But the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau, which was not a party to the case, published the law on the Legislature's website Friday citing a separate statutory obligation to publish laws within 10 days of being signed by the governor. That has prompted the administration to declare the law is in effect.

A Democratic leader who has repeatedly raised questions about violations linked to the law slammed Huebsch's comments.

"My advice to him is to follow the judge's order," said Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha.

But Huebsch said the legal effect of Sumi's order on his ability to implement the law is "unclear." Changes under the law were being implemented this week, but public employees won't see them until their April 21 paychecks, with increases in health insurance premiums and retirement contributions, as well as a stop to automatic collection of union dues, Huebsch said Monday.

Huebsch pointed out that the DOA is not a party to the lawsuit and said Sumi's order fails to state the law is not in effect. "It is unclear how she can issue an order binding non-parties to a case who have not had their day in court," he said.