Legislator
Legislator > Calvin Callahan

State Representative
Calvin Callahan
(R) - Wisconsin
Wisconsin Assembly District 35
In Office - Started: 01/04/2021

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Capitol Office

P.O. Box 8952
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53708
Phone: 608-237-9135
Phone 2: 888-534-0035

Voting Address


Tripoli, WI 54564

Bill Bill Name Summary Progress
AB179 Requirements for lighting on police vehicles. Current law provides that a police vehicle may be equipped with flashing, oscillating, or rotating blue and red lights. On a marked police vehicle, the blue light must be mounted on the passenger side of the vehicle and the red light must be mounted on the driver side of the vehicle. This bill provides that, on a marked police vehicle with an exterior light bar, the blue light must be mounted on the roof of the passenger side of the vehicle and the red light must be mounted on the roof of the driver side of the vehicle. For lights mounted inside the vehicle, blue lights must be displayed on the interior of the passenger side of the vehicle and red lights must be displayed on the interior of the driver side of the vehicle. The bill also authorizes the use of a combination of blue and red lights mounted on the front, sides, or rear of a police vehicle if the vehicle is already equipped with roof or interior lights as required by the bill. In Committee
AB302 Authorized lights for funeral procession vehicles. Under current law, the lead vehicle, or all vehicles, in a funeral procession may be equipped with a flashing amber light to be used during the procession. This bill authorizes the use of a flashing purple light during a funeral procession. In Committee
AB360 Small law enforcement agency grant pilot program. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Administration to establish and administer a pilot program to provide grants to small law enforcement agencies to pay training costs for new law enforcement and tribal law enforcement officers. The bill defines Xsmall law enforcement agencyY to mean a police department, tribal police department, combined protective services department, or sheriff[s office that employs no more than 25 full-time equivalent, nonsupervisory law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officers. Under the bill, an agency may apply for a grant if it receives notice that a currently employed officer will be leaving or retiring from the agency within six months or if the agency has at least a 20 percent vacancy rate in its authorized officer positions. The bill requires the grants be used only to pay for training a student who is enrolled in a program to become a law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officer and for the on-the-job training costs the agency incurs during the first six months of that individual[s employment. The bill requires any individual whose training is paid for under the pilot program to commit to work for the small law enforcement agency for one year following the training. If the individual does not fulfill the commitment because he or she voluntarily leaves employment or is terminated for cause, DOA may seek repayment from the individual of the training costs on a prorated basis. Under the bill, the pilot program terminates 18 months after all grant funding has been disbursed. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB339 The weight limit for utility terrain vehicles. This bill raises from 3,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds the maximum weight allowable for a motor driven device to be classified as a utility terrain vehicle (UTV). Under current law, a UTV is defined as a commercially designed and manufactured motor driven device, other than a golf cart, low-speed vehicle, dune buggy, mini-truck, or tracked vehicle, that is designed to be used primarily off of a highway and that was manufactured to meet certain size and equipment specifications. Current law specifications limit UTVs to a weight, without fluids, of not more than 3,000 pounds. In Committee
AB326 Local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Revenue, in each year from 2026 through 2029, to provide grants of up to $5,000 to political subdivisions with populations of less than 7,500 to be used to obtain grant writing and compliance assistance services. These grants may be used to obtain services only for grants related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility service, or cybersecurity. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB358 Requiring reports on disturbed burial sites. (FE) Under current law, with certain exceptions, no person may disturb a burial site or catalogued land contiguous to a catalogued burial site. Any person who knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that a burial site or the catalogued land contiguous to a catalogued burial site is being disturbed or may be disturbed must immediately notify the director of the State Historical Society. A burial site is any place where human remains are buried. Under current law, the director of SHS must identify burial sites and sufficient contiguous land necessary to protect burial sites from disturbance. After collecting sufficient evidence, and holding a hearing if requested by a person who owns or leases land on which a burial site is located, the director of SHS must record a burial site and contiguous land necessary to protect the burial site in the catalog of burial sites. This bill clarifies that lawful maintenance is not a prohibited disturbance and requires any person who knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that a burial site within a cemetery or the catalogued land contiguous to a catalogued burial site within a cemetery is disturbed or may be disturbed in violation of law to report the disturbance or potential disturbance as soon as reasonably possible to the local police department or county sheriff[s office. Each sheriff and police department must then prepare a report for each disturbance or potential disturbance reported and send a copy of the report to the Burial Sites Preservation Board and the Cemetery Board. The bill requires the Department of Safety and Professional Services to prescribe a form to be used by each sheriff and police department to report each disturbance or potential disturbance. Further, the bill requires the Cemetery Board to receive reports from each sheriff and police department, review each report received during the previous calendar year at the board[s first annual meeting, and annually submit a report to DSPS listing each report received by the board during the previous calendar year and the address, municipality, and county in which the disturbance or potential disturbance described in each report allegedly occurred. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB327 The weight limit for utility terrain vehicles. This bill raises from 3,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds the maximum weight allowable for a motor driven device to be classified as a utility terrain vehicle (UTV). Under current law, a UTV is defined as a commercially designed and manufactured motor driven device, other than a golf cart, low-speed vehicle, dune buggy, mini-truck, or tracked vehicle, that is designed to be used primarily off of a highway and that was manufactured to meet certain size and equipment specifications. Current law specifications limit UTVs to a weight, without fluids, of not more than 3,000 pounds. In Committee
SB184 Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. Crossed Over
SB179 Applying the motor vehicle fuel tax supplier’s administrative allowance to diesel fuel, a motor vehicle fuel tax refund for evaporation losses, and making an appropriation. (FE) Administrative allowance of the motor vehicle fuel tax Current law allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain as an administrative allowance 1.35 percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of gasoline in this state. This bill allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain the same administrative allowance for the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of diesel fuel in this state. Retailer refund for motor vehicle fuel evaporation The bill allows a retailer who sells gasoline, diesel fuel, or both (motor vehicle fuel) in this state to claim a refund equal to 0.5 percent of the state motor vehicle fuel tax paid on the retailer[s purchase of the motor vehicle fuel to compensate for motor vehicle fuel stored on site that is lost by shrinkage or evaporation. A claim for a refund under the bill must be made to the Department of Revenue no later than 12 months after the date on which the retailer purchased the motor vehicle fuel and must be accompanied with invoices prepared by the motor vehicle fuel supplier or a LRB-2510/1 JK:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 179 list of purchases prepared by the retailer. Prior to 2019, the state provided such refunds to compensate gasoline retailers for shrinkage and evaporation losses. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
SB10 Access to public high schools for military recruiters. In general, federal law requires local educational agencies, such as school boards and charter schools, that receive federal assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide military recruiters the same access to secondary school students that the local educational agencies provide to postsecondary educational institutions or to prospective employers. This bill requires school boards and governing boards of charter schools to, in addition to complying with federal law, specifically allow military recruiters access to common areas in high schools and to allow access during a school day and to school- sanctioned events. Nothing in the bill requires a school board or governing board of a charter school to provide a military recruiter access to a high school classroom during instructional time. Crossed Over
SB41 School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill requires the Office of School Safety in the Department of Justice to establish a competitive grant program that is open to public and private schools for grants to improve the safety of school buildings and to provide security training to school personnel. In administering the program, the Office of School Safety must give preference to applicants that have not yet received a school safety grant from DOJ. The bill provides $30,000,000 for these grants and specifies that the maximum amount DOJ may award to an applicant is $20,000. The bill also requires the Office of School Safety to submit an annual report related to these grants to the Joint Committee on Finance. Finally, the grant program sunsets on July 1, 2027. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB276 Statements of scope for administrative rules. (FE) Under current law, in order to promulgate a rule, an agency must submit a statement of scope for the proposed rule for review by the Department of Administration and approval by the governor. Once the governor approves the statement, the agency must send the approved statement of scope to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register before continuing with the rule promulgation process. A statement of scope expires after 30 months, after which the agency may not promulgate any rule based on that statement of scope that has not been submitted for legislative review by the expiration date. This bill does the following: 1. Limits an agency to promulgating either a permanent or an emergency rule for a given statement of scope and requires the agency to specify in a statement of scope whether it is for a proposed emergency rule or for a proposed permanent rule. 2. Limits an agency to promulgating one permanent rule or one emergency rule per statement of scope. 3. Provides that a statement of scope for an emergency rule expires after six months and provides that when a statement of scope for an emergency rule expires, an agency may not promulgate an emergency rule based upon that statement of scope. The bill retains the 30-month expiration under current law with respect to statements of scope for proposed permanent rules. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB211 Exempting tobacco bars from the public smoking ban. This bill exempts tobacco bars from the general prohibition under current law against smoking in indoor locations if the tobacco bar satisfies all of the following: 1) the tobacco bar came into existence on or after June 4, 2009; 2) only the smoking of cigars and pipes is allowed in the tobacco bar; and 3) the tobacco bar is not a retail food establishment. Current law defines a Xtobacco barY as a tavern that generates 15 percent or more of its annual gross income from the sale on the tavern premises, other than from a vending machine, of cigars and pipe tobacco. Also, under current law, tobacco bars that existed on June 3, 2009, are exempt from the general prohibition against smoking in indoor locations. In Committee
SB124 Creating a board to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit. (FE) This bill creates a State of Wisconsin Nuclear Power Summit Board to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit in the city of Madison to advance nuclear power and fusion energy technology and development and to showcase Wisconsin[s leadership and innovation in the nuclear industry. The bill specifies that the board must hold the summit no later than one month after instruction commences at the new college of engineering building at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and shall ensure that summit participants have access to the new building. The bill creates an appropriation for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and requires WEDC to expend any moneys appropriated at the direction of and in support of the board[s efforts. Under the bill, the board is exempt from state requirements for public notice of proposed contracts, competitive bidding, and contractual service procurement procedures. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2181/1 KRP:skw&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 124 Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SB125 A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE) This bill requires the Public Service Commission to conduct a nuclear power siting study and to submit a report to the legislature containing the results of the study no later than 12 months after the bill takes effect. The study must satisfy certain requirements specified in the bill. The bill also requires PSC to take final action on an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for a large electric generating facility that contains an advanced nuclear reactor within 150 days after the application is complete, unless the chairperson of PSC extends the time period for no more than an additional 150 days for good cause. Under current law, a person seeking to construct a large electric generating facility must obtain a CPCN from PSC. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2180/1 KP:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 125 Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB275 Challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE) Under current law, the validity of an administrative rule may be challenged in an action for declaratory judgment or in certain other judicial proceedings when material therein. This bill requires a court, if the court declares a rule invalid, to award the party asserting the invalidity of the rule reasonable attorney fees and costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB337 Local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Revenue, in each year from 2026 through 2029, to provide grants of up to $5,000 to political subdivisions with populations of less than 7,500 to be used to obtain grant writing and compliance assistance services. These grants may be used to obtain services only for grants related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility service, or cybersecurity. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB274 The expiration of administrative rules. (FE) This bill provides for the expiration of each chapter of the Wisconsin Administrative Code after seven years, unless the chapter is readopted by the agency through the readoption process established under the bill. Under current law, an agency may promulgate administrative rules when it is granted rule-making authority under the statutes. administrative rules remain in effect indefinitely unless repealed or amended by the agency or suspended by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. This bill provides that each chapter of the code expires seven years after a rule that creates, or repeals and recreates, the chapter takes effect or after the chapter is readopted. The bill requires JCRAR to establish a schedule for the expiration of all existing code chapters that are in effect on the effective date of the bill. Under the bill, in the year before a code chapter is set to expire, an agency may send to JCRAR and the appropriate standing committees a notice of its intention to readopt the chapter. If no member of JCRAR or the standing committees objects to the readoption notice, the chapter is considered readopted without further action. If any member of JCRAR or either standing committee objects to readoption of the chapter, the chapter expires on its expiration date unless the agency promulgates a rule to readopt the chapter using the standard rule-making process. Under the bill, JCRAR may extend the effective date of the chapter that is set to expire for up to one year to accommodate readoption of the chapter through the standard rule- making process. The bill also requires agencies to avoid in rules the use of words and phrases that are outdated or that are now understood to be derogatory or offensive. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB273 Camera monitor systems as an alternative to mirrors for commercial motor vehicles. Current law prohibits any person from operating a motor vehicle on a highway unless the vehicle is equipped with a mirror to provide a view of the roadway to the rear of the vehicle. Current regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) require commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to be equipped with mirrors on each side of vehicle positioned to provide a view of the highway to the rear and along both sides of the CMV. FMCSA has created an exemption to this requirement for CMVs equipped with a specified camera monitor system. This bill provides that a CMV may be equipped with a camera monitor system approved by FMCSA as an alternative to mirrors that would otherwise be required. In Committee
SB277 The expiration of administrative rules. (FE) This bill provides for the expiration of each chapter of the Wisconsin Administrative Code after seven years, unless the chapter is readopted by the agency through the readoption process established under the bill. Under current law, an agency may promulgate administrative rules when it is granted rule-making authority under the statutes. administrative rules remain in effect indefinitely unless repealed or amended by the agency or suspended by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. This bill provides that each chapter of the code expires seven years after a rule that creates, or repeals and recreates, the chapter takes effect or after the chapter is readopted. The bill requires JCRAR to establish a schedule for the expiration of all existing code chapters that are in effect on the effective date of the bill. Under the LRB-2513/1 MED:cdc Once promulgated, 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 277 bill, in the year before a code chapter is set to expire, an agency may send to JCRAR and the appropriate standing committees a notice of its intention to readopt the chapter. If no member of JCRAR or the standing committees objects to the readoption notice, the chapter is considered readopted without further action. If any member of JCRAR or either standing committee objects to readoption of the chapter, the chapter expires on its expiration date unless the agency promulgates a rule to readopt the chapter using the standard rule-making process. Under the bill, JCRAR may extend the effective date of the chapter that is set to expire for up to one year to accommodate readoption of the chapter through the standard rule- making process. The bill also requires agencies to avoid in rules the use of words and phrases that are outdated or that are now understood to be derogatory or offensive. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB276 Challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE) Under current law, the validity of an administrative rule may be challenged in an action for declaratory judgment or in certain other judicial proceedings when material therein. This bill requires a court, if the court declares a rule invalid, to award the party asserting the invalidity of the rule reasonable attorney fees and costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB53 Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty. Under current law, a person who intentionally causes bodily harm to another person commits the crime of simple battery and is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Current law provides greater penalties for special circumstances battery, which is defined as intentionally causing or threatening to cause bodily harm to certain persons. For example, under current law, a person who intentionally causes or threatens to cause bodily harm to a law enforcement officer in response to an action that officer took in an official capacity is guilty of a Class H felony. The bill adds a community service officer so to make it a Class H felony to cause or threaten to cause bodily harm to a community service officer in response to an action the CSO took in an official capacity. 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. Crossed Over
SB98 Conversion of cooperative associations organized to establish and operate nonprofit plans or programs for health care into service insurance corporations. This bill allows a health care cooperative to convert into a service insurance corporation. Under current law, a cooperative may be formed by filing articles of incorporation with the Department of Financial Institutions. A cooperative is organized and owned by its members and managed by a board of directors. Under current law, a cooperative may be organized primarily to establish and operate nonprofit plans or programs for health care for their members and their members[ dependents. Also under current law, a service insurance corporation, sometimes referred to as a Xnonprofit service plan,Y may be formed by following many of the same procedures that apply to nonstock corporations, like filing articles of incorporation and bylaws, except that service insurance corporations are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance instead of DFI. A service insurance corporation is a corporation incorporated in this state to provide insured service benefits, like health care, to consumers within a flexible legal framework. Under this bill, a health care cooperative may convert into a service insurance corporation. To convert into a service insurance corporation, a health care LRB-0784/4 JPC&ARG:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 98 cooperative seeking conversion must adopt a plan of conversion, obtain the commissioner[s approval of the plan of conversion, have the members of the health care cooperative agree to the conversion as provided under current law, and submit evidence to the commissioner that the members of the cooperative association approve of the plan of conversion. The bill requires the commissioner to approve any submitted plan of conversion unless the commissioner concludes, after a hearing, that the plan is contrary to law, the surplus of the resulting service insurance corporation or the contracts that the resulting service insurance corporation possesses with providers are inadequate to support the plan, or the plan is contrary to the interests of members of the health care cooperative seeking conversion or to the interests of the public. If all requirements for conversion are met, the bill provides that the commissioner must issue a certificate of authority to the new service insurance corporation and that, immediately after issuing the certificate of authority, the legal existence of the health care cooperative ceases. The bill provides that the new service insurance corporation has all the assets and is liable for all of the obligations of the converted health care cooperative. Passed
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 Relating to: 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 related technologies in the state. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SB275 Statements of scope for administrative rules. (FE) Under current law, in order to promulgate a rule, an agency must submit a statement of scope for the proposed rule for review by the Department of Administration and approval by the governor. Once the governor approves the statement, the agency must send the approved statement of scope to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register before continuing with the rule promulgation process. A statement of scope expires after 30 months, after which the agency may not promulgate any rule based on that statement of scope that has not been submitted for legislative review by the expiration date. This bill does the following: 1. Limits an agency to promulgating either a permanent or an emergency rule for a given statement of scope and requires the agency to specify in a statement of scope whether it is for a proposed emergency rule or for a proposed permanent rule. 2. Limits an agency to promulgating one permanent rule or one emergency rule per statement of scope. 3. Provides that a statement of scope for an emergency rule expires after six months and provides that when a statement of scope for an emergency rule expires, LRB-2515/1 MED:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 275 an agency may not promulgate an emergency rule based upon that statement of scope. The bill retains the 30-month expiration under current law with respect to statements of scope for proposed permanent rules. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB288 Authorized lights for funeral procession vehicles. Under current law, the lead vehicle, or all vehicles, in a funeral procession may be equipped with a flashing amber light to be used during the procession. This bill authorizes the use of a flashing purple light during a funeral procession. In Committee
AB271 Camera monitor systems as an alternative to mirrors for commercial motor vehicles. Current law prohibits any person from operating a motor vehicle on a highway unless the vehicle is equipped with a mirror to provide a view of the roadway to the rear of the vehicle. Current regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) require commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to be equipped with mirrors on each side of vehicle positioned to provide a view of the highway to the rear and along both sides of the CMV. FMCSA has created an exemption to this requirement for CMVs equipped with a specified camera monitor system. This bill provides that a CMV may be equipped with a camera monitor system approved by FMCSA as an alternative to mirrors that would otherwise be required. In Committee
SB311 Prohibiting funding for health services for unlawfully present individuals. (FE) This bill prohibits any funds of this state, any county, village, town, long-term care district, any subdivision of this state, or any subdivision or agency of any county, city, village, or town and any federal funds passing through the state treasury from being authorized for or paid to any person to subsidize, reimburse, or otherwise provide compensation for any health care services for an individual who is not lawfully present in the United States. The prohibitions described under the bill do not apply to the extent that a payment of funds described under the bill is required under federal law or to the extent that the application of the prohibitions described under the bill would result in the loss of any federal funds. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB308 Prohibiting funding for health services for unlawfully present individuals. (FE) This bill prohibits any funds of this state, any county, village, town, long-term care district, any subdivision of this state, or any subdivision or agency of any county, city, village, or town and any federal funds passing through the state treasury from being authorized for or paid to any person to subsidize, reimburse, or otherwise provide compensation for any health care services for an individual who is not lawfully present in the United States. The prohibitions described under the bill do not apply to the extent that a payment of funds described under the bill is required under federal law or to the extent that the application of the prohibitions described under the bill would result in the loss of any federal funds. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB17 Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty. Under current law, a person who intentionally causes bodily harm to another person commits the crime of simple battery and is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Current law provides greater penalties for special circumstances battery, which is defined as intentionally causing or threatening to cause bodily harm to certain persons. For example, under current law, a person who intentionally causes or threatens to cause bodily harm to a law enforcement officer in response to an action that officer took in an official capacity is guilty of a Class H felony. The bill adds a community service officer so to make it a Class H felony to cause or threaten to cause bodily harm to a community service officer in response to an action the CSO took in an official capacity. 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
AJR6 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 Relating to: 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 related technologies in the state. In Committee
AB107 Conversion of cooperative associations organized to establish and operate nonprofit plans or programs for health care into service insurance corporations. This bill allows a health care cooperative to convert into a service insurance corporation. Under current law, a cooperative may be formed by filing articles of incorporation with the Department of Financial Institutions. A cooperative is organized and owned by its members and managed by a board of directors. Under current law, a cooperative may be organized primarily to establish and operate nonprofit plans or programs for health care for their members and their members[ dependents. Also under current law, a service insurance corporation, sometimes referred to as a Xnonprofit service plan,Y may be formed by following many of the same procedures that apply to nonstock corporations, like filing articles of incorporation and bylaws, except that service insurance corporations are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance instead of DFI. A service insurance corporation is a corporation incorporated in this state to provide insured service benefits, like health care, to consumers within a flexible legal framework. Under this bill, a health care cooperative may convert into a service insurance corporation. To convert into a service insurance corporation, a health care cooperative seeking conversion must adopt a plan of conversion, obtain the commissioner[s approval of the plan of conversion, have the members of the health care cooperative agree to the conversion as provided under current law, and submit evidence to the commissioner that the members of the cooperative association approve of the plan of conversion. The bill requires the commissioner to approve any submitted plan of conversion unless the commissioner concludes, after a hearing, that the plan is contrary to law, the surplus of the resulting service insurance corporation or the contracts that the resulting service insurance corporation possesses with providers are inadequate to support the plan, or the plan is contrary to the interests of members of the health care cooperative seeking conversion or to the interests of the public. If all requirements for conversion are met, the bill provides that the commissioner must issue a certificate of authority to the new service insurance corporation and that, immediately after issuing the certificate of authority, the legal existence of the health care cooperative ceases. The bill provides that the new service insurance corporation has all the assets and is liable for all of the obligations of the converted health care cooperative. In Committee
AB108 A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE) This bill requires the Public Service Commission to conduct a nuclear power siting study and to submit a report to the legislature containing the results of the study no later than 12 months after the bill takes effect. The study must satisfy certain requirements specified in the bill. The bill also requires PSC to take final action on an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for a large electric generating facility that contains an advanced nuclear reactor within 150 days after the application is complete, unless the chairperson of PSC extends the time period for no more than an additional 150 days for good cause. Under current law, a person seeking to construct a large electric generating facility must obtain a CPCN from PSC. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB132 Creating a board to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit. (FE) This bill creates a State of Wisconsin Nuclear Power Summit Board to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit in the city of Madison to advance nuclear power and fusion energy technology and development and to showcase Wisconsin[s leadership and innovation in the nuclear industry. The bill specifies that the board must hold the summit no later than one month after instruction commences at the new college of engineering building at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and shall ensure that summit participants have access to the new building. The bill creates an appropriation for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and requires WEDC to expend any moneys appropriated at the direction of and in support of the board[s efforts. Under the bill, the board is exempt from state requirements for public notice of proposed contracts, competitive bidding, and contractual service procurement procedures. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB161 Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. In Committee
SB164 Use of certified seed potatoes in planting potatoes and providing a penalty. (FE) Under current law, a person that plants five or more acres of potatoes in a year may only use seed potatoes that are certified by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under rules promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, or by an equivalent program in another state. DATCP may waive the certification requirement to use seed potatoes of a specific variety or genotype for a growing season if there are not enough certified seed potatoes of that variety or genotype reasonably available to growers during that calendar year and DATCP determines that the seed potatoes of that variety or genotype that will be used for planting do not pose a serious disease threat. A person that violates the certification requirement is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $150, plus $150 for each acre planted in violation. Additionally under current law, a person that plants five or more acres of potatoes in the state shall retain and allow inspection by DATCP of certain records regarding planted seed potatoes. A person that violates a record keeping requirement is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $200. LRB-2359/1 JAM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 164 Under this bill, DATCP may include as a condition of a waiver certain restrictions as to permissible geographic boundaries or geographic limitations where a person may plant the waived seed potatoes. The bill also provides DATCP with the authority to order a person growing potatoes in violation of the law to remove and destroy any seed potatoes and potatoes involved in the violation. In addition, if a person does not remove and destroy any seed potatoes or potatoes as ordered by DATCP, DATCP or a cooperating local unit of government may take action to remove and destroy the seed potatoes or potatoes as ordered, and the cost of the action may be assessed, collected, and enforced against the person that failed to act as ordered as taxes for the person are assessed, collected, and enforced, or paid into the general fund if the mitigating action was taken by DATCP. A person ordered to remove and destroy any seed potatoes or potatoes is required to do so within 72 hours of receiving the order, unless DATCP extends the deadline. The orders that DATCP may issue under the bill are subject to the right of hearing before the department if requested within 10 days after the date of service of the order, and any party affected by the order may request a preliminary or informal hearing pending the scheduling and conduct of a full hearing. A person that plants potatoes in violation of the requirements of this bill is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $5,000, plus not more than $5,000 for each full acre planted in violation. A person that fails to retain, allow inspection of, or provide copies of records of potato planting as required under current law is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $5,000. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB154 Use of certified seed potatoes in planting potatoes and providing a penalty. (FE) Under current law, a person that plants five or more acres of potatoes in a year may only use seed potatoes that are certified by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under rules promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, or by an equivalent program in another state. DATCP may waive the certification requirement to use seed potatoes of a specific variety or genotype for a growing season if there are not enough certified seed potatoes of that variety or genotype reasonably available to growers during that calendar year and DATCP determines that the seed potatoes of that variety or genotype that will be used for planting do not pose a serious disease threat. A person that violates the certification requirement is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $150, plus $150 for each acre planted in violation. Additionally under current law, a person that plants five or more acres of potatoes in the state shall retain and allow inspection by DATCP of certain records regarding planted seed potatoes. A person that violates a record keeping requirement is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $200. Under this bill, DATCP may include as a condition of a waiver certain restrictions as to permissible geographic boundaries or geographic limitations where a person may plant the waived seed potatoes. The bill also provides DATCP with the authority to order a person growing potatoes in violation of the law to remove and destroy any seed potatoes and potatoes involved in the violation. In addition, if a person does not remove and destroy any seed potatoes or potatoes as ordered by DATCP, DATCP or a cooperating local unit of government may take action to remove and destroy the seed potatoes or potatoes as ordered, and the cost of the action may be assessed, collected, and enforced against the person that failed to act as ordered as taxes for the person are assessed, collected, and enforced, or paid into the general fund if the mitigating action was taken by DATCP. A person ordered to remove and destroy any seed potatoes or potatoes is required to do so within 72 hours of receiving the order, unless DATCP extends the deadline. The orders that DATCP may issue under the bill are subject to the right of hearing before the department if requested within 10 days after the date of service of the order, and any party affected by the order may request a preliminary or informal hearing pending the scheduling and conduct of a full hearing. A person that plants potatoes in violation of the requirements of this bill is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $5,000, plus not more than $5,000 for each full acre planted in violation. A person that fails to retain, allow inspection of, or provide copies of records of potato planting as required under current law is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $5,000. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB242 Tampering with telecommunication or electric wires and providing a penalty. Under current law, misdemeanor penalties apply to a person who interferes with the wires, poles, or other property of any telegraph, telecommunications, electric light, or electric power company under a variety of circumstances. This bill applies the same prohibitions to video service and broadband service lines and property and increases certain misdemeanor penalties to be Class I felonies. Under current law, it is a Class B misdemeanor for a person who has the right to alter certain property to which any telegraph, telecommunications, electric light, or electric power lines or wires are attached to do so without first giving the relevant company at least 24 hours[ notice. This bill applies this prohibition to video service and broadband service provider property. Under current law, it is a Class B misdemeanor for a person, without the permission of the relevant company, to intentionally break down, interrupt, remove, destroy, disturb, interfere with, or injure any telegraph, telecommunications, electric light, or electric power line, wire, pole, or other property. This bill applies this prohibition to video service and broadband service provider property and increases the penalty from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class I felony. Under current law, it is a Class A misdemeanor for a person, without the permission of the relevant company, to intentionally make a physical electrical connection with any wire, cable, conductor, ground, equipment, facility, or other property of any telegraph, telecommunications, electric light, or electric power company. This bill applies this prohibition to video service and broadband service provider property and increases the penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class I felony. Under current law, a Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 90 days or both, a Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to nine months or both, and a Class I felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to three years and six months, or both. 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. Passed
AJR50 Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB260 A pilot school-centered mental health program. (FE) In each fiscal year of the 2025-27 biennium, this bill requires the Department of Health Services to distribute an amount determined by the secretary of health services to a provider to operate a school-centered mental health program in two schools in this state for two school years; one school must be located in a rural school district and one school must be located in a suburban or urban school district. Under the bill, the provider must use the money to support full-time therapist positions, family coach positions, and any other positions necessary to operate the school-centered mental health program. Under the bill, a school-centered mental health program is a program that meets various criteria, including that it serve at- risk pupils and families at school, at home, and in the community, serve pupils and families year-round, include classroom observations and pupil-specific behavior intervention, include evidence-based individual or family therapy, and provide family coaching that is aligned with therapeutic goals. Finally, the bill requires the provider who receives money from DHS to submit a report to DHS on the impact of the school-centered mental health program on pupils and families by six months after the end of the program, and requires DHS to distribute the report to the legislature. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB279 Grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms. Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to cities and law enforcement agencies for various purposes, including to pay for uniformed beat patrol officers and to enable agencies to purchase body cameras. This bill requires DOJ to award grants to law enforcement agencies to acquire data-sharing platforms. The bill sets forth criteria that data-sharing platforms must meet to be covered by the grant. The criteria include that the platform must be able to integrate data from common law enforcement systems on a real-time basis; eliminate redundant records; restrict access to information by data type, roles, and other parameters; allow for controlled data integration and sharing among law enforcement agencies; be accessed on devices commonly used by law enforcement agencies; and ensure that law enforcement agencies retain rights to agency data. The bill also provides that the Joint Committee on Finance, upon request by DOJ, may provide up to $2,000,000 in each fiscal year of the 2025-27 biennium to implement the grant program. Crossed Over
AB278 Grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms. Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to cities and law enforcement agencies for various purposes, including to pay for uniformed beat patrol officers and to enable agencies to purchase body cameras. This bill requires DOJ to award grants to law enforcement agencies to acquire data-sharing platforms. The bill sets forth criteria that data-sharing platforms must meet to be covered by the grant. The criteria include that the platform must be able to integrate data from common law enforcement systems on a real-time basis; eliminate redundant records; restrict access to information by data type, roles, and other parameters; allow for controlled data integration and sharing among law enforcement agencies; be accessed on devices commonly used by law enforcement agencies; and ensure that law enforcement agencies retain rights to agency data. The bill also provides that the Joint Committee on Finance, upon request by DOJ, may provide up to $2,000,000 in each fiscal year of the 2025-27 biennium to implement the grant program. In Committee
AJR60 Proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB45 Ratification of the Dietitian Licensure Compact. (FE) This bill ratifies and enters Wisconsin into the Dietitian Licensure Compact, which provides for the ability of a dietitian to become eligible to practice in other compact states. Significant provisions of the compact include the following: 1. The creation of a Dietitian Licensure Compact Commission, which includes the primary administrators of the licensure authorities of each member state. The commission has various powers and duties granted in the compact, including establishing bylaws, promulgating rules for the compact, appointing officers and hiring employees, and establishing and electing an executive committee. The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on licensees to whom it grants a compact privilege to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the commission and its staff. 2. The ability for a dietitian to obtain a Xcompact privilege,Y which allows a dietitian to practice dietetics in another compact state (remote state) if the dietitian satisfies certain criteria. The compact specifies a number of requirements in order for a dietitian to exercise a compact privilege, including holding an unencumbered dietitian license in a home state and paying any fees and meeting any jurisprudence requirements that may be imposed by a remote state. A dietitian practicing in a remote state under a compact privilege must adhere to the laws and regulations of that state. A remote state may, in accordance with that state[s laws, take adverse action against a licensee[s compact privilege within that state. If a dietitian[s license is encumbered, the dietitian loses the compact privilege in all remote states until certain criteria are satisfied. If a dietitian[s compact privilege in any remote state is removed, the dietitian may lose the compact privilege in all other remote states until certain criteria are satisfied. 3. The ability of member states to issue subpoenas that are enforceable in other states. 4. The creation of a coordinated data system containing licensure and disciplinary action information on dietitians. The compact requires member states to report adverse actions against licensees and to monitor the data system to determine whether adverse actions have been taken against licensees. A member state must submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom the compact is applicable as required by the rules of the commission. 5. Provisions regarding resolutions of disputes between member states and between member and nonmember states, including a process for termination of a state[s membership in the compact if the state defaults on its obligations under the compact. The compact becomes effective in this state upon its enactment in seven states. The compact provides that it may be amended upon enactment of an amendment by all member states. A state may withdraw from the compact by repealing the statute authorizing the compact, but the compact provides that a withdrawal does not take effect until 180 days after the effective date of that repeal. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Passed
AB61 Injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty. Under current law, no person may do any of the following to any animal that is used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties: frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass the animal; strike, shove, kick, or otherwise subject the animal to physical contact; or strike the animal by using a dangerous weapon. Under current law, any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes injury to the animal is guilty of a Class I felony, and any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes death of the animal is guilty of a Class H felony. Additionally, for such a violation, a sentencing court must require a criminal violator to pay restitution, including veterinary care expenses or the value of a replacement animal. This bill increases the penalty for injuring such an animal to a Class H felony and the penalty for causing the death of such an animal to a Class G felony. A Class H felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six years, or both, and a Class G felony is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. 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. Passed
AB201 Extortion, sexual extortion, and providing a penalty. This bill creates a new crime for activity known as Xsextortion.Y Under the bill, it is a generally a Class I felony for a person to do any of the following: 1. Threaten to injure the property or reputation of another to coerce that person to engage in sexual conduct or to produce an intimate representation. 2. Threaten to commit violence against another to coerce that person to engage in sexual conduct or to produce an intimate representation. 3. Threaten to distribute an intimate representation of another person with intent to coerce that person to engage in sexual conduct, produce an intimate representation, or to provide payment of money, property, services, or anything of value, or to do or refrain from doing any act against that person[s will. Under the bill, such a violation is a Class H felony if the victim, as a result of the violation, engages in sexual conduct, produces an intimate representation, provides the payment of money, property, services, or any other thing of value, or suffers great bodily harm or if the victim is under age 18 and the defendant is not more than four years older than the victim, and such a violation is a Class G felony if the defendant was previously convicted of a sexually violent offense, the violation was committed during the course of a child abduction, or the victim is under age 18 and the defendant is more than four years older than the victim. Additionally, the bill provides that a person may be prosecuted for felony murder if the person commits extortion or sexual extortion and as a result of the violation causes the death of the victim. Under current law, extortion generally is punishable as a Class I felony, and the penalty for felony murder is imprisonment for up to 15 years longer than the maximum term of imprisonment for the crime that caused the victim[s death. Under current law, a Class I felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to three years and six months, or both; a Class H felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six years, or both; and a Class G felony is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. This bill also provides that a crime victim, or the victim[s family member, is eligible for payment from the Department of Justice[s crime victim compensation fund if the crime victim is a victim of extortion or sexual extortion and is injured or dies as a result of the crime and provides that a crime victim, or the victim[s family member, may be compensated for death or injury that results from suicide or attempted suicide if the crime was a substantial causal factor in the victim[s suicide or attempted suicide. 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. Crossed Over
SJR59 Proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. In Committee
SB236 Tampering with telecommunication or electric wires and providing a penalty. Under current law, misdemeanor penalties apply to a person who interferes with the wires, poles, or other property of any telegraph, telecommunications, electric light, or electric power company under a variety of circumstances. This bill applies the same prohibitions to video service and broadband service lines and property and increases certain misdemeanor penalties to be Class I felonies. Under current law, it is a Class B misdemeanor for a person who has the right to alter certain property to which any telegraph, telecommunications, electric light, or electric power lines or wires are attached to do so without first giving the relevant company at least 24 hours[ notice. This bill applies this prohibition to video service and broadband service provider property. Under current law, it is a Class B misdemeanor for a person, without the permission of the relevant company, to intentionally break down, interrupt, remove, destroy, disturb, interfere with, or injure any telegraph, telecommunications, electric light, or electric power line, wire, pole, or other property. This bill applies this prohibition to video service and broadband service provider property and increases the penalty from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class I felony. Under current law, it is a Class A misdemeanor for a person, without the LRB-2807/1 MJW:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 236 permission of the relevant company, to intentionally make a physical electrical connection with any wire, cable, conductor, ground, equipment, facility, or other property of any telegraph, telecommunications, electric light, or electric power company. This bill applies this prohibition to video service and broadband service provider property and increases the penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class I felony. Under current law, a Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 90 days or both, a Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to nine months or both, and a Class I felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to three years and six months, or both. 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
SB222 Extortion, sexual extortion, and providing a penalty. This bill creates a new crime for activity known as Xsextortion.Y Under the bill, it is a generally a Class I felony for a person to do any of the following: 1. Threaten to injure the property or reputation of another to coerce that person to engage in sexual conduct or to produce an intimate representation. 2. Threaten to commit violence against another to coerce that person to engage in sexual conduct or to produce an intimate representation. 3. Threaten to distribute an intimate representation of another person with LRB-2773/1 MJW:skw&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 222 intent to coerce that person to engage in sexual conduct, produce an intimate representation, or to provide payment of money, property, services, or anything of value, or to do or refrain from doing any act against that person[s will. Under the bill, such a violation is a Class H felony if the victim, as a result of the violation, engages in sexual conduct, produces an intimate representation, provides the payment of money, property, services, or any other thing of value, or suffers great bodily harm or if the victim is under age 18 and the defendant is not more than four years older than the victim, and such a violation is a Class G felony if the defendant was previously convicted of a sexually violent offense, the violation was committed during the course of a child abduction, or the victim is under age 18 and the defendant is more than four years older than the victim. Additionally, the bill provides that a person may be prosecuted for felony murder if the person commits extortion or sexual extortion and as a result of the violation causes the death of the victim. Under current law, extortion generally is punishable as a Class I felony, and the penalty for felony murder is imprisonment for up to 15 years longer than the maximum term of imprisonment for the crime that caused the victim[s death. Under current law, a Class I felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to three years and six months, or both; a Class H felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six years, or both; and a Class G felony is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. This bill also provides that a crime victim, or the victim[s family member, is eligible for payment from the Department of Justice[s crime victim compensation fund if the crime victim is a victim of extortion or sexual extortion and is injured or dies as a result of the crime and provides that a crime victim, or the victim[s family member, may be compensated for death or injury that results from suicide or attempted suicide if the crime was a substantial causal factor in the victim[s suicide or attempted suicide. 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
SJR55 Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. In Committee
SB64 Injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty. Under current law, no person may do any of the following to any animal that is used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties: frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass the animal; strike, shove, kick, or otherwise subject the animal to physical contact; or strike the animal by using a dangerous weapon. Under current law, any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes injury to the animal is guilty of a Class I felony, and any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes death of the animal is guilty of a Class H felony. Additionally, for such a violation, a sentencing court must require a criminal violator to pay restitution, including veterinary care expenses or the value of a replacement animal. This bill increases the penalty for injuring such an animal to a Class H felony and the penalty for causing the death of such an animal to a Class G felony. A Class H felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six years, or both, and a Class G felony is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, LRB-2029/1 MJW:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 64 the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. In Committee
AB173 Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE) This bill makes several changes to the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers and their interactions with pharmacies and pharmacists. Under current law, pharmacy benefit managers are generally required to be licensed as a pharmacy benefit manager or an employee benefit plan administrator by the commissioner of insurance. A pharmacy benefit manager is an entity that contracts to administer or manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of an insurer, a cooperative, or another entity that provides prescription drug benefits to Wisconsin residents. Major provisions of the bill are summarized below. Pharmacy benefit manager regulation The bill requires a pharmacy benefit manager to pay a pharmacy or pharmacist a professional dispensing fee at a rate not less than is paid by the state under the Medical Assistance program for each pharmaceutical product that the pharmacy or pharmacist dispenses to an individual. The professional dispensing fee is required to be paid in addition to the amount the pharmacy benefit manager reimburses the pharmacy or pharmacist for the cost of the pharmaceutical product that the pharmacy or pharmacist dispenses. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from assessing, charging, or collecting from a pharmacy or pharmacist any form of remuneration that passes from the pharmacy or pharmacist to the pharmacy benefit manager including claim-processing fees, performance-based fees, network-participation fees, or accreditation fees. Further, under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not use any certification or accreditation requirement as a determinant of pharmacy network participation that is inconsistent with, more stringent than, or in addition to the federal requirements for licensure as a pharmacy and the requirements for licensure as a pharmacy provided under state law. The bill requires a pharmacy benefit manager to allow a participant or beneficiary of a pharmacy benefits plan or program that the pharmacy benefit manager serves to use any pharmacy or pharmacist in this state that is licensed to dispense the pharmaceutical product that the participant or beneficiary seeks to obtain if the pharmacy or pharmacist accepts the same terms and conditions that the pharmacy benefit manager establishes for at least one of the networks of pharmacies or pharmacists that the pharmacy benefit manager has established to serve individuals in the state. A pharmacy benefit manager may establish a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists and a nonpreferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists; however, under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist from participating in either type of network provided that the pharmacy or pharmacist is licensed by this state and the federal government and accepts the same terms and conditions that the pharmacy benefit manager establishes for other pharmacies or pharmacists participating in the network that the pharmacy or pharmacist wants to join. Under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not charge a participant or beneficiary of a pharmacy benefits plan or program that the pharmacy benefit manager serves a different copayment obligation or additional fee, or provide any inducement or financial incentive, for the participant or beneficiary to use a pharmacy or pharmacist in a particular network of pharmacies or pharmacists that the pharmacy benefit manager has established to serve individuals in the state. Further, the bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager, third-party payer, or health benefit plan from excluding a pharmacy or pharmacist from its network because the pharmacy or pharmacist serves less than a certain portion of the population of the state or serves a population living with certain health conditions. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may neither prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist that dispenses a pharmaceutical product from, nor penalize a pharmacy or pharmacist that dispenses a pharmaceutical product for, informing an individual about the cost of the pharmaceutical product, the amount in reimbursement that the pharmacy or pharmacist receives for dispensing the pharmaceutical product, or any difference between the cost to the individual under the individual[s pharmacy benefits plan or program and the cost to the individual if the individual purchases the pharmaceutical product without making a claim for benefits under the individual[s pharmacy benefits plan or program. The bill prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager or any insurer or self- insured health plan from requiring, or penalizing a person who is covered under a health insurance policy or plan for using or for not using, a specific retail, mail- order, or other pharmacy provider within the network of pharmacy providers under the policy or plan. Prohibited penalties include an increase in premium, deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers to remit payment for a claim to a pharmacy or pharmacist within 30 days from the day that the claim is submitted to the pharmacy benefit manager by the pharmacy or pharmacist. Pharmaceutical product reimbursements The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must include all of the following information on the list: 1) the average acquisition cost of each pharmaceutical product and the cost of the pharmaceutical product set forth in the national average drug acquisition cost data published by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services; 2) the average manufacturer price of each pharmaceutical product; 3) the average wholesale price of each pharmaceutical product; 4) the brand effective rate or generic effective rate for each pharmaceutical product; 5) any applicable discount indexing; 6) the federal upper limit for each pharmaceutical product published by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services; pharmaceutical product; and 8) any other terms that are used to establish the maximum allowable costs. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may place or continue a particular pharmaceutical product on a maximum allowable cost list only if the pharmaceutical product 1) is listed as a drug product equivalent or is rated by a nationally recognized reference as Xnot ratedY or Xnot availableY; 2) is available for purchase by all pharmacies and pharmacists in the state from national or regional pharmaceutical wholesalers operating in the state; and 3) has not been determined by the drug manufacturer to be obsolete. Further, the bill provides that any pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must provide access to the maximum allowable cost list to each pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list, update the maximum allowable cost list on a timely basis, provide a process for a pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list to receive notification of an update to the maximum allowable cost list, and update the maximum allowable cost list no later than seven days after the pharmacy acquisition cost of the pharmaceutical product increases by 10 percent or more from at least 60 percent of the pharmaceutical wholesalers doing business in the state or there is a change in the methodology on which the maximum allowable cost list is based or in the value of a variable involved in the methodology. A maximum allowable cost list is a list of pharmaceutical products that sets forth the maximum amount that a pharmacy benefit manager will pay to a pharmacy or pharmacist for dispensing a pharmaceutical product. A maximum allowable cost list may directly establish maximum costs or may set forth a method for how the maximum costs are calculated. The bill further provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must provide a process for a pharmacy or pharmacist to appeal and resolve disputes regarding claims that the maximum payment amount for a pharmaceutical product is below the pharmacy acquisition cost. A pharmacy benefit manager that receives an appeal from or on behalf of a pharmacy or pharmacist under this bill is required to resolve the appeal and notify the pharmacy or pharmacist of the pharmacy benefit manager[s determination no later than seven business days after the appeal is received. If the pharmacy benefit manager grants the relief requested in the appeal, the bill requires the pharmacy benefit manager to make the requested change in the maximum allowable cost, allow the pharmacy or pharmacist to reverse and rebill the relevant claim, provide to the pharmacy or pharmacist the national drug code number published in a directory by the federal Food and Drug Administration on which the increase or change is based, and make the change effective for each similarly situated pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list. If the pharmacy benefit manager denies the relief requested in the appeal, the bill requires the pharmacy benefit manager to provide the pharmacy or pharmacist a reason for the denial, the national drug code number published in a directory by the FDA for the pharmaceutical product to which the claim relates, and the name of a national or regional wholesaler that has the pharmaceutical product currently in stock at a price below the amount specified in the pharmacy benefit manager[s maximum allowable cost list. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may not deny a pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s appeal if the relief requested in the appeal relates to the maximum allowable cost for a pharmaceutical product that is not available for the pharmacy or pharmacist to purchase at a cost that is below the pharmacy acquisition cost from the pharmaceutical wholesaler from which the pharmacy or pharmacist purchases the majority of pharmaceutical products for resale. If a pharmaceutical product is not available for a pharmacy or pharmacist to purchase at a cost that is below the pharmacy acquisition cost from the pharmaceutical wholesaler from which the pharmacy or pharmacist purchases the majority of pharmaceutical products for resale, the pharmacy benefit manager must revise the maximum allowable cost list to increase the maximum allowable cost for the pharmaceutical product to an amount equal to or greater than the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s pharmacy acquisition cost and allow the pharmacy or pharmacist to reverse and rebill each claim affected by the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s inability to procure the pharmaceutical product at a cost that is equal to or less than the maximum allowable cost that was the subject of the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s appeal. The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from reimbursing a pharmacy or pharmacist in the state an amount less than the amount that the pharmacy benefit manager reimburses a pharmacy benefit manager affiliate for providing the same pharmaceutical product. Under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager affiliate is a pharmacy or pharmacist that is an affiliate of a pharmacy benefit manager. Finally, the bill allows a pharmacy or pharmacist to decline to provide a pharmaceutical product to an individual or pharmacy benefit manager if, as a result of a maximum allowable cost list, the pharmacy or pharmacist would be paid less than the pharmacy acquisition cost of the pharmacy or pharmacist providing the pharmaceutical product. Drug formularies This bill makes several changes with respect to drug formularies. Under current law, a disability insurance policy that offers a prescription drug benefit, a self-insured health plan that offers a prescription drug benefit, or a pharmacy benefit manager acting on behalf of a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan must provide to an enrollee advanced written notice of a formulary change that removes a prescription drug from the formulary of the policy or plan or that reassigns a prescription drug to a benefit tier for the policy or plan that has a higher deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The advanced written notice of a formulary change must be provided no fewer than 30 days before the expected date of the removal or reassignment. This bill provides that a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit shall make the formulary and all drug costs associated with the formulary available to plan sponsors and individuals prior to selection or enrollment. Further, the bill provides that no disability insurance policy, self-insured health plan, or pharmacy benefit manager acting on behalf of a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan may remove a prescription drug from the formulary except at the time of coverage renewal. Finally, the bill provides that advanced written notice of a formulary change must be provided no fewer than 90 days before the expected date of the removal or reassignment of a prescription drug on the formulary. Pharmacy networks Under the bill, if an enrollee utilizes a pharmacy or pharmacist in a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists, no disability insurance policy or self- insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit or pharmacy benefit manager that provides services under a contract with a policy or plan may require the enrollee to pay any amount or impose on the enrollee any condition that would not be required if the enrollee utilized a different pharmacy or pharmacist in the same preferred network. Further, the bill provides that any disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit, or any pharmacy benefit manager that provides services under a contract with a policy or plan, that has established a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists must reimburse each pharmacy or pharmacist in the same network at the same rates. Audits of pharmacists and pharmacies This bill makes several changes to audits of pharmacists and pharmacies. The bill requires an entity that conducts audits of pharmacists and pharmacies to ensure that each pharmacist or pharmacy audited by the entity is audited under the same standards and parameters as other similarly situated pharmacists or pharmacies audited by the entity, that the entity randomizes the prescriptions that the entity audits and the entity audits the same number of prescriptions in each prescription benefit tier, and that each audit of a prescription reimbursed under Part D of the federal Medicare program is conducted separately from audits of prescriptions reimbursed under other policies or plans. The bill prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager from recouping reimbursements made to a pharmacist or pharmacy for errors that involve no actual financial harm to an enrollee or a policy or plan sponsor unless the error is the result of the pharmacist or pharmacy failing to comply with a formal corrective action plan. The bill further prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager from using extrapolation in calculating reimbursements that it may recoup, and instead requires a pharmacy benefit manager to base the finding of errors for which reimbursements will be recouped on an actual error in reimbursement and not a projection of the number of patients served having a similar diagnosis or on a projection of the number of similar orders or refills for similar prescription drugs. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that recoups any reimbursements made to a pharmacist or pharmacy for an error that was the cause of financial harm must return the recouped reimbursement to the enrollee or the policy or plan sponsor who was harmed by the error. Pharmacy benefit manager fiduciary and disclosure requirements The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager owes a fiduciary duty to a health benefit plan sponsor. The bill also requires that a pharmacy benefit manager annually disclose all of the following information to the health benefit plan sponsor: 1. The indirect profit received by the pharmacy benefit manager from owning a pharmacy or health 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 pharmacists and the amount retained by the pharmacy benefit manager. Discriminatory reimbursement of 340B entities The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from taking certain actions with respect to 340B covered entities, pharmacies and pharmacists contracted with 340B covered entities, and patients who obtain prescription drugs from 340B covered entities. The 340B drug pricing program is a federal program that requires pharmaceutical manufacturers that participate in the federal Medicaid program to sell outpatient drugs at discounted prices to certain health care organizations that provide health care for uninsured and low-income patients. Entities that are eligible for discounted prices under the 340B drug pricing program include federally qualified health centers, critical access hospitals, and certain public and nonprofit disproportionate share hospitals. The bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from doing any of the following: 1. Refusing to reimburse a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity for dispensing 340B drugs. 2. Imposing requirements or restrictions on 340B covered entities or pharmacies or pharmacists contracted with 340B covered entities that are not imposed on other entities, pharmacies, or pharmacists. 3. Reimbursing a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity for a 340B drug at a rate lower than the amount paid for the same drug to pharmacies or pharmacists that are not 340B covered entities or pharmacies or pharmacists contracted with a 340B covered entity. 4. Assessing a fee, charge back, or other adjustment against a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity after a claim has been paid or adjudicated. 5. Restricting the access of a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to a third-party payer[s pharmacy network solely because the 340B covered entity or the pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity participates in the 340B drug pricing program. 6. Requiring a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to contract with a specific pharmacy or pharmacist or health benefit plan in order to access a third-party payer[s pharmacy network. 7. Imposing a restriction or an additional charge on a patient who obtains a 340B drug from a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity. 8. Restricting the methods by which a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity may dispense or deliver 340B drugs. 9. Requiring a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to share pharmacy bills or invoices with a pharmacy benefit manager, a third-party payer, or a health benefit plan. Application of prescription drug payments Health insurance policies and plans often apply cost-sharing requirements and out-of-pocket maximum amounts to the benefits covered by the policy or plan. A cost-sharing requirement is a share of covered benefits that an insured is required to pay under a health insurance policy or plan. Cost-sharing requirements include copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. An out-of-pocket maximum amount is a limit specified by a policy or plan on the amount that an insured pays, and, once that limit is reached, the policy or plan covers the benefit entirely. The bill generally requires health insurance policies that offer prescription drug benefits, self-insured health plans, and pharmacy benefit managers acting on behalf of policies or plans to apply amounts paid by or on behalf of an individual covered under the policy or plan for brand name prescription drugs to any cost- sharing requirement or to any calculation of an out-of-pocket maximum amount of the policy or plan. Health insurance policies are referred to in the bill as disability insurance policies. Prohibited retaliation The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from retaliating against a pharmacy or pharmacist for reporting an alleged violation of certain laws applicable to pharmacy benefit managers or for exercising certain rights or remedies. Retaliation includes terminating or refusing to renew a contract with a pharmacy or pharmacist, subjecting a pharmacy or pharmacist to increased audits, or failing to promptly pay a pharmacy or pharmacist any money that the pharmacy benefit manager owes to the pharmacy or pharmacist. The bill provides that a pharmacy or pharmacist may bring an action in court for injunctive relief if a pharmacy benefit manager is retaliating against the pharmacy or pharmacist as provided in the bill. In addition to equitable relief, the court may award a pharmacy or pharmacist that prevails in such an action reasonable attorney fees and costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB12 A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for sales of gun safes. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB245 A pilot school-centered mental health program. (FE) In each fiscal year of the 2025-27 biennium, this bill requires the Department of Health Services to distribute an amount determined by the secretary of health services to a provider to operate a school-centered mental health program in two schools in this state for two school years; one school must be located in a rural school district and one school must be located in a suburban or urban school district. Under the bill, the provider must use the money to support full-time therapist positions, family coach positions, and any other positions necessary to operate the school-centered mental health program. Under the bill, a school-centered mental health program is a program that meets various criteria, including that it serve at- risk pupils and families at school, at home, and in the community, serve pupils and families year-round, include classroom observations and pupil-specific behavior intervention, include evidence-based individual or family therapy, and provide family coaching that is aligned with therapeutic goals. Finally, the bill requires the provider who receives money from DHS to submit a report to DHS on the impact of the school-centered mental health program on pupils and families by six months after the end of the program, and requires DHS to distribute the report to the legislature. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2902/1 FFK:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 245 In Committee
AB226 Prohibiting school boards and independent charter schools from providing food containing certain ingredients in free or reduced-price meals. This bill prohibits school boards and independent charter schools from providing food that contains brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, or red dye 3 to pupils as part of free or reduced- price meals provided under the National School Lunch Program or the federal School Breakfast Program. The bill does not prohibit school boards and independent charter schools from allowing private vendors to serve food containing any of those ingredients on school premises or at school-sponsored activities. In Committee
AB24 County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE) This bill requires sheriffs to request proof of legal presence status from individuals held in a county jail for an offense punishable as a felony. The bill also requires sheriffs to comply with detainers and administrative warrants received from the federal department of homeland security regarding individuals held in the county jail for a criminal offense. Under the bill, sheriffs must annually certify to the Department of Revenue that they have complied with each of these requirements. If a sheriff fails to provide such a certification, DOR must reduce the county[s shared revenue payments for the next year by 15 percent. The bill also requires sheriffs to maintain a record of the number of individuals from whom proof of legal presence is requested who are verified as unlawfully present in this state and a list of the types of crimes for which those individuals were confined in the jail. The information must be provided to the Department of Justice upon request, and DOJ must compile the information and submit a report to the legislature. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB10 A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for sales of gun safes. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB32 Access to public high schools for military recruiters. In general, federal law requires local educational agencies, such as school boards and charter schools, that receive federal assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide military recruiters the same access to secondary school students that the local educational agencies provide to postsecondary educational institutions or to prospective employers. This bill requires school boards and governing boards of charter schools to, in addition to complying with federal law, specifically allow military recruiters access to common areas in high schools and to allow access during a school day and to school- sanctioned events. Nothing in the bill requires a school board or governing board of a charter school to provide a military recruiter access to a high school classroom during instructional time. In Committee
SB57 County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE) This bill requires sheriffs to request proof of legal presence status from individuals held in a county jail for an offense punishable as a felony. The bill also requires sheriffs to comply with detainers and administrative warrants received from the federal department of homeland security regarding individuals held in the county jail for a criminal offense. Under the bill, sheriffs must annually certify to the Department of Revenue that they have complied with each of these requirements. If a sheriff fails to provide such a certification, DOR must reduce the county[s shared revenue payments for the next year by 15 percent. The bill also requires sheriffs to maintain a record of the number of individuals from whom proof of legal presence is requested who are verified as unlawfully present in this state and a list of the types of crimes for which those individuals were confined in the jail. The information must be provided to the Department of Justice upon request, and DOJ must compile the information and submit a report to the legislature. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-1735/1 EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 57 In Committee
SB203 Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE) This bill makes several changes to the regulation of pharmacy benefit LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 managers and their interactions with pharmacies and pharmacists. Under current law, pharmacy benefit managers are generally required to be licensed as a pharmacy benefit manager or an employee benefit plan administrator by the commissioner of insurance. A pharmacy benefit manager is an entity that contracts to administer or manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of an insurer, a cooperative, or another entity that provides prescription drug benefits to Wisconsin residents. Major provisions of the bill are summarized below. Pharmacy benefit manager regulation The bill requires a pharmacy benefit manager to pay a pharmacy or pharmacist a professional dispensing fee at a rate not less than is paid by the state under the Medical Assistance program for each pharmaceutical product that the pharmacy or pharmacist dispenses to an individual. The professional dispensing fee is required to be paid in addition to the amount the pharmacy benefit manager reimburses the pharmacy or pharmacist for the cost of the pharmaceutical product that the pharmacy or pharmacist dispenses. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from assessing, charging, or collecting from a pharmacy or pharmacist any form of remuneration that passes from the pharmacy or pharmacist to the pharmacy benefit manager including claim-processing fees, performance-based fees, network-participation fees, or accreditation fees. Further, under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not use any certification or accreditation requirement as a determinant of pharmacy network participation that is inconsistent with, more stringent than, or in addition to the federal requirements for licensure as a pharmacy and the requirements for licensure as a pharmacy provided under state law. The bill requires a pharmacy benefit manager to allow a participant or beneficiary of a pharmacy benefits plan or program that the pharmacy benefit manager serves to use any pharmacy or pharmacist in this state that is licensed to dispense the pharmaceutical product that the participant or beneficiary seeks to obtain if the pharmacy or pharmacist accepts the same terms and conditions that the pharmacy benefit manager establishes for at least one of the networks of pharmacies or pharmacists that the pharmacy benefit manager has established to serve individuals in the state. A pharmacy benefit manager may establish a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists and a nonpreferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists; however, under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist from participating in either type of network provided that the pharmacy or pharmacist is licensed by this state and the federal government and accepts the same terms and conditions that the pharmacy benefit manager establishes for other pharmacies or pharmacists participating in the network that the pharmacy or pharmacist wants to join. Under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not charge a participant or beneficiary of a LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 pharmacy benefits plan or program that the pharmacy benefit manager serves a different copayment obligation or additional fee, or provide any inducement or financial incentive, for the participant or beneficiary to use a pharmacy or pharmacist in a particular network of pharmacies or pharmacists that the pharmacy benefit manager has established to serve individuals in the state. Further, the bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager, third-party payer, or health benefit plan from excluding a pharmacy or pharmacist from its network because the pharmacy or pharmacist serves less than a certain portion of the population of the state or serves a population living with certain health conditions. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may neither prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist that dispenses a pharmaceutical product from, nor penalize a pharmacy or pharmacist that dispenses a pharmaceutical product for, informing an individual about the cost of the pharmaceutical product, the amount in reimbursement that the pharmacy or pharmacist receives for dispensing the pharmaceutical product, or any difference between the cost to the individual under the individual[s pharmacy benefits plan or program and the cost to the individual if the individual purchases the pharmaceutical product without making a claim for benefits under the individual[s pharmacy benefits plan or program. The bill prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager or any insurer or self- insured health plan from requiring, or penalizing a person who is covered under a health insurance policy or plan for using or for not using, a specific retail, mail- order, or other pharmacy provider within the network of pharmacy providers under the policy or plan. Prohibited penalties include an increase in premium, deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers to remit payment for a claim to a pharmacy or pharmacist within 30 days from the day that the claim is submitted to the pharmacy benefit manager by the pharmacy or pharmacist. Pharmaceutical product reimbursements The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must include all of the following information on the list: 1) the average acquisition cost of each pharmaceutical product and the cost of the pharmaceutical product set forth in the national average drug acquisition cost data published by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services; 2) the average manufacturer price of each pharmaceutical product; 3) the average wholesale price of each pharmaceutical product; 4) the brand effective rate or generic effective rate for each pharmaceutical product; 5) any applicable discount indexing; 6) the federal upper limit for each pharmaceutical product published by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services; pharmaceutical product; and 8) any other terms that are used to establish the maximum allowable costs. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may place or continue a particular pharmaceutical product on a maximum allowable cost list only if the pharmaceutical product 1) is listed as a drug product equivalent or is rated by a LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 7) the wholesale acquisition cost of each 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 nationally recognized reference as Xnot ratedY or Xnot availableY; 2) is available for purchase by all pharmacies and pharmacists in the state from national or regional pharmaceutical wholesalers operating in the state; and 3) has not been determined by the drug manufacturer to be obsolete. Further, the bill provides that any pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must provide access to the maximum allowable cost list to each pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list, update the maximum allowable cost list on a timely basis, provide a process for a pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list to receive notification of an update to the maximum allowable cost list, and update the maximum allowable cost list no later than seven days after the pharmacy acquisition cost of the pharmaceutical product increases by 10 percent or more from at least 60 percent of the pharmaceutical wholesalers doing business in the state or there is a change in the methodology on which the maximum allowable cost list is based or in the value of a variable involved in the methodology. A maximum allowable cost list is a list of pharmaceutical products that sets forth the maximum amount that a pharmacy benefit manager will pay to a pharmacy or pharmacist for dispensing a pharmaceutical product. A maximum allowable cost list may directly establish maximum costs or may set forth a method for how the maximum costs are calculated. The bill further provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must provide a process for a pharmacy or pharmacist to appeal and resolve disputes regarding claims that the maximum payment amount for a pharmaceutical product is below the pharmacy acquisition cost. A pharmacy benefit manager that receives an appeal from or on behalf of a pharmacy or pharmacist under this bill is required to resolve the appeal and notify the pharmacy or pharmacist of the pharmacy benefit manager[s determination no later than seven business days after the appeal is received. If the pharmacy benefit manager grants the relief requested in the appeal, the bill requires the pharmacy benefit manager to make the requested change in the maximum allowable cost, allow the pharmacy or pharmacist to reverse and rebill the relevant claim, provide to the pharmacy or pharmacist the national drug code number published in a directory by the federal Food and Drug Administration on which the increase or change is based, and make the change effective for each similarly situated pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list. If the pharmacy benefit manager denies the relief requested in the appeal, the bill requires the pharmacy benefit manager to provide the pharmacy or pharmacist a reason for the denial, the national drug code number published in a directory by the FDA for the pharmaceutical product to which the claim relates, and the name of a national or regional wholesaler that has the pharmaceutical product currently in stock at a price below the amount specified in the pharmacy benefit manager[s maximum allowable cost list. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may not deny a pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s appeal if the relief requested in the appeal relates to LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 the maximum allowable cost for a pharmaceutical product that is not available for the pharmacy or pharmacist to purchase at a cost that is below the pharmacy acquisition cost from the pharmaceutical wholesaler from which the pharmacy or pharmacist purchases the majority of pharmaceutical products for resale. If a pharmaceutical product is not available for a pharmacy or pharmacist to purchase at a cost that is below the pharmacy acquisition cost from the pharmaceutical wholesaler from which the pharmacy or pharmacist purchases the majority of pharmaceutical products for resale, the pharmacy benefit manager must revise the maximum allowable cost list to increase the maximum allowable cost for the pharmaceutical product to an amount equal to or greater than the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s pharmacy acquisition cost and allow the pharmacy or pharmacist to reverse and rebill each claim affected by the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s inability to procure the pharmaceutical product at a cost that is equal to or less than the maximum allowable cost that was the subject of the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s appeal. The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from reimbursing a pharmacy or pharmacist in the state an amount less than the amount that the pharmacy benefit manager reimburses a pharmacy benefit manager affiliate for providing the same pharmaceutical product. Under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager affiliate is a pharmacy or pharmacist that is an affiliate of a pharmacy benefit manager. Finally, the bill allows a pharmacy or pharmacist to decline to provide a pharmaceutical product to an individual or pharmacy benefit manager if, as a result of a maximum allowable cost list, the pharmacy or pharmacist would be paid less than the pharmacy acquisition cost of the pharmacy or pharmacist providing the pharmaceutical product. Drug formularies This bill makes several changes with respect to drug formularies. Under current law, a disability insurance policy that offers a prescription drug benefit, a self-insured health plan that offers a prescription drug benefit, or a pharmacy benefit manager acting on behalf of a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan must provide to an enrollee advanced written notice of a formulary change that removes a prescription drug from the formulary of the policy or plan or that reassigns a prescription drug to a benefit tier for the policy or plan that has a higher deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The advanced written notice of a formulary change must be provided no fewer than 30 days before the expected date of the removal or reassignment. This bill provides that a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit shall make the formulary and all drug costs associated with the formulary available to plan sponsors and individuals prior to selection or enrollment. Further, the bill provides that no disability insurance policy, self-insured health plan, or pharmacy benefit manager acting on behalf of a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan may remove a prescription LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 drug from the formulary except at the time of coverage renewal. Finally, the bill provides that advanced written notice of a formulary change must be provided no fewer than 90 days before the expected date of the removal or reassignment of a prescription drug on the formulary. Pharmacy networks Under the bill, if an enrollee utilizes a pharmacy or pharmacist in a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists, no disability insurance policy or self- insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit or pharmacy benefit manager that provides services under a contract with a policy or plan may require the enrollee to pay any amount or impose on the enrollee any condition that would not be required if the enrollee utilized a different pharmacy or pharmacist in the same preferred network. Further, the bill provides that any disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit, or any pharmacy benefit manager that provides services under a contract with a policy or plan, that has established a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists must reimburse each pharmacy or pharmacist in the same network at the same rates. Audits of pharmacists and pharmacies This bill makes several changes to audits of pharmacists and pharmacies. The bill requires an entity that conducts audits of pharmacists and pharmacies to ensure that each pharmacist or pharmacy audited by the entity is audited under the same standards and parameters as other similarly situated pharmacists or pharmacies audited by the entity, that the entity randomizes the prescriptions that the entity audits and the entity audits the same number of prescriptions in each prescription benefit tier, and that each audit of a prescription reimbursed under Part D of the federal Medicare program is conducted separately from audits of prescriptions reimbursed under other policies or plans. The bill prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager from recouping reimbursements made to a pharmacist or pharmacy for errors that involve no actual financial harm to an enrollee or a policy or plan sponsor unless the error is the result of the pharmacist or pharmacy failing to comply with a formal corrective action plan. The bill further prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager from using extrapolation in calculating reimbursements that it may recoup, and instead requires a pharmacy benefit manager to base the finding of errors for which reimbursements will be recouped on an actual error in reimbursement and not a projection of the number of patients served having a similar diagnosis or on a projection of the number of similar orders or refills for similar prescription drugs. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that recoups any reimbursements made to a pharmacist or pharmacy for an error that was the cause of financial harm must return the recouped reimbursement to the enrollee or the policy or plan sponsor who was harmed by the error. Pharmacy benefit manager fiduciary and disclosure requirements The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager owes a fiduciary duty to a health benefit plan sponsor. The bill also requires that a pharmacy benefit LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 manager annually disclose all of the following information to the health benefit plan sponsor: 1. The indirect profit received by the pharmacy benefit manager from owning a pharmacy or health 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 pharmacists and the amount retained by the pharmacy benefit manager. Discriminatory reimbursement of 340B entities The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from taking certain actions with respect to 340B covered entities, pharmacies and pharmacists contracted with 340B covered entities, and patients who obtain prescription drugs from 340B covered entities. The 340B drug pricing program is a federal program that requires pharmaceutical manufacturers that participate in the federal Medicaid program to sell outpatient drugs at discounted prices to certain health care organizations that provide health care for uninsured and low-income patients. Entities that are eligible for discounted prices under the 340B drug pricing program include federally qualified health centers, critical access hospitals, and certain public and nonprofit disproportionate share hospitals. The bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from doing any of the following: 1. Refusing to reimburse a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity for dispensing 340B drugs. 2. Imposing requirements or restrictions on 340B covered entities or pharmacies or pharmacists contracted with 340B covered entities that are not imposed on other entities, pharmacies, or pharmacists. 3. Reimbursing a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity for a 340B drug at a rate lower than the amount paid for the same drug to pharmacies or pharmacists that are not 340B covered entities or pharmacies or pharmacists contracted with a 340B covered entity. 4. Assessing a fee, charge back, or other adjustment against a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity after a claim has been paid or adjudicated. 5. Restricting the access of a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to a third-party payer[s pharmacy network solely because the 340B covered entity or the pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity participates in the 340B drug pricing program. 6. Requiring a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 with a 340B covered entity to contract with a specific pharmacy or pharmacist or health benefit plan in order to access a third-party payer[s pharmacy network. 7. Imposing a restriction or an additional charge on a patient who obtains a 340B drug from a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity. 8. Restricting the methods by which a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity may dispense or deliver 340B drugs. 9. Requiring a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to share pharmacy bills or invoices with a pharmacy benefit manager, a third-party payer, or a health benefit plan. Application of prescription drug payments Health insurance policies and plans often apply cost-sharing requirements and out-of-pocket maximum amounts to the benefits covered by the policy or plan. A cost-sharing requirement is a share of covered benefits that an insured is required to pay under a health insurance policy or plan. Cost-sharing requirements include copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. An out-of-pocket maximum amount is a limit specified by a policy or plan on the amount that an insured pays, and, once that limit is reached, the policy or plan covers the benefit entirely. The bill generally requires health insurance policies that offer prescription drug benefits, self-insured health plans, and pharmacy benefit managers acting on behalf of policies or plans to apply amounts paid by or on behalf of an individual covered under the policy or plan for brand name prescription drugs to any cost- sharing requirement or to any calculation of an out-of-pocket maximum amount of the policy or plan. Health insurance policies are referred to in the bill as disability insurance policies. Prohibited retaliation The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from retaliating against a pharmacy or pharmacist for reporting an alleged violation of certain laws applicable to pharmacy benefit managers or for exercising certain rights or remedies. Retaliation includes terminating or refusing to renew a contract with a pharmacy or pharmacist, subjecting a pharmacy or pharmacist to increased audits, or failing to promptly pay a pharmacy or pharmacist any money that the pharmacy benefit manager owes to the pharmacy or pharmacist. The bill provides that a pharmacy or pharmacist may bring an action in court for injunctive relief if a pharmacy benefit manager is retaliating against the pharmacy or pharmacist as provided in the bill. In addition to equitable relief, the court may award a pharmacy or pharmacist that prevails in such an action reasonable attorney fees and costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 In Committee
SB204 Creating a video game production tax credit and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill creates a refundable video game production income and franchise tax credit. The credit is equal to the sum of the following: 1) 30 percent of the eligible wages paid by the claimant directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product; and 2) 30 percent of the claimant[s eligible expenditures directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product. Under the bill, Xvideo game productY means, subject to certain exceptions, an electronic game developed for commercial distribution and entertainment that involves interaction with a used interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. XVideo game productY does not include social media, gambling products, or products with obscene content. The bill also defines Xeligible expendituresY as expenditures directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product but excludes various specified expenditures, such as payments for royalties, capital expenditures, management and administrative expenses, marketing expenses, and LRB-2552/1 KP:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 204 interest. To claim the credit for a tax year, a person must file an application with the Department of Revenue and receive a certificate of eligibility for the credit. To receive a certificate, an applicant must submit an audit of its eligible expenditures to DOR. The credit under the bill is refundable, which means that if the credit exceeds the claimant[s tax liability, the claimant will receive the difference as a refund check. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB318 Small law enforcement agency grant pilot program. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Administration to establish and administer a pilot program to provide grants to small law enforcement agencies to pay training costs for new law enforcement and tribal law enforcement officers. The bill defines Xsmall law enforcement agencyY to mean a police department, tribal police department, combined protective services department, or sheriff[s office that employs no more than 25 full-time equivalent, nonsupervisory law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officers. Under the bill, an agency may apply for a grant if it receives notice that a currently employed officer will be leaving or retiring from the agency within six months or if the agency has at least a 20 percent vacancy rate in its authorized officer positions. The bill requires the grants be used only to pay for training a student who is enrolled in a program to become a law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officer and for the on-the-job training costs the agency incurs during the first six months of that individual[s employment. The bill requires any individual whose training is paid for under the pilot program to commit to work for the small law enforcement agency for one year following the training. If the individual does not fulfill the commitment because he or she voluntarily leaves employment or is terminated for cause, DOA may seek repayment from the individual of the training costs on a LRB-3510/1 EKL:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 318 prorated basis. Under the bill, the pilot program terminates 18 months after all grant funding has been disbursed. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB208 An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE) This bill exempts from state income and franchise taxes income received in the form of a grant issued by this state; a city, village, town, or county of this state; a tribal government in this state; or the federal government for broadband expansion in this state. The bill also exempts from income and franchise taxes income received in the form of funding from the federal government for any high-cost universal service funding for broadband expansion. Current law provides an income and franchise tax exemption for income received in the form of allocations issued by this state with moneys received from the federal coronavirus relief fund to be used for broadband expansion. The bill prohibits claiming the exemptions under the bill and the exemption under current law for the same grant. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB231 Creating a tax credit for expenses related to film production services and for capital investments made by a film production company, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill creates income and franchise tax credits for film production companies and creates the State Film Office, attached to the Department of Tourism, to implement the tax credit accreditations and allocations. Under the bill, a film production company may claim a credit in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the salary or wages paid to the company[s employees in the taxable year for services rendered in this state to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production, as approved by the State Film Office, and paid to LRB-2810/1 KP:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 231 employees who were residents of this state at the time that they were paid. The total amount of the credits that may be claimed by a taxpayer may not exceed an amount that is equal to the first $250,000 of salary or wages paid to each of the taxpayer[s employees in the taxable year, not including the salary or wages paid to the taxpayer[s two highest-paid employees in the taxable year, for a production with budgeted expenditures of $1,000,000 or more. If the total amount of the credits claimed by a taxpayer exceeds the taxpayer[s tax liability, the state will not issue a refund, but the taxpayer may carry forward any remaining credit to subsequent taxable years. Under the bill, a film production company may claim an income and franchise tax credit in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the production expenditures paid by the company in the taxable year to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production. If the total amount of the credits claimed by the company exceeds the company[s tax liability, the state will issue a refund. The bill also allows a film production company to claim an income and franchise tax credit, for the first three taxable years that the company is doing business in this state, in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the amount that the claimant paid in the taxable year to purchase depreciable tangible personal property or to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, remodel, or repair real property. Under the bill, a film production company may claim an income and franchise tax credit in an amount that is equal to the amount of sales and use taxes that the claimant paid for tangible personal property and taxable services that are used to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production in this state. The bill provides that the State Film Office may not allocate more than $10,000,000 in film production and investment tax credits in each fiscal year. The bill also requires the State Film Office to annually submit a report to the legislature that specifies the number of persons who submitted credit applications in the previous year and the amount of the credits allocated to each such applicant and to make recommendations on improving the efficiency of the program. Finally, the bill requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to biennially prepare a performance evaluation audit of the accreditation program implemented by the State Film Office. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB231 Creating a tax credit for expenses related to film production services and for capital investments made by a film production company, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill creates income and franchise tax credits for film production companies and creates the State Film Office, attached to the Department of Tourism, to implement the tax credit accreditations and allocations. Under the bill, a film production company may claim a credit in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the salary or wages paid to the company[s employees in the taxable year for services rendered in this state to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production, as approved by the State Film Office, and paid to employees who were residents of this state at the time that they were paid. The total amount of the credits that may be claimed by a taxpayer may not exceed an amount that is equal to the first $250,000 of salary or wages paid to each of the taxpayer[s employees in the taxable year, not including the salary or wages paid to the taxpayer[s two highest-paid employees in the taxable year, for a production with budgeted expenditures of $1,000,000 or more. If the total amount of the credits claimed by a taxpayer exceeds the taxpayer[s tax liability, the state will not issue a refund, but the taxpayer may carry forward any remaining credit to subsequent taxable years. Under the bill, a film production company may claim an income and franchise tax credit in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the production expenditures paid by the company in the taxable year to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production. If the total amount of the credits claimed by the company exceeds the company[s tax liability, the state will issue a refund. The bill also allows a film production company to claim an income and franchise tax credit, for the first three taxable years that the company is doing business in this state, in an amount that is equal to 30 percent of the amount that the claimant paid in the taxable year to purchase depreciable tangible personal property or to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, remodel, or repair real property. Under the bill, a film production company may claim an income and franchise tax credit in an amount that is equal to the amount of sales and use taxes that the claimant paid for tangible personal property and taxable services that are used to produce a film, video, broadcast advertisement, or television production in this state. The bill provides that the State Film Office may not allocate more than $10,000,000 in film production and investment tax credits in each fiscal year. The bill also requires the State Film Office to annually submit a report to the legislature that specifies the number of persons who submitted credit applications in the previous year and the amount of the credits allocated to each such applicant and to make recommendations on improving the efficiency of the program. Finally, the bill requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to biennially prepare a performance evaluation audit of the accreditation program implemented by the State Film Office. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB176 An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE) This bill exempts from state income and franchise taxes income received in the form of a grant issued by this state; a city, village, town, or county of this state; a tribal government in this state; or the federal government for broadband expansion in this state. The bill also exempts from income and franchise taxes income received in the form of funding from the federal government for any high-cost universal service funding for broadband expansion. Current law provides an income and franchise tax exemption for income received in the form of allocations issued by this state with moneys received from the federal coronavirus relief fund to be used for broadband expansion. The bill prohibits claiming the exemptions under the bill and the exemption under current law for the same grant. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. LRB-2503/1 KP:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 176 For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB40 School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill requires the Office of School Safety in the Department of Justice to establish a competitive grant program that is open to public and private schools for grants to improve the safety of school buildings and to provide security training to school personnel. In administering the program, the Office of School Safety must give preference to applicants that have not yet received a school safety grant from DOJ. The bill provides $30,000,000 for these grants and specifies that the maximum amount DOJ may award to an applicant is $20,000. The bill also requires the Office of School Safety to submit an annual report related to these grants to the Joint Committee on Finance. Finally, the grant program sunsets on July 1, 2027. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB204 Creating a video game production tax credit and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill creates a refundable video game production income and franchise tax credit. The credit is equal to the sum of the following: 1) 30 percent of the eligible wages paid by the claimant directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product; and 2) 30 percent of the claimant[s eligible expenditures directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product. Under the bill, Xvideo game productY means, subject to certain exceptions, an electronic game developed for commercial distribution and entertainment that involves interaction with a used interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. XVideo game productY does not include social media, gambling products, or products with obscene content. The bill also defines Xeligible expendituresY as expenditures directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product but excludes various specified expenditures, such as payments for royalties, capital expenditures, management and administrative expenses, marketing expenses, and interest. To claim the credit for a tax year, a person must file an application with the Department of Revenue and receive a certificate of eligibility for the credit. To receive a certificate, an applicant must submit an audit of its eligible expenditures to DOR. The credit under the bill is refundable, which means that if the credit exceeds the claimant[s tax liability, the claimant will receive the difference as a refund check. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB228 Prohibiting school boards and independent charter schools from providing food containing certain ingredients in free or reduced-price meals. This bill prohibits school boards and independent charter schools from providing food that contains brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, or red dye 3 to pupils as part of free or reduced- price meals provided under the National School Lunch Program or the federal School Breakfast Program. The bill does not prohibit school boards and independent charter schools from allowing private vendors to serve food containing any of those ingredients on school premises or at school-sponsored activities. In Committee
AB300 A grant program for the purchase of automated registration plate reader systems. (FE) This bill establishes a grant program, administered by the Department of Justice, that provides grants to law enforcement agencies to purchase automated registration plate reader systems. Under the bill, to be eligible for a grant, a law enforcement agency must apply for a grant and include in the application a proposed plan of expenditure of the grant moneys. The bill requires DOJ to ensure that at least 50 percent of the grant moneys awarded under the program are awarded to law enforcement agencies located in rural areas. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB311 Changing an individual’s sex on a birth certificate. Current law allows for changes to an individual[s sex on a birth record due to a surgical sex-change procedure or to correct an error on a birth record, subject to certain requirements. Under this bill, an individual[s sex on a birth record may not be changed due to a surgical sex-change procedure. Moreover, the bill prohibits any person from changing an individual[s sex on a birth record to a sex other than the individual[s biological sex. The bill also prohibits a court from ordering a change to an individual[s sex on a birth record to a sex other than the individual[s biological sex. Under the bill, Xbiological sexY means the biological state of being male or female based on sex chromosomes. In Committee
SB225 Regulation of amusement rides located at campgrounds. (FE) This bill exempts amusement rides located at campgrounds licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection from regulation by the Department of Safety and Professional Services if they are installed according to the manufacturer[s recommended standards. Under current law, DSPS regulates amusement rides. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB219 Limitations on ownership of real property in this state by foreign persons. (FE) This bill modifies current law that limits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding large amounts of agricultural and forestry land in this state. The bill also prohibits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state within 10 miles of a military installation and prohibits foreign adversaries from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. LIMITING FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND Under current law, certain foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of agricultural or forestry land in this state. The bill makes several changes to the limitation under current law. LRB-1662/1 KRP:skw/emw/cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 219 Type of land subject to acreage limit Current law generally prohibits a covered foreign person (as defined below) from acquiring, owning, or holding more than 640 acres of land in this state. However, that limitation does not apply to any of the following activities: 1. An exploration mining lease and land used for certain mining and associated activities. 2. Certain manufacturing activities. 3. Certain mercantile activities. 4. A lease for exploration or production of oil, gas, coal, shale, and related hydrocarbons, including by-products of the production, and land used in connection with the exploration or production. Those exceptions have been interpreted to be Xextremely broad, embracing almost every conceivable business activity [other than a]ctivities relating to agriculture and forestry.Y See Wis. Op. Att[y Gen. OAG 11-14, ?5, available at https://www.doj.state.wi.us. In other words, under current law, foreign persons may acquire, own, and hold unlimited amounts of land for most nonagricultural and nonforestry purposes, but covered foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of land for agricultural or forestry purposes. The bill eliminates the current scheme under which the limitation applies to all land with extremely broad exceptions and replaces the scheme with a limitation that applies only to land that is classified, for property tax purposes, as agricultural (agricultural land). Under the bill, the limitation does not apply to forestry land. Amount of land foreign persons may own The bill reduces the maximum amount of agricultural land that a covered foreign person may acquire, own, or hold from 640 acres to 50 acres (acreage limit). Covered foreign persons Under current law, the following persons generally are subject to the acreage limit (covered foreign person): 1. An alien not a resident of a state of the United States (nonresident alien). 2. A corporation that is not created under federal law or the laws of any state (foreign entity). 3. A corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or association having more than 20 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership held or owned by nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign-owned entity). 4. A trust having more than 20 percent of the value of its assets held for the benefit of nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign beneficiary trust). The bill does all of the following: 1. Specifies that the acreage limit also applies to a foreign government. 2. Increases the percentage of an entity[s ownership held by nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the entity to be considered a foreign- owned entity from 20 percent to 25 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership. 3. Increases the percentage of a trust[s assets held for the benefit of LRB-1662/1 KRP:skw/emw/cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 219 nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the trust to be considered a foreign beneficiary trust from 20 percent to 25 percent of the value of its assets. 4. Specifies that, for purposes of determining whether an entity is a foreign- owned entity or whether a trust is a foreign beneficiary trust, foreign government interests are included in calculating the relevant percentage amounts. Exception for agricultural research leases Current law includes exceptions from the acreage limit for railroad and pipeline corporations and treaty rights, among other things. The bill provides that the acreage limit also does not apply to a lease that is exclusively for agricultural research purposes and encumbers no more than 50 acres of agricultural land. Divestiture period Under current law, if a covered foreign person acquires an interest in land that causes the covered foreign person to exceed the acreage limit, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest. Specifically, the covered foreign person must divest itself within four years after: 1. Acquiring the interest, if the covered foreign person is a nonresident alien or foreign entity and the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. 2. Acquiring the interest or becoming a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust, whichever is later, if the covered foreign person is a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust. The bill reduces the divestiture period from four years to three years and specifies that the divestiture requirement described under item 1 applies to a foreign government. PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY NEAR MILITARY INSTALLATIONS The bill generally prohibits a covered foreign person from acquiring, owning, or holding any real property in this state that is located on or within 10 miles of a military installation, as defined in the bill (military property). Under the bill, the prohibition does not apply to 1) an interest used to secure repayment of a debt, 2) a person whose right to hold military property is secured by treaty, or 3) a railroad or pipeline corporation. The bill allows a covered foreign person to acquire an interest in military property that the covered foreign person would otherwise be prohibited from acquiring if the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. However, if such an interest is acquired, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest within 18 months after acquiring the interest. The bill specifies that, if a person becomes a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust after the bill[s effective date, the person has 18 months to divest itself of any interest in military property the person is prohibited from owning or holding. Finally, the bill provides that any interest in military property acquired, owned, or held in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. LRB-1662/1 KRP:skw/emw/cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 219 PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY BY FOREIGN ADVERSARIES The bill prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. Under the bill, Xforeign adversaryY means a person determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce to be a foreign adversary of the United States. Those countries currently include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The bill provides that any interest acquired, owned, or held by a foreign adversary 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
SB312 Changing an individual’s sex on a birth certificate. Current law allows for changes to an individual[s sex on a birth record due to a surgical sex-change procedure or to correct an error on a birth record, subject to certain requirements. Under this bill, an individual[s sex on a birth record may not be changed due to a surgical sex-change procedure. Moreover, the bill prohibits any person from changing an individual[s sex on a birth record to a sex other than the individual[s biological sex. The bill also prohibits a court from ordering a change to an individual[s sex on a birth record to a sex other than the individual[s biological sex. Under the bill, Xbiological sexY means the biological state of being male or female based on sex chromosomes. In Committee
SB260 Certification of surgical technologists. This bill prohibits hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers from employing or otherwise retaining any individual to perform surgical technology services unless the individual is qualified as provided in the bill. XSurgical technologyY is defined under the bill to mean surgical patient care and includes: 1) collaboration with a team of health care providers prior to a surgical procedure to carry out the plan of care by performing certain preparatory tasks; 2) intraoperative anticipation and response to the needs of a surgeon and other team members in the operating room by monitoring the sterile field and providing the required instruments or supplies in the sterile field; and 3) performance of tasks in the sterile field as directed in an operating room setting, including passing supplies, equipment, or instruments; sponging or suctioning an operative site; preparing and cutting suture material; handling specimens; and holding retractors. To qualify to perform surgical technology services under the bill, an individual must satisfy one of several possible criteria, including 1) successfully completing a training program for surgical technology in connection with the individual[s military service, or 2) successfully completing an accredited educational program for surgical technologists and holding and maintaining a certification as a surgical technologist from a national and accredited certifying body. The bill provides that LRB-2568/1 JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 260 a hospital or ambulatory surgical center may employ or otherwise retain the services of an individual to perform surgical technology services during the 24- month period that immediately follows the individual[s successful completion of an educational program for surgical technologists. The bill provides that these requirements do not apply to a licensed health care provider who may provide surgical technology services within their scope of practice. Further, the bill provides that a hospital or ambulatory surgical center may establish additional requirements for any individual who performs surgical technology services as a condition of employment or contract. In Committee
SB215 Town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE) This bill makes changes to various town procedures. Current law provides that a town may combine certain positions, such as the town clerk and the town treasurer, and provides that the combination takes effect on the latest date that any current term of an office to be combined expires. The bill retains that deadline, but allows the town board to provide that the combination of offices takes effect immediately as both positions become vacant or, if the person appointed to the combined office holds one of the offices to be combined, immediately upon a vacancy in the other office to be combined. Current law also provides that a town with a population of 2,500 or more may move from an elected clerk, treasurer, or combined office of clerk and treasurer to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer by a vote of the electors at a town meeting. Under current law, a town with a population of under LRB-1061/1 SWB&EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 215 2,500 may only move from an elected clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer to an appointed position through a referendum. The bill allows a town of any size to move from an elected position to an appointed one by a vote of the electors at a town meeting. Current law also prohibits a town[s change from an elected to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer from taking effect until the end of the current elected term. Under the bill, a town may move to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer position during an elected term when there is a vacancy in the position. Under current law, a town treasurer is permitted to appoint a deputy treasurer, while a town clerk may appoint one or more deputies. The bill provides that a town treasurer may appoint one or more deputies. The bill also provides that deputy town clerks and deputy town treasurers need not be residents of the town. The bill also changes the publication and notice requirements for towns with respect to the public hearing regarding the town[s proposed budget. Current law requires that towns, cities, and villages conduct a public hearing on a proposed budget. Under current law, cities and villages must provide a summary of the proposed budget and notice of the budget public hearing and may do so by publishing the summary and notice in a newspaper, posting it in three locations, or posting it in one location and on a website maintained by the municipality. Current law also requires towns to provide a summary of the proposed budget and notice of the budget public hearing, but towns must post the summary and notice in three locations. This bill eliminates the limitation on how towns must provide the summary and notice, instead allowing towns the same options as cities and villages. Finally, under current law, every highway ceases to be a public highway four years from the date on which it was laid out, except the parts of the highway that have been opened, traveled, or worked within that time. The bill eliminates the travel exception from consideration by a town board in determining whether a highway has ceased to be a public highway. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB214 Town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE) This bill makes changes to various town procedures. Current law provides that a town may combine certain positions, such as the town clerk and the town treasurer, and provides that the combination takes effect on the latest date that any current term of an office to be combined expires. The bill retains that deadline, but allows the town board to provide that the combination of offices takes effect immediately as both positions become vacant or, if the person appointed to the combined office holds one of the offices to be combined, immediately upon a vacancy in the other office to be combined. Current law also provides that a town with a population of 2,500 or more may move from an elected clerk, treasurer, or combined office of clerk and treasurer to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer by a vote of the electors at a town meeting. Under current law, a town with a population of under 2,500 may only move from an elected clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer to an appointed position through a referendum. The bill allows a town of any size to move from an elected position to an appointed one by a vote of the electors at a town meeting. Current law also prohibits a town[s change from an elected to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer from taking effect until the end of the current elected term. Under the bill, a town may move to an appointed clerk, treasurer, or combined clerk and treasurer position during an elected term when there is a vacancy in the position. Under current law, a town treasurer is permitted to appoint a deputy treasurer, while a town clerk may appoint one or more deputies. The bill provides that a town treasurer may appoint one or more deputies. The bill also provides that deputy town clerks and deputy town treasurers need not be residents of the town. The bill also changes the publication and notice requirements for towns with respect to the public hearing regarding the town[s proposed budget. Current law requires that towns, cities, and villages conduct a public hearing on a proposed budget. Under current law, cities and villages must provide a summary of the proposed budget and notice of the budget public hearing and may do so by publishing the summary and notice in a newspaper, posting it in three locations, or posting it in one location and on a website maintained by the municipality. Current law also requires towns to provide a summary of the proposed budget and notice of the budget public hearing, but towns must post the summary and notice in three locations. This bill eliminates the limitation on how towns must provide the summary and notice, instead allowing towns the same options as cities and villages. Finally, under current law, every highway ceases to be a public highway four years from the date on which it was laid out, except the parts of the highway that have been opened, traveled, or worked within that time. The bill eliminates the travel exception from consideration by a town board in determining whether a highway has ceased to be a public highway. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB299 A grant program for the purchase of automated registration plate reader systems. (FE) This bill establishes a grant program, administered by the Department of Justice, that provides grants to law enforcement agencies to purchase automated registration plate reader systems. Under the bill, to be eligible for a grant, a law enforcement agency must apply for a grant and include in the application a proposed plan of expenditure of the grant moneys. The bill requires DOJ to ensure that at least 50 percent of the grant moneys awarded under the program are awarded to law enforcement agencies located in rural areas. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB289 Requirements for proposed administrative rules that impose any costs. Under current law, if a proposed administrative rule is reasonably expected to pass along $10,000,000 or more in implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period, the agency proposing the rule must stop working on the proposed rule until 1) the agency modifies the proposed rule to reduce the expected costs or 2) a bill is enacted that allows the agency to promulgate the proposed rule. These requirements do not apply to emergency rules or to certain rules proposed by the Department of Natural Resources that relate to air quality and that are required under federal law. This bill changes those requirements so that the requirements apply when a proposed rule is reasonably expected to pass along any amount of implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period. Under the bill, the agency proposing such a rule must stop LRB-2514/1 MED:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 289 working on the proposed rule until 1) the agency modifies the proposed rule to eliminate the expected costs; 2) a bill is enacted that allows the agency to promulgate the proposed rule; or 3) the agency promulgates or has promulgated a different rule, in the same calendar year as proposing the rule at issue, that is reasonably expected to reduce implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period, in an amount that will offset the amount of costs resulting from the proposed rule at issue. The bill also requires an agency, in the economic impact analysis of a proposed rule that the agency is required to prepare, to include an estimate of the total implementation and compliance cost savings that are reasonably expected to be realized by businesses, local governmental units, and individuals as a result of the proposed rule, expressed as a single dollar figure. In Committee
AB277 Requirements for proposed administrative rules that impose any costs. Under current law, if a proposed administrative rule is reasonably expected to pass along $10,000,000 or more in implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period, the agency proposing the rule must stop working on the proposed rule until 1) the agency modifies the proposed rule to reduce the expected costs or 2) a bill is enacted that allows the agency to promulgate the proposed rule. These requirements do not apply to emergency rules or to certain rules proposed by the Department of Natural Resources that relate to air quality and that are required under federal law. This bill changes those requirements so that the requirements apply when a proposed rule is reasonably expected to pass along any amount of implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period. Under the bill, the agency proposing such a rule must stop working on the proposed rule until 1) the agency modifies the proposed rule to eliminate the expected costs; 2) a bill is enacted that allows the agency to promulgate the proposed rule; or 3) the agency promulgates or has promulgated a different rule, in the same calendar year as proposing the rule at issue, that is reasonably expected to reduce implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period, in an amount that will offset the amount of costs resulting from the proposed rule at issue. The bill also requires an agency, in the economic impact analysis of a proposed rule that the agency is required to prepare, to include an estimate of the total implementation and compliance cost savings that are reasonably expected to be realized by businesses, local governmental units, and individuals as a result of the proposed rule, expressed as a single dollar figure. In Committee
AJR10 The freedom to gather in places of worship during a state of emergency (second consideration). relating to: the freedom to gather in places of worship during a state of emergency (second consideration). Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau EXPLANATION OF PROPOSAL This proposed constitutional amendment, to be given second consideration by the 2025 legislature for submittal to the voters in November 2026, was first considered by the 2023 legislature in 2023 Senate Joint Resolution 54, which became 2023 Enrolled Joint Resolution 11. This constitutional amendment provides that the state or a political subdivision of the state may not order the closure of or forbid gatherings in places of worship in response to a state of emergency at the national, state, or local level, including an emergency related to public health. PROCEDURE FOR SECOND CONSIDERATION When a proposed constitutional amendment is before the legislature on second consideration, any change in the text approved by the preceding legislature causes the proposed constitutional amendment to revert to first consideration status so that second consideration approval would have to be given by the next legislature before the proposal may be submitted to the people for ratification [see joint rule 57 (2)]. If the legislature approves a proposed constitutional amendment on second LRB-0654/1 MPG:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature consideration, it must also set the date for submitting the proposed constitutional amendment to the people for ratification and must determine the question or questions to appear on the ballot. In Committee
AB180 Requiring the Department of Health Services to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Health Services to request any necessary waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. Under current law, the federal food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and called FoodShare in this state, provides benefits to eligible low-income households for the purchase of food. FoodShare is administered by DHS. The federal government pays the benefits for FoodShare while the state and federal government share the cost of administration. Current federal law defines the foods eligible for purchase under FoodShare. The bill requires DHS to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits for the purchase of candy or soft drinks. If the waiver is granted, DHS must prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits to purchase candy or soft drinks. If any necessary waiver is not granted, the bill requires DHS to resubmit the waiver request annually until it is granted. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB138 Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE) Under current law, certain persons who receive a retirement or disability annuity from the Wisconsin Retirement System and who are hired by an employer that participates in the WRS must suspend that annuity and may not receive a WRS annuity payment until the employee is no longer in a WRS-covered position. This suspension applies to a person who 1) has reached his or her normal retirement date; 2) is appointed to a position with a WRS-participating employer or provides employee services to a WRS-participating employer; and 3) is expected to work at least two-thirds of what is considered full-time employment by the Department of Employee Trust Funds. This bill creates an exception to this suspension for an annuitant who retired from employment with a participating employer and who is subsequently rehired or provides employee services after retirement if 1) at the time the annuitant initially retires from covered employment with a participating employer, the annuitant does not have an agreement with any participating employer to return to employment; 2) the annuitant elects to not become a participating employee at the time the annuitant is rehired or enters into a contract after retirement; and 3) either the annuitant retired as a protective occupation participant or the annuitant retired as a county jailer who was not a protective occupation participant under the WRS. Under current law, a county jailer has the opportunity to opt out of becoming a protective occupation participant under the WRS. The bill treats county jailers who opt out of becoming a protective occupation participant in the same manner as county jailers who are protective occupation participants. Because this bill relates to public employee retirement or pensions, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB243 Regulation of amusement rides located at campgrounds. (FE) This bill exempts amusement rides located at campgrounds licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection from regulation by the Department of Safety and Professional Services if they are installed according to the manufacturer[s recommended standards. Under current law, DSPS regulates amusement rides. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB158 County forest administration grant eligibility. This bill makes a change, retroactive to January 1, 2025, to eligibility for a county forest administration grant. Current law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make grants to counties that have lands designated as county forest to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a professional forester in the position of county forest administrator or assistant county forest administrator (county forest administration grant program). Under the bill, the grants may be used to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a county forest administrator. The bill defines Xcounty forest administratorY as a person, excluding a person employed by the department, who is employed to manage a county forest program and who has any of the following qualifications: 1. A bachelor[s or higher degree in forestry from a school of forestry with a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters or an equivalent degree, as determined by the chief state forester. 2. A bachelor[s or higher degree in natural resources, conservation, or wildlife and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. LRB-2139/1 EHS:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 158 3. An associate degree in forestry and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. Crossed Over
AJR29 Celebrating May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. Relating to: celebrating May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB218 Limitations on ownership of real property in this state by foreign persons. (FE) This bill modifies current law that limits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding large amounts of agricultural and forestry land in this state. The bill also prohibits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state within 10 miles of a military installation and prohibits foreign adversaries from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. LIMITING FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND Under current law, certain foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of agricultural or forestry land in this state. The bill makes several changes to the limitation under current law. Type of land subject to acreage limit Current law generally prohibits a covered foreign person (as defined below) from acquiring, owning, or holding more than 640 acres of land in this state. However, that limitation does not apply to any of the following activities: 1. An exploration mining lease and land used for certain mining and associated activities. 2. Certain manufacturing activities. 3. Certain mercantile activities. 4. A lease for exploration or production of oil, gas, coal, shale, and related hydrocarbons, including by-products of the production, and land used in connection with the exploration or production. Those exceptions have been interpreted to be Xextremely broad, embracing almost every conceivable business activity [other than a]ctivities relating to agriculture and forestry.Y See Wis. Op. Att[y Gen. OAG 11-14, ?5, available at https://www.doj.state.wi.us. In other words, under current law, foreign persons may acquire, own, and hold unlimited amounts of land for most nonagricultural and nonforestry purposes, but covered foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of land for agricultural or forestry purposes. The bill eliminates the current scheme under which the limitation applies to all land with extremely broad exceptions and replaces the scheme with a limitation that applies only to land that is classified, for property tax purposes, as agricultural (agricultural land). Under the bill, the limitation does not apply to forestry land. Amount of land foreign persons may own The bill reduces the maximum amount of agricultural land that a covered foreign person may acquire, own, or hold from 640 acres to 50 acres (acreage limit). Covered foreign persons Under current law, the following persons generally are subject to the acreage limit (covered foreign person): 1. An alien not a resident of a state of the United States (nonresident alien). 2. A corporation that is not created under federal law or the laws of any state (foreign entity). 3. A corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or association having more than 20 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership held or owned by nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign-owned entity). 4. A trust having more than 20 percent of the value of its assets held for the benefit of nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign beneficiary trust). The bill does all of the following: 1. Specifies that the acreage limit also applies to a foreign government. 2. Increases the percentage of an entity[s ownership held by nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the entity to be considered a foreign- owned entity from 20 percent to 25 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership. 3. Increases the percentage of a trust[s assets held for the benefit of nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the trust to be considered a foreign beneficiary trust from 20 percent to 25 percent of the value of its assets. 4. Specifies that, for purposes of determining whether an entity is a foreign- owned entity or whether a trust is a foreign beneficiary trust, foreign government interests are included in calculating the relevant percentage amounts. Exception for agricultural research leases Current law includes exceptions from the acreage limit for railroad and pipeline corporations and treaty rights, among other things. The bill provides that the acreage limit also does not apply to a lease that is exclusively for agricultural research purposes and encumbers no more than 50 acres of agricultural land. Divestiture period Under current law, if a covered foreign person acquires an interest in land that causes the covered foreign person to exceed the acreage limit, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest. Specifically, the covered foreign person must divest itself within four years after: 1. Acquiring the interest, if the covered foreign person is a nonresident alien or foreign entity and the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. 2. Acquiring the interest or becoming a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust, whichever is later, if the covered foreign person is a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust. The bill reduces the divestiture period from four years to three years and specifies that the divestiture requirement described under item 1 applies to a foreign government. PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY NEAR MILITARY INSTALLATIONS The bill generally prohibits a covered foreign person from acquiring, owning, or holding any real property in this state that is located on or within 10 miles of a military installation, as defined in the bill (military property). Under the bill, the prohibition does not apply to 1) an interest used to secure repayment of a debt, 2) a person whose right to hold military property is secured by treaty, or 3) a railroad or pipeline corporation. The bill allows a covered foreign person to acquire an interest in military property that the covered foreign person would otherwise be prohibited from acquiring if the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. However, if such an interest is acquired, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest within 18 months after acquiring the interest. The bill specifies that, if a person becomes a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust after the bill[s effective date, the person has 18 months to divest itself of any interest in military property the person is prohibited from owning or holding. Finally, the bill provides that any interest in military property acquired, owned, or held in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY BY FOREIGN ADVERSARIES The bill prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. Under the bill, Xforeign adversaryY means a person determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce to be a foreign adversary of the United States. Those countries currently include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The bill provides that any interest acquired, owned, or held by a foreign adversary 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
SJR2 Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). To create section 1m of article III of the constitution; Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB261 Certification of surgical technologists. This bill prohibits hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers from employing or otherwise retaining any individual to perform surgical technology services unless the individual is qualified as provided in the bill. XSurgical technologyY is defined under the bill to mean surgical patient care and includes: 1) collaboration with a team of health care providers prior to a surgical procedure to carry out the plan of care by performing certain preparatory tasks; 2) intraoperative anticipation and response to the needs of a surgeon and other team members in the operating room by monitoring the sterile field and providing the required instruments or supplies in the sterile field; and 3) performance of tasks in the sterile field as directed in an operating room setting, including passing supplies, equipment, or instruments; sponging or suctioning an operative site; preparing and cutting suture material; handling specimens; and holding retractors. To qualify to perform surgical technology services under the bill, an individual must satisfy one of several possible criteria, including 1) successfully completing a training program for surgical technology in connection with the individual[s military service, or 2) successfully completing an accredited educational program for surgical technologists and holding and maintaining a certification as a surgical technologist from a national and accredited certifying body. The bill provides that a hospital or ambulatory surgical center may employ or otherwise retain the services of an individual to perform surgical technology services during the 24- month period that immediately follows the individual[s successful completion of an educational program for surgical technologists. The bill provides that these requirements do not apply to a licensed health care provider who may provide surgical technology services within their scope of practice. Further, the bill provides that a hospital or ambulatory surgical center may establish additional requirements for any individual who performs surgical technology services as a condition of employment or contract. In Committee
SJR26 Celebrating May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. Relating to: celebrating May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. In Committee
AB192 Fatality review teams and granting rule-making authority. (FE) This bill establishes fatality review teams under state law. Current law does not address fatality review teams, though several types of such teams currently exist in Wisconsin based on voluntary efforts primarily organized by counties, with state-level technical assistance available for certain types of teams. Under the bill, a fatality review team is defined as a multidisciplinary and multiagency team reviewing one or more types of death among children or adults and developing recommendations to prevent future deaths of similar circumstances. The bill generally governs a team[s responsibilities, ability to access certain records, confidentiality requirements, and disclosure of information. Duties and authority of the Department of Health Services Under the bill, the Department of Health Services must establish a fatality review program comprised of local fatality review teams established at the option of a municipality, a county, a local health department, or a tribal health department, or a combination of these entities. The bill also authorizes, but does not require, DHS to create state fatality review teams. The bill requires DHS to perform various duties, in consultation with other state agencies as appropriate, such as: identify training needs and make available training resources; 3) provide technical assistance and support; 4) in the absence of a local team or upon request, assign review of deaths to a state fatality review team, if established; 5) educate the public on causes and recommendations for prevention of reviewable deaths; and 6) provide information to the legislature, state agencies, and local communities on the need for modifications to law, policy, or practice. The bill allows DHS to contract with an entity to perform any of its duties under the bill. Under the bill, DHS or its contracted entity must create and make available to fatality review teams a confidentiality agreement for use by team members to ensure confidentiality consistent with the bill[s provisions. The bill requires DHS to promulgate administrative rules to develop and implement a standardized form for review of suicide deaths, and allows DHS to promulgate rules to develop and implement standardized forms for other types of reviewable deaths. The bill further grants general rule-making authority to DHS to implement the bill[s provisions. Fatality review teams The bill contains general provisions governing any type of fatality review team. The bill identifies examples of the types of deaths that may constitute a reviewable death, including overdose, suicide, maternal death occurring during or within a year of a pregnancy, or any unexpected or unintentional death of a child, among others. The bill also provides a non-exhaustive list of potential team members. Under the bill, a fatality review team has the purpose of gathering information about reviewable deaths to examine risk factors and understand how deaths may be prevented, through identifying recommendations for cross-sector, system-level policy and practice changes, and promoting cooperation and coordination among the agencies involved in understanding causes of reviewable deaths or in providing services to surviving family members. If established, each fatality review team must: team protocols; 2) collect and maintain data; 3) create strategies and track implementation of prevention recommendations; and 4) evaluate the team[s process, interagency collaboration, and implementation of recommendations. The bill requires teams to assign, as appropriate for a specific review, a team member to complete any standardized form developed by DHS, and to enter data regarding each reviewable death into any secure database designated by DHS or its contracted entity. Record access and confidentiality The bill authorizes a fatality review team to access records from a variety of sources, such as certain state agencies, law enforcement, medical examiners and coroners, health care providers, social or human service agencies, schools, and the prescription drug monitoring program, among others, subject to certain restrictions under the bill and current law. Information and records provided to or created by a fatality review team are confidential, subject to limited exceptions provided under the bill, and are not subject to Wisconsin[s public records laws. The bill requires team members, and other individuals invited to attend a team meeting, to sign a confidentiality agreement before participating in or attending a fatality review team meeting. The bill prohibits team members, persons in attendance at team meetings, and others providing records to teams from testifying in any civil or criminal action as to the information specifically obtained through participation in the team[s meeting. The bill authorizes disclosure of information if such disclosure serves a team[s purpose and certain other conditions are met, such as the information does not allow for identification of individuals and does not contain conclusory information attributing fault. The bill further specifies that a team[s information and records are not subject to discovery or subpoena, or admissible as evidence, in a civil or criminal action, unless obtained independently from a team[s review. The bill also provides that a person participating in a fatality review team is immune from civil or criminal liability for any good faith act or omission in connection with providing information or recommendations. The bill exempts fatality review team meetings from Wisconsin[s open meetings law. The bill allows for public meetings to share summary findings and recommendations, but limits the types of information that may be disclosed in public meetings. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB181 County forest administration grant eligibility. This bill makes a change, retroactive to January 1, 2025, to eligibility for a county forest administration grant. Current law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make grants to counties that have lands designated as county forest to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a professional forester in the position of county forest administrator or assistant county forest administrator (county forest administration grant program). Under the bill, the grants may be used to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a county forest administrator. The bill defines Xcounty forest administratorY as a person, excluding a person employed by the department, who is employed to manage a county forest program and who has any of the following qualifications: 1. A bachelor[s or higher degree in forestry from a school of forestry with a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters or an equivalent degree, as determined by the chief state forester. 2. A bachelor[s or higher degree in natural resources, conservation, or wildlife and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. 3. An associate degree in forestry and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. In Committee
SB31 State agency status for certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurses who provide services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. (FE) This bill provides that physician assistants and advanced practice nurse prescribers who are not employed by a local health department but who provide services without compensation for the programs and services provided by a local health department are, for the provision of those services, state agents of the Department of Health Services in certain circumstances for certain legal purposes and protections. For example, under the bill, if a physician assistant or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber who is considered a state agent of DHS is a defendant in any action or special proceeding because of acts they committed within the scope of their agency, any judgment as to damages and costs entered against them shall be paid by DHS. Further, this bill provides that physician assistants and advanced practice nurse prescribers may be selected by a school district or a local health department to supervise an immunization program and issue orders for the administration of LRB-1923/1 JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 31 immunizations that are in accordance with written protocols issued by DHS. If the physician assistant or advanced practice nurse prescriber is not an employee of the school district or local health department, receives no compensation for his or her services as supervisor of the immunization program, and acts in accordance with written protocols issued by DHS, he or she is a state agent of DHS for the same legal purposes and protections as described above. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Passed
AB12 State agency status for certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurses who provide services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. (FE) This bill provides that physician assistants and advanced practice nurse prescribers who are not employed by a local health department but who provide services without compensation for the programs and services provided by a local health department are, for the provision of those services, state agents of the Department of Health Services in certain circumstances for certain legal purposes and protections. For example, under the bill, if a physician assistant or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber who is considered a state agent of DHS is a defendant in any action or special proceeding because of acts they committed within the scope of their agency, any judgment as to damages and costs entered against them shall be paid by DHS. Further, this bill provides that physician assistants and advanced practice nurse prescribers may be selected by a school district or a local health department to supervise an immunization program and issue orders for the administration of immunizations that are in accordance with written protocols issued by DHS. If the physician assistant or advanced practice nurse prescriber is not an employee of the school district or local health department, receives no compensation for his or her services as supervisor of the immunization program, and acts in accordance with written protocols issued by DHS, he or she is a state agent of DHS for the same legal purposes and protections as described above. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB158 Changing the conditions of liability for worker’s compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners and coroner staff, and medical examiners and medical examiner staff. (FE) This bill makes changes to the conditions of liability for worker[s compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners and coroner staff members, and medical examiners and medical examiner staff members who are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Under current law, if a law enforcement officer or full-time firefighter is diagnosed with PTSD by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist, and the mental injury that resulted in that diagnosis is not accompanied by a physical injury, that law enforcement officer or firefighter can bring a claim for worker[s compensation benefits if the conditions of liability are proven by the preponderance of the evidence and the mental injury is not the result of a good faith employment action by the person[s employer. Also under current law, liability for such treatment for a mental injury is limited to no more than 32 weeks after the injury is first reported. Under current law, an injured emergency medical responder, emergency medical services practitioner, volunteer firefighter, correctional officer, emergency dispatcher, coroner, coroner staff member, medical examiner, or medical examiner staff member who does not have an accompanying physical injury must demonstrate a diagnosis based on unusual stress of greater dimensions than the day-to-day emotional strain and tension experienced by all employees as required under School District No. 1 v. DILHR, 62 Wis. 2d 370, 215 N.W.2d 373 (1974) in order to receive worker[s compensation benefits for PTSD. Under the bill, such an injured emergency medical responder, emergency medical services practitioner, volunteer firefighter, correctional officer, emergency dispatcher, coroner, coroner staff member, medical examiner, or medical examiner staff member is not required to demonstrate a diagnosis based on that standard, and instead must demonstrate a diagnosis based on the same standard as law enforcement officers and firefighters. Finally, under the bill, an emergency medical responder, emergency medical services practitioner, volunteer firefighter, correctional officer, emergency dispatcher, coroner, coroner staff member, medical examiner, or medical examiner staff member is restricted to compensation for a mental injury that is not accompanied by a physical injury and that results in a diagnosis of PTSD three times in his or her lifetime irrespective of a change of employer or employment in the same manner as law enforcement officers and firefighters. Because this bill relates to public employee retirement or pensions, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB168 Changing the conditions of liability for worker’s compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners and coroner staff, and medical examiners and medical examiner staff. (FE) This bill makes changes to the conditions of liability for worker[s compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners and coroner staff members, and medical examiners and medical examiner staff members who are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Under current law, if a law enforcement officer or full-time firefighter is diagnosed with PTSD by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist, and the mental injury that resulted in that diagnosis is not accompanied by a physical injury, that LRB-0062/1 MIM:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 168 law enforcement officer or firefighter can bring a claim for worker[s compensation benefits if the conditions of liability are proven by the preponderance of the evidence and the mental injury is not the result of a good faith employment action by the person[s employer. Also under current law, liability for such treatment for a mental injury is limited to no more than 32 weeks after the injury is first reported. Under current law, an injured emergency medical responder, emergency medical services practitioner, volunteer firefighter, correctional officer, emergency dispatcher, coroner, coroner staff member, medical examiner, or medical examiner staff member who does not have an accompanying physical injury must demonstrate a diagnosis based on unusual stress of greater dimensions than the day-to-day emotional strain and tension experienced by all employees as required under School District No. 1 v. DILHR, 62 Wis. 2d 370, 215 N.W.2d 373 (1974) in order to receive worker[s compensation benefits for PTSD. Under the bill, such an injured emergency medical responder, emergency medical services practitioner, volunteer firefighter, correctional officer, emergency dispatcher, coroner, coroner staff member, medical examiner, or medical examiner staff member is not required to demonstrate a diagnosis based on that standard, and instead must demonstrate a diagnosis based on the same standard as law enforcement officers and firefighters. Finally, under the bill, an emergency medical responder, emergency medical services practitioner, volunteer firefighter, correctional officer, emergency dispatcher, coroner, coroner staff member, medical examiner, or medical examiner staff member is restricted to compensation for a mental injury that is not accompanied by a physical injury and that results in a diagnosis of PTSD three times in his or her lifetime irrespective of a change of employer or employment in the same manner as law enforcement officers and firefighters. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB71 Ratification of the Dietitian Licensure Compact. (FE) This bill ratifies and enters Wisconsin into the Dietitian Licensure Compact, which provides for the ability of a dietitian to become eligible to practice in other compact states. Significant provisions of the compact include the following: LRB-1917/1 MED:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 71 1. The creation of a Dietitian Licensure Compact Commission, which includes the primary administrators of the licensure authorities of each member state. The commission has various powers and duties granted in the compact, including establishing bylaws, promulgating rules for the compact, appointing officers and hiring employees, and establishing and electing an executive committee. The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on licensees to whom it grants a compact privilege to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the commission and its staff. 2. The ability for a dietitian to obtain a Xcompact privilege,Y which allows a dietitian to practice dietetics in another compact state (remote state) if the dietitian satisfies certain criteria. The compact specifies a number of requirements in order for a dietitian to exercise a compact privilege, including holding an unencumbered dietitian license in a home state and paying any fees and meeting any jurisprudence requirements that may be imposed by a remote state. A dietitian practicing in a remote state under a compact privilege must adhere to the laws and regulations of that state. A remote state may, in accordance with that state[s laws, take adverse action against a licensee[s compact privilege within that state. If a dietitian[s license is encumbered, the dietitian loses the compact privilege in all remote states until certain criteria are satisfied. If a dietitian[s compact privilege in any remote state is removed, the dietitian may lose the compact privilege in all other remote states until certain criteria are satisfied. 3. The ability of member states to issue subpoenas that are enforceable in other states. 4. The creation of a coordinated data system containing licensure and disciplinary action information on dietitians. The compact requires member states to report adverse actions against licensees and to monitor the data system to determine whether adverse actions have been taken against licensees. A member state must submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom the compact is applicable as required by the rules of the commission. 5. Provisions regarding resolutions of disputes between member states and between member and nonmember states, including a process for termination of a state[s membership in the compact if the state defaults on its obligations under the compact. The compact becomes effective in this state upon its enactment in seven states. The compact provides that it may be amended upon enactment of an amendment by all member states. A state may withdraw from the compact by repealing the statute authorizing the compact, but the compact provides that a withdrawal does not take effect until 180 days after the effective date of that repeal. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB159 Requirements for lighting on police vehicles. Current law provides that a police vehicle may be equipped with flashing, oscillating, or rotating blue and red lights. On a marked police vehicle, the blue light must be mounted on the passenger side of the vehicle and the red light must be mounted on the driver side of the vehicle. This bill provides that, on a marked police vehicle with an exterior light bar, the blue light must be mounted on the roof of the passenger side of the vehicle and the red light must be mounted on the roof of the driver side of the vehicle. For lights mounted inside the vehicle, blue lights must be displayed on the interior of the passenger side of the vehicle and red lights must be displayed on the interior of the driver side of the vehicle. The bill also authorizes the use of a combination of blue and red lights mounted on the front, sides, or rear of a police vehicle if the vehicle is already equipped with roof or interior lights as required by the bill. In Committee
SB192 Fatality review teams and granting rule-making authority. (FE) This bill establishes fatality review teams under state law. Current law does not address fatality review teams, though several types of such teams currently exist in Wisconsin based on voluntary efforts primarily organized by counties, with state-level technical assistance available for certain types of teams. Under the bill, a fatality review team is defined as a multidisciplinary and multiagency team reviewing one or more types of death among children or adults and developing recommendations to prevent future deaths of similar circumstances. The bill generally governs a team[s responsibilities, ability to access certain records, confidentiality requirements, and disclosure of information. Duties and authority of the Department of Health Services Under the bill, the Department of Health Services must establish a fatality review program comprised of local fatality review teams established at the option of a municipality, a county, a local health department, or a tribal health department, LRB-2584/1 SWB:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 192 or a combination of these entities. The bill also authorizes, but does not require, DHS to create state fatality review teams. The bill requires DHS to perform various duties, in consultation with other state agencies as appropriate, such as: identify training needs and make available training resources; 3) provide technical assistance and support; 4) in the absence of a local team or upon request, assign review of deaths to a state fatality review team, if established; 5) educate the public on causes and recommendations for prevention of reviewable deaths; and 6) provide information to the legislature, state agencies, and local communities on the need for modifications to law, policy, or practice. The bill allows DHS to contract with an entity to perform any of its duties under the bill. Under the bill, DHS or its contracted entity must create and make available to fatality review teams a confidentiality agreement for use by team members to ensure confidentiality consistent with the bill[s provisions. The bill requires DHS to promulgate administrative rules to develop and implement a standardized form for review of suicide deaths, and allows DHS to promulgate rules to develop and implement standardized forms for other types of reviewable deaths. The bill further grants general rule-making authority to DHS to implement the bill[s provisions. Fatality review teams The bill contains general provisions governing any type of fatality review team. The bill identifies examples of the types of deaths that may constitute a reviewable death, including overdose, suicide, maternal death occurring during or within a year of a pregnancy, or any unexpected or unintentional death of a child, among others. The bill also provides a non-exhaustive list of potential team members. Under the bill, a fatality review team has the purpose of gathering information about reviewable deaths to examine risk factors and understand how deaths may be prevented, through identifying recommendations for cross-sector, system-level policy and practice changes, and promoting cooperation and coordination among the agencies involved in understanding causes of reviewable deaths or in providing services to surviving family members. If established, each fatality review team must: team protocols; 2) collect and maintain data; 3) create strategies and track implementation of prevention recommendations; and 4) evaluate the team[s process, interagency collaboration, and implementation of recommendations. The bill requires teams to assign, as appropriate for a specific review, a team member to complete any standardized form developed by DHS, and to enter data regarding each reviewable death into any secure database designated by DHS or its contracted entity. Record access and confidentiality The bill authorizes a fatality review team to access records from a variety of LRB-2584/1 SWB:cdc 1) facilitate local team development; 2) 1) establish and implement 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 192 sources, such as certain state agencies, law enforcement, medical examiners and coroners, health care providers, social or human service agencies, schools, and the prescription drug monitoring program, among others, subject to certain restrictions under the bill and current law. Information and records provided to or created by a fatality review team are confidential, subject to limited exceptions provided under the bill, and are not subject to Wisconsin[s public records laws. The bill requires team members, and other individuals invited to attend a team meeting, to sign a confidentiality agreement before participating in or attending a fatality review team meeting. The bill prohibits team members, persons in attendance at team meetings, and others providing records to teams from testifying in any civil or criminal action as to the information specifically obtained through participation in the team[s meeting. The bill authorizes disclosure of information if such disclosure serves a team[s purpose and certain other conditions are met, such as the information does not allow for identification of individuals and does not contain conclusory information attributing fault. The bill further specifies that a team[s information and records are not subject to discovery or subpoena, or admissible as evidence, in a civil or criminal action, unless obtained independently from a team[s review. The bill also provides that a person participating in a fatality review team is immune from civil or criminal liability for any good faith act or omission in connection with providing information or recommendations. The bill exempts fatality review team meetings from Wisconsin[s open meetings law. The bill allows for public meetings to share summary findings and recommendations, but limits the types of information that may be disclosed in public meetings. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB105 Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE) Under current law, certain persons who receive a retirement or disability annuity from the Wisconsin Retirement System and who are hired by an employer that participates in the WRS must suspend that annuity and may not receive a WRS annuity payment until the employee is no longer in a WRS-covered position. This suspension applies to a person who 1) has reached his or her normal retirement date; 2) is appointed to a position with a WRS-participating employer or provides employee services to a WRS-participating employer; and 3) is expected to work at least two-thirds of what is considered full-time employment by the Department of Employee Trust Funds. This bill creates an exception to this suspension for an annuitant who retired from employment with a participating employer and who is subsequently rehired or provides employee services after retirement if 1) at the time the annuitant initially retires from covered employment with a participating employer, the annuitant does not have an agreement with any participating employer to return to employment; 2) LRB-2167/1 MIM:klm&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 105 the annuitant elects to not become a participating employee at the time the annuitant is rehired or enters into a contract after retirement; and 3) either the annuitant retired as a protective occupation participant or the annuitant retired as a county jailer who was not a protective occupation participant under the WRS. Under current law, a county jailer has the opportunity to opt out of becoming a protective occupation participant under the WRS. The bill treats county jailers who opt out of becoming a protective occupation participant in the same manner as county jailers who are protective occupation participants. Because this bill relates to public employee retirement or pensions, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB229 The law enforcement officers’ bill of rights. Current law contains a law enforcement officers[ bill of rights that protects certain law enforcement officers[ rights relating to their engagement or lack of engagement in political activity, the manner in which they may be subject to interrogation, and their candidacy for public office and provides that a law enforcement officer may not be discharged; disciplined; demoted or denied promotion, transfer, or reassignment; or otherwise discriminated against in regard to employment for exercising such rights. Under current law, this bill of rights applies only to law enforcement officers employed by a city, village, town, or county. This bill applies the law enforcement officers[ bill of rights to any person employed by the state or by a city, village, town, or county for the purpose of detecting and preventing crime and enforcing laws or ordinances, who is authorized to make arrests for violations of the laws or ordinances that he or she is employed to enforce. In Committee
SB154 Requiring the Department of Health Services to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Health Services to request any necessary waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. Under current law, the federal food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and called FoodShare in this state, provides benefits to eligible low-income households for the purchase of food. FoodShare is administered by DHS. The federal government pays the benefits for FoodShare while the state and federal government share the cost of administration. Current federal law defines the foods eligible for purchase under FoodShare. The bill requires DHS to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits for the purchase of candy or soft drinks. If the waiver is granted, DHS must prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits to purchase candy or soft drinks. If any necessary waiver is not granted, the bill requires DHS to resubmit the waiver request annually until it is granted. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2415/1 SWB:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 154 In Committee
AB51 Participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations. This bill prohibits a school district from being a member of an interscholastic athletic association unless the association elects to be governed by the state[s public records and open meetings laws. An interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by the public records and open meetings laws is subject to those laws. Under the bill, an interscholastic athletic association can be either a nonprofit, unincorporated association or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation if the unincorporated association or corporation coordinates athletic events or contests for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in public schools. The bill includes exceptions for records of an interscholastic athletic association pertaining to individual referees or individual pupils. In Committee
SB144 Eliminating a judgeship from district IV of the court of appeals and establishing an additional judgeship for district III of the court of appeals. This bill reduces the number of judgeships in district IV of the court of appeals upon the expiration of the term of the judge whose current judicial term ends July 31, 2026. The bill also establishes an additional judgeship in district III of the court of appeals, effective beginning August 1, 2026. Under the bill, as of August 1, 2026, each of the districts of the court of appeals would have four judges. The bill provides that the initial election for the fourth judge for district III of the court of appeals will be held at the spring election of 2026 for a term beginning on August 1, 2026, and ending on July 31, 2032. In Committee
SB156 Requiring first responders to be trained to administer epinephrine delivery systems. (FE) This bill requires first responders to be trained in how to recognize signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions, standards and procedures for the storage and administration of an epinephrine delivery system, and emergency follow-up procedures after an epinephrine delivery system is administered and requires first responders to have an epinephrine delivery system available to the first responder for use at all times while on duty. First responders include conservation wardens, correctional officers, emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. The Department of Health Services is required to identify organizations that conduct trainings that cover all the subjects that first responders are required to be trained in under the bill. Finally, the bill allows DHS to distribute epinephrine delivery systems to first responders who are trained in all subjects described under the bill or to employers of first responders who are trained in all subjects described under the bill to be used by those first responders. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-1317/1 JPC:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 156 In Committee
AB128 Requiring first responders to be trained to administer epinephrine delivery systems. (FE) This bill requires first responders to be trained in how to recognize signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions, standards and procedures for the storage and administration of an epinephrine delivery system, and emergency follow-up procedures after an epinephrine delivery system is administered and requires first responders to have an epinephrine delivery system available to the first responder for use at all times while on duty. First responders include conservation wardens, correctional officers, emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. The Department of Health Services is required to identify organizations that conduct trainings that cover all the subjects that first responders are required to be trained in under the bill. Finally, the bill allows DHS to distribute epinephrine delivery systems to first responders who are trained in all subjects described under the bill or to employers of first responders who are trained in all subjects described under the bill to be used by those first responders. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AJR25 Proclaiming April 24, 2025, to be Holocaust Remembrance Day and April 27, 2025, to May 4, 2025, as Holocaust Days of Remembrance in Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming April 24, 2025, to be Holocaust Remembrance Day and April 27, 2025, to May 4, 2025, as Holocaust Days of Remembrance in Wisconsin. In Committee
SB227 The law enforcement officers’ bill of rights. Current law contains a law enforcement officers[ bill of rights that protects certain law enforcement officers[ rights relating to their engagement or lack of engagement in political activity, the manner in which they may be subject to interrogation, and their candidacy for public office and provides that a law enforcement officer may not be discharged; disciplined; demoted or denied promotion, transfer, or reassignment; or otherwise discriminated against in regard to employment for exercising such rights. Under current law, this bill of rights applies only to law enforcement officers employed by a city, village, town, or county. This bill applies the law enforcement officers[ bill of rights to any person employed by the state or by a city, village, town, or county for the purpose of detecting and preventing crime and enforcing laws or ordinances, who is authorized to make arrests for violations of the laws or ordinances that he or she is employed to enforce. In Committee
AB200 Applying the motor vehicle fuel tax supplier’s administrative allowance to diesel fuel, a motor vehicle fuel tax refund for evaporation losses, and making an appropriation. (FE) Administrative allowance of the motor vehicle fuel tax Current law allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain as an administrative allowance 1.35 percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of gasoline in this state. This bill allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain the same administrative allowance for the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of diesel fuel in this state. Retailer refund for motor vehicle fuel evaporation The bill allows a retailer who sells gasoline, diesel fuel, or both (motor vehicle fuel) in this state to claim a refund equal to 0.5 percent of the state motor vehicle fuel tax paid on the retailer[s purchase of the motor vehicle fuel to compensate for motor vehicle fuel stored on site that is lost by shrinkage or evaporation. A claim for a refund under the bill must be made to the Department of Revenue no later than 12 months after the date on which the retailer purchased the motor vehicle fuel and must be accompanied with invoices prepared by the motor vehicle fuel supplier or a list of purchases prepared by the retailer. Prior to 2019, the state provided such refunds to compensate gasoline retailers for shrinkage and evaporation losses. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SJR27 Proclaiming April 24, 2025, to be Holocaust Remembrance Day and April 27, 2025, to May 4, 2025, as Holocaust Days of Remembrance in Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming April 24, 2025, to be Holocaust Remembrance Day and April 27, 2025, to May 4, 2025, as Holocaust Days of Remembrance in Wisconsin. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SB211 Exempting tobacco bars from the public smoking ban. This bill exempts tobacco bars from the general prohibition under current law against smoking in indoor locations if the tobacco bar satisfies all of the following: 1) the tobacco bar came into existence on or after June 4, 2009; 2) only the smoking of cigars and pipes is allowed in the tobacco bar; and 3) the tobacco bar is not a retail food establishment. Current law defines a Xtobacco barY as a tavern that generates 15 percent or more of its annual gross income from the sale on the tavern premises, other than from a vending machine, of cigars and pipe tobacco. Also, under current law, tobacco bars that existed on June 3, 2009, are exempt from the general prohibition against smoking in indoor locations. In Committee
SB157 Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age. This bill prohibits health care providers from engaging in, causing the engagement in, or making referrals for, certain medical intervention practices upon an individual under 18 years of age if done for the purpose of changing the minor[s body to correspond to a sex that is discordant with the minor[s biological sex. The prohibitions under the bill do not apply to any of the following: provider providing a service in accordance with a good faith medical decision of a parent or guardian of a minor born with a medically verifiable genetic disorder of sex development; 2) the treatment of any infection, injury, disease, or disorder that has been caused by or exacerbated by the performance of a gender transition medical procedure, whether or not that procedure was performed in accordance with state and federal law; or 3) any procedure undertaken because the minor suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the minor in imminent danger of death or impairment of a major bodily function unless surgery is performed. LRB-1359/1 SWB&JPC:cjs 1) a health care 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 157 Under the bill, the Board of Nursing, the Medical Examining Board, and the Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board are required to investigate any allegation that any person licensed or certified by the respective boards has violated any of the prohibitions on engaging in, causing the engagement in, or making certain referrals for the medical intervention practices described in the bill. Upon a finding by the Board of Nursing, the Medical Examining Board, or the Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board that the holder of a license or certificate has violated any of these prohibitions, the bill requires the Board of Nursing, the Medical Examining Board, or the Physician Affiliated Credentialing Board to revoke that person[s license or certificate. In Committee
AB104 Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age. This bill prohibits health care providers from engaging in, causing the engagement in, or making referrals for, certain medical intervention practices upon an individual under 18 years of age if done for the purpose of changing the minor[s body to correspond to a sex that is discordant with the minor[s biological sex. The prohibitions under the bill do not apply to any of the following: provider providing a service in accordance with a good faith medical decision of a parent or guardian of a minor born with a medically verifiable genetic disorder of sex development; 2) the treatment of any infection, injury, disease, or disorder that has been caused by or exacerbated by the performance of a gender transition medical procedure, whether or not that procedure was performed in accordance with state and federal law; or 3) any procedure undertaken because the minor suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the minor in imminent danger of death or impairment of a major bodily function unless surgery is performed. Under the bill, the Board of Nursing, the Medical Examining Board, and the Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board are required to investigate any allegation that any person licensed or certified by the respective boards has violated any of the prohibitions on engaging in, causing the engagement in, or making certain referrals for the medical intervention practices described in the bill. Upon a finding by the Board of Nursing, the Medical Examining Board, or the Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board that the holder of a license or certificate has violated any of these prohibitions, the bill requires the Board of Nursing, the Medical Examining Board, or the Physician Affiliated Credentialing Board to revoke that person[s license or certificate. Crossed Over
SB51 Flags flown at state and local government buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule. This bill prohibits any flag other than the U.S. flag, the state flag, the official POW/MIA flag recognized by Congress, and the official flags of each branch of the U.S. armed forces from being flown, hung, or displayed from any flagpole or building, structure, or facility, including the state capitol, that is owned or occupied entirely by a state agency or authority or by a city, village, town, or county. However, the bill authorizes the legislature to make exceptions for state flagpoles and facilities by joint resolution adopted by a three-fourths majority vote of all members elected to each house. Similarly, a city, village, town, or county may make exceptions for its flagpoles and facilities by a three-fourths majority vote of all members elected to its governing body. The bill also repeals an administrative rule that includes requirements similar to those of the bill but that authorizes the governor to make exceptions. The bill delays its requirements for state flagpoles and facilities until January 1, 2027. LRB-1545/1 MPG:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 51 In Committee
AB46 Flags flown at state and local government buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule. This bill prohibits any flag other than the U.S. flag, the state flag, the official POW/MIA flag recognized by Congress, and the official flags of each branch of the U.S. armed forces from being flown, hung, or displayed from any flagpole or building, structure, or facility, including the state capitol, that is owned or occupied entirely by a state agency or authority or by a city, village, town, or county. However, the bill authorizes the legislature to make exceptions for state flagpoles and facilities by joint resolution adopted by a three-fourths majority vote of all members elected to each house. Similarly, a city, village, town, or county may make exceptions for its flagpoles and facilities by a three-fourths majority vote of all members elected to its governing body. The bill also repeals an administrative rule that includes requirements similar to those of the bill but that authorizes the governor to make exceptions. The bill delays its requirements for state flagpoles and facilities until January 1, 2027. In Committee
SB26 Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE) This bill allows a technical college to lease its facilities to others for the operation of a child care center. Current law allows a technical college to rent to others property not needed for school purposes. Before July 1, 1999, a technical college, with the approval of the Technical College System Board, could also lease its facilities to others for school purposes, but this is prohibited after June 30, 1999. The bill creates an exception to this prohibition, allowing a technical college, with the approval of the TCS Board, to lease its facilities to others for the operation of a child care center. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB21 Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE) This bill allows a technical college to lease its facilities to others for the operation of a child care center. Current law allows a technical college to rent to others property not needed for school purposes. Before July 1, 1999, a technical college, with the approval of the Technical College System Board, could also lease its facilities to others for school purposes, but this is prohibited after June 30, 1999. The bill creates an exception to this prohibition, allowing a technical college, with the approval of the TCS Board, to lease its facilities to others for the operation of a child care center. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB102 Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants. This bill requires each University of Wisconsin institution and technical college that operates or sponsors an intercollegiate or club athletic team or sport to designate the athletic team or sport as one of the following based on the sex of the participating students: 1) males or men; or 2) females or women. The bill defines XsexY as the sex determined by a physician at birth and reflected on the birth certificate. The bill also requires a UW institution or technical college to prohibit 1) a male student from participating on an athletic team or in a sport designated for females, and 2) a male student from using locker rooms designated for females. Crossed Over
AB100 Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants. This bill requires each school board, independent charter school, and private school participating in a parental choice program (educational institution) that operates or sponsors an interscholastic, intramural, or club athletic team or sport to designate the athletic team or sport based on the sex of the participating pupils. The bill defines XsexY as the sex determined at birth by a physician and reflected on the birth certificate. The bill also requires an educational institution to prohibit a male pupil from 1) participating on an athletic team or in an athletic sport designated for females and 2) using a locker room designated for females. Finally, the bill requires the educational institution to notify pupils and parents if an educational institution intends to change a designation for an athletic team or sport. CORRECTED COPY Crossed Over
AB144 Eliminating a judgeship from district IV of the court of appeals and establishing an additional judgeship for district III of the court of appeals. This bill reduces the number of judgeships in district IV of the court of appeals upon the expiration of the term of the judge whose current judicial term ends July 31, 2026. The bill also establishes an additional judgeship in district III of the court of appeals, effective beginning August 1, 2026. Under the bill, as of August 1, 2026, each of the districts of the court of appeals would have four judges. The bill provides that the initial election for the fourth judge for district III of the court of appeals will be held at the spring election of 2026 for a term beginning on August 1, 2026, and ending on July 31, 2032. In Committee
AR5 Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17, 2025. Relating to: celebrating Saint Patrick[s Day on March 17, 2025. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SB116 Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants. This bill requires each University of Wisconsin institution and technical college that operates or sponsors an intercollegiate or club athletic team or sport to designate the athletic team or sport as one of the following based on the sex of the participating students: 1) males or men; or 2) females or women. The bill defines XsexY as the sex determined by a physician at birth and reflected on the birth certificate. The bill also requires a UW institution or technical college to prohibit 1) a male student from participating on an athletic team or in a sport designated for females, and 2) a male student from using locker rooms designated for females. In Committee
SB117 Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants. This bill requires each school board, independent charter school, and private school participating in a parental choice program (educational institution) that operates or sponsors an interscholastic, intramural, or club athletic team or sport to designate the athletic team or sport based on the sex of the participating pupils. The bill defines XsexY as the sex determined at birth by a physician and reflected on the birth certificate. The bill also requires an educational institution to prohibit a male pupil from 1) participating on an athletic team or in an athletic sport designated for females and 2) using a locker room designated for females. Finally, the bill requires the educational institution to notify pupils and parents if an educational institution intends to change a designation for an athletic team or sport. CORRECTED COPY LRB-1553/2 FFK:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 117 In Committee
AB83 Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. In Committee
SB82 Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. In Committee
SB16 Participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations. This bill prohibits a school district from being a member of an interscholastic athletic association unless the association elects to be governed by the state[s public records and open meetings laws. An interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by the public records and open meetings laws is subject to those laws. Under the bill, an interscholastic athletic association can be either a nonprofit, unincorporated association or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation if the unincorporated association or corporation coordinates athletic events or contests for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in public schools. The bill includes exceptions for records of an interscholastic athletic association pertaining to individual referees or individual pupils. In Committee
AJR3 Proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. In Committee
SJR4 The freedom to gather in places of worship during a state of emergency (second consideration). To amend section 18 of article I of the constitution; Relating to: the freedom to gather in places of worship during a state of emergency (second consideration). In Committee
SJR3 Proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. In Committee
AJR1 Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). To create section 1m of article III of the constitution; Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). In Committee
Bill Bill Name Motion Vote Date Vote
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 24 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 23 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 22 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 21 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 20 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 19 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 18 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 17 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 16 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 15 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 14 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 13 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 12 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 11 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 10 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 9 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 8 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 7 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 6 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 5 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 4 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 3 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 2 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB50 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Abstain
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in 07/02/2025 Abstain
AB17 Creating an employee ownership conversion costs tax credit, a deduction for capital gains from the transfer of a business to employee ownership, and an employee ownership education and outreach program. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 06/24/2025 Abstain
AB63 Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 06/24/2025 Abstain
SB108 Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Abstain
SB108 Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Abstain
SB106 Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Abstain
SB106 Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Abstain
SB283 Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Abstain
SB283 Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Abstain
AB279 Talent recruitment grants. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Abstain
AB279 Talent recruitment grants. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Abstain
AJR50 Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. Assembly: Adopted 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) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 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) Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in 05/13/2025 Yea
AB23 Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 05/13/2025 Yea
AB43 Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 05/13/2025 Yea
AB137 Maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 05/13/2025 Yea
AB140 Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 05/13/2025 Yea
AB73 Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
AB164 Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and federal Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment grants. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
AB165 Local guaranteed income programs. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
AB166 Academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
AB162 Workforce metrics. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
AB168 Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
AB169 Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
AB167 Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
AB102 Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/20/2025 Yea
AB100 Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/20/2025 Yea
AB103 School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/20/2025 Yea
AB104 Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/20/2025 Yea
AB105 The distribution of certain material on the Internet. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/20/2025 Yea
AB24 County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/18/2025 Yea
AB96 Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/18/2025 Yea
AB94 Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the State of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/18/2025 Yea
AB95 Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/18/2025 Yea
AB14 The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections 03/13/2025 Yea
AB15 The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections 03/13/2025 Yea
AB16 Repealing an administrative rule of the Department of Natural Resources related to the possession of firearms. Assembly: Referred to Environment 03/13/2025 Yea
AB13 The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections 03/13/2025 Yea
AB66 Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/13/2025 Yea
AB66 Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld 03/13/2025 Yea
AB75 Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/13/2025 Yea
AB85 Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/13/2025 Yea
AB85 Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table 03/13/2025 Yea
AB89 Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/13/2025 Yea
AB91 The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/13/2025 Yea
AB91 The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE) Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld 03/13/2025 Yea
AB87 Restitution orders following a conviction for human trafficking and restoration of the right to vote to a person barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/13/2025 Yea
AB1 Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 02/19/2025 Yea
AB5 Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 02/19/2025 Yea
AB3 Incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 02/19/2025 Yea
AB4 Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 02/19/2025 Yea
AB4 Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE) Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld 02/19/2025 Yea
AB2 Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 02/19/2025 Yea
AB6 Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 02/19/2025 Yea
AB6 Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE) Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld 02/19/2025 Yea
SJR2 Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in 01/14/2025 Yea
AR1 Notifying the senate and the governor that the 2025-2026 assembly is organized. Assembly: Adopted 01/06/2025 Yea
SJR1 The session schedule for the 2025-2026 biennial session period. Assembly: Concurred in 01/06/2025 Yea
AR2 Establishing the assembly committee structure and names for the 2025-2026 legislative session. Assembly: Adopted 01/06/2025 Yea
  Committee Position Rank
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Consumer Protection Committee Chair 1
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee 3
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Committee 3
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Insurance Committee Vice Chair 2
State District Chamber Party Status Start Date End Date
WI Wisconsin Assembly District 35 Assembly Republican In Office 01/04/2021