Wisconsin Statutes > Chapter 4 – Senate and assembly districts

		Sections
Subchapter I	General Provisions	4.001 – 4.006
Subchapter II	Senate Districts	4.009
Subchapter III	Assembly Districts	4.01 – 4.99

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Terms Used In Wisconsin Statutes > Chapter 4 - Senate and assembly districts

Acquire: when used in connection with a grant of power to any person, includes the acquisition by purchase, grant, gift or bequest. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Active psychosis: means a severe mental condition where an individual's mental reality is separated from the individual's physical reality and the individual experiences symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Adjourn: A motion to adjourn a legislative chamber or a committee, if passed, ends that day's session.
Administer: when used in reference to administering a drug to an animal, means directly applying the drug, whether by injection, ingestion, or any other means, to the body of the animal. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02
Adult: means a person who has attained the age of 18 years, except that for purposes of investigating or prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated any state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance, "adult" means a person who has attained the age of 17 years. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Advice and consent: Under the Constitution, presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and international treaties become effective only when the Senate approves them by a two-thirds vote.
Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
Affirmed: In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.
Alcoholic: means a person who is suffering from alcoholism. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Alcoholism: is a disease which is characterized by the dependency of a person on the drug alcohol, to the extent that the person's health is substantially impaired or endangered or his or her social or economic functioning is substantially disrupted. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Allegation: something that someone says happened.
Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
Amortization: Paying off a loan by regular installments.
Animal: means any animal except a human being. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02
Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
Appraisal: A determination of property value.
Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
Approved treatment facility: means any publicly or privately operated treatment facility or unit thereof approved by the department for treatment of alcoholic, drug dependent, mentally ill or developmentally disabled persons. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Approved tribal treatment facility: means a treatment agency that operates under the direction and control of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state and meets the standards prescribed for approved treatment facilities under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
Baseline: Projection of the receipts, outlays, and other budget amounts that would ensue in the future without any change in existing policy. Baseline projections are used to gauge the extent to which proposed legislation, if enacted into law, would alter current spending and revenue levels.
Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. ^{Source: OCC}
Bequest: Property gifted by will.
Bequest: includes a devise; "bequeath" includes devise. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Brain injury: includes any injury to the brain under par. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
budget period: means 2 consecutive fiscal years covered by a biennial budget adopted by a city that has acted under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 65.02
Case law: The law as laid down in cases that have been decided in the decisions of the courts.
Center for the developmentally disabled: means any facility which is operated by the department and which provides services including, but not limited to, 24-hour treatment, consultation, training and education for developmentally disabled persons. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Chambers: A judge's office.
Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.
chief of a fire department: includes the chief of a department under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Chiropractor: means a person holding a license issued by the chiropractic examining board. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
Client: means the person who owns or who has primary responsibility for the care of a patient. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02
Committee membership: Legislators are assigned to specific committees by their party. Seniority, regional balance, and political philosophy are the most prominent factors in the committee assignment process.
Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
Communicable disease: means any disease that the department of health services determines, by rule, to be communicable in fact. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Community mental health program: means a program to provide community-based outpatient mental health services that is operated by or under contract with a county department of community programs or that requests payment for the services under the medical assistance program or under benefits required under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Community support program: means a coordinated care and treatment system that provides a network of services through an identified treatment program and staff to ensure ongoing therapeutic involvement and individualized treatment in the community for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
Conditional transfer: means a transfer of a patient or resident to a less restrictive environment for treatment which is made subject to conditions imposed for the benefit of the patient or resident. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Conference report: The compromise product negotiated by the conference committee. The "conference report" is submitted to each chamber for its consideration, such as approval or disapproval.
Contemplation of death: The expectation of death that provides the primary motive to make a gift.
Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
Corporation: means a private corporation organized under the laws of this state. See Wisconsin Statutes 31.01
County board: means the county board of supervisors. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
County of residence: means the county that is determined under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Cross examine: Questioning of a witness by the attorney for the other side.
Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
Decedent: A deceased person.
Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
Degenerative brain disorder: means the loss or dysfunction of brain cells to the extent that the individual is substantially impaired in his or her ability to provide adequately for his or her own care or custody or to manage adequately his or her property or financial affairs. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Dentist: means a person who is licensed as a dentist under subch. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Department: when used in this chapter without other words of description or qualification means the department of natural resources. See Wisconsin Statutes 28.005
Department: means the department of natural resources. See Wisconsin Statutes 31.01
Department: means the department of transportation. See Wisconsin Statutes 84.001
Department: means the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02
Department: means the department of administration. See Wisconsin Statutes 35.001
departments: means any department, board, commission or other body under the control of the common council which expends city funds or incurs obligations for the city, and unless otherwise expressed refers to the head of such department. See Wisconsin Statutes 65.02
Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
Developmental disability: means a disability attributable to brain injury, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, Prader-Willi syndrome, intellectual disability, or another neurological condition closely related to an intellectual disability or requiring treatment similar to that required for individuals with an intellectual disability, which has continued or can be expected to continue indefinitely and constitutes a substantial handicap to the afflicted individual. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Devise: To gift property by will.
Director: means the person in charge of a state treatment facility, state or local treatment center, or approved private facility. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
Dispense: means the act of delivering a drug to a person who may lawfully possess the drug, including the compounding, packaging or labeling necessary to prepare the drug for delivery. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02
Division of hearings and appeals: means the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration. See Wisconsin Statutes 84.001
Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
Donee: The recipient of a gift.
Donor: The person who makes a gift.
Drug: has the meaning given in…. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02
Drug dependence: means a disease that is characterized by a person's use of one or more drugs that is beyond the person's ability to control to the extent that the person's physical health is substantially impaired or his or her social or economic functioning is substantially disrupted. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Drug dependent: means suffering from drug dependence. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01
Electronic funds transfer: The transfer of money between accounts by consumer electronic systems-such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and electronic payment of bills-rather than by check or cash. (Wire transfers, checks, drafts, and paper instruments do not fall into this category.) ^{Source: OCC}
Embezzlement: In most states, embezzlement is defined as theft/larceny of assets (money or property) by a person in a position of trust or responsibility over those assets. Embezzlement typically occurs in the employment and corporate settings. ^{Source: OCC}
Enrolled bill: The final copy of a bill or joint resolution which has passed both chambers in identical form. It is printed on parchment paper, signed by appropriate officials, and submitted to the President/Governor for signature.
Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. ^{Source: U.S. Courts}
Escheat: Reversion of real or personal property to the state when 1) a person dies without leaving a will and has no heirs, or 2) when the property (such as a bank account) has been inactive for a certain period of time. ^{Source: OCC}
Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
estimate: as used in this chapter shall include any written report of or the request of any department setting forth in detail the various sums and purposes it deems reasonably necessary to perform its functions. See Wisconsin Statutes 65.02
Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
Examining board: means the veterinary examining board. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02
Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
Extra-label use: means use of a drug in a manner that is not in accordance with the directions for use that are contained on the label affixed to the container in which the drug is dispensed. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02
Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: A government corporation that insures the deposits of all national and state banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System. ^{Source: OCC}
Fee simple: Absolute title to property with no limitations or restrictions regarding the person who may inherit it.
Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
Fire department: includes a department under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Fire fighter: includes a person serving under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
Fixed Rate: Having a "fixed" rate means that the APR doesn't change based on fluctuations of some external rate (such as the "Prime Rate"). In other words, a fixed rate is a rate that is not a variable rate. A fixed APR can change over time, in several circumstances:
- You are late making a payment or commit some other default, triggering an increase to a penalty rate
- The bank changes the terms of your account and you do not reject the change.
- The rate expires (if the rate was fixed for only a certain period of time).
Folio: means 100 words or figures. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Food-producing animal: means an animal that is raised to produce food for human consumption. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02
Forbearance: A means of handling a delinquent loan. A
Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. ^{Source: OCC}
Forgery: The fraudulent signing or alteration of another's name to an instrument such as a deed, mortgage, or check. The intent of the forgery is to deceive or defraud. ^{Source: OCC}
Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
Freeway: means a highway with full control of access and with all crossroads separated in grade from the pavements for through traffic. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Garnishment: Generally, garnishment is a court proceeding in which a creditor asks a court to order a third party who owes money to the debtor or otherwise holds assets belonging to the debtor to turn over to the creditor any of the debtor
Governmental body: means a state or local agency, board, commission, committee, council, department or public body corporate and politic created by constitution, statute, ordinance, rule or order; a governmental or quasi-governmental corporation except for the Bradley center sports and entertainment corporation; a local exposition district under subch. See Wisconsin Statutes 19.82
Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
Grantee: means the person, firm, corporation or municipality to whom a permit is granted, and all subsequent owners of the grant. See Wisconsin Statutes 31.01
Grantor: The person who establishes a trust and places property into it.
Grantor: includes every person from or by whom any freehold estate or interest passes in or by any deed; and "grantee" includes every person to whom any such estate or interest passes in like manner. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
Guarantor: A party who agrees to be responsible for the payment of another party's debts should that party default. ^{Source: OCC}
Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
Health care professional: means any of the following:

(a) A registered nurse who is licensed under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Hearsay: Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.

Heretofore: means any time previous to the day on which the statute containing it takes effect; "hereafter" means the time after the statute containing such word takes effect. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Highway: includes all public ways and thoroughfares and all bridges upon the same. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

homestead: means the dwelling and so much of the land surrounding it as is reasonably necessary for use of the dwelling as a home, but not less than one-fourth acre, if available, and not exceeding 40 acres. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Hospital: has the meaning given under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Impeachment: (1) The process of calling something into question, as in "impeaching the testimony of a witness." (2) The constitutional process whereby the House of Representatives may "impeach" (accuse of misconduct) high officers of the federal government for trial in the Senate.

Indemnification: In general, a collateral contract or assurance under which one person agrees to secure another person against either anticipated financial losses or potential adverse legal consequences. ^{Source: FDIC}

Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.

Inhabitant: means a resident. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.

Inpatient facility: means a public or private hospital or unit of a hospital which has as its primary purpose the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of mental illness, developmental disability, alcoholism or drug abuse and which provides 24-hour care. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Intangible property: Property that has no intrinsic value, but is merely the evidence of value such as stock certificates, bonds, and promissory notes.

Interest rate: The amount paid by a borrower to a lender in exchange for the use of the lender's money for a certain period of time. Interest is paid on loans or on debt instruments, such as notes or bonds, either at regular intervals or as part of a lump sum payment when the issue matures. ^{Source: OCC}

Interrogatories: Written questions asked by one party of an opposing party, who must answer them in writing under oath; a discovery device in a lawsuit.

Intestate: Dying without leaving a will.

Irrevocable trust: A trust arrangement that cannot be revoked, rescinded, or repealed by the grantor.

Joint committee: Committees including membership from both houses of teh legislature. Joint committees are usually established with narrow jurisdictions and normally lack authority to report legislation.

Joint meeting: An occasion, often ceremonial, when the House and Senate each adopt a unanimous consent agreement

Joint resolution: A legislative measure which requires the approval of both chambers.

Joint session: When both chambers of a legislature adopt a concurrent resolution to meet together.

Judgement: The official decision of a court finally determining the respective rights and claims of the parties to a suit.

Juror: A person who is on the jury.

Juvenile correctional facility: has the meaning given in…. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Land: includes lands, tenements and hereditaments and all rights thereto and interests therein. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Law enforcement officer: means any person who by virtue of the person's office or public employment is vested by law with the duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for crimes while acting within the scope of the person's authority. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Lawsuit: A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.

Legal tender: coins, dollar bills, or other currency issued by a government as official money. ^{Source: U.S. Mint}

Legatee: A beneficiary of a decedent

Legislative session: That part of a chamber's daily session in which it considers legislative business (bills, resolutions, and actions related thereto).

Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.

Licensed mental health professional: has the meaning given in…. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Licensed practical nurse: includes a licensed practical/vocational nurse who holds a multistate license, as defined in…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.

Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.

Majority leader: see Floor Leaders

Meeting: means the convening of members of a governmental body for the purpose of exercising the responsibilities, authority, power or duties delegated to or vested in the body. See Wisconsin Statutes 19.82

Mental health institute: means any institution operated by the department for specialized psychiatric services, research, education, and which is responsible for consultation with community programs for education and quality of care. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Mental illness: means mental disease to such extent that a person so afflicted requires care and treatment for his or her own welfare, or the welfare of others, or of the community. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Minor: means a person who has not attained the age of 18 years, except that for purposes of investigating or prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated a state or federal criminal law or any civil law or municipal ordinance, "minor" does not include a person who has attained the age of 17 years. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Minority leader: See Floor Leaders

Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.

Mortgage loan: A loan made by a lender to a borrower for the financing of real property. ^{Source: OCC}

Mortgagee: The person to whom property is mortgaged and who has loaned the money.

Motorcycle: has the meaning given in…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Municipality: means any town, village, city or county in the state. See Wisconsin Statutes 31.01

Municipality: includes cities and villages; it may be construed to include towns. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

National Bank: A bank that is subject to the supervision of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department. A national bank can be recognized because it must have "national" or "national association" in its name. ^{Source: OCC}

National Credit Union Administration: The federal regulatory agency that charters and supervises federal credit unions. (NCUA also administers the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, which insures the deposits of federal credit unions.) ^{Source: OCC}

Navigable waters: means all waters declared navigable by ch. See Wisconsin Statutes 31.01

Oath: A promise to tell the truth.

Oath: includes affirmation in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Open session: means a meeting which is held in a place reasonably accessible to members of the public and open to all citizens at all times. See Wisconsin Statutes 19.82

Optical disc: means a rotating circular plate on which information or images are placed in storage, and which is recorded and read by laser beams focused on the plate. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Optical imaging: means transferring to a format employing an optical disc. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Outlays: Outlays are payments made (generally through the issuance of checks or disbursement of cash) to liquidate obligations. Outlays during a fiscal year may be for payment of obligations incurred in prior years or in the same year.

Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.

Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.

Patient: means an animal that is examined or treated by a veterinarian. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

Per stirpes: The legal means by which the children of a decedent, upon the death of an ancestor at a level above that of the decedent, receive by right of representation the share of the ancestor

Personal representative: means a person, however denominated, who is authorized to administer a decedent's estate. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Pharmacist: means an individual who is licensed as a pharmacist under ch. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

Physician assistant: means a person who is licensed as a physician assistant under subch. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.

Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.

Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.

Police department: includes a department under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Police officer: includes a person serving under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. ^{Source: OCC}

practice veterinary medicine: means to examine into the fact or cause of animal health, disease or physical condition, or to treat, operate, prescribe or advise for the same, or to undertake, offer, advertise, announce, or hold out in any manner to do any of said acts, for compensation, direct or indirect, or in the expectation thereof. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

Precedent: A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.

Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.

Prescription: means a written, oral or electronic order from a veterinarian to a pharmacist or to another veterinarian that authorizes the pharmacist or other veterinarian to dispense a drug, or from a veterinarian to a client that authorizes the client to make extra-label use of a drug. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.

Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.

Pretrial conference: A meeting of the judge and lawyers to discuss which matters should be presented to the jury, to review evidence and witnesses, to set a timetable, and to discuss the settlement of the case.

Printing: includes all public printing by means of graphic reproduction by whatever process and the necessary materials and binding. See Wisconsin Statutes 35.001

Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.

Probate: Proving a will

Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.

Promulgate: when used in connection with a rule, as defined under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.

Psychologist: means a psychologist who is licensed under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Public debt: Cumulative amounts borrowed by the Treasury Department or the Federal Financing Bank from the public or from another fund or account. The public debt does not include agency debt (amounts borrowed by other agencies of the Federal Government). The total public debt is subject to a statutory limit.

Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.

Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.

Qualified: when applied to any person elected or appointed to office, means that such person has done those things which the person was by law required to do before entering upon the duties of the person's office. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.

railroad company: include any person managing, maintaining, operating or in possession of a railroad, whether as owner, contractor, lessee, mortgagee, trustee, assignee or receiver. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Ranking minority member: The highest ranking (and usually longest serving) minority member of a committee or subcommittee.

Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.

real property: includes lands, tenements and hereditaments and all rights thereto and interests therein. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Recess: A temporary interruption of the legislative business.

Recourse: An arrangement in which a bank retains, in form or in substance, any credit risk directly or indirectly associated with an asset it has sold (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) that exceeds a pro rata share of the bank's claim on the asset. If a bank has no claim on an asset it has sold, then the retention of any credit risk is recourse. ^{Source: FDIC}

Registered nurse: includes a registered nurse who holds a multistate license, as defined in…. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.

Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).

Rescission: The cancellation of budget authority previously provided by Congress. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifies that the President may propose to Congress that funds be rescinded. If both Houses have not approved a rescission proposal (by passing legislation) within 45 days of continuous session, any funds being withheld must be made available for obligation.

Residence: has the meaning given under…. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.

seal: includes the word "seal" the letters "L S" and a scroll or other device intended to represent a seal, if any is affixed in the proper place for a seal, as well as an impression of a seal on the instrument. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Secretary: means the secretary of transportation. See Wisconsin Statutes 84.001

Secured residential care center for children and youth: has the meaning given in…. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Serious and persistent mental illness: includes schizophrenia as well as a wide spectrum of psychotic and other severely disabling psychiatric diagnostic categories, but does not include degenerative brain disorder or a primary diagnosis of a developmental disability or of alcohol or drug dependence. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.

Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.

State agencies: includes departments, boards, commissions, bureaus, and institutions, except that "state agencies" does not include the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. See Wisconsin Statutes 35.001

State treatment facility: means any of the institutions operated by the department for the purpose of providing diagnosis, care or treatment for mental or emotional disturbance, developmental disability, alcoholism or drug dependency and includes but is not limited to mental health institutes. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.

Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.

Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.

Supplemental appropriation: Budget authority provided in an appropriations act in addition to regular or continuing appropriations already provided. Supplemental appropriations generally are made to cover emergencies, such as disaster relief, or other needs deemed too urgent to be postponed until the enactment of next year's regular appropriations act.

Sworn: includes "affirmed" in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.

Tenancy in common: A type of property ownership in which two or more individuals have an undivided interest in property. At the death of one tenant in common, his (her) fractional percentage of ownership in the property passes to the decedent

Testate: To die leaving a will.

Testator: A male person who leaves a will at death.

Testify: Answer questions in court.

Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.

Town: may be construed to include cities, villages, wards or districts. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Town board: means the town board of supervisors. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.

Transfer: means the movement of a patient or resident between approved treatment facilities or to or from an approved treatment facility and the community. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Treatment: means those psychological, educational, social, chemical, medical or somatic techniques designed to bring about rehabilitation of a mentally ill, alcoholic, drug dependent or developmentally disabled person. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Treatment director: means the person who has primary responsibility for the treatment provided by a treatment facility. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Treatment facility: means any publicly or privately operated facility or unit thereof providing treatment of alcoholic, drug dependent, mentally ill or developmentally disabled persons, including but not limited to inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, community support programs and rehabilitation programs. See Wisconsin Statutes 51.01

Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

Trust account: A general term that covers all types of accounts in a trust department, such as estates, guardianships, and agencies. ^{Source: OCC}

Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.

Uphold: The decision of an appellate court not to reverse a lower court decision.

User fees: Fees charged to users of goods or services provided by the government. In levying or authorizing these fees, the legislature determines whether the revenue should go into the treasury or should be available to the agency providing the goods or services.

Variable Rate: Having a "variable" rate means that the APR changes from time to time based on fluctuations in an external rate, normally the Prime Rate. This external rate is known as the "index." If the index changes, the variable rate normally changes. Also see Fixed Rate.

Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.

Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.

Veterinarian: means a practitioner of veterinary medicine who is duly licensed by the examining board. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

Veterinarian-client-patient relationship: means a relationship between a veterinarian, a client and the patient in which all of the following apply:

(a) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the patient and the patient's need for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to accept those medical judgments and to follow the related instructions of the veterinarian. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

Veterinary drug: means any of the following:

(a) A drug that is recognized as a drug for animal use in the official U. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

Veterinary over-the-counter drug: means a drug that is labeled for animal use, that may be dispensed without a prescription and that is not required to bear the label statement: "CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

Veterinary prescription drug: means a drug that may not be dispensed without the prescription of a veterinarian. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

Veterinary technician: means a person duly certified by the examining board to work under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. See Wisconsin Statutes 89.02

Veto: The procedure established under the Constitution by which the President/Governor refuses to approve a bill or joint resolution and thus prevents its enactment into law. A regular veto occurs when the President/Governor returns the legislation to the house in which it originated. The President/Governor usually returns a vetoed bill with a message indicating his reasons for rejecting the measure. In Congress, the veto can be overridden only by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House.

Village: means incorporated village. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Week: means 7 consecutive days. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01

Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.