STATE:

Why NFIB

Take Action

Get Support

Stay Informed

Podcast Podcast

Careers Careers

Join Now

Home / News /

NFIB Calls on Wisconsin Supreme Court to Revive and Strengthen Non-Delegation Doctrine

February 17, 2022

NFIB Calls on Wisconsin Supreme Court to Revive and Strengthen Non-Delegation Doctrine

MADISON, Wis. (Feb. 17, 2022) – NFIB filed an amicus brief in the case Jeffrey Becker v. Dane County at the Wisconsin Supreme Court. NFIB urges the Court to revitalize its non-delegation doctrine to prevent violations of individual liberty. “The recent broad emergency orders issued by state executives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the need to revise the non-delegation doctrine to give meaning to the separation of powers,” said Karen Harned, Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center. “Small businesses were often left in a worse position than bigger competitors due to the emergency powers that restricted and regulated small business operations.” “This case reveals the harm of government overreach when one branch of government yields unilateral orders,” said Bill G. Smith, NFIB Wisconsin State Director. “Small business owners vote in elections at every level of government, and these sweeping and broad orders needed to be voted on instead of issued through the executive branch.” The amicus brief calls for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to return to a meaningful non-delegation doctrine that provides substantive limitations on attempts to transfer core constitutional powers and prevents one constitutional branch of government from exercising core powers reserved for another branch. NFIB filed the amicus brief with the Pacific Legal Foundation. The NFIB Small Business Legal Center protects the rights of small business owners in the nation’s courts. NFIB is currently active in more than 40 cases in federal and state courts across the country and in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Topics:

Legal

State:

Wisconsin

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

March 2, 2026

Small Business Community Urges Kansas House to Curb Lawsuit Abuse

“The Senate has acted, and now, it’s time for the House to stand up for small business owners.”

February 27, 2026

READ: Arizona Small Businesses Deserve a Fair Shot – Not More Red Tape

In an op-ed for the Phoenix Business Journal, NFIB State Director Chad Heinrich describes the ‘uneven playing field’ created for Arizona small business owners

February 27, 2026

Wage Garnishments: How Small Business Owners Can Ensure Compliance and Avoid Costly Penalties

Wage garnishments may cause confusion for small business owners about their legal responsibilities. Understanding what wage garnishment is, why it happens, and…

February 27, 2026

New NFIB Report Reflects How Energy Costs Impact Wisconsin Small Businesses

Rising energy costs are hurting Wisconsin small business owners’ ability to create jobs and grow

NFIB Calls on Wisconsin Supreme Court to Revive and Strengthen Non-Delegation Doctrine

Related Articles