1. Drafting an Idea When a legislator has an idea for a law, they have a drafting lawyer prepare a draft of a bill. 2. Introduction The bill is formally introduced in the Assembly or Senate, referred to as its ‘first reading’. Legislators can support the bill as co-authors or co-sponsors. 3. In Committee The bill is sent to a relevant committee, where legislative service agencies research its potential impacts. The committee holds public hearings to gather input from experts and the public. If the bill involves spending state money or raising taxes, it is also reviewed by the Joint Committee on Finance. 4. Committee Review Committees may suggest amendments and then report back to the legislature with a recommendation on whether to pass the bill. 5. Back to the Floor The bill undergoes a ‘second reading’ where legislators vote on amendments. It is then read a third time, and a final vote is taken. If passed, it is sent to the other house. 6. Consideration by the Other House The bill goes through a similar process in the other house. If amendments are made, the bill returns to the first house for agreement. 7. To the Governor Once both houses pass the bill, it is sent to the governor for signing or vetoing. The governor can veto parts of appropriation bills. A two-thirds majority in both houses can override a veto. 8. Acts and Law If signed, the bill becomes an act and is added to the state laws. The act typically takes effect shortly after, although the effective date can be delayed for preparation.

A member of the public can get involved in the legislative process in Wisconsin by participating in several ways: 1. Attend Legislative Sessions: Members of the public can observe sessions of the Wisconsin Legislature. Observing sessions can provide insights into the legislative process and ongoing discussions. 2. Participate in Committee Hearings: Public discussions and hearings on proposed bills are scheduled by committees. Citizens can attend these hearings to provide input and express their opinions on the legislation being considered. 3. Provide Testimony: When committees consider a bill, they often allow individuals to provide testimony, either in favor or against the legislation. This is a direct way to influence legislative outcomes. 4. Stay Informed: Keeping abreast of legislative developments through bill tracking, newsletters, or community meetings can help citizens understand the issues at stake and decide how they want to engage. 5. Engage with Elected Officials: The public can contact their local representatives or senators to share their views on current issues or proposed laws. This engagement can influence the legislative process, as legislators often consider the opinions of their constituents. 6. Join Advocacy Groups: Many organizations and advocacy groups work to influence legislative decisions. Joining such groups can amplify individual voices and provide a collective means to engage with the legislative process.

Tracking bills is hard, especially if you rely on state legislature websites, which are often hard to navigate. Thousands of bills get filed in Wisconsin every year (and about 180,000 bills nationwide). If you want to be an effective advocate, you need to know where legislation of interest stands, and act quickly.

FastDemocracy's free version allows you to track an unlimited number of bills - no strings attached. We'll send you a daily or weekly email on your priority bills and give you tools to research bills and legislators.

FastDemocracy Professional is for anyone who tracks bills in a professional capacity. It features

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1. Sign up here for a free FastDemocracy account.

2. Head to Tracked Topics to select issue areas you care about.

3. Use the search bar on top if you're looking for something specific.

4. Click "Track Bill" for any legislation you'd like to monitor a bit closer. That's how you add it to your Tracked Bills. You can also click on a bill to learn more, see the bill summary, most recent actions, votes, news and tweets. You can also contact legislators or share your bills on social media.

5. You can track an unlimited number of bills for free and we'll send you a daily or weekly email if your tracked legislation moves.

6. Do you need real-time alerts, outreach tools, bill lists, and professional functions? Then FastDemocracy Professional is the right fit for you.

7. Track bills on your smartphone using our free mobile app.

You can use the Find Your Legislators tool to find them, see their voting records, and contact them.