LRB-2941/1
SRM:wlj:ph
2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE
June 16, 2009 - Introduced by Joint Legislative Council. Referred to Committee
on State Affairs and Homeland Security.
AJR59,1,2
1To amend section 34 of article IV of the constitution;
relating to: continuity of
2government (first consideration).
Joint Legislative Council Prefatory Note: This bill was prepared for the
Joint Legislative Council's Special Committee on Emergency Management and
Continuity of Government.
Article IV, section 34, of the Wisconsin Constitution provides that the legislature,
to ensure continuity of state and local government operations in periods of emergency
resulting from enemy attack, must provide for prompt and temporary succession to the
powers and duties of public offices, of whatever nature and whether filled by election or
appointment, the incumbents of which may be unavailable to carry on the powers and
duties of the offices. In addition, the legislature must adopt any other measures that may
be necessary to obtain the objectives of that section of the constitution.
This joint resolution amends that provision in article IV, section 34, of the
Wisconsin Constitution to strike the phrase "resulting from enemy action in the form of
an attack," thereby providing for legislative action to ensure continuity in periods of
emergency, whether resulting from enemy attack or from other causes.
A constitutional amendment requires adoption of two successive legislatures,
and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.
AJR59,1,3
3Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That:
AJR59, s. 1
4Section
1. Section 34 of article IV of the constitution is amended to read:
AJR59,2,55
[Article IV] Section 34. The legislature, in order to ensure continuity of state
6and local governmental operations in periods of emergency
resulting from enemy
1action in the form of an attack, shall (1) forthwith provide for prompt and temporary
2succession to the powers and duties of public offices, of whatever nature and whether
3filled by election or appointment, the incumbents of which may become unavailable
4for carrying on the powers and duties of such offices, and (2) adopt such other
5measures as may be necessary and proper for attaining the objectives of this section.
AJR59,2,8
6Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the
7legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3
8months previous to the time of holding such election.
