Wisconsin bill allows parties to request random venue assignment in lawsuits involving state or federal officials

Original title: An Act to amend 801.50 (6) and 814.61 (2) (title); to create 753.067, 801.50 (4r) and 814.61 (2) (c) of the statutes; Relating to: venue for actions in which there is a governmental party.

Last action · March 23, 2026: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1Sponsors: David Steffen and 13 others

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What This Bill Proposed

Assembly Bill 67 allows any party in a lawsuit involving a governmental party and filed in a county with a first- or second-class city to request a random change of to a different circuit court. Plaintiffs must file the request within five days of filing the , while other parties or s have specific five-day deadlines depending on service or intervention approval.

Why it matters

Litigants in cases involving state legislators, constitutional officers, or federal representatives in major Wisconsin cities gain the legal option to move their lawsuit to a different judicial circuit, and once reassigned, that location becomes final.

Background

Assembly Bill 67 was introduced during the 2025 legislative session in Wisconsin and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary before failing to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Plaintiffs in lawsuits with governmental parties

Plaintiffs gain the option to request a random change of venue within five days of filing the summons and complaint.

Directly affected

Governmental parties and intervenors

Cases involving these entities in specific city courts become subject to mandatory random venue reassignment upon request.

Directly affected

Circuit court clerks

Clerks are required to randomly select an alternative circuit, notify the receiving county's clerk, and manage related notices.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers the option for random venue assignment under this bill?

The option is triggered when a governmental party is a party to or intervenes in a lawsuit filed in a county that contains a first- or second-class city.

How quickly must a plaintiff request a random venue assignment?

A plaintiff must file a written notice seeking random assignment no later than five days after the are filed.

Can a venue be changed again after it has been randomly reassigned under this measure?

No. Once an action has been assigned under this provision, the assignment is conclusive, and no party, court, or may move for any subsequent change of .

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Failed in the Assembly.

Procedural history

3 actions

Mar 23, 2026House
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
Feb 24, 2025HouseIntroduced
Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary
Feb 24, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced by Representatives Steffen, Allen, Armstrong, Dittrich, Goeben, Gundrum, Knodl, Kreibich, Murphy and Sortwell; cosponsored by Senators James, Nass, Tomczyk and Wanggaard

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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