13.51(3)
(3) Duties of the committee. The retirement research committee shall:
13.51(3)(a)
(a) Investigate and submit to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the legislature under
s. 13.172 (2), a report on any retirement system for public employes. The officers and employes of any such system shall cooperate fully with the committee in any such investigation.
13.51(3)(b)
(b) Require of officers or employes having charge of, control over or administering any public employe pension or retirement plan financial reports thereof showing the financial condition of such plan and the number, nature and amounts of its investments.
13.51(3)(c)
(c) Establish and keep current a library of all public employe pension and retirement plans throughout the United States and may study such plans of foreign countries.
13.51(4)
(4) Duties of the retirement funds. Each retirement fund or system to which the state contributes shall:
13.51(4)(a)
(a) Furnish the committee with a copy of each financial, actuarial and valuation report made by such fund or system, its actuary or treasurer, for the fiscal year beginning in 1965 and thereafter.
13.51(4)(b)
(b) Maintain records in such form that the committee or any other authorized agency can obtain such necessary information as it requires. Such information shall include censuses of active, deferred annuitant and retired annuitant classes by age, sex and membership service.
13.52
13.52
Joint survey committee on tax exemptions. 13.52(1)(1)
Creation. There is created a joint survey committee on tax exemptions composed of 9 members, as follows:
13.52(1)(a)
(a) Two majority party senators, one minority party senator, 2 majority party representatives to the assembly and one minority party representative to the assembly, selected as are the members of standing committees in their respective houses;
13.52(1)(b)
(b) A representative of the department of justice selected by the attorney general;
13.52(1)(c)
(c) The secretary of revenue or the secretary's designated representative; and
13.52(1)(d)
(d) A public member, selected by the governor by January 15 of each odd-numbered year, who is familiar with the tax problems of subordinate levels of government throughout the state.
13.52(1m)
(1m) Officers. The officers of this committee shall be a senate chairperson and vice chairperson, an assembly chairperson and vice chairperson and a secretary. The senate chairperson and vice chairperson shall be selected as are chairpersons and vice chairpersons of senate committees. The assembly chairperson and vice chairperson shall be appointed by the speaker. The secretary shall be elected by the committee from among its nonlegislator members.
13.52(2)
(2) Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled as are original appointments.
13.52(3)
(3) Term. The terms of all members shall expire on January 15 of the odd-numbered years, and each member shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. Any member shall cease to be a member upon losing the status upon which the appointment is based.
13.52(4)
(4) Committee action. All actions of the committee shall require the approval of a majority of all the members.
13.52(5)
(5) Powers and duties. It is the purpose of this committee to provide the legislature with a considered opinion of the legality of the proposal, of the fiscal effect upon the state and its subdivisions and of the desirability as a matter of public policy of each legislative proposal which would modify existing laws or create new laws relating to the exemption of property or persons from any state or local taxes or special assessments. To this end the committee shall:
13.52(5)(a)
(a) Make such investigations as are required to carry out the duties assigned to it.
13.52(5)(b)
(b) Hold such hearings as are required to elicit information required to make its reports. Any member is empowered to administer oaths and examine witnesses. By subpoena, issued over the signature of the cochairpersons and served in the manner in which circuit court subpoenas are served, it may summon and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of records necessary or convenient to be examined or used by them in carrying out their functions. Any subpoenaed witness who fails to appear, refuses to answer inquiries, or fails or refuses to produce records within his or her control when demanded shall be reported by the committee to the circuit court of Dane county, whose duty it is to compel obedience to any such subpoena by attachment proceedings for contempt as in case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from said court or a refusal to testify therein.
13.52(6)
(6) Report. Upon the introduction in either house of the legislature of any proposal which affects any existing statute or creates any new statute relating to the exemption of any property or person from any state or local taxes or special assessments, such proposal shall at once be referred to the joint survey committee on tax exemptions by the presiding officer instead of to a standing committee, and such proposal shall not be considered further by either house until the joint survey committee on tax exemptions has submitted a report, in writing, setting forth an opinion on the legality of the proposal, the fiscal effect upon the state and its subdivisions and its desirability as a matter of public policy and such report has been printed as an appendix to the bill and attached thereto as are amendments. Such printing shall be in lieu of inclusion in the daily journal of the house in which the bill was introduced.
13.52(7)
(7) Staff. The committee may employ such personnel as are required for the performance of its duties. Any intermittent employment of professional, technical or research personnel may be made outside the classified service.
13.53
13.53
Joint legislative audit committee. 13.53(1)
(1)
Creation. There is created a joint legislative audit committee consisting of the cochairpersons of the joint committee on finance, 2 other majority and 2 minority party senators and 2 other majority and 2 minority party representatives to the assembly, appointed as are the members of standing committees in their respective houses. In making appointments of the members from each house other than the cochairpersons of the joint committee on finance, each house shall designate a cochairperson. The committee shall be staffed as are other standing committees of the legislature. The committee shall meet as often as necessary to perform its duties and functions.
13.53(2)
(2) Responsibilities. The joint legislative audit committee shall have advisory responsibilities for the legislative audit bureau. The committee's responsibility is subject to general supervision of the joint committee on legislative organization. The joint legislative audit committee may:
13.53(2)(a)
(a) Evaluate the qualifications of the candidates for the position of state auditor and make recommendations to the joint committee on legislative organization.
13.53(2)(b)
(b) Study and review the postaudit or other reports submitted by the legislative audit bureau, confer with the state auditor and assistants and with other legislative committees in regard to such reports and, when necessary, confer with representatives of the entities audited in order to obtain full and complete information in regard to any fiscal transactions and governmental operations within the state.
13.53(2)(c)
(c) Refer to the legislature or to an appropriate standing committee information that, in its opinion, warrants action by the legislature or by the committee. It may request from a standing committee information on such action as is taken. The committee shall seek the advice of the appropriate standing committees with respect to the program portion of an audit relating to an entity which is within the purview of such committee.
13.53(3)
(3) Postaudit report consideration. 13.53(3)(a)(a) In any instance in which a postaudit report of the legislative audit bureau cites cases of improper payments; inadequate accounting, operating, or administrative system controls, procedures, or related records; inaccuracies; waste or extravagance; unauthorized or unintended activities or programs; or other deficiencies required by statute to be reported, the head of the entity to which the audit report pertains shall, within a time period specified by the committee, advise the cochairpersons of the committee, the chairperson of the joint committee on legislative organization and to each appropriate standing committee of any remedial actions taken or to be taken on matters cited in the report. Where such advice is not forthcoming from the head of the entity within the time period specified by the committee, or where the committee determines that suitable action has not been taken, the committee may report the matter immediately to the joint committee on legislative organization and to each appropriate standing committee.
13.53(3)(b)
(b) The committee may, in any case, propose specific corrective action to remedy undesirable practices, including changes in applicable laws, rules and procedures, but with respect to the program portion of an audit, it shall first seek the advice of the appropriate standing committees which have purview over the entity under review. If the committee introduces a bill, it shall be referred to the appropriate standing committee. The appropriate standing committees may propose corrective legislation wherever they find that the program portion of the audit indicates that a law is not being implemented in the manner intended by the legislature when the law was enacted.
13.53(3)(c)
(c) Each appropriate standing committee, and the joint legislative audit committee, may hold a hearing on the contents of a postaudit report by the legislative audit bureau. An appropriate standing committee may request the joint legislative audit committee to hold such a hearing. Nothing in this paragraph precludes joint hearings by 2 or more committees.
13.53(4)
(4) Fiscal and performance evaluations. The committee may at any time, without regard to whether the legislature is then in session, request the joint committee on legislative organization to investigate any matter within the scope of a postaudit completed or being conducted by the legislative audit bureau. It may also request investigation and consideration of any matter relative to the expenditures and revenues as well as the fiscal and performance activities of entities pursuant to the objectives of the committee and the legislative audit bureau.
13.53(5)
(5) Interference; special duties. No member of the joint legislative audit committee, the joint committee on legislative organization or other member of the legislature may interfere in any way with the state auditor in the conduct of audit examinations. The state auditor shall carry out the auditor's professional responsibilities in accordance with accepted professional auditing standards and shall conduct examinations within the framework of the ethics of the auditing profession. This subsection does not preclude an individual legislator or a standing committee from requesting the joint legislative audit committee or the joint committee on legislative organization to direct the state auditor to undertake specific audits. All such requests shall be reviewed by the committee to which they are directed before such committee directs the state auditor to conduct such audits. The joint committee on legislative organization may consult with the joint legislative audit committee and the legislative audit bureau prior to giving its directions to the state auditor. Nothing in this subsection precludes the joint legislative audit committee or the joint committee on legislative organization from instructing the state auditor to undertake examinations of specific activities when the committee deems it to be necessary.
13.55
13.55
Commission on uniform state laws. 13.55(1)
(1)
Creation. There is created a 9-member commission on uniform state laws to advise the legislature with regard to uniform laws and model laws. The commission shall consist of the director of the legislative council staff or a professional employe of the legislative council staff designated by the director, the chief of the legislative reference bureau or a professional employe under
s. 13.92 (1) (b) designated by the chief, the revisor of statutes, 2 senators and 2 representatives to the assembly from the 2 major political parties appointed as are members of standing committees for 2-year terms, and 2 public members appointed by the governor for 4-year terms. The terms of members appointed by the governor or by the legislature shall expire on May 1 of an odd-numbered year. The members, other than the appointees of the governor or of the legislature, may each designate an employe to represent them at any meeting of the conference under
sub. (3).
13.55(2)
(2) Quorum; scheduled meetings. Any 5 members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. The commission shall meet at least once every 2 years.
13.55(3)
(3) National conference. Each commissioner may attend the annual meeting of the conference of commissioners on uniform state laws; and shall examine subjects on which uniformity of legislation is desirable; ascertain the best methods to effect uniformity; cooperate with commissioners in other states in the preparation of uniform acts; and prepare bills adapting such uniform acts to the Wisconsin statutes, for introduction in the legislature.
13.55(4)
(4) Report. The commission shall make a biennial report to the law revision committee of the joint legislative council.
13.55(5)
(5) Nonlawyer members. The commissioners shall individually and collectively endeavor to secure the right of any person to become a voting commissioner or associate member of the national conference of commissioners on uniform state laws without regard to his or her membership in the bar of the state which he or she represents. The commission shall include in its first 2 biennial reports under
sub. (4) after January 1, 1981 a description of the endeavors, an assessment of the probability of their success within the foreseeable future and further recommendations for accomplishing the objective described in this subsection.
13.56
13.56
Joint committee for review of administrative rules. 13.56(1)(1)
Creation. There is created a joint committee for review of administrative rules, consisting of 5 senators and 5 representatives to the assembly appointed as are the members of standing committees in their respective houses from the majority and minority political parties in each house. In making the appointments, each house shall designate a cochairperson. The committee shall meet at the call of one of its cochairpersons.
13.56(2)
(2) Participation in certain proceedings. The cochairpersons of the joint committee for review of administrative rules or their designated agents shall accept service made under
ss. 227.40 (5) and
806.04 (11). If the committee determines that the legislature should be represented in the proceeding, it shall request the joint committee on legislative organization to designate the legislature's representative for the proceeding. The costs of participation in the proceeding shall be paid equally from the appropriations under
s. 20.765 (1) (a) and
(b), except that such costs incurred by the department of justice shall be paid from the appropriation under
s. 20.455 (1) (d).
13.56 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See s.
227.19 (1) for a statement of legislative policy regarding legislative review of administrative rules. See s.
227.26 for review after promulgation of rules.
13.56 Note
NOTE: The following annotations relate to 13.56 as it existed prior to its amendment by ch. 34, laws of 1979.
13.56 Annotation
See briefs filed in State ex rel. Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, Inc. v. Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, 73 W (2d) 234, 243 NW (2d) 497 (1976).
13.56 Annotation
Legislative oversight of administrative rules cited. American Motors Corp. v. DILHR, 101 W (2d) 337, 305 NW (2d) 62 (1981).
13.56 Annotation
A collective bargaining agreement between the regents and the teaching assistants association is not subject to review by the committee. 59 Atty. Gen. 200.
13.56 Annotation
In giving notice of public hearings held under (2), the committee should concurrently employ the various forms of notice available which best fit the particular circumstances. 62 Atty. Gen. 299.
13.56 Annotation
Legislative oversight of administrative rules discussed. 63 Atty. Gen. 159.
13.56 Annotation
The vote of an absent member of the joint committee cannot be counted. Legislative oversight of administrative rules discussed. 63 Atty. Gen. 168.
13.56 Annotation
See note to Art. IV, sec. 1, citing 63 Atty. Gen. 173.
13.56 Annotation
Legislative committee review of administrative rules in Wisconsin. Bunn and Gallagher. 1977 WLR 935.
13.565
13.565
Legislative review of certain rules. Upon referral of any proposed rule relating to animal waste treatment to the presiding officers of each house of the legislature under
s. 227.19 (2), the presiding officers shall refer it to a senate and an assembly committee concerned with agriculture. The committees shall hold a public hearing to review the proposed rule.
13.57
13.57
National conference of state legislatures. 13.57(1)(1) The legislative delegates to the national conference of state legislatures shall be designated by the committee on senate organization for the senate and by the speaker for the assembly. Vouchers to reimburse the actual and necessary expenses of the delegates to the conference shall be certified by the chairperson of the committee on senate organization for the senate and by the speaker for the assembly.
13.57(2)
(2) Officers or employes under this chapter may be designated as delegates to the conference by the appropriate legislative officer or as provided by the appropriate governing body. Vouchers to reimburse the actual and necessary expenses of these delegates to the conference shall be certified by the chairperson of the appropriate governing body or by the appropriate legislative officer.
13.58
13.58
Joint committee on information policy. 13.58(1)
(1)
Creation. There is created a joint standing committee on information policy composed of the following members:
13.58(1)(a)
(a) The assembly cochairperson of the joint committee on finance, or a member of that committee who is designated by its assembly cochairperson; and the senate cochairperson of the joint committee on finance, or a member of that committee who is designated by its senate cochairperson.
13.58(1)(b)
(b) Two other majority party and 2 minority party senators and 2 other majority and 2 minority party representatives to the assembly, appointed as are the members of standing committees in their respective houses.
13.58(2)
(2) Officers. In making appointments of the members of each house, other than the cochairpersons of the joint committee on finance, each house shall designate a cochairperson.
13.58(3)
(3) Staff. The committee shall be staffed as are other standing committees of the legislature.
13.58(4)
(4) Meetings. The committee shall meet as often as necessary to perform its duties and functions.
13.58(5)(a)(a) The committee shall do all of the following:
13.58(5)(a)1.
1. Review information management and technology systems, plans, practices and policies of state and local units of government, including their responsiveness to the needs of state and local units of government for delivery of high-quality services on an efficient, effective and economical basis, their data security and integrity, their protection of the personal privacy of individuals who are subjects of data bases of state and local governmental agencies and their provision of access to public records under
s. 19.35 (1).
13.58(5)(a)2.
2. Review the effects on the needs identified under
subd. 1. of proposals for the expansion of existing information technology and the implementation of new information technology by the state.
13.58(5)(a)3.
3. Review the impact of proposed legislation on existing technology utilization by state and local units of government.
13.58(5)(a)5.
5. Upon receipt of strategic plans from the department of administration, the joint committee on legislative organization and the director of state courts, review and transmit comments concerning the plans to the entities submitting the plans.
13.58(5)(b)
(b) The committee may do any of the following:
13.58(5)(b)1.
1. Direct the council on information technology or the subunit in the department of administration with policy-making responsibility related to information technology to conduct studies or prepare reports on items related to the committee's duties under
par. (a).
13.58(5)(b)2.
2. Make recommendations to the governor, the legislature, state agencies or local units of government regarding the policies, practices, proposals, legislation and reports reviewed under
subd. 1. and
par. (a).
13.58(5)(b)3.
3. Direct the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System to prepare and submit to the committee such reports as the committee requests pursuant to the committee's responsibilities under
par. (a).
13.58 History
History: 1991 a. 317;
1995 a. 27.
REGULATION OF LOBBYING
13.61
13.61
Lobbying regulated; legislative purpose. The legislature declares that the operation of an open and responsible government requires that the fullest opportunity be afforded to the people to petition their government for the redress of grievances and to express freely to any officials of the executive or legislative branch their opinions on legislation, on pending administrative rules and other policy decisions by administrative agencies, and on current issues. Essential to the continued functioning of an open government is the preservation of the integrity of the governmental decision-making process. In order to preserve and maintain the integrity of the process, the legislature determines that it is necessary to regulate and publicly disclose the identity, expenditures and activities of persons who hire others or are hired to engage in efforts to influence actions of the legislative and executive branches.
13.61 History
History: 1977 c. 278;
1989 a. 338.
13.61 Annotation
Wisconsin's New Lobby Law. Christianson. Wis. Law. June 1991.
