Wisconsin

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Legislative Orientation ✓ Available

Chamber	Question	Answer	Detail
Senate	Does your chamber offer an orientation program for new legislators at the beginning of a term?	Yes
Senate	Which best describes the length of the New Member orientation program?	Multiple days
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Legislative process/procedure
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Legislative research and bill drafting
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Role of committees/training of chairs/vice chairs
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Engagement with the public or media
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Ethics/conflicts of interest
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Harassment policies of your chamber
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Budget process
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	Public Records Law, Supreme Court Session
Senate	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Clerk or Secretary's office
Senate	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Human Resources
Senate	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	Legislative Service Agencies
Senate	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Reimbursement for travel expenses to attend orientation
Senate	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Networking opportunities with other newly elected members
Senate	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Provision of state-issued electronic devices (phones, laptops, etc.)
Senate	Does your chamber permit remote participation in the orientation program?	No
Senate	Does your chamber provide an orientation program for members elected in a special election?	No
Senate	Does your chamber provide on-going training opportunities for all members throughout the legislative term? If yes, please note what topics are typically addressed.	No
State Assembly	Does your chamber offer an orientation program for new legislators at the beginning of a term?	Yes
State Assembly	Which best describes the length of the New Member orientation program?	Multiple days
State Assembly	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Legislative process/procedure
State Assembly	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Legislative research and bill drafting
State Assembly	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Role of committees/training of chairs/vice chairs
State Assembly	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Ethics/conflicts of interest
State Assembly	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Harassment policies of your chamber
State Assembly	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Budget process
State Assembly	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	Security Logistics (parking, keys, IDs, access cards, etc) Office budgets, per diem and travel
State Assembly	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Clerk or Secretary's office
State Assembly	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Human Resources
State Assembly	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	The Wisconsin Legislative Council is heavily involved in hosting a New Member Institute.
State Assembly	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Networking opportunities with other newly elected members
State Assembly	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	During the Legislative Council training they get their hotel rooms and meals paid, otherwise there is no reimbursement.
State Assembly	Does your chamber permit remote participation in the orientation program?	No
State Assembly	Does your chamber provide an orientation program for members elected in a special election?	No
State Assembly	Does your chamber provide on-going training opportunities for all members throughout the legislative term? If yes, please note what topics are typically addressed.	Yes	The Legislature's human resources office has training available to members and staff. The other legislative agencies provide further training at the beginning of the legislative session. Their attendance at these trainings is not required.

Leadership ✓ Available

Chamber	Question	Answer	Detail
Senate	Is Lt. Governor a current position in your chamber?	No
Senate	Is President a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of President?	Yes	1
Senate	How is the President selected and by whom?	Elected	by the full Senate
Senate	How long are the terms for the President?	Open-ended response	2 years
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the President?	Open-ended response	1. They are the presiding officer. 2. They authenticate the acts, orders, and proceedings of the Senate.
Senate	Is Speaker a current position in your chamber?	No
Senate	Is Pro Tempore a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Pro Tempore?	Yes	1
Senate	How is the Pro Tempore selected and by whom?	Elected	by the full Senate
Senate	How long are the terms for the Pro Tempore?	Open-ended response	2 years
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Pro Tempore?	Open-ended response	1. They serve as the presiding officer in the absence of the President.
Senate	Is Majority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Majority Leader?	Yes	1
Senate	How is the Majority Leader selected and by whom?	Elected	by the Majority Caucus
Senate	How long are the terms for the Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	2 years
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	1. They oversee the general operations of the Senate. 2. They serve as chair of the Senate's organization committee and appoints committee memberships.
Senate	Is Assistant Majority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Assistant Majority Leader?	Yes	1
Senate	How is the Assistant Majority Leader selected and by whom?	Elected	by the Majority Caucus
Senate	How long are the terms for the Assistant Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	2 years
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Assistant Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	1. They serve as leader of the Majority Party in the absence of the Majority Leader.
Senate	Is Minority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Minority Leader?	Yes	1
Senate	How is the Minority Leader selected and by whom?	Elected	by the Minority Party
Senate	How long are the terms for the Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	2 years
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	1. They serve as the ranking minority member on the Senate's organization committee. 2. They nominate minority party members to serve on committees.
Senate	Is Assistant Minority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Assistant Minority Leader?	Yes	1
Senate	How is the Assistant Minority Leader selected and by whom?	Elected	by the Minority Party
Senate	How long are the terms for the Assistant Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	2 years
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Assistant Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	1. They serve as the leader of the Minority Party in the absence of the Minority Leader.
Senate	Is Majority Whip a current position in your chamber?	No
Senate	Is Minority Whip a current position in your chamber?	No
Senate	List any other positions that weren't listed.	Open-ended response	Majorty/Minority Caucus Chairs and Vice-Chairs
State Assembly	Is Lt. Governor a current position in your chamber?	No
State Assembly	Is President a current position in your chamber?	No
State Assembly	Is Speaker a current position in your chamber?	Yes
State Assembly	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Speaker?	Yes	Yes, only 1 person is Speaker
State Assembly	How is the Speaker selected and by whom?	Elected	Elected by the Members of the Assembly
State Assembly	How long are the terms for the Speaker?	Open-ended response	2 years, which is the term of a Representative in the Assembly
State Assembly	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Speaker?	Open-ended response	Oversees operations of the Assembly, establishes committees, membership and referral of proposals to committees.
State Assembly	Is Pro Tempore a current position in your chamber?	Yes
State Assembly	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Pro Tempore?	Yes	Yes, only one person is Speaker Pro Tempore
State Assembly	How is the Pro Tempore selected and by whom?	Elected	Elected by Members of the Assembly
State Assembly	How long are the terms for the Pro Tempore?	Open-ended response	2 years, the same term as a Representative of the Assembly
State Assembly	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Pro Tempore?	Open-ended response	Pro Tempore is the presiding officer during session, maintains order, decorum and ruling of the chair
State Assembly	Is Majority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
State Assembly	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Majority Leader?	Yes	One person is the Majority Leader
State Assembly	How is the Majority Leader selected and by whom?	Other	Majority Leader is elected by the caucus
State Assembly	How long are the terms for the Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	2 years, the same as a Representative in the Assembly
State Assembly	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	Floor leader during session, schedules all proposals for the session calendar
State Assembly	Is Assistant Majority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
State Assembly	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Assistant Majority Leader?	Yes	Yes, only one person
State Assembly	How is the Assistant Majority Leader selected and by whom?	Other	Elected by the caucus
State Assembly	How long are the terms for the Assistant Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	2 years, the same as a Representative to the Assembly
State Assembly	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Assistant Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	Back-up floor leader to Maj. Leader, assigns legislative offices and order of office selections by representative
State Assembly	Is Minority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
State Assembly	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Minority Leader?	Yes	Yes, only one person
State Assembly	How is the Minority Leader selected and by whom?	Other	Elected by the caucus
State Assembly	How long are the terms for the Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	2 years, same as a Representative to the Assembly
State Assembly	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	Spokesperson on behalf of the caucus, assigns committee membership with speaker's approval
State Assembly	Is Assistant Minority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
State Assembly	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Assistant Minority Leader?	Yes	Yes, one person
State Assembly	How is the Assistant Minority Leader selected and by whom?	Other	Elected by caucus
State Assembly	How long are the terms for the Assistant Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	2 years, same as a Representative in the Assembly
State Assembly	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Assistant Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	Assigns legislative offices to members as determined by the Assistant Majority Leader, negotiates the debate time limits for the session calendar with the Majority Leader
State Assembly	Is Majority Whip a current position in your chamber?	No
State Assembly	Is Minority Whip a current position in your chamber?	No
State Assembly	List any other positions that weren't listed.	Open-ended response	State Assembly Officers also include the Chief Clerk and Sergeant at Arms. There are both majority and minority caucus chairs, caucus vice-chairs, caucus secretary and caucus sergeant at arms.

Political Caucuses ✓ Available

Chamber	Question	Answer	Detail
Senate	Does your chamber/state have at least one active political party caucus?	Yes
Senate	How are political party caucuses organized in your chamber/state?	By any other method (please specify)	Tradition
Senate	Do the caucuses have written bylaws or other binding rules or customs that govern their meetings?	No
Senate	Do the political party caucuses have legislative staff assigned to them?	No
Senate	What role do those caucuses play?	Select leaders or assist in organization of the chamber
Senate	What role do those caucuses play?	Gather and disseminate information
Senate	What role do those caucuses play?	Formulate policy
Senate	Who can attend caucus/delegation meetings?	Members only
Senate	Who can attend caucus/delegation meetings?	Legislative staff
Senate	Who can attend caucus/delegation meetings?	Media
Senate	Who can attend caucus/delegation meetings?	Invited guests
Senate	Does your chamber/state have other caucuses based upon interests other than political party? If yes, please specify.	Yes	They are all unofficial caucuses. Some of them are the Legislative Black Caucus, Legislative Hispanic Caucus, Children's Caucus, and Sportsman's Caucus.
State Assembly	Does your chamber/state have at least one active political party caucus?	Yes
State Assembly	How are political party caucuses organized in your chamber/state?	By chamber rules
State Assembly	Do the caucuses have written bylaws or other binding rules or customs that govern their meetings?	No
State Assembly	Do the political party caucuses have legislative staff assigned to them?	No
State Assembly	What role do those caucuses play?	Select leaders or assist in organization of the chamber
State Assembly	What role do those caucuses play?	Gather and disseminate information
State Assembly	Who can attend caucus/delegation meetings?	Members only
State Assembly	Does your chamber/state have other caucuses based upon interests other than political party? If yes, please specify.	Yes	Several interest-based caucuses, such as Latino, African American, Sportsman, Trails, Children, and Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander caucuses.

Enrolling Procedures ✓ Available

Chamber	Question	Answer	Detail
Senate	Is the act or chapter number assigned before enrolling?	No (space left, added later)
State Assembly	Is the act or chapter number assigned before enrolling?	No (space left, added later)

Data status for Wisconsin

The current standing of every Wisconsin record in ILP. If your chamber can update or confirm any of this, contact the ILP editors via the About page.

Topic	Chamber	Survey record	Status	Last Checked
Enrolling Procedures	Senate	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Enrolling Procedures	State Assembly	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Leadership	Senate	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Leadership	State Assembly	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Legislative Orientation	Senate	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Legislative Orientation	State Assembly	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Political Caucuses	Senate	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Political Caucuses	State Assembly	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19

No specific answers are currently flagged for update.