The Eighth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 10, 1855, to April 2, 1855, in regular session.

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first year of a two-year term.

Assemblymembers were elected to a one-year term.

Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the second year of their two-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 8, 1853.

[1] The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Democrat William A. Barstow, of Waukesha County, serving the second year of a two-year term, having won election in the 1853 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.