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Thursday, September 11, 2025

Sen. Quinn introduces bill in Wisconsin Senate to revise town office procedures

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Romaine Quinn Wisconsin State Senator (District 25) | Romaine Quinn Wisconsin State Senator (District 25)

Romaine Quinn Wisconsin State Senator (District 25) | Romaine Quinn Wisconsin State Senator (District 25)

The new bill authored by State Sen. Quinn seeks to streamline local governance by revising town office procedures and public notice requirements across Wisconsin towns, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill revises procedures related to town offices and public notice requirements. It allows towns of any population size to shift from having elected to appointed clerks, treasurers, or combined positions, contingent upon town meeting votes rather than referendums, with immediate changes possible during vacancies. The bill permits town treasurers to appoint multiple deputies, who, along with deputy clerks, no longer need to be town residents. It aligns towns with cities and villages in allowing various methods for publishing budget summaries and public hearing notices, removing the previous restriction of posting in three locations. Additionally, the bill eliminates the exception that considered traveled portions of highways as public, requiring highways to become non-public if inactive for four years from their creation. These changes take effect immediately upon statutory enactment, ensuring more streamlined local governance and administrative flexibility.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Alex A. Dallman (Republican-39th District), Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), and Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District), along 20 other co-sponsors.

Romaine Robert Quinn has authored or co-authored another 38 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Quinn graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay in 2014 with a BA.

Quinn, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 25th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Janet Bewley.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Romaine Robert Quinn in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB21504/16/2025Town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE)
SB21404/16/2025Registration of out-of-state health care providers to provide telehealth services. (FE)
SB21304/16/2025A tax credit for rail infrastructure modernization. (FE)
SB18004/07/2025Modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE)
SB17804/03/2025Changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE)
SB17604/03/2025An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE)
SB17304/03/2025Creating a rural creative economy development grant program. (FE)
SB17204/03/2025Prohibiting filing or recording contracts for services or materials that do not improve real estate and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB16603/27/2025Consumer data protection and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB15803/27/2025County forest administration grant eligibility
SB11903/07/2025Positions for the Office of School Safety. (FE)
SB5602/21/2025The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE)
SB4102/12/2025School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB1802/05/2025Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE)

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