Relating to: creation of a Human Trafficking Council and requiring the establishment of county sex traffick...
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AB 978 — Relating to: creation of a Human Trafficking Council and requiring the establishment of county sex trafficking task forces. (FE)
Last action — Published 3-28-2024
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Assembly
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 2024. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Tony Evers (Democratic) on March 28, 2024.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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13 sponsors
13 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (9 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
208 added · 185 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Assembly Bill 978 has updated the composition and responsibilities of the proposed Human Trafficking Council. The council will now include a broader range of representatives, such as officials from various departments and members from both political parties, enhancing collaboration across agencies. This change matters because it aims to create a more comprehensive approach to tackling human trafficking by ensuring diverse perspectives and expertise are involved in decision-making and county-level task forces.
- 2024 LEGISLATURE LRBs0295/1LRB-5214/1 MJW:cjs&emwMJW:emw&amn ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTEBILL AMENDMENT978 2,January TO19, ASSEMBLY2024 BILL- 978Introduced Februaryby 20,Representatives 2024C -ONNOR Offered, LUMER , S.JOHNSON , M AXEY, UNDRUM , MURSAU , ITCHENS , ALLAHAN , DITTRICH, BEHNKE, EDMING , SCHRAA and H URD, cosponsored by RepresentativeSenators O'CONNORWIMBERGER , NODL and TOMCZYK .
AReferred N A CT to repealCommittee 15.257on (3),Criminal 59.54Justice (29), 66.0511 (4) and 165.29;Public Safety.
A N A CT to amendrepeal 66.051115.257 (title);(3) and 165.29;
and to createamend 15.257 (3), 59.54 (29), 66.0511 (4),(title) 165.29 and 165.85 (3m)(4) (d)(ef); of the statutes;
and to create 15.257 (3), 59.54 (29), 66.0511 (4), 165.25 (21), 165.29, 165.85 (3m) (d), 165.85 (4) (a) 7.
d.
and 165.85 (4) (ef) of the statutes;
creation of a Human Trafficking Council.Council and requiring the establishment of county sex trafficking task forces.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill creates a Human Trafficking Council inattached to the Department of Justice.
the secretary or a designee of the Departments of Administration, Children and Families, HealthPublic Services,Instruction, Safety and ProfessionalTransportation; Services, Transportation, and Workforce Development;
the state superintendent of public instruction, or his or her designee;
two senators and two representatives to the assembly from the two major political parties;
one Native American;
and theone directorrepresentative of the Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation Human Trafficking and Internet Crimes Against Children Bureau,task orforces. his or her designee.
The duties of the Human Trafficking Council are to compile an inventory of human trafficking prevention programs and services and maintain an online LRBs0295/1 - 2024 Legislature - 2 - MJW:cjs&emw database to share information about human trafficking;
assess sex trafficking activities in each county, establishtrack criteriaaverages toacross be used as the basis for recommendations to counties, and makedetermine recommendations to counties as to whether a human trafficking task force should be established in that county oris thatexperiencing aabove-average lawsex enforcement agency in that county designate a law enforcement officer to coordinate the law enforcement agency's human trafficking preventionactivities; and enforcement efforts;
assess the - 2024 Legislature - 2 - LRB-5214/1 MJW:emw&amn ASSEMBLY BILL 978 regulation and oversight of facilities that provide residential care in a congregate living environment;
and develop various protocols forand interactiontraining withprograms humanrelating traffickingto victims;human trafficking.
developThis abill modelrequires trainingany programcounty forthat countiesis relatingdetermined by the Human Trafficking Council to reducingbe interestexperiencing inabove-average solicitationsex bytrafficking individualsactivities whoto solicitestablish ora facilitatesex commercialtrafficking task force to combat sex acts;trafficking in that county.
andThe annuallybill submitalso requires each law enforcement agency in a reportpolitical thatsubdivision summarizeswith a population of 10,000 or more to designate an officer to coordinate the dataagency's collectedhuman by,trafficking activitiesprevention of,and enforcement efforts and obstaclesrequires facedthat designated officer to complete training that must be established by the councilLaw duringEnforcement theStandards previousBoard year.relating to human trafficking prevention and enforcement.
TheFor billfurther authorizesinformation see the Humanstate Trafficking Council to request from, and requireslocal DOJfiscal andestimate, DOAwhich provide,will anybe dataprinted neededas byan theappendix council to completethis itsbill. duties.
The bill provides that, in counties to which the Human Trafficking Council has provided a recommendation, the county board is encouraged to establish a sex trafficking task force to combat sex trafficking in that county, and each person in charge of a law enforcement agency in the county is encouraged to designate an officer to coordinate the agency's human trafficking prevention and enforcement efforts.
The bill requires the Law Enforcement Standards Board to develop a list of recommended training courses for law enforcement officers relating to human trafficking prevention and enforcement.
SSECTION ECTION 1.
There is created in the department of justice a human trafficking council.council consisting of the following members:
(a) The councilsecretary shallof consistchildren ofand thefamilies, followingor members:his or her designee.
(a)(b) The secretary of administration,public instruction, or his or her designee.
(b)(c) The secretary of childrentransportation, and families, or his or her designee.
LRBs0295/1(d) - 2024 Legislature - 3 - MJW:cjs&emw SECTION 1 (c) The secretarystate ofpublic healthdefender, services, or his or her designee.
(d)(e) TheTo statebe superintendentappointed ofby publicthe instruction,Wisconsin orDistrict hisAttorneys orAssociation, herone designee.district attorney holding office in this state.
(e)(f) TheTo secretarybe appointed by the Wisconsin Chiefs of safetyPolice andAssociation, professionalone services,chief orof hispolice or herchief designee.of a combined protective services department holding office in this state.
(f)LRB-5214/1 The- secretary2024 ofLegislature transportation,- or3 his- orMJW:emw&amn herSECTION designee.1 ASSEMBLY BILL 978 (g) To be appointed by the Badger State Sheriffs' Association, one sheriff holding office in this state.
(g)(h) TheTo secretarybe ofappointed workforceby development,the orWisconsin hisSheriffs orand herDeputy designee.Sheriffs Association, one sheriff holding office in this state.
(h)(i) TheTo statebe publicappointed defender,by orthe hisattorney orgeneral, her4 designee.representatives of organizations that provide human trafficking victim support services.The representatives appointed under this paragraph shall be from organizations that serve different geographic areas of the state, including both urban and rural communities.
(i)(j) TwoOne senatorsrepresentative andof 2 representatives to the assemblyoffice from the 2 major political parties, appointed as are members of standingcrime committees.victim services.
(j)(k) ToOne berepresentative appointedof by the WisconsinInternet DistrictCrimes AttorneysAgainst Association,Children onetask districtforces. attorney holding office in this state.
(k) To be appointed by the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, one chief of police or chief of a combined protective services department holding office in this state.
(L) To be appointed by the Badger State Sheriffs' Association, one sheriff holding office in this state.
(m) To be appointed by the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association, one sheriff holding office in this state.
(n) To be appointed by the attorney general, 4 representatives of organizations that provide human trafficking victim support services.
Show all 117 changed lines (77 more)
The representatives appointed under this paragraph shall be from organizations that serve different geographic areas of the state, including both urban and rural communities.
(o) To be appointed by the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc., one Native American member.
(p) One representative of the office of crime victim services.
LRBs0295/1 - 2024 Legislature - 4 - MJW:cjs&emw SECTION 1 (q) The director of the department of justice division of criminal investigation human trafficking and Internet crimes against children bureau, or his or her designee.
59.54 (29) SEX TRAFFICKING TASK FORCES.InFORCEIn any county that hasis receiveddetermined aby recommendation from the human trafficking council under s.
165.29 (1)(4) (d),to thebe boardexperiencing shallabove-average reviewsex thetrafficking recommendation,activities, and the board isshall encouraged to establish a sex trafficking task force that includes representatives from law enforcement agencies, county departments, and local nonprofit groupsgroups. to coordinate efforts to combat sex trafficking in that county, including identifying and investigating sex trafficking, supporting victims, and raising community awareness.
A county sex trafficking task force established under this subsection shall coordinate efforts to combat sex trafficking in that county, including identifying and investigating sex trafficking, supporting victims, and raising community awareness.
(this act), is repealed.amended to read:
59.54 (29) SEX TRAFFICKING TASK FORCEIn any county that is determined by the human trafficking council under s.
165.29 (4)partment of justice under s.
- 2024 Legislature - 4 - LRB-5214/1 MJW:emw&amn ASSEMBLY BILL 978 SECTION 4 165.25 (21)o be experiencing above-average sex trafficking activities, the board shall establish a sex trafficking task force that includes representatives from law enforcement agencies, county departments, and local nonprofit groups.
A county sex trafficking task force established under this subsection shall coordinate efforts to combat sex trafficking in that county, including identifying and investigating sex trafficking, supporting victims, and raising community awareness.
66.0511 (4) HUMANH UMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION AND ENFORCEMENTEachENFORCEMENT. person in charge of a law enforcement agency in a county that has received a recommendation from the human trafficking council under s.
165.29(a) (1)In (d)each ispolitical encouragedsubdivision towith a population of 10,000 or more, the person in charge of the law enforcement agency for that political subdivision shall designate a law enforcement officer of the law enforcement agency to coordinate the law enforcement agency's human trafficking prevention and enforcement efforts.efforts and notify the law enforcement standards board of that officer's designation for the purpose of maintaining the list under s.
LRBs0295/1165.85 -(3m) 2024(d). Legislature - 5 - MJW:cjs&emw SECTION 7 SECTION 7.
66.0511(b) (4)The ofperson thedesignated statutes,under aspar. created by 2023 Wisconsin Act ....
(this(a) act),shall, ison repealed.an annual basis, complete the human trafficking training course developed under s.
165.85 (4) (ef).
SECTION 7.
165.25 (21) of the statutes is created to read:
165.25 (21) SEX TRAFFICKING ASSESSMENT.Assess sex trafficking activities in each county, track averages across counties, and determine whether a county is experiencing above-average sex trafficking activities.
LRB-5214/1 - 2024 Legislature - 5 - MJW:emw&amn SECTION 8 ASSEMBLY BILL 978 165.29 Human trafficking council.
(1) The human trafficking council shall do all of the following:
(a)(1) Compile and maintain an inventory of human trafficking prevention programs and services in this state and develop, maintain, and keep current an online database to share information among counties, law enforcement agencies, state agencies that have responsibilities relating to sex trafficking, and organizations that provide human trafficking prevention programs and services or victim support programs and services.
The database shall include an online portal that is accessible by each such entity.entityThe database shall report information gathered under subs.
(b)(1) Beginning on July 1, 2028, and once every 3 years thereafter, define, review, and assess the efficacy of the expenditure of state funds allocated to human(3). trafficking prevention.
(c)(2) CompileOn dataan onannual humanbasis, traffickingreview offensesand committedassess in this state using metrics the councilefficacy determines to be of use, including at a minimum the annualexpenditure number of arrests,state prosecutions,funds andallocated convictionsto for human trafficking offensesprevention. under s.
(3) Compile data on human trafficking offenses committed in this state, including the annual number of arrests, prosecutions, and convictions for human trafficking offenses under s.
(d)(4) AssessUsing sexdata traffickingcompiled activitiesunder insub. each county, establish criteria to be used as the basis for recommendations to counties, and make recommendations to counties as to whether a human trafficking task force should be established in that county or that a law enforcement agency in that county designate a law enforcement officer to coordinate the law enforcement agency's human trafficking prevention and enforcement efforts.
LRBs0295/1(3), -assess 2024sex Legislaturetrafficking -activities 6in -each MJW:cjs&emwcounty, SECTIONtrack 8averages (e)across Assesscounties, the regulation and oversightdetermine ofwhether facilities that provide residential care in a congregatecounty livingis environment,experiencing includingabove-average community-basedsex residentialtrafficking facilities,activities. as defined in s.
(5) In consultation with the appropriate state agencies, assess the regulation and oversight of facilities that provide residential care in a congregate living environment, including community-based residential facilities, as defined in s.
(f)(6) Assess the frequency and extent to which social media platforms are used to assist, facilitate, or support human trafficking in this state;
establish a process to - 2024 Legislature - 6 - LRB-5214/1 MJW:emw&amn ASSEMBLY BILL 978 SECTION 8 detect such use on a consistent basis;
(g)(7) Develop a state strategic plan for preventing human trafficking, providing resources for law enforcement initiatives, providing resources to organizations that provide human trafficking prevention programs and services or human trafficking victim support services programs and services, and creating or providing access to relevant training programs for law enforcement or such organizations.
(h)(8) In consultation with the department of justice, develop a model protocol for interviewing and interacting with individuals who are victims of human trafficking offenses under s.
(i)(9) DevelopConsult awith modeland assist the law enforcement standards board in establishing a training programcourse for countieslaw enforcement officers relating to reducingpreventing, interestrecognizing, inand solicitationinvestigating byhuman individualstrafficking, whoapprehending solicitand orprosecuting facilitatehuman commercialtraffickers, sexand acts.coordinating human trafficking response efforts with other law enforcement agencies and organizations, as required under s.
(j)165.85 1.(4) (ef).
By(10) JulyDevelop 1a ofmodel eachtraining year,program submitfor tocounties therelating chiefto clerkreducing ofinterest eachin housesolicitation ofby theindividuals legislaturewho forsolicit distributionprostitutes. to the legislature under s.
13.172(11) (2)(a) andBy postJuly on1 the department of administration'seach andyear, departmentsubmit ofto justice's websites a report that summarizes the datachief collectedclerk byof theeach councilhouse during the previous year, the activities of the councillegislature duringfor thedistribution previousto year, and any obstacles that prevented the councillegislature fromunder successfullys. carrying out its duties during the previous year.
LRBs0295/113.172 -(2) 2024and Legislaturepost -on 7the -department MJW:cjs&emwof SECTIONjustice's 8website 2.a report that summarizes the data collected by and activities of the council during the previous year.
(b) In the 3rd report submitted under subd.par.
1.,(a), include a recommendation as to whether the council should continue to operate after Junethe 30,first 2029,day andof recommendations relating to moving the council's48th ongoingmonth initiativesbeginning toafter statethe agencieseffective ordate countiesof orthis otherparagraph local.... units of governments.
(2)[LRB Theinserts humandate], trafficking council may request from, and theLRB-5214/1 department- of2024 administrationLegislature and- department7 of- justiceMJW:emw&amn shallSECTION collaborate8 toASSEMBLY provide,BILL any978 datarecommendations necessaryrelating to carrymoving out the humancouncil's traffickingongoing council'sinitiatives dutiesto understate sub.agencies.
(1).
165.85 (3m) (d) DevelopMaintain a list of recommended training courses for law enforcement officers relatingdesignated tounder preventing,s. recognizing, and investigating human trafficking, apprehending and prosecuting human traffickers, and coordinating human trafficking response efforts with other law enforcement agencies and organizations.
SECTION66.0511 11.Effective(4) dates.(a) to coordinate human trafficking prevention and enforcement efforts.
SECTION 11.
165.85 (4) (a) 7.
d.
of the statutes is created to read:
165.85 (4) (a) 7.
d.
Hours of training completed by human trafficking coordinating officers required under s.
66.0511 (4) (b) shall count towards the hours of training required under subd.
7.
a.
SECTION 12.
165.85 (4) (ef) of the statutes is created to read:
165.85 (4) (ef) 1.
The board shall, in consultation with the human trafficking council, establish a training course for law enforcement officers relating to preventing, recognizing, and investigating human trafficking, apprehending and prosecuting human traffickers, and coordinating human trafficking response efforts with other law enforcement agencies and organizations.
The board shall review and, if considered appropriate by the board, revise the training course established under this subdivision not later than June 30 of each odd-numbered year after the training course is established.
Notwithstanding s.
227.10 (1), the training course need not be promulgated as rules under ch.
227.
SECTION 13.
165.85 (4) (ef) of the statutes, as created by 2023 Wisconsin Act ....
(this act), is amended to read:
- 2024 Legislature - 8 - LRB-5214/1 MJW:emw&amn ASSEMBLY BILL 978 SECTION 13 165.85 (4) (ef) The board shall, in consultation with the human trafficking council, establish a training course for law enforcement officers relating to preventing, recognizing, and investigating human trafficking, apprehending and prosecuting human traffickers, and coordinating human trafficking response efforts with other law enforcement agencies and organizations.
The board shall review and, if considered appropriate by the board, revise the training course established under this subdivision not later than June 30 of each odd-numbered year after the training course is established.
Notwithstanding s.
227.10 (1), the training course need not be promulgated as rules under ch.
227.
SECTION 14.Effective dates.
(1) The creationtreatment of ss.s.
15.257165.25 (3),(21), 59.54the (29),repeal 66.0511of (4),ss. and 165.29 takes effect on July 1, 2025.
(2)15.257 The(3) repealand 165.29, and the amendment of ss.
15.257 (3), 59.54 (29),(29) 66.0511and (4),165.85 and(4) 165.29(ef) takestake effect on Junethe 30,first 2029.day of the 48th month beginning after publication.
Show all 117 changed rows (77 more)
View plain text versions (2)
- Bill Text View text pdf
- Substitute Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 Current pdf
Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.
The bill establishes a new Human Trafficking Council while repealing existing statutes related to such councils and amends a section on law enforcement policies.
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15.257 (3)
There is created in the department of justice a human trafficking council.→ There is created in the department of justice a human trafficking council. The council shall consist of the following members: ...This creates a new Human Trafficking Council in the Department of Justice with a specified membership composition.
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59.54 (29)
59.54 (29) SEX TRAFFICKING TASK FORCES.In any county that has received a recommendation from the human trafficking council under s. 165.29 (1) (d), the board shall review the recommendation...→ In any county that has received a recommendation from the human trafficking council under s. 165.29 (1) (d), the board shall review the recommendation, and the board is encouraged to establish a sex trafficking task force ...This creates a new requirement for county boards to review recommendations from the Human Trafficking Council regarding sex trafficking task forces.
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66.0511 (title)
Law enforcement agencies; certain policies.→ Law enforcement agency agencies; certain policies on use of force and citizen complaint procedures.This amends the title to clarify that it pertains both to use of force and citizen complaint procedures.
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66.0511 (4)
Each person in charge of a law enforcement agency in a county that has received a recommendation from the human trafficking council ...→ Each person in charge of a law enforcement agency in a county that has received a recommendation from the human trafficking council under s. 165.29 (1) (d) is encouraged to designate a law enforcement officer ...This adds encouragement for law enforcement agencies to designate officers for human trafficking prevention and enforcement efforts.
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165.29
The human trafficking council shall do all of the following: ...→ The human trafficking council shall do all of the following: Compile and maintain an inventory of human trafficking prevention programs and services in this state ...This establishes duties for the newly created Human Trafficking Council related to prevention programs and data gathering.
Action History
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Published 3-28-2024
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Report approved by the Governor on 3-27-2024. 2023 Wisconsin Act 239
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Presented to the Governor on 3-21-2024
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Report correctly enrolled on 3-15-2024
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Received from Senate concurred in
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Ordered immediately messaged
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Read a third time and concurred in
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Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
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Ordered to a third reading
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Read a second time
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Placed on calendar 3-12-2024 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
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Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
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Available for scheduling
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Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
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Fiscal estimate received
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Received from Assembly
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Ordered immediately messaged
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Read a third time and passed
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Rules suspended
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Ordered to a third reading
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Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adopted
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Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative O'Connor
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Read a second time
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Placed on calendar 2-15-2024 by Committee on Rules
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Referred to committee on Rules
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Report passage recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 10, Noes 5
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Fiscal estimate received
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Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative O'Connor
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Executive action taken
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Fiscal estimate received
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Representative Wichgers added as a coauthor
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Public hearing held
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Fiscal estimate received
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Senator Jacque added as a cosponsor
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Read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety
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Introduced by Representatives O'Connor, Plumer, S. Johnson, Maxey, Gundrum, Mursau, Kitchens, Callahan, Dittrich, Behnke, Edming, Schraa and Hurd; cosponsored by Senators Wimberger, Knodl and Tomczyk
Sponsors
- Jerry O'Connor · Primary
- Plumer · Primary
- Dave Maxey · Primary
- Rick Gundrum · Primary
- Jeffrey Mursau · Primary
- Joel Kitchens · Primary
- Calvin Callahan · Primary
- Barbara Dittrich · Primary
- Elijah Behnke · Primary
- Edming · Primary
- Schraa · Primary
- Karen Hurd · Primary
- Tara Johnson · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →13 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 119 not signed on
Sponsors (13)
- O'Connor, Jerry Republican
- Plumer
- Maxey, Dave Republican
- Gundrum, Rick Republican
- Mursau, Jeffrey Republican
- Kitchens, Joel Republican
- Callahan, Calvin Republican
- Dittrich, Barbara Republican
- Behnke, Elijah Republican
- Edming
- Schraa
- Hurd, Karen Republican
- Johnson, Tara Democrat
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (119)
119 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 119 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
Roll call published as PDF — view source.
Roll call published as PDF — view source.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors AB 978?
- AB 978 is sponsored by O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Plumer, Maxey, Dave (Republican), Gundrum, Rick (Republican), Mursau, Jeffrey (Republican), Kitchens, Joel (Republican), Callahan, Calvin (Republican), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), Behnke, Elijah (Republican), Edming, Schraa, Hurd, Karen (Republican), and Johnson, Tara (Democrat).
- What is the current status of AB 978?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 2024. Enacted.
- Where can I track AB 978?
- Track AB 978 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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