Wisconsin
Open Meetings Law
Formally: Wisconsin Open Meetings Law
Wis. Stat. §§ 19.81–19.98
Sunshine Score
| Advance Notice | 1 day |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Not required, remote allowed |
| Closed Sessions | 6 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required |
| Recording | Not required |
| Remote Participation | Allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Not required
Post notice at least 24 hours before meeting in at least 3 places or 1 place plus website; notice must include time, date, and subject matter; minimum 2 hours for good cause emergency
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote
Public Participation
Wisconsin Open Meetings Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.81 et seq.) does not mandate public comment at open meetings. Bodies set their own policies. The law requires open meetings but establishes no right to address the governing body.
Virtual Meetings
Allowed under Wis. Stat. § 19.82; a telephone conference involving a quorum is a 'meeting' subject to OML and must be reasonably accessible to the public with proper notice. Remote members count toward quorum. March 2025 DOJ compliance guide confirms remote meetings are lawful if properly noticed and publicly accessible.
Closed Sessions
Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances
Permitted Categories
Meeting Minutes
Online posting: Not required
Content requirements: date, time, place, members present, all resolutions/ordinances/motions adopted, votes by member (Wis. Stat. § 19.88)
Recording & Broadcast
Enforcement
Scope
This law applies to:
Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)
Accessibility & Language Access
ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.
Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.