WisconsinAB 225 would set venue rules for civil cases involving businesses
AB 225 proposed venue rules that would keep courts from counting certain joined parties and would set where businesses reside or do substantial business.
What it does
When deciding whether a county is a proper place for a civil case, courts would not consider a party or insurer joined under the state’s joinder rules.
For one venue rule, a business would count as residing where it was incorporated or organized and as doing substantial business only in the county of its main office.
Argument forPeople and businesses may find venue easier to predict because courts would use set rules for joined parties and where a business resides or operates.
Argument againstPlaintiffs could have fewer counties available for a case if joined parties, insurers, or a business’s activities cannot support venue there.
More detail
Courts would not consider certain joined parties when deciding whether a county is a proper place for a case. The rule covers a party joined under Wis. Stat. 803.03 or an insurer joined under Wis. Stat. 803.04 in a civil case or special proceeding. This applies when deciding venue under Wis. Stat. 801.50 (2)(c).
Businesses would be treated as residing where they were incorporated or organized, and as doing substantial business only in the county of their main office. The rule covers corporations, limited liability companies, and other business entities. This applies when deciding venue under Wis. Stat. 801.50 (2)(c).
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82Latest
- May 12Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- Mar 27Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 3-27-2026Major
- Mar 26Presented to the Governor on 3-26-2026To Governor
- Feb 13Report correctly enrolled on 2-13-2026Minor
- Feb 12Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Feb 11Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 11Read a third time and concurred inPassed Senate
- Feb 11Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Feb 11Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Feb 11Read a second timeMinor
- Feb 9Placed on calendar 2-11-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Vote recorded Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 9Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
- 2025
- Nov 20Available for scheduling
- Nov 20Read first time and referred to committee on Senate OrganizationMinor
- Nov 20Received from AssemblyMinor
- Nov 19Ordered immediately messaged
- Nov 19Read a third time and passedPassed Assembly
- Nov 19Rules suspended
- Nov 19Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Nov 19Read a second timeMinor
- Nov 13Placed on calendar 11-19-2025 by Committee on Rules
- Oct 16Referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Report passage recommended by Committee on Insurance, Ayes 7, Noes 2. Result: pass.Lower
- Oct 16Report passage recommended by Committee on Insurance, Ayes 7, Noes 2Minor
- Oct 9Executive action taken
- May 8Representative Steffen added as a coauthor
- May 8Public hearing held
- Apr 23Read first time and referred to Committee on InsuranceMinor
- Apr 23Introduced by Representatives Duchow, Allen, Brooks, Kreibich, Maxey and O'Connor; cosponsored by Senators Feyen, Marklein and QuinnIntroduced
Civil Rights & Voting