Brad Pfaff, Wisconsin State Senator for 32nd District | Official Website
Brad Pfaff, Wisconsin State Senator for 32nd District | Official Website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill revises procedures related to town offices and public notice requirements. It allows towns of any population size to shift from having elected to appointed clerks, treasurers, or combined positions, contingent upon town meeting votes rather than referendums, with immediate changes possible during vacancies. The bill permits town treasurers to appoint multiple deputies, who, along with deputy clerks, no longer need to be town residents. It aligns towns with cities and villages in allowing various methods for publishing budget summaries and public hearing notices, removing the previous restriction of posting in three locations. Additionally, the bill eliminates the exception that considered traveled portions of highways as public, requiring highways to become non-public if inactive for four years from their creation. These changes take effect immediately upon statutory enactment, ensuring more streamlined local governance and administrative flexibility.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Alex A. Dallman (Republican-39th District), Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), and Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District), along 20 other co-sponsors.
Brad Pfaff has authored or co-authored another 30 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Ptaff graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay in 1960 with a BA.
Ptaff, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2021 to represent the state's 32nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jennifer Shilling.
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.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB215 | 04/16/2025 | Town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE) |
| SB208 | 04/16/2025 | Prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE) |
| SB148 | 03/21/2025 | The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB50 | 02/21/2025 | Health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
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