The Ninety-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature convened from to in regular session, and held a concurrent special session from January 30, 2003, to February 20, 2003. They also held seven extraordinary sessions during the term.

This was the first legislative session after the redistricting of the Senate and Assembly according to the 2002 federal court decision, Baumgart v. Wendelberger.

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first two years of a four-year term. Assembly members were elected to a two-year term. Assembly members and odd-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 5, 2002. Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of their four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 7, 2000.

The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Democrat Jim Doyle, of Dane County, serving the first two years of a four-year term, having won election in the 2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.

Major events January 6, 2003: Inauguration of Jim Doyle as the 44th Governor of Wisconsin. February 1, 2003: U.S. Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, killing all seven crew members aboard. March 20, 2003: The United States invaded Iraq, initiating the Iraq War. April 1, 2003: 2003 Wisconsin Spring election: Patience D. Roggensack was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to succeed William A. Bablitch. Wisconsin voters ratified an amendment to the state constitution codifying the right to fish, hunt, trap, and take game. April 9, 2003: U.S. military forces seized control of Baghdad. April 14, 2003: The Human Genome Project was completed. May 28, 2003: The U.S. Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 was signed into law. July 14, 2003: Valerie Plame was outed as a CIA agent by columnist Robert Novak, initiating a scandal. December 8, 2003: The U.S. Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act was signed into law. December 13, 2003: Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. military forces in Ad-Dawr, Iraq. February 4, 2004: Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard University. February 29, 2004: Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in a coup d'état. March 29, 2004: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia were admitted to NATO. May 17, 2004: Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to issue marriage licenses for Same-sex marriages. June 5, 2004: Former U.S. president Ronald Reagan died at his home in Los Angeles, California. September 13, 2004: The Federal Assault Weapons Ban expired. November 2, 2004: 2004 United States general election: George W. Bush (R) re-elected as President of the United States. Russ Feingold (D) re-elected as United States senator from Wisconsin. December 17, 2004: The U.S. Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act was signed into law. December 26, 2004: The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami resulted in more than 200,000 deaths in southeast Asia.

Party summary Senate summary

Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)TotalDemocraticRepublicanVacantEnd of previous Legislature 18 15 33 0Start of Reg. Session Democrats Richard Grobschmidt (District 7) and Kevin Shibilski (District 24) resigned before the start of the session to accept executive branch appointments. 13 18 31 2From May 9, 2003Democrats Jeffrey Plale (District 7) and Julie Lassa (District 24) replaced Richard Grobschmidt and Kevin Shibilski, respectively. 15 33 0From Nov. 18, 2003Democrat Gary R. George (District 6) was recalled from office. 14 32 1From Nov. 25, 2003Democrat Spencer Coggs (District 6) was sworn in to replace Gary R. George. 15 33 0 Final voting share Beginning of the next Legislature 14 19 33 0

Assembly summary

Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)TotalDemocraticRepublicanVacantEnd of previous Legislature 43 56 99 0 Start of Reg. Session 41 58 99 0 From Feb. 1, 2003Democrat Antonio R. Riley (District 18) resigned to accept an executive branch appointment. 40 98 1 From Apr. 30, 2003Democrat Lena Taylor (District 18) was sworn in to replace Antonio R. Riley. 41 99 0 From May 9, 2003Democrats Jeffrey Plale (District 21) and Julie Lassa (District 71) resigned after election to the Wisconsin Senate. 39 97 2 From Aug. 4, 2003Republican Mark Honadel (District 21) was sworn in to replace Jeffrey Plale. 59 98 1 From Aug. 11, 2003Democrat Louis Molepske (District 71) was sworn in to replace Julie Lassa. 40 99 0 From Nov. 25, 2003Democrat Spencer Coggs (District 17) resigned after his election to state senate. 39 98 1 From Feb. 3, 2004Democrat Barbara Toles (District 17) was sworn in to replace Spencer Coggs. 40 99 0 Final voting share Beginning of the next Legislature 39 60 99 0

Sessions Regular session: January 6, 2003January 3, 2005 January 2003 Special session: January 30, 2003February 20, 2003 February 2003 Extraordinary session: February 20, 2003February 21, 2003 July 2003 Extraordinary session: July 1, 2003July 2, 2003 August 2003 Extraordinary session: August 11, 2003September 25, 2003 December 2003 Extraordinary session: December 1, 2003February 5, 2004 March 2004 Extraordinary session: March 11, 2004March 25, 2004 May 2004 Extraordinary session: May 18, 2004May 19, 2004 July 2004 Extraordinary session: July 27, 2004July 28, 2004

Leadership

Senate leadership President of the Senate: Alan Lasee (R–Rockland) President pro tempore: Robert Welch (R–Redgranite)

Majority leadership (Republican) Majority Leader: Mary Panzer (R–West Bend) Assistant Majority Leader: David Zien (R–Wheaton) Majority Caucus Chairperson: Mary Lazich (R–New Berlin)

Minority leadership (Democratic) Minority Leader: Jon Erpenbach (D–Middleton) Assistant Minority Leader: Dave Hansen (D–Green Bay) Minority Caucus Chairperson: Robert Wirch (D–Pleasant Prairie)

Assembly leadership Speaker of the Assembly: John Gard (R–Peshtigo) Speaker pro tempore: Stephen Freese (R–Jamestown)

Majority leadership (Republican) Majority Leader: Steven Foti (R–Oconomowoc) Assistant Majority Leader: Jean Hundertmark (R–Larrabee) Majority Caucus Chairperson: Daniel P. Vrakas (R–Delafield) Majority Caucus Vice Chairperson: Glenn Grothman (R–West Bend) Majority Caucus Secretary: Carol Owens (R–Nekimi) Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms: Jerry Petrowski (R–Stettin)

Minority leadership (Democratic) Minority Leader: James Kreuser (D–Kenosha) Assistant Minority Leader: Jon Richards (D–Milwaukee) Minority Caucus Chairperson: Robert L. Turner (D–Racine) Minority Caucus Vice Chairperson: Gary Sherman (D–Port Wing) Minority Caucus Secretary: Amy Sue Vruwink (D–Milladore) Minority Caucus Sergeant at Arms: Jennifer Shilling (D–La Crosse)

Members

Members of the Senate Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the Ninety-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature:

Dist. Senator Party Age(2003) Home Firstelected 01 Rep. De Pere, Brown County 1977 02 Rep. Green Bay, Brown County 1987 03 Dem. Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 2002 04 Dem. Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1992 05 Rep. West Allis, Milwaukee County 2002 06 Dem. Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1980 Dem. Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 2003 07 --Vacant until May 9, 2003-- Dem. South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 2003 08 Rep. River Hills, Milwaukee County 1992 09 Rep. Sheboygan, Sheboygan County 2002 10 Rep. River Falls, Pierce County 2000 11 Rep. Elkhorn, Walworth County 2002 12 Dem. Eland, Shawano County 1990 13 Rep. Juneau, Dodge County 1994 14 Rep. Marion, Waushara County 1995 15 Dem. Beloit, Rock County 1987 16 Dem. Monona, Dane County 1984 17 Rep. Richland Center, Richland County 1991 18 Rep. Oshkosh, Winnebago County 1987 19 Rep. Neenah, Winnebago County 1982 20 Rep. West Bend, Washington County 1993 21 Rep. Sturtevant, Racine County 2002 22 Dem. Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha County 1996 23 Rep. Eau Claire, Eau Claire County 1993 24 --Vacant until May 9, 2003-- Dem. Stevens Point, Portage County 2003 25 Dem. Poplar, Douglas County 1986 26 Dem. Madison, Dane County 1962 27 Dem. Middleton, Dane County 1998 28 Rep. New Berlin, Waukesha County 1998 29 Dem. Schofield, Marathon County 1990 30 Dem. Green Bay, Brown County 2000 31 Rep. Eau Claire, Eau Claire County 2002 32 Dem. La Crosse, La Crosse County 2000 33 Rep. Brookfield, Waukesha County 2001

Members of the Assembly Members of the Assembly for the Ninety-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature:

SenateDistrictAssemblyDistrictRepresentativePartyAge (2003)ResidenceFirst elected 01 01 Rep. Sister Bay 2000 02 Rep. Bellevue 1994 03 Rep. Forest Junction 1986 02 04 Rep. Ashwaubenon 1998 05 Rep. Green Bay 2002 06 Rep. Shawano 1990 03 07 Dem. Milwaukee 1983 08 Dem. Milwaukee 1998 09 Dem. Milwaukee 2002 04 10 Dem. Milwaukee 1980 11 Dem. Milwaukee 1992 12 Dem. Milwaukee 1984 05 13 Dem. Milwaukee 1990 14 Rep. Wauwatosa 2002 15 Dem. West Allis 1996 06 16 Dem. Milwaukee 1992 17 Dem. Milwaukee 1982 Dem. Milwaukee 2004 18 Dem. Milwaukee 1992 Dem. Milwaukee 2003 07 19 Dem. Milwaukee 1998 20 Dem. Milwaukee 1998 21 Dem. South Milwaukee 1996 Rep. South Milwaukee 2003 08 22 Dem. Milwaukee 1994 23 Rep. Mequon 2002 24 Rep. Menomonee Falls 1996 09 25 Dem. Manitowoc 1992 26 Dem. Sheboygan 2002 27 Rep. Elkhart Lake 1998 10 28 Rep. Hertel 1998 29 Dem. Menomonie 1996 30 Rep. Hudson 1998 11 31 Rep. Whitewater 1990 32 Rep. Williams Bay 2002 33 Rep. Hartland 1990 12 34 Rep. Eagle River 2000 35 Rep. Merrill 2000 36 Rep. Spread Eagle 1992 13 37 Rep. Fort Atkinson 1992 38 Rep. Oconomowoc 1982 39 Rep. Horicon 2000 14 40 Rep. Clintonville 1998 41 Rep. Berlin 1994 42 Rep. Oxford 2001 15 43 Rep. Janesville 2002 44 Dem. Janesville 1976 45 Dem. Beloit 1998 16 46 Dem. Sun Prairie 1996 47 Rep. Springvale 1990 48 Dem. Madison 1998 17 49 Rep. Platteville 2000 50 Rep. Reedsburg 1991 51 Rep. Dodgeville 1990 18 52 Rep. Fond du Lac 1998 53 Rep. Oshkosh 1992 54 Rep. Oshkosh 1987 19 55 Rep. Neenah 1990 56 Rep. Appleton 2000 57 Rep. Appleton 1996 20 58 Rep. West Bend 1993 59 Rep. Cascade 2002 60 Rep. Port Washington 2002 21 61 Dem. Racine 1990 62 Dem. Racine 1996 63 Rep. Mount Pleasant 1992 22 64 Dem. Kenosha 1993 65 Dem. Pleasant Prairie 1996 66 Rep. Burlington 2000 23 67 Rep. Chippewa Falls 2002 68 Dem. Eau Claire 1998 69 Rep. Abbotsford 1998 24 70 Dem. Milladore 2002 71 Dem. Stevens Point 1998 Dem. Stevens Point 2003 72 Dem. Wisconsin Rapids 1970 25 73 Dem. Superior 1986 74 Dem. Port Wing 1998 75 Dem. Rice Lake 1984 26 76 Dem. Madison 1998 77 Dem. Madison 1984 78 Dem. Madison 1998 27 79 Dem. Verona 2002 80 Rep. Albany 1994 81 Dem. Waunakee 1978 28 82 Rep. Greendale 1998 83 Rep. Waterford 1994 84 Rep. New Berlin 1998 29 85 Dem. Wausau 1988 86 Rep. Marathon 1998 87 Rep. Medford 2002 30 88 Rep. Green Bay 2000 89 Rep. Peshtigo 1987 90 Rep. Green Bay 2002 31 91 Dem. Whitehall 1982 92 Rep. Black River Falls 1984 93 Rep. Eau Claire 1992 32 94 Rep. West Salem 1994 95 Dem. La Crosse 2000 96 Rep. Eastman 1984 33 97 Rep. Waukesha 2002 98 Rep. Waukesha 1992 99 Rep. Hartford 1988

Changes from the 95th Legislature The most significant structural change to the Legislature between the 95th and 96th sessions was the reapportionment and redistricting of legislative seats. The new districts were defined in the federal court decision Baumgart v. Wendelberger, from a three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Notes

References

External links Wisconsin State Senate Wisconsin State Assembly 2003–2004 Session from Wisconsin Legislature 2003–2004 Assembly Journal 2003–2004 Senate Journal