Bill
Bill > SB647
summary
Introduced
11/14/2025
11/14/2025
In Committee
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Current law provides certain penalties for persons who hold unclaimed property and fail to timely file a report with the Department of Revenue regarding that property or fail to timely deliver that property to DOR. For example, any person who fails to timely deliver abandoned property to DOR must pay a penalty equal to 15 percent of the value of the property. This bill provides civil and criminal penalties for filing a claim with DOR for the property of another without the other’s consent and with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. A person who files such a claim is subject to a penalty equal to the total value of the property and is also guilty of a Class I felony. In addition, under the bill, a claim submitted to DOR by a locator service under an agreement that does not comply with current law is subject to a penalty equal to the value of the unclaimed property plus $1,000 for property valued at no more than $15,000 or plus $2,500 for property valued at more than $15,000. The bill requires DOR to post on its website the name and address of each locator service that is assessed the penalty under the bill, including the amount of the penalty, no later than 90 days after the locator’s right to appeal the assessment has LRB-5386/1 JK:ads&klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 647 expired. Also, the information must remain on the website for at least 12 months following the date on which the information is initially posted. Current law allows DOR to waive, in whole or in part, civil penalties applicable to persons who hold unclaimed property and who fail to comply with administrative requirements under current law. The bill allows DOR to waive, in whole or in part, the civil penalties provided under the bill. Finally, the attorney general is authorized, upon request from DOR, to represent the state or to assist the district attorney in the prosecution of any case arising under the bill. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill addresses penalties and fraudulent claims related to unclaimed property in Wisconsin. The legislation introduces new provisions to penalize individuals who file claims for another person's property without consent and with the intent to deprive the rightful owner. Specifically, a person filing such a fraudulent claim would be subject to a penalty equal to the total value of the property and could be charged with a Class I felony. For locator services submitting claims that do not comply with legal requirements, the bill imposes additional penalties: $1,000 for property valued at $15,000 or less, and $2,500 for property valued over $15,000. The Department of Revenue (DOR) is required to publicly post information about these penalties on its website for at least 12 months, including the name and address of the penalized party. The bill also maintains the DOR's existing authority to waive civil penalties, either partially or fully, and allows the attorney general to represent the state or assist district attorneys in prosecuting cases related to these fraudulent property claims. These changes aim to deter fraudulent activities involving unclaimed property and protect property owners' rights.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (15)
Howard Marklein (R)*,
Steve Nass (R)*,
Patrick Testin (R)*,
Mike Bare (D),
Elijah Behnke (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Brent Jacobson (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
William Penterman (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Ron Tusler (R),
Last Action
Available for scheduling (on 01/12/2026)
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/sen/bill/sb647 |
| SB647 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/judiciary_and_public_safety/1963452.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB647: Fiscal Estimate From DOR | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb647/sb647_dor.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB647.pdf |
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