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WI SB877
WI SB877Local governmental consultation related to federal refugee resettlement and assistance. (FE)
summary
Introduced
01/23/2026
01/23/2026
In Committee
01/23/2026
01/23/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides a procedure for providing notice of, and designating local consultation regarding, certain refugee resettlement and assistance. Under the bill, if an employee or officer of a city, village, town, county, or school district (local governmental unit) contacts or is contacted by the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency regarding certain proposed placements of refugees in the local governmental unit, the employee or officer must report the contact to the chief elected official (placement report). The chief elected official must then notify each local governmental unit located, entirely or partially, within a 100-mile radius. The governing body of each local governmental unit receiving one of these notifications must meet and 1) include on the meeting agenda an informational item that the notification has been received and allow for a public comment on the item, and 2) designate a representative for the local governmental unit for purposes of consultation with the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency. Under the bill, all designees in the county with regard to a particular placement report must meet as a county refugee placement committee to discuss the proposed placement of refugees. The committee must then hold a public hearing regarding the proposed placement of refugees. After the hearing, the LRB-5963/1 EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 877 committee must make a recommendation on whether the local governmental unit should pass a resolution regarding its position on the proposed refugee placement and provide each designee with guidance on all considerations that should be included as part of a consultation with the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency regarding the proposed placement of refugees. Designees must also report to the governing body of the local governmental unit for which the designee is a representative any plan relating to the proposed refugee placement established after consultation with the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a formal process for local governments to be consulted and informed about proposed refugee resettlement within their communities. If an employee or officer of a city, village, town, county, or school district (referred to as a "local governmental unit") is contacted by the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency—an organization that partners with the federal government to assist refugees arriving in the U.S.—regarding a potential refugee placement, they must report this contact to their chief elected official, such as a mayor or county board chairperson. This chief elected official then has 10 business days to notify all local governmental units within a 100-mile radius. Upon receiving this notification, the governing body of each affected local governmental unit must hold a meeting, include public comment on the notification, and designate a representative to consult with federal officials or the voluntary agency. All designees within a county for a specific proposed placement must then form a county refugee resettlement committee, which is responsible for holding a public hearing on the proposed placement. Following the hearing, the committee will recommend whether the local governmental unit should pass a resolution on its position and provide guidance to the designees on factors to consider during consultations, such as potential impacts on local agencies and timelines, before the designees report any finalized plans back to their respective local governmental units.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (13)
André Jacque (R)*,
Steve Nass (R)*,
Cory Tomczyk (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Chanz Green (R),
Karen Hurd (R),
Brent Jacobson (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
William Penterman (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Duke Tucker (R),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 02/12/2026)
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/sb877 |
| Fiscal Note - SB877: Fiscal Estimate From DOR | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb877/sb877_dor.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB877.pdf |
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