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WI SB194
Bill
Status
5/15/2025
Primary Sponsor
Van Wanggaard
Click for details
AI Summary
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Expands when public records requesters can recover attorney fees and costs by superseding the Wisconsin Supreme Court's 2022 Friends of Frame Park v. City of Waukesha decision
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Allows requesters to be deemed "prevailing" and recover fees through a judicial order, enforceable written agreement, or consent decree
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Permits fee recovery when a government authority voluntarily releases records after a lawsuit is filed, if the court finds the lawsuit was a "substantial factor" in prompting that release
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Aligns Wisconsin's standard with the federal Freedom of Information Act's approach to attorney fee awards
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Amends section 19.37(2)(a) of the statutes governing mandamus actions for public records disputes
Legislative Description
Obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court.
Last Action
Representative Billings added as a cosponsor
3/10/2026