Madison – Representative Shae Sortwell (R-Gibson) is circulating legislation to prevent
legislators from adding themselves as coauthors or cosponsors to bills after those bills have
already reached the floor for consideration.
“Being listed as a coauthor or cosponsor should reflect meaningful involvement in developing
and advancing legislation—not an attempt to claim credit after the work has already been done,”
said Rep. Sortwell. “Wisconsinites deserve an honest record of who actually helped move
legislation forward.”
During the current legislative session, 247 bills have been signed into law. According to records
compiled by Rep. Sortwell’s office, several legislators added themselves as coauthors or
cosponsors after legislation had already advanced through the legislative process. The most
egregious instance involved Reps. Brown (D – Whitewater), Billings (D – La Crosse), and
Emerson (D – Eau Claire) adding themselves as coauthors to Act 20 seven months after it had
been signed into law.
“Constituents should be able to trust that when they see their legislator’s name attached to a bill
as a coauthor or cosponsor, they actually contributed to the effort while the legislation was still
moving through the process,” Rep. Sortwell said. “This legislation is about accountability and
maintaining confidence in the legislative process.”
The following legislators chose to conduct such activity:
- Rep. Jodi Emerson – 25 times
- Rep. Brienne Brown – 21 times
- Rep. Jenna Jacobson – 20 times
- Rep. Jill Billings – 11 times
- Rep. Steve Doyle – 9 times
- Rep. Clint Anderson – 3 times
- Rep. Robyn Vining – 1 time
