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Bill

AB 939

Relating to: eliminating obsolete provisions regarding the term of a state public defender and the removal of the state public defender (suggested as remedial language by the State Public Defender).

2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin eliminates outdated statutory language governing the State Public Defender's term and removal procedures to modernize administrative law.

Published 3-28-2026
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Bill Summary · AB 939

Legislative bill overview

AB 939 removes outdated statutory language related to the tenure and dismissal procedures for Wisconsin's State Public Defender position. The bill is a technical cleanup measure suggested by the State Public Defender's office itself to align statutes with current practice and governance structures.

Why is this important

Obsolete legal provisions can create confusion about actual authority and procedures, potentially leading to litigation or operational uncertainty. Removing contradictory or outdated language clarifies the legal framework governing this important constitutional office responsible for defending indigent individuals in criminal cases.

Potential points of contention

  • Lack of public detail: The bill summary doesn't specify which provisions are being eliminated, making it difficult for legislators and the public to evaluate whether the removals are truly inconsequential
  • Removal of procedural protections: If the eliminated language contained removal protections or term limits, eliminating them could concentrate power without obvious replacement safeguards
  • Minimal legislative scrutiny: Remedial bills often pass with little debate, but changes to executive officer removal procedures warrant closer examination regardless of who requested them

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

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