates on the ballot whose nomination papers are
25filed with the board shall be determined by the board by the drawing of lots not later

1than the 2nd Tuesday in January, or the next day if the first Tuesday is a holiday.
2Whenever a primary is held for an office, a 2nd drawing of all candidates for that
3office shall be held by or under the supervision of the board not later than the 3rd day
4following the completion of the primary canvass to determine the arrangement of
5candidates on the election ballot.
AB955, s. 9 6Section 9. 7.60 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,6,237 7.60 (4) (a) The board of canvassers shall make separate duplicate statements
8showing the numbers of votes cast for the offices of president and vice president; state
9officials; U.S. senators and representatives in congress; state legislators; justice;
10members of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System; court of
11appeals judge; circuit judges; district attorneys; municipal judges, if they are elected
12under s. 755.01 (4); and metropolitan sewerage commissioners, if the commissioners
13are elected under s. 66.23 (11) (am). For partisan candidates, the statements shall
14include the political party or principle designation, if any, next to the name of each
15candidate. The board of canvassers shall also prepare a statement showing the
16results of any county, technical college district or statewide referendum. Each
17statement shall state the total number of votes cast in the county for each office; the
18names of all persons for whom the votes were cast, as returned; the number of votes
19cast for each person; and the number of votes cast for and against any question
20submitted at a referendum. The board of canvassers shall use one copy of the
21statement to report to the elections board or technical college district board and shall
22file the other statement in the office of the county clerk or board of election
23commissioners.
AB955, s. 10 24Section 10. 7.60 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,8,2
17.60 (5) Reporting. Immediately following the canvass the county clerk shall
2deliver or send to the elections board, by 1st class mail, a certified copy of each
3statement of the county board of canvassers for president and vice president; state
4officials; senators and representatives in congress; state legislators; justice;
5members of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System; court of
6appeals judge; circuit judge; district attorney; municipal judge, if elected under s.
7755.01 (4); and metropolitan sewerage commissioners, if the commissioners are
8elected under s. 66.23 (11) (am). The statement shall record the returns for each
9office or referendum by ward, unless combined returns are authorized under s. 5.15
10(6) (b) in which case the statement shall record the returns for each group of
11combined wards. Following primaries the county clerk shall enclose on blanks
12prescribed by the elections board the names, party or principle designation, if any,
13and number of votes received by each candidate recorded in the same manner. The
14county clerk shall deliver or transmit the certified statement to the elections board
15no later than 7 days after each primary and no later than 10 days after any other
16election. The board of canvassers shall deliver or transmit a certified copy of each
17statement for any technical college district referendum to the secretary of the
18technical college district board. If the board of canvassers becomes aware of a
19material mistake in the canvass of an election for state or national office or a
20statewide or technical college district referendum prior to the close of business on the
21day the elections board receives returns from the last county board of canvassers
22with respect to that canvass, the board of canvassers may petition the elections board
23to reopen and correct the canvass. The elections board shall direct the canvass to be
24reopened and corrected if it determines that the public interest so requires. If the
25elections board directs the canvass to be reopened, the board of canvassers shall

1reconvene and transmit a certified corrected copy of the canvass statement to the
2elections board or secretary of the technical college district board.
AB955, s. 11 3Section 11. 7.70 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,8,164 7.70 (3) (d) When the certified statements and returns are received, the
5chairperson of the board shall proceed to examine and make a statement of the total
6number of votes cast at any election for the offices involved in the election for
7president and vice president; a statement for each of the offices of governor,
8lieutenant governor, if a primary, and a joint statement for the offices of governor and
9lieutenant governor, if a general election; a statement for each of the offices of
10secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, and state superintendent; for
11U.S. senator; representative in congress for each congressional district; the state
12legislature; justice; member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin
13System from each congressional district;
court of appeals judge; circuit judge; district
14attorney; municipal judge, if he or she is elected under s. 755.01 (4); metropolitan
15sewerage commission, if the commissioners are elected under s. 66.23 (11) (am); and
16for any referenda questions submitted by the legislature.
AB955, s. 12 17Section 12. 7.70 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,8,2218 7.70 (6) Board of regents of University of Wisconsin System. The elections
19board shall provide to the secretary of the board of regents of the University of
20Wisconsin System a copy of the certified determination of the chairperson of the
21board for the election of each member of the board of regents from each congressional
22district.
AB955, s. 13 23Section 13. 8.10 (3) (ae) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,8,2524 8.10 (3) (ae) For the office of member of the board of regents of the University
25of Wisconsin System, not less than 400 nor more than 800 electors.
AB955, s. 14
1Section 14. 8.11 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,9,62 8.11 (3) State. A primary shall be held if more than 2 candidates file
3nomination papers for the office of state superintendent, for justice, for member of
4the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System within the same
5congressional district,
for court of appeals judge in the same district or for judge of
6the same branch of circuit court.
AB955, s. 15 7Section 15. 8.25 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,9,138 8.25 (6) Board of regents of University of Wisconsin System. One member
9of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System shall be elected from
10each of congressional districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the spring election held in 2003 and
11every 4 years thereafter. One member of the board of regents of the University of
12Wisconsin System shall be elected from each of congressional districts 5, 6, 7, 8 and
139 at the spring election held in 2005 and every 4 years thereafter.
AB955, s. 16 14Section 16. 8.50 (4) (em) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,9,2315 8.50 (4) (em) A vacancy in the office of member of the board of regents of the
16University of Wisconsin System, which is filled by election under s. 8.25 (6), that
17occurs after the date of the spring election and on or before December 1 of the same
18year shall be filled for the residue of the unexpired term, if any, at the succeeding
19spring election, except as provided in s. 17.19 (3t). A vacancy in the office of member
20of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, which is filled by
21election under s. 8.25 (6), that occurs during the period beginning on December 2 and
22ending on the date of the spring election shall be filled for the residue of the unexpired
23term, if any, at the 2nd succeeding spring election, except as provided in s. 17.19 (3t).
AB955, s. 17 24Section 17. 9.10 (1) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,10,5
19.10 (1) (e) This subsection applies to the members of the board of regents of
2the University of Wisconsin System who are elected by the electors of this state. This
3subsection does not apply to the members of the board of regents of the University
4of Wisconsin System who are elected by the students of the University of Wisconsin
5System.
AB955, s. 18 6Section 18. 11.24 (1x) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,10,107 11.24 (1x) (a) No candidate or personal campaign committee of a candidate for
8member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System who accepts
9a grant under s. 11.50 may accept any contribution after the date of the spring
10primary, or the date that the spring primary for that office would be held, if required.
AB955,10,1311 (b) No person may intentionally make any contribution to a candidate for
12member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System who has
13qualified to receive a grant under s. 11.50.
AB955, s. 19 14Section 19. 11.25 (1x) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,10,2015 11.25 (1x) No candidate or personal campaign committee of a candidate for
16member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System who accepts
17a grant under s. 11.50 may make any disbursement after the date of the spring
18primary, or the date that the spring primary for that office would be held, if required,
19other than from the proceeds of a grant, except to retire an obligation incurred in
20connection with the spring primary campaign.
AB955, s. 20 21Section 20. 11.26 (1) (am) and (2) (am) of the statutes are created to read:
AB955,10,2322 11.26 (1) (am) Candidates for member of the board of regents of the University
23of Wisconsin System, $100.
AB955,10,25 24(2) (am) Candidates for member of the board of regents of the University of
25Wisconsin System, $100.
AB955, s. 21
1Section 21. 11.26 (9) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,11,72 11.26 (9) (b) No individual who is a candidate for state or local office other than
3member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System
may receive
4and accept more than 45% of the value of the total disbursement level determined
5under s. 11.31 for the office for which he or she is a candidate during any primary and
6election campaign combined from all committees other than political party and
7legislative campaign committees subject to a filing requirement.
AB955, s. 22 8Section 22. 11.26 (9) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,11,139 11.26 (9) (bm) No individual who is a candidate for member of the board of
10regents of the University of Wisconsin System may receive and accept more than 25%
11of the value of the disbursement level determined under s. 11.31 in the primary
12election and no more than 25% of the value of the disbursement level determined
13under s. 11.31 in the election from all committees subject to a filing requirement.
AB955, s. 23 14Section 23. 11.31 (1) (de) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,11,1615 11.31 (1) (de) Candidates for member of the board of regents of the University
16of Wisconsin System, $10,000 in the primary and $90,000 in the election.
AB955, s. 24 17Section 24. 11.50 (1) (a) 1. and 2. of the statutes are amended to read:
AB955,12,218 11.50 (1) (a) 1. With respect to a spring or general election, any individual who
19is certified under s. 7.08 (2) (a) as a candidate in the spring election for justice or, state
20superintendent or member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin
21System
, or an individual who receives at least 6% of the vote cast for all candidates
22on all ballots for any state office, except district attorney, for which the individual is
23a candidate at the September primary and who is certified under s. 7.08 (2) (a) as a
24candidate for that office in the general election, or an individual who has been

1lawfully appointed and certified to replace either such individual on the ballot at the
2spring or general election; and who has qualified for a grant under sub. (2).
AB955,12,233 2. With respect to a special election, an individual who is certified under s. 8.50
4(1) (d) as a candidate in a special election for state superintendent or member of the
5board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System
, or an individual who is
6certified under s. 8.50 (1) (d) as a candidate in a special election for any state office,
7except district attorney, on the ballot or column of a party whose candidate for the
8same office at the preceding general election received at least 6% of the vote cast for
9all candidates on all ballots for the office, or an individual who has been lawfully
10appointed and certified to replace either such individual on the ballot at a special
11election, or an individual who receives at least 6% of the vote cast for all candidates
12on all ballots for any state office, except district attorney, at a partisan special
13election; and who qualifies for a grant under sub. (2). Where the boundaries of a
14district in which an individual seeks office have been changed since the preceding
15general election such that it is not possible to calculate the exact number of votes that
16are needed by that individual to qualify as an eligible candidate prior to an election
17under this subdivision, the number of votes cast for all candidates for the office at the
18preceding general election in each ward, combination of wards or municipality which
19is wholly contained within the boundaries of the newly formed district shall be
20calculated. If the candidate of the political party on whose ballot or column the
21individual appears in the newly formed district obtained at least 6% of the number
22of votes calculated, the individual is deemed to qualify as an eligible candidate prior
23to the election under this subdivision.
AB955, s. 25 24Section 25. 11.50 (3) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB955,12,2525 11.50 (3) (title) Candidates for justice and state superintendent.
AB955, s. 26
1Section 26. 11.50 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB955,13,42 11.50 (3m) Candidates for member of board of regents. The board shall
3establish a board of regents account into which the board shall deposit the moneys
4transferred to the fund from the appropriation under s. 20.855 (4) (ba).
AB955, s. 27 5Section 27. 11.50 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,13,86 11.50 (4) Partisan and special election candidates. (intro.) After
7apportionment and distribution of the moneys under sub. subs. (3) and (4), the
8remaining moneys shall constitute the partisan campaign account.
AB955, s. 28 9Section 28. 11.50 (4) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,13,2010 11.50 (4) (cm) Each eligible candidate for the same office at a special election
11shall receive an equal amount, which amount shall be equivalent to the maximum
12grant which was payable to any candidate for that office at the most recent spring
13or general election. The Except in the case of a candidate for member of the board
14of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, the
amount shall be drawn from
15the senate campaign account and the assembly campaign account in the same
16proportions as the balance in each account bears to the total balance in both accounts
17at the time that payments are made. Whenever there are insufficient moneys in the
18senate campaign account and the assembly campaign account to make the payments
19required by this paragraph, payments shall be appropriately reduced or
20discontinued by the board.
AB955, s. 29 21Section 29. 11.50 (7) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,14,222 11.50 (7) Utilization. (intro.) Grants distributed under this section may be
23utilized only for deposit in a campaign depository account under s. 11.10. Grants A
24grant received by a candidate for the office of member of the board of regents of the
25University of Wisconsin System may be expended for any lawful political purpose.

1A grant received by a candidate for any other office
may be expended only for one or
2more of the following:
AB955, s. 30 3Section 30. 11.50 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB955,14,174 11.50 (9) Limitation on grants. The total grant available to an eligible
5candidate for the office of member of the board of regents of the University of
6Wisconsin System may not exceed that amount which, when added to all other
7contributions accepted from other sources that are disbursed or lawfully disbursable
8under s. 11.25 (1x), is equal to 100% of the disbursement level prescribed for that
9office at the spring election under s. 11.31. The total grant available to an eligible
10candidate for any other office
may not exceed that amount which, when added to all
11other contributions accepted from sources other than individuals, political party
12committees and legislative campaign committees, is equal to 45% of the
13disbursement level specified for the applicable office under s. 11.31. The board shall
14scrutinize accounts and reports and records kept under this chapter to assure that
15applicable limitations under ss. 11.26 (9) and 11.31 are not exceeded and any
16violation is reported. No candidate or campaign treasurer may accept grants
17exceeding the amount authorized by this subsection.
AB955, s. 31 18Section 31. 15.07 (1) (a) 7. of the statutes is created to read:
Loading...
Loading...