Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB248

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/8/25
• Refer: 5/8/25

Caption

Vacancies in appointive state offices.

Impact

The introduction of AB248 will impact how vacancies are treated in various departments, agencies, and bodies within state government. By mandating that term expiration creates a vacancy, it will require the timely appointment of successors to prevent prolonged gaps in government operations. This legislation aims to improve the efficiency of government functioning by ensuring that all appointive positions are filled without unnecessary delays, thereby maintaining continuity in leadership and governance.

Summary

Assembly Bill 248 addresses vacancies in appointive state offices, specifically indicating that a vacancy is created when the incumbent's term expires. This bill intends to clarify the definition of a vacancy in public office and particularly applies to appointive offices within state government. It seeks to ensure that clear procedures are established for handling situations where the term of an official in a fixed-term appointive position is not renewed or filled promptly.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding AB248, particularly regarding the perceived implications for appointments. Opponents might argue that the bill could lead to rushed appointments or create political pressures for filling vacancies quickly, potentially sacrificing the vetting process for nominees. Furthermore, the requirement for immediate replacement of officials whose terms expire may conflict with best practices for evaluating the effectiveness of appointees based on their performance, potentially introducing instability in leadership roles.