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WI AB578
WI AB578Funding for the supplemental food program for women, infants and children during the federal government shutdown and making an appropriation. (FE)
summary
Introduced
10/24/2025
10/24/2025
In Committee
10/24/2025
10/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, the Department of Health Services provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals under the supplemental food program for women, infants and children, also known as the WIC program, to the extent that state and federal funds are available. This bill provides additional state funding to DHS during the federal lapse in appropriations, commonly known as a federal government shutdown, that began on October 1, 2025, to continue to provide WIC benefits at the level the benefits were provided before the federal government shutdown. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill provides emergency funding to ensure that the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental food program continues to operate at its current level during a federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to continue providing WIC benefits to eligible low-income participants at the same level as before the federal funding lapse, using state funds. The bill creates a new funding mechanism that allows for a "sum sufficient" appropriation to cover WIC program benefits until federal legislation restores funding under the applicable federal statute (24 USC 1786). The provisions are temporary, with the special funding authorization set to be repealed on October 1, 2026, and the bill itself taking effect immediately after publication. The primary goal is to protect vulnerable populations—pregnant women, new mothers, and young children—from losing critical nutrition assistance during a potential federal budget impasse.
Committee Categories
Labor and Employment
Sponsors (41)
Deb Andraca (D)*,
Margaret Arney (D)*,
Brienne Brown (D)*,
Ryan Clancy (D)*,
Ben DeSmidt (D)*,
Joan Fitzgerald (D)*,
Russell Goodwin (D)*,
Francesca Hong (D)*,
Andrew Hysell (D)*,
Alex Joers (D)*,
Tara Johnson (D)*,
Darrin Madison (D)*,
Renuka Mayadev (D)*,
Vincent Miresse (D)*,
Supreme Moore Omokunde (D)*,
Greta Neubauer (D)*,
Lori Palmeri (D)*,
Pricilla Prado (D)*,
Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D)*,
Ann Roe (D)*,
Joe Sheehan (D)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Lee Snodgrass (D)*,
Ryan Spaude (D)*,
Angela Stroud (D)*,
Shelia Stubbs (D)*,
Lisa Subeck (D)*,
Sequanna Taylor (D)*,
Angelito Tenorio (D)*,
Randy Udell (D)*,
Robyn Vining (D)*,
Tim Carpenter (D),
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D),
LaTonya Johnson (D),
Chris Larson (D),
Brad Pfaff (D),
Melissa Ratcliff (D),
Kelda Roys (D),
Jeff Smith (D),
Mark Spreitzer (D),
Bob Wirch (D),
Last Action
Representative J. Jacobson added as a coauthor (on 02/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab578 |
| Fiscal Note - AB578: Fiscal Estimate From DHS | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab578/ab578_dhs.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB578.pdf |
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