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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Rep. O'Connor authors bill in Wisconsin Assembly to revise town clerk and treasurer appointments

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Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com

Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com

A new bill authored by State Rep. Jerry L. O'Connor in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to update the appointment and election procedures for town clerks and treasurers, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill proposes changes to the process of appointing town clerks and treasurers, allows towns of any size to transition from elected to appointed clerks and treasurers by a town meeting vote, and provides for such appointments during an elected term if a vacancy arises. It authorizes town treasurers to appoint multiple deputies and removes the requirement for deputies to reside in the town. Furthermore, it aligns publication requirements for proposed budget summaries and notices of public hearings in towns with those of cities and villages, providing more flexibility in dissemination methods. Lastly, it eliminates the provision that a highway remains public if traveled within four years of its establishment.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Cindi Duchow (Republican-97th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), and Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), along 20 other co-sponsors.

Jerry L. O'Connor has co-authored or authored another 124 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

O'Conner graduated from Minnesota Bible College in 1973.

O'Conner, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 60th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Robert Brooks.

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.

Bills Introduced by Jerry L. O'Connor in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB21404/23/2025Town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE)
AB20704/23/2025Information provided to voters concerning proposed constitutional amendments and other statewide referenda. (FE)
AB20304/23/2025Limiting liability relating to traffic control devices for manufacturers and others
AB18904/15/2025An optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage
AB17404/14/2025Transmission facilities; installation of large wind energy, large solar energy, and battery energy storage systems; installation of light-mitigating technology systems; and prioritizing nuclear energy resources. (FE)
AB17104/09/2025Privacy protections for judicial officers
AB17004/09/2025Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE)
AB16804/08/2025Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)
AB16204/08/2025Workforce metrics. (FE)
AB15204/02/2025Bid requirement for publication and printing of county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements in counties having a population of 250,000 or more and at least two English newspapers published daily
AB9002/28/2025Copies of and inspection or disclosure of information contained in certain vital records. (FE)
AB5802/24/2025Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule
AB2102/06/2025Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE)

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