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SJR 144

Relating to: accounting and expenditure of state funds and reduction of deficit (first consideration).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Howard Marklein

The joint resolution signals the Legislature’s intent to tighten state fund accounting and pursue deficit reduction policies.

Failed to adopt pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · SJR 144

Wisconsin SJR 144 (2025 Session) — Summary

Title

Relating to: accounting and expenditure of state funds and reduction of deficit (first consideration).

Purpose and intent

SJR 144 is a joint resolution that addresses the accounting and management of Wisconsin state funds with an emphasis on reducing the state deficit. The resolution signals the Legislature’s intent to pursue tighter accounting practices and measures aimed at deficit reduction, typically as a precursor to budget-related actions or constitutional or statutory changes that would underpin such fiscal discipline. This is a non-binding joint resolution at the first consideration stage, meaning it sets forth policy directions or statements of intent rather than enacting operative law.

Key provisions and changes (as typically contained in similar SJR actions)

  • Declares legislative goals related to:
    • Improved transparency and accuracy in state fund accounting.
    • Measures to monitor and control state expenditures.
    • Deficit reduction strategies to achieve or maintain a balanced or structurally improved budget position.
  • May outline principles or criteria for evaluating budget proposals, including
    • prioritizing essential services,
    • ensuring reserves or rainy-day funds are maintained,
    • and pursuing cost containment where feasible.
  • Could reference alignment with future budget bills or fiscal notes (though actual statutory changes would occur in corresponding budget or enabling legislation, not in the joint resolution itself).

Note: As a first-consideration joint resolution, SJR 144 typically does not enact new spending or mandatory policy changes. Instead, it communicates the Legislature’s intent and can guide subsequent fiscal deliberations, budget bills, or constitutional/statutory proposals.

Who would be affected

  • State agencies and their budgeting processes: encouraged to align practices with enhanced accounting standards and deficit-reduction considerations.
  • Legislative and fiscal oversight bodies (e.g., Joint Committee on Finance or equivalent) that would use the resolution as a guiding framework for evaluating and shaping future fiscal legislation.
  • Wisconsin residents indirectly, through potential future budget decisions that prioritize tighter accounting and deficit reduction.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: March 19, 2026, by Senator Marklein; cosponsored by Representative Wittke.
  • First reading and referral: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Revenue (as per action history).
  • Status: The action history indicates it did not proceed to immediate adoption; it is in the early stage of legislative consideration (first consideration). As a joint resolution, it would require committee consideration and potential floor action, including amendments, votes, and possible passage or failure in subsequent sessions or stages.

Supporting and lobbying context

  • Sponsorship: Senator Howard Marklein (co-sponsor) along with Representative Wittke.
  • Lobbying reports: No principals reported lobbying support or activity for this bill in the current session, according to the available records.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to specific audiences (e.g., policymakers, stakeholders, or the general public) or expand it with comparable provisions from similar Wisconsin resolutions for context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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