The One Hundred Third Wisconsin Legislature convened from to in regular session, though it adjourned for legislative activity on May 9, 2018. The Legislature also held four extraordinary sessions and four special sessions during the legislative term.
The most notable work of this legislature occurred in the last month of the term, at the extraordinary sessions after the 2018 election, in which the Republican Legislature and outgoing Republican governor passed laws to limit powers of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general.
Senators representing even-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first two years of a four-year term. Assembly members were elected to a two-year term. Assembly members and even-numbered senators were elected in the
general election held on November 8, 2016. Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of their four-year term, having been elected in the
general election held on November 4, 2014.
The
governor of Wisconsin
The governor of Wisconsin is the head of government of Wisconsin and the commander-in-chief of the state's Wisconsin Army National Guard, army and Wisconsin Air National Guard, air forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the ...
during this entire term was Republican
Scott Walker, of
Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County () is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. At the 2020 census, the population was 939,489, down from 947,735 in 2010. It is both the most populous and most densely populated county in Wisconsin, containing about 1 ...
, serving the second two years of his second four-year term, having won re-election in the
2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.
Major events
* January 20, 2017:
Inauguration
In government and politics, inauguration is the process of swearing a person into office and thus making that person the incumbent. Such an inauguration commonly occurs through a formal ceremony or special event, which may also include an inau ...
of
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...
as 45th
President of the United States
The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...
.
*
* May 17, 2017: Former FBI Director
Robert Mueller
Robert Swan Mueller III (; born August 7, 1944) is an American lawyer who served as the sixth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 2001 to 2013.
A graduate of Princeton University and New York University, Mueller served a ...
was appointed
special counsel to
investigate Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
* January 20, 2018:
U.S. federal government shutdown began, due to dispute over the
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a Immigration policy of the United States, United States immigration policy that allows some individuals who, on June 15, 2012, were physically present in the United States with no lawful immigra ...
program.
* January 22, 2018:
U.S. federal government shutdown ended.
* April 3, 2018: 2018 Wisconsin spring election:
**
Rebecca Dallet was elected to the
Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the Supreme court, highest and final court of appeals in the state judicial system of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. In addition to hearing appeals of lower Wisconsin court decisions, the Wisconsin Supreme Court also ...
to succeed
Michael Gableman
Michael J. Gableman (born September 18, 1966) is an American lawyer and former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court (2008–2018). A Republican Party (US), Republican, he has been described as a hard-line conservative.
From June 2021 until ...
.
** Wisconsin voters rejected an amendment to the
state constitution which would have eliminated the office of
State Treasurer of Wisconsin.
* November 6, 2018:
2018 United States general election:
**
Tony Evers
Anthony Steven Evers ( ; born November 5, 1951) is an American politician and educator serving since 2019 as the 46th governor of Wisconsin. A member of the Democratic Party, he served from 2009 to 2019 as Wisconsin's 26th superintendent of p ...
(D)
elected Governor of Wisconsin
The governor of Wisconsin is the head of government of Wisconsin and the commander-in-chief of the state's Wisconsin Army National Guard, army and Wisconsin Air National Guard, air forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the ...
.
**
Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin (born February 11, 1962) is an American politician and lawyer serving since 2013 as the Seniority in the United States Senate, junior United States senator from Wisconsin. A member of the Democratic Party (United Stat ...
(D)
elected United States senator from Wisconsin.
* December 22, 2018:
U.S. federal government shutdown began, due to dispute over funding for President Donald Trump's planned
Mexico–United States border wall
The Mexico–United States border wall is a series of disjoined physical barriers built along portions of the Mexico–United States border. The barriers were constructed in a piecemeal manner over the course of several President of the United ...
expansion.
Major legislation
* December 15, 2018:
** An Act relating to: legislative powers and duties, state agency and authority composition and operations, absentee ballots, and administrative rule-making process
2017 Act 369
** An Act relating to: federal government waivers and other requests for federal approval; public assistance programs; waivers from work search and registration requirements for certain unemployment insurance benefit claimants; granting rule-making authority; and making an appropriation
2017 Act 370
Party summary
Senate summary
Assembly summary
Sessions
* Regular session: January 3, 2017January 7, 2019
* January 2017 special session: January 5, 2017June 14, 2017
* August 2017 special session: August 1, 2017September 14, 2017
* January 2018 special session: January 18, 2018February 27, 2018
* March 2018 special session: March 15, 2018March 29, 2018
* March 2018 extraordinary session: March 27, 2018March 29, 2018
* April 2018 extraordinary session: April 4, 2018
* November 2018 extraordinary session: November 12, 2018January 7, 2019
* December 2018 extraordinary session: December 3, 2018December 5, 2018
Leadership
Senate leadership
* President of the Senate:
Roger Roth (R–
Appleton)
* President pro tempore:
Howard Marklein
Howard L. Marklein (born October 3, 1954) is an American Republican politician and retired accountant and fraud examiner from Iowa County, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin's 17th Senate district since 20 ...
(R–
Spring Green
Spring Green or spring green may refer to:
Colors
* Spring green
** Spring bud, formerly known as spring green
Plants
* Spring greens, edible young leaves of certain plants
* Spring greens (Brassica oleracea), vegetables
Places in the United S ...
)
;Senate majority leadership (Republican)
* Senate Majority Leader:
Scott L. Fitzgerald
Scott Lawrence Fitzgerald (born November 16, 1963) is an American politician and former newspaper publisher. A Republican, he represents in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district includes many of Milwaukee's northern and western suburb ...
(R–
Juneau
Juneau ( ; ), officially the City and Borough of Juneau, is the capital of the U.S. state of Alaska, located along the Gastineau Channel and the Alaskan panhandle. Juneau was named the capital of Alaska in 1906, when the government of wha ...
)
* Assistant Majority Leader:
Leah Vukmir
Leah Vukmir (née Papachristou; born April 26, 1958) is an American politician and nurse who served as a member of the Wisconsin Senate. A Republican, she represented Wisconsin's 5th Senate district. She previously served in the Wisconsin Asse ...
(R–
Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa ( ; colloquially Tosa) is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 48,387 at the 2020 census. Wauwatosa is a suburb located immediately west of Milwaukee and is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. It ...
)
* Senate Majority Caucus Chair:
Sheila Harsdorf
Sheila E. Harsdorf (born July 25, 1956) is an American dairy farmer and Republican Party (United States), Republican politician from Pierce County, Wisconsin. She served as the 11th secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and ...
(R–
River Falls)
**
Van H. Wanggaard
Van H. Wanggaard (born April 19, 1952) is a Republican Party (United States), Republican politician and former law enforcement officer. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Racine County, Wisconsin, Racine and Kenosha Count ...
(R–
Racine)
* Senate Majority Caucus Vice Chair:
Van H. Wanggaard
Van H. Wanggaard (born April 19, 1952) is a Republican Party (United States), Republican politician and former law enforcement officer. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Racine County, Wisconsin, Racine and Kenosha Count ...
(R–
Racine)
**
Patrick Testin (R–
Stevens Point
Stevens Point is a city in Portage County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. Its population was 25,666 at the 2020 census. It forms the core of the Stevens Point micropolitan statistical area, which had a population of 70,377 in 20 ...
)
;Senate minority leadership (Democratic)
* Senate Minority Leader:
Jennifer Shilling (D–
La Crosse
La Crosse ( ) is a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. Positioned alongside the Mississippi River, La Crosse is the largest city on Wisconsin's western border. La Crosse's population was 52,680 as of the 20 ...
)
* Assistant Minority Leader:
Janet Bewley (D–
Mason)
* Senate Minority Caucus Chair:
Mark F. Miller
Mark F. Miller (born February 1, 1943) is a retired American politician. A Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, he served 16 years in the Wisconsin Senate (2005–2021) and was majority leader in 2012. He also served 6 years in the W ...
(D–
Monona)
* Senate Minority Caucus Vice Chair:
Janis Ringhand (D–
Evansville
Evansville is a city in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 118,414 at the 2020 census, it is Indiana's third-most populous city after Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, the most populous city in S ...
)
Assembly leadership
*
Speaker of the Assembly
Speaker most commonly refers to:
* Speaker, a person who produces speech
* Loudspeaker, a device that produces sound
** Computer speakers
Speaker, Speakers, or The Speaker may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* "Speaker" (song), by David ...
:
Robin Vos
Robin Joseph Vos (born July 5, 1968) is an American businessman and Republican politician and the 79th speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving in that role since 2013. He has been a member of the Assembly since 2005, representing mos ...
(R–
Burlington)
* Speaker pro tempore:
Tyler August (R–
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is a deep lake on the north side of the Alps, shared between Switzerland and France. It is one of the List of largest lakes of Europe, largest lakes in Western Europe and the largest on the course of the Rhône. Sixty percent () ...
)
;Assembly majority leadership (Republican)
* Assembly Majority Leader:
Jim Steineke (R–
Kaukauna)
* Assistant Majority Leader:
Robert Brooks Robert, Bob or Bobby Brooks may refer to:
Business
* Robert A. Brooks (1932–2000), American telecommunications entrepreneur
* Robert H. Brooks (1937–2006), founder of Hooters of America
* Robert Brooks, chairman of English auction house Bonham ...
(R–
Saukville)
* Assembly Majority Caucus Chair:
Dan Knodl
Daniel Raymond Knodl (born December 14, 1958) is an American Republican politician from Washington County, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 24th Assembly district since January 2025. Knodl prev ...
(R–
Germantown)
* Assembly Majority Caucus Vice Chair:
Romaine Quinn (R–
Rice Lake)
* Assembly Majority Caucus Secretary:
Jessie Rodriguez
Yesenia Edelmira "Jessie" Rodriguez ( Garay born July 5, 1977) is a Salvadoran American immigrant and Republican politician from Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 2 ...
(R–
Oak Creek)
* Assembly Majority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms:
Samantha Kerkman (R–
Salem)
;Assembly minority leadership (Democratic)
* Assembly Minority Leader:
Peter Barca
Peter William Barca (born August 7, 1955) is an American Democratic politician from Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was the 14th secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (2019–2024) in the administration of Governor Tony Evers. He was a ...
(D–
Kenosha
Kenosha () is a city in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. It is the fourth-most populous city in Wisconsin, with a population of 99,986 at the 2020 census. Situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, Ke ...
)
**
Gordon Hintz
Gordon N. Hintz (born November 29, 1973) is an American public administrator and Democratic politician from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He is the county executive of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, since April 2025. He previously represented the Osh ...
(D–
Oshkosh)
* Assistant Minority Leader:
Dianne Hesselbein (D–
Middleton)
* Assembly Minority Caucus Chair:
Mark Spreitzer (D–
Beloit)
* Assembly Minority Caucus Vice Chair:
Steve Doyle (D–
Onalaska)
* Assembly Minority Caucus Secretary:
Beth Meyers (D–
Bayfield)
* Assembly Minority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms:
Christine Sinicki
Christine M. Sinicki ( Harling; born March 28, 1960) is an American Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 20th Assembly district in southeast Milwaukee County since ...
(D–
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...
)
Members
Members of the Senate
Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the One Hundred Third Wisconsin Legislature:
Members of the Assembly
Members of the Assembly for the One Hundred Third Wisconsin Legislature:
Employees
Senate employees
* Chief Clerk: Jeffrey Renk
* Sergeant at Arms: Ted Blazel
Assembly employees
* Chief Clerk: Patrick Fuller
* Sergeant at Arms: Anne Tonnon Byers
See also
*
2014 Wisconsin elections
The 2014 Wisconsin Fall General Election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on November 4, 2014. Wisconsin's Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer were all up for election, as well as Wis ...
*
2016 Wisconsin elections
The 2016 Wisconsin Fall General Election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on November 8, 2016. One of Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seats and all eight seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election, as well as half o ...
**
2016 Wisconsin State Senate election
**
2016 Wisconsin State Assembly election
Notes
References
External links
2017: Related Documentsfrom
Wisconsin Legislature
The Wisconsin Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house, Wisconsin State Senate, and the lower Wisconsin State Assembly, both of which have had Republ ...
{{Wisconsin legislatures
2017 in Wisconsin
2018 in Wisconsin
2017 U.S. legislative sessions
2018 U.S. legislative sessions
103 103 may refer to:
*103 (number), the number
*AD 103, a year in the 2nd century AD
*103 BC, a year in the 2nd century BC
* 103 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Field Squadron, a territorial regiment
* 103 (Newcastle) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers
* 103 ...