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Thursday, September 11, 2025

Rep. Jacobson of Wisconsin Assembly authors bill limiting emergency power durations

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Brent Jacobson, Wisconsin State Representative for 87th District | https://www.facebook.com

Brent Jacobson, Wisconsin State Representative for 87th District | https://www.facebook.com

A new bill authored by State Rep. Brent Jacobson in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to limit the duration of emergency power proclamations issued by local government chief executives, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "time limits on local unit of government chief executive officer emergency power proclamations".

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

In essence, this bill restricts the duration of emergency power proclamations issued by the chief executive officers of local government units to a maximum of 60 days, unless an extension is granted by the governing body. The chief executive officer is defined as the county executive, county administrator, or county board chair of a county, the mayor or city manager of a city, the village president of a village, the town board chair of a town, or any person acting in those capacities. The bill allows these proclamations in cases where the governing body cannot promptly convene, and requires that any subsequent action by the governing body may alter, modify, extend, or repeal the proclamation without affecting its prior validity.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), Representative Bob G. Donovan (Republican-61st District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Chris Kapenga (Republican-33rd District) and Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District), along 11 other co-sponsors.

Brent Jacobson has co-authored or authored another 81 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Jacobson graduated from Saint Cloud State University in 2006 with a BS and again in 2009 from West Virginia University College of Law with a JD.

Jacobson, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 87th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative James Edming.

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 Brent Jacobson in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB30606/06/2025Time limits on local unit of government chief executive officer emergency power proclamations
AB28505/30/2025Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE)
AB22304/23/2025Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions
AB20104/16/2025Extortion, sexual extortion, and providing a penalty
AB17904/15/2025Requirements for lighting on police vehicles
AB16904/08/2025Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)
AB16404/08/2025Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and federal Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment grants. (FE)
AB10503/10/2025The distribution of certain material on the Internet
AB8502/28/2025Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE)
AB7302/24/2025Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets
AB6602/24/2025Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes
AB6502/24/2025Entering certain places with intent to commit battery and providing a penalty
AB3302/17/2025Representations depicting nudity and providing a penalty
AB2902/17/2025Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses

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