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WI SB445
WI SB445Consideration of a certain definition of antisemitism for purposes of laws, ordinances, policies, or criminal penalty enhancers concerning discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin.
summary
Introduced
09/29/2025
09/29/2025
In Committee
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides that each state agency or other body in state government, each local governmental unit, and each employee or official of the state or a local governmental unit must consider the definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on May 26, 2016, including its examples, when evaluating evidence of discriminatory intent for any law, ordinance, or policy in Wisconsin that prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin or that provides for enhanced criminal penalties for criminal offenses when the defendant intentionally selects the victim or group of victims or selects the property that is damaged or otherwise affected by the crime because of the victim's or group of victims' actual or perceived race, religion, color, or national origin. The bill specifies that nothing in the bill may be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution or to conflict with federal or state antidiscrimination laws. LRB-4595/1 MPG:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 445
AI Summary
This bill creates a new statute requiring state agencies, local governmental units, and their employees to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when evaluating discriminatory intent in laws, ordinances, or policies related to discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin. The bill defines key terms such as "local governmental unit" (which includes political subdivisions, special purpose districts, school districts, and their agencies) and "state agency" (referring to various bodies in state government). The IHRA definition, adopted in May 2016, includes specific examples to help identify antisemitic behavior. Importantly, the bill includes a protective clause stating that nothing in the statute should be interpreted as limiting First Amendment rights or conflicting with existing federal or state antidiscrimination laws. This legislation aims to provide a more comprehensive and standardized approach to recognizing and addressing antisemitism in Wisconsin's legal and administrative frameworks.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (23)
Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R)*,
Dianne Hesselbein (D)*,
Rob Hutton (R)*,
Jesse James (R)*,
Brad Pfaff (D)*,
Patrick Testin (R)*,
Jamie Wall (D)*,
Van Wanggaard (R)*,
Bob Wirch (D)*,
Alex Dallman (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Robert Donovan (R),
Jodene Emerson (D),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Lisa Subeck (D),
Ron Tusler (R),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Last Action
Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Hutton (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb445 |
| Senate Substitute Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB445-SSA1.pdf |
| SB445 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety On 2/2/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/judiciary_and_public_safety/1969595.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB445.pdf |
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