Madison, Wis (Civic Media) – Governor Tony Evers recently made legislative moves by signing 54 bills. The bills signed into law address issues such as artificial intelligence in political advertisements, voting accessibility, and campaign finance reporting.

Disclosure of AI-generated Content in Political Advertisements

One of the bills signed into law is Assembly Bill 664, now known as the 2023 Wisconsin Act 123. This bill mandates disclosures concerning content generated by artificial intelligence in political advertisements. The aim is to ensure transparency and accountability in political campaigns.

Prohibition of Closure of Polling Places

Another bill signed into law is Wisconsin Act 124, which prohibits the closure of polling places before elections without proper approval. This measure is intended to safeguard voting accessibility and ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

Registration and Campaign Finance Reporting

Governor Evers also signed Senate Bill 822, now known as the 2023 Wisconsin Act 126. This bill requires registration and campaign finance reporting for political entities. The goal is to uphold accountability in election funding and promote transparency in the political process.

Other Laws Signed

Governor Evers approved a bipartisan bill that eliminates state sales tax on purchases of precious metals like gold and silver. The exemption excludes jewelry and other personal items from the tax relief. The Governor also signed a bill permitting children to sell crafts and non-food items in public spaces, such as parks, without the need for permits. This legislation builds upon existing laws that already allow children to run lemonade stands on private property without requiring permits.

Governor Evers’ Veto Letters

In addition to signing bills into law, Governor Evers also issued official letters explaining his vetoes and the reasons behind his decision not to sign certain measures. One of the vetoed bills was Assembly Bill 543, which aimed to reduce the distance between election observers and the process they are observing. Governor Evers stated in his veto letter that the current law, which mandates a distance of between 3 and 8 feet, is appropriate.

Another vetoed bill was, according to the Governor, related to the timing of his appointment of the Secretary of State. This bill would have required a special election if openings occur within a certain time frame. Governor Evers vetoed this bill, stating that it was passed due to the timing of his appointment and not based on the merits of the legislation.

Governor Evers also vetoed a measure that would have created mandates for care facilities to oversee elections more closely and a measure that called for a performance audit of election processes. In his veto letter for Senate Bill 736, the Governor expressed frustration with what he called the ongoing efforts of the State Legislature to interfere with election administration, emphasizing that the Wisconsin Election Commission already performs audits.