WI
Wisconsin Senate Bill SB169

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB169

Introduced
4/3/25  
Refer
4/3/25  
Report Pass
6/5/25  
Engrossed
6/18/25  
Refer
6/20/25  

Caption

Privacy protections for judicial officers.

Impact

The bill redefines several important terms related to these privacy protections, such as home addresses and secondary residences, thereby refining what is deemed personal information. It grants the judicial officer's home address status as personal information only if it is directly associated with their name, ensuring a higher level of anonymity. Furthermore, the bill alters how government agencies must handle these requests, relieving them from potential liability when acting in good faith under these privacy provisions, which could encourage agencies to respect and adhere to these privacy requests more rigorously.

Summary

Senate Bill 169 (SB169) aims to enhance privacy protections for judicial officers in Wisconsin by modifying existing laws under 2023 Wisconsin Act 235. One of the key changes includes requiring that any written requests for privacy protections be notarized. This step is intended to strengthen the validity of such requests, ensuring that they are authentic and verified. The bill specifies that judicial officers must not only submit their requests but also provide detailed descriptions of the personal information they seek to protect to bolster compliance and tracking.

Contention

Despite the bill's supportive intent, it faces potential contention regarding the balance between privacy and transparency in public records. While advocates argue that these changes are necessary to protect judicial officers from harassment and to uphold their security, opponents may express concerns that overly strict privacy laws could hinder the public’s right to access information about judicial figures. Additionally, the specifics of how government agencies manage these protected records, especially regarding information sharing among them for legitimate purposes, may lead to debates about transparency versus secrecy in government functions.

Latest SB169 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

WI AB966

Privacy protections for judicial officers, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

WI SB927

Privacy protections for judicial officers, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

WI SB291

An election official's personal information, battery against election officials, whistleblower protection for municipal clerks, county clerks, and election officials who witness and report election fraud or irregularities, and providing a penalty.

WI AB300

An election official's personal information, battery against election officials, whistleblower protection for municipal clerks, county clerks, and election officials who witness and report election fraud or irregularities, and providing a penalty.

WI AB967

Withholding judicial security profiles from public access.

WI AB577

An election official's personal information; battery against election officials; whistleblower protection for municipal clerks, county clerks, and election officials who witness and report election fraud or irregularities; harassing election officials; and providing a penalty.

WI SB928

Withholding judicial security profiles from public access.

WI SB741

Recommendations from the Ethics Commission regarding campaign finance, lobbying, open records, and closed sessions. (FE)

WI SB668

The licensing and regulation by the Department of Financial Institutions of consumer lenders, payday lenders, money transmitters, sales finance companies, collection agencies, mortgage bankers and mortgage brokers, adjustment service companies, community currency exchanges, and insurance premium finance companies; the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry; modifying and repealing rules promulgated by the Department of Financial Institutions; and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

WI SB76

Reorganizing the crimes commonly known as “carjacking” and providing a penalty.

Similar Bills

WI AB171

Privacy protections for judicial officers.

WI AB966

Privacy protections for judicial officers, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

WI SJR66

Honoring the life and public service of Representative Richard A. Flintrop.

WI AJR67

Honoring the life and public service of Representative Richard A. Flintrop.

WI AR18

The impeachment of Meagan Wolfe, the Administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, citing allegations of maladministration in office and potential violations of election laws.

WI AB1220

Creating an authority to be known as the Public Bank of Wisconsin and making an appropriation. (FE)

WI SB1106

Creating an authority to be known as the Public Bank of Wisconsin and making an appropriation. (FE)

WI SB616

A sales tax exemption for road-building equipment; increasing the income tax withholding threshold for nonresidents; modifying the certification requirement for a qualified opportunity fund; prohibiting certain lottery games; and extending the capital gains exclusion to family members who inherit certain farms organized as a partnership or limited liability company. (FE)