Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Memo published: October 17, 2023 Contact: David Moore, Senior Staff Attorney
2023 Senate Bill 119
Senate
Amendment 1
2023 SENATE BILL 119
Current law requires a law enforcement agency that receives a public records request for a record that
contains specific information that, if disclosed, would identify a law enforcement informant, to delete
the portion of the record in which the information is contained or, if no portion of the record can be
inspected or copied without identifying the informant, withhold the record unless the custodian of the
record makes a determination that the public interest in allowing a person to inspect, copy, or receive a
copy of the identifying information outweighs the harm done to the public interest by providing access.
2023 Senate Bill 119 removes the language that limits the requirements above to a law enforcement
agency. Under the bill, any authority that receives a public records request for a record that contains
specific information that, if disclosed, would identify a law enforcement informant, must either redact
or withhold the record as described above.
The bill also modifies a requirement that various county officers, “with proper care ... [must] open to
the examination of any persons all books and papers required to be kept in his or her office and permit
any person so examining to take notes and copies of such books, records, papers, or minutes
therefrom,” except when limiting access to these records is allowed under various enumerated statutes.
The bill adds the statutory provision limiting the disclosure of records containing information that
could identify a law enforcement informant to the circumstances under which these county officers are
not required to provide access to records.
SENATE AMENDMENT 1
Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 119 clarifies the obligation of various county officers to deny access
to records on the basis that it contains information that could identify a law enforcement informant.
The amendment allows these officers to prohibit records to the extent the books, records, papers, or
minutes contain information that would identify an information as such.
BILL HISTORY
Senator Wanggaard offered Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 119 on September 26, 2023. On October
12, 2023, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety voted unanimously to recommend
adoption of Senate Amendment 1 and passage of Senate Bill 119, as amended.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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