19.42(4r)(4r) “Communication” means a message transmitted by means of a printed advertisement, billboard, handbill, sample ballot, radio or television advertisement, telephone call, or any medium that may be utilized for the purpose of disseminating or broadcasting a message, but not including a poll conducted solely for the purpose of identifying or collecting data concerning the attitudes or preferences of electors. 19.42(5)(5) “Department” means the legislature, the University of Wisconsin System, any authority or public corporation created and regulated by an act of the legislature and any office, department, independent agency or legislative service agency created under ch. 13, 14 or 15, any technical college district or any constitutional office other than a judicial office. In the case of a district attorney, “department” means the department of administration unless the context otherwise requires. 19.42(5m)(5m) “Elective office” means an office regularly filled by vote of the people. 19.42(6)(6) “Gift” means the payment or receipt of anything of value without valuable consideration. 19.42(7)(b)(b) An individual’s relative by marriage, lineal descent or adoption who receives, directly or indirectly, more than one-half of his or her support from the individual or from whom the individual receives, directly or indirectly, more than one-half of his or her support. 19.42(7m)(7m) “Income” has the meaning given under section 61 of the internal revenue code. 19.42(7u)(7u) “Local governmental unit” means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an instrumentality or corporation of such a political subdivision or special purpose district, a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing or an instrumentality of the state and any of the foregoing. 19.42(7w)(7w) “Local public office” means any of the following offices, except an office specified in sub. (13): 19.42(7w)(a)(a) An elective office of a local governmental unit. 19.42(7w)(b)(b) A county administrator or administrative coordinator or a city or village manager. 19.42(7w)(c)(c) An appointive office or position of a local governmental unit in which an individual serves for a specified term, except a position limited to the exercise of ministerial action or a position filled by an independent contractor. 19.42(7w)(cm)(cm) The position of member of the board of directors of a local exposition district under subch. II of ch. 229 not serving for a specified term. 19.42(7w)(d)(d) An appointive office or position of a local government which is filled by the governing body of the local government or the executive or administrative head of the local government and in which the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority, except a clerical position, a position limited to the exercise of ministerial action or a position filled by an independent contractor. 19.42(7w)(e)(e) The position of member of the Milwaukee County mental health board as created under s. 51.41 (1d). 19.42(7w)(f)(f) An employee of a school district who holds a school administrator license or permit issued by the department of public instruction under rules promulgated by the department under s. 118.19 and whose employment requires that the individual hold that license or permit. 19.42(7w)(g)(g) An employee of a school district who acts as the head of facilities and maintenance and whose employment duties include making purchasing decisions or recommendations for the school district. 19.42(7x)(7x) “Local public official” means an individual holding a local public office. 19.42(8)(8) “Ministerial action” means an action that an individual performs in a given state of facts in a prescribed manner in obedience to the mandate of legal authority, without regard to the exercise of the individual’s own judgment as to the propriety of the action being taken. 19.42(9)(9) “Nominee” means any individual who is nominated by the governor for appointment to a state public office and whose nomination requires the advice and consent of the senate. 19.42(10)(10) “Official required to file” means: 19.42(10)(a)(a) A member or employee of the elections commission. 19.42(10)(b)(b) A member of a technical college district board or district director of a technical college, or any individual occupying the position of assistant, associate or deputy district director of a technical college. 19.42(10)(d)(d) A state public official whose appointment to state public office requires the advice and consent of the senate, except a member of the board of directors of the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation created under ch. 232. 19.42(10)(e)(e) An individual appointed by the governor or the state superintendent of public instruction pursuant to s. 17.20 (2) other than a trustee of any private higher educational institution receiving state appropriations. 19.42(10)(f)(f) An auditor for the legislative audit bureau. 19.42(10)(g)(g) The chief clerk and sergeant at arms of each house of the legislature. 19.42(10)(h)(h) The members and employees of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, except clerical employees. 19.42(10)(j)(j) A member or the executive director of the judicial commission. 19.42(10)(k)(k) A division administrator of an office created under ch. 14 or a department or independent agency created or continued under ch. 15. 19.42(10)(L)(L) The executive director, executive assistant to the executive director, internal auditor, chief investment officer, chief financial officer, chief legal counsel, chief risk officer and investment directors of the investment board. 19.42(10)(n)(n) The chief executive officer and members of the board of directors of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. 19.42(10)(o)(o) The chief executive officer and members of the board of directors of the Fox River Navigational System Authority. 19.42(10)(q)(q) The executive director and members of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority. 19.42(10)(r)(r) The employees and members of the board of directors of the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority. 19.42(10)(sm)(sm) The employees of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the members of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation employed in the private sector who are appointed by the speaker of the assembly and the senate majority leader. 19.42(11)(11) “Organization” means any corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, trust or other legal entity other than an individual or body politic. 19.42(11m)(11m) “Political party” means a political organization under whose name individuals who seek elective public office appear on the ballot at any election or any national, state, or local unit or affiliate of that organization. 19.42(12)(12) “Security” has the meaning given under s. 551.102 (28), except that the term does not include any of the following: 19.42(12)(a)(a) A certificate of deposit or a deposit in a savings and loan association, savings bank, credit union or similar association organized under the laws of any state. 19.42(12)(f)(f) An exchange-traded fund or exchange-traded note. 19.42(13)(a)(a) All positions to which individuals are regularly appointed by the governor, except the position of trustee of any private higher educational institution receiving state appropriations and the position of member of the district board of a local professional baseball park district created under subch. III of ch. 229 and the position of member of the district board of a local cultural arts district created under subch. V of ch. 229. 19.42(13)(b)(b) The positions of associate and assistant vice presidents of the University of Wisconsin System. 19.42(13)(cm)(cm) The president and vice presidents of the University of Wisconsin System and the chancellors and vice chancellors of all University of Wisconsin institutions, the University of Wisconsin Colleges, and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. 19.42(13)(e)(e) The chief clerk and sergeant at arms of each house of the legislature or a full-time, permanent employee occupying the position of auditor for the legislative audit bureau. 19.42(13)(f)(f) A member of a technical college district board or district director of a technical college, or any position designated as assistant, associate or deputy district director of a technical college. 19.42(13)(g)(g) The members and employees of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, except clerical employees. 19.42(13)(i)(i) A member or the executive director of the judicial commission. 19.42(13)(j)(j) A division administrator of an office created under ch. 14 or a department or independent agency created or continued under ch. 15. 19.42(13)(k)(k) The executive director, executive assistant to the executive director, internal auditor, chief investment officer, chief financial officer, chief legal counsel, chief risk officer and investment directors of the investment board. 19.42(13)(m)(m) The chief executive officer and members of the board of directors of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. 19.42(13)(n)(n) The chief executive officer and members of the board of directors of the Fox River Navigational System Authority. 19.42(13)(om)(om) The employees of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the members of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation employed in the private sector who are appointed by the speaker of the assembly and the senate majority leader. 19.42(13)(p)(p) All members of the elections commission and all members of the ethics commission. 19.42(13)(q)(q) The administrator and employees of the division of alcohol beverages. 19.42(14)(14) “State public official” means any individual holding a state public office. 19.42 HistoryHistory: 1973 c. 90; Stats. 1973 s. 11.02; 1973 c. 333; 1973 c. 334 ss. 33, 57; Stats. 1973 s. 19.42; 1977 c. 29, 223, 277; 1977 c. 447 ss. 35, 209; 1979 c. 34, 177, 221; 1981 c. 20, 269, 349, 391; 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 81 s. 11; 1983 a. 83 s. 20; 1983 a. 166 ss. 1 to 4, 16; 1983 a. 484, 538; 1985 a. 26; 1985 a. 29 s. 3202 (46); 1985 a. 304; 1987 a. 72, 119; 1987 a. 312 s. 17; 1987 a. 340, 365, 399, 403; 1989 a. 31, 338; 1991 a. 39, 189, 221, 269; 1993 a. 16, 263, 399; 1995 a. 27, 56, 274; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 237 ss. 19m, 722q; 1997 a. 298; 1999 a. 42, 65; 2001 a. 16, 104, 109; 2003 a. 39; 2005 a. 335; 2007 a. 1, 20, 196; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 7, 10, 32, 229; 2013 a. 20 ss. 193o, 193q, 2365m, 9448; 2013 a. 203; 2015 a. 117, 118, 196, 261; 2021 a. 266, 267; 2023 a. 73, 170. 19.42 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See also s. ETH 16.02, Wis. adm. code. 19.42 NoteLaw Revision Committee Note, 1983: This bill establishes consistency in the usage of the terms “person”, “individual” and “organization” in the code of ethics for state public officials. The term “person” is the broadest of these terms, and refers to any legal entity. The use of the term “person” in the bill is consistent with the definition of the word in s. 990.01 (26), stats., which provides that “person” includes all partnerships, associations and bodies politic or corporate”. The term “organization” is narrower, and is defined in s. 19.42 (11), stats., as “any corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, trust or other legal entity other than an individual or body politic”. “Individual”, although not specifically defined in the current statutes or in this bill, is used consistently in this bill to refer to natural persons.
19.42 AnnotationThe term “income” is used several times in the code of ethics for state public officials. This bill clarifies the current definition of income by providing a specific cross-reference to the internal revenue code and by providing that the definition refers to the most recent version of the internal revenue code which has been adopted by the legislature for state income tax purposes.
19.42 AnnotationWhen a person holds two government positions, one included in and the other exempted from the definition of state public official, the applicability of this subchapter depends upon the capacity in which the person acts. 64 Atty. Gen. 143.
19.4319.43 Financial disclosure. 19.43(1)(1) Each individual who in January of any year is an official required to file, and who is an official required to file for at least 14 days in that year, shall file with the commission no later than April 30 of that year a statement of economic interests meeting each of the requirements of s. 19.44 (1). The information contained on the statement shall be current as of December 31 of the preceding year. 19.43(2)(2) An official required to file shall file with the commission a statement of economic interests meeting each of the requirements of s. 19.44 (1) no later than 21 days following the date he or she assumes office if the official has not previously filed a statement of economic interests with the commission during that year. The information on the statement shall be current as per the date he or she assumes office. 19.43(2m)(2m) Each individual who is an official required to file shall file with the commission a statement of economic interests meeting each of the requirements of s. 19.44 (1) no later than 21 days following the date on which the individual’s term of office ends or the individual leaves the office. The information contained on the statement shall be current as of the date on which the individual’s term of office ends or the individual leaves the office. An individual who files a statement as provided under this subsection is not required to file another statement of economic interests until such time as the individual again becomes an official required to file. 19.43(3)(3) A nominee shall file with the commission a statement of economic interests meeting each of the requirements of s. 19.44 (1) within 21 days of being nominated unless the nominee has previously filed a statement of economic interests with the commission during that year. The information on the statement shall be current as per the date he or she was nominated. Following the receipt of a nominee’s statement of economic interests, the commission shall forward copies of such statement to the members of the committee of the senate to which the nomination is referred. 19.43(4)(4) A candidate for state public office shall file with the commission a statement of economic interests meeting each of the requirements of s. 19.44 (1) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers for the office which the candidate seeks, or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination papers or a declaration of candidacy under s. 8.05 (1) (j), 8.10 (2) (a), 8.15 (1), or 8.20 (8) (a); no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 5th day after notification of nomination is mailed or personally delivered to the candidate by the municipal clerk in the case of a candidate who is nominated at a caucus; or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day after notification of nomination is mailed or personally delivered to the candidate by the appropriate official or agency in the case of a write-in candidate or candidate who is appointed to fill a vacancy in nomination under s. 8.35 (2) (a). The information contained on the statement shall be current as of December 31 of the year preceding the filing deadline. Before certifying the name of any candidate for state public office under s. 7.08 (2) (a), the elections commission, municipal clerk, or board of election commissioners shall ascertain whether that candidate has complied with this subsection. If not, the elections commission, municipal clerk, or board of election commissioners may not certify the candidate’s name for ballot placement. 19.43(5)(5) Each member of the investment board and each employee of the investment board who is a state public official shall complete and file with the commission a quarterly report of economic transactions no later than the last day of the month following the end of each calendar quarter during any portion of which he or she was a member or employee of the investment board. Such reports of economic transactions shall be in the form prescribed by the commission and shall identify the date and nature of any purchase, sale, put, call, option, lease, or creation, dissolution, or modification of any economic interest made during the quarter for which the report is filed and disclosure of which would be required by s. 19.44 if a statement of economic interests were being filed. 19.43(7)(7) If an official required to file fails to make a timely filing, the commission shall promptly provide notice of the delinquency to the secretary of administration, and to the chief executive of the department of which the official’s office or position is a part, or, in the case of a district attorney, to the chief executive of that department and to the county clerk of each county served by the district attorney or in the case of a municipal judge to the clerk of the municipality of which the official’s office is a part, or in the case of a justice, court of appeals judge, or circuit judge, to the director of state courts. Upon such notification both the secretary of administration and the department, municipality, or director shall withhold all payments for compensation, reimbursement of expenses, and other obligations to the official until the commission notifies the officers to whom notice of the delinquency was provided that the official has complied with this section. 19.43(8)(8) On its own motion or at the request of any individual who is required to file a statement of economic interests, the commission may extend the time for filing or waive any filing requirement if the commission determines that the literal application of the filing requirements of this subchapter would work an unreasonable hardship on that individual or that the extension of the time for filing or waiver is in the public interest. The commission shall set forth in writing as a matter of public record its reason for the extension or waiver. 19.43 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See also ch. ETH 15, Wis. adm. code. 19.43 AnnotationThe extent of confidentiality of investment board nominees’ statements of economic interests rests in the sound discretion of the senate committee to which the nomination is referred under sub. (3). 68 Atty. Gen. 378.
19.43 AnnotationDiscussing the possible conflict between requirements of financial disclosure and confidentiality requirements for lawyers. 68 Atty. Gen. 411.
19.43 AnnotationSub. (8) does not authorize the ethics board to extend the date by which a candidate must file a statement of economic interest and cannot waive the filing requirement. 81 Atty. Gen. 85. 19.4419.44 Form of statement.
