Legal Action of Wisconsin
Registered Principal Details
Business Or Interest:
Non profit law firm representing low-income people in their civil legal aid matters.
Lobbying Interests:
Issues related to civil legal problems of low-income people
Non profit law firm representing low-income people in their civil legal aid matters.
Lobbying Interests:
Issues related to civil legal problems of low-income people
Contact
AW
Abigail Wiley
633 W. Wisconsin Ave, Suite 2000
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414-274-3425
abw@legalaction.org
http://www.legalaction.org
633 W. Wisconsin Ave, Suite 2000
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414-274-3425
abw@legalaction.org
http://www.legalaction.org
Authorized Lobbyists
| Lobbyist Name | Exclusive Duties | Authorized On | Withdrawn On |
|---|
Lobbying Interests
Legislative Bills/Resolutions
Assembly Bill 189
Relating to: an optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage.
Bill Text and History
5/7/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
AB 189 would allow some of Legal Action’s most vulnerable low-income clients, including the elderly, disabled, and victims of domestic violence, to reduce the burden that the divorce process has on their lives.
Relating to: an optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage.
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date5/7/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
AB 189 would allow some of Legal Action’s most vulnerable low-income clients, including the elderly, disabled, and victims of domestic violence, to reduce the burden that the divorce process has on their lives.
Assembly Bill 202
Relating to: voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and the application of the Wisconsin Consumer Act to leases. (FE)
Bill Text and History
5/14/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Legal Action clients with prohibited provisions in their leases would lack a mechanism for seeking remedies. Effect of total removal from WCA means no recourse for illegal harassment post-moveout rent collection or illegal fees in lease.
Relating to: voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and the application of the Wisconsin Consumer Act to leases. (FE)
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date5/14/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Legal Action clients with prohibited provisions in their leases would lack a mechanism for seeking remedies. Effect of total removal from WCA means no recourse for illegal harassment post-moveout rent collection or illegal fees in lease.
Assembly Bill 274
Relating to: the expiration of administrative rules. (FE)
Bill Text and History
10/9/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal do not intend to communicate on this matter.
Comments
All & existing and well established consumer and landlord-tenant regulations could expire without the approval of the legislature/JCRAR, undermining the certainty of these protections for our client populations.
Relating to: the expiration of administrative rules. (FE)
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date10/9/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal do not intend to communicate on this matter.
Comments
All & existing and well established consumer and landlord-tenant regulations could expire without the approval of the legislature/JCRAR, undermining the certainty of these protections for our client populations.
Assembly Bill 296
Relating to: eliminating the 13-week limit on the garnishment of earnings of certain debtors.
Bill Text and History
6/27/2025
First Communication Date
6/13/2025
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has communicated on this matter.
Comments
LAW's low-income clients would be without remedy if creditor doesn't send timely notices/inaccurate info from creditors (unclear if there is any available remedy). The bill lengthens time btwn exemption notices from 13 weeks to 180 days.
Relating to: eliminating the 13-week limit on the garnishment of earnings of certain debtors.
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date6/27/2025
First Communication Date
6/13/2025
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has communicated on this matter.
Comments
LAW's low-income clients would be without remedy if creditor doesn't send timely notices/inaccurate info from creditors (unclear if there is any available remedy). The bill lengthens time btwn exemption notices from 13 weeks to 180 days.
Assembly Bill 320
Relating to: increasing certain court fees and surcharges and indexing those amounts for inflation. (FE)
Bill Text and History
9/22/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Legal Action of Wisconsin is concerned that increased fees would make it harder for low-income Wisconsinites to access the courts and increase their debt.
Relating to: increasing certain court fees and surcharges and indexing those amounts for inflation. (FE)
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date9/22/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Legal Action of Wisconsin is concerned that increased fees would make it harder for low-income Wisconsinites to access the courts and increase their debt.
Assembly Bill 443
Relating to: increasing the maximum fee for court costs collectible in a municipal court action. (FE)
Bill Text and History
10/7/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal do not intend to communicate on this matter.
Comments
Would raise amount of court debt on approx. 350,000 muni cases/year, impacting the many LAW clients already cannot make ends meet & suffer court-imposed sanctions for nonpayment of citation debt.
Relating to: increasing the maximum fee for court costs collectible in a municipal court action. (FE)
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date10/7/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal do not intend to communicate on this matter.
Comments
Would raise amount of court debt on approx. 350,000 muni cases/year, impacting the many LAW clients already cannot make ends meet & suffer court-imposed sanctions for nonpayment of citation debt.
Senate Bill 161
Relating to: a presumption that equalizing physical placement to the highest degree is in the child’s best interest.
Bill Text and History
10/7/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
The bill may leave LAW's domestic violence victims vulnerable to coercion from abusers in the placement process and places burden of proof on DV victims. May create confusion with legal custody process.
Relating to: a presumption that equalizing physical placement to the highest degree is in the child’s best interest.
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date10/7/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
The bill may leave LAW's domestic violence victims vulnerable to coercion from abusers in the placement process and places burden of proof on DV victims. May create confusion with legal custody process.
Senate Bill 189
Relating to: an optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage.
Bill Text and History
5/7/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
SB 189 would allow some of Legal Action’s most vulnerable low-income clients, including the elderly, disabled, and victims of domestic violence, to reduce the burden that the divorce process has on their lives.
Relating to: an optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage.
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date5/7/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
SB 189 would allow some of Legal Action’s most vulnerable low-income clients, including the elderly, disabled, and victims of domestic violence, to reduce the burden that the divorce process has on their lives.
Senate Bill 206
Relating to: voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and the application of the Wisconsin Consumer Act to leases. (FE)
Bill Text and History
5/14/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Legal Action clients with prohibited provisions in their leases would lack a mechanism for seeking remedies. Effect of total removal from WCA means no recourse for illegal harassment post-moveout rent collection or illegal fees in lease.
Relating to: voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and the application of the Wisconsin Consumer Act to leases. (FE)
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date5/14/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Legal Action clients with prohibited provisions in their leases would lack a mechanism for seeking remedies. Effect of total removal from WCA means no recourse for illegal harassment post-moveout rent collection or illegal fees in lease.
Senate Bill 300
Relating to: eliminating the 13-week limit on the garnishment of earnings of certain debtors.
Bill Text and History
9/3/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
LAW's low-income clients would be without remedy if creditor doesn't send timely notices/inaccurate info from creditors (unclear if there is any available remedy). The bill lengthens time btwn exemption notices from 13 weeks to 180 days.
Relating to: eliminating the 13-week limit on the garnishment of earnings of certain debtors.
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date9/3/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
LAW's low-income clients would be without remedy if creditor doesn't send timely notices/inaccurate info from creditors (unclear if there is any available remedy). The bill lengthens time btwn exemption notices from 13 weeks to 180 days.
Senate Bill 481
Relating to: a condominium conversion reimbursement grant program. (FE)
Bill Text and History
10/13/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal do not intend to communicate on this matter.
Comments
Rather than rehabilitating housing for low-income individuals, the bill may have the effect of displacing LAW's low-income tenants from multifamily housing.
Relating to: a condominium conversion reimbursement grant program. (FE)
Bill Text and History
Other
Notification Date10/13/2025
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal do not intend to communicate on this matter.
Comments
Rather than rehabilitating housing for low-income individuals, the bill may have the effect of displacing LAW's low-income tenants from multifamily housing.
Budget Bill Subjects
Biennial budget bill treatment of matter relating to
Administration: Departmentwide
Administration: Departmentwide
Notification Date
4/24/2025
First Communication Date
4/23/2025
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has communicated on this matter.
Comments
In favor of supporting civil legal aid in the state budget.
4/24/2025
First Communication Date
4/23/2025
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has communicated on this matter.
Comments
In favor of supporting civil legal aid in the state budget.
Topics Not Yet Assigned A Bill Or Rule Number
Development, drafting or introduction of a proposal relating to
Funding for various programs related to civil legal aid across Wisconsin
Funding for various programs related to civil legal aid across Wisconsin
Action Intended To Affect
Legislative matter
Notification Date
2/5/2025
First Communication Date
2/5/2025
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has communicated on this matter.
Legislative matter
Notification Date
2/5/2025
First Communication Date
2/5/2025
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has communicated on this matter.
Total Lobbying Effort
| 2025 January - June |
Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Lobbying Expenditures | 2025 January - June $20,171.40 |
Total $20,171.40 |
| Total Hours Communicating | 2025 January - June 11.30 |
Total 11.30 |
| Total Hours Other | 2025 January - June 194.50 |
Total 194.50 |
Percent Allocation of Lobbying Effort
Legislative Bills/Resolutions
No legislative bills/resolutions found.
Budget Bill Subjects
| 2025 January - June |
2025 July - December |
2026 January - June |
2026 July - December |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 January - June 65% |
2025 July - December |
2026 January - June |
2026 July - December |
Total 65% |
Administrative Rulemaking Proceedings
No administrative rulemaking proceedings found.
Topics Not Yet Assigned A Bill Or Rule Number
| 2025 January - June |
2025 July - December |
2026 January - June |
2026 July - December |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 January - June 30% |
2025 July - December |
2026 January - June |
2026 July - December |
Total 30% |
Minor Efforts
(Time spent on matters each of which accounted for less than 10% of the organization's lobbying.)
Other Matters
No other matters found.