Meeting in virtual sessions for the first time ever, the Wisconsin Legislature is poised to pass comprehensive legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic that includes some liability protections. In the midst of the pandemic, Wisconsin held a state Supreme Court election that gained national attention on April 7. Those results were released on Monday. This edition of the WCJC Newsletter covers the Legislature's extraordinary session and election results.
Please contact R.J. Pirlot or Paige Scobeeif you have any questions on these or other civil justice matters.
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Assembly Passes COVID-19 Liability Protections
On April 14, the Wisconsin Assembly met in its first ever virtual session to pass legislation on COVID-19. The bill included liability protections for health care workers and a limited liability provision for manufacturers. The Senate is expected to pass the bill, also in virtual session, on Wednesday. With the Assembly passing the bill on a bipartisan basis, it is expected that Gov. Tony Evers will sign the bill into law.
One week after election day, Wisconsin spring election results were finally released on April 13. On the ballot on April 7 was the Democratic primary for president, a state Supreme Court seat, and many local races. Turnout was the highest for a spring election since 2016, when there were primaries for both Democrat and Republican presidential nominees.
In the Supreme Court election, Liberal Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jill Karofsky beat incumbent conservative Justice Daniel Kelly.
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