Legislator
Legislator > Jeff Smith
State Senator
Jeff Smith
(D) - Wisconsin
Wisconsin Senate District 31
In Office - Started: 01/07/2019
contact info
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 7882
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53707
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53707
Phone: 608-266-8546
Phone 2: 877-763-6636
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB388 | Grant program for an integrated mental health facility. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to award a onetime grant to Rogers Behavioral Health during fiscal year 2025-26 to construct and build an integrated mental health facility in the Chippewa Valley region of the state that includes a crisis stabilization unit, residential treatment center, partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient program, and supportive living to provide adolescents and adults with a full continuum of care for mental health issues. DHS may award the grant only if Rogers Behavioral Health submits both a letter of intent to use any grant awarded for constructing and building an integrated mental health facility as described in the bill and proof of purchase or lease of land. The bill establishes a new appropriation account to which an appropriation may be made to support this grant. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | Crossed Over |
| SB407 | Grant program for an integrated mental health facility. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to award a onetime grant to Rogers Behavioral Health during fiscal year 2025-26 to construct and build an integrated mental health facility in the Chippewa Valley region of the state that includes a crisis stabilization unit, residential treatment center, partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient program, and supportive living to provide adolescents and adults with a full continuum of care for mental health issues. DHS may award the grant only if Rogers Behavioral Health submits both a letter of intent to use any grant awarded for constructing and building an integrated mental health facility as described in the bill and proof of purchase or lease of land. The bill establishes a new appropriation account to which an appropriation may be made to support this grant. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB462 | Employee misclassification; construction contractor registration; reporting state tax law violations committed by construction industry employers; and granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill makes the following changes to current law regarding employee misclassifications: Outreach and education regarding employee misclassification The bill directs the commissioner of insurance to conduct, on at least an annual basis, outreach and education to insurers and other persons regulated by the state insurance laws on how to identify the misclassification of employees and report suspected misclassifications to the appropriate federal and state agencies. Worker classification notice and posting The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to design and make available to employers a notice regarding worker classification laws, requirements for employers and employees, and penalties for noncompliance. Under the bill, all employers in this state must post the notice in a conspicuous place where notices to employees are customarily posted. The bill also provides a penalty of not more than $100 for an employer that does not post the notice as required. Website for worker classification laws Under the bill, DWD must establish and maintain on its website information regarding worker classification laws, requirements for employers and employees, penalties for noncompliance, and contact information at each state agency that administers worker classification laws. Unemployment insurance; worker misclassification penalties Current law requires DWD to assess an administrative penalty against an employer engaged in construction projects or in the painting or drywall finishing of buildings or other structures who knowingly and intentionally provides false information to DWD for the purpose of misclassifying or attempting to misclassify an individual who is an employee of the employer as a nonemployee under the unemployment insurance law. The penalty under current law is $500 for each employee who is misclassified, not to exceed $7,500 per incident. Current law additionally requires DWD to assess an administrative penalty against such an employer who, through coercion, requires an individual to adopt the status of a nonemployee in the amount of $1,000 for each individual so coerced, but not to exceed $10,000 per calendar year. Penalties are deposited in the unemployment program integrity fund. The bill removes the $7,500 and $10,000 limitations on these penalties and provides that the penalties double for each act occurring after the date of the first determination of a violation. The bill also removes the limitations on the types of employers that the penalties apply to, allowing them to be assessed against any type of employer that violates the above prohibitions. Worker[s compensation; penalties for uninsured employers Under current law, DWD is required to assess an administrative penalty against an employer who requires an employee to pay for any part of worker[s compensation insurance or who fails to provide mandatory worker[s compensation insurance coverage. If the employer violates those requirements, for the first 10 days, the penalty under current law is not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 for such a violation. If the employer violates those requirements for more than 10 days, the penalty under current law is not less than $10 and not more than $100 for each day of such a violation. The bill provides that the penalty for violations occurring after the second such violation is $3,000 per violation, or three times the amount of the insurance premium that would have been payable, whichever is greater. The bill also provides that the penalty for violations occurring after the third such violation is $4,000 per violation, or four times the amount of the insurance premium that would have been payable, whichever is greater. Also under current law, if an employer who is required to provide worker[s compensation insurance coverage provides false information about the coverage to his or her employees or contractors who request information about the coverage, or fails to notify a person who contracts with the employer that the coverage has been canceled in relation to the contract, DWD is required to assess a penalty of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 for each such violation. The bill provides that the penalty for violations occurring after the third such violation is $3,000 per violation, and the penalty is $4,000 for violations occurring after the fourth such violation. Worker[s compensation; false or fraudulent claims Under current law, if an insurer or self-insured employer has evidence that a worker[s compensation claim is false or fraudulent, the insurer or self-insured employer must generally report the claim to DWD. If, based on the investigation, DWD has a reasonable basis to believe that criminal insurance fraud has occurred, DWD must refer the matter to the district attorney for prosecution. Also under current law, DWD may request assistance from the Department of Justice to investigate false or fraudulent activity related to a worker[s compensation claim. If, based on that investigation, DWD has a reasonable basis to believe that theft, forgery, fraud, or any other criminal violation has occurred, DWD must refer the matter to the district attorney or DOJ for prosecution. The bill extends these requirements to insurers who have evidence that an application for worker[s compensation insurance coverage is fraudulent or that an employer has committed fraud by misclassifying employees to lower the employer[s worker[s compensation insurance premiums. Worker misclassification outreach The bill requires the Department of Administration to direct state agencies, constitutional offices, departments, independent agencies, and societies, associations, and certain other agencies of state government for which appropriations are made by law, to provide educational outreach regarding worker misclassification to employers, workers, and organizations that serve vulnerable populations. Worker misclassification information The bill requires the Department of Financial Institutions to provide informational materials and resources on worker misclassification to each person who files with DFI documents forming a business corporation, nonstock corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or limited partnership. Construction contractor registration The bill requires most persons who hold themselves out or act as construction contractors to be registered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. DSPS may directly assess a forfeiture by issuing an order against any person who fails to register as required under the bill. The registration requirement does not apply to a person who engages in construction on his or her own property, to a state agency or local governmental unit, or to a person who engages in construction in the course of his or her employment by a state agency or local governmental unit. Construction industry violations The bill authorizes the secretary of revenue to provide monetary awards to individuals who provide information to the Department of Revenue regarding alleged state tax law violations by construction industry employers. The amount of the award is at least 15 percent, but not more than 30 percent, of the proceeds collected by DOR resulting from an administrative or judicial action concerning the allegations or from any settlement of such action. The bill allows the secretary to reduce the amount of the award if the secretary determines that the information provided by the individual resulted from an administrative or judicial hearing; from a government report, hearing, audit, or investigation; or from the news media. However, the secretary may not provide an award to an individual who is convicted of criminal conduct arising from the individual's role in the alleged violation. In addition, an individual who obtains information regarding an alleged state tax law violation through the individual's official duties as a DOR or DOJ employee is not eligible to receive an award. Under the bill, no employer may discharge or otherwise discipline or discriminate against any employee who provides information about alleged state tax law violations by a construction industry employer to DOR or the secretary. Audits and investigations The bill requires the Unemployment Insurance Division in DWD to coordinate with the Division of Personnel Management in DOA to review all recruitment and onboarding programs to ensure that auditor positions are correctly classified and the compensation for auditors is comparable to that in the private labor market. The bill also requires DWD to review resources available to investigators and auditors and evaluate potential strategies and improvements that could be implemented by DWD. The bill also requires DWD to submit a report to the legislature of its findings no later than January 31, 2027. Finally, the bill authorizes three full-time positions for DWD to perform investigations and audits regarding worker misclassification. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB470 | Eliminating the right-to-work law. (FE) | The current right-to-work law prohibits a person from requiring, as a condition of obtaining or continuing employment, an individual to refrain or resign from membership in a labor organization, to become or remain a member of a labor organization, to pay dues or other charges to a labor organization, or to pay any other person an amount that is in place of dues or charges required of members of a labor organization. This bill repeals these prohibitions and the associated misdemeanor offense for violating the right-to-work law. The bill explicitly provides that, when an all-union agreement is in effect, it is not an unfair labor practice to encourage or discourage membership in a labor organization or to deduct labor organization dues or assessments from an employee[s earnings. The bill sets conditions under which an employer may enter into an all-union agreement. The bill also sets conditions for the continuation or termination of all-union agreements, including that, if the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission determines there is reasonable ground to believe employees in an all-union agreement have changed their attitude about the agreement, WERC is required to conduct a referendum to determine whether the employees wish to continue the agreement. WERC is required to terminate an all-union agreement if it finds the union unreasonably refused to admit an employee into the union. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB495 | Application of the public records and open meetings laws to charter schools and private schools participating in school choice programs. | This bill provides that charter schools and private schools participating in a parental choice program are subject to the state[s public records and open meetings laws. The bill includes an exemption from disclosure under the public records law for records concerning individual pupils that are maintained by such a school. | In Committee |
| SB530 | Eliminating the advisory referenda restrictions under 2023 Wisconsin Act 12. | Under current law, a county may not conduct a countywide advisory referendum except for an advisory referendum regarding a political subdivision revenue sharing agreement or capital expenditures proposed to be funded by the county property tax levy. In addition, current law prohibits a municipality from conducting an advisory referendum except for an advisory referendum regarding tax incremental financing, a local government telecommunications utility, or capital expenditures proposed to be funded by the municipality[s property tax levy. This bill eliminates the above restrictions and allows a county or municipality to conduct advisory referenda for any purpose, which a county or municipality was allowed to do prior to enactment of 2023 Wisconsin Act 12. | In Committee |
| SB510 | Requiring certain persons holding a state elective office to serve as an election official. | This bill requires that each nonjudicial elective state official, during the person[s first full term of office and once every three years for as long as the person holds any nonjudicial elective state office, serve as an election official for an election held in any municipality in this state, not including an election in which the person is a candidate on the ballot. The requirement under the bill applies to the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state superintendent of public instruction, state senator, and state representative to the assembly. The bill requires the nonjudicial elective state official to be appointed and trained in the same manner as other election officials and to serve as an election official no fewer than eight hours on election day. Under the bill, the person receives no compensation for serving as an election official. In addition, after satisfying the requirement, the person must certify that fact to the Elections Commission. The requirement does not apply to a person who files with the commission a sworn statement from a physician or physician assistant verifying that the person is physically incapable of serving as an election official for eight hours on election day. However, a person who does not serve or is unable to serve as an election official during an election cycle is still required to attend the training LRB-4780/1 JK:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 510 required for election officials at least once every two years, as provided under current law. Under the bill, the appointment of a nonjudicial elective state official to serve as an election official does not count towards any limit that a municipality imposes on the number of election officials hired or appointed. Finally, the bill prohibits the legislature and all legislative committees from meeting on a day in which an election, other than a special election, is being held in this state for a local, state, or national office. | In Committee |
| SB513 | Voter registration forms and information provided to certain high school students. (FE) | This bill requires each school board in Wisconsin to provide to each high school student in the school board[s school district who becomes eligible to register to vote the following: 1. A voter registration form and information concerning eligibility to vote. 2. Nonpartisan materials describing the role of the citizen and the importance of voting in elections. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB520 | Expressly prohibiting a foreign national from making a contribution to a referendum committee. | Current law provides that no person may make or accept a contribution, make a disbursement, make an expenditure, or incur an obligation in violation of the federal law that prohibits a foreign national from making a contribution in connection with any federal, state, or local election. This bill provides, in addition, that no foreign national may make a contribution to a referendum committee and no referendum committee may accept a contribution from a foreign national. A recent decision by the Federal Election Commission allowed a foreign national to make a contribution to a ballot initiative committee because the FEC determined that a ballot initiative is not an XelectionY for purposes of the federal law prohibiting contributions from foreign nationals. | In Committee |
| SB511 | Returning an absentee ballot with an incomplete certificate or with no certificate. | Under current law, a municipal clerk may return to the voter an absentee ballot with an improperly completed certificate or with no certificate whenever time permits the voter to correct the defect and return the absentee ballot to the polling place before 8 p.m. on election day. Under this bill, the municipal clerk must return such an absentee ballot to the voter under those circumstances. | In Committee |
| AB474 | State preemption of local employment regulations. (FE) | Under current law, the state limits the power of local governments to enact laws on certain issues. This practice is called preemption. This bill repeals the preemptions of local governments from enacting or enforcing ordinances related to the following: 1. Regulations related to wage claims and collections. 2. Regulation of employee hours and overtime, including scheduling of employee work hours or shifts. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB495 | General equalization aids, supplemental hold harmless aid, the per pupil adjustment for school district revenue limits, and making an appropriation. (FE) | Current law generally limits the total amount of revenue per pupil that a school district may receive from general school aids and property taxes in a school year to the amount of revenue allowed per pupil in the previous school year plus a per pupil adjustment, if any, as provided by law. Current law, which was upheld in LeMieux v. Evers, 2025 WI 12, provides an annual $325 per pupil adjustment until 2425. Under this bill, beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the per pupil adjustment is the per pupil increase for the previous school year as adjusted for any increase in the consumer price index. The bill also increases the amount of funding distributed to school districts as state aid through the equalization formula by $493,800,000 in the 2025-26 school year and by $699,900,000 in the 2026-27 school year. Under current law, a school district is guaranteed an amount of general equalization aid equal to at least 85 percent of the amount it received in the previous school year. The bill also provides an additional $31 million for additional aid to ensure that each school district receives total state aid in the 2025-26 school year in an amount that is no less than what it received in the 2024-25 school year. Specifically, under the bill, if the estimated total amount of state aid for a school district in the 2024-25 school year, as calculated on October 15, 2024, is greater than the estimated total amount of state aid for a school district in the 2025-26 school year, as calculated on October 15, 2025, the Department of Public Instruction must pay the school district additional state aid in an amount necessary to ensure the school district receives an amount of total state aid in the 2025-26 school year that is equal to the amount calculated on October 15, 2024. The additional aid is considered state aid for purposes of school district revenue limits. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB476 | Prohibiting abusive work environments and creating a cause of action. (FE) | This bill prohibits abusive work environments and allows an individual who has been subjected to such an environment to bring a civil action. Under current law, worker[s compensation is generally the exclusive remedy of an employee against his or her employer, a coemployee, or the employer[s worker[s compensation insurer for an injury sustained while performing services from and incidental to employment. This bill provides an exception to that exclusive remedy provision. Under the bill, an employee who alleges that he or she has been injured by being subjected to an abusive work environment or by being subjected to retaliation or a threat of retaliation for opposing an abusive work environment or for initiating, or in any manner participating in, an investigation, action, or proceeding to enforce the right not to be subjected to an abusive work environment (Xunlawful employment practiceY) may bring an action in circuit court against the employer or employee who allegedly engaged in the unlawful employment practice for relief the court considers appropriate. The aggrieved employee must commence an action within one year after the last act constituting the unlawful employment practice occurred. If the circuit court finds that an employer or employee has engaged in an unlawful employment practice, the court may enjoin the employer or employee from engaging in that practice and may grant other relief the court considers appropriate, including reinstatement of the aggrieved employee, removal of the person who engaged in the abusive conduct from the aggrieved employee[s work area, medical expenses, back pay, front pay, compensation for pain and suffering, compensation for emotional distress, punitive damages, and reasonable costs and attorney fees. If the circuit court orders payment of money because of an unlawful employment practice engaged in by an employee, the employer of the employee is liable for that payment. If an employer is found to have engaged in an unlawful employment practice that did not result in an adverse employment action against the aggrieved employee, the employer is not liable for compensation for emotional distress or punitive damages unless the abusive conduct was extreme and outrageous. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB497 | Application of the public records and open meetings laws to charter schools and private schools participating in school choice programs. | This bill provides that charter schools and private schools participating in a parental choice program are subject to the state[s public records and open meetings laws. The bill includes an exemption from disclosure under the public records law for records concerning individual pupils that are maintained by such a school. | In Committee |
| AB484 | Training requirements for a license to carry a concealed weapon. | Under current law, the Department of Justice issues licenses to carry concealed weapons to qualified applicants who submit required materials, including proof that the applicant completed a firearms safety course or program. Under current law, DOJ may not require that the course or program require the applicant to fire live ammunition, and a person who has a license may renew the license without completing another firearms safety course or program. Under this bill, a course or program must require the applicant to fire live ammunition and provide information on gun safety and storage, including safe storage while traveling and safe storage in a vehicle; preventing accidental shootings; and suicide prevention. In addition, a course or program must provide training on de- escalation techniques and strategies. The bill also requires a licensee to complete a continuing firearms safety course or program to renew a license and requires that safety course or program to contain the same content requirements that the bill requires for the initial training. Finally, the bill eliminates the completion of a hunter education program as proof of the training requirement under current law. | In Committee |
| AB504 | Including with the property tax bill information about state aid reduction to school districts. (FE) | This bill requires that a person[s property tax bill include information from the school district where the property is located regarding the amount of any gross reduction in state aid to the district as a result of pupils enrolled in the statewide parental choice program, the Racine Parental Choice Program, or the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program or as a result of making payments to private schools under the Special Needs Scholarship Program. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB507 | The state civil service system. (FE) | This bill makes numerous changes to the state civil service system, including all of the following: The hiring process 1. The bill replaces competitive procedures with competitive examinations. Under the bill, appointments to and promotions in the classified service must be made according to merit and fitness, based on competitive examinations. 2. The bill provides a preference system for veterans under which veterans and qualifying spouses of veterans receive preference points, which are applied during the process of creating a certification list for a position. Under current law, if a veteran or qualifying spouse of a veteran is included on a certification list, the appointing authority must offer an interview to the veteran or spouse of a veteran. 3. Under current law, before making an offer of employment to an individual who currently holds a position in the civil service, an appointing authority must review the individual[s personnel file. The bill repeals that requirement. 4. The bill changes the general deadline for making appointments from 30 days after certification to 60 days after certification. The bill also requires the director of the Bureau of Merit Recruitment and Selection to use procedures designed to certify applicants for a vacant permanent position within 45 days of receiving a request from an appointing authority, rather than the 30-day deadline under current law. Probation, reinstatement, restoration, and layoffs 1. The bill changes the standard probationary period for all original and promotional appointments to permanent and seasonal positions in the classified service from one year to six months. The bill also changes the probationary period for employees in supervisory or management positions from one year to one year with a potential waiver after six months. 2. The bill allows permanent classified service employees who leave the classified service without any delinquency or misconduct to have reinstatement privileges for a five-year period from the date the employee leaves the classified service. Under current law, there are no reinstatement privileges for permanent classified service employees who leave the classified service without any delinquency or misconduct for reasons other than layoff. The bill also provides reinstatement privileges for an employee who leaves the classified service to fill an elective position, which is not allowed under current law. 3. The bill provides restoration rights to a permanent employee in the classified service who is on layoff status for the three-year period following the layoff. 4. The bill allows appointing authorities to determine the order of layoff by seniority, performance, any combination of seniority and performance, or other factors. Under current law, appointing authorities must determine layoff status primarily based on job performance. Just cause and discipline 1. The bill allows an employer to remove, suspend without pay, discharge, reduce the base pay of, or demote (take an adverse employment action against) a permanent classified employee and certain assistant district attorneys and assistant state public defenders only for just cause. The bill eliminates the provision that an employer has just cause to take an adverse employment action against an employee for work performance or personal conduct that an appointing authority determines to be inadequate, unsuitable, or inferior, but only after the appointing authority imposes progressive discipline that complies with standards established by the administrator of the Division of Personnel Management. The bill also eliminates the provision that an employer has just cause to take an adverse employment action against an employee without imposing progressive discipline for specific conduct. 2. The bill changes the threshold for considering an employee[s position abandoned and disciplining the employee for failing to report for work as scheduled without contacting a supervisor from three working days during a calendar year to five consecutive working days. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB479 | Reducing costs of trade examinations administered by third parties and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates an appropriation for the Department of Safety and Professional Services to reduce the cost of examinations administered by a third party that are required to obtain an occupational license in the building trades. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR103 | Proclaiming the last full week of September as Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week. | Relating to: proclaiming the last full week of September as Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week. | In Committee |
| AB480 | Requiring job postings to include salary range and benefits, retaining records of job postings, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. | This bill requires all job postings made by employers or third parties on behalf of employers to include the minimum and maximum salary or hourly pay for the job based on the employer[s good faith estimate and any other benefits available for the position, such as health insurance and retirement benefits. The bill also provides that employers and third parties that post jobs on behalf of employers are required to retain records of listings for job vacancies and employment opportunities, including information regarding wages, salary, and other benefits, for at least two years after the vacancy or employment opportunity is filled. The bill provides that an employer with fewer than 50 employees who violates a requirement under the bill shall forfeit $300 for a second violation and $600 for a third or subsequent violation, and an employer with 50 or more employees who violates a requirement under the bill shall forfeit $1,000 for a second violation and $2,000 for a third or subsequent violation. Under the bill, third parties that are required to comply with the provisions of the bill are subject to the same penalties as an employer. Finally, under the bill each failure to comply with a duty required under the bill is a separate violation. | In Committee |
| SB514 | Voter preregistration of 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds. (FE) | Under current law, only qualified electors may register to vote and vote in an election. A qualified elector is a U.S. citizen age 18 or older who has resided in an election district or ward for 28 consecutive days. Under this bill, an individual who is age 16 or 17 but who is otherwise eligible to vote in Wisconsin may preregister to vote. An individual who preregisters under the bill may not vote in an election unless he or she is at least 18 years of age on election day. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB512 | Voter registration at high schools. (FE) | Prior to 2011 Wisconsin Act 240, state law required that all public high schools be used for voter registration for enrolled students and members of the high school staff. Prior law also authorized voter registration to take place at a private high school or a tribal school that operates high school grades if requested by the principal. This bill reinstates those provisions. Under the bill, the municipal clerk must notify the school board of each school district in which the municipality is located that high schools will be used for voter registration. The school board and the clerk then appoint at least one qualified voter at each high school to be a special school registration deputy. The bill allows students and staff to register at the school on any day that classes are regularly held. The deputies promptly forward the registration forms to the clerk, and the clerk adds qualified voters to the registration list. The clerk may reject a registration form, but the clerk must notify the registrant and inform the registrant of the reason for being rejected. Under the bill, a form completed by an individual who will be 18 years of age before the next election and who is otherwise qualified to vote must be filed in such a way so that the individual is automatically registered to vote when the individual is 18. Finally, the bill allows a principal of a private high school or tribal school that LRB-4802/1 JK:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 512 operates high school grades to request that the municipal clerk appoint a qualified voter at the school to be a special school registration deputy. Under the bill, the clerk must appoint a special school registration deputy if the clerk determines that the private high school or tribal school has a substantial number of students residing in the municipality. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB490 | Implementing a suicide prevention program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to implement a statewide suicide prevention program, coordinate suicide prevention activities with other state agencies, administer grant programs involving suicide prevention, and perform various other functions specified in the bill to promote efforts to prevent suicide. The bill authorizes two positions in DHS for implementing the suicide prevention program, one of which is the director of the suicide prevention program. The bill also provides DHS with $250,000 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 to implement the program. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR88 | Recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald. | Relating to: recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald. | In Committee |
| AJR11 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Soletski. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Soletski. | Crossed Over |
| AB194 | Modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE) | This bill makes modifications to three housing programs administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority: the residential housing infrastructure revolving loan program, also known as the Infrastructure Access Program; the main street housing rehabilitation revolving loan program, also known as the Restore Main Street Program; and the commercial-to-housing conversion revolving loan program, also known as the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program. For the Infrastructure Access Program, the bill does all of the following: 1. Allows a loan to a developer to provide up to 33 percent of total project costs and a loan to a governmental unit to provide up to 25 percent of total project costs. Under current law, a loan to a developer may provide up to 20 percent of total project costs and a loan to a governmental unit may provide up to 10 percent of total project costs. 2. Allows tribal housing authorities or business entities created by a tribal council to receive loans as developers of eligible projects. For the Restore Main Street Program, the bill does all of the following: 1. Allows a loan to provide up to $50,000 per dwelling unit or 33 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. Under current law, a loan may provide up to $20,000 per dwelling unit or 25 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. 2. Requires WHEDA to divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction of each regional planning commission constituted under current law, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission constituting collectively one region. Under the bill, of the moneys appropriated to the program[s revolving loan fund in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, WHEDA must expend any remaining unencumbered moneys in such a way that no region receives in loans more than 12.5 percent of the total amount of the moneys appropriated in the 2023- 25 fiscal biennium. 3. Allows loans to be awarded to projects under the jurisdiction of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band. For the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program, the bill does all of the following: 1. Allows a loan to provide up to 33 percent of total project costs related to constructing residential housing and eliminates the dollar amount cap on loans. Under current law, a loan may provide up to $1,000,000 per project or 20 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. 2. Permits housing developments with four or more dwelling units to be eligible for a loan if the housing development is located in a governmental unit with a population of 10,000 or less. Under current law, an eligible housing development must have 16 or more dwelling units. 3. Allows a project converting a vacant commercial building to a mixed-use development that contains residential housing to be eligible for a loan under the program. Under current law, to be eligible for a loan, a construction project must convert a vacant commercial building to residential housing. Under the bill, a loan awarded for the conversion of a vacant commercial building to a mixed-use development must be for costs associated with constructing residential housing within the mixed-use development. 4. Requires WHEDA to divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction of each regional planning commission constituted under current law, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission constituting collectively one region. Under the bill, of the moneys appropriated to the program[s revolving loan fund in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, WHEDA must expend any remaining unencumbered moneys in such a way that no region receives in loans more than 12.5 percent of the total amount of the moneys appropriated in the 2023- 25 fiscal biennium. 5. Allows tribal housing authorities or business entities created by a tribal council to receive loans as developers of eligible projects. For all three of the programs, the bill does all of the following: 1. Permits eligible projects to benefit from a tax incremental district and to use historic tax credits. Under current law, eligible projects may not benefit from a tax incremental district or use historic tax credits. 2. Allows a loan to be awarded for projects on tribal reservation or trust lands not subject to property taxes in this state if the land is designated as tribal reservation or trust lands on the effective date of the bill. 3. In applying for a loan, requires that, in addition to the current law requirement that a governmental unit establish that it has reduced the cost of housing in connection with the eligible project, a governmental unit establish that it has reduced the cost of housing within the governmental unit, generally. 4. Allows a governmental unit to satisfy the loan eligibility condition that it update the housing element of the statutorily required local government comprehensive plan if, within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application, the governmental unit adopts an ordinance or resolution certifying that the housing element of the governmental unit[s current comprehensive plan provides an adequate housing supply that meets existing and forecasted housing demand in the governmental unit. 5. Allows a loan to be secured by a corporate guarantee. Under current law, a loan under any of the three programs must be secured by a personal guarantee. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | Crossed Over |
| AB468 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance and worker’s compensation laws. (FE) | This bill makes various changes to the unemployment insurance and worker[s compensation laws, as follows: Unemployment insurance; substantial fault Under current law, a claimant for UI benefits whose work is terminated by his or her employer for substantial fault by the claimant connected with the claimant[s work is ineligible to receive UI benefits until the claimant satisfies certain requalification criteria. With certain exceptions, current law defines Xsubstantial faultY to include those acts or omissions of a claimant over which the claimant exercised reasonable control and that violate reasonable requirements of the claimant[s employer. This bill repeals this provision on substantial fault. Unemployment insurance; misconduct Under current law, a claimant for UI benefits whose work is terminated by his or her employer for misconduct by the claimant connected with the claimant[s work is ineligible to receive UI benefits until the claimant satisfies certain requalification criteria, and the claimant[s wages paid by the employer that terminates the claimant for misconduct are excluded for purposes of calculating benefit entitlement. Current law defines XmisconductY using a general, common law standard derived from Boynton Cab Co. v. Neubeck, 237 Wis. 249 (1941), and enumerates several specific types of conduct that also constitute misconduct. Under one of these specific provisions, misconduct includes 1) absenteeism on more than two occasions within the 120-day period before the date of the claimant[s termination, unless otherwise specified by his or her employer in an employment manual of which the claimant has acknowledged receipt with his or her signature, or 2) excessive tardiness by a claimant in violation of a policy of the employer that has been communicated to the claimant. In Department of Workforce Development v. Labor and Industry Review Commission (Beres), 2018 WI 77, the supreme court held that an employer could, under the language described above, institute an attendance policy more restrictive than two occasions within the 120-day period. Current law also provides that absenteeism or tardiness count as misconduct only if the claimant did not provide to his or her employer both notice and one or more valid reasons for the absenteeism or tardiness. In Bevco Precision Manufacturing v. Labor and Industry Review Commission, 2024 WI App. 54, the court of appeals held that under Beres, this qualifying language did not apply if an employer had adopted its own standard on absenteeism and tardiness, as described above. The bill does all of the following: 1. Repeals the language referencing Xexcessive tardiness.Y 2. Reverses the holding in Bevco by providing that a claimant[s notice and reason for an occasion of absenteeism or tardiness are to be analyzed under the common law misconduct standard. Under the bill, therefore, an employer may not establish its own policy for determining the reasonableness of absenteeism or tardiness. The bill does not, however, affect the general ability of an employer to institute a standard for absenteeism and tardiness more restrictive than two occasions within the 120-day period before termination. 3. Clarifies, in another provision defining misconduct, that Xtribal governmentY has the meaning given under state and federal law for what is considered an Indian tribe. Unemployment insurance; drug testing Current state law requires DWD to establish a program to test certain claimants who apply for UI benefits for the presence of controlled substances in a manner that is consistent with federal law. A claimant who tests positive for a controlled substance for which the claimant does not have a prescription is ineligible for UI benefits until certain requalification criteria are satisfied or unless he or she enrolls in a substance abuse treatment program and undergoes a job skills assessment, and a claimant who declines to submit to a test is simply ineligible for benefits until he or she requalifies. This bill repeals the requirement to establish the drug testing program. Also under current law, an employer may voluntarily submit to DWD the results of a preemployment test for the presence of controlled substances that was conducted on an individual as a condition of an offer of employment or notify DWD that an individual declined to submit to such a test. If DWD then verifies that submission, the employee may be ineligible for UI benefits until he or she requalifies. However, a claimant who tested positive may maintain eligibility by enrolling in a substance abuse treatment program and undergoing a job skills assessment. This bill repeals these preemployment drug testing provisions. The bill also repeals an appropriation to DWD for conducting screenings of applicants, testing applicants for controlled substances, the provision of substance abuse treatment to applicants and claimants, and related expenses. The bill replaces the repealed appropriation with a general appropriation to DWD for administration of the UI law. Worker[s compensation; substantial fault Currently, under the worker[s compensation law, an employer is not liable for temporary disability benefits during an employee[s healing period if the employee is suspended or terminated from employment due to misconduct by the employee connected with the employee[s work. Current law defines XmisconductY by reference to the UI law. The bill changes the definition of XmisconductY under the UI law, which change also applies for purposes of the worker[s compensation law as described above. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB467 | Unemployment insurance work search and registration and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | Under current law, a claimant for unemployment insurance benefits is generally required to register for work and to conduct a work search for each week in order to remain eligible. Current law requires the Department of Workforce Development to waive these requirements under certain circumstances, for example, if a claimant who is laid off from work reasonably expects to be recalled to work within 12 weeks, will start a new job within four weeks, routinely obtains work through a labor union referral, or is participating in a training or work share program. Under current law, DWD may modify the statutory waivers or establish additional waivers by rule only if doing so is required or specifically allowed by federal law. This bill removes the waiver requirements from statute and instead allows DWD to establish waivers for the registration for work and work search requirements by rule. DWD may establish a waiver by emergency rule if the secretary of workforce development determines that the waiver is needed only on a temporary basis or that permanent rules are not warranted, and the bill allows the secretary to extend the emergency rule for up to 60 days at a time. Also, the bill specifies that the work search requirement does not apply to a claimant who has been laid off but DWD determines that the claimant has a reasonable expectation to be recalled to work. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB486 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance and worker’s compensation laws. (FE) | This bill makes various changes to the unemployment insurance and worker[s compensation laws, as follows: Unemployment insurance; substantial fault Under current law, a claimant for UI benefits whose work is terminated by his or her employer for substantial fault by the claimant connected with the claimant[s work is ineligible to receive UI benefits until the claimant satisfies certain requalification criteria. With certain exceptions, current law defines Xsubstantial faultY to include those acts or omissions of a claimant over which the claimant exercised reasonable control and that violate reasonable requirements of the claimant[s employer. This bill repeals this provision on substantial fault. LRB-4606/1 MED:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 486 Unemployment insurance; misconduct Under current law, a claimant for UI benefits whose work is terminated by his or her employer for misconduct by the claimant connected with the claimant[s work is ineligible to receive UI benefits until the claimant satisfies certain requalification criteria, and the claimant[s wages paid by the employer that terminates the claimant for misconduct are excluded for purposes of calculating benefit entitlement. Current law defines XmisconductY using a general, common law standard derived from Boynton Cab Co. v. Neubeck, 237 Wis. 249 (1941), and enumerates several specific types of conduct that also constitute misconduct. Under one of these specific provisions, misconduct includes 1) absenteeism on more than two occasions within the 120-day period before the date of the claimant[s termination, unless otherwise specified by his or her employer in an employment manual of which the claimant has acknowledged receipt with his or her signature, or 2) excessive tardiness by a claimant in violation of a policy of the employer that has been communicated to the claimant. In Department of Workforce Development v. Labor and Industry Review Commission (Beres), 2018 WI 77, the supreme court held that an employer could, under the language described above, institute an attendance policy more restrictive than two occasions within the 120-day period. Current law also provides that absenteeism or tardiness count as misconduct only if the claimant did not provide to his or her employer both notice and one or more valid reasons for the absenteeism or tardiness. In Bevco Precision Manufacturing v. Labor and Industry Review Commission, 2024 WI App. 54, the court of appeals held that under Beres, this qualifying language did not apply if an employer had adopted its own standard on absenteeism and tardiness, as described above. The bill does all of the following: 1. Repeals the language referencing Xexcessive tardiness.Y 2. Reverses the holding in Bevco by providing that a claimant[s notice and reason for an occasion of absenteeism or tardiness are to be analyzed under the common law misconduct standard. Under the bill, therefore, an employer may not establish its own policy for determining the reasonableness of absenteeism or tardiness. The bill does not, however, affect the general ability of an employer to institute a standard for absenteeism and tardiness more restrictive than two occasions within the 120-day period before termination. 3. Clarifies, in another provision defining misconduct, that Xtribal governmentY has the meaning given under state and federal law for what is considered an Indian tribe. Unemployment insurance; drug testing Current state law requires DWD to establish a program to test certain claimants who apply for UI benefits for the presence of controlled substances in a manner that is consistent with federal law. A claimant who tests positive for a controlled substance for which the claimant does not have a prescription is ineligible for UI benefits until certain requalification criteria are satisfied or unless LRB-4606/1 MED:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 486 he or she enrolls in a substance abuse treatment program and undergoes a job skills assessment, and a claimant who declines to submit to a test is simply ineligible for benefits until he or she requalifies. This bill repeals the requirement to establish the drug testing program. Also under current law, an employer may voluntarily submit to DWD the results of a preemployment test for the presence of controlled substances that was conducted on an individual as a condition of an offer of employment or notify DWD that an individual declined to submit to such a test. If DWD then verifies that submission, the employee may be ineligible for UI benefits until he or she requalifies. However, a claimant who tested positive may maintain eligibility by enrolling in a substance abuse treatment program and undergoing a job skills assessment. This bill repeals these preemployment drug testing provisions. The bill also repeals an appropriation to DWD for conducting screenings of applicants, testing applicants for controlled substances, the provision of substance abuse treatment to applicants and claimants, and related expenses. The bill replaces the repealed appropriation with a general appropriation to DWD for administration of the UI law. Worker[s compensation; substantial fault Currently, under the worker[s compensation law, an employer is not liable for temporary disability benefits during an employee[s healing period if the employee is suspended or terminated from employment due to misconduct by the employee connected with the employee[s work. Current law defines XmisconductY by reference to the UI law. The bill changes the definition of XmisconductY under the UI law, which change also applies for purposes of the worker[s compensation law as described above. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB488 | Requiring job postings to include salary range and benefits, retaining records of job postings, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. | This bill requires all job postings made by employers or third parties on behalf of employers to include the minimum and maximum salary or hourly pay for the job based on the employer[s good faith estimate and any other benefits available for the position, such as health insurance and retirement benefits. The bill also provides that employers and third parties that post jobs on behalf of employers are required to retain records of listings for job vacancies and employment opportunities, including information regarding wages, salary, and other benefits, for at least two years after the vacancy or employment opportunity is filled. The bill provides that an employer with fewer than 50 employees who violates a requirement under the bill shall forfeit $300 for a second violation and $600 for a third or subsequent violation, and an employer with 50 or more employees who violates a requirement under the bill shall forfeit $1,000 for a second violation and $2,000 for a third or subsequent violation. Under the bill, third parties that are required to comply with the provisions of the bill are subject to the same penalties LRB-4619/1 MIM:ajk&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 488 as an employer. Finally, under the bill each failure to comply with a duty required under the bill is a separate violation. | In Committee |
| SB506 | The state civil service system. (FE) | This bill makes numerous changes to the state civil service system, including all of the following: The hiring process 1. The bill replaces competitive procedures with competitive examinations. Under the bill, appointments to and promotions in the classified service must be made according to merit and fitness, based on competitive examinations. 2. The bill provides a preference system for veterans under which veterans and qualifying spouses of veterans receive preference points, which are applied during the process of creating a certification list for a position. Under current law, if a veteran or qualifying spouse of a veteran is included on a certification list, the appointing authority must offer an interview to the veteran or spouse of a veteran. 3. Under current law, before making an offer of employment to an individual who currently holds a position in the civil service, an appointing authority must review the individual[s personnel file. The bill repeals that requirement. 4. The bill changes the general deadline for making appointments from 30 days after certification to 60 days after certification. The bill also requires the director of the Bureau of Merit Recruitment and Selection to use procedures designed to certify applicants for a vacant permanent position within 45 days of receiving a request from an appointing authority, rather than the 30-day deadline under current law. Probation, reinstatement, restoration, and layoffs 1. The bill changes the standard probationary period for all original and promotional appointments to permanent and seasonal positions in the classified service from one year to six months. The bill also changes the probationary period for employees in supervisory or management positions from one year to one year with a potential waiver after six months. 2. The bill allows permanent classified service employees who leave the classified service without any delinquency or misconduct to have reinstatement privileges for a five-year period from the date the employee leaves the classified service. Under current law, there are no reinstatement privileges for permanent LRB-4596/1 MIM:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 506 classified service employees who leave the classified service without any delinquency or misconduct for reasons other than layoff. The bill also provides reinstatement privileges for an employee who leaves the classified service to fill an elective position, which is not allowed under current law. 3. The bill provides restoration rights to a permanent employee in the classified service who is on layoff status for the three-year period following the layoff. 4. The bill allows appointing authorities to determine the order of layoff by seniority, performance, any combination of seniority and performance, or other factors. Under current law, appointing authorities must determine layoff status primarily based on job performance. Just cause and discipline 1. The bill allows an employer to remove, suspend without pay, discharge, reduce the base pay of, or demote (take an adverse employment action against) a permanent classified employee and certain assistant district attorneys and assistant state public defenders only for just cause. The bill eliminates the provision that an employer has just cause to take an adverse employment action against an employee for work performance or personal conduct that an appointing authority determines to be inadequate, unsuitable, or inferior, but only after the appointing authority imposes progressive discipline that complies with standards established by the administrator of the Division of Personnel Management. The bill also eliminates the provision that an employer has just cause to take an adverse employment action against an employee without imposing progressive discipline for specific conduct. 2. The bill changes the threshold for considering an employee[s position abandoned and disciplining the employee for failing to report for work as scheduled without contacting a supervisor from three working days during a calendar year to five consecutive working days. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB500 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) | This bill makes various changes to the unemployment insurance law, as follows: Acceptance of suitable work Under current law, if a claimant for UI benefits fails, without good cause, to accept suitable work when offered, the claimant is ineligible to receive benefits until he or she earns wages after the week in which the failure occurs equal to at least six times the claimant[s weekly UI benefit rate in covered employment. Current law specifies what is considered Xsuitable workY for purposes of these provisions, with different standards applying depending on whether six weeks have elapsed since the claimant became unemployed. Once six weeks have elapsed since the claimant became unemployed, the claimant is required to accept work that pays lower and involves a lower grade of skill. This bill modifies the provisions described above so that the claimant is not required to accept less favorable work until 10 weeks have elapsed since the claimant became unemployed. LRB-4644/1 MED:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 500 Quits due to nonsuitable work Under current law, unless an exception applies, if a claimant for UI benefits quits his or her job, the claimant is generally ineligible to receive UI benefits until he or she qualifies through subsequent employment. Under one such exception, if a claimant quits his or her job and 1) accepted work that was not suitable work under the UI law or work that the claimant could have refused; and 2) terminated the work within 30 calendar days after starting the work, the claimant remains eligible to collect UI benefits. Under the bill, this exemption applies if the claimant terminated that work within 10 weeks after starting the work. Quits due to relocations Under current law, unless an exception applies, if an employee quits his or her job, the employee is generally ineligible to receive UI benefits until he or she qualifies through subsequent employment. Under one such exception, if the employee[s spouse is a member of the U.S. armed forces on active duty and is relocated, and the employee quits his or her job in order to relocate with his or her spouse, the employee remains eligible to collect UI benefits. This bill expands this exception so that it applies to an employee who quits employment in order to relocate with a spouse who is required by any employer, not just the U.S. armed forces, to relocate. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB460 | Prohibiting abusive work environments and creating a cause of action. (FE) | This bill prohibits abusive work environments and allows an individual who has been subjected to such an environment to bring a civil action. Under current law, worker[s compensation is generally the exclusive remedy of an employee against his or her employer, a coemployee, or the employer[s worker[s compensation insurer for an injury sustained while performing services from and incidental to employment. This bill provides an exception to that exclusive remedy provision. Under the bill, an employee who alleges that he or she has been injured by being subjected to an abusive work environment or by being subjected to retaliation or a threat of retaliation for opposing an abusive work environment or for initiating, or in any manner participating in, an investigation, action, or proceeding to enforce the right not to be subjected to an abusive work environment (Xunlawful employment practiceY) may bring an action in circuit court against the employer or employee who allegedly engaged in the unlawful employment practice for relief the court considers appropriate. The aggrieved employee must commence an action within one year after the last act constituting the unlawful employment practice occurred. LRB-4667/1 MIM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 460 If the circuit court finds that an employer or employee has engaged in an unlawful employment practice, the court may enjoin the employer or employee from engaging in that practice and may grant other relief the court considers appropriate, including reinstatement of the aggrieved employee, removal of the person who engaged in the abusive conduct from the aggrieved employee[s work area, medical expenses, back pay, front pay, compensation for pain and suffering, compensation for emotional distress, punitive damages, and reasonable costs and attorney fees. If the circuit court orders payment of money because of an unlawful employment practice engaged in by an employee, the employer of the employee is liable for that payment. If an employer is found to have engaged in an unlawful employment practice that did not result in an adverse employment action against the aggrieved employee, the employer is not liable for compensation for emotional distress or punitive damages unless the abusive conduct was extreme and outrageous. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB471 | Unemployment insurance work search and registration and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | Under current law, a claimant for unemployment insurance benefits is generally required to register for work and to conduct a work search for each week in order to remain eligible. Current law requires the Department of Workforce Development to waive these requirements under certain circumstances, for example, if a claimant who is laid off from work reasonably expects to be recalled to work within 12 weeks, will start a new job within four weeks, routinely obtains work through a labor union referral, or is participating in a training or work share program. Under current law, DWD may modify the statutory waivers or establish additional waivers by rule only if doing so is required or specifically allowed by federal law. This bill removes the waiver requirements from statute and instead allows DWD to establish waivers for the registration for work and work search requirements by rule. DWD may establish a waiver by emergency rule if the secretary of workforce development determines that the waiver is needed only on a LRB-4909/1 MED:ads&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 471 temporary basis or that permanent rules are not warranted, and the bill allows the secretary to extend the emergency rule for up to 60 days at a time. Also, the bill specifies that the work search requirement does not apply to a claimant who has been laid off but DWD determines that the claimant has a reasonable expectation to be recalled to work. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB503 | Grants for safe firearm disposal incentive programs and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a program, administered by the Department of Justice, to award grants to counties or law enforcement agencies that implement a safe firearm disposal incentive program that meets certain criteria. The bill provides $200,000 for grants in each fiscal year and authorizes a position for the purpose of administering the grant program. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB491 | General equalization aids, supplemental hold harmless aid, the per pupil adjustment for school district revenue limits, and making an appropriation. (FE) | Current law generally limits the total amount of revenue per pupil that a school district may receive from general school aids and property taxes in a school year to the amount of revenue allowed per pupil in the previous school year plus a per pupil adjustment, if any, as provided by law. Current law, which was upheld in LeMieux v. Evers, 2025 WI 12, provides an annual $325 per pupil adjustment until 2425. Under this bill, beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the per pupil adjustment is the per pupil increase for the previous school year as adjusted for any increase in the consumer price index. The bill also increases the amount of funding distributed to school districts as LRB-4665/1 FFK:ajk/emw/cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 491 state aid through the equalization formula by $493,800,000 in the 2025-26 school year and by $699,900,000 in the 2026-27 school year. Under current law, a school district is guaranteed an amount of general equalization aid equal to at least 85 percent of the amount it received in the previous school year. The bill also provides an additional $31 million for additional aid to ensure that each school district receives total state aid in the 2025-26 school year in an amount that is no less than what it received in the 2024-25 school year. Specifically, under the bill, if the estimated total amount of state aid for a school district in the 2024-25 school year, as calculated on October 15, 2024, is greater than the estimated total amount of state aid for a school district in the 2025-26 school year, as calculated on October 15, 2025, the Department of Public Instruction must pay the school district additional state aid in an amount necessary to ensure the school district receives an amount of total state aid in the 2025-26 school year that is equal to the amount calculated on October 15, 2024. The additional aid is considered state aid for purposes of school district revenue limits. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB465 | Project labor agreements and public contracts. (FE) | Under current law, the state and local units of government are prohibited from engaging in certain practices in letting bids for state procurement or public works contracts. Among these prohibitions, as established by 2017 Wisconsin Act 3, the state and local governments may not do any of the following in specifications for bids for the contracts: 1) require that a bidder enter into an agreement with a labor organization; 2) consider, when awarding a contract, whether a bidder has or has not entered into an agreement with a labor organization; or 3) require that a bidder enter into an agreement that requires that the bidder or bidder[s employees become or remain members of a labor organization or pay any dues or fees to a labor organization. This bill repeals these bidding specification restrictions, allowing state and local units of government to opt to use such specifications. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-4526/1 EVM:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 465 | In Committee |
| SB458 | Eliminating the right-to-work law. (FE) | The current right-to-work law prohibits a person from requiring, as a condition of obtaining or continuing employment, an individual to refrain or resign from membership in a labor organization, to become or remain a member of a labor organization, to pay dues or other charges to a labor organization, or to pay any other person an amount that is in place of dues or charges required of members of a labor organization. This bill repeals these prohibitions and the associated misdemeanor offense for violating the right-to-work law. The bill explicitly provides that, when an all-union agreement is in effect, it is not an unfair labor practice to encourage or discourage membership in a labor organization or to deduct labor organization dues or assessments from an employee[s earnings. The bill sets conditions under which an employer may enter into an all-union agreement. The bill also sets conditions for the continuation or termination of all-union agreements, including that, if the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission determines there is reasonable ground to believe employees LRB-4607/1 MIM:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 458 in an all-union agreement have changed their attitude about the agreement, WERC is required to conduct a referendum to determine whether the employees wish to continue the agreement. WERC is required to terminate an all-union agreement if it finds the union unreasonably refused to admit an employee into the union. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB468 | Reducing costs of trade examinations administered by third parties and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates an appropriation for the Department of Safety and Professional Services to reduce the cost of examinations administered by a third party that are required to obtain an occupational license in the building trades. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB464 | State preemption of local employment regulations. (FE) | Under current law, the state limits the power of local governments to enact laws on certain issues. This practice is called preemption. This bill repeals the preemptions of local governments from enacting or enforcing ordinances related to the following: 1. Regulations related to wage claims and collections. 2. Regulation of employee hours and overtime, including scheduling of employee work hours or shifts. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB505 | Authorizing resident disabled veterans to hunt deer of either sex in any open firearm season. (FE) | Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources issues approvals that authorize the hunting, fishing, and trapping of wild animals. Current law confers certain hunting and fishing benefits upon residents who are members of the U.S. armed forces who are in active service with the U.S. armed forces outside the state and on furlough or leave within the state. One benefit is that a qualified service member who holds a current resident deer hunting license may hunt deer of either sex during any season open to hunting of deer with firearms. This bill provides the same benefit to a resident disabled veteran, which is defined to mean a veteran who is receiving disability compensation benefits for disabilities that result in a disability rating that is 50 percent or greater or is receiving disability compensation benefits due to being individually unemployable. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB490 | Prevailing wage, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Prevailing wage This bill requires that laborers, workers, mechanics, and truck drivers employed on the site of certain projects of public works be paid the prevailing wage and not be required or allowed to work a greater number of hours per day and per LRB-4516/1 MIM:amn&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 490 week than the prevailing hours of labor unless they are paid overtime for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor. Projects subject to the bill include state and local projects of public works, including state highway projects, with exceptions including projects below certain cost thresholds, minor service or maintenance work, and certain residential projects. Under the bill, Xprevailing wage rateY is defined as the hourly basic rate of pay, plus the hourly contribution for bona fide economic benefits, paid for a majority of the hours worked in a trade or occupation in the area in which the project is located, except that, if there is no rate at which a majority of those hours is paid, Xprevailing wage rateY means the average hourly basic rate of pay, plus the average hourly contribution for bona fide economic benefits, paid for the highest-paid 51 percent of hours worked in a trade or occupation in the area. XPrevailing hours of laborY is defined as 10 hours per day and 40 hours per week, excluding weekends and holidays. The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to conduct investigations and hold public hearings as necessary to define the trades or occupations that are commonly employed on projects that are subject to the prevailing wage law and to inform itself of the prevailing wage rates in all areas of the state for those trades or occupations, in order to determine the prevailing wage rate for each trade or occupation. The bill contains certain other provisions regarding the calculation of prevailing wage rates by DWD, including provisions allowing persons to request recalculations or reviews of the prevailing wage rates determined by DWD. The bill requires contracts and notices for bids for projects subject to the bill to include and incorporate provisions ensuring compliance with the requirements. The bill also establishes a requirement that state agencies and local governments post prevailing wage rates and hours of labor in areas readily accessible to persons employed on the project or in sites regularly used for posting notices. The bill makes a contractor that fails to pay the prevailing wage rate or overtime pay to an employee as required under the prevailing wage law liable to the affected employee for not only the amount of unpaid wages and overtime pay, but also for liquidated damages in an amount equal to 100 percent of the unpaid wages and overtime pay. Finally, the bill includes, for both state and local projects of public works, provisions regarding coverage, compliance, enforcement, and penalties, including 1) requirements for affidavits to be filed by contractors affirming compliance with the prevailing wage law; 2) record retention requirements for contractors regarding wages paid to workers and provisions allowing for the inspection of those records by DWD; 3) liability and penalty provisions for certain violations, including criminal penalties; and 4) provisions prohibiting contracts from being awarded to persons who have failed to comply with the prevailing wage law. Transportation projects Under current law, for certain highway projects for which the Department of Transportation spends federal money, federal money must make up at least 70 percent of the funding for those projects. DOT is required to notify political LRB-4516/1 MIM:amn&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 490 subdivisions receiving aid for local projects whether the aid includes federal moneys and how those moneys must be spent. For certain projects that receive no federal money, DOT may not require political subdivisions to comply with any portion of DOT[s facilities development manual other than design standards. Any local project funded with state funds under the surface transportation program or the local bridge program must be let through competitive bidding and by contract to the lowest responsible bidder. The bill repeals all of these requirements. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB487 | Training requirements for a license to carry a concealed weapon. | Under current law, the Department of Justice issues licenses to carry concealed weapons to qualified applicants who submit required materials, including proof that the applicant completed a firearms safety course or program. Under current law, DOJ may not require that the course or program require the applicant to fire live ammunition, and a person who has a license may renew the license without completing another firearms safety course or program. Under this bill, a course or program must require the applicant to fire live ammunition and provide information on gun safety and storage, including safe storage while traveling and safe storage in a vehicle; preventing accidental shootings; and suicide prevention. In addition, a course or program must provide training on de- escalation techniques and strategies. The bill also requires a licensee to complete a continuing firearms safety course or program to renew a license and requires that LRB-4672/1 CMH&JK:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 487 safety course or program to contain the same content requirements that the bill requires for the initial training. Finally, the bill eliminates the completion of a hunter education program as proof of the training requirement under current law. | In Committee |
| SB477 | Implementing a suicide prevention program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to implement a statewide suicide prevention program, coordinate suicide prevention activities with other state agencies, administer grant programs involving suicide prevention, and perform various other functions specified in the bill to promote efforts to prevent suicide. The bill authorizes two positions in DHS for implementing the suicide prevention program, one of which is the director of the suicide prevention program. The bill also provides DHS with $250,000 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 to implement the program. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB483 | Including with the property tax bill information about state aid reduction to school districts. (FE) | This bill requires that a person[s property tax bill include from the school district where the property is located information regarding the amount of any gross reduction in state aid to the district as a result of pupils enrolled in the statewide parental choice program, the Racine Parental Choice Program, or the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program or as a result of making payments to private schools under the Special Needs Scholarship Program. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB462 | Permits authorizing the employment of minors. (FE) | Subject to certain exceptions, current law prohibits a minor under 16 years of age from being employed or permitted to work at any employment unless the minor's employer obtains a written permit authorizing the employment of the minor. Subject to certain exceptions, current law also prohibits a minor under 16 years of age from being permitted to work at any Xstreet tradeY unless 1) the minor's employer obtains a street trade permit and 2) the minor obtains an identification card. Street trade permits must contain certain information but otherwise must be in the same format as child labor permits. Such permits are issued by the Department of Workforce Development or by certain other permit officers designated by DWD. This bill raises the age for which a permit is required so that it applies to all minors. A XminorY is defined as someone who is less than 18 years of age. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-4614/1 MED:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 462 | In Committee |
| SB457 | The unemployment insurance waiting period. | Currently, a claimant must wait one week after becoming eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits before the claimant may receive benefits for a week of unemployment, except for periods during which the waiting period is suspended. The waiting period does not affect the maximum number of weeks of a claimant[s benefit eligibility. This bill permanently deletes the one-week waiting period, thus permitting a claimant to receive UI benefits beginning with his or her first week of eligibility. | In Committee |
| SB429 | Prohibiting possessing a firearm on college and university campuses and providing a penalty. | Current law prohibits a person from carrying a firearm in a building owned or leased by the state or a political subdivision of the state. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The prohibition does not apply to a person who has a license to carry a concealed weapon. Current law allows a university or college to post notice on a building to prevent a person from entering it while carrying a firearm. A person, including a licensee, who carries a firearm into a posted building is guilty of trespassing and is subject to a Class B forfeiture, which is a forfeiture not to exceed $1,000. This bill eliminates the trespassing provision and prohibits a person from possessing a firearm in a publicly or privately owned building on a university or college campus or on the grounds of or land owned or occupied by a university or college. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. LRB-0470/1 CMH:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 429 The prohibition does not apply to a law enforcement officer or military personnel in the line of duty, a person who leases residential space (not including a dormitory or part of a residence hall) or business space on the campus if the person is in the space, a participant who possesses the firearm for use in a program approved by the university or college, a person who possesses the firearm in accordance with a contract entered into between the university or college and the person or his or her employer, or a person who possesses a firearm that is unloaded and encased. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. | In Committee |
| AB427 | Prohibiting possessing a firearm on college and university campuses and providing a penalty. | Current law prohibits a person from carrying a firearm in a building owned or leased by the state or a political subdivision of the state. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The prohibition does not apply to a person who has a license to carry a concealed weapon. Current law allows a university or college to post notice on a building to prevent a person from entering it while carrying a firearm. A person, including a licensee, who carries a firearm into a posted building is guilty of trespassing and is subject to a Class B forfeiture, which is a forfeiture not to exceed $1,000. This bill eliminates the trespassing provision and prohibits a person from possessing a firearm in a publicly or privately owned building on a university or college campus or on the grounds of or land owned or occupied by a university or college. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The prohibition does not apply to a law enforcement officer or military personnel in the line of duty, a person who leases residential space (not including a dormitory or part of a residence hall) or business space on the campus if the person is in the space, a participant who possesses the firearm for use in a program approved by the university or college, a person who possesses the firearm in accordance with a contract entered into between the university or college and the person or his or her employer, or a person who possesses a firearm that is unloaded and encased. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. | In Committee |
| AB465 | Permits authorizing the employment of minors. (FE) | Subject to certain exceptions, current law prohibits a minor under 16 years of age from being employed or permitted to work at any employment unless the minor's employer obtains a written permit authorizing the employment of the minor. Subject to certain exceptions, current law also prohibits a minor under 16 years of age from being permitted to work at any Xstreet tradeY unless 1) the minor's employer obtains a street trade permit and 2) the minor obtains an identification card. Street trade permits must contain certain information but otherwise must be in the same format as child labor permits. Such permits are issued by the Department of Workforce Development or by certain other permit officers designated by DWD. This bill raises the age for which a permit is required so that it applies to all minors. A XminorY is defined as someone who is less than 18 years of age. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB436 | The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program (stewardship program) until 2032 and makes various changes to the program. WARREN KNOWLES-GAYLORD NELSON STEWARDSHIP 2000 PROGRAM Current law authorizes the state to incur public debt for certain conservation activities under the stewardship program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The state may incur this debt to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes and for property development activities and may award grants or state aid to certain local governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations (NCOs) to acquire land for these purposes. Current law establishes the amounts that DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2025-26 for expenditure under each of five subprograms of the stewardship program. This bill increases the total amount that may be obligated for the stewardship program from $33,250,000 each fiscal year to $72,000,000 each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2031-32. Land acquisition subprogram The bill increases the amount that may be obligated under the land acquisition subprogram each fiscal year from $16,000,000 to $17,200,000. The bill increases the amount under the land acquisition subprogram that must be set aside for grants to nonprofit conservation organizations each fiscal year from $7,000,000 to $11,350,000. Moneys obligated under the stewardship program are appropriated from the capital improvement fund (CIF) and stewardship bond proceeds are deposited into CIF. Current law provides that, in obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, DNR must set aside certain amounts to be obligated only for DNR to acquire land and to provide grants to counties for land acquisition (county forest grants). Specifically, the set-aside for DNR land acquisition each fiscal year is $1,000,000 plus the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from moneys received for forestry activities (the forestry account) to CIF $5,000,000 in each fiscal year. The set-aside for county forest grants is equal to the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from the forestry account to CIF $3,000,000 in each fiscal year. The bill ends these annual transfers from the forestry account to CIF beginning in fiscal year 2026-27 and instead appropriates amounts directly to fund those purposes from the conservation fund. Specifically, the bill appropriates $6,000,000 each fiscal year from the conservation fund for DNR land acquisitions and $3,000,000 each fiscal year from the forestry account for county forest grants. In addition, the bill requires that $5,850,000 be set aside under the land acquisition subprogram of the stewardship program to be obligated for DNR land acquisitions. The bill provides that any amount in CIF remaining from the amounts transferred from the forestry account in fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 is transferred back to the forestry account in fiscal year 2026-27. LRB-3744/1 EHS:skw&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 436 The bill eliminates a current law provision that states that, of the amount set aside under the land acquisition subprogram for DNR to acquire land, DNR may not use more than one-third to acquire land in fee simple. In addition, the bill eliminates a provision requiring DNR to use at least two appraisals to determine the current fair market value of land that is the subject of a stewardship funding for an NCO or governmental unit if DNR estimates the fair market value of the land to exceed $350,000. State property development and local parks and recreation subprogram The bill renames the property development and local assistance subprogram to be the Xstate property development and local parks and recreation subprogram,Y and increases the amount in each fiscal year that may be obligated under the subprogram from $14,250,000 to $45,000,000. Of that amount, the bill increases the amount that DNR must obligate for property development each fiscal year from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 and increases the amount that DNR must obligate for local assistance each fiscal year from $9,250,000 to $30,000,000. The bill increases from $500,000 to $1,500,000 the amount that DNR is required to set aside each fiscal year, from the amounts obligated for property development, for grants to friends groups and NCOs for property development activities on DNR properties. The bill also increases from $20,000 to $50,000 the maximum amount that DNR may encumber per DNR property for these grants in each fiscal year. Motorized recreation subprogram The bill creates a motorized recreation subprogram of the stewardship program, and authorizes DNR to obligate $2,000,000 each fiscal year under that subprogram to award grants to a county, city, village, town, or recreational vehicle club either to acquire land for the purpose of establishing an all-terrain vehicle trail, off-highway motorcycle trail, or snowmobile trail or to construct a trail crossing for an all-terrain vehicle trail, off-highway motorcycle trail, or snowmobile trail as part of an interchange project. Local recreation boat facilities subprogram The bill renames the recreational boating aids subprogram to be the Xlocal recreation boat facilities subprogramY and increases the amount in each fiscal year that DNR may obligate under the subprogram from $3,000,000 to $7,800,000. The bill eliminates DNR[s authority under current law to use funds, whether stewardship or other funds, for recreational boating project feasibility studies. The bill changes one of the factors that DNR must consider in establishing priorities for projects from Xprojects underwayY to Xprojects in a state of readiness.Y Knowles-Nelson stewardship board The bill creates the Knowles-Nelson stewardship board in DNR, with the responsibilities of providing advice to DNR on all stewardship land acquisition projects and activities and reviewing all stewardship land acquisition projects and activities requiring an obligation of over $2,500,000 (large land acquisition projects). Under the bill, DNR may not obligate any stewardship moneys for a large land acquisition project unless it first notifies the Knowles-Nelson stewardship LRB-3744/1 EHS:skw&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 436 board in writing of the proposal. Under the bill, if, within 120 days after the date of DNR[s notification, the board does not meet to review the proposal, then DNR may obligate the moneys. If, within 120 days after the date of DNR[s notification, the board meets to review the proposal, DNR may obligate the moneys only upon approval of the board. Under the bill, the board must meet at least quarterly and has the following members appointed by the governor for staggered three-year terms: 1. One member who is a representative to the assembly, nominated by the majority leader of the assembly. 2. One member who is a representative to the assembly, nominated by the minority leader of the assembly. 3. One member who is a senator, nominated by the majority leader of the senate. 4. One member who is a senator, nominated by the minority leader of the senate. 5. Two members who represent environmental organizations or nonprofit conservation organizations in this state. 6. Two members who each represent organizations that represent hunting, fishing, or trapping interests in this state. 7. Two members who represent DNR, including one member of the natural resources board. 8. One member who represents the office of outdoor recreation in the department of tourism. 9. One member who represents an outdoor recreation business in this state. 10. One member who represents the Ice Age Trail Alliance. 11. One member who represents a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state. 12. One member who is a representative of local government in this state who occupies an executive or legislative post. 13. Two members who are citizens of this state. New grant programs The bill creates two new programs and funds them with appropriations from the general fund. Specifically, the bill creates a grant program for nonprofit conservation organizations to support wildlife and habitat management, and a tribal co-management program under which DNR must coordinate with the federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands domiciled in this state in the management of education infrastructure, land management activities, and other activities on DNR land. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB464 | Prevailing wage, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Prevailing wage This bill requires that laborers, workers, mechanics, and truck drivers employed on the site of certain projects of public works be paid the prevailing wage and not be required or allowed to work a greater number of hours per day and per week than the prevailing hours of labor unless they are paid overtime for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor. Projects subject to the bill include state and local projects of public works, including state highway projects, with exceptions including projects below certain cost thresholds, minor service or maintenance work, and certain residential projects. Under the bill, Xprevailing wage rateY is defined as the hourly basic rate of pay, plus the hourly contribution for bona fide economic benefits, paid for a majority of the hours worked in a trade or occupation in the area in which the project is located, except that, if there is no rate at which a majority of those hours is paid, Xprevailing wage rateY means the average hourly basic rate of pay, plus the average hourly contribution for bona fide economic benefits, paid for the highest-paid 51 percent of hours worked in a trade or occupation in the area. XPrevailing hours of laborY is defined as 10 hours per day and 40 hours per week, excluding weekends and holidays. The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to conduct investigations and hold public hearings as necessary to define the trades or occupations that are commonly employed on projects that are subject to the prevailing wage law and to inform itself of the prevailing wage rates in all areas of the state for those trades or occupations, in order to determine the prevailing wage rate for each trade or occupation. The bill contains certain other provisions regarding the calculation of prevailing wage rates by DWD, including provisions allowing persons to request recalculations or reviews of the prevailing wage rates determined by DWD. The bill requires contracts and notices for bids for projects subject to the bill to include and incorporate provisions ensuring compliance with the requirements. The bill also establishes a requirement that state agencies and local governments post prevailing wage rates and hours of labor in areas readily accessible to persons employed on the project or in sites regularly used for posting notices. The bill makes a contractor that fails to pay the prevailing wage rate or overtime pay to an employee as required under the prevailing wage law liable to the affected employee for not only the amount of unpaid wages and overtime pay, but also for liquidated damages in an amount equal to 100 percent of the unpaid wages and overtime pay. Finally, the bill includes, for both state and local projects of public works, provisions regarding coverage, compliance, enforcement, and penalties, including 1) requirements for affidavits to be filed by contractors affirming compliance with the prevailing wage law; 2) record retention requirements for contractors regarding wages paid to workers and provisions allowing for the inspection of those records by DWD; 3) liability and penalty provisions for certain violations, including criminal penalties; and 4) provisions prohibiting contracts from being awarded to persons who have failed to comply with the prevailing wage law. Transportation projects Under current law, for certain highway projects for which the Department of Transportation spends federal money, federal money must make up at least 70 percent of the funding for those projects. DOT is required to notify political subdivisions receiving aid for local projects whether the aid includes federal moneys and how those moneys must be spent. For certain projects that receive no federal money, DOT may not require political subdivisions to comply with any portion of DOT[s facilities development manual other than design standards. Any local project funded with state funds under the surface transportation program or the local bridge program must be let through competitive bidding and by contract to the lowest responsible bidder. The bill repeals all of these requirements. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB466 | Project labor agreements and public contracts. (FE) | Under current law, the state and local units of government are prohibited from engaging in certain practices in letting bids for state procurement or public works contracts. Among these prohibitions, as established by 2017 Wisconsin Act 3, the state and local governments may not do any of the following in specifications for bids for the contracts: 1) require that a bidder enter into an agreement with a labor organization; 2) consider, when awarding a contract, whether a bidder has or has not entered into an agreement with a labor organization; or 3) require that a bidder enter into an agreement that requires that the bidder or bidder[s employees become or remain members of a labor organization or pay any dues or fees to a labor organization. This bill repeals these bidding specification restrictions, allowing state and local units of government to opt to use such specifications. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB469 | The unemployment insurance waiting period. | Currently, a claimant must wait one week after becoming eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits before the claimant may receive benefits for a week of unemployment, except for periods during which the waiting period is suspended. The waiting period does not affect the maximum number of weeks of a claimant[s benefit eligibility. This bill permanently deletes the one-week waiting period, thus permitting a claimant to receive UI benefits beginning with his or her first week of eligibility. | In Committee |
| AB145 | Passing legislation to reduce carbon emissions. | This bill requires the legislature, during the 2025-26 legislative session, to pass legislation creating a viable plan to reduce carbon emissions by 52 percent by 2030 and creating a viable plan for achieving carbon neutral emissions by 2050. Any plan created as required under the bill must maximize the impact of the plan on improving economic and racial equity. | In Committee |
| SB150 | Passing legislation to reduce carbon emissions. | This bill requires the legislature, during the 2025-26 legislative session, to pass legislation creating a viable plan to reduce carbon emissions by 52 percent by 2030 and creating a viable plan for achieving carbon neutral emissions by 2050. Any plan created as required under the bill must maximize the impact of the plan on improving economic and racial equity. | In Committee |
| AB352 | Limiting the release of certain balloons into the atmosphere, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the release into the atmosphere of 10 or more balloons constructed with biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (commonly known under the trade name Mylar) and inflated with lighter-than-air gas. A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a $500 forfeiture. The prohibition does not apply to balloons that are 1) released indoors, 2) released for scientific or meteorological purposes, or 3) released by or on behalf of any government agency for scientific or meteorological purposes. | In Committee |
| AB321 | Prohibition against undetectable firearms, possessing a frame or receiver of a firearm without a serial number, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the manufacture, transportation, sale, possession, and carrying of firearms that cannot be detected by metal detectors or airport x-ray machines or scanners. Federal law currently has a comparable prohibition; under this bill, the person would violate state law as well. A person who violates the state prohibition is guilty of a Class G felony. This bill also prohibits the sale, posting, provision, or possession of plans for manufacturing an undetectable firearm. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. Finally, the bill prohibits the possession of a frame or a receiver of a firearm that is not marked with a serial number. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class I felony. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. | In Committee |
| AB403 | Requiring universal changing stations in certain buildings, creating a tax credit for installation of the stations, and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill requires that certain buildings include at least one single-occupant restroom with a Xuniversal changing station,Y which the bill defines as a floor- mounted or wall-mounted, powered, and height-adjustable adult changing table with a safety rail that can be used for personal hygiene by an individual with a disability of either sex and the individual[s care provider. The bill specifies other requirements that a universal changing station must satisfy, including requirements regarding size, maneuverability space, weight load, adjustability, and signage. The bill applies to certain buildings that are subject to the state[s commercial building code, which is administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Specifically, the building must be one of the following: a place of exhibition or entertainment; a shopping center, shopping mall, or store of at least 40,000 square feet; a place of public display or collection, including a museum, library, or gallery; a place of recreation, including a building at a park, zoo, or amusement park; a place of education, including an elementary, secondary, undergraduate, or postgraduate private or public school; a social service center, including a senior center or homeless shelter; a state or local government building, including a building at a rest area; a public transportation station; or a professional office of a health care provider, hospital, or rehabilitation center. The bill[s applicability also depends on whether a building is a Xhigh-capacity building,Y which the bill defines as a building with the capacity to serve more than 3,000 persons per day. The bill requires any high-capacity building for which construction begins on or after July 1, 2026, to include at least one single-occupant restroom with a universal changing station. For any other high-capacity building, the building must have at least one single-occupant restroom with a universal changing station only if the building owner applies for a building permit for a project that satisfies each of the following: 1) the project alters, renovates, or makes an addition to the building; 2) the project has an estimated cost of $15,000 or more; and 3) the project does not involve solely a parking garage. For a building that is not a high-capacity building, the bill[s applicability depends on whether the building includes at least one single-occupant restroom before July 1, 2026. If so, the building must include at least one single-occupant restroom with a universal changing station if, on or after that date, the building owner applies for a building permit for a project described above. If a building does not include at least one single-occupant restroom before that date, and such a restroom is added to the building on or after that date, the building must include one single-occupant restroom with a universal changing station when the restroom is added. The bill also creates an income and franchise tax credit for small businesses that install universal changing stations. The credit applies beginning in tax year 2025. Under the bill, a small business is any entity that, during the preceding taxable year, either had gross receipts of no more than $1,000,000 or employed no more than 30 full-time employees. The credit is equal to 50 percent of the amount the small business paid to install the universal changing station, up to a maximum credit of $5,125. The credit may be claimed only if the universal changing station meets the requirements described above relating to such issues as size and weight load and the credit is refundable, which means that if the credit exceeds a claimant[s tax liability, the claimant will receive the difference as a refund. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB404 | The Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides an additional $512,900 in the 2025-26 fiscal year and $602,800 in the 2026-27 fiscal year to the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program and increases the authorized positions to the Department of Veterans Affairs by seven positions to provide increased services under the program. The Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program provides outreach, treatment, and support to veterans who have a mental health condition or a substance use disorder. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB383 | The veterans housing and recovery program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides to the Department of Veteran[s Affairs $900,000 in 2025-26 and $1,050,000 in 2026-27 for the veterans housing and recovery program to increase funding for supplies and services costs for the program[s three locations in Chippewa Falls, Green Bay, and Union Grove and for costs associated with leasing a different facility for the Chippewa Falls-based program due to space and facility deficiencies of the current location. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB385 | The veterans housing and recovery program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides to the Department of Veteran[s Affairs $900,000 in 2025-26 and $1,050,000 in 2026-27 for the veterans housing and recovery program to increase funding for supplies and services costs for the program[s three locations in Chippewa Falls, Green Bay, and Union Grove and for costs associated with leasing a different facility for the Chippewa Falls-based program due to space and facility deficiencies of the current location. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB396 | The Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides an additional $512,900 in the 2025-26 fiscal year and $602,800 in the 2026-27 fiscal year to the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program and increases the authorized positions to the Department of Veterans Affairs by seven positions to provide increased services under the program. The Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program provides outreach, treatment, and support to veterans who have a mental health condition or a substance use disorder. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB398 | Requiring universal changing stations in certain buildings, creating a tax credit for installation of the stations, and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill requires that certain buildings include at least one single-occupant restroom with a Xuniversal changing station,Y which the bill defines as a floor- mounted or wall-mounted, powered, and height-adjustable adult changing table with a safety rail that can be used for personal hygiene by an individual with a disability of either sex and the individual[s care provider. The bill specifies other requirements that a universal changing station must satisfy, including requirements regarding size, maneuverability space, weight load, adjustability, and signage. The bill applies to certain buildings that are subject to the state[s commercial building code, which is administered by the Department of Safety and Professional LRB-4290/1 KP:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 398 Services. Specifically, the building must be one of the following: a place of exhibition or entertainment; a shopping center, shopping mall, or store of at least 40,000 square feet; a place of public display or collection, including a museum, library, or gallery; a place of recreation, including a building at a park, zoo, or amusement park; a place of education, including an elementary, secondary, undergraduate, or postgraduate private or public school; a social service center, including a senior center or homeless shelter; a state or local government building, including a building at a rest area; a public transportation station; or a professional office of a health care provider, hospital, or rehabilitation center. The bill[s applicability also depends on whether a building is a Xhigh-capacity building,Y which the bill defines as a building with the capacity to serve more than 3,000 persons per day. The bill requires any high-capacity building for which construction begins on or after July 1, 2026, to include at least one single-occupant restroom with a universal changing station. For any other high-capacity building, the building must have at least one single-occupant restroom with a universal changing station only if the building owner applies for a building permit for a project that satisfies each of the following: 1) the project alters, renovates, or makes an addition to the building; 2) the project has an estimated cost of $15,000 or more; and 3) the project does not involve solely a parking garage. For a building that is not a high-capacity building, the bill[s applicability depends on whether the building includes at least one single-occupant restroom before July 1, 2026. If so, the building must include at least one single-occupant restroom with a universal changing station if, on or after that date, the building owner applies for a building permit for a project described above. If a building does not include at least one single-occupant restroom before that date, and such a restroom is added to the building on or after that date, the building must include one single-occupant restroom with a universal changing station when the restroom is added. The bill also creates an income and franchise tax credit for small businesses that install universal changing stations. The credit applies beginning in tax year 2025. Under the bill, a small business is any entity that, during the preceding taxable year, either had gross receipts of no more than $1,000,000 or employed no more than 30 full-time employees. The credit is equal to 50 percent of the amount the small business paid to install the universal changing station, up to a maximum credit of $5,125. The credit may be claimed only if the universal changing station meets the requirements described above relating to such issues as size and weight load and the credit is refundable, which means that if the credit exceeds a claimant[s tax liability, the claimant will receive the difference as a refund. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB332 | Prohibition against undetectable firearms, possessing a frame or receiver of a firearm without a serial number, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the manufacture, transportation, sale, possession, and carrying of firearms that cannot be detected by metal detectors or airport x-ray machines or scanners. Federal law currently has a comparable prohibition; under this bill, the person would violate state law as well. A person who violates the state prohibition is guilty of a Class G felony. This bill also prohibits the sale, posting, provision, or possession of plans for manufacturing an undetectable firearm. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. Finally, the bill prohibits the possession of a frame or a receiver of a firearm that is not marked with a serial number. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class I felony. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, LRB-3489/1 CMH:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 332 the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. | In Committee |
| AB435 | The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program (stewardship program) until 2032 and makes various changes to the program. WARREN KNOWLES-GAYLORD NELSON STEWARDSHIP 2000 PROGRAM Current law authorizes the state to incur public debt for certain conservation activities under the stewardship program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The state may incur this debt to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes and for property development activities and may award grants or state aid to certain local governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations (NCOs) to acquire land for these purposes. Current law establishes the amounts that DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2025-26 for expenditure under each of five subprograms of the stewardship program. This bill increases the total amount that may be obligated for the stewardship program from $33,250,000 each fiscal year to $72,000,000 each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2031-32. Land acquisition subprogram The bill increases the amount that may be obligated under the land acquisition subprogram each fiscal year from $16,000,000 to $17,200,000. The bill increases the amount under the land acquisition subprogram that must be set aside for grants to nonprofit conservation organizations each fiscal year from $7,000,000 to $11,350,000. Moneys obligated under the stewardship program are appropriated from the capital improvement fund (CIF) and stewardship bond proceeds are deposited into CIF. Current law provides that, in obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, DNR must set aside certain amounts to be obligated only for DNR to acquire land and to provide grants to counties for land acquisition (county forest grants). Specifically, the set-aside for DNR land acquisition each fiscal year is $1,000,000 plus the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from moneys received for forestry activities (the forestry account) to CIF $5,000,000 in each fiscal year. The set-aside for county forest grants is equal to the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from the forestry account to CIF $3,000,000 in each fiscal year. The bill ends these annual transfers from the forestry account to CIF beginning in fiscal year 2026-27 and instead appropriates amounts directly to fund those purposes from the conservation fund. Specifically, the bill appropriates $6,000,000 each fiscal year from the conservation fund for DNR land acquisitions and $3,000,000 each fiscal year from the forestry account for county forest grants. In addition, the bill requires that $5,850,000 be set aside under the land acquisition subprogram of the stewardship program to be obligated for DNR land acquisitions. The bill provides that any amount in CIF remaining from the amounts transferred from the forestry account in fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 is transferred back to the forestry account in fiscal year 2026-27. The bill eliminates a current law provision that states that, of the amount set aside under the land acquisition subprogram for DNR to acquire land, DNR may not use more than one-third to acquire land in fee simple. In addition, the bill eliminates a provision requiring DNR to use at least two appraisals to determine the current fair market value of land that is the subject of a stewardship funding for an NCO or governmental unit if DNR estimates the fair market value of the land to exceed $350,000. State property development and local parks and recreation subprogram The bill renames the property development and local assistance subprogram to be the Xstate property development and local parks and recreation subprogram,Y and increases the amount in each fiscal year that may be obligated under the subprogram from $14,250,000 to $45,000,000. Of that amount, the bill increases the amount that DNR must obligate for property development each fiscal year from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 and increases the amount that DNR must obligate for local assistance each fiscal year from $9,250,000 to $30,000,000. The bill increases from $500,000 to $1,500,000 the amount that DNR is required to set aside each fiscal year, from the amounts obligated for property development, for grants to friends groups and NCOs for property development activities on DNR properties. The bill also increases from $20,000 to $50,000 the maximum amount that DNR may encumber per DNR property for these grants in each fiscal year. Motorized recreation subprogram The bill creates a motorized recreation subprogram of the stewardship program, and authorizes DNR to obligate $2,000,000 each fiscal year under that subprogram to award grants to a county, city, village, town, or recreational vehicle club either to acquire land for the purpose of establishing an all-terrain vehicle trail, off-highway motorcycle trail, or snowmobile trail or to construct a trail crossing for an all-terrain vehicle trail, off-highway motorcycle trail, or snowmobile trail as part of an interchange project. Local recreation boat facilities subprogram The bill renames the recreational boating aids subprogram to be the Xlocal recreation boat facilities subprogramY and increases the amount in each fiscal year that DNR may obligate under the subprogram from $3,000,000 to $7,800,000. The bill eliminates DNR[s authority under current law to use funds, whether stewardship or other funds, for recreational boating project feasibility studies. The bill changes one of the factors that DNR must consider in establishing priorities for projects from Xprojects underwayY to Xprojects in a state of readiness.Y Knowles-Nelson stewardship board The bill creates the Knowles-Nelson stewardship board in DNR, with the responsibilities of providing advice to DNR on all stewardship land acquisition projects and activities and reviewing all stewardship land acquisition projects and activities requiring an obligation of over $2,500,000 (large land acquisition projects). Under the bill, DNR may not obligate any stewardship moneys for a large land acquisition project unless it first notifies the Knowles-Nelson stewardship board in writing of the proposal. Under the bill, if, within 120 days after the date of DNR[s notification, the board does not meet to review the proposal, then DNR may obligate the moneys. If, within 120 days after the date of DNR[s notification, the board meets to review the proposal, DNR may obligate the moneys only upon approval of the board. Under the bill, the board must meet at least quarterly and has the following members appointed by the governor for staggered three-year terms: 1. One member who is a representative to the assembly, nominated by the majority leader of the assembly. 2. One member who is a representative to the assembly, nominated by the minority leader of the assembly. 3. One member who is a senator, nominated by the majority leader of the senate. 4. One member who is a senator, nominated by the minority leader of the senate. 5. Two members who represent environmental organizations or nonprofit conservation organizations in this state. 6. Two members who each represent organizations that represent hunting, fishing, or trapping interests in this state. 7. Two members who represent DNR, including one member of the natural resources board. 8. One member who represents the office of outdoor recreation in the department of tourism. 9. One member who represents an outdoor recreation business in this state. 10. One member who represents the Ice Age Trail Alliance. 11. One member who represents a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state. 12. One member who is a representative of local government in this state who occupies an executive or legislative post. 13. Two members who are citizens of this state. New grant programs The bill creates two new programs and funds them with appropriations from the general fund. Specifically, the bill creates a grant program for nonprofit conservation organizations to support wildlife and habitat management, and a tribal co-management program under which DNR must coordinate with the federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands domiciled in this state in the management of education infrastructure, land management activities, and other activities on DNR land. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR83 | Recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald. | Relating to: recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald. | In Committee |
| SB349 | Payment for school medical services. (FE) | Under current law, if a school district or a cooperative educational service agency elects to provide school medical services and meets certain requirements, DHS is required to reimburse the school district or cooperative educational service agency for 60 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services that they provide. If the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing elects to provide school medical services and meets certain other requirements, DHS is also required to reimburse DPI for 60 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services that the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provide. Further, under current law, DHS is required to reimburse school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for 90 percent of the federal share of allowable school medical services administrative costs. This bill increases the amount that DHS is required to reimburse a school district, cooperative educational service agency, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin LRB-3581/1 JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 349 Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for provided school medical services to 100 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services. The bill also increases the amount that DHS is required to reimburse a school district, cooperative educational service agency, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, to 100 percent of the federal share of allowable school medical services administrative costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB340 | Payment for school medical services. (FE) | Under current law, if a school district or a cooperative educational service agency elects to provide school medical services and meets certain requirements, DHS is required to reimburse the school district or cooperative educational service agency for 60 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services that they provide. If the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing elects to provide school medical services and meets certain other requirements, DHS is also required to reimburse DPI for 60 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services that the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provide. Further, under current law, DHS is required to reimburse school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for 90 percent of the federal share of allowable school medical services administrative costs. This bill increases the amount that DHS is required to reimburse a school district, cooperative educational service agency, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for provided school medical services to 100 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services. The bill also increases the amount that DHS is required to reimburse a school district, cooperative educational service agency, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, to 100 percent of the federal share of allowable school medical services administrative costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB360 | Limiting the release of certain balloons into the atmosphere, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the release into the atmosphere of 10 or more balloons constructed with biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (commonly known under the trade name Mylar) and inflated with lighter-than-air gas. A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a $500 forfeiture. The prohibition does not apply to balloons that are 1) released indoors, 2) released for scientific or meteorological purposes, or 3) released by or on behalf of any government agency for scientific or meteorological purposes. | In Committee |
| SB330 | Waiting period for purchase of handguns. | Current law provides that, before a federally licensed firearms dealer may transfer a handgun after a sale, the dealer must request that the Department of Justice perform a background check on the prospective purchaser to determine if the purchaser is prohibited from possessing a firearm. This bill prohibits the dealer from transferring the handgun to the purchaser until 48 hours have passed since the firearms dealer requested the background check on the purchaser. | In Committee |
| SB329 | Extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Under current law, a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, and must surrender all firearms, if the person is subject to a domestic abuse injunction, a child abuse injunction, or, in certain cases, a harassment or an individuals-at-risk injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to one of those injunctions, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm under such an injunction is guilty of a Class G felony for violating the prohibition. This bill creates an extreme risk protection temporary restraining order and injunction to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm. Under the bill, either a law enforcement officer or a family or household member of the person may file a LRB-3517/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 329 petition with a court to request an extreme risk protection injunction. The petition must allege facts that show that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. Under the bill, the petitioner may request the court to consider first granting a temporary restraining order. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the petitioner must include evidence that there is an immediate and present danger that the person may injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing increases the immediate and present danger. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the court must hear the petition in an expedited manner. The judge must issue a TRO if, after questioning the petitioner and witnesses or relying on affidavits, the judge determines that it is substantially likely that the petition for an injunction will be granted and the judge finds good cause to believe there is an immediate and present danger that the person will injure themself or another if the person has a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing may increase the immediate and present danger. If the judge issues a TRO, the TRO is in effect until the injunction hearing, which must occur within 14 days of the TRO issuance. The TRO must require a law enforcement officer to personally serve the person with the order and to require the person to immediately surrender all firearms in their possession. If a law enforcement officer is unable to personally serve the person, then the TRO requires the person to surrender within 24 hours all firearms to a law enforcement officer or a firearms dealer and to provide the court a receipt indicating the surrender occurred. At the injunction hearing, the court may grant an extreme risk protection injunction ordering the person to refrain from possessing a firearm and, if the person was not subject to a TRO, to surrender all firearms he or she possesses if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. An extreme risk protection injunction is effective for up to one year and may be renewed. A person who is subject to an extreme risk protection injunction may petition to vacate the injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the TRO has expired or the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who possesses a firearm while subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction is guilty of a Class G felony. In addition, a person who files a petition for an extreme risk protection injunction, knowing the information in the petition to be false, is guilty of the crime of false swearing, a Class H felony. The bill also requires the Department of Administration to award grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of training officers how to identify persons who are substantially likely to injure themselves or another if the person possesses a firearm and how to file a petition for an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction. LRB-3517/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 329 Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB319 | Extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Under current law, a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, and must surrender all firearms, if the person is subject to a domestic abuse injunction, a child abuse injunction, or, in certain cases, a harassment or an individuals-at-risk injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to one of those injunctions, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm under such an injunction is guilty of a Class G felony for violating the prohibition. This bill creates an extreme risk protection temporary restraining order and injunction to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm. Under the bill, either a law enforcement officer or a family or household member of the person may file a petition with a court to request an extreme risk protection injunction. The petition must allege facts that show that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. Under the bill, the petitioner may request the court to consider first granting a temporary restraining order. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the petitioner must include evidence that there is an immediate and present danger that the person may injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing increases the immediate and present danger. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the court must hear the petition in an expedited manner. The judge must issue a TRO if, after questioning the petitioner and witnesses or relying on affidavits, the judge determines that it is substantially likely that the petition for an injunction will be granted and the judge finds good cause to believe there is an immediate and present danger that the person will injure themself or another if the person has a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing may increase the immediate and present danger. If the judge issues a TRO, the TRO is in effect until the injunction hearing, which must occur within 14 days of the TRO issuance. The TRO must require a law enforcement officer to personally serve the person with the order and to require the person to immediately surrender all firearms in their possession. If a law enforcement officer is unable to personally serve the person, then the TRO requires the person to surrender within 24 hours all firearms to a law enforcement officer or a firearms dealer and to provide the court a receipt indicating the surrender occurred. At the injunction hearing, the court may grant an extreme risk protection injunction ordering the person to refrain from possessing a firearm and, if the person was not subject to a TRO, to surrender all firearms he or she possesses if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. An extreme risk protection injunction is effective for up to one year and may be renewed. A person who is subject to an extreme risk protection injunction may petition to vacate the injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the TRO has expired or the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who possesses a firearm while subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction is guilty of a Class G felony. In addition, a person who files a petition for an extreme risk protection injunction, knowing the information in the petition to be false, is guilty of the crime of false swearing, a Class H felony. The bill also requires the Department of Administration to award grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of training officers how to identify persons who are substantially likely to injure themselves or another if the person possesses a firearm and how to file a petition for an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB324 | Waiting period for purchase of handguns. | Current law provides that, before a federally licensed firearms dealer may transfer a handgun after a sale, the dealer must request that the Department of Justice perform a background check on the prospective purchaser to determine if the purchaser is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal or state law. This bill prohibits the dealer from transferring the handgun to the purchaser until 48 hours have passed since the firearms dealer requested the background check on the purchaser. | In Committee |
| AB392 | Creating a Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls. The task force must be established by the attorney general and must consist of members who are knowledgeable in crime victims rights or violence protection and who work in a range of relevant positions as specified in the bill. The task force must examine various factors that contribute to violence against African American women and girls and submit to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by December 15, 2026, a report on actions that can be taken to eliminate violence against African American women and girls. The bill also authorizes and provides funding for 1.0 FTE GPR project position for DOJ to staff the task force. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB404 | Creating a Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls. The task force must be established by the attorney general and must consist of members who are knowledgeable in crime victims rights or violence protection and who work in a range of relevant positions as specified in the bill. The task force must examine various factors that contribute to violence against African American women and girls and submit to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by December 15, 2026, a report on actions that can be taken to eliminate violence against African American women and girls. The bill also authorizes and provides funding for 1.0 FTE GPR project position for DOJ to staff the task force. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR38 | Proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | Relating to: proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | In Committee |
| AB257 | Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | NURSING PRACTICE AND LICENSURE This bill makes various changes to practice, licensure, and certification requirements for nurses, which are administered by the Board of Nursing. Licensure of advanced practice registered nurses Under current law, a person who wishes to practice professional nursing must be licensed by the Board of Nursing as a registered nurse (RN). This bill creates an additional system of licensure for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), to be administered by the board. Under the bill, in order to apply for an APRN license, a person must 1) hold, or concurrently apply for, an RN license; 2) have completed an accredited graduate-level or postgraduate-level education program preparing the person to practice as an APRN in one of four recognized roles and hold a current national certification approved by the board; 3) possess malpractice liability insurance as provided in the bill; 4) pay a fee determined by the Department of Safety and Professional Services; and 5) satisfy certain other criteria specified in the bill. The bill also allows a person who has not completed an accredited education program described above to receive an APRN license if the person 1) on January 1, 2026, is both licensed as an RN in Wisconsin and practicing in one of the four recognized roles and 2) satisfies additional practice or education criteria established by the board. The bill also, however, automatically grants licenses to certain RNs, as further described below. The four recognized roles, as defined in the bill, are 1) certified nurse-midwife; 2) certified registered nurse anesthetist; 3) clinical nurse specialist; and 4) nurse practitioner. The bill requires the board, upon granting a person an APRN license, to also grant the person one or more specialty designations corresponding to the recognized role or roles for which the person qualifies. Under the bill, all APRNs, except APRNs with a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation, must practice in collaboration with a physician or dentist. However, under the bill, an APRN may practice without being supervised by a physician or dentist if the board verifies that the APRN has completed 3,840 hours of professional nursing in a clinical setting and has completed 3,840 clinical hours of advanced practice registered nursing practice in their recognized role while working with a physician or dentist during those 3,840 hours of practice. APRNs may count additional hours practiced as an APRN in collaboration with a physician or dentist towards the 3,840 required hours of professional nursing. APRNs with a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation are instead required, if they offer to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting, to file and keep current with the board a proactive plan for involving a hospital or a physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital in the treatment of patients with higher acuity or emergency care needs, as further described below. Regardless of whether an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the bill provides that an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques only while working in a collaborative relationship with any physician who, through education, training, and experience, specializes in pain management. Alternatively, if an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques in a hospital or clinic associated with a hospital. Further, an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques if the APRN has qualified to practice independently and has privileges in a hospital to provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques without a collaborative relationship with a physician. The holder of an APRN license may append the title XA.P.R.N.Y to his or her name, as well as a title corresponding to whichever specialty designations that the person possesses. The bill prohibits any person from using the title XA.P.R.N.,Y and from otherwise indicating that he or she is an APRN, unless the person is licensed by the board as an APRN. The bill also prohibits the use of titles and abbreviations corresponding to a recognized role unless the person has a specialty designation for that role. The bill further prohibits any person licensed by the board from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any title that is not granted under the nursing statutes unless the person holds another credential that entitles the person to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title or the person is permitted to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title under any other law of the state. However, the bill provides that a person who is licensed by the board and holds a doctorate degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name the title XdoctorY or any other words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that doctorate degree or the field in which the degree was received. If a person who is licensed by the board uses, assumes, or appends to his or her name the title Xdoctor,Y the bill requires that person to also use, assume, or append to his or her name words, letters, or abbreviations that represent the field in which the person received the doctorate degree. Further, the bill provides that a person who holds a bachelor[s degree or master[s degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that degree or the field in which the degree was received. The bill allows an APRN to delegate a task or order to another clinically trained health care worker if the task or order is within the scope of the APRN[s practice, the APRN is competent to perform the task or issue the order, and the APRN has reasonable evidence that the health care worker is minimally competent to perform the task or issue the order under the circumstances. The bill requires an APRN to adhere to professional standards when managing situations that are beyond the APRN[s expertise. Under the bill, when an APRN renews his or her APRN license, the board must grant the person the renewal of both the person[s RN license and the person[s APRN license. The bill requires all APRNs to complete continuing education requirements each biennium in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the APRN[s area of practice and to satisfy certain other requirements when renewing a license. Practice of nurse-midwifery This bill repeals licensure and practice requirements specific to nurse- midwives and the practice of nurse-midwifery, including specific requirements to practice with an obstetrician. Under the bill, Xcertified nurse-midwifeY is one of the four recognized roles for APRNs, and a person who is licensed as a nurse-midwife under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with a certified nurse- midwife specialty designation. The bill otherwise allows nurse-midwives to be licensed as APRNs if they satisfy the licensure requirements, except that the bill also requires that a person applying for a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation be certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. The bill also requires an APRN with a specialty designation as a certified nurse-midwife to file with the Board of Nursing, and obtain the board[s approval of, a plan for ensuring appropriate care or care transitions in treating certain patients if the APRN offers to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting. Prescribing authority Under current law, a person licensed as an RN may apply to the Board of Nursing for a certificate to issue prescription orders if the person meets certain requirements established by the board. An RN holding a certificate is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board and must possess malpractice liability insurance in an amount determined by the board. The bill eliminates certificates to issue prescription orders and generally authorizes APRNs to issue prescription orders. A person who is certified to issue prescription orders under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with his or her appropriate specialty designation. RNs who are practicing in a recognized role on January 1, 2026, but who do not hold a certificate to issue prescription orders on that date and who are granted an APRN license under the bill may not issue prescription orders. As under current law, an APRN issuing prescription orders is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board. The bill repeals a provision concerning the ability of advanced practice nurses who are certified to issue prescription orders and who are required to work in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician to obtain and practice under a federal waiver to dispense narcotic drugs to individuals for addiction treatment. Malpractice liability insurance The bill requires all APRNs to maintain malpractice liability insurance coverage evidenced by personal liability coverage in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists or coverage under a group liability policy providing individual coverage for the APRN in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists. Additionally, the bill requires APRNs who have qualified to practice independently and who practice outside a collaborative or employment relationship to participate in the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund. The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund provides excess medical malpractice coverage for health care providers who participate in the fund and meet all other participation requirements, which includes maintaining malpractice liability insurance in coverage amounts specified under current law. OTHER CHANGES The bill makes numerous other changes throughout the statutes relating to APRNs, including various terminology changes. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AB264 | Certain limitations on claiming the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit. (FE) | Under current law, a person who claims the farmland preservation tax credit is prohibited from claiming the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit in the same tax year. This bill allows a person to claim both the farmland preservation tax credit and the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit in the same tax year. Current law allows a person to claim a farmland preservation income tax credit for the person[s land engaged in an agricultural use, if the land is covered by a farmland preservation agreement, located in a farmland preservation zoning district, or covered by an agricultural conservation easement. Also, under current law, an eligible veteran or surviving spouse may claim a refundable income tax credit that equals the amount of property taxes paid during the year on the claimant[s principal dwelling in Wisconsin. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB213 | Prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE) | This bill prohibits a hedge fund from acquiring a single-family home in this state. The bill provides that an ownership interest in a single-family home acquired or owned by a hedge fund in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB325 | Sales and transfers of firearms and providing a penalty. (FE) | Current law provides that a federally licensed firearms dealer may not transfer a handgun after a sale until the dealer has performed a background check on the prospective transferee to determine if he or she is prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. This bill generally prohibits any person from transferring any firearm, including the frame or receiver of a firearm, unless the transfer occurs through a federally licensed firearms dealer and involves a background check of the prospective transferee. Under the bill, the following are excepted from that prohibition: a transfer to a firearms dealer or to a law enforcement or armed services agency; a transfer of a firearm classified as antique; or a transfer that is by gift, bequest, or inheritance to a family member. A person who is convicted of violating the prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be fined not less than $500 nor more than $10,000, may be imprisoned for not more than nine months, and may not possess a firearm for a period of two years. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB261 | Certain limitations on claiming the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit. (FE) | Under current law, a person who claims the farmland preservation tax credit is prohibited from claiming the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit in the same tax year. This bill allows a person to claim both the farmland preservation tax credit and the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit in the same tax year. Current law allows a person to claim a farmland preservation income tax credit for the person[s land engaged in an agricultural use, if the land is covered by a farmland preservation agreement, located in a farmland preservation zoning district, or covered by an agricultural conservation easement. Also, under current law, an eligible veteran or surviving spouse may claim a refundable income tax credit that equals the amount of property taxes paid during the year on the claimant[s principal dwelling in Wisconsin. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2781/1 KP:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 261 | In Committee |
| SB255 | Regulation of the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company. | Current law requires the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company to produce as nearly as practicable a uniform flow of water on certain rivers by storing in reservoirs surplus water for discharge when the water supply is low, to improve the usefulness of the rivers and to reduce flood damage. To do so, the company may construct, maintain, or operate reservoirs, dams, and other improvements located along certain rivers and their tributaries, divert flood waters, and deepen or otherwise improve tributaries to improve navigation. If the company operates water reservoirs meeting certain requirements, the company may charge tolls to the operators of water power located on certain rivers or tributaries below the reservoir and benefitted by the reservoir. The Public Service Commission determines the amount of these tolls based on certain criteria and provides notice to each water power operator to be charged with tolls. This bill makes the following changes regarding the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company: 1. Allows tolls to be levied and used to pay for acquisition and improvement of LRB-2641/1 KP:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 255 the company[s reservoir system. Current law prohibits levying and using tolls for those purposes and prohibits tolls from exceeding the reasonable costs of operation and maintenance, including rent paid for leased properties, and a net annual return of 6 percent on capital invested in the company, including the par value of negotiable bonds issued by the company. 2. Allows tolls to be levied to recover the costs of taxes and depreciation and to provide a reasonable allowance for working capital. 3. Makes a water power operator that operates for at least two months of a six- month toll period subject to tolls for the entire six-month toll period. Under current law, such a water power operator is not subject to tolls for the entire six-month toll period. 4. Eliminates the restriction under current law that restricts negotiable interest-bearing bonds issued by the company from funding no more than half of the cost of acquiring dams, reservoirs, and rights. 5. Eliminates the prohibition under current law against the company from paying dividends to its stockholders while any of its bonds are outstanding, and also eliminates the current law requirement that if any company bonds are outstanding, subject to PSC approval, the earnings of the capital stock must be invested in a sinking fund to retire the outstanding bonds. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AB355 | Right to bodily autonomy, elimination of certain abortion-related regulations, and coverage of abortion under certain health care coverage plans. (FE) | This bill specifies that every individual has the fundamental right to bodily autonomy, which includes the right to access abortion. Under the bill, the state may not prohibit an individual from obtaining an abortion if an abortion is necessary in the professional judgment of the individual[s medical provider. Also under the bill, a law or rule of this state that restricts a individual[s access to abortion is unenforceable if the law or rule does not confer any legitimate health benefit. Any person that is or may be aggrieved by the enforcement of a law or rule passed or promulgated after the effective date of the bill that would be unenforceable under the bill may bring an action in state or federal court for injunctive relief or damages against a state or local official who enforces or attempts to enforce such a law or rule. The bill also expressly provides that all requirements applicable to health care providers are applicable to providers of abortion care. The bill does not change standard informed consent requirements applicable to all medical procedures, including abortion, but removes additional requirements specific to the performance of an abortion that exceed those standard informed consent requirements. Current law requires that these additional requirements must be met in order for a woman upon whom an abortion is to be performed or induced to give voluntary and informed consent to an abortion. Except in a medical emergency, under current law, a woman[s consent to an abortion is considered informed only if, with certain exceptions, at least 24 hours before the abortion is performed or induced, the physician or an assistant has, in person, orally provided the woman with certain information and given to the woman certain written materials. The bill repeals these requirements. Under current law, the state is required to offer to all of its employees at least 2 insured or uninsured health care coverage plans. Further, under current law, certain employers including counties, villages, towns, school districts, and other governmental units or instrumentalities other than the state may offer to all of its employees a health care coverage plan through a program offered by the Group Insurance Board. Current law prohibits these plans from providing coverage for abortion or services the funding for which is ineligible under current law. The bill repeals these restrictions and instead requires coverage of abortion and any other medical services necessary to provide abortion under these health coverage plans if the health care coverage plan provides maternity coverage. The bill also repeals other various abortion-related laws, including all of the following: 1. The bill eliminates the prohibition on giving a woman an abortion-inducing drug unless the physician who provided the drug for the woman performs a physical exam on the woman and is physically present in the room when the drug is given to the woman. 2. The bill eliminates the prohibition on coverage of abortions by qualified health plans offered through an exchange in this state. 3. The bill eliminates the prohibition on performing abortions by a physician that does not have admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is to be performed. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Planned Parenthood of Wis., Inc. v. Schimel, 806 F.3d 908 (7th Cir. 2015), which affirmed a permanent injunction granted by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. 4. The bill repeals a statute that provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned for not more than six years, or both. XUnborn childY is defined in the statute as a human being from the time of conception until born alive. The statute also provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn quick child or causes the mother[s death by an act done with intent to destroy the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $50,000, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. None of these penalties apply to a therapeutic abortion that is performed by a physician; is necessary, or advised by two other physicians as necessary, to save the life of the mother; and, unless an emergency prevents, is performed in a licensed maternity hospital. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable. It was cited in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), as similar to a Texas statute that was held to violate the due process clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The unenforceability of the statute following the Roe v. Wade decision was noted in a subsequent decision by a federal district court, Larkin v. McCann, 368 F. Supp. 1352 (E.D. Wis. 1974). In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women[s Health Org., 142 S. Ct. 2228 (2022). Litigation concerning the status of the statute is currently pending in state court. In December 2023, the Dane County Circuit Court issued a decision and order declaring that the statute Xdoes not apply to abortions.Y Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 22- CV-1594, slip op. at 14 (Wis. Dane Cnty. Cir. Ct. Dec. 5, 2023). An appeal is pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. See Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 2023AP002362 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting a petition to bypass the court of appeals). The Wisconsin Supreme Court has also granted a petition for leave to commence an original action regarding whether the state constitution protects a right to receive an abortion and a right for physicians to provide abortions. See Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting leave to commence an original action); see Petition to Wis. S. Ct. to Take Jurisdiction of an Original Action, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. filed Feb. 22, 2024). The bill also repeals the criminal penalty on a person who is not a physician and who intentionally performs an abortion. The bill does not affect any other criminal prohibition or limitation on abortion in current law, such as the general prohibition on performing an abortion after the fetus or unborn child has reached viability, or any other homicide prohibition. The bill also does not affect a separate provision in current law that prohibits prosecution of and imposing or enforcing a fine or imprisonment against a woman who obtains an abortion or otherwise violates any abortion law with respect to her unborn child or fetus. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. | In Committee |
| SB336 | Sales and transfers of firearms and providing a penalty. (FE) | Current law provides that a federally licensed firearms dealer may not LRB-1276/1 CMH:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 336 transfer a handgun after a sale until the dealer has performed a background check on the prospective transferee to determine if he or she is prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. This bill generally prohibits any person from transferring any firearm, including the frame or receiver of a firearm, unless the transfer occurs through a federally licensed firearms dealer and involves a background check of the prospective transferee. Under the bill, the following are excepted from that prohibition: a transfer to a firearms dealer or to a law enforcement or armed services agency; a transfer of a firearm classified as antique; or a transfer that is by gift, bequest, or inheritance to a family member. A person who is convicted of violating the prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be fined not less than $500 nor more than $10,000, may be imprisoned for not more than nine months, and may not possess a firearm for a period of two years. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB271 | Right to bodily autonomy, elimination of certain abortion-related regulations, and coverage of abortion under certain health care coverage plans. (FE) | This bill specifies that every individual has the fundamental right to bodily autonomy, which includes the right to access abortion. Under the bill, the state may not prohibit an individual from obtaining an abortion if an abortion is necessary in the professional judgment of the individual[s medical provider. Also under the bill, a law or rule of this state that restricts a individual[s access to abortion is unenforceable if the law or rule does not confer any legitimate health benefit. Any person that is or may be aggrieved by the enforcement of a law or rule passed or LRB-2921/1 SWB&JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 271 promulgated after the effective date of the bill that would be unenforceable under the bill may bring an action in state or federal court for injunctive relief or damages against a state or local official who enforces or attempts to enforce such a law or rule. The bill also expressly provides that all requirements applicable to health care providers are applicable to providers of abortion care. The bill does not change standard informed consent requirements applicable to all medical procedures, including abortion, but removes additional requirements specific to the performance of an abortion that exceed those standard informed consent requirements. Current law requires that these additional requirements must be met in order for a woman upon whom an abortion is to be performed or induced to give voluntary and informed consent to an abortion. Except in a medical emergency, under current law, a woman[s consent to an abortion is considered informed only if, with certain exceptions, at least 24 hours before the abortion is performed or induced, the physician or an assistant has, in person, orally provided the woman with certain information and given to the woman certain written materials. The bill repeals these requirements. Under current law, the state is required to offer to all of its employees at least 2 insured or uninsured health care coverage plans. Further, under current law, certain employers including counties, villages, towns, school districts, and other governmental units or instrumentalities other than the state may offer to all of its employees a health care coverage plan through a program offered by the Group Insurance Board. Current law prohibits these plans from providing coverage for abortion or services the funding for which is ineligible under current law. The bill repeals these restrictions and instead requires coverage of abortion and any other medical services necessary to provide abortion under these health coverage plans if the health care coverage plan provides maternity coverage. The bill also repeals other various abortion-related laws, including all of the following: 1. The bill eliminates the prohibition on giving a woman an abortion-inducing drug unless the physician who provided the drug for the woman performs a physical exam on the woman and is physically present in the room when the drug is given to the woman. 2. The bill eliminates the prohibition on coverage of abortions by qualified health plans offered through an exchange in this state. 3. The bill eliminates the prohibition on performing abortions by a physician that does not have admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is to be performed. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Planned Parenthood of Wis., Inc. v. Schimel, 806 F.3d 908 (7th Cir. 2015), which affirmed a permanent injunction granted by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. 4. The bill repeals a statute that provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned for not more than six years, or both. XUnborn childY is defined in the statute as a human being from the time of conception until born alive. LRB-2921/1 SWB&JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 271 The statute also provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn quick child or causes the mother[s death by an act done with intent to destroy the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $50,000, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. None of these penalties apply to a therapeutic abortion that is performed by a physician; is necessary, or advised by two other physicians as necessary, to save the life of the mother; and, unless an emergency prevents, is performed in a licensed maternity hospital. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable. It was cited in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), as similar to a Texas statute that was held to violate the due process clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The unenforceability of the statute following the Roe v. Wade decision was noted in a subsequent decision by a federal district court, Larkin v. McCann, 368 F. Supp. 1352 (E.D. Wis. 1974). In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women[s Health Org., 142 S. Ct. 2228 (2022). Litigation concerning the status of the statute is currently pending in state court. In December 2023, the Dane County Circuit Court issued a decision and order declaring that the statute Xdoes not apply to abortions.Y Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 22- CV-1594, slip op. at 14 (Wis. Dane Cnty. Cir. Ct. Dec. 5, 2023). An appeal is pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. See Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 2023AP002362 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting a petition to bypass the court of appeals). The Wisconsin Supreme Court has also granted a petition for leave to commence an original action regarding whether the state constitution protects a right to receive an abortion and a right for physicians to provide abortions. See Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting leave to commence an original action); see Petition to Wis. S. Ct. to Take Jurisdiction of an Original Action, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. filed Feb. 22, 2024). The bill also repeals the criminal penalty on a person who is not a physician and who intentionally performs an abortion. The bill does not affect any other criminal prohibition or limitation on abortion in current law, such as the general prohibition on performing an abortion after the fetus or unborn child has reached viability, or any other homicide prohibition. The bill also does not affect a separate provision in current law that prohibits prosecution of and imposing or enforcing a fine or imprisonment against a woman who obtains an abortion or otherwise violates any abortion law with respect to her unborn child or fetus. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. | In Committee |
| AJR79 | Recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month. | Relating to: recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month. | In Committee |
| AB359 | Prohibiting conversion therapy. | This bill prohibits certain mental health providers from engaging in conversion therapy with a minor. Conversion therapy is defined under the bill to mean any intervention or method that has the purpose of attempting to change a person[s sexual orientation or gender identity, including any intervention or method that attempts to change behaviors or expressions of self or to reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. However, under the bill, conversion therapy does not include counseling that assists an individual who is seeking to undergo a gender transition or who is in the process of undergoing a gender transition; counseling that provides a client with acceptance, support, or understanding; counseling that facilitates a client[s coping, social support, and identity exploration or development; or counseling in the form of sexual orientation-neutral or gender identity-neutral interventions provided for the purpose of preventing or addressing unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, but only if the counseling is not provided for the purpose of attempting to change the client[s sexual orientation or gender identity. Under the bill, the Medical Examining Board, the Psychology Examining Board, and the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board are required to investigate any allegation that any person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to practice by the respective boards has violated the prohibition on performing conversion therapy. Upon a finding that the holder of a license, certificate, or other authorization has violated the prohibition on performing conversion therapy, the bill requires the applicable examining board to limit, suspend, or revoke the person[s license, certificate, or other authorization, or any combination of the three. | In Committee |
| SB380 | Eliminating criminal defenses of adequate provocation, self-defense, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect if the claim is based on the victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation. | Current law provides specific defenses to criminal liability. For instance, a charge of first-degree intentional homicide may be mitigated to second-degree intentional homicide if, at the time of committing the crime, the defendant reasonably believes the victim has done something that adequately provokes the defendant to lack self-control completely. Another defense is the privilege of self- defense under which a person may threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person reasonably believes to be an unlawful interference with their person by the other person. Under this bill, a defendant may not assert adequate provocation or self-defense as a defense if the criminal action in question resulted from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victim[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the LRB-3389/1 CMH:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 380 victim made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. Under current law, a person is not responsible for criminal conduct if, when the person committed the conduct, they were suffering from a mental disease or defect so that they lacked substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of the conduct or to conform their conduct to the requirements of law. To raise this defense, a defendant must plead not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Then, at the trial, if the defendant is found guilty of the crime, the court must determine if the person is not responsible for the crime due to mental disease or defect. If the person is found not responsible due to mental disease or defect, the person is committed to the Department of Heath Services for treatment for a period that varies depending on the severity of the crime. Under this bill, mental disease or defect does not include a state that is brought on by or results from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of another[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the other person made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the other person dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. | In Committee |
| AB337 | Training to address student mental health and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction must provide trainings to school districts and independent charter schools on three specific evidence-based strategies to address student mental health: screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment; trauma sensitive schools; and youth mental health first aid. This bill adds social and emotional learning to the list of evidence- based strategies on which DPI must provide trainings to school districts and independent charter schools. The bill also provides an additional $500,000 to DPI for these trainings in each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB335 | Stipend payments for school social worker interns and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must provide stipends to individuals who are 1) enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program leading to licensure as a school social worker and 2) placed as a school social worker intern in a public school governed by a school board. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB341 | Grants for prospective school social workers, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must establish and administer a grant program to award grants for the costs of obtaining the education required for a school social worker license issued by DPI. The grants may be awarded only to an individual who is a member of a racial minority group and who is either an employee of a school board or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program leading to licensure as a school social worker. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB342 | Grants to hire school mental health professionals who are members of a racial minority group, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must establish and administer a grant program to award grants to school districts to hire school mental health professionals who are members of a racial minority group. The bill appropriates $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 for the grants. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB334 | Requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Transportation to ensure, with exceptions, that bikeways and pedestrian ways are established in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded from state or federal funds (a policy commonly known as Xcomplete streetsY). Under current law, DOT generally must give due consideration to establishing bikeways and pedestrian ways in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded from state or federal funds. However, DOT may not establish a bikeway or pedestrian way as part of a highway project if bicyclists or pedestrians are prohibited from using the highway. DOT is also prohibited from establishing a bikeway or pedestrian way as part of a state-funded project unless the governing body of each municipality in which a portion of the project is located authorizes the creation of the bikeway or pedestrian way. Under the bill, DOT must ensure that bikeways and pedestrian ways are established in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded from state or federal funds. DOT must promulgate rules identifying exceptions to this requirement, but the exceptions may be based only on one of several specified criteria. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB343 | Requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Transportation to ensure, with exceptions, that bikeways and pedestrian ways are established in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded from state or federal funds (a policy commonly known as Xcomplete streetsY). Under current law, DOT generally must give due consideration to establishing bikeways and pedestrian ways in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded from state or federal funds. However, DOT may not establish a bikeway or pedestrian way as part of a highway project if bicyclists or pedestrians are prohibited from using the highway. DOT is also prohibited from establishing a bikeway or pedestrian way as part of a state-funded project unless the governing body of each municipality in which a portion of the project is located authorizes the creation of the bikeway or pedestrian way. Under the bill, DOT must ensure that bikeways and pedestrian ways are established in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded LRB-3411/1 ZDW:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 343 from state or federal funds. DOT must promulgate rules identifying exceptions to this requirement, but the exceptions may be based only on one of several specified criteria. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB351 | Funding for University of Wisconsin System student health services and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides funding to the University of Wisconsin System for additional or improved student health services related to mental and behavioral health. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB336 | Funding for University of Wisconsin System student health services and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides funding to the University of Wisconsin System for additional or improved student health services related to mental and behavioral health. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB316 | Grants for LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and school social workers and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must award grants to school boards to provide training in LGBTQIA+ rights, in a program developed or approved by DPI, to school counselors and school social workers employed by school boards. The bill defines XLGBTQIA+Y as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or any other nonheterosexual or noncisgender orientation, identity, or expression. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR74 | Honoring the life and public service of Senator Bruce S. Peloquin. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Senator Bruce S. Peloquin. | In Committee |
| AJR77 | Honoring the dedication and service of Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. | Relating to: honoring the dedication and service of Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. | In Committee |
| AJR76 | Eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration). | relating to: eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration). | In Committee |
| AB361 | Eliminating criminal defenses of adequate provocation, self-defense, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect if the claim is based on the victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation. | Current law provides specific defenses to criminal liability. For instance, a charge of first-degree intentional homicide may be mitigated to second-degree intentional homicide if, at the time of committing the crime, the defendant reasonably believes the victim has done something that adequately provokes the defendant to lack self-control completely. Another defense is the privilege of self- defense under which a person may threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person reasonably believes to be an unlawful interference with their person by the other person. Under this bill, a defendant may not assert adequate provocation or self-defense as a defense if the criminal action in question resulted from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victim[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the victim made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. Under current law, a person is not responsible for criminal conduct if, when the person committed the conduct, they were suffering from a mental disease or defect so that they lacked substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of the conduct or to conform their conduct to the requirements of law. To raise this defense, a defendant must plead not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Then, at the trial, if the defendant is found guilty of the crime, the court must determine if the person is not responsible for the crime due to mental disease or defect. If the person is found not responsible due to mental disease or defect, the person is committed to the Department of Heath Services for treatment for a period that varies depending on the severity of the crime. Under this bill, mental disease or defect does not include a state that is brought on by or results from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of another[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the other person made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the other person dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. | In Committee |
| AB333 | A refundable income tax credit for bicycle purchases and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a refundable tax credit that may be claimed by individuals who purchase bicycles, including electric bicycles, for their dependents. The credit is equal to the price paid for each bicycle, limited to $200 per dependent. The credit may be claimed only by individuals whose family income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Under the bill, the individual must submit with his or her tax return any documentation required by the Department of Revenue regarding the bicycle[s purchase price. Because the credit is refundable, if an individual is eligible to claim an amount as a credit that exceeds his or her income tax liability, the individual receives the excess as a refund. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR78 | Honoring the dedication and service of Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. | Relating to: honoring the dedication and service of Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. | In Committee |
| SB344 | A refundable income tax credit for bicycle purchases and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a refundable tax credit that may be claimed by individuals who purchase bicycles, including electric bicycles, for their dependents. The credit is equal to the price paid for each bicycle, limited to $200 per dependent. The credit may be claimed only by individuals whose family income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Under the bill, the individual must submit with his or her tax return any documentation required by the Department of Revenue regarding the bicycle[s purchase price. Because the credit is refundable, if an individual is eligible to claim an amount as a credit that exceeds his or her income tax liability, the individual receives the excess as a refund. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB346 | Grants for prospective school social workers, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must establish and administer a grant program to award grants for the costs of obtaining the education required for a school social worker license issued by DPI. The grants may be awarded only to an individual who is a member of a racial minority group and who is either an employee of a school board or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program leading to licensure as a school social worker. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB340 | Stipend payments for school social worker interns and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must provide stipends to individuals who are 1) enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program leading to licensure as a school social worker and 2) placed as a school social worker intern in a public school governed by a school board. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB348 | Training to address student mental health and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction must provide trainings to school districts and independent charter schools on three specific evidence-based strategies to address student mental health: screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment; trauma sensitive schools; and youth mental health first aid. This bill adds social and emotional learning to the list of evidence- based strategies on which DPI must provide trainings to school districts and independent charter schools. The bill also provides an additional $500,000 to DPI for these trainings in each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB352 | Grants to hire school mental health professionals who are members of a racial minority group, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must establish and administer a grant program to award grants to school districts to hire school mental health professionals who are members of a racial minority group. The bill appropriates $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 for the grants. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB338 | Coverage of treatment for mental health or substance use disorders under health insurance policies and plans. | This bill requires health insurance policies and self-insured governmental health plans that provide coverage of mental health or behavioral health items or services to cover in each policy year at least 28 appointments or visits with a mental health care provider to treat mental health or substance use disorders or as many appointments or visits with a mental health care provider as are necessary to meet the insured[s treatment goals. The bill prohibits health insurance policies and self- insured governmental health plans from requiring prior authorization for the coverage of appointments or visits under the bill. Health insurance policies are known as disability insurance policies in the bill. Further, this bill requires the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to prepare a preliminary actuarial estimate of the average cost for all qualified health plans, as defined under federal law, attributable to the coverage required under the bill. If the preliminary actuarial estimate of the average cost for all qualified health plans is an increase of greater than 10 percent, OCI may not enforce the coverage requirements under the bill. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. | In Committee |
| SB342 | Coverage of treatment for mental health or substance use disorders under health insurance policies and plans. | This bill requires health insurance policies and self-insured governmental health plans that provide coverage of mental health or behavioral health items or services to cover in each policy year at least 28 appointments or visits with a mental health care provider to treat mental health or substance use disorders or as many appointments or visits with a mental health care provider as are necessary to meet the insured[s treatment goals. The bill prohibits health insurance policies and self- insured governmental health plans from requiring prior authorization for the coverage of appointments or visits under the bill. Health insurance policies are known as disability insurance policies in the bill. Further, this bill requires the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to prepare a preliminary actuarial estimate of the average cost for all qualified health plans, as defined under federal law, attributable to the coverage required under the bill. If the preliminary actuarial estimate of the average cost for all qualified health plans is an increase of greater than 10 percent, OCI may not enforce the coverage requirements under the bill. LRB-3579/1 JPC:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 342 This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. | In Committee |
| AB288 | Labeling plants as beneficial to pollinators. (FE) | This bill prohibits a person that provides plants or that sells plants at retail from labeling or advertising the plant as being beneficial to pollinators if the plant has been treated with an insecticide that contains warnings about pollinator hazards on its label. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB294 | Labeling plants as beneficial to pollinators. (FE) | This bill prohibits a person that provides plants or that sells plants at retail from labeling or advertising the plant as being beneficial to pollinators if the plant has been treated with an insecticide that contains warnings about pollinator hazards on its label. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB345 | Requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians at certain intersections and crosswalks. | This bill requires a vehicle operator to stop his or her vehicle and remain stopped until a pedestrian crossing at a crosswalk has completed crossing the roadway. Under current law, the operator of a vehicle is required to yield the right-of- way to a pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or electric personal assistive mobility device that is crossing a highway at an intersection or crosswalk controlled by a traffic signal on a green or XwalkY signal or that is crossing a highway at an intersection or crosswalk not controlled by a traffic signal within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. XYield the right-of-way to a pedestrianY is defined to mean that the operator of a vehicle must reduce speed, or stop if necessary, to avoid endangering, colliding with, or interfering with pedestrian travel. The bill requires that, under these circumstances, rather than yield, the vehicle operator must stop the vehicle and remain stopped until the pedestrian, LRB-3408/1 EVM:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 345 personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or electric personal assistive mobility device has completed crossing the roadway. | In Committee |
| SB368 | Storage of a firearm in a residence if child is present and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits a person from storing or leaving a firearm at his or her residence if the person resides with a child who is under the age of 18, or knows a child who is under the age of 18 will be present in the residence, unless the firearm is in a securely locked box or container or other secure locked location or has a trigger lock engaged. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class I felony for a subsequent offense. This prohibition replaces the current law that penalizes a person who recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm within reach of a child who is under 14 if the child obtains it and does one of the following: 1) discharges the firearm and causes bodily harm or death (Class A misdemeanor); or 2) possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or endangers public safety (Class C misdemeanor). Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. LRB-3494/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 368 | In Committee |
| SJR76 | Honoring the life and public service of Senator Bruce S. Peloquin. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Senator Bruce S. Peloquin. | In Committee |
| AB332 | Requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians at certain intersections and crosswalks. | This bill requires a vehicle operator to stop his or her vehicle and remain stopped until a pedestrian crossing at a crosswalk has completed crossing the roadway. Under current law, the operator of a vehicle is required to yield the right-of- way to a pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or electric personal assistive mobility device that is crossing a highway at an intersection or crosswalk controlled by a traffic signal on a green or XwalkY signal or that is crossing a highway at an intersection or crosswalk not controlled by a traffic signal within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. XYield the right-of-way to a pedestrianY is defined to mean that the operator of a vehicle must reduce speed, or stop if necessary, to avoid endangering, colliding with, or interfering with pedestrian travel. The bill requires that, under these circumstances, rather than yield, the vehicle operator must stop the vehicle and remain stopped until the pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or electric personal assistive mobility device has completed crossing the roadway. | In Committee |
| AB356 | Storage of a firearm in a residence if child is present and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits a person from storing or leaving a firearm at his or her residence if the person resides with a child who is under the age of 18, or knows a child who is under the age of 18 will be present in the residence, unless the firearm is in a securely locked box or container or other secure locked location or has a trigger lock engaged. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class I felony for a subsequent offense. This prohibition replaces the current law that penalizes a person who recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm within reach of a child who is under 14 if the child obtains it and does one of the following: 1) discharges the firearm and causes bodily harm or death (Class A misdemeanor); or 2) possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or endangers public safety (Class C misdemeanor). Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. | In Committee |
| AB343 | School mental health and pupil wellness aid and making an appropriation. | This bill changes the types of expenditures that are eligible for reimbursement under the state categorical aid program related to pupil mental health. Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction must make payments to school districts, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in parental choice programs (local education agency) that increased the amount they spent to employ, hire, or retain social workers. Under current law, DPI first pays each eligible local education agency 50 percent of the amount by which the eligible local education agency increased its expenditures for social workers in the preceding school year over the amount it expended in the school year immediately preceding the preceding school year. If, after making those payments, there is money remaining in the appropriation account for that aid program, DPI makes additional payments to eligible local education agencies. The amount of those additional payments is determined based on the amount remaining in the appropriation account and the amount spent by eligible local education agencies to employ, hire, and retain social workers during the previous school year. The bill expands eligibility for the payments under the aid program to include spending on school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, and school nurses (pupil services professionals). The bill also eliminates the two tier reimbursement structure of the aid program and eliminates the requirement that a local education agency is eligible for the aid only if the local education agency increased its spending. Under the bill, any local education agency that made expenditures to employ, hire, or retain pupil services professionals during the previous school year is eligible for reimbursement under the aid program. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB317 | A Department of Children and Families program to make payments to child care programs, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill authorizes the Department of Children and Families to establish a program for making monthly payments and monthly per-child payments to certified child care providers, licensed child care centers, and child care programs established or contracted for by a school board. This new payment program is in addition to the current law system for providing child care payments under Wisconsin Shares. The bill requires DCF to promulgate rules to implement the program, including establishing eligibility requirements and payment amounts and setting requirements for how recipients may use the payments, and authorizes DCF to promulgate these rules as emergency rules. The bill funds the program through a new appropriation and by allocating federal moneys, including child care development funds and moneys received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program. The bill eliminates the current law method by which DCF may modify maximum payment rates for child care providers under Wisconsin Shares based on a child care provider[s rating under the quality rating system known as YoungStar. Wisconsin Shares is a part of the Wisconsin Works program under current law, which DCF administers and which provides work experience and benefits for low-income custodial parents who are at least 18 years old. Under current law, an individual who is the parent of a child under the age of 13 or, if the child is disabled, under the age of 19, who needs child care services to participate in various education or work activities, and who satisfies other eligibility criteria may receive a child care subsidy for child care services under Wisconsin Shares. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR69 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Terrence A. “Terry” Willkom. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Terrence A. XTerryY Willkom. | In Committee |
| AJR72 | Recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SB350 | School mental health and pupil wellness aid and making an appropriation. | This bill changes the types of expenditures that are eligible for reimbursement under the state categorical aid program related to pupil mental health. Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction must make payments to school districts, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in parental choice programs (local education agency) that increased the amount they spent to employ, hire, or retain social workers. Under current law, DPI first pays each eligible local education agency 50 percent of the amount by which the eligible local education agency increased its expenditures for social workers in the preceding school year over the amount it expended in the school year immediately preceding the preceding school year. If, after making those payments, LRB-3587/1 KMS:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 350 there is money remaining in the appropriation account for that aid program, DPI makes additional payments to eligible local education agencies. The amount of those additional payments is determined based on the amount remaining in the appropriation account and the amount spent by eligible local education agencies to employ, hire, and retain social workers during the previous school year. The bill expands eligibility for the payments under the aid program to include spending on school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, and school nurses (pupil services professionals). The bill also eliminates the two tier reimbursement structure of the aid program and eliminates the requirement that a local education agency is eligible for the aid only if the local education agency increased its spending. Under the bill, any local education agency that made expenditures to employ, hire, or retain pupil services professionals during the previous school year is eligible for reimbursement under the aid program. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR74 | Recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AB254 | Regulation of the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company. | Current law requires the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company to produce as nearly as practicable a uniform flow of water on certain rivers by storing in reservoirs surplus water for discharge when the water supply is low, to improve the usefulness of the rivers and to reduce flood damage. To do so, the company may construct, maintain, or operate reservoirs, dams, and other improvements located along certain rivers and their tributaries, divert flood waters, and deepen or otherwise improve tributaries to improve navigation. If the company operates water reservoirs meeting certain requirements, the company may charge tolls to the operators of water power located on certain rivers or tributaries below the reservoir and benefitted by the reservoir. The Public Service Commission determines the amount of these tolls based on certain criteria and provides notice to each water power operator to be charged with tolls. This bill makes the following changes regarding the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company: 1. Allows tolls to be levied and used to pay for acquisition and improvement of the company[s reservoir system. Current law prohibits levying and using tolls for those purposes and prohibits tolls from exceeding the reasonable costs of operation and maintenance, including rent paid for leased properties, and a net annual return of 6 percent on capital invested in the company, including the par value of negotiable bonds issued by the company. 2. Allows tolls to be levied to recover the costs of taxes and depreciation and to provide a reasonable allowance for working capital. 3. Makes a water power operator that operates for at least two months of a six- month toll period subject to tolls for the entire six-month toll period. Under current law, such a water power operator is not subject to tolls for the entire six-month toll period. 4. Eliminates the restriction under current law that restricts negotiable interest-bearing bonds issued by the company from funding no more than half of the cost of acquiring dams, reservoirs, and rights. 5. Eliminates the prohibition under current law against the company from paying dividends to its stockholders while any of its bonds are outstanding, and also eliminates the current law requirement that if any company bonds are outstanding, subject to PSC approval, the earnings of the capital stock must be invested in a sinking fund to retire the outstanding bonds. | In Committee |
| SB113 | A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a Xtransition to grazing pilot programY in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to provide support and grants to farmers who are implementing livestock forage-based managed grazing systems and farmers and agribusinesses in the grazing-fed livestock business. Under the bill the department may award up to $40,000 to each grantee, and may disperse up to 75 percent of the grant in the first year following the department[s decision to grant the award and may disperse up to 12.5 percent of the award in each of the second and third years following the department[s decision to grant the award. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB118 | A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a Xtransition to grazing pilot programY in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to provide support and grants to farmers who are implementing livestock forage-based managed grazing systems and farmers and agribusinesses in the grazing-fed livestock business. Under the bill the department may award up to $40,000 to each grantee, and may disperse up to 75 percent of the grant in the first year following the department[s decision to grant the award and may disperse up to 12.5 percent of the award in each of the second and third years following the department[s decision to grant the award. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB320 | Grants for LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and school social workers and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must award grants to school boards to provide training in LGBTQIA+ rights, in a program developed or approved by DPI, to school counselors and school social workers employed by school boards. The bill defines XLGBTQIA+Y as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or any other nonheterosexual or noncisgender orientation, identity, or expression. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR73 | Recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month. | Relating to: recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month. | In Committee |
| SB314 | The pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program. | Current law limits the percentage of pupils in each school district who may attend a private school under the statewide parental choice program. The pupil participation limit started in the 2015-16 school year at 1 percent of a school district[s membership and increased gradually to 10 percent of a school district[s membership in the 2025-26 school year. Under current law, the pupil participation limit sunsets after the 2025-26 school year. This bill repeals the sunset and continues the pupil participation limit at membership. | In Committee |
| AB307 | The pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program. | Current law limits the percentage of pupils in each school district who may attend a private school under the statewide parental choice program. The pupil participation limit started in the 2015-16 school year at 1 percent of a school district[s membership and increased gradually to 10 percent of a school district[s membership in the 2025-26 school year. Under current law, the pupil participation limit sunsets after the 2025-26 school year. This bill repeals the sunset and continues the pupil participation limit at membership. | In Committee |
| SB258 | Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | NURSING PRACTICE AND LICENSURE This bill makes various changes to practice, licensure, and certification requirements for nurses, which are administered by the Board of Nursing. Licensure of advanced practice registered nurses Under current law, a person who wishes to practice professional nursing must be licensed by the Board of Nursing as a registered nurse (RN). This bill creates an additional system of licensure for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), to be administered by the board. Under the bill, in order to apply for an APRN license, a person must 1) hold, or concurrently apply for, an RN license; 2) have completed an accredited graduate-level or postgraduate-level education program preparing the person to practice as an APRN in one of four recognized roles and hold a current national certification approved by the board; 3) possess malpractice liability insurance as provided in the bill; 4) pay a fee determined by the Department of Safety and Professional Services; and 5) satisfy certain other criteria specified in the bill. The bill also allows a person who has not completed an accredited education program described above to receive an APRN license if the person 1) on January 1, 2026, is both licensed as an RN in Wisconsin and practicing in one of the four recognized roles and 2) satisfies additional practice or education criteria established by the board. The bill also, however, automatically grants licenses to certain RNs, as further described below. The four recognized roles, as defined in the bill, are 1) certified nurse-midwife; 2) certified registered nurse anesthetist; 3) clinical nurse specialist; and 4) nurse practitioner. The bill requires the board, upon granting a person an APRN license, to also grant the person one or more specialty designations corresponding to the recognized role or roles for which the person qualifies. Under the bill, all APRNs, except APRNs with a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation, must practice in collaboration with a physician or dentist. However, under the bill, an APRN may practice without being supervised by a physician or dentist if the board verifies that the APRN has completed 3,840 hours of professional nursing in a clinical setting and has completed 3,840 clinical hours of advanced practice registered nursing practice in their recognized role while working with a physician or dentist during those 3,840 hours of practice. APRNs may count additional hours practiced as an APRN in collaboration with a physician or dentist towards the 3,840 required hours of professional nursing. APRNs with a LRB-1565/1 JPC:emw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 258 certified nurse-midwife specialty designation are instead required, if they offer to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting, to file and keep current with the board a proactive plan for involving a hospital or a physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital in the treatment of patients with higher acuity or emergency care needs, as further described below. Regardless of whether an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the bill provides that an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques only while working in a collaborative relationship with any physician who, through education, training, and experience, specializes in pain management. Alternatively, if an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques in a hospital or clinic associated with a hospital. Further, an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques if the APRN has qualified to practice independently and has privileges in a hospital to provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques without a collaborative relationship with a physician. The holder of an APRN license may append the title XA.P.R.N.Y to his or her name, as well as a title corresponding to whichever specialty designations that the person possesses. The bill prohibits any person from using the title XA.P.R.N.,Y and from otherwise indicating that he or she is an APRN, unless the person is licensed by the board as an APRN. The bill also prohibits the use of titles and abbreviations corresponding to a recognized role unless the person has a specialty designation for that role. The bill further prohibits any person licensed by the board from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any title that is not granted under the nursing statutes unless the person holds another credential that entitles the person to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title or the person is permitted to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title under any other law of the state. However, the bill provides that a person who is licensed by the board and holds a doctorate degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name the title XdoctorY or any other words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that doctorate degree or the field in which the degree was received. If a person who is licensed by the board uses, assumes, or appends to his or her name the title Xdoctor,Y the bill requires that person to also use, assume, or append to his or her name words, letters, or abbreviations that represent the field in which the person received the doctorate degree. Further, the bill provides that a person who holds a bachelor[s degree or master[s degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that degree or the field in which the degree was received. The bill allows an APRN to delegate a task or order to another clinically trained health care worker if the task or order is within the scope of the APRN[s practice, the APRN is competent to perform the task or issue the order, and the APRN has reasonable evidence that the health care worker is minimally competent LRB-1565/1 JPC:emw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 258 to perform the task or issue the order under the circumstances. The bill requires an APRN to adhere to professional standards when managing situations that are beyond the APRN[s expertise. Under the bill, when an APRN renews his or her APRN license, the board must grant the person the renewal of both the person[s RN license and the person[s APRN license. The bill requires all APRNs to complete continuing education requirements each biennium in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the APRN[s area of practice and to satisfy certain other requirements when renewing a license. Practice of nurse-midwifery This bill repeals licensure and practice requirements specific to nurse- midwives and the practice of nurse-midwifery, including specific requirements to practice with an obstetrician. Under the bill, Xcertified nurse-midwifeY is one of the four recognized roles for APRNs, and a person who is licensed as a nurse-midwife under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with a certified nurse- midwife specialty designation. The bill otherwise allows nurse-midwives to be licensed as APRNs if they satisfy the licensure requirements, except that the bill also requires that a person applying for a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation be certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. The bill also requires an APRN with a specialty designation as a certified nurse-midwife to file with the Board of Nursing, and obtain the board[s approval of, a plan for ensuring appropriate care or care transitions in treating certain patients if the APRN offers to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting. Prescribing authority Under current law, a person licensed as an RN may apply to the Board of Nursing for a certificate to issue prescription orders if the person meets certain requirements established by the board. An RN holding a certificate is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board and must possess malpractice liability insurance in an amount determined by the board. The bill eliminates certificates to issue prescription orders and generally authorizes APRNs to issue prescription orders. A person who is certified to issue prescription orders under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with his or her appropriate specialty designation. RNs who are practicing in a recognized role on January 1, 2026, but who do not hold a certificate to issue prescription orders on that date and who are granted an APRN license under the bill may not issue prescription orders. As under current law, an APRN issuing prescription orders is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board. The bill repeals a provision concerning the ability of advanced practice nurses who are certified to issue prescription orders and who are required to work in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician to obtain and practice LRB-1565/1 JPC:emw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 258 under a federal waiver to dispense narcotic drugs to individuals for addiction treatment. Malpractice liability insurance The bill requires all APRNs to maintain malpractice liability insurance coverage evidenced by personal liability coverage in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists or coverage under a group liability policy providing individual coverage for the APRN in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists. Additionally, the bill requires APRNs who have qualified to practice independently and who practice outside a collaborative or employment relationship to participate in the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund. The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund provides excess medical malpractice coverage for health care providers who participate in the fund and meet all other participation requirements, which includes maintaining malpractice liability insurance in coverage amounts specified under current law. OTHER CHANGES The bill makes numerous other changes throughout the statutes relating to APRNs, including various terminology changes. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR69 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Terrence A. “Terry” Willkom. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Terrence A. XTerryY Willkom. | In Committee |
| SB322 | A Department of Children and Families program to make payments to child care programs, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill authorizes the Department of Children and Families to establish a program for making monthly payments and monthly per-child payments to certified child care providers, licensed child care centers, and child care programs established or contracted for by a school board. This new payment program is in addition to the current law system for providing child care payments under Wisconsin Shares. The bill requires DCF to promulgate rules to implement the program, including establishing eligibility requirements and payment amounts and setting requirements for how recipients may use the payments, and authorizes DCF to promulgate these rules as emergency rules. The bill funds the program through a new appropriation and by allocating federal moneys, including child care development funds and moneys received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program. LRB-3324/1 EHS:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 322 The bill eliminates the current law method by which DCF may modify maximum payment rates for child care providers under Wisconsin Shares based on a child care provider[s rating under the quality rating system known as YoungStar. Wisconsin Shares is a part of the Wisconsin Works program under current law, which DCF administers and which provides work experience and benefits for low-income custodial parents who are at least 18 years old. Under current law, an individual who is the parent of a child under the age of 13 or, if the child is disabled, under the age of 19, who needs child care services to participate in various education or work activities, and who satisfies other eligibility criteria may receive a child care subsidy for child care services under Wisconsin Shares. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB290 | Special registration plates to support protecting pollinators and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under current law, members of certain designated special groups may obtain from the Department of Transportation special registration plates for certain vehicles that are owned or leased by special group members. A fee, in addition to the regular registration fee for the particular kind of vehicle, is charged for the issuance or reissuance of most special plates. This bill establishes a special group for persons to express support for protecting pollinators. The bill requires that plates issued to members of the special group have a design that covers the entire plate and includes the words XProtect Pollinators.Y The bill provides that, in addition to the required fees, special group members are required to make a voluntary payment of $25 to be issued the special plates. Under the bill, DOT retains $23,700, or the actual initial costs of production, whichever is less, from the voluntary payment moneys for the initial costs of production of the special plates. The remainder of the voluntary payment amounts are deposited in the conservation fund to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of the endangered resources program. In addition, the bill appropriates $23,700 from the general fund to DOT for the initial costs of production of the special group plates. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB289 | Ban on the use of certain insecticides by the Department of Natural Resources. | This bill prohibits, with limited exceptions, the Department of Natural Resources from using any insecticide from the neonicotinoid class on land maintained by DNR. Under the bill, this prohibition does not apply to uses of this insecticide that are 1) pursuant to existing cooperative farming agreements or contracts or 2) for forest insect control on forested lands, state forest nurseries, or seed orchards or in designated zones of infestation. | In Committee |
| SB324 | Prohibiting conversion therapy. | This bill prohibits certain mental health providers from engaging in conversion therapy with a minor. Conversion therapy is defined under the bill to mean any intervention or method that has the purpose of attempting to change a person[s sexual orientation or gender identity, including any intervention or method that attempts to change behaviors or expressions of self or to reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. However, under the bill, conversion therapy does not include counseling that assists an individual who is seeking to undergo a gender transition or who is in the process of undergoing a gender transition; counseling that provides a client with acceptance, support, or understanding; counseling that facilitates a client[s coping, social support, and identity exploration or development; or counseling in the form of sexual orientation-neutral or gender identity-neutral interventions provided for the purpose of preventing or addressing unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, but only if the counseling is not provided for the purpose of attempting to change the client[s sexual orientation or gender identity. Under the bill, the Medical Examining Board, the Psychology Examining Board, and the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board are required to investigate any allegation that any person LRB-3040/1 JPC:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 324 licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to practice by the respective boards has violated the prohibition on performing conversion therapy. Upon a finding that the holder of a license, certificate, or other authorization has violated the prohibition on performing conversion therapy, the bill requires the applicable examining board to limit, suspend, or revoke the person[s license, certificate, or other authorization, or any combination of the three. | In Committee |
| AB305 | Designating the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect. | Current law designates a variety of state symbols and requires the Wisconsin Blue Book to include information about them. This bill designates the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect and requires the Wisconsin Blue Book to include information concerning that designation. | In Committee |
| SJR68 | Eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration). | relating to: eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration). | In Committee |
| SB319 | Designating the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect. | Current law designates a variety of state symbols and requires the Wisconsin Blue Book to include information about them. This bill designates the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect and requires the Wisconsin Blue Book to include information concerning that designation. | In Committee |
| AJR62 | Designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AB287 | Local regulation of pesticides to protect pollinators. | This bill allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides for the purpose of protecting pollinators and pollinator habitats. Current law prohibits a political subdivision (a city, village, town, or county) from prohibiting the use of or otherwise regulating pesticides but provides numerous exemptions. For example, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance that regulates pesticides pursuant to a storm water management program or that relates to the storage, treatment, or disposal of solid waste that contains pesticides. The bill adds an additional exemption that allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides in order to protect pollinators and pollinator habitats. XPollinatorY is defined in the bill as an insect that pollinates flowers. | In Committee |
| AB291 | Native prairie and forage plants. | This bill requires state agencies and other state governmental entities to give preference, where appropriate, to using native prairie and forage plants to benefit native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide information upon request to support this initiative. | In Committee |
| SJR61 | Designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SB293 | Native prairie and forage plants. | This bill requires state agencies and other state governmental entities to give preference, where appropriate, to using native prairie and forage plants to benefit native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide information upon request to support this initiative. | In Committee |
| SB292 | Local regulation of pesticides to protect pollinators. | This bill allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides for the purpose of protecting pollinators and pollinator habitats. Current law prohibits a political subdivision (a city, village, town, or county) from prohibiting the use of or otherwise regulating pesticides but provides numerous exemptions. For example, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance that regulates pesticides pursuant to a storm water management program or that relates to the storage, treatment, or disposal of solid waste that contains pesticides. The bill adds an additional exemption that allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides in order to protect pollinators and pollinator habitats. XPollinatorY is defined in the bill as an insect that pollinates flowers. | In Committee |
| SB297 | Special registration plates to support protecting pollinators and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under current law, members of certain designated special groups may obtain from the Department of Transportation special registration plates for certain vehicles that are owned or leased by special group members. A fee, in addition to the regular registration fee for the particular kind of vehicle, is charged for the issuance or reissuance of most special plates. This bill establishes a special group for persons to express support for protecting pollinators. The bill requires that plates issued to members of the special group have a design that covers the entire plate and includes the words XProtect Pollinators.Y The bill provides that, in addition to the required fees, special group members are required to make a voluntary payment of $25 to be issued the special plates. Under the bill, DOT retains $23,700, or the actual initial costs of production, whichever is less, from the voluntary payment moneys for the initial costs of production of the special plates. The remainder of the voluntary payment amounts LRB-3157/1 ZDW:amn&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 297 are deposited in the conservation fund to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of the endangered resources program. In addition, the bill appropriates $23,700 from the general fund to DOT for the initial costs of production of the special group plates. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB298 | Ban on the use of certain insecticides by the Department of Natural Resources. | This bill prohibits, with limited exceptions, the Department of Natural Resources from using any insecticide from the neonicotinoid class on land maintained by DNR. Under the bill, this prohibition does not apply to uses of this insecticide that are 1) pursuant to existing cooperative farming agreements or contracts or 2) for forest insect control on forested lands, state forest nurseries, or seed orchards or in designated zones of infestation. | In Committee |
| SB208 | Prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE) | This bill prohibits a hedge fund from acquiring a single-family home in this state. The bill provides that an ownership interest in a single-family home acquired or owned by a hedge fund in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR61 | Proclaiming June 6, 2025, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming June 6, 2025, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR60 | Proclaiming June 6, 2025, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming June 6, 2025, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AJR18 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SJR54 | Designating May 2025 and May 2026 as Food Allergy Awareness Months. | Relating to: designating May 2025 and May 2026 as Food Allergy Awareness Months. | In Committee |
| SJR56 | Proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AJR12 | Honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR39 | Recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Relating to: recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Crossed Over |
| AJR40 | Celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Relating to: celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Crossed Over |
| AJR51 | Designating May 2025 and May 2026 as Food Allergy Awareness Months. | Relating to: designating May 2025 and May 2026 as Food Allergy Awareness Months. | Crossed Over |
| SJR33 | Declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights. | Relating to: declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights. | In Committee |
| SJR42 | Proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | Relating to: proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | In Committee |
| AB220 | Discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services. | This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual[s gender identity or gender expression. The bill defines Xgender identityY as an individual[s internal, deeply held knowledge or sense of their own gender, regardless of the individual[s sex assigned at birth or gender identifiers on official governmental documents, and Xgender expressionY as an individual[s gender-related appearance or behavior, or the perception of that appearance or behavior, regardless of whether it is stereotypically associated with the individual[s sex assigned at birth. The bill also make changes to various discrimination laws, including all of the following: 1. Current law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and the equal enjoyment of a public place of accommodation or amusement on the basis of a person[s sex or sexual orientation. Current law also requires certain state agencies, authorities, and corporations to include provisions in contracts they execute obliging the contractor to similarly not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases for discrimination in these areas. 2. Current law prohibits the University of Wisconsin System, the Technical College System, public elementary and secondary schools, and charter schools from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill prohibits the same educational institutions from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s gender identity or gender expression and from discriminating against a student based on the protected status of the student[s parent. The bill also prohibits the UW System Board of Regents from investing gifts, grants, and bequests in companies that practice discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 3. Current law prohibits the exclusion of an individual from jury duty on the basis of the individual[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as a prohibited bases for exclusion of an individual from jury duty. 4. Current law allows only either a single adult or a husband and wife jointly to adopt a child. The bill allows only either a single individual or two individuals married to each other jointly to adopt a child and also provides that no otherwise qualified person may be denied the benefits of the adoption and guardianship statute subchapter because of the person[s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 5. Current law requires heads of executive departments and agencies to determine whether there is arbitrary discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual orientation and to take remedial action if such discrimination is found. The bill requires these heads to also determine if there is discrimination on the basis of gender identity or gender expression and to take remedial action regarding such discrimination. 6. Current law prohibits discriminating against an employee, prospective employee, patient, or resident of an approved treatment facility providing treatment of alcoholic, drug dependent, mentally ill, or developmentally disabled persons on the basis of sex. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 7. Current law prohibits agency rules from discriminating against a person by reason of sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 8. Current law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the provision of vocational rehabilitation or mental health services. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 9. Current law prohibits the national guard or state defense force from denying membership based on sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. The bill also provides that no member of the national guard or state defense force may be denied equal access to facilities most consistent with the person[s gender identity. 10. Current law provides that sex is a bona fide occupational qualification if all of the members of one sex are physically incapable of performing the essential duties required by a job or if the essence of the employer[s business operation would be undermined if employees were not hired exclusively from one sex. The bill adds to the sex as a bona fide occupational qualification law that an individual may not be treated or regarded inconsistent with the individual[s gender identity or discriminated against based on the individual[s gender identity or gender expression. 11. Current law allows public places of accommodation or amusement to provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes. The bill provides that public places of accommodation or amusement may provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes but prohibits those places from denying individuals equal access to the facilities most consistent with the individual[s gender identity. 12. The bill prohibits an insurer from discriminating against an individual on the basis of age, residence, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, occupation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation, and also prohibits motor carriers, automobile insurers, transportation network companies, and real estate brokers and salespersons from discriminating against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 13. The bill expressly prohibits a school board from discriminating against a student-led organization because the organization[s mission is related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR33 | Declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights. | Relating to: declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights. | In Committee |
| SJR40 | Recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Relating to: recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | In Committee |
| SJR47 | Observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR46 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. | In Committee |
| AJR52 | Proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AJR54 | Observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AJR42 | An advisory referendum on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. | Relating to: an advisory referendum on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. | In Committee |
| AJR44 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. | In Committee |
| AJR36 | The right of the people to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment and to its preservation (first consideration). | relating to: the right of the people to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment and to its preservation (first consideration). | In Committee |
| SJR41 | Celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Relating to: celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | In Committee |
| SJR8 | Proclaiming February 4, 2025, as Transit Equity Day. | Relating to: proclaiming February 4, 2025, as Transit Equity Day. | In Committee |
| AJR7 | Proclaiming February 4, 2025, as Transit Equity Day. | Relating to: proclaiming February 4, 2025, as Transit Equity Day. | In Committee |
| AJR26 | Honoring the life and public service of Senator Timothy Francis Cullen. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Senator Timothy Francis Cullen. | In Committee |
| SJR38 | An advisory referendum on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. | Relating to: an advisory referendum on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. | In Committee |
| SJR37 | The right of the people to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment and to its preservation (first consideration). | relating to: the right of the people to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment and to its preservation (first consideration). | In Committee |
| SJR21 | Honoring the life and public service of Senator Timothy Francis Cullen. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Senator Timothy Francis Cullen. | In Committee |
| SB223 | Discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services. | This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual[s gender identity or gender expression. The bill defines Xgender identityY as an individual[s internal, deeply held knowledge or sense of their own gender, regardless of the individual[s sex assigned at birth or gender identifiers on official governmental documents, and Xgender expressionY as an individual[s gender-related appearance or behavior, or the perception of that appearance or behavior, regardless of whether it is stereotypically associated with the individual[s sex assigned at birth. The bill also make changes to various discrimination laws, including all of the following: 1. Current law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and the equal enjoyment of a public place of accommodation or amusement on the basis of a person[s sex or sexual orientation. Current law also requires certain state agencies, authorities, and corporations to include provisions in contracts they execute obliging the contractor to similarly not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases for discrimination in these areas. 2. Current law prohibits the University of Wisconsin System, the Technical College System, public elementary and secondary schools, and charter schools from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill prohibits the same educational institutions from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s gender identity or gender expression and from discriminating against a student based on the protected status of the student[s parent. The bill also prohibits the UW System Board of Regents from investing gifts, grants, and bequests in companies that practice discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 3. Current law prohibits the exclusion of an individual from jury duty on the basis of the individual[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as a prohibited bases for exclusion of an individual from jury duty. 4. Current law allows only either a single adult or a husband and wife jointly to adopt a child. The bill allows only either a single individual or two individuals married to each other jointly to adopt a child and also provides that no otherwise qualified person may be denied the benefits of the adoption and guardianship LRB-0820/1 MIM&FFK:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 223 statute subchapter because of the person[s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 5. Current law requires heads of executive departments and agencies to determine whether there is arbitrary discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual orientation and to take remedial action if such discrimination is found. The bill requires these heads to also determine if there is discrimination on the basis of gender identity or gender expression and to take remedial action regarding such discrimination. 6. Current law prohibits discriminating against an employee, prospective employee, patient, or resident of an approved treatment facility providing treatment of alcoholic, drug dependent, mentally ill, or developmentally disabled persons on the basis of sex. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 7. Current law prohibits agency rules from discriminating against a person by reason of sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 8. Current law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the provision of vocational rehabilitation or mental health services. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 9. Current law prohibits the national guard or state defense force from denying membership based on sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. The bill also provides that no member of the national guard or state defense force may be denied equal access to facilities most consistent with the person[s gender identity. 10. Current law provides that sex is a bona fide occupational qualification if all of the members of one sex are physically incapable of performing the essential duties required by a job or if the essence of the employer[s business operation would be undermined if employees were not hired exclusively from one sex. The bill adds to the sex as a bona fide occupational qualification law that an individual may not be treated or regarded inconsistent with the individual[s gender identity or discriminated against based on the individual[s gender identity or gender expression. 11. Current law allows public places of accommodation or amusement to provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes. The bill provides that public places of accommodation or amusement may provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes but prohibits those places from denying individuals equal access to the facilities most consistent with the individual[s gender identity. 12. The bill prohibits an insurer from discriminating against an individual on the basis of age, residence, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, occupation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation, and also prohibits motor carriers, automobile insurers, transportation network companies, and real estate brokers and salespersons from discriminating LRB-0820/1 MIM&FFK:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 223 against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 13. The bill expressly prohibits a school board from discriminating against a student-led organization because the organization[s mission is related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR19 | Honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | Relating to: honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | Crossed Over |
| AJR31 | Proclaiming March 31, 2025, as Wisconsin’s Transgender Day of Visibility. | Relating to: proclaiming March 31, 2025, as Wisconsin[s Transgender Day of Visibility. | In Committee |
| AJR27 | Condemning the pardons and sentence commutations of individuals involved in the violent attack on law enforcement officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. | Relating to: condemning the pardons and sentence commutations of individuals involved in the violent attack on law enforcement officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. | In Committee |
| AB215 | Eliminating the publication requirement for a name change petition seeking to conform an individual’s name with the individual’s gender identity. | This bill provides an exception to the requirement that notices of name change petitions must be published for an individual who is seeking a name change to conform with the individual[s gender identity. Under current law, an individual who is a resident of this state generally is entitled to petition the court of the county in which the individual resides to have the individual[s name changed or established if no sufficient cause is shown to the contrary. Currently, the individual must, before petitioning the court, publish a notice stating the nature of the petition and when and where the petition will be heard. The individual must publish the notice in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks. Current law provides an exception to the publication requirement for an individual who 1) requests that the petition remain confidential, 2) shows that publication of the petition could endanger the individual, and 3) shows that the individual is not seeking a name change in order to avoid a debt or conceal a criminal record. Under current law, if the court determines that the individual is not required to publish notice, all records related to the individual[s name change are generally confidential and exempt from disclosure under the state public records law. This bill provides an additional exception to the publication requirement for an individual who shows that the individual is seeking a name change to conform with the individual[s gender identity. Under the bill, an individual who requests a confidential name change on that basis also must show that the individual is not seeking a name change in order to avoid a debt or conceal a criminal record, but the individual need not show that publication of the petition could endanger the individual. | In Committee |
| AB147 | The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to upon request make available to agricultural equipment owners and independent service providers any documentation, data, embedded software, firmware, parts, or tools that are intended for use with agricultural equipment, at certain fair costs and fair terms as articulated in the bill. XEquipmentY is defined in the bill to include equipment or parts that are designed primarily for use in the operation of a farm or in farm-related activities, including any combine, tractor, sprayer, implement, or attachment used in planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, or ranching, but not including vehicles or self-propelled machines designed primarily for the transportation of persons or property on a street or highway, aircraft, snowmobiles, personal watercraft or motorboats, or equipment or parts used for irrigation purposes. XDataY is defined in the bill to mean information that a manufacturer gathered, transmitted, or compiled that arose from the operation of an owner[s equipment and for which the associated owner has provided consent and authorization for the manufacturer to share. The bill generally does not require manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools that would require a manufacturer to divulge a trade secret. The bill exempts manufacturers and equipment dealers from liability stemming from an owner[s or independent repair provider[s faulty or otherwise improper repair that causes damage or loss of use of equipment, and exempts manufacturers from liability for an action resulting from a person[s use or reliance upon data that the manufacturer provided to a person. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB148 | The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to upon request make available to agricultural equipment owners and independent service providers any documentation, data, embedded software, firmware, parts, or tools that are intended for use with agricultural equipment, at certain fair costs and fair terms as articulated in the bill. XEquipmentY is defined in the bill to include equipment or parts that are designed primarily for use in the operation of a farm or in farm-related activities, including any combine, tractor, sprayer, implement, or attachment used in planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, or ranching, but not including vehicles or self-propelled machines designed primarily for the transportation of persons or property on a street or highway, aircraft, snowmobiles, personal watercraft or motorboats, or equipment or parts used for irrigation purposes. XDataY is defined in the bill to mean information that a manufacturer gathered, transmitted, or compiled that arose from the operation of an owner[s equipment and for which the associated owner has provided consent and authorization for the manufacturer to share. The bill generally does not require manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools that would require a manufacturer to divulge a trade secret. The bill exempts manufacturers and equipment dealers LRB-0923/2 JAM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 148 from liability stemming from an owner[s or independent repair provider[s faulty or otherwise improper repair that causes damage or loss of use of equipment, and exempts manufacturers from liability for an action resulting from a person[s use or reliance upon data that the manufacturer provided to a person. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB217 | Eliminating the publication requirement for a name change petition seeking to conform an individual’s name with the individual’s gender identity. | This bill provides an exception to the requirement that notices of name change petitions must be published for an individual who is seeking a name change to conform with the individual[s gender identity. Under current law, an individual who is a resident of this state generally is entitled to petition the court of the county in which the individual resides to have the individual[s name changed or established if no sufficient cause is shown to the contrary. Currently, the individual must, before petitioning the court, publish a notice stating the nature of the petition and when and where the petition will be heard. The individual must publish the notice in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks. Current law provides an exception to the publication requirement for an individual who 1) requests that the petition remain confidential, 2) shows that publication of the petition could endanger the individual, and 3) shows that the individual is not seeking a name change in order to avoid a debt or conceal a criminal record. Under current law, if the court determines that the LRB-0977/1 KRP:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 217 individual is not required to publish notice, all records related to the individual[s name change are generally confidential and exempt from disclosure under the state public records law. This bill provides an additional exception to the publication requirement for an individual who shows that the individual is seeking a name change to conform with the individual[s gender identity. Under the bill, an individual who requests a confidential name change on that basis also must show that the individual is not seeking a name change in order to avoid a debt or conceal a criminal record, but the individual need not show that publication of the petition could endanger the individual. | In Committee |
| SJR31 | Proclaiming March 31, 2025, as Wisconsin’s Transgender Day of Visibility. | Relating to: proclaiming March 31, 2025, as Wisconsin[s Transgender Day of Visibility. | In Committee |
| SJR20 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Soletski. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Soletski. | 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 |
| AJR5 | Proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | Relating to: proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SR2 | Proclaiming March 2025 and March 2026 as Women’s History Months. | Relating to: proclaiming March 2025 and March 2026 as Women[s History Months. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| SJR19 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | In Committee |
| SB135 | Special observance days in schools. | This bill adds February 18, Vel R. Phillips[s birthday, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. | In Committee |
| SJR17 | Honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | Relating to: honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | In Committee |
| AB125 | Special observance days in schools. | This bill adds February 18, Vel R. Phillips[s birthday, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. | In Committee |
| SB60 | Expanding the homestead income tax credit. (FE) | Under current law, the homestead tax credit is a refundable income tax credit that may be claimed by homeowners and renters. The credit is based on the claimant[s household income and the amount of property taxes or rent constituting property taxes on his or her Wisconsin homestead. Because the credit is refundable, if the credit exceeds the claimant[s income tax liability, he or she receives the excess as a refund check. Under current law, there are three key dollar amounts used when calculating the credit: 1. If household income is $8,060 or less, the credit is 80 percent of the property taxes or rent constituting property taxes. If household income exceeds $8,060, the property taxes or rent constituting property taxes are reduced by 8.785 percent of the household income exceeding $8,060, and the credit is 80 percent of the reduced property taxes or rent constituting property taxes. 2. The credit may not be claimed if household income exceeds $24,680. LRB-2169/1 KP:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 60 3. The maximum property taxes or rent constituting property taxes used to calculate the credit is $1,460. Beginning with claims filed for the 2025 tax year, this bill reduces the percentage used for household income over $8,060 from 8.785 to 5.614 percent and increases the maximum income amount from $24,680 to $35,000. The bill also indexes the $8,060, $35,000, and $1,460 amounts for inflation during future tax years. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB52 | Expanding the homestead income tax credit. (FE) | Under current law, the homestead tax credit is a refundable income tax credit that may be claimed by homeowners and renters. The credit is based on the claimant[s household income and the amount of property taxes or rent constituting property taxes on his or her Wisconsin homestead. Because the credit is refundable, if the credit exceeds the claimant[s income tax liability, he or she receives the excess as a refund check. Under current law, there are three key dollar amounts used when calculating the credit: 1. If household income is $8,060 or less, the credit is 80 percent of the property taxes or rent constituting property taxes. If household income exceeds $8,060, the property taxes or rent constituting property taxes are reduced by 8.785 percent of the household income exceeding $8,060, and the credit is 80 percent of the reduced property taxes or rent constituting property taxes. 2. The credit may not be claimed if household income exceeds $24,680. 3. The maximum property taxes or rent constituting property taxes used to calculate the credit is $1,460. Beginning with claims filed for the 2025 tax year, this bill reduces the percentage used for household income over $8,060 from 8.785 to 5.614 percent and increases the maximum income amount from $24,680 to $35,000. The bill also indexes the $8,060, $35,000, and $1,460 amounts for inflation during future tax years. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR15 | Condemning the pardons and sentence commutations of individuals involved in the violent attack on law enforcement officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. | Relating to: condemning the pardons and sentence commutations of individuals involved in the violent attack on law enforcement officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. | In Committee |
| SJR13 | Honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. | In Committee |
| AB48 | Providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides additional state aid to public and private schools in this state that provide free meals to all pupils. Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction makes payments to school districts, private schools, independent charter schools, tribal schools, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to partially match the federal contribution under the National School Lunch Program, under which schools provide free or reduced-price lunches to low-income children. Currently, the state share for school lunches is a variable percentage of the amount of the federal basic reimbursement, which is then allocated among eligible schools according to the number of lunches served during the prior school year. Also under current law, DPI provides a per meal reimbursement to school districts, private schools, and tribal schools that provide breakfast to pupils under the federal School Breakfast Program. Currently, the state provides a per meal reimbursement of $0.15 for each breakfast served under the program, but, if there is insufficient funding to pay the full amount, DPI prorates the payments. Under the bill, a school is eligible for additional state reimbursement for lunches and breakfasts served in a school year if the school 1) participates in both the National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year; and 2) for each school day in which school is in session during the school year, provides to any pupil who requests one, at no cost to the pupil, one lunch and one breakfast that meet the federal food, nutritional, and other requirements for meals served under the federal programs. Under the bill, DPI must reimburse an eligible school a per meal amount that is equal to the federal reimbursement rate applicable to the eligible school under the applicable federal program for a meal served to a pupil who satisfies the income eligibility criteria for a free lunch, minus any amount the eligible school receives from the federal government to pay for those meals. In other words, the bill guarantees that an eligible school will receive a total amount in state and federal aid that will reimburse the eligible school an amount equal to the free meal reimbursement rate for each meal the eligible school serves. The additional state reimbursement under the bill is available to school districts, independent charter schools, private schools, tribal schools, residential care centers for children and youth, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired that meet the eligibility requirements. Under the bill, if a school does not meet the eligibility requirements for the additional state reimbursement for a school year, all of the following apply: 1. If the school participates in the National School Lunch Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school an amount required to meet the state[s matching obligation under the federal program. 2. If the school participates in the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school $0.15 for each breakfast served under the federal program, without proration. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB67 | Providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides additional state aid to public and private schools in this state that provide free meals to all pupils. Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction makes payments to school districts, private schools, independent charter schools, tribal schools, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to partially match the federal contribution under the National School Lunch Program, under which schools provide free or reduced-price lunches to low-income children. Currently, the state share for school lunches is a variable percentage of the amount of the federal basic LRB-2213/1 KMS:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 67 reimbursement, which is then allocated among eligible schools according to the number of lunches served during the prior school year. Also under current law, DPI provides a per meal reimbursement to school districts, private schools, and tribal schools that provide breakfast to pupils under the federal School Breakfast Program. Currently, the state provides a per meal reimbursement of $0.15 for each breakfast served under the program, but, if there is insufficient funding to pay the full amount, DPI prorates the payments. Under the bill, a school is eligible for additional state reimbursement for lunches and breakfasts served in a school year if the school 1) participates in both the National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year; and 2) for each school day in which school is in session during the school year, provides to any pupil who requests one, at no cost to the pupil, one lunch and one breakfast that meet the federal food, nutritional, and other requirements for meals served under the federal programs. Under the bill, DPI must reimburse an eligible school a per meal amount that is equal to the federal reimbursement rate applicable to the eligible school under the applicable federal program for a meal served to a pupil who satisfies the income eligibility criteria for a free lunch, minus any amount the eligible school receives from the federal government to pay for those meals. In other words, the bill guarantees that an eligible school will receive a total amount in state and federal aid that will reimburse the eligible school an amount equal to the free meal reimbursement rate for each meal the eligible school serves. The additional state reimbursement under the bill is available to school districts, independent charter schools, private schools, tribal schools, residential care centers for children and youth, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired that meet the eligibility requirements. Under the bill, if a school does not meet the eligibility requirements for the additional state reimbursement for a school year, all of the following apply: 1. If the school participates in the National School Lunch Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school an amount required to meet the state[s matching obligation under the federal program. 2. If the school participates in the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school $0.15 for each breakfast served under the federal program, without proration. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB62 | Health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Elimination of cost sharing for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program Under current law, certain persons who receive health services under the Medical Assistance program, also known in this state as BadgerCare, are required to contribute a cost-sharing payment to the cost of certain health services. This bill eliminates all cost-sharing payments for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. Cost-sharing cap on insulin The bill prohibits every health insurance policy and governmental self-insured health plan that covers insulin and imposes cost sharing on prescription drugs from imposing cost sharing on insulin in an amount that exceeds $35 for a one-month supply. Current law requires every health insurance policy that provides coverage of expenses incurred for treatment of diabetes to provide coverage for specified expenses and items, including insulin. The required coverage under current law for certain diabetes treatments other than insulin infusion pumps is subject to the same exclusions, limitations, deductibles, and coinsurance provisions of the policy as other covered expenses. The bill[s cost-sharing limitation on insulin supersedes the specification that the exclusions, limitations, deductibles, and coinsurance are the same as for other coverage. Fiduciary and disclosure requirements for pharmacy benefit managers The bill imposes fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers. Pharmacy benefit managers contract with health plans that provide prescription drug benefits to administer those benefits for the plans. They also have contracts with pharmacies and pay the pharmacies for providing drugs to the plan beneficiaries. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager owes a fiduciary duty to a health plan sponsor. The bill also requires that a pharmacy benefit manager annually disclose all of the following information to the plan sponsor: 1. The indirect profit received by the pharmacy benefit manager from owning a pharmacy or service provider. 2. Any payments made to a consultant or broker who works on behalf of the plan sponsor. 3. From the amounts received from drug manufacturers, the amounts retained by the pharmacy benefit manager that are related to the plan sponsor[s claims or bona fide service fees. 4. The amounts received from network pharmacies and the amount retained by the pharmacy benefit manager. Reimbursements for certain 340B program entities The bill prohibits any person from reimbursing certain entities that participate in the federal drug pricing program, known as the 340B program, for a drug subject to an agreement under the program at a rate lower than that paid for the same drug to pharmacies that have a similar prescription volume. The bill also prohibits a person from imposing any fee, charge back, or other adjustment on the basis of the entity[s participation in the 340B program. The entities covered by the prohibitions under the bill are federally qualified health centers, critical access hospitals, and grantees under the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, as well as these entities[ pharmacies and any pharmacy with which any of the entities have contracted to dispense drugs through the 340B program. Drug repository program Under current law, the Department of Health Services must maintain a drug repository program under which any person may donate certain drugs or supplies to be dispensed to and used by eligible individuals, prioritizing uninsured and indigent individuals. The bill allows DHS to partner with out-of-state drug repository programs. The bill also allows out-of-state persons to donate to the drug repository program in Wisconsin and persons in Wisconsin to donate to participating drug repository programs in other states. Further, the bill directs DHS to study and implement a centralized, physical drug repository program. Value-based diabetes medication pilot project The bill directs the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to develop a pilot project under which a pharmacy benefit manager and pharmaceutical manufacturer are directed to create a value-based, sole-source arrangement to reduce the costs of prescription diabetes medication. The bill allows OCI to promulgate rules to implement the pilot project. Pharmacist continuing education credits for volunteering at free and charitable clinics Under current law, a licensed pharmacist must renew his or her license every two years. An applicant for renewal of a pharmacist license must submit proof that he or she has completed 30 hours of continuing education within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of his or her application. The bill allows pharmacists to meet up to 10 hours of the continuing education requirement for each two-year period by volunteering at a free and charitable clinic approved by the Pharmacy Examining Board. Prescription drug importation program The bill requires the commissioner of insurance, in consultation with persons interested in the sale and pricing of prescription drugs and federal officials and agencies, to design and implement a prescription drug importation program for the benefit of and that generates savings for Wisconsin residents. The bill establishes requirements for the program, including all of the following: 1. The commissioner must designate a state agency to become a licensed wholesale distributor or contract with a licensed wholesale distributor and to seek federal certification and approval to import prescription drugs. 2. The program must comply with certain federal regulations and import from Canadian suppliers only prescription drugs that are not brand-name drugs, have fewer than four competitor drugs in this country, and for which importation creates substantial savings. 3. The commissioner must ensure that prescription drugs imported under the program are not distributed, dispensed, or sold outside of Wisconsin. 4. The program must have an audit procedure to ensure the program complies with certain requirements specified in the bill. Before submitting the proposed program to the federal government for certification, the commissioner must submit the proposed program to the Joint Committee on Finance for its approval. Pharmacy benefits tool grants The bill directs OCI to award grants in an amount of up to $500,000 in each fiscal year to health care providers to develop and implement a patient pharmacy benefits tool that would allow prescribers to disclose the cost of prescription drugs for patients. The tool must be usable by physicians and other prescribers to determine the cost of prescription drugs for their patients. Any health care provider that receives a grant to develop and implement a patient pharmacy benefits tool is required to contribute matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total grant awarded. Prescription drug purchasing entity study The bill requires OCI to conduct a study on the viability of creating or implementing a state prescription drug purchasing entity. Licensure of pharmacy services administrative organizations The bill requires that a pharmacy services administrative organization (PSAO) be licensed by OCI. Under the bill, a PSAO is an entity operating in Wisconsin that does all of the following: 1. Contracts with an independent pharmacy to conduct business on the pharmacy[s behalf with a third-party payer. 2. Provides at least one administrative service to an independent pharmacy and negotiates and enters into a contract with a third-party payer or pharmacy benefit manager on the pharmacy[s behalf. The bill defines Xindependent pharmacyY to mean a licensed pharmacy operating in Wisconsin that is under common ownership with no more than two other pharmacies. XAdministrative serviceY is defined to mean assisting with claims or audits, providing centralized payment, performing certification in a specialized care program, providing compliance support, setting flat fees for generic drugs, assisting with store layout, managing inventory, providing marketing support, providing management and analysis of payment and drug dispensing data, or providing resources for retail cash cards. The bill defines Xthird-party payerY to mean an entity operating in Wisconsin that pays or insures health, medical, or prescription drug expenses on behalf of beneficiaries. The bill uses the current law definition of Xpharmacy benefit manager,Y which is an entity doing business in Wisconsin that contracts to administer or manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of an insurer or other entity that provides prescription drug benefits to Wisconsin residents. To obtain the license required by the bill, a person must apply to OCI and provide the contact information for the applicant and a contact person, evidence of financial responsibility of at least $1,000,000, and any other information required by the commissioner by rule. Under the bill, the license fee is set by the commissioner, and the term of a license is two years. The bill also requires that a PSAO disclose to OCI the extent of any ownership or control by an entity that provides pharmacy services; provides prescription drug or device services; or manufactures, sells, or distributes prescription drugs, biologicals, or medical devices. The PSAO must notify OCI within five days of any material change in its ownership or control related to such an entity. Licensure of pharmaceutical representatives The bill requires a pharmaceutical representative to be licensed by OCI and to display the pharmaceutical representative[s license during each visit with a health care professional. The bill defines Xpharmaceutical representativeY to mean an individual who markets or promotes pharmaceuticals to health care professionals on behalf of a pharmaceutical manufacturer for compensation. The term of a license issued under the bill is one year, and the license is renewable. The application to obtain or renew a license must include the applicant[s contact information, a description of the type of work in which the applicant will engage, the license fee, an attestation that professional education requirements are met, proof that any penalties and other fees are paid, and any other information required by OCI by rule. Under the bill, the license fee is set by the commissioner. The bill requires the pharmaceutical representative to report, within four business days, any change to the information provided on the application or any material change to the pharmaceutical representative[s business operations or other information required to be reported under the bill. The bill requires that a pharmaceutical representative complete a professional education course prior to becoming licensed and to annually complete at least five hours of continuing professional education courses. The coursework must include, at a minimum, training in ethical standards, whistleblower protections, and the laws and rules applicable to pharmaceutical marketing. The bill directs the commissioner to regularly publish a list of courses that fulfill the education requirements. Under the bill, a course provider must disclose any conflict of interest to the commissioner, and the courses may not be provided by the employer of a pharmaceutical representative or be funded by the pharmaceutical industry or a third party funded by the industry. The bill requires that, no later than June 1 of each year, a pharmaceutical representative report to OCI the pharmaceutical representative[s total number of contacts with health care professionals in Wisconsin, the specialties of those health care professionals, the location and duration of each contact, the pharmaceuticals discussed, and the value of any item provided to a health care professional. The bill directs the commissioner to publish the information on OCI[s website without identifying individual health care professionals. The bill requires that a pharmaceutical representative, during each contact with a health care professional, disclose the wholesale acquisition cost of any pharmaceuticals discussed and the names of at least three generic prescription drugs from the same therapeutic class. The bill directs the commissioner to promulgate ethical standards for pharmaceutical representatives. Additionally, the bill prohibits a pharmaceutical representative from engaging in deceptive or misleading marketing of a pharmaceutical product; using a title or designation that could reasonably lead a licensed health care professional, or an employee or representative of such a professional, to believe that the pharmaceutical representative is licensed to practice in a health occupation unless the pharmaceutical representative holds a license to practice in that health occupation; or attending a patient examination without the patient[s consent. An individual who violates any of the requirements under the bill is subject to a forfeiture, and the individual[s license may be suspended or revoked. An individual whose license is revoked must wait at least two years before applying for a new license. Insulin safety net programs The bill requires insulin manufacturers to establish a program under which qualifying Wisconsin residents who are in urgent need of insulin and are uninsured or have limited insurance coverage can be dispensed insulin at a pharmacy. An individual is in urgent need of insulin if the individual needs insulin in order to avoid the likelihood of suffering a significant health consequence and possesses less than a seven-day supply of insulin readily available for use. Under the program, if a qualifying individual in urgent need of insulin provides a pharmacy with a form attesting that the individual meets the program[s eligibility requirements, specified proof of residency, and a valid insulin prescription, the pharmacy must dispense a 30-day supply of insulin to the individual and may charge the individual a copayment of no more than $35. The pharmacy may submit an electronic payment claim for the insulin[s acquisition cost to the manufacturer or agree to receive a replacement of the same insulin in the amount dispensed. The bill also requires that each insulin manufacturer establish a patient assistance program to make insulin available to any qualifying Wisconsin resident who, among other requirements, is uninsured or has limited insurance coverage and whose family income does not exceed 400 percent of the federal poverty line. Under the bill, an individual must apply to participate in a manufacturer[s program. If the manufacturer determines that the individual meets the program[s eligibility requirements, the manufacturer must issue the individual a statement of eligibility, which is valid for 12 months and may be renewed. Under the bill, if an individual with a statement of eligibility and valid insulin prescription requests insulin from a pharmacy, the pharmacy must submit an order to the manufacturer, who must then provide a 90-day supply of insulin at no charge to the individual or pharmacy. The pharmacy may charge the individual a copayment of no more than $50. Under the bill, a manufacturer is not required to issue a statement of eligibility if the individual has prescription drug coverage through an individual or group health plan and the manufacturer determines that the individual[s insulin needs are better addressed through the manufacturer[s copayment assistance program. In such case, the manufacturer must provide the individual with necessary drug coupons to submit to a pharmacy, and the individual may not be required to pay more than a $50 copayment for a 90-day supply of insulin. Under the bill, if the manufacturer determines that an individual is not eligible for the patient assistance program, the individual may file an appeal with OCI. The bill directs OCI to establish procedures for deciding appeals. Under the bill, OCI must issue a decision within 10 days, and that decision is final. The bill requires that insulin manufacturers annually report to OCI certain information, including the number of individuals served and the cost of insulin dispensed under the programs and that OCI annually report to the governor and the legislature on the programs. The bill also directs OCI to conduct public outreach and develop an information sheet about the programs, conduct satisfaction surveys of individuals and pharmacies that participate in the programs, and report to the governor and the legislature on the surveys by July 1, 2028. Additionally, the bill requires that OCI develop a training program for health care navigators to assist individuals in accessing appropriate long-term insulin options and maintain a list of trained navigators. The bill provides that a manufacturer that fails to comply with the bill[s provisions may be assessed a forfeiture of up to noncompliance, which increases to $400,000 per month if the manufacturer continues to be in noncompliance after six months and to $600,000 per month if the manufacturer continues to be in noncompliance after one year. The bill[s requirements do not apply to manufacturers with annual insulin sales revenue in Wisconsin of no more than $2,000,000 or to insulin that costs less than a specified dollar amount. Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board The bill creates a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board, whose purpose is to protect Wisconsin residents and other stakeholders from the high costs of prescription drugs. The board consists of the commissioner of insurance and the following members, all of whom are appointed by the governor for four-year terms: 1. Two members who represent the pharmaceutical drug industry, at least one of whom is a licensed pharmacist. 2. Two members who represent the health insurance industry. 3. Two members who represent the health care industry, at least one of whom is a licensed practitioner. 4. Two members who represent the interests of the public. The bill requires the board to meet in open session at least four times per year to review prescription drug pricing information. The board must provide at least two weeks[ public notice of each meeting, make the meeting[s materials publicly available at least one week prior to the meeting, and provide the opportunity for public comment. The bill imposes conflict of interest requirements for the board relating to recusal and public disclosure of certain conflicts. The bill directs the board to access and assess drug pricing information, to the extent practicable, by accessing and assessing information from other states, by assessing spending for the drug in Wisconsin, and by accessing other available pricing information. Under the bill, the board must conduct drug cost affordability reviews. The board must identify prescription drugs whose launch wholesale acquisition cost exceeds specified thresholds, prescription drugs whose increase in wholesale acquisition cost exceeds specified thresholds, and other prescription drugs that may create affordability challenges for the health care system in Wisconsin. For each identified prescription drug, the board must determine whether to conduct an affordability review by seeking stakeholder input and considering the average patient cost share for the drug. During an affordability review, the board must determine whether use of the prescription drug that is fully consistent with the labeling approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or standard medical practice has led or will lead to an affordability challenge for the health care system in Wisconsin. In making this determination, the bill requires the board to consider a variety of factors, which include the following: 1. The drug[s wholesale acquisition cost. 2. The average monetary price concession, discount, or rebate the manufacturer provides, or is expected to provide, for the drug to health plans. 3. The total amount of price concessions, discounts, and rebates the manufacturer provides to each pharmacy benefit manager for the drug. 4. The price at which therapeutic alternatives have been sold and the average monetary concession, discount, or rebate the manufacturer provides, or is expected to provide, to health plan payors and pharmacy benefit managers for therapeutic alternatives. 5. The costs to health plans based on patient access consistent with federal labeled indications and recognized standard medical practice. 6. The impact on patient access resulting from the drug[s cost relative to insurance benefit design. 7. The current or expected dollar value of drug-specific patient access programs that are supported by the manufacturer. 8. The relative financial impacts to health, medical, or social services costs that can be quantified and compared to baseline effects of existing therapeutic alternatives. 9. The average patient copay or other cost sharing for the drug. If the board determines that a prescription drug will lead to an affordability challenge, the bill directs the board to establish an upper payment limit for that drug that applies to all purchases and payor reimbursements of the drug dispensed or administered to individuals in Wisconsin. In establishing the upper payment limit, the board must consider the cost of administering the drug, the cost of delivering it to consumers, and other relevant administrative costs. For certain drugs, the board must solicit information from the manufacturer regarding the price increase and, if the board determines that the price increase is not a result of the need for increased manufacturing capacity or other effort to improve patient access during a public health emergency, the board must establish an upper payment limit equal to the drug[s cost prior to the price increase. Further, this bill provides $500,000 in program revenue in fiscal year 2026]27 for onetime implementation costs associated with establishing an Office of Prescription Drug Affordability in OCI. The bill provides that the Office of Prescription Drug Affordability is responsible for prescription drug affordability programming within OCI and for overseeing the operations of the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. Additionally, the bill authorizes and funds for fiscal year 2026]27 16.0 positions for the Office of Prescription Drug Affordability. Finally, the bill credits to the appropriation account for OCI[s general program operations all moneys received from the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy benefit management brokers, pharmacy benefit management consultants, pharmacy services administrative organizations, and pharmaceutical sales representatives. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB50 | Health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Elimination of cost sharing for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program Under current law, certain persons who receive health services under the Medical Assistance program, also known in this state as BadgerCare, are required to contribute a cost-sharing payment to the cost of certain health services. This bill eliminates all cost-sharing payments for prescription drugs under the Medical LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 Assistance program. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. Cost-sharing cap on insulin The bill prohibits every health insurance policy and governmental self-insured health plan that covers insulin and imposes cost sharing on prescription drugs from imposing cost sharing on insulin in an amount that exceeds $35 for a one-month supply. Current law requires every health insurance policy that provides coverage of expenses incurred for treatment of diabetes to provide coverage for specified expenses and items, including insulin. The required coverage under current law for certain diabetes treatments other than insulin infusion pumps is subject to the same exclusions, limitations, deductibles, and coinsurance provisions of the policy as other covered expenses. The bill[s cost-sharing limitation on insulin supersedes the specification that the exclusions, limitations, deductibles, and coinsurance are the same as for other coverage. Fiduciary and disclosure requirements for pharmacy benefit managers The bill imposes fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers. Pharmacy benefit managers contract with health plans that provide prescription drug benefits to administer those benefits for the plans. They also have contracts with pharmacies and pay the pharmacies for providing drugs to the plan beneficiaries. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager owes a fiduciary duty to a health plan sponsor. The bill also requires that a pharmacy benefit manager annually disclose all of the following information to the plan sponsor: 1. The indirect profit received by the pharmacy benefit manager from owning a pharmacy or service provider. 2. Any payments made to a consultant or broker who works on behalf of the plan sponsor. 3. From the amounts received from drug manufacturers, the amounts retained by the pharmacy benefit manager that are related to the plan sponsor[s claims or bona fide service fees. 4. The amounts received from network pharmacies and the amount retained by the pharmacy benefit manager. Reimbursements for certain 340B program entities The bill prohibits any person from reimbursing certain entities that participate in the federal drug pricing program, known as the 340B program, for a drug subject to an agreement under the program at a rate lower than that paid for the same drug to pharmacies that have a similar prescription volume. The bill also prohibits a person from imposing any fee, charge back, or other adjustment on the basis of the entity[s participation in the 340B program. The entities covered by the prohibitions under the bill are federally qualified health centers, critical access hospitals, and grantees under the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, as well LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 as these entities[ pharmacies and any pharmacy with which any of the entities have contracted to dispense drugs through the 340B program. Drug repository program Under current law, the Department of Health Services must maintain a drug repository program under which any person may donate certain drugs or supplies to be dispensed to and used by eligible individuals, prioritizing uninsured and indigent individuals. The bill allows DHS to partner with out-of-state drug repository programs. The bill also allows out-of-state persons to donate to the drug repository program in Wisconsin and persons in Wisconsin to donate to participating drug repository programs in other states. Further, the bill directs DHS to study and implement a centralized, physical drug repository program. Value-based diabetes medication pilot project The bill directs the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to develop a pilot project under which a pharmacy benefit manager and pharmaceutical manufacturer are directed to create a value-based, sole-source arrangement to reduce the costs of prescription diabetes medication. The bill allows OCI to promulgate rules to implement the pilot project. Pharmacist continuing education credits for volunteering at free and charitable clinics Under current law, a licensed pharmacist must renew his or her license every two years. An applicant for renewal of a pharmacist license must submit proof that he or she has completed 30 hours of continuing education within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of his or her application. The bill allows pharmacists to meet up to 10 hours of the continuing education requirement for each two-year period by volunteering at a free and charitable clinic approved by the Pharmacy Examining Board. Prescription drug importation program The bill requires the commissioner of insurance, in consultation with persons interested in the sale and pricing of prescription drugs and federal officials and agencies, to design and implement a prescription drug importation program for the benefit of and that generates savings for Wisconsin residents. The bill establishes requirements for the program, including all of the following: 1. The commissioner must designate a state agency to become a licensed wholesale distributor or contract with a licensed wholesale distributor and to seek federal certification and approval to import prescription drugs. 2. The program must comply with certain federal regulations and import from Canadian suppliers only prescription drugs that are not brand-name drugs, have fewer than four competitor drugs in this country, and for which importation creates substantial savings. 3. The commissioner must ensure that prescription drugs imported under the program are not distributed, dispensed, or sold outside of Wisconsin. LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 4. The program must have an audit procedure to ensure the program complies with certain requirements specified in the bill. Before submitting the proposed program to the federal government for certification, the commissioner must submit the proposed program to the Joint Committee on Finance for its approval. Pharmacy benefits tool grants The bill directs OCI to award grants in an amount of up to $500,000 in each fiscal year to health care providers to develop and implement a patient pharmacy benefits tool that would allow prescribers to disclose the cost of prescription drugs for patients. The tool must be usable by physicians and other prescribers to determine the cost of prescription drugs for their patients. Any health care provider that receives a grant to develop and implement a patient pharmacy benefits tool is required to contribute matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total grant awarded. Prescription drug purchasing entity study The bill requires OCI to conduct a study on the viability of creating or implementing a state prescription drug purchasing entity. Licensure of pharmacy services administrative organizations The bill requires that a pharmacy services administrative organization (PSAO) be licensed by OCI. Under the bill, a PSAO is an entity operating in Wisconsin that does all of the following: 1. Contracts with an independent pharmacy to conduct business on the pharmacy[s behalf with a third-party payer. 2. Provides at least one administrative service to an independent pharmacy and negotiates and enters into a contract with a third-party payer or pharmacy benefit manager on the pharmacy[s behalf. The bill defines Xindependent pharmacyY to mean a licensed pharmacy operating in Wisconsin that is under common ownership with no more than two other pharmacies. XAdministrative serviceY is defined to mean assisting with claims or audits, providing centralized payment, performing certification in a specialized care program, providing compliance support, setting flat fees for generic drugs, assisting with store layout, managing inventory, providing marketing support, providing management and analysis of payment and drug dispensing data, or providing resources for retail cash cards. The bill defines Xthird-party payerY to mean an entity operating in Wisconsin that pays or insures health, medical, or prescription drug expenses on behalf of beneficiaries. The bill uses the current law definition of Xpharmacy benefit manager,Y which is an entity doing business in Wisconsin that contracts to administer or manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of an insurer or other entity that provides prescription drug benefits to Wisconsin residents. To obtain the license required by the bill, a person must apply to OCI and provide the contact information for the applicant and a contact person, evidence of LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 financial responsibility of at least $1,000,000, and any other information required by the commissioner by rule. Under the bill, the license fee is set by the commissioner, and the term of a license is two years. The bill also requires that a PSAO disclose to OCI the extent of any ownership or control by an entity that provides pharmacy services; provides prescription drug or device services; or manufactures, sells, or distributes prescription drugs, biologicals, or medical devices. The PSAO must notify OCI within five days of any material change in its ownership or control related to such an entity. Licensure of pharmaceutical representatives The bill requires a pharmaceutical representative to be licensed by OCI and to display the pharmaceutical representative[s license during each visit with a health care professional. The bill defines Xpharmaceutical representativeY to mean an individual who markets or promotes pharmaceuticals to health care professionals on behalf of a pharmaceutical manufacturer for compensation. The term of a license issued under the bill is one year, and the license is renewable. The application to obtain or renew a license must include the applicant[s contact information, a description of the type of work in which the applicant will engage, the license fee, an attestation that professional education requirements are met, proof that any penalties and other fees are paid, and any other information required by OCI by rule. Under the bill, the license fee is set by the commissioner. The bill requires the pharmaceutical representative to report, within four business days, any change to the information provided on the application or any material change to the pharmaceutical representative[s business operations or other information required to be reported under the bill. The bill requires that a pharmaceutical representative complete a professional education course prior to becoming licensed and to annually complete at least five hours of continuing professional education courses. The coursework must include, at a minimum, training in ethical standards, whistleblower protections, and the laws and rules applicable to pharmaceutical marketing. The bill directs the commissioner to regularly publish a list of courses that fulfill the education requirements. Under the bill, a course provider must disclose any conflict of interest to the commissioner, and the courses may not be provided by the employer of a pharmaceutical representative or be funded by the pharmaceutical industry or a third party funded by the industry. The bill requires that, no later than June 1 of each year, a pharmaceutical representative report to OCI the pharmaceutical representative[s total number of contacts with health care professionals in Wisconsin, the specialties of those health care professionals, the location and duration of each contact, the pharmaceuticals discussed, and the value of any item provided to a health care professional. The bill directs the commissioner to publish the information on OCI[s website without identifying individual health care professionals. The bill requires that a pharmaceutical representative, during each contact with a health care professional, disclose the wholesale acquisition cost of any LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 pharmaceuticals discussed and the names of at least three generic prescription drugs from the same therapeutic class. The bill directs the commissioner to promulgate ethical standards for pharmaceutical representatives. Additionally, the bill prohibits a pharmaceutical representative from engaging in deceptive or misleading marketing of a pharmaceutical product; using a title or designation that could reasonably lead a licensed health care professional, or an employee or representative of such a professional, to believe that the pharmaceutical representative is licensed to practice in a health occupation unless the pharmaceutical representative holds a license to practice in that health occupation; or attending a patient examination without the patient[s consent. An individual who violates any of the requirements under the bill is subject to a forfeiture, and the individual[s license may be suspended or revoked. An individual whose license is revoked must wait at least two years before applying for a new license. Insulin safety net programs The bill requires insulin manufacturers to establish a program under which qualifying Wisconsin residents who are in urgent need of insulin and are uninsured or have limited insurance coverage can be dispensed insulin at a pharmacy. An individual is in urgent need of insulin if the individual needs insulin in order to avoid the likelihood of suffering a significant health consequence and possesses less than a seven-day supply of insulin readily available for use. Under the program, if a qualifying individual in urgent need of insulin provides a pharmacy with a form attesting that the individual meets the program[s eligibility requirements, specified proof of residency, and a valid insulin prescription, the pharmacy must dispense a 30-day supply of insulin to the individual and may charge the individual a copayment of no more than $35. The pharmacy may submit an electronic payment claim for the insulin[s acquisition cost to the manufacturer or agree to receive a replacement of the same insulin in the amount dispensed. The bill also requires that each insulin manufacturer establish a patient assistance program to make insulin available to any qualifying Wisconsin resident who, among other requirements, is uninsured or has limited insurance coverage and whose family income does not exceed 400 percent of the federal poverty line. Under the bill, an individual must apply to participate in a manufacturer[s program. If the manufacturer determines that the individual meets the program[s eligibility requirements, the manufacturer must issue the individual a statement of eligibility, which is valid for 12 months and may be renewed. Under the bill, if an individual with a statement of eligibility and valid insulin prescription requests insulin from a pharmacy, the pharmacy must submit an order to the manufacturer, who must then provide a 90-day supply of insulin at no charge to the individual or pharmacy. The pharmacy may charge the individual a copayment of no more than $50. Under the bill, a manufacturer is not required to issue a statement of eligibility if the individual has prescription drug coverage through an individual or LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 group health plan and the manufacturer determines that the individual[s insulin needs are better addressed through the manufacturer[s copayment assistance program. In such case, the manufacturer must provide the individual with necessary drug coupons to submit to a pharmacy, and the individual may not be required to pay more than a $50 copayment for a 90-day supply of insulin. Under the bill, if the manufacturer determines that an individual is not eligible for the patient assistance program, the individual may file an appeal with OCI. The bill directs OCI to establish procedures for deciding appeals. Under the bill, OCI must issue a decision within 10 days, and that decision is final. The bill requires that insulin manufacturers annually report to OCI certain information, including the number of individuals served and the cost of insulin dispensed under the programs and that OCI annually report to the governor and the legislature on the programs. The bill also directs OCI to conduct public outreach and develop an information sheet about the programs, conduct satisfaction surveys of individuals and pharmacies that participate in the programs, and report to the governor and the legislature on the surveys by July 1, 2028. Additionally, the bill requires that OCI develop a training program for health care navigators to assist individuals in accessing appropriate long-term insulin options and maintain a list of trained navigators. The bill provides that a manufacturer that fails to comply with the bill[s provisions may be assessed a forfeiture of up to noncompliance, which increases to $400,000 per month if the manufacturer continues to be in noncompliance after six months and to $600,000 per month if the manufacturer continues to be in noncompliance after one year. The bill[s requirements do not apply to manufacturers with annual insulin sales revenue in Wisconsin of no more than $2,000,000 or to insulin that costs less than a specified dollar amount. Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board The bill creates a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board, whose purpose is to protect Wisconsin residents and other stakeholders from the high costs of prescription drugs. The board consists of the commissioner of insurance and the following members, all of whom are appointed by the governor for four-year terms: 1. Two members who represent the pharmaceutical drug industry, at least one of whom is a licensed pharmacist. 2. Two members who represent the health insurance industry. 3. Two members who represent the health care industry, at least one of whom is a licensed practitioner. 4. Two members who represent the interests of the public. The bill requires the board to meet in open session at least four times per year to review prescription drug pricing information. The board must provide at least two weeks[ public notice of each meeting, make the meeting[s materials publicly available at least one week prior to the meeting, and provide the opportunity for LRB-1423/1 JPC:all $200,000 per month of 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 public comment. The bill imposes conflict of interest requirements for the board relating to recusal and public disclosure of certain conflicts. The bill directs the board to access and assess drug pricing information, to the extent practicable, by accessing and assessing information from other states, by assessing spending for the drug in Wisconsin, and by accessing other available pricing information. Under the bill, the board must conduct drug cost affordability reviews. The board must identify prescription drugs whose launch wholesale acquisition cost exceeds specified thresholds, prescription drugs whose increase in wholesale acquisition cost exceeds specified thresholds, and other prescription drugs that may create affordability challenges for the health care system in Wisconsin. For each identified prescription drug, the board must determine whether to conduct an affordability review by seeking stakeholder input and considering the average patient cost share for the drug. During an affordability review, the board must determine whether use of the prescription drug that is fully consistent with the labeling approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or standard medical practice has led or will lead to an affordability challenge for the health care system in Wisconsin. In making this determination, the bill requires the board to consider a variety of factors, which include the following: 1. The drug[s wholesale acquisition cost. 2. The average monetary price concession, discount, or rebate the manufacturer provides, or is expected to provide, for the drug to health plans. 3. The total amount of price concessions, discounts, and rebates the manufacturer provides to each pharmacy benefit manager for the drug. 4. The price at which therapeutic alternatives have been sold and the average monetary concession, discount, or rebate the manufacturer provides, or is expected to provide, to health plan payors and pharmacy benefit managers for therapeutic alternatives. 5. The costs to health plans based on patient access consistent with federal labeled indications and recognized standard medical practice. 6. The impact on patient access resulting from the drug[s cost relative to insurance benefit design. 7. The current or expected dollar value of drug-specific patient access programs that are supported by the manufacturer. 8. The relative financial impacts to health, medical, or social services costs that can be quantified and compared to baseline effects of existing therapeutic alternatives. 9. The average patient copay or other cost sharing for the drug. If the board determines that a prescription drug will lead to an affordability challenge, the bill directs the board to establish an upper payment limit for that drug that applies to all purchases and payor reimbursements of the drug dispensed or administered to individuals in Wisconsin. In establishing the upper payment limit, the board must consider the cost of administering the drug, the cost of delivering it to consumers, and other relevant administrative costs. For certain LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 drugs, the board must solicit information from the manufacturer regarding the price increase and, if the board determines that the price increase is not a result of the need for increased manufacturing capacity or other effort to improve patient access during a public health emergency, the board must establish an upper payment limit equal to the drug[s cost prior to the price increase. Further, this bill provides $500,000 in program revenue in fiscal year 2026]27 for onetime implementation costs associated with establishing an Office of Prescription Drug Affordability in OCI. The bill provides that the Office of Prescription Drug Affordability is responsible for prescription drug affordability programming within OCI and for overseeing the operations of the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. Additionally, the bill authorizes and funds for fiscal year 2026]27 16.0 positions for the Office of Prescription Drug Affordability. Finally, the bill credits to the appropriation account for OCI[s general program operations all moneys received from the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy benefit management brokers, pharmacy benefit management consultants, pharmacy services administrative organizations, and pharmaceutical sales representatives. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR10 | Proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | Relating to: proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Move to call the question | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 26 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 25 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 24 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 23 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 22 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 21 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 20 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 19 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 18 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 17 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 16 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 15 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 14 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 13 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 12 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 11 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 10 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 9 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 8 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 7 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 6 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB10 | Access to public high schools for military recruiters. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB10 | Access to public high schools for military recruiters. | Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB41 | School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB41 | School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB41 | School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 1 adopted | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB41 | School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) | Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| AB85 | Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and concurred in | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| 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) | Senate: Read a third time and concurred in | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB108 | Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB108 | Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 1 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB108 | Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) | Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB94 | Civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB111 | Transportation of minors for emergency detention. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB111 | Transportation of minors for emergency detention. | Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB111 | Transportation of minors for emergency detention. | Senate: Senate Amendment 1 adopted | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB111 | Transportation of minors for emergency detention. | Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB106 | Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB106 | Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. | Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB106 | Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. | Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| 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) | Senate: Read a third time and concurred in | 06/18/2025 | Yea |
| 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) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB184 | Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB182 | Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB182 | Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB182 | Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) | Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB232 | Grants to child advocacy centers. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Yea |
| AB269 | Delivery network couriers and transportation network drivers, Department of Financial Institutions’ approval to offer portable benefit accounts, providing for insurance coverage, modifying administrative rules related to accident and sickness insurance, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and concurred in | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB278 | Sunset of the community-oriented policing-house grant program. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Yea |
| SB279 | Grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB283 | Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB283 | Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) | Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB283 | Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) | Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SR5 | Notifying the assembly and the governor that Timothy La Sage is elected senate sergeant at arms of the 2025-2026 senate. | Senate: Adopted | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| SR5 | Notifying the assembly and the governor that Timothy La Sage is elected senate sergeant at arms of the 2025-2026 senate. | Senate: Refused to refer to committee on Senate Organization | 06/18/2025 | Yea |
| SB33 | Representations depicting nudity and providing a penalty. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 05/15/2025 | Yea |
| SB56 | The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 05/15/2025 | Nay |
| SB56 | The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE) | Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate | 05/15/2025 | Nay |
| SB56 | The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE) | Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected | 05/15/2025 | Nay |
| AB73 | Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets. | Senate: Read a third time and concurred in | 05/15/2025 | Nay |
| AB73 | Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets. | Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate | 05/15/2025 | Nay |
| SB96 | Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 05/15/2025 | Yea |
| SB125 | A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 05/15/2025 | Yea |
| SB125 | A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE) | Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate | 05/15/2025 | Nay |
| SB146 | Prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 05/15/2025 | Nay |
| SJR48 | Congratulating Knights of Columbus Council 499 for achieving a century of compassionate commitment to service of the Church, their community, and their fellow man. | Senate: Adopted | 05/15/2025 | Yea |
| SB23 | Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| 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) | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| SB66 | Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| SB66 | Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty. | Senate: Senate Amendment 1 rejected | 04/22/2025 | Nay |
| SB76 | Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Nay |
| SR3 | Notifying the assembly and the governor that Cyrus Anderson is elected senate chief clerk of the 2025-2026 senate. | Senate: Adopted | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| SB5 | Battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Yea |
| SB4 | Agreements for direct primary care. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB4 | Agreements for direct primary care. | Senate: Senate Amendment 1 rejected | 03/18/2025 | Nay |
| AB1 | Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) | Senate: Read a third time and concurred in | 03/18/2025 | Nay |
| SB25 | Court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths. | Senate: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Nay |
| SJR7 | Recognizing that the Wisconsin State Legislature supports nuclear power and fusion energy as clean energy sources that are critical to safely meeting Wisconsin’s growing energy demands and declaring the legislature’s commitment to the continuation and expansion of nuclear power and nuclear technologies, the development of nuclear technologies and fusion energy, and employing the leadership and resources necessary to support the development of and investment in nuclear power, fusion energy, and r | Senate: Adopted | 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) | Senate: Read a third time and concurred in | 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) | Senate: Read a third time and concurred in | 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) | Senate: Read a third time and concurred in | 03/18/2025 | Yea |
| SJR2 | Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). | Senate: Read a third time and adopted | 01/08/2025 | Nay |
| SR1 | Notifying the assembly and the governor that the 2025-2026 senate is organized. | Senate: Adopted | 01/06/2025 | Nay |
| SJR1 | The session schedule for the 2025-2026 biennial session period. | Senate: Adopted | 01/06/2025 | Nay |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI | Wisconsin Senate District 31 | Senate | Democrat | In Office | 01/07/2019 |