State Representative Rob Swearingen

Legislator

Legislator > Rob Swearingen

State Representative

Rob Swearingen

(R) - Wisconsin

Wisconsin Assembly District 34

In Office - Started: 01/07/2013

Capitol Office

P.O. Box 8953
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53708

Phone: 608-237-9134

Phone 2: 888-534-0034

Voting Address

4485 Oakview Lane
Rhinelander, WI 54501

Links

Website

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Bill	Bill Name	Summary	Progress
SB215	Town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE)	This bill makes changes to various town procedures. Current law provides that a town may combine certain positions, such as the town clerk and the town treasurer, and provides that the combination takes effect on the latest date that any current term of an office to be combined expires. The bill retains that deadline, but allows the town board to provide that the combination of offices takes effect immediately as both positions become vacant or, if the person appointed to the combined office holds one of the offices to be combined, immediately upon a vacancy in the other office to be combined. Current law also provides that a town with a population of 2,500 or more may move from an elected clerk, treasurer, or combined office of clerk and treasurer to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer by a vote of the electors at a town meeting. Under current law, a town with a population of under LRB-1061/1 SWB&EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 215 2,500 may only move from an elected clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer to an appointed position through a referendum. The bill allows a town of any size to move from an elected position to an appointed one by a vote of the electors at a town meeting. Current law also prohibits a town[s change from an elected to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer from taking effect until the end of the current elected term. Under the bill, a town may move to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer position during an elected term when there is a vacancy in the position. Under current law, a town treasurer is permitted to appoint a deputy treasurer, while a town clerk may appoint one or more deputies. The bill provides that a town treasurer may appoint one or more deputies. The bill also provides that deputy town clerks and deputy town treasurers need not be residents of the town. The bill also changes the publication and notice requirements for towns with respect to the public hearing regarding the town[s proposed budget. Current law requires that towns, cities, and villages conduct a public hearing on a proposed budget. Under current law, cities and villages must provide a summary of the proposed budget and notice of the budget public hearing and may do so by publishing the summary and notice in a newspaper, posting it in three locations, or posting it in one location and on a website maintained by the municipality. Current law also requires towns to provide a summary of the proposed budget and notice of the budget public hearing, but towns must post the summary and notice in three locations. This bill eliminates the limitation on how towns must provide the summary and notice, instead allowing towns the same options as cities and villages. Finally, under current law, every highway ceases to be a public highway four years from the date on which it was laid out, except the parts of the highway that have been opened, traveled, or worked within that time. The bill eliminates the travel exception from consideration by a town board in determining whether a highway has ceased to be a public highway. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	Crossed Over
AB214	Town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE)	This bill makes changes to various town procedures. Current law provides that a town may combine certain positions, such as the town clerk and the town treasurer, and provides that the combination takes effect on the latest date that any current term of an office to be combined expires. The bill retains that deadline, but allows the town board to provide that the combination of offices takes effect immediately as both positions become vacant or, if the person appointed to the combined office holds one of the offices to be combined, immediately upon a vacancy in the other office to be combined. Current law also provides that a town with a population of 2,500 or more may move from an elected clerk, treasurer, or combined office of clerk and treasurer to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer by a vote of the electors at a town meeting. Under current law, a town with a population of under 2,500 may only move from an elected clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer to an appointed position through a referendum. The bill allows a town of any size to move from an elected position to an appointed one by a vote of the electors at a town meeting. Current law also prohibits a town[s change from an elected to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer from taking effect until the end of the current elected term. Under the bill, a town may move to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer position during an elected term when there is a vacancy in the position. Under current law, a town treasurer is permitted to appoint a deputy treasurer, while a town clerk may appoint one or more deputies. The bill provides that a town treasurer may appoint one or more deputies. The bill also provides that deputy town clerks and deputy town treasurers need not be residents of the town. The bill also changes the publication and notice requirements for towns with respect to the public hearing regarding the town[s proposed budget. Current law requires that towns, cities, and villages conduct a public hearing on a proposed budget. Under current law, cities and villages must provide a summary of the proposed budget and notice of the budget public hearing and may do so by publishing the summary and notice in a newspaper, posting it in three locations, or posting it in one location and on a website maintained by the municipality. Current law also requires towns to provide a summary of the proposed budget and notice of the budget public hearing, but towns must post the summary and notice in three locations. This bill eliminates the limitation on how towns must provide the summary and notice, instead allowing towns the same options as cities and villages. Finally, under current law, every highway ceases to be a public highway four years from the date on which it was laid out, except the parts of the highway that have been opened, traveled, or worked within that time. The bill eliminates the travel exception from consideration by a town board in determining whether a highway has ceased to be a public highway. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
SB231	Creating a tax credit for expenses related to film production services and for capital investments made by a film production company, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)	This bill creates income and franchise tax credits for film production companies and creates the State Film Office, attached to the Department of Tourism, to implement the tax credit accreditations and allocations. Under the bill, a film production company may claim a credit in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the salary or wages paid to the company[s employees in the taxable year for services rendered in this state to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production, as approved by the State Film Office, and paid to LRB-2810/1 KP:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 231 employees who were residents of this state at the time that they were paid. The total amount of the credits that may be claimed by a taxpayer may not exceed an amount that is equal to the first $250,000 of salary or wages paid to each of the taxpayer[s employees in the taxable year, not including the salary or wages paid to the taxpayer[s two highest-paid employees in the taxable year, for a production with budgeted expenditures of $1,000,000 or more. If the total amount of the credits claimed by a taxpayer exceeds the taxpayer[s tax liability, the state will not issue a refund, but the taxpayer may carry forward any remaining credit to subsequent taxable years. Under the bill, a film production company may claim an income and franchise tax credit in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the production expenditures paid by the company in the taxable year to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production. If the total amount of the credits claimed by the company exceeds the company[s tax liability, the state will issue a refund. The bill also allows a film production company to claim an income and franchise tax credit, for the first three taxable years that the company is doing business in this state, in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the amount that the claimant paid in the taxable year to purchase depreciable tangible personal property or to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, remodel, or repair real property. Under the bill, a film production company may claim an income and franchise tax credit in an amount that is equal to the amount of sales and use taxes that the claimant paid for tangible personal property and taxable services that are used to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production in this state. The bill provides that the State Film Office may not allocate more than $10,000,000 in film production and investment tax credits in each fiscal year. The bill also requires the State Film Office to annually submit a report to the legislature that specifies the number of persons who submitted credit applications in the previous year and the amount of the credits allocated to each such applicant and to make recommendations on improving the efficiency of the program. Finally, the bill requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to biennially prepare a performance evaluation audit of the accreditation program implemented by the State Film Office. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AB231	Creating a tax credit for expenses related to film production services and for capital investments made by a film production company, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)	This bill creates income and franchise tax credits for film production companies and creates the State Film Office, attached to the Department of Tourism, to implement the tax credit accreditations and allocations. Under the bill, a film production company may claim a credit in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the salary or wages paid to the company[s employees in the taxable year for services rendered in this state to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production, as approved by the State Film Office, and paid to employees who were residents of this state at the time that they were paid. The total amount of the credits that may be claimed by a taxpayer may not exceed an amount that is equal to the first $250,000 of salary or wages paid to each of the taxpayer[s employees in the taxable year, not including the salary or wages paid to the taxpayer[s two highest-paid employees in the taxable year, for a production with budgeted expenditures of $1,000,000 or more. If the total amount of the credits claimed by a taxpayer exceeds the taxpayer[s tax liability, the state will not issue a refund, but the taxpayer may carry forward any remaining credit to subsequent taxable years. Under the bill, a film production company may claim an income and franchise tax credit in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the production expenditures paid by the company in the taxable year to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production. If the total amount of the credits claimed by the company exceeds the company[s tax liability, the state will issue a refund. The bill also allows a film production company to claim an income and franchise tax credit, for the first three taxable years that the company is doing business in this state, in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the amount that the claimant paid in the taxable year to purchase depreciable tangible personal property or to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, remodel, or repair real property. Under the bill, a film production company may claim an income and franchise tax credit in an amount that is equal to the amount of sales and use taxes that the claimant paid for tangible personal property and taxable services that are used to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production in this state. The bill provides that the State Film Office may not allocate more than $10,000,000 in film production and investment tax credits in each fiscal year. The bill also requires the State Film Office to annually submit a report to the legislature that specifies the number of persons who submitted credit applications in the previous year and the amount of the credits allocated to each such applicant and to make recommendations on improving the efficiency of the program. Finally, the bill requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to biennially prepare a performance evaluation audit of the accreditation program implemented by the State Film Office. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
SB194	Obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court.	Currently, if a person requests access to a public record and the agency or officer in state or local government having custody of the record, known as an XauthorityY under the public records law, withholds or delays granting access to the record or a part of the record, the requester may bring a mandamus action asking a court to order release of the record or part of the record. Current law requires the court to award reasonable attorney fees, damages of not less than $100, and other actual costs to the requester if the requester prevails in whole or in substantial part in any such action. The Wisconsin Supreme Court decided in 2022 that a requester prevails in whole or in substantial part only if the requester obtains a judicially sanctioned change in the parties[ legal relationship, for example, a court order requiring disclosure of a record. See, Friends of Frame Park, U.A. v. City of Waukesha, 2022 WI 57. Under the supreme court[s decision, a requester generally is not entitled to LRB-2242/1 MPG:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 194 attorney fees and costs if the authority voluntarily or unilaterally without a court order provides contested records after the requester files an action in court. This bill supersedes the supreme court[s decision in Friends of Frame Park. Under the bill, a requester has prevailed in whole or in substantial part if the requester has obtained relief through any of the following means: 1. A judicial order or an enforceable written agreement or consent decree. 2. The authority[s voluntary or unilateral release of a record if the court determines that the filing of the mandamus action was a substantial factor contributing to that voluntary or unilateral release. This standard is substantially the same as the standard that applies for a requester to obtain attorney fees and costs under the federal Freedom of Information Act.	Crossed Over
SB158	County forest administration grant eligibility.	This bill makes a change, retroactive to January 1, 2025, to eligibility for a county forest administration grant. Current law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make grants to counties that have lands designated as county forest to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a professional forester in the position of county forest administrator or assistant county forest administrator (county forest administration grant program). Under the bill, the grants may be used to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a county forest administrator. The bill defines Xcounty forest administratorY as a person, excluding a person employed by the department, who is employed to manage a county forest program and who has any of the following qualifications: 1. A bachelor[s or higher degree in forestry from a school of forestry with a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters or an equivalent degree, as determined by the chief state forester. 2. A bachelor[s or higher degree in natural resources, conservation, or wildlife and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. LRB-2139/1 EHS:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 158 3. An associate degree in forestry and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program.	Crossed Over
SB176	An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE)	This bill exempts from state income and franchise taxes income received in the form of a grant issued by this state; a city, village, town, or county of this state; a tribal government in this state; or the federal government for broadband expansion in this state. The bill also exempts from income and franchise taxes income received in the form of funding from the federal government for any high-cost universal service funding for broadband expansion. Current law provides an income and franchise tax exemption for income received in the form of allocations issued by this state with moneys received from the federal coronavirus relief fund to be used for broadband expansion. The bill prohibits claiming the exemptions under the bill and the exemption under current law for the same grant. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. LRB-2503/1 KP:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 176 For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AB34	Court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths.	Under current law, a district attorney has the discretion as to whether or not to issue a complaint to charge a person with a crime. Current law also provides that, if a district attorney refuses to issue a complaint against a person, a judge may conduct a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the person committed a crime and, if so, issue a complaint. Under this bill, when there is an officer-involved death, which is a death that results directly from an action or an omission of a law enforcement officer, and the district attorney determined there was no basis to prosecute the officer, a court may not issue a complaint against the involved officer unless there is new or unused evidence presented.	In Committee
SB204	Creating a video game production tax credit and making an appropriation. (FE)	This bill creates a refundable video game production income and franchise tax credit. The credit is equal to the sum of the following: 1) 30 percent of the eligible wages paid by the claimant directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product; and 2) 30 percent of the claimant[s eligible expenditures directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product. Under the bill, Xvideo game productY means, subject to certain exceptions, an electronic game developed for commercial distribution and entertainment that involves interaction with a used interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. XVideo game productY does not include social media, gambling products, or products with obscene content. The bill also defines Xeligible expendituresY as expenditures directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product but excludes various specified expenditures, such as payments for royalties, capital expenditures, management and administrative expenses, marketing expenses, and LRB-2552/1 KP:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 204 interest. To claim the credit for a tax year, a person must file an application with the Department of Revenue and receive a certificate of eligibility for the credit. To receive a certificate, an applicant must submit an audit of its eligible expenditures to DOR. The credit under the bill is refundable, which means that if the credit exceeds the claimant[s tax liability, the claimant will receive the difference as a refund check. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AB204	Creating a video game production tax credit and making an appropriation. (FE)	This bill creates a refundable video game production income and franchise tax credit. The credit is equal to the sum of the following: 1) 30 percent of the eligible wages paid by the claimant directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product; and 2) 30 percent of the claimant[s eligible expenditures directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product. Under the bill, Xvideo game productY means, subject to certain exceptions, an electronic game developed for commercial distribution and entertainment that involves interaction with a used interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. XVideo game productY does not include social media, gambling products, or products with obscene content. The bill also defines Xeligible expendituresY as expenditures directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product but excludes various specified expenditures, such as payments for royalties, capital expenditures, management and administrative expenses, marketing expenses, and interest. To claim the credit for a tax year, a person must file an application with the Department of Revenue and receive a certificate of eligibility for the credit. To receive a certificate, an applicant must submit an audit of its eligible expenditures to DOR. The credit under the bill is refundable, which means that if the credit exceeds the claimant[s tax liability, the claimant will receive the difference as a refund check. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AJR4	Honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr.	Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr.	Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SJR2	Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).	To create section 1m of article III of the constitution; Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).	Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB210	Changes to amount of, and criteria for designating recipients of, academic excellence higher education scholarships. (FE)	Under current law, certain high school seniors who have the highest grade point average in their class may be eligible to receive an Xacademic excellence higher education scholarshipY (scholarship) amounting to not more than $2,250 per academic year in relief of the individual[s future tuition and fees assessed at participating technical colleges, University of Wisconsin System institutions, and private institutions of higher education. The criteria used to determine the selection of the individuals who will receive the scholarship differs by the number of pupils enrolled in each high school. The school board or governing body of a high school with enrollment of less than 80 pupils may nominate one senior from that high school, and the executive secretary of the Higher Educational Aids Board may designate not more than 10 individuals statewide who were so nominated under that category who may receive the scholarship. However, if the high school has more than 80 but less than 500 pupils, the school board or governing body of the high school may designate one senior to receive the scholarship with no required nomination process or designation from HEAB, and the school boards or governing bodies of high schools with even larger enrollment sizes may designate multiple seniors to receive the scholarship relief. Under this bill, the school board or governing body of a high school with enrollment of at least one pupil but less than 500 pupils may designate one senior to receive the scholarship with no nomination process or designation from HEAB. The bill also clarifies that a senior eligible to receive the scholarship relief does not include a pupil enrolled in a home-based private educational program. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AB190	Obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court.	Currently, if a person requests access to a public record and the agency or officer in state or local government having custody of the record, known as an XauthorityY under the public records law, withholds or delays granting access to the record or a part of the record, the requester may bring a mandamus action asking a court to order release of the record or part of the record. Current law requires the court to award reasonable attorney fees, damages of not less than $100, and other actual costs to the requester if the requester prevails in whole or in substantial part in any such action. The Wisconsin Supreme Court decided in 2022 that a requester prevails in whole or in substantial part only if the requester obtains a judicially sanctioned change in the parties[ legal relationship, for example, a court order requiring disclosure of a record. See, Friends of Frame Park, U.A. v. City of Waukesha, 2022 WI 57. Under the supreme court[s decision, a requester generally is not entitled to attorney fees and costs if the authority voluntarily or unilaterally without a court order provides contested records after the requester files an action in court. This bill supersedes the supreme court[s decision in Friends of Frame Park. Under the bill, a requester has prevailed in whole or in substantial part if the requester has obtained relief through any of the following means: 1. A judicial order or an enforceable written agreement or consent decree. 2. The authority[s voluntary or unilateral release of a record if the court determines that the filing of the mandamus action was a substantial factor contributing to that voluntary or unilateral release. This standard is substantially the same as the standard that applies for a requester to obtain attorney fees and costs under the federal Freedom of Information Act.	In Committee
AB181	County forest administration grant eligibility.	This bill makes a change, retroactive to January 1, 2025, to eligibility for a county forest administration grant. Current law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make grants to counties that have lands designated as county forest to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a professional forester in the position of county forest administrator or assistant county forest administrator (county forest administration grant program). Under the bill, the grants may be used to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a county forest administrator. The bill defines Xcounty forest administratorY as a person, excluding a person employed by the department, who is employed to manage a county forest program and who has any of the following qualifications: 1. A bachelor[s or higher degree in forestry from a school of forestry with a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters or an equivalent degree, as determined by the chief state forester. 2. A bachelor[s or higher degree in natural resources, conservation, or wildlife and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. 3. An associate degree in forestry and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program.	In Committee
AB208	An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE)	This bill exempts from state income and franchise taxes income received in the form of a grant issued by this state; a city, village, town, or county of this state; a tribal government in this state; or the federal government for broadband expansion in this state. The bill also exempts from income and franchise taxes income received in the form of funding from the federal government for any high-cost universal service funding for broadband expansion. Current law provides an income and franchise tax exemption for income received in the form of allocations issued by this state with moneys received from the federal coronavirus relief fund to be used for broadband expansion. The bill prohibits claiming the exemptions under the bill and the exemption under current law for the same grant. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AB24	County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE)	This bill requires sheriffs to request proof of legal presence status from individuals held in a county jail for an offense punishable as a felony. The bill also requires sheriffs to comply with detainers and administrative warrants received from the federal department of homeland security regarding individuals held in the county jail for a criminal offense. Under the bill, sheriffs must annually certify to the Department of Revenue that they have complied with each of these requirements. If a sheriff fails to provide such a certification, DOR must reduce the county[s shared revenue payments for the next year by 15 percent. The bill also requires sheriffs to maintain a record of the number of individuals from whom proof of legal presence is requested who are verified as unlawfully present in this state and a list of the types of crimes for which those individuals were confined in the jail. The information must be provided to the Department of Justice upon request, and DOJ must compile the information and submit a report to the legislature. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	Crossed Over
SB57	County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE)	This bill requires sheriffs to request proof of legal presence status from individuals held in a county jail for an offense punishable as a felony. The bill also requires sheriffs to comply with detainers and administrative warrants received from the federal department of homeland security regarding individuals held in the county jail for a criminal offense. Under the bill, sheriffs must annually certify to the Department of Revenue that they have complied with each of these requirements. If a sheriff fails to provide such a certification, DOR must reduce the county[s shared revenue payments for the next year by 15 percent. The bill also requires sheriffs to maintain a record of the number of individuals from whom proof of legal presence is requested who are verified as unlawfully present in this state and a list of the types of crimes for which those individuals were confined in the jail. The information must be provided to the Department of Justice upon request, and DOJ must compile the information and submit a report to the legislature. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-1735/1 EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 57	In Committee
SB213	A tax credit for rail infrastructure modernization. (FE)	This bill creates an income and franchise tax credit for railroads that make rail infrastructure and railroad maintenance expenditures. Under the bill, a claimant that is classified by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board as a class II or class III railroad may claim a rail infrastructure modernization credit that is equal to the sum of the following amounts: 1. Fifty percent of the qualified short line railroad maintenance expenditures made by the railroad. This portion of the credit is limited to an amount equal to $5,000 multiplied by the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the railroad. The bill defines Xqualified short line railroad maintenance expendituresY as gross expenditures for railroad infrastructure rehabilitation or maintenance improvements located in this state. 2. Fifty percent of the railroad[s qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. This portion of the credit is limited to $2,000,000 per project. The bill defines Xqualified new rail infrastructure expendituresY as expenditures for rail LRB-1305/1 KP:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 213 infrastructure and improvements in this state placed in service after December 31, 2024. A claimant that owns or leases a rail siding, industrial spur, or industry track may claim the portion of the credit described above for the claimant[s qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. Before claiming a credit under the bill, a claimant must first apply to and receive approval from the Department of Revenue to claim the credit. DOR may approve up to $10,000,000 in total credits for qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures for each tax year, and DOR must approve applications for credits on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
SB179	Applying the motor vehicle fuel tax supplier’s administrative allowance to diesel fuel, a motor vehicle fuel tax refund for evaporation losses, and making an appropriation. (FE)	Administrative allowance of the motor vehicle fuel tax Current law allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain as an administrative allowance 1.35 percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of gasoline in this state. This bill allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain the same administrative allowance for the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of diesel fuel in this state. Retailer refund for motor vehicle fuel evaporation The bill allows a retailer who sells gasoline, diesel fuel, or both (motor vehicle fuel) in this state to claim a refund equal to 0.5 percent of the state motor vehicle fuel tax paid on the retailer[s purchase of the motor vehicle fuel to compensate for motor vehicle fuel stored on site that is lost by shrinkage or evaporation. A claim for a refund under the bill must be made to the Department of Revenue no later than 12 months after the date on which the retailer purchased the motor vehicle fuel and must be accompanied with invoices prepared by the motor vehicle fuel supplier or a LRB-2510/1 JK:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 179 list of purchases prepared by the retailer. Prior to 2019, the state provided such refunds to compensate gasoline retailers for shrinkage and evaporation losses. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AB219	A tax credit for rail infrastructure modernization. (FE)	This bill creates an income and franchise tax credit for railroads that make rail infrastructure and railroad maintenance expenditures. Under the bill, a claimant that is classified by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board as a class II or class III railroad may claim a rail infrastructure modernization credit that is equal to the sum of the following amounts: 1. Fifty percent of the qualified short line railroad maintenance expenditures made by the railroad. This portion of the credit is limited to an amount equal to $5,000 multiplied by the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the railroad. The bill defines Xqualified short line railroad maintenance expendituresY as gross expenditures for railroad infrastructure rehabilitation or maintenance improvements located in this state. 2. Fifty percent of the railroad[s qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. This portion of the credit is limited to $2,000,000 per project. The bill defines Xqualified new rail infrastructure expendituresY as expenditures for rail infrastructure and improvements in this state placed in service after December 31, 2024. A claimant that owns or leases a rail siding, industrial spur, or industry track may claim the portion of the credit described above for the claimant[s qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. Before claiming a credit under the bill, a claimant must first apply to and receive approval from the Department of Revenue to claim the credit. DOR may approve up to $10,000,000 in total credits for qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures for each tax year, and DOR must approve applications for credits on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AB200	Applying the motor vehicle fuel tax supplier’s administrative allowance to diesel fuel, a motor vehicle fuel tax refund for evaporation losses, and making an appropriation. (FE)	Administrative allowance of the motor vehicle fuel tax Current law allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain as an administrative allowance 1.35 percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of gasoline in this state. This bill allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain the same administrative allowance for the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of diesel fuel in this state. Retailer refund for motor vehicle fuel evaporation The bill allows a retailer who sells gasoline, diesel fuel, or both (motor vehicle fuel) in this state to claim a refund equal to 0.5 percent of the state motor vehicle fuel tax paid on the retailer[s purchase of the motor vehicle fuel to compensate for motor vehicle fuel stored on site that is lost by shrinkage or evaporation. A claim for a refund under the bill must be made to the Department of Revenue no later than 12 months after the date on which the retailer purchased the motor vehicle fuel and must be accompanied with invoices prepared by the motor vehicle fuel supplier or a list of purchases prepared by the retailer. Prior to 2019, the state provided such refunds to compensate gasoline retailers for shrinkage and evaporation losses. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
SJR28	Reaffirming Wisconsin’s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin’s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan’s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile.	Relating to: reaffirming Wisconsin[s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin[s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan[s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan[s international profile.	Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SB210	Changes to amount of, and criteria for designating recipients of, academic excellence higher education scholarships. (FE)	Under current law, certain high school seniors who have the highest grade point average in their class may be eligible to receive an Xacademic excellence higher education scholarshipY (scholarship) amounting to not more than $2,250 per academic year in relief of the individual[s future tuition and fees assessed at participating technical colleges, University of Wisconsin System institutions, and private institutions of higher education. The criteria used to determine the selection of the individuals who will receive the scholarship differs by the number of pupils enrolled in each high school. The school board or governing body of a high school with enrollment of less than 80 pupils may nominate one senior from that high school, and the executive secretary of the Higher Educational Aids Board may designate not more than 10 individuals statewide who were so nominated under that category who may receive the scholarship. However, if the high school has more than 80 but less than 500 pupils, the school board or governing body of the LRB-2672/1 JAM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 210 high school may designate one senior to receive the scholarship with no required nomination process or designation from HEAB, and the school boards or governing bodies of high schools with even larger enrollment sizes may designate multiple seniors to receive the scholarship relief. Under this bill, the school board or governing body of a high school with enrollment of at least one pupil but less than 500 pupils may designate one senior to receive the scholarship with no nomination process or designation from HEAB. The bill also clarifies that a senior eligible to receive the scholarship relief does not include a pupil enrolled in a home-based private educational program. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AJR24	Reaffirming Wisconsin’s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin’s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan’s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile.	Relating to: reaffirming Wisconsin[s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin[s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan[s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan[s international profile.	In Committee
AB39	Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer.	Under this bill, state agencies must require employees to perform their work in person at state agency offices during the employee[s regularly scheduled work hours, beginning July 1, 2025. The bill exempts telehealth services and duties that were performed off site before March 1, 2020. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
SB27	Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. (FE)	Under this bill, state agencies must require employees to perform their work in person at state agency offices during the employee[s regularly scheduled work hours, beginning July 1, 2025. The bill exempts telehealth services and duties that were performed off site before March 1, 2020. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
SJR6	Honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker.	Relating to: honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker.	Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AJR9	Honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker.	Relating to: honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker.	In Committee
SB128	Programs and requirements to address PFAS.	This bill creates several new programs and requirements relating to PFAS, which is defined in the bill to mean any perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance. Municipal PFAS grant program The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to create a municipal PFAS grant program, which applies only to types of PFAS for which there is a state or federal standard, a public health recommendation from the Department of Health Services, or a health advisory issued by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Under the bill, the municipal PFAS grant program provides all of the following grants: 1. Grants to municipalities (defined under current law as a city, town, village, county, county utility district, town sanitary district, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district, or metropolitan sewage district) for PFAS testing at municipal water systems and municipal wastewater treatment facilities, or for reimbursement for such testing if performed at properties owned, leased, managed, LRB-2168/1 MCP:skw/wlj/emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 128 or contracted for by municipalities and if there are promulgated standards for those types of PFAS. 2. Grants to nonmunicipal entities regulated as public or community water systems, distributed in equal shares up to $1,800, to test their drinking water supply for PFAS, if required to do so by DNR, or for reimbursement for such testing. 3. Grants to privately owned landfills, in equal shares up to $15,000, to test for the presence of PFAS in leachate. 4. Grants to municipalities to test for PFAS levels at municipally owned, leased, managed, or contracted locations where PFAS may be present, including testing for PFAS levels in leachate at landfills. If the property to be tested is not owned by the municipality, DNR may not issue a grant unless the property owner gives the municipality written consent to enter the property and conduct testing. These grants are not available to municipalities that receive a grant under this program to test for PFAS at municipal water systems and municipal wastewater treatment facilities. For these grants, DNR may require matching funds of up to 20 percent from the applicant. 5. Grants to municipalities and privately owned landfills to dispose of PFAS- containing biosolids or leachate at facilities that accept such biosolids or leachate or to purchase and install on-site treatment systems to address PFAS contained in biosolids or leachate. For these grants, DNR may require matching funds of up to 20 percent from the applicant and the grants may not be used for costs associated with landspreading. 6. Grants for capital costs or debt service, including for facility upgrades or new infrastructure, to municipalities that are small or disadvantaged or in which rates for water or wastewater utilities will increase by more than 20 percent as a direct result of steps taken to address PFAS contamination. When issuing these grants, DNR must give priority to projects that are necessary to address an exceedence of an applicable state or federal standard. 7. Grants to municipalities for capital costs or other costs related to PFAS that are not otherwise paid from the segregated environmental improvement fund, including costs for addressing landfills or other contaminated lands owned, leased, managed, or contracted for by municipalities or costs incurred by fire departments; grants to municipalities for the preparation and implementation of pollutant minimization plans; and grants to municipalities for costs incurred by public utilities or metropolitan sewerage districts for pretreatment or other PFAS reduction measures in certain circumstances. For these grants, DNR may require matching funds of up to 20 percent from the applicant. For all of the grants provided under the municipal PFAS grant program, DNR may not require a grant recipient to take any action to address PFAS unless PFAS levels exceed any applicable standard under state or federal law. The bill also prohibits DNR from publicly disclosing the results of any PFAS testing conducted under this grant program unless DNR notifies the grant recipient at least 72 hours before publicly disclosing any test result, with certain exceptions. LRB-2168/1 MCP:skw/wlj/emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 128 Current law provides that whenever a state agency is authorized to provide state funds to any county, city, village, or town for any purpose, funds may also be granted by that agency to any federally recognized tribal governing body for the same purpose. Innocent landowner grant program The bill also requires DNR to create an innocent landowner grant program, which applies only to types of PFAS for which there is a state or federal standard, a public health recommendation from the Department of Health Services, or a health advisory issued by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Under the program, DNR may provide grants to an eligible person or to a person who is applying on behalf of multiple eligible persons that are located in the same geographic region, if the applicant will be the entity performing any authorized activities. Under the program, an Xeligible personY is 1) a person that spread biosolids or wastewater residuals contaminated by PFAS in compliance with any applicable license or permit, 2) a person that owns land upon which biosolids or wastewater residuals contaminated by PFAS were spread in compliance with any applicable license or permit, 3) a fire department, public-use airport, or municipality that responded to emergencies that required the use of PFAS or that conducted training for such emergencies in compliance with applicable federal regulations, 4) a solid waste disposal facility that accepted PFAS, and 5) a person that owns, leases, manages, or contracts for property on which the PFAS contamination did not originate, unless the person also owns, leases, manages, or contracts for the property on which the PFAS discharge originated. The total amount of grants awarded to each eligible person may not exceed $250,000 and DNR may require grant recipients to provide matching funds of not more than 5 percent of the grant amount. Under current law provisions known as the Xspills law,Y a person that possesses or controls a hazardous substance or that causes the discharge of a hazardous substance must notify DNR immediately, restore the environment to the extent practicable, and minimize the harmful effects from the discharge. If action is not being adequately taken, or the identity of the person responsible for the discharge is unknown, DNR may take emergency action to contain or remove the hazardous substance; the person that possessed or controlled the hazardous substance that was discharged or that caused the discharge of the hazardous substance must then reimburse DNR for expenses DNR incurred in taking such emergency actions. The spills law allows DNR to enter property to take emergency action if entry is necessary to prevent increased environmental damages, and to inspect any record relating to a hazardous substance for the purpose of determining compliance with the spills law. DNR may also require that preventive measures be taken by any person possessing or having control over a hazardous substance if existing control measures are inadequate to prevent discharges. Spills law exemptions Under the bill, if a person is eligible for a grant under the innocent landowner LRB-2168/1 MCP:skw/wlj/emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 128 grant program, the person is exempt from all of the provisions under the spills law described above with respect to PFAS contamination, if the person grants DNR permission to remediate the land at DNR[s expense. If a person is not eligible for a grant under the innocent landowner grant program, the person is exempt from all of the provisions under the spills law described above, based on the results of any PFAS testing conducted on samples taken from lands not owned by the state, unless PFAS levels violate any applicable state or federal law, including any standard promulgated under state or federal law. Limitations on DNR actions relating to PFAS Under the bill, DNR may not prevent, delay, or otherwise impede any construction project or project of public works based on a presence of PFAS contamination unless DNR determines that 1) the project poses a substantial risk to public health or welfare, 2) there is a substantial risk that the project will create worsening environmental conditions, 3) the entity proposing to complete the project is responsible for the original contamination, as a result of conduct that was reckless or was done with the intent to discharge PFAS into the environment, or 4) DNR is specifically required under the federal Clean Water Act to prevent, delay, or otherwise impede the project. XPublic worksY is defined to mean the physical structures and facilities developed or acquired by a local unit of government or a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state to provide services and functions for the benefit and use of the public, including water, sewerage, waste disposal, utilities, and transportation, and privately owned landfills that accept residential waste. In addition, under the bill, if DNR seeks to collect samples from lands not owned by the state based on permission from the landowner, such permission must be in writing, and DNR must notify the landowner that such permission includes the authority to collect samples, to test those samples, and to publicly disclose the results of that testing. The landowner may revoke such permission at any time prior to the collection of samples. Under the bill, DNR also may not publicly disclose such PFAS testing results unless it notifies the landowner of the test results at least 72 hours before publicly disclosing them. The bill also requires DNR, or a third-party contract by DNR, to respond in a timely manner to requests from any person to conduct PFAS testing on samples taken from the person[s property if practicable and if funds are available to do so, if there is a reasonable belief that PFAS contamination may be present on the property, and if existing information such as public water supply testing data is not available. The bill also requires DNR, in the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, to increase its voluntary PFAS testing activities. Firefighting foam The bill requires DNR to survey or resurvey local fire departments about their use and possession of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, send communications and LRB-2168/1 MCP:skw/wlj/emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 128 information regarding PFAS-containing firefighting foam, and contract with a third party to voluntarily collect PFAS-containing firefighting foam. Well compensation grant program Under current law, an individual owner or renter of a contaminated private well, subject to eligibility requirements, may apply for a grant from DNR to cover a portion of the costs to treat the water, reconstruct the well, construct a new well, connect to a public water supply, or fill and seal the well. The bill provides that a grant for costs to treat the water may be used to cover the cost of a filtration device and up to two replacement filters. In addition, under the bill, if DNR determines that a claimant who is applying for a grant under the well compensation grant program on the basis of PFAS contamination would be eligible for a grant under the innocent landowner grant program created under the bill, and funding under that program is available, DNR must refer the claimant[s application to that program instead of processing it under the well compensation grant program. If the claimant is denied under the innocent landowner grant program, DNR must refer the claim back to the well compensation grant program. Portable water treatment system pilot project The bill requires DNR to contract with an entity to conduct a pilot project in which PFAS-contaminated surface water is partially or fully diverted to a portable treatment system and treated water is returned to the surface water. DNR and the entity must conduct tests to evaluate the success of the pilot project. Remedial action at sites contaminated by PFAS The bill allows DNR, or a contracted third party, to begin response and remedial actions, including site investigations, at any PFAS-contaminated site where a responsible party has not been identified or where the responsible party qualifies for a grant under the innocent landowner grant program. The bill directs DNR to prioritize response and remedial actions at sites that have the highest levels of PFAS contamination and sites with the greatest threats to public health or the environment because of PFAS. Assistance for testing laboratories The bill requires DNR and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to enter into a memorandum of understanding to ensure that the state laboratory of hygiene provides guidance and other materials, conducts training, and provides assistance to laboratories in this state that are certified to test for contaminants other than PFAS in order for them to become certified to test for PFAS, and to assist laboratories certified to test for PFAS in this state to reduce their testing costs and shorten the timeline for receiving test results. Under the bill, the Board of Regents, in coordination with DNR, may provide grants to laboratories in this state that are certified to test for PFAS, or that are seeking such certification, to assist with up to 40 percent of the costs of purchasing equipment necessary for testing for PFAS. LRB-2168/1 MCP:skw/wlj/emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 128 The bill requires the state laboratory of hygiene to prepare a report on these efforts and provide the report to the legislature. PFAS studies and reporting The bill requires DNR and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to enter into a memorandum of understanding to 1) study and analyze the cost, feasibility, and effectiveness of different methods of treating PFAS before they are released into a water system or water body; 2) conduct a cost-benefit analysis of different options for disposing of biosolids or sludge that contains or may contain PFAS; 3) study and analyze the cost, feasibility, and effectiveness of different destruction and disposal methods for PFAS; 4) study and analyze the cost, feasibility, and effectiveness of different methods for remediating PFAS that leave the contaminated medium in place and methods that remove the contaminated medium; 5) study and analyze the migration of PFAS into the bay of Green Bay; 6) study and analyze the migration of PFAS into the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers and their tributaries; 7) conduct any additional studies related to PFAS, as approved by the Joint Committee on Finance; and 8) create a comprehensive, interactive map showing all available PFAS testing data and, for each data point, whether it exceeds any applicable state or federal standard for PFAS. Such data may not contain any personally identifiable information unless the entity to which the data applies is a municipal entity that is required to test and disclose its results under state law. DNR reporting requirements The bill requires DNR to report to the legislature once every six months for a period of three years to provide a detailed description of DNR[s expenditures under the bill and a detailed description of DNR[s progress in implementing the provisions of the bill. Clean Water Fund Program and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Under current law, the Department of Administration and DNR administer the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP), which provides financial assistance to municipalities, and to the private owners of community water systems that serve municipalities, for projects that will help the municipalities comply with federal drinking water standards. DNR establishes a funding priority list for SDWLP projects, and DOA allocates funding for those projects. Also under current law, DNR administers the Clean Water Fund Program (CWFP), which provides financial assistance to municipalities for projects to control water pollution, such as sewage treatment plants. Under the bill, if DNR, when ranking SDWLP or CWFP projects or determining an applicant[s eligibility for assistance under those programs, considers whether an applicant that intends to extend service outside municipal boundaries because of water contamination is XsmallY or Xdisadvantaged,Y DNR must determine the applicant to be small or disadvantaged if the area receiving the extended service would normally be determined to be small or disadvantaged, LRB-2168/1 MCP:skw/wlj/emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 128 regardless of whether the existing service area would normally be determined to be small or disadvantaged. Public water utility projects Under current law, a public utility may not engage in certain construction, expansion, or other projects unless the Public Service Commission grants a certificate of authority (CA) for the proposed project. Under the bill, if a water public utility or a combined water and sewer public utility (water utility) fails to obtain a CA before commencing a project for which one is required, PSC may not investigate, impose a penalty against, or bring an action to enjoin the water utility if 1) the water utility undertook the project in response to a public health concern caused by PFAS, the presence of which was unknown to the water utility until shortly before it commenced the project, and the water utility provides evidence showing that the utility has exceeded or is likely to exceed the applicable state or federal standard for that type of PFAS; 2) the water utility promptly notifies PSC of the work and, within 30 days after commencing the work, submits the appropriate application and supporting documentation to PSC; and 3) the total cost of the project is not greater than $2,000,000. In the PSC administrative code, the bill adds an emergency resulting from water supply contamination to the circumstances under which PSC authorization is not necessary prior to a utility beginning necessary repair work. The current administrative code limits this to an emergency resulting from the failure of power supply or from fire, storm, or similar events. Use of revenue for PFAS source reduction measures The bill authorizes a municipal public utility or metropolitan sewerage district to use revenues from its water or sewerage services for up to half of the cost of pretreatment or other PFAS source reduction measures for an interconnected customer or other regular customer if the costs incurred are less than the costs of the upgrades otherwise required at the endpoint treatment facility and if the costs are approved by the governing body of the municipality or the metropolitan sewerage district. Test wells for community water systems Under rules promulgated by DNR relating to community water systems (a system for providing piped water for human consumption to the public and that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents), DNR must preapprove any test wells that will be converted into permanent wells and any test wells that will pump at least 70 gallons per minute for more than 72 hours. DNR rules require test wells to be drilled for permanent wells for community water systems to determine geologic formation information and water quality and quantity data. DNR rules also allow DNR to designate special well casing depth areas within which wells must be drilled to a greater depth and meet other requirements to avoid contamination. This bill provides that test wells for community water systems must also be LRB-2168/1 MCP:skw/wlj/emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 128 approved by DNR if they are located in special well casing depth areas that have been designated based in whole or in part on the presence of PFAS.	In Committee
SB127	Exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE)	Under current law provisions known as the Xspills law,Y a person that possesses or controls a hazardous substance or that causes the discharge of a hazardous substance must notify the Department of Natural Resources immediately, restore the environment to the extent practicable, and minimize the harmful effects from the discharge. If action is not being adequately taken, or the identity of the person responsible for the discharge is unknown, DNR may take emergency action to contain or remove the hazardous substance; the person that possessed or controlled the hazardous substance that was discharged or that caused the discharge of the hazardous substance must then reimburse DNR for expenses DNR incurred in taking such emergency actions. The spills law allows DNR to enter property to take emergency action if entry is necessary to prevent increased environmental damages, and to inspect any record relating to a hazardous substance for the purpose of determining compliance with the spills law. DNR may also require that preventive measures be taken by any person possessing or having control over a hazardous substance if existing control measures are inadequate to prevent discharges. The bill exempts the following persons from all of these provisions under the spills law, if the person grants DNR permission to remediate the land at DNR[s expense: LRB-2170/1 MCP:skw/wlj/emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 127 1. A person that spread biosolids or wastewater residuals contaminated by PFAS in compliance with any applicable license or permit. 2. A person that owns land upon which biosolids or wastewater residuals contaminated by PFAS were spread in compliance with any applicable license or permit. 3. A fire department, public-use airport, or municipality that responded to emergencies that required the use of PFAS or that conducted training for such emergencies in compliance with applicable federal regulations. 4. A solid waste disposal facility that accepted PFAS. 5. A person that owns, leases, manages, or contracts for property on which the PFAS contamination did not originate, unless the person also owns, leases, manages, or contracts for the property on which the PFAS discharge originated. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AB130	Exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE)	Under current law provisions known as the Xspills law,Y a person that possesses or controls a hazardous substance or that causes the discharge of a hazardous substance must notify the Department of Natural Resources immediately, restore the environment to the extent practicable, and minimize the harmful effects from the discharge. If action is not being adequately taken, or the identity of the person responsible for the discharge is unknown, DNR may take emergency action to contain or remove the hazardous substance; the person that possessed or controlled the hazardous substance that was discharged or that caused the discharge of the hazardous substance must then reimburse DNR for expenses DNR incurred in taking such emergency actions. The spills law allows DNR to enter property to take emergency action if entry is necessary to prevent increased environmental damages, and to inspect any record relating to a hazardous substance for the purpose of determining compliance with the spills law. DNR may also require that preventive measures be taken by any person possessing or having control over a hazardous substance if existing control measures are inadequate to prevent discharges. The bill exempts the following persons from all of these provisions under the spills law, if the person grants DNR permission to remediate the land at DNR[s expense: 1. A person that spread biosolids or wastewater residuals contaminated by PFAS in compliance with any applicable license or permit. 2. A person that owns land upon which biosolids or wastewater residuals contaminated by PFAS were spread in compliance with any applicable license or permit. 3. A fire department, public-use airport, or municipality that responded to emergencies that required the use of PFAS or that conducted training for such emergencies in compliance with applicable federal regulations. 4. A solid waste disposal facility that accepted PFAS. 5. A person that owns, leases, manages, or contracts for property on which the PFAS contamination did not originate, unless the person also owns, leases, manages, or contracts for the property on which the PFAS discharge originated. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.	In Committee
AB131	Programs and requirements to address PFAS.	This bill creates several new programs and requirements relating to PFAS, which is defined in the bill to mean any perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance. Municipal PFAS grant program The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to create a municipal PFAS grant program, which applies only to types of PFAS for which there is a state or federal standard, a public health recommendation from the Department of Health Services, or a health advisory issued by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Under the bill, the municipal PFAS grant program provides all of the following grants: 1. Grants to municipalities (defined under current law as a city, town, village, county, county utility district, town sanitary district, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district, or metropolitan sewage district) for PFAS testing at municipal water systems and municipal wastewater treatment facilities, or for reimbursement for such testing if performed at properties owned, leased, managed, or contracted for by municipalities and if there are promulgated standards for those types of PFAS. 2. Grants to nonmunicipal entities regulated as public or community water systems, distributed in equal shares up to $1,800, to test their drinking water supply for PFAS, if required to do so by DNR, or for reimbursement for such testing. 3. Grants to privately owned landfills, in equal shares up to $15,000, to test for the presence of PFAS in leachate. 4. Grants to municipalities to test for PFAS levels at municipally owned, leased, managed, or contracted locations where PFAS may be present, including testing for PFAS levels in leachate at landfills. If the property to be tested is not owned by the municipality, DNR may not issue a grant unless the property owner gives the municipality written consent to enter the property and conduct testing. These grants are not available to municipalities that receive a grant under this program to test for PFAS at municipal water systems and municipal wastewater treatment facilities. For these grants, DNR may require matching funds of up to 20 percent from the applicant. 5. Grants to municipalities and privately owned landfills to dispose of PFAS- containing biosolids or leachate at facilities that accept such biosolids or leachate or to purchase and install on-site treatment systems to address PFAS contained in biosolids or leachate. For these grants, DNR may require matching funds of up to 20 percent from the applicant and the grants may not be used for costs associated with landspreading. 6. Grants for capital costs or debt service, including for facility upgrades or new infrastructure, to municipalities that are small or disadvantaged or in which rates for water or wastewater utilities will increase by more than 20 percent as a direct result of steps taken to address PFAS contamination. When issuing these grants, DNR must give priority to projects that are necessary to address an exceedence of an applicable state or federal standard. 7. Grants to municipalities for capital costs or other costs related to PFAS that are not otherwise paid from the segregated environmental improvement fund, including costs for addressing landfills or other contaminated lands owned, leased, managed, or contracted for by municipalities or costs incurred by fire departments; grants to municipalities for the preparation and implementation of pollutant minimization plans; and grants to municipalities for costs incurred by public utilities or metropolitan sewerage districts for pretreatment or other PFAS reduction measures in certain circumstances. For these grants, DNR may require matching funds of up to 20 percent from the applicant. For all of the grants provided under the municipal PFAS grant program, DNR may not require a grant recipient to take any action to address PFAS unless PFAS levels exceed any applicable standard under state or federal law. The bill also prohibits DNR from publicly disclosing the results of any PFAS testing conducted under this grant program unless DNR notifies the grant recipient at least 72 hours before publicly disclosing any test result, with certain exceptions. Current law provides that whenever a state agency is authorized to provide state funds to any county, city, village, or town for any purpose, funds may also be granted by that agency to any federally recognized tribal governing body for the same purpose. Innocent landowner grant program The bill also requires DNR to create an innocent landowner grant program, which applies only to types of PFAS for which there is a state or federal standard, a public health recommendation from the Department of Health Services, or a health advisory issued by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Under the program, DNR may provide grants to an eligible person or to a person who is applying on behalf of multiple eligible persons that are located in the same geographic region, if the applicant will be the entity performing any authorized activities. Under the program, an Xeligible personY is 1) a person that spread biosolids or wastewater residuals contaminated by PFAS in compliance with any applicable license or permit, 2) a person that owns land upon which biosolids or wastewater residuals contaminated by PFAS were spread in compliance with any applicable license or permit, 3) a fire department, public-use airport, or municipality that responded to emergencies that required the use of PFAS or that conducted training for such emergencies in compliance with applicable federal regulations, 4) a solid waste disposal facility that accepted PFAS, and 5) a person that owns, leases, manages, or contracts for property on which the PFAS contamination did not originate, unless the person also owns, leases, manages, or contracts for the property on which the PFAS discharge originated. The total amount of grants awarded to each eligible person may not exceed $250,000 and DNR may require grant recipients to provide matching funds of not more than 5 percent of the grant amount. Under current law provisions known as the Xspills law,Y a person that possesses or controls a hazardous substance or that causes the discharge of a hazardous substance must notify DNR immediately, restore the environment to the extent practicable, and minimize the harmful effects from the discharge. If action is not being adequately taken, or the identity of the person responsible for the discharge is unknown, DNR may take emergency action to contain or remove the hazardous substance; the person that possessed or controlled the hazardous substance that was discharged or that caused the discharge of the hazardous substance must then reimburse DNR for expenses DNR incurred in taking such emergency actions. The spills law allows DNR to enter property to take emergency action if entry is necessary to prevent increased environmental damages, and to inspect any record relating to a hazardous substance for the purpose of determining compliance with the spills law. DNR may also require that preventive measures be taken by any person possessing or having control over a hazardous substance if existing control measures are inadequate to prevent discharges. Spills law exemptions Under the bill, if a person is eligible for a grant under the innocent landowner grant program, the person is exempt from all of the provisions under the spills law described above with respect to PFAS contamination, if the person grants DNR permission to remediate the land at DNR[s expense. If a person is not eligible for a grant under the innocent landowner grant program, the person is exempt from all of the provisions under the spills law described above, based on the results of any PFAS testing conducted on samples taken from lands not owned by the state, unless PFAS levels violate any applicable state or federal law, including any standard promulgated under state or federal law. Limitations on DNR actions relating to PFAS Under the bill, DNR may not prevent, delay, or otherwise impede any construction project or project of public works based on a presence of PFAS contamination unless DNR determines that 1) the project poses a substantial risk to public health or welfare, 2) there is a substantial risk that the project will create worsening environmental conditions, 3) the entity proposing to complete the project is responsible for the original contamination, as a result of conduct that was reckless or was done with the intent to discharge PFAS into the environment, or 4) DNR is specifically required under the federal Clean Water Act to prevent, delay, or otherwise impede the project. XPublic worksY is defined to mean the physical structures and facilities developed or acquired by a local unit of government or a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state to provide services and functions for the benefit and use of the public, including water, sewerage, waste disposal, utilities, and transportation, and privately owned landfills that accept residential waste. In addition, under the bill, if DNR seeks to collect samples from lands not owned by the state based on permission from the landowner, such permission must be in writing, and DNR must notify the landowner that such permission includes the authority to collect samples, to test those samples, and to publicly disclose the results of that testing. The landowner may revoke such permission at any time prior to the collection of samples. Under the bill, DNR also may not publicly disclose such PFAS testing results unless it notifies the landowner of the test results at least 72 hours before publicly disclosing them. The bill also requires DNR, or a third-party contract by DNR, to respond in a timely manner to requests from any person to conduct PFAS testing on samples taken from the person[s property if practicable and if funds are available to do so, if there is a reasonable belief that PFAS contamination may be present on the property, and if existing information such as public water supply testing data is not available. The bill also requires DNR, in the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, to increase its voluntary PFAS testing activities. Firefighting foam The bill requires DNR to survey or resurvey local fire departments about their use and possession of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, send communications and information regarding PFAS-containing firefighting foam, and contract with a third party to voluntarily collect PFAS-containing firefighting foam. Well compensation grant program Under current law, an individual owner or renter of a contaminated private well, subject to eligibility requirements, may apply for a grant from DNR to cover a portion of the costs to treat the water, reconstruct the well, construct a new well, connect to a public water supply, or fill and seal the well. The bill provides that a grant for costs to treat the water may be used to cover the cost of a filtration device and up to two replacement filters. In addition, under the bill, if DNR determines that a claimant who is applying for a grant under the well compensation grant program on the basis of PFAS contamination would be eligible for a grant under the innocent landowner grant program created under the bill, and funding under that program is available, DNR must refer the claimant[s application to that program instead of processing it under the well compensation grant program. If the claimant is denied under the innocent landowner grant program, DNR must refer the claim back to the well compensation grant program. Portable water treatment system pilot project The bill requires DNR to contract with an entity to conduct a pilot project in which PFAS-contaminated surface water is partially or fully diverted to a portable treatment system and treated water is returned to the surface water. DNR and the entity must conduct tests to evaluate the success of the pilot project. Remedial action at sites contaminated by PFAS The bill allows DNR, or a contracted third party, to begin response and remedial actions, including site investigations, at any PFAS-contaminated site where a responsible party has not been identified or where the responsible party qualifies for a grant under the innocent landowner grant program. The bill directs DNR to prioritize response and remedial actions at sites that have the highest levels of PFAS contamination and sites with the greatest threats to public health or the environment because of PFAS. Assistance for testing laboratories The bill requires DNR and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to enter into a memorandum of understanding to ensure that the state laboratory of hygiene provides guidance and other materials, conducts training, and provides assistance to laboratories in this state that are certified to test for contaminants other than PFAS in order for them to become certified to test for PFAS, and to assist laboratories certified to test for PFAS in this state to reduce their testing costs and shorten the timeline for receiving test results. Under the bill, the Board of Regents, in coordination with DNR, may provide grants to laboratories in this state that are certified to test for PFAS, or that are seeking such certification, to assist with up to 40 percent of the costs of purchasing equipment necessary for testing for PFAS. The bill requires the state laboratory of hygiene to prepare a report on these efforts and provide the report to the legislature. PFAS studies and reporting The bill requires DNR and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to enter into a memorandum of understanding to 1) study and analyze the cost, feasibility, and effectiveness of different methods of treating PFAS before they are released into a water system or water body; 2) conduct a cost-benefit analysis of different options for disposing of biosolids or sludge that contains or may contain PFAS; 3) study and analyze the cost, feasibility, and effectiveness of different destruction and disposal methods for PFAS; 4) study and analyze the cost, feasibility, and effectiveness of different methods for remediating PFAS that leave the contaminated medium in place and methods that remove the contaminated medium; 5) study and analyze the migration of PFAS into the bay of Green Bay; 6) study and analyze the migration of PFAS into the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers and their tributaries; 7) conduct any additional studies related to PFAS, as approved by the Joint Committee on Finance; and 8) create a comprehensive, interactive map showing all available PFAS testing data and, for each data point, whether it exceeds any applicable state or federal standard for PFAS. Such data may not contain any personally identifiable information unless the entity to which the data applies is a municipal entity that is required to test and disclose its results under state law. DNR reporting requirements The bill requires DNR to report to the legislature once every six months for a period of three years to provide a detailed description of DNR[s expenditures under the bill and a detailed description of DNR[s progress in implementing the provisions of the bill. Clean Water Fund Program and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Under current law, the Department of Administration and DNR administer the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP), which provides financial assistance to municipalities, and to the private owners of community water systems that serve municipalities, for projects that will help the municipalities comply with federal drinking water standards. DNR establishes a funding priority list for SDWLP projects, and DOA allocates funding for those projects. Also under current law, DNR administers the Clean Water Fund Program (CWFP), which provides financial assistance to municipalities for projects to control water pollution, such as sewage treatment plants. Under the bill, if DNR, when ranking SDWLP or CWFP projects or determining an applicant[s eligibility for assistance under those programs, considers whether an applicant that intends to extend service outside municipal boundaries because of water contamination is XsmallY or Xdisadvantaged,Y DNR must determine the applicant to be small or disadvantaged if the area receiving the extended service would normally be determined to be small or disadvantaged, regardless of whether the existing service area would normally be determined to be small or disadvantaged. Public water utility projects Under current law, a public utility may not engage in certain construction, expansion, or other projects unless the Public Service Commission grants a certificate of authority (CA) for the proposed project. Under the bill, if a water public utility or a combined water and sewer public utility (water utility) fails to obtain a CA before commencing a project for which one is required, PSC may not investigate, impose a penalty against, or bring an action to enjoin the water utility if 1) the water utility undertook the project in response to a public health concern caused by PFAS, the presence of which was unknown to the water utility until shortly before it commenced the project, and the water utility provides evidence showing that the utility has exceeded or is likely to exceed the applicable state or federal standard for that type of PFAS; 2) the water utility promptly notifies PSC of the work and, within 30 days after commencing the work, submits the appropriate application and supporting documentation to PSC; and 3) the total cost of the project is not greater than $2,000,000. In the PSC administrative code, the bill adds an emergency resulting from water supply contamination to the circumstances under which PSC authorization is not necessary prior to a utility beginning necessary repair work. The current administrative code limits this to an emergency resulting from the failure of power supply or from fire, storm, or similar events. Use of revenue for PFAS source reduction measures The bill authorizes a municipal public utility or metropolitan sewerage district to use revenues from its water or sewerage services for up to half of the cost of pretreatment or other PFAS source reduction measures for an interconnected customer or other regular customer if the costs incurred are less than the costs of the upgrades otherwise required at the endpoint treatment facility and if the costs are approved by the governing body of the municipality or the metropolitan sewerage district. Test wells for community water systems Under rules promulgated by DNR relating to community water systems (a system for providing piped water for human consumption to the public and that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents), DNR must preapprove any test wells that will be converted into permanent wells and any test wells that will pump at least 70 gallons per minute for more than 72 hours. DNR rules require test wells to be drilled for permanent wells for community water systems to determine geologic formation information and water quality and quantity data. DNR rules also allow DNR to designate special well casing depth areas within which wells must be drilled to a greater depth and meet other requirements to avoid contamination. This bill provides that test wells for community water systems must also be approved by DNR if they are located in special well casing depth areas that have been designated based in whole or in part on the presence of PFAS.	In Committee
SJR9	Honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr.	Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr.	In Committee
AJR1	Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).	To create section 1m of article III of the constitution; Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).	In Committee

Bill	Bill Name	Motion	Vote Date	Vote
SB24	Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in, and the lifespan of, a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Middleton. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in	05/13/2025	Yea
AB23	Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	05/13/2025	Yea
AB43	Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	05/13/2025	Yea
AB137	Maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	05/13/2025	Yea
AB140	Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	05/13/2025	Yea
AB73	Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	04/22/2025	Yea
AB164	Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and federal Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment grants. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	04/22/2025	Yea
AB165	Local guaranteed income programs.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	04/22/2025	Yea
AB166	Academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	04/22/2025	Yea
AB162	Workforce metrics. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	04/22/2025	Yea
AB168	Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	04/22/2025	Yea
AB169	Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	04/22/2025	Yea
AB167	Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	04/22/2025	Yea
AB102	Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/20/2025	Yea
AB100	Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/20/2025	Yea
AB103	School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/20/2025	Yea
AB104	Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/20/2025	Yea
AB105	The distribution of certain material on the Internet.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/20/2025	Yea
AB24	County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/18/2025	Yea
AB96	Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/18/2025	Yea
AB94	Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the State of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/18/2025	Yea
AB95	Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/18/2025	Yea
AB14	The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission.	Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections	03/13/2025	Yea
AB15	The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission.	Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections	03/13/2025	Yea
AB16	Repealing an administrative rule of the Department of Natural Resources related to the possession of firearms.	Assembly: Referred to Environment	03/13/2025	Yea
AB13	The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission.	Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections	03/13/2025	Yea
AB66	Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/13/2025	Yea
AB66	Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes.	Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld	03/13/2025	Yea
AB75	Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/13/2025	Yea
AB85	Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/13/2025	Yea
AB85	Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE)	Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table	03/13/2025	Yea
AB89	Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/13/2025	Yea
AB91	The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/13/2025	Yea
AB91	The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)	Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld	03/13/2025	Yea
AB87	Restitution orders following a conviction for human trafficking and restoration of the right to vote to a person barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	03/13/2025	Yea
AB1	Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	02/19/2025	Yea
AB5	Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	02/19/2025	Yea
AB3	Incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	02/19/2025	Yea
AB4	Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	02/19/2025	Yea
AB4	Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE)	Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld	02/19/2025	Yea
AB2	Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time.	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	02/19/2025	Nay
AB6	Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE)	Assembly: Read a third time and passed	02/19/2025	Yea
AB6	Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE)	Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld	02/19/2025	Yea
SJR2	Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).	Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in	01/14/2025	Yea
AR1	Notifying the senate and the governor that the 2025-2026 assembly is organized.	Assembly: Adopted	01/06/2025	Yea
SJR1	The session schedule for the 2025-2026 biennial session period.	Assembly: Concurred in	01/06/2025	Yea
AR2	Establishing the assembly committee structure and names for the 2025-2026 legislative session.	Assembly: Adopted	01/06/2025	Yea

	Committee	Position	Rank
Detail	Wisconsin Assembly Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Committee		7
Detail	Wisconsin Assembly State Affairs Committee	Chair	1
Detail	Wisconsin Assembly Tourism Committee	Vice Chair	2
Detail	Wisconsin Joint Retirement Systems Survey Committee		2
Detail	Wisconsin Joint Tax Exemptions Survey Committee		2

State	District	Chamber	Party	Status	Start Date	End Date
WI	Wisconsin Assembly District 34	Assembly	Republican	In Office	01/07/2013

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