Assembly Bill 514 proposes to amend existing statutes to authorize the addition of four circuit court branches in Wisconsin, specifically one each in Brown County, Menominee and Shawano Counties, and Kenosha County, with implementation dates set for August 1, 2027, and August 1, 2028. The bill also provides for the creation of various positions within the court and criminal justice system, including judges, court reporters, assistant district attorneys, and assistant state public defenders, with specific numbers and timelines for each position outlined. The bill mandates that the director of state courts, district attorneys, and the public defender board include requests for funding for these positions in their biennial budget requests for 2027-29.

In terms of legal language changes, the bill amends sections of the statutes to reflect the new branch counts for Kenosha County, Brown County, and Menominee and Shawano Counties, increasing the number of branches from eight to nine in Brown County and Kenosha County, and from two to three in Menominee and Shawano Counties. Additionally, the bill specifies the initial election dates for the new circuit judges in these counties, ensuring that the necessary judicial positions are filled in accordance with the new structure. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the capacity of the judicial system in these counties to better serve the community's needs.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 753.06(2)(a), 753.06, 753.06(8)(a), 753.06(9)(h)