“In consultation with our client, DOA, we reached a settlement — without admitting any liability — to reduce the risk to the taxpayers from an expensive trial and much larger costs if the state did not prevail,” said DOJ spokesman Johnny Koremenos.

Michels said the state will continue to enforce a “notification process” for groups larger than 12 people at the Capitol.

“Groups are consistently providing notification of events allowing Capitol Police to allocate the resources necessary to protect the health and welfare of everyone who visits the Capitol,” he said.

In October 2013, the DOJ asked a judge to dismiss Salvia’s ticket, one of more than 400 issued between July 24 and Sept. 6 as part of a coordinated crackdown on protesters.

The state continued to prosecute other tickets, many of which have been dismissed by Dane County judges.

The ongoing noontime protests, known as the Solidarity Singalong, are a remnant of mass demonstrations that began in 2011 against Walker.

According to the lawsuit, Salvia was taking pictures of the Solidarity Singalong July 24 when Officer Adam Fell approached him and told him he was participating in an unlawful event and needed to leave the Capitol or face arrest.