The state Senate passed a resolution Wednesday that would impose a fine against any senator who is absent for two or more days without leave in a effort to force Democratic senators to return to Wisconsin.
The fine will amount to $100 per day, and absent members will also have to pay the costs sustained in attempts to bring them to the Senate, such as a call of the house.
Senate President Michael Ellis, R-Neenah, said he hopes to amend pieces of the Wisconsin Constitution that allow legislators to delay a bill through actions like leaving the state once the Democrats return.
""We are reviewing the Constitution, we are reviewing the state statutes, we are reviewing our rule book, and at the appropriate time … we will make modifications so that the government of the people cannot be blocked by a minority of the people,"" Ellis said.
The resolution is the latest in a number of Republican attempts to compel the Democrats to return to Madison and vote on the Republican-backed budget repair bill that has fueled protests for more than two weeks.
The Senate passed a resolution last week that stopped direct deposit of senators' paychecks, forcing members to pick them up in person on the Senate floor.
Wednesday's resolution also gives the Senate majority leader, currently state Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, the ability to direct the sergeant at arms to revoke parking privileges for the absent senator and their staff.
The majority leader will also have the ability to order the chief clerk to zero out the office expense account of the absent senator.
Senators absent for sessions after Thursday will be fined.
