A new bill authored by State Sen. Julian Bradley in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to enhance the handling and resolution of complaints related to the Help America Vote Act, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “enforcement of the federal Help America Vote Act”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends Wisconsin’s statutes related to the enforcement of the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) by outlining procedures for handling complaints, especially those involving alleged violations by the Elections Commission itself. It mandates that the commission must respond to complaints within five business days and conduct a requested hearing within 30 days, ensuring transparency by holding hearings in open session and making transcripts publicly available. The bill prohibits the dismissal of complaints solely because they allege a violation by the commission and requires a final determination on all HAVA-related complaints within 89 days. If a complaint is found to have merit, the commission must take corrective action. Additionally, complainants have the right to appeal dismissals or unsatisfactory resolutions to a court. The commission is also required to publish the outcomes of dismissed complaints and share them with the legislature and relevant committees.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Chuck Wichgers (Republican-84th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), along four other co-sponsors.
Julian Bradley has authored or co-authored another 47 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Bradley graduated from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse in 2014 with a BS.
Bradley, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 28th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dave Craig.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB338 | 06/19/2025 | Enforcement of the federal Help America Vote Act |
| SB295 | 05/30/2025 | The use of artificial intelligence or other machine assisted translation in court proceedings and of telephone or live audiovisual interpretation in criminal trials. (FE) |
| SB289 | 05/30/2025 | Requirements for proposed administrative rules that impose any costs |
| SB288 | 05/30/2025 | Authorized lights for funeral procession vehicles |
| SB280 | 05/23/2025 | Interest earned on coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds. (FE) |
| SB279 | 05/22/2025 | Grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms |
| SB277 | 05/21/2025 | The expiration of administrative rules. (FE) |
| SB276 | 05/21/2025 | Challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB275 | 05/21/2025 | Statements of scope for administrative rules. (FE) |
| SB267 | 05/20/2025 | The fee for filing limited liability company articles of organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. (FE) |
| SB256 | 05/15/2025 | Delivery network couriers and transportation network drivers, Department of Financial Institutions’ approval to offer portable benefit accounts, providing for insurance coverage, modifying administrative rules related to accident and sickness insurance, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) |
| SB254 | 05/09/2025 | Funding for the War Memorial Center and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB249 | 05/09/2025 | Vacancies in appointive state offices |
| SB244 | 05/09/2025 | Modifying the sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers. (FE) |
| SB240 | 05/09/2025 | Workforce literacy grant program. (FE) |
| SB231 | 04/29/2025 | Creating a tax credit for expenses related to film production services and for capital investments made by a film production company, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB176 | 04/03/2025 | An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE) |
| SB141 | 03/21/2025 | Allowing an unlicensed person to use a motor vehicle and providing a penalty |
| SB132 | 03/14/2025 | Classification of the crime of impersonating law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and certain other emergency personnel and providing a penalty |
| SB125 | 03/14/2025 | A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE) |
| SB124 | 03/14/2025 | Creating a board to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit. (FE) |
