Chapter 321

321.42(1)(a) (a) If any member of the national guard or of the state defense force or any resident of this state who is a member of the national guard of another state is prosecuted by any civil or criminal action for any act performed within the scope of his or her employment as a member, the governor, upon request of the adjutant general, shall appoint counsel to defend the member. The adjutant general shall make the request to appoint defense counsel if the act performed by the member was in the line of duty. The governor may appoint the attorney general to defend the member.

321.42(1)(b) (b) The costs and expenses of the defense under par. (a) shall be audited by the department of administration and charged to the appropriation under s. 20.505 (1) (d). If the jury or court finds that the member against whom the action is brought acted within the scope of his or her employment as a member, the judgment as to damages entered against the member shall be paid by the state.

321.42(2) (2) Any civil action or proceeding brought against a member under sub. (1) (a) is subject to ss. 893.82 and 895.46.

321.42 History History: 1977 c. 65; 1979 c. 34 s. 2102 (37) (a); 1979 c. 221; 1981 c. 20 s. 2202 (17) (a); 1985 a. 332 s. 253; 1987 a. 63 s. 13; 2003 a. 69; 2007 a. 200 s. 43 to 45; Stats. 2007 s. 321.42; 2013 a. 20.

321.42 Annotation A national guard member on active duty, but operating his own car for his own purposes while on a pass, was not acting in the performance of a military duty. Wuorinen v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. 56 Wis. 2d 44, 201 N.W.2d 521 (1972).

321.42 Annotation The state is not immune under ch. 102, (worker’s compensation), from liability for damages incurred by a national guard member while pursuing military duties. The state must pay a judgment based on negligence occurring in the good faith performance of duty. Mazurek v. Skaar, 60 Wis. 2d 420, 210 N.W.2d 691 (1973).

321.43 321.43 Exemption from civil authority. During the time the national guard or state defense force is performing military duty under orders issued by the governor or adjutant general, all of its members, while going to, remaining at, or returning from a place of duty are exempt from arrest or service of any process issued by a civilian court. In any civil or criminal prosecution against any member arising out of the member’s performing military duty, it shall be a defense that the member was acting in good faith or under a lawful military order. The order shall be considered lawful unless shown to be unlawful.

321.43 History History: 1991 a. 316; 2007 a. 200 s. 42; Stats. 2007 s. 321.43.

321.43 Annotation Since this state has never granted a national guard member immunity from suit by another member for injuries negligently caused in the performance of military duty, the 1969 amendment of this section did not change the law. Mazurek v. Skaar, 60 Wis. 2d 420, 210 N.W.2d 691 (1973).

321.44 321.44 Exemptions from certain county duties. Every member of the national guard or state defense force is exempt from service on any body of county residents summoned by the sheriff to assist in preserving the peace.

321.44 History History: 1977 c. 318; 1979 c. 110; 2007 a. 200 s. 35; Stats. 2007 s. 321.44.

321.45 321.45 Military family financial aid.

321.45(1) (1) In this section:

321.45(1)(a) (a) “Immediate family” means the spouse and dependent children of a service member who are residents of this state.

321.45(1)(b) (b) “Service member” means a resident of this state who is a member of the U.S. armed forces, including any reserve component, or of the national guard.

321.45(2) (2) The department shall provide financial aid to eligible service members and eligible members of the immediate family of service members. The department shall promulgate rules establishing eligibility criteria and the amount of financial aid.

321.45 History History: 2009 a. 28; 2013 a. 45.

321.45 Cross-reference Cross Reference: See also ch. DMA 1, Wis. adm. code.

321.51 321.51 State defense force authorized.

321.51(1) (1) Authority and name. The adjutant general may establish a plan for organizing a military force to be known as the “state defense force.” The governor, or adjutant general if designated by the governor, may organize the state defense force, which may include an aviation unit, if all or part of the national guard is called into federal active duty. The state defense force shall be a uniformed force distinct from the national guard, composed of commissioned or assigned officers and enlisted personnel who volunteer for service. A person who is on active duty in the U.S. armed forces, including the active reserve components, may not serve in the state defense force. A person in the retired or inactive reserve may serve in the state defense force.

321.51(2) (2) Organization; rules and regulations.

321.51(2)(a) (a) The governor or adjutant general, if designated by the governor, may prescribe regulations, instructions, and policies consistent with this section governing the enlistment, organization, administration, equipment, uniforms, maintenance, training, and discipline of the state defense force. The regulations, instructions, and policies, to the extent the governor considers necessary, shall conform to existing law governing the national guard. The regulations, instructions, and policies shall prohibit a member of the state defense force from accepting any gifts, donations, gratuities, or other things of value given to the member because he or she is a member of the state defense force other than wages and benefits paid by the state.

321.51(2)(b) (b) If the state defense force is organized under sub. (1), the adjutant general may perform the duties under s. 321.04 (2) (a), (b), (c) and (d) for the state defense force.

321.51(2)(c) (c) Officers and enlistees, while on state active duty, in the state defense force shall receive the base pay and allowances of the identical grade in the U.S. army.

321.51(2)(d) (d) The adjutant general may organize a recruitment and training unit of not more than 12 persons at each state armory. The unit shall establish recruitment lists of persons interested in becoming members of the state defense force, recruit full units for the state defense force, and train the persons recruited.

321.51(2)(e) (e) If the state defense force is organized under sub. (1), the adjutant general shall perform the duties under s. 321.04 (1) (a) to (n) and (q) for the state defense force.

321.51(3) (3) Requisitions; armories; other buildings. The governor or adjutant general, if designated by the governor, may requisition military property from the federal government for the use of the state defense force. The governor or adjutant general, if designated by the governor, may make available to the state defense force the facilities of state armories and military property and other state premises and property. The department may rent or lease buildings or parts of buildings and grounds for armory purposes or continue in possession of those premises leased by the department for the use of the national guard, paying rent from the appropriation under s. 20.465 (1) (a). All leases made under this subsection terminate upon dissolution of the state defense force regardless of the term provided in the lease, unless the premises are needed for national guard purposes. The lease for the premises needed for the national guard may be assigned by the department to the national guard organization that intends to occupy the premises.

321.51(4) (4) Use outside this state. The state defense force may not serve outside the boundaries of this state unless one of the following applies:

321.51(4)(a) (a) Upon the request of the governor of another state, the governor of this state orders all or part of the state defense force to assist a military unit or law enforcement agency of the other state. The governor may recall the state defense force from the other state at any time.

321.51(4)(b) (b) Upon order of the officer in command, the state defense force continues in fresh pursuit of insurrectionists, terrorists, or enemy forces into another state until they are apprehended or captured or until a military unit or law enforcement agency of the other state or the forces of the United States have had a reasonable opportunity to take up the pursuit or to capture those persons. Any pursuit under this subsection may only take place if the other state gives authority for the pursuit. Any person who is captured in the other state by the state defense force shall without unnecessary delay be surrendered to a military unit or law enforcement agency of the state in which the person is captured or to the United States. The surrender of the person captured shall not constitute a waiver by this state of the right to extradite or prosecute the person for any crime committed in this state.

321.51(5) (5) Federal active duty. No unit of the state defense force may be drafted, as such, into the U.S. military. No person shall by reason of membership in the state defense force be exempted from federal active duty.

321.51(6) (6) Disqualifications. No person who has been expelled or dishonorably discharged from any military or naval organization of this state, of another state, or of the United States may be a member of the state defense force.

321.51(7) (7) Oath. The oath to be taken by officers or enlistees in the state defense force shall be substantially in the form prescribed for officers of the national guard. The oath shall be filed in the same manner as in the national guard.

321.51(8) (8) Enlistees. No person may be enlisted in the state defense force for more than one year, but enlistment may be renewed.

321.51(9) (9) Retention of items of uniform. Officers and enlistees of the state defense force who have served honorably may, upon application to the unit commander, be permitted to retain items of their uniform. If retained, the uniform may be worn only on occasions essentially of a military character at which the uniform is more appropriate than civilian clothing, such as memorial services, military weddings, military funerals, military balls, military parades, military reunions, and meetings or functions of associations formed for military purposes, the membership of which is composed largely or entirely of honorably discharged members of the U.S. military, national guard, and state defense force.

321.51(10) (10) Labor disputes. The state defense force may not be used to interfere with the orderly process of a labor dispute.

321.51 History History: 1975 c. 94 ss. 6, 91 (1); 1983 a. 27; 1987 a. 63 ss. 3, 13; 1991 a. 316; 2003 a. 69; 2007 a. 200 ss. 21 to 23, 29 to 30, 224 to 225; Stats. 2007 s. 321.51.

subch. V of ch. 321 SUBCHAPTER V

RIGHTS OF SERVICE MEMBERS

321.60 321.60 Extension of licenses for service members.

321.60(1) (1) In this section:

321.60(1)(a) (a) “License” means any of the following that is issued to an individual and applies to that individual:

321.60(1)(a)1. 1. A license issued under s. 13.63 or a registration issued under s. 13.64.

321.60(1)(a)2. 2. An approval specified in s. 29.024 (2g).

321.60(1)(a)3. 3. A license issued under s. 48.66 and 48.69.

321.60(1)(a)4. 4. A license, certificate of approval, provisional license, conditional license, certification, certification card, registration, permit, training permit, or approval specified in s. 49.45 (2) (a) 11., 51.42 (7) (b) 11., 51.421 (3) (a), 97.33 (2), 97.605 (1) (a) or (b), 254.176, 254.178 (2) (a), 254.20 (2), (3), or (4), 256.15 (5) (a) or (b), (6g) (a), (7), or (8) (a) or (f), or 343.305 (6) (a) or a license for the operation of a campground specified in s. 97.67 (1).

321.60(1)(a)5. 5. A business tax registration certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50).

321.60(1)(a)6. 6. A license, registration, registration certificate, or certification specified in s. 93.135 (1).

321.60(1)(a)6m. 6m. A license, certification, or permit issued under s. 89.06 or 89.072.

321.60(1)(a)7. 7. An occupational license, as defined in s. 101.02 (1) (a) 2.

321.60(1)(a)8. 8. A license issued under s. 102.17 (1) (c), 104.07, or 105.05.

321.60(1)(a)10. 10. A certificate issued under s. 103.275, 103.34, 103.91, or 103.92.

321.60(1)(a)11. 11. A license or permit granted by the department of public instruction.

321.60(1)(a)12. 12. A license or certificate of registration issued by the department of financial institutions, or a division of it, under ss. 138.09, 138.12, 138.14, 202.13, 202.14, 217.05, 218.0101 to 218.0163, 218.02, 218.04, 218.05, 224.72, 224.725, or 224.93 or subch. IV of ch. 551.

Effective date note NOTE: Subd. 12. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 267. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads:

Effective date text 12. A license or certificate of registration issued by the department of financial institutions, or a division of it, under ss. 138.09, 138.12, 138.14, 202.13, 202.14, 217.06, 218.0101 to 218.0163, 218.02, 218.04, 218.05, 224.72, 224.725, or 224.93 or subch. IV of ch. 551.

321.60(1)(a)13. 13. A permit issued under s. 170.12.

321.60(1)(a)14. 14. A certification under s. 165.85.

321.60(1)(a)15. 15. A license, permit, or registration issued under ss. 218.0101 to 218.0163, 218.11, 218.12, 218.22, 218.32, 218.41, 218.51, 341.51, 343.305 (6), 343.61, or 343.62.

321.60(1)(a)16. 16. A license, registration, or certification specified in s. 299.08 (1) (a).

321.60(1)(a)18. 18. A credential, as defined in s. 440.01 (2) (a).

321.60(1)(a)19. 19. A license issued under ch. 562 or s. 563.24.

321.60(1)(a)20. 20. A license issued under s. 628.04, 632.69 (2), or 633.14 or a temporary license issued under s. 628.09.

321.60(1)(a)21. 21. A license to practice law in this state.

321.60(1)(a)22. 22. A certificate granted by the technical college system board.

321.60(1)(b) (b) “Licensing agency” means a board, examining board, affiliated credentialing board, office, commissioner, department, or division within a department that grants or issues a license.

321.60(1)(c) (c) “Service member” means a member of the U.S. armed forces, a member of a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces, a member of the state defense force, or a member of a national guard unit of any state who is a resident of Wisconsin.

321.60(2) (2) Any license that a service member holds, the expiration date of which is after September 11, 2001, except a license to practice law, does not expire on the expiration date of the license if, on the expiration date, the service member is on active duty. If the supreme court agrees, a license to practice law that a service member holds, the expiration date of which is after September 11, 2001, does not expire on the expiration date of the license if, on the expiration date, the service member is on active duty. A license extended under this subsection expires 180 days after the service member is discharged from active duty.

321.60(2m) (2m) Any license that the spouse of a service member holds, the expiration date of which is after September 11, 2001, except a license to practice law, does not expire on the expiration date of the license if the service member is on active duty on the expiration date of the spouse’s license and the spouse does not practice under the license while the service member is on active duty because the service member is on active duty. If the supreme court agrees, a license to practice law that the spouse of a service member holds, the expiration date of which is after September 11, 2001, does not expire on the expiration date of the license if the service member is on active duty on the expiration date of the spouse’s license and the spouse does not practice under the license while the service member is on active duty because the service member is on active duty. A license extended under this subsection expires 180 days after the service member is discharged from active duty.

321.60(3) (3) The licensing agency or the supreme court shall extend or renew a license extended under sub. (2) or (2m) until the next date that the license expires or for the period that such license is normally issued, at no cost to the service member or the spouse under sub. (2m), if all of the following conditions are met:

321.60(3)(a) (a) The service member or spouse, as appropriate, requests an extension or renewal of the license within 180 days after the service member is discharged from active duty.

321.60(3)(b) (b) The service member or spouse, as appropriate, provides the licensing agency or supreme court with a copy of a federal or state document that specifies when the service member was called into active duty and when the service member was discharged from active duty.

321.60(3)(d) (d) In the case of a license to practice law, the supreme court agrees to granting the extension or renewal.

321.60(4) (4) If a service member’s license or the license of a service member’s spouse is renewed or extended under sub. (3) no more than 180 days before the next date that the license would normally expire, the licensing agency, or supreme court if it agrees, shall allow the service member or spouse, as appropriate, to renew or extend the license without complying with any continuing education or training requirements if complying with such requirement in the period before the license expires would cause the service member or spouse, as appropriate, undue hardship. If a service member’s license or the license of a service member’s spouse is renewed or extended under this subsection, the licensing agency or supreme court may require the service member or spouse, as appropriate, to comply with any continuing education or training requirements within a reasonable time after receipt of the license.

321.60(5) (5) The department shall assist any service member or spouse of a service member who needs assistance to renew or extend a license under this section.

321.60(6) (6) The department shall prepare and distribute to appropriate agencies and persons, at no cost to those agencies or persons, a brochure explaining the provisions of this section.

321.60 History History: 2001 a. 22; 2003 a. 69; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 130, 196; 2007 a. 200 s. 142; Stats. 2007 s. 321.60; 2009 a. 2, 3, 344, 405; 2011 a. 210; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 331; 2023 a. 267.

321.61 321.61 Service members civil relief for property taxes and mobile telephone contracts; federal active duty.

321.61(1) (1) 

321.61(1)(a) (a) In this subsection, unless the context indicates otherwise:

321.61(1)(a)1. 1. “Interest and penalties” means interest and penalties accruing on taxes during the period of federal active duty and 6 months thereafter. In case several owners jointly own property, other than property held jointly or as marital property with the spouse of the person in federal active duty, interest and penalties means the proportionate share of the total interest and penalties commensurate with the equity in the property of the person in federal active duty.

321.61(1)(a)2. 2. “Person in federal active duty” means any man or woman who is serving in federal active duty for a period of 90 days or more.

321.61(1)(a)3. 3. “Property” means any real estate or personal property belonging to a person in federal active duty that was acquired prior to the commencement of the federal active duty or that was acquired by descent.

321.61(1)(a)4. 4. “Taxes” means any property taxes or special assessments or tax certificates evidencing those taxes and assessments not belonging to private buyers.

321.61(1)(b) (b) To supplement and complement the provisions of 50 App. USC 501, and to afford and obtain greater peace and security for persons in federal active duty, the enforcement of certain tax obligations or liabilities that may prejudice the property rights of persons in federal active duty may be temporarily suspended as provided in this subsection.

321.61(1)(c) (c) Any person in federal active duty or within 6 months after terminating that duty, or the person’s agent or attorney during that period, may petition the circuit court of any county in which the person owns property for relief under this subsection. Upon filing of the petition the court shall make an order fixing the time of hearing and requiring the giving of notice of the hearing. If after the hearing the court finds that the person is, or within 6 months next preceding the filing of the petition was, in federal active duty and owns property within the county on which taxes have fallen or will fall due, and that the person’s ability to pay the taxes has been materially adversely affected by reason of being in federal active duty, the court shall enter an order determining that the person is entitled to relief under this subsection. The court may suspend proceedings for the collection of taxes on the property for a period not exceeding 6 months after termination of the federal active duty of the person, or for the time reasonably necessary to complete the agreement provided in par. (g). Thereafter, the property shall not be included in tax certificates issued to enforce collection of taxes on property, and all proceedings for that purpose shall be suspended, except under terms that the court may order.

321.61(1)(d) (d) Whenever any tax or assessment on real property, including all special assessments, is not paid when due, any interest or penalty under s. 74.47 and the maximum limitation of 6 percent per year under 50 App. USC 501 shall be waived for the purpose and under the conditions specified in this subsection.

321.61(1)(e) (e) The penalties and interest waived under this subsection are those for nonpayment of all taxes or assessments, general or special, falling due during the period of federal active duty of any person against either real or personal property of which the person is the bona fide owner or in which the person has an interest.

321.61(1)(f) (f) The person owning or having an interest in any property in respect to which the order under par. (c) is made, or the person’s agent or attorney, may file a certified copy of the order of suspension with the county treasurer or with the city treasurer of cities authorized by law to sell lands for the nonpayment of taxes as to the taxes and assessments. The person shall file with the order an affidavit in triplicate, sworn to by the person or agent or attorney, setting forth the name of the owner, the legal description of the property, the type of property, when acquired, the document number of the deed and, if given on the deed, the volume and page where the deed is recorded if acquired by deed, and the name of the estate if acquired by descent, amount of delinquent taxes, if any, and the names of the holders of any outstanding mortgage, lien, or other encumbrance. Upon receipt of the filing, the county treasurer or city treasurer shall record the order in the office of the register of deeds of the county and file a copy in the office of the treasurer, who shall make proper notation that a person in federal active duty is the holder of the legal title and has made application for special relief. The county treasurer or city treasurer shall immediately forward an additional copy of the order and affidavit to the office of the clerk of the town, city, or village where the property is located or, if it is located in a city authorized to sell lands for nonpayment of its taxes, to the commissioner of assessments, who shall make an appropriate notation in the records.