Opinion ID: 2709216
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Wisconsin Constitutional Claim

Text: Eagle Cove believes that the protection offered under Article 1, § 18 of the Wisconsin Constitution is greater than that offered under federal law. Wisconsin applies a compelling state interest/least restrictive alternative test when a claim is brought challenging a state law that violates an organization or individual’s freedom of conscience. Coulee Catholic Schools. v. Labor and Industry Review Comm’n, 768 N.W.2d 868, 886 (Wis. 2009). The test requires that the organization prove it has a sincere religious belief and that such belief is burdened by the state law at issue. The burden is then shifted to the state to rebut the claim by showing a compelling state interest that cannot be served by a less restrictive alternative. Id. Even accepting that Eagle Cove has a sincere belief and that it is burdened by the OCZSPO, the County has demonstrated that it has a compelling state interest in preserving the rural nature around Squash Lake achieved by the least restrictive means possible (a neutral zoning ordinance). Like any entity, religious organizations are subject to general laws for taxes, licensing, social security, and the like that are “normally acceptable.” Id. at 887. The zoning ordinance at issue here is generally applicable to all residents within Oneida County and thus would qualify as “normally acceptable” under Article I, § 18 of the Wisconsin Constitution.