WI AB431

Creates a special motion to strike for defendants sued over acts of petition or free speech under the U.S. or Wisconsin Constitution in connection with a public issue, resulting in dismissal unless the plaintiff establishes a probability of prevailing on the claim

Requires the special motion to be filed within 60 days of service of the complaint, with hearings scheduled within 30 days; all discovery proceedings are automatically stayed until the court rules on the motion

Entitles prevailing defendants to recover attorney fees and costs; plaintiffs may recover fees and costs if the court finds the motion was frivolous or solely intended to cause unnecessary delay

Excludes enforcement actions brought by the attorney general, district attorneys, or city attorneys acting as public prosecutors from the special motion process

Requires parties filing or opposing these motions to transmit copies to the director of state courts, who must maintain public records of the filings for at least 3 years