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Bill > SB743

WI SB743

WI SB743
Minimum wage for all inmates and residents of state correctional institutions and county jails and making an appropriation. (FE)

summary

Introduced
12/12/2025
In Committee
12/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Current law provides that the Department of Corrections sets the rate of pay for inmates of state prisons or residents working in state correctional institutions and the Prison Industries Board sets wages for inmates employed by the Bureau of Correctional Enterprises. Under current law, BCE employees may be paid an hourly rate plus an incentive wage based on productivity in some instances, but wages may not be set at a rate that would cause a deficit on operations. The bill provides that all inmates and residents that perform labor must be paid a wage and, in addition to the standards under current law, provides that no inmate or resident of a state correctional institution may be paid a wage that is less than the rate for tipped workers, which is currently $2.33 per hour. The bill removes the provision that wages may not be set at a rate that would cause a deficit on operations. The bill increases all wages established by PIB for payment to inmates employed by BCE by $2.33 on the effective date of the bill. The bill provides that any prisoner in a county jail, house of correction, huber LRB-5489/1 CMH&MJW:ajk&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 743 facility, or work camp must be paid a wage that is not less than the rate for tipped workers, which is currently $2.33 per hour. The bill also provides to DOC $58,933,600 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $88,400,400 in fiscal year 2026-27 to pay the wages of inmates in state correctional institutions and $873,300 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $1,310,000 in fiscal year 2026- 27 to pay the wages of inmates engaged in labor under BCE. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill requires that all inmates and residents performing labor in state correctional institutions and county jails be paid a minimum wage equal to the current tipped worker rate of $2.33 per hour, which is a significant change from the previous system where wages could be set at the discretion of the Department of Corrections and Prison Industries Board. The legislation removes the previous provision that allowed wages to be set in a way that would not cause operational deficits, and mandates that every inmate who works must receive compensation. Additionally, the bill increases all existing inmate wage rates by $2.33 per hour across state correctional institutions and the Bureau of Correctional Enterprises. To support these wage increases, the bill appropriates $58,933,600 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $88,400,400 for fiscal year 2026-27 to the Department of Corrections to cover wages for inmates in state correctional institutions, with additional funds of $873,300 and $1,310,000 respectively allocated specifically for inmates working under the Bureau of Correctional Enterprises. This legislation aims to ensure fairer compensation for incarcerated individuals performing labor, potentially providing them with more financial resources for personal needs and post-release preparation.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (19)

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 01/30/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

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