Assembly Bill 939 aims to update the statutes governing the state public defender by removing outdated provisions related to their term of office and removal process. Specifically, the bill eliminates the exception for the state public defender who was in office as of July 1, 1980, which previously allowed for a different term structure and removal procedure. The amendments to sections 977.03 and 977.05 streamline the language to reflect current practices, ensuring that the state public defender serves at the pleasure of the board without the complications of obsolete terms.

The bill makes three key amendments: it removes the reference to an obsolete procedure for the removal of the state public defender, eliminates the outdated term of office that allowed for a five-year term with exceptions, and clarifies that the state public defender can be removed under current statutes without the need for a public hearing if serving at the board's pleasure. These changes are intended to modernize the legal framework surrounding the state public defender's role and enhance the efficiency of the legal system in Wisconsin.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 977.03(1), 977.03, 977.05(1), 977.05, 977.05(2)