Assembly Bill 1144 proposes changes to the process of filling vacancies on county boards in Wisconsin, specifically for counties other than Milwaukee County. Under the current law, the county chairperson appoints a replacement with board approval when a vacancy arises. The bill amends this process by requiring the board chairperson to publish a public notice detailing the vacancy and the application procedure. Appointments can only be made no earlier than 14 days after the notice is published, and the bill stipulates that vacancies occurring after November 30 in the year preceding the expiration of the term cannot be filled through this appointment process.

The bill also includes specific legal language changes, such as the repeal and recreation of section 59.10 (1) (d) and the renumbering and amendment of section 59.10 (3) (e). Notably, it introduces a new provision that prohibits the appointment of a successor for vacancies that occur after November 30 in the year before the term ends, eliminating the need for a public notice in such cases. Additionally, the bill allows for the possibility of a special election to fill vacancies under certain conditions, ensuring that the process is more transparent and participatory for constituents.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 59.10(1)(d), 59.10