Legislator
Legislator > William Penterman

State Representative
William Penterman
(R) - Wisconsin
Wisconsin Assembly District 38
In Office - Started: 01/06/2025

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Capitol Office

P.O. Box 8953
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53708
Phone: 608-237-9138
Phone 2: 888-534-0038

Voting Address


Hustisford, WI 53034

Bill Bill Name Summary Progress
AB77 Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty. Under current law, any motor vehicle for which the Department of Transportation has issued registration plates must display those plates, along with any decals issued for the plates. This bill prohibits the possession, sale, purchase, installation, and use of a registration plate concealment device, which is a manual, electronic, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle to 1) switch between two or more registration plates; 2) move, obstruct, or conceal a registration plate; or 3) alter the appearance of a registration plate so that the registration number cannot be seen and read. The bill also prohibits the equipment of any motor vehicle with a registration plate concealment device. A person who violates these prohibitions may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days, or both. Any vehicle equipped in violation of these prohibitions may be impounded, and reasonable costs for towing and impounding the vehicle may be assessed against the owner. 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
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
AB354 The timing of equalization aid payments to school districts. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction pays equalization aid to school districts for each school year in the following four installments: 15 percent in September, 25 percent in December, 25 percent in March, and 35 percent in June. This bill increases the percentage of equalization aid distributed in September by 2 points each school year, and decreases the percentage of equalization aid distributed in June by 2 points each school year, until the 2029-30 school year, at which time the amount of equalization aid distributed in both September and June will be 25 percent. The result is that equalization aid will be paid to school districts in four equal installments beginning in the 2029-30 school year. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. 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
AJR75 Honoring the life and public service of Representative Thomas A. Hauke. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Thomas A. Hauke. In Committee
AB372 Identification of the Brooklyn Area Veterans Memorial on state highway maps. (FE) Current law requires the Department of Transportation to publish highway service maps and folded highway maps of the state highway system. DOT must identify on these highway service maps and folded highway maps each veterans memorial highway or bridge and the locations of specified veterans memorials, homes, and museums. This bill requires DOT to identify the location of the Brooklyn Area Veterans Memorial on these maps. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SJR77 Honoring the life and public service of Representative Thomas A. Hauke. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Thomas A. Hauke. In Committee
SB377 Identification of the Brooklyn Area Veterans Memorial on state highway maps. (FE) Current law requires the Department of Transportation to publish highway service maps and folded highway maps of the state highway system. DOT must identify on these highway service maps and folded highway maps each veterans memorial highway or bridge and the locations of specified veterans memorials, homes, and museums. This bill requires DOT to identify the location of the Brooklyn Area Veterans Memorial on these maps. 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
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
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
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
SB291 Making certain child care expenditures eligible for the business development tax credit. (FE) Under current law, a business may receive a refundable business development tax credit for an amount equal to up to 15 percent of the business[s investment in establishing an employee child care program for employees. Such investments may include only capital expenditures made by the person. Because the credit is refundable, if the credit exceeds the claimant[s tax liability, the claimant will receive the difference as a refund check. Under this bill, a business may receive a credit for an amount of up to 15 percent of the business[s costs incurred to provide child care services for employees. XCosts incurred to provide child care services for employeesY includes capital expenditures made to establish a child care program for employees, expenditures for the operation of a child care program for employees, expenditures to reimburse employees for child care expenses, expenditures to purchase or reserve child care slots on behalf of employees, contributions made by an employer to an employee[s LRB-2366/1 MDE&KP:skw&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 291 dependent care flexible spending account, and any other cost or expense incurred due to a benefit provided by an employer to facilitate the provision or utilization by employees of child care services. The bill also provides that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation may certify a nonprofit entity described under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code for the business development tax credit for expenditures on providing child care services to employees. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB283 Making certain child care expenditures eligible for the business development tax credit. (FE) Under current law, a business may receive a refundable business development tax credit for an amount equal to up to 15 percent of the business[s investment in establishing an employee child care program for employees. Such investments may include only capital expenditures made by the person. Because the credit is refundable, if the credit exceeds the claimant[s tax liability, the claimant will receive the difference as a refund check. Under this bill, a business may receive a credit for an amount of up to 15 percent of the business[s costs incurred to provide child care services for employees. XCosts incurred to provide child care services for employeesY includes capital expenditures made to establish a child care program for employees, expenditures for the operation of a child care program for employees, expenditures to reimburse employees for child care expenses, expenditures to purchase or reserve child care slots on behalf of employees, contributions made by an employer to an employee[s dependent care flexible spending account, and any other cost or expense incurred due to a benefit provided by an employer to facilitate the provision or utilization by employees of child care services. The bill also provides that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation may certify a nonprofit entity described under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code for the business development tax credit for expenditures on providing child care services to employees. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB367 Virtual credit card payments in health insurance policies. Under this bill, an insurer that offers a health insurance policy may not require a health care provider to accept payments under the health insurance policy via virtual credit card payment. The bill requires an insurer to inform a health care provider of the fees associated with any available payment methods and how to select a payment method other than virtual credit card payments before providing a payment via virtual credit card payment. The bill defines Xvirtual credit card paymentY as an electronic funds transfer in which an insurer issues a single-use series of numbers that are associated with a payment, are chargeable to a predetermined dollar amount, and expire upon payment processing. Additionally, under the bill, if an insurer transmits a payment to a health care provider in accordance with certain federal standards for transmitting electronic funds, the insurer may not charge a fee solely for the transmission, unless the provider has consented to the fee. Health insurance policies are referred to in the bill as disability insurance policies. In Committee
SB371 Explaining pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth as part of a human growth and development instructional program. (FE) Under current law, a school board may offer a human growth and development instructional program to pupils in kindergarten to grade 12. If a school board elects to offer the instructional program, current law recommends, but does not require, that the school board include certain topics in the instructional program. If the school board provides instruction on a recommended topic, current law requires the school board to provide certain instruction in the program, when age appropriate, including presenting abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior for unmarried pupils, providing instruction in parental responsibility and the socioeconomic benefits of marriage for adults and their children, and explaining pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth. This bill requires that a school board include all of the following in the explanation of pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth, when age appropriate: 1) a high-definition ultrasound video that shows the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development; 2) a high-quality, computer-generated rendering LRB-3038/1 FFK:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 371 or animation that shows the process of fertilization and every stage of fetal development inside the uterus and that notes significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every week of pregnancy until birth; and 3) a presentation on each trimester of pregnancy as it relates to the physical and emotional health of the mother. The bill also requires that a school board include in the instruction in parental responsibility an explanation of 1) the importance of secure interpersonal relationships for infant mental health and 2) the value of reading to young children for mental development. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB350 The regulation of family and group child care centers. (FE) Under current law, a person must obtain a license from the Department of Children and Families in order to provide, for compensation, care and supervision for four or more children under the age of seven for less than 24 hours a day. Under current DCF rules, DCF regulates a child care center that provides care and supervision for four to eight children as a Xfamily child care centerY and one that provides care and supervision for nine or more children as a Xgroup child care center.Y The rules specify, among other things, the required ratio of providers to children in each type of child care center. This bill requires DCF to authorize licensed child care centers that have sufficient staff and space to provide care and supervision for four to 12 children or for 13 or more children. The bill requires DCF to update its rules so that a family child care center provides care and supervision for four to 12 children and a group child care center provides care and supervision for 13 or more children. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB341 The timing of equalization aid payments to school districts. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction pays equalization aid to school districts for each school year in the following four installments: 15 percent in September, 25 percent in December, 25 percent in March, and 35 percent in June. This bill increases the percentage of equalization aid distributed in September by 2 points each school year, and decreases the percentage of equalization aid distributed in June by 2 points each school year, until the 2029-30 school year, at which time the amount of equalization aid distributed in both September and June will be 25 percent. The result is that equalization aid will be paid to school districts in four equal installments beginning in the 2029-30 school year. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-3223/1 FFK:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 341 In Committee
AJR71 Honoring Jerry Apps for his contributions to Wisconsin’s heritage. Relating to: honoring Jerry Apps for his contributions to Wisconsin[s heritage. In Committee
AB348 The minimum age of assistant child care teachers. Under current law, the Department of Children and Families regulates child care providers and is required to promulgate rules to carry out that function. Under rules promulgated by DCF, a person hired by a licensed child care center to be an assistant child care teacher must be at least 18 or 17 years old, depending on the qualifications the person meets. An assistant child care teacher or school-age group leader who is at least 18 years old and has completed the training required for the position may provide sole supervision to a group of school-age children for up to 45 minutes if there is a qualified school-age program leader or child care teacher on the premises, and an assistant child care teacher may provide sole supervision to a group of children in full-day centers for up to two hours during opening and closing hours and during the center[s designated naptime. This bill provides in the statutes that a licensed child care center may hire an individual to be an assistant child care teacher if the individual is at least 16 years old and has completed early childhood education training. The bill maintains the current law requirements for assistant child care teachers providing sole supervision to a group of children and adds that an assistant child care teacher may only provide sole supervision to a group of children in a full-day center if there is a child care teacher on the premises. In Committee
AB351 Virtual credit card payments in health insurance policies. Under this bill, an insurer that offers a health insurance policy may not require a health care provider to accept payments under the health insurance policy via virtual credit card payment. The bill requires an insurer to inform a health care provider of the fees associated with any available payment methods and how to select a payment method other than virtual credit card payments before providing a payment via virtual credit card payment. The bill defines Xvirtual credit card paymentY as an electronic funds transfer in which an insurer issues a single-use series of numbers that are associated with a payment, are chargeable to a predetermined dollar amount, and expire upon payment processing. Additionally, under the bill, if an insurer transmits a payment to a health care provider in accordance with certain federal standards for transmitting electronic funds, the insurer may not charge a fee solely for the transmission, unless the provider has consented to the fee. Health insurance policies are referred to in the bill as disability insurance policies. In Committee
AB318 A requirement for fair organizations that seek state aid. Under current law, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection provides state aid to counties, agricultural societies, associations, and boards that hold local fairs in order to cover the cost of prizes paid out to exhibitors, up to $20,000 per fair. No later than 30 days after the close of the fair, an entity that seeks to claim this state aid must file with DATCP an itemized statement showing the net premiums actually paid at the preceding fair, and that statement must include a statement that gambling devices, the sale of intoxicating liquors, and exhibitions of immoral character were prohibited and excluded from the fairgrounds. This bill removes the requirement for the statement that gambling devices, the sale of intoxicating liquors, and the exhibitions of immoral character were prohibited and excluded from the fairgrounds. 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
SB235 Criminal trespass at a campground and providing a penalty. (FE) This bill prohibits persons from entering or remaining at a campground without the consent of the campground[s operator. A campground operator may provide a written request to a person who has entered or remained on the premises of a campground without the consent of the campground operator to immediately depart from the campground. A person who fails to immediately depart from a campground upon receipt of the request to depart shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and the person may be fined not more than $100 dollars or imprisoned in county jail for not more than 30 days, or both. The bill requires a law enforcement officer to arrest and take a person into custody if the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the person has not departed from the campground after receiving the request to depart. The bill also provides that the landlord tenant laws in chapter 704, Wis. Stats. do not apply to an occupant, guest, or guest of an occupant or guest of a campground. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. LRB-1166/1 JAM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 235 For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Passed
SB242 Required ratio of journeyworkers to apprentices in apprenticeship programs and contracts. Under current law, the Department of Workforce Development may not prescribe, enforce, or authorize a ratio of apprentices to journeyworkers for apprenticeship programs or apprentice contracts that requires more than one journeyworker for each apprentice. This bill increases the allowable ratio to one journeyworker to two apprentices. 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
SB36 An income tax exemption for cash tips paid to an employee. (FE) This bill creates an income tax exemption for cash tips received by an employee from the customers of the employee[s employer. 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. LRB-0181/1 KP:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 36 In Committee
AB38 An income tax exemption for cash tips paid to an employee. (FE) This bill creates an income tax exemption for cash tips received by an employee from the customers of the employee[s employer. 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
SB207 Creating a hazard mitigation revolving loan program, creating a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill authorizes the creation of a hazard mitigation revolving loan program to be administered by the Department of Military Affairs and requires the creation of a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program to be administered by the Department of Natural Resources. Hazard mitigation revolving loan program The bill authorizes the Division of Emergency Management within DMA to enter into an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to receive federal grant funding for the purpose of establishing a hazard mitigation revolving loan program. The bill creates a separate, nonlapsible trust fund, designated as the Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund, to accept money from FEMA under the federal Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act, P.L. 116-284. Under the bill, if DMA enters into such an agreement LRB-1624/1 MJW&ZDW:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 207 with FEMA, the secretary of administration must transfer from the general fund to the Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund an amount equal to 10 percent of any money received from the federal government, and DMA must provide loans to local units of government for hazard mitigation projects in accordance with the requirements of the STORM Act. Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program The bill requires DNR to administer a revolving loan program to assist municipalities and owners of homes located on the shore of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior where the structural integrity of municipal buildings or homes is threatened by erosion of the shoreline. The bill appropriates $5,000,000 to DNR for this purpose and increases DNR[s position authorization by 0.5 FTE to administer the program. The bill requires DNR to promulgate rules to administer the program, including eligibility requirements and income limitations, and authorizes DNR to promulgate emergency rules for the period before permanent rules take effect. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB196 Rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE) Under current law, certain people who receive a retirement or disability annuity from the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) 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 they are no longer in a WRS-covered position. This suspension applies to an annuitant who 1) has reached his or her normal retirement date; 2) is appointed to a position with 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 allows such an annuitant who is hired by a WRS-participating employer as an employee or to provide employee services to not suspend his or her annuity for up to 60 months. The bill also requires WRS-participating employers that hire such annuitants to make payments to ETF equal to what they would have paid as required contributions for each rehired annuitant if the rehired annuitant had suspended his or her annuity. Under the bill, these payments are deposited into the employer reserve account. If the annuitant does not suspend the annuity and does not become an active WRS-participating employee, in the case of state employment, the annuitant is not eligible for group insurance benefits provided to active WRS-participating employees and may not use any of his or her service in the new position for any WRS purposes. If the annuitant opts to again become an active WRS-participating employee, the annuitant is eligible for all group insurance benefits provided to other participating employees and may accumulate additional years of creditable service under the WRS for the new period of WRS-covered employment. The bill also repeals two obsolete provisions related to WRS annuitants returning to WRS-covered employment during the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, which ended on May 13, 2020. 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
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
SB364 The regulation of family and group child care centers. (FE) Under current law, a person must obtain a license from the Department of Children and Families in order to provide, for compensation, care and supervision for four or more children under the age of seven for less than 24 hours a day. Under current DCF rules, DCF regulates a child care center that provides care and supervision for four to eight children as a Xfamily child care centerY and one that provides care and supervision for nine or more children as a Xgroup child care center.Y The rules specify, among other things, the required ratio of providers to children in each type of child care center. This bill requires DCF to authorize licensed child care centers that have sufficient staff and space to provide care and supervision for four to 12 children or for 13 or more children. The bill requires DCF to update its rules so that a family child care center provides care and supervision for four to 12 children and a group child care center provides care and supervision for 13 or more children. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-3780/1 MDE&EHS:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 364 In Committee
SB359 The minimum age of assistant child care teachers. Under current law, the Department of Children and Families regulates child care providers and is required to promulgate rules to carry out that function. Under rules promulgated by DCF, a person hired by a licensed child care center to be an assistant child care teacher must be at least 18 or 17 years old, depending on the qualifications the person meets. An assistant child care teacher or school-age group leader who is at least 18 years old and has completed the training required for the position may provide sole supervision to a group of school-age children for up to 45 minutes if there is a qualified school-age program leader or child care teacher on the premises, and an assistant child care teacher may provide sole supervision to a group of children in full-day centers for up to two hours during opening and closing hours and during the center[s designated naptime. This bill provides in the statutes that a licensed child care center may hire an individual to be an assistant child care teacher if the individual is at least 16 years old and has completed early childhood education training. The bill maintains the current law requirements for assistant child care teachers providing sole supervision to a group of children and adds that an assistant child care teacher may LRB-3778/1 MDE:skw&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 359 only provide sole supervision to a group of children in a full-day center if there is a child care teacher on the premises. In Committee
AB187 Training completion awards for volunteer firefighters. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Administration administers a service award program to provide length-of-service awards to volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical responders, and volunteer emergency medical services practitioners. This bill expands the program to provide grants to volunteer fire departments and volunteer fire companies to make training completion awards to volunteer firefighters. Under the bill, in order to receive a grant, the municipality in which a department or company is organized must have a municipal ordinance that provides a 100 percent match. The completion award for a volunteer firefighter who completes 60 hours of training is $500. The bill also requires that any money a volunteer fire department or fire company receives beyond what it expends on awards each calendar year must be returned to DOA for deposit in the general fund. Finally, under the bill, DOA is required to provide a report to the legislature in the sixth, seventh, and eighth years after the start of the program that includes the number of people who received the grant through the preceding year and the number of those people who are still firefighters in Wisconsin. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
SJR71 Honoring Jerry Apps for his contributions to Wisconsin’s heritage. Relating to: honoring Jerry Apps for his contributions to Wisconsin[s heritage. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
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
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
AB259 Criminal trespass at a campground and providing a penalty. (FE) This bill prohibits persons from entering or remaining at a campground without the consent of the campground[s operator. A campground operator may provide a written request to a person who has entered or remained on the premises of a campground without the consent of the campground operator to immediately depart from the campground. A person who fails to immediately depart from a campground upon receipt of the request to depart shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and the person may be fined not more than $100 dollars or imprisoned in county jail for not more than 30 days, or both. The bill requires a law enforcement officer to arrest and take a person into custody if the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the person has not departed from the campground after receiving the request to depart. The bill also provides that the landlord tenant laws in chapter 704, Wis. Stats. do not apply to an occupant, guest, or guest of an occupant or guest of a campground. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
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
AB155 Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE) This bill directs the Department of Transportation to designate and mark USH 12 in the village of Lake Delton in Sauk County as the XTom Diehl Memorial Highway.Y For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB169 Privacy protections for judicial officers. 2023 Wisconsin Act 235, effective April 1, 2025, established certain privacy protections for judicial officers upon submission of a written request. A Xwritten request,Y under Act 235, is a written notice signed by a judicial officer or a representative of the judicial officer[s employer requesting a government agency, business, association, or other person to refrain from publicly posting or displaying publicly available content that includes the personal information of the judicial officer or the judicial officer[s immediate family. The bill modifies the definition of a Xwritten requestY to include a requirement for notarization. Under the bill, a Xwritten requestY means a notarized written notice signed by a judicial officer or a LRB-2066/1 SWB:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 169 representative of the judicial officer[s employer completed and filed under the procedures established by Act 235 and amended under the bill. The bill adds a requirement that a judicial officer describe with reasonable particularity in a written request the records the judicial officer believes to contain personal information. Act 235 provides that a written request is valid if the judicial officer sends the request to the director of state courts and the director of state courts has a policy and procedure for filing the requests, or if the judicial officer sends the request directly to a government agency, person, data broker, business, or association. The bill modifies the latter option, specifying that the judicial officer must send the request directly to the designated officer of a government agency. The bill defines a Xdesignated officerY to mean the officer or employee of a government agency, the register of deeds, or a provider of a land records website designated in writing to the director of state courts, or, in the absence of a written designation, the highest ranking officer or employee for any of these entities. The bill also changes a requirement that the director of state courts must, each quarter, provide to the appropriate officer with ultimate supervisory authority for a government agency a list of judicial officers who have submitted a written request for privacy protections to instead require that the director of state courts provide the designated officer for a government agency with such a list. The bill provides that a home address constitutes personal information as defined in the bill only if it is directly associated with or displayed with the judicial officer[s name. The bill requires a judicial officer to update a written request within 90 days of the date any home address identified in the request ceases to be a home address for any reason. The bill also defines a secondary residence for purposes of the bill to mean a residence for personal use that is not a person[s permanent residence but where a person regularly resides. The bill modifies the definition of the phrase Xpublicly post or displayY established in Act 235 to expressly exclude direct communications with a judicial officer or any immediate family member of a judicial officer. The bill also adds an exception to the prohibition on a government agency publicly posting or displaying a judicial officer[s personal information subject to protections upon a written request, providing that a government agency may publicly post or display such information if required by law to do so. The bill also makes several changes to provisions of Act 235 relating to the register of deeds and land records websites, including adding clarification that a land records website does not include a website administered by the register of deeds. The bill adds to the list of exceptions under which the register of deeds may allow third-party access to a document otherwise subject to protection, including providing an exception to allow access by a title insurance company, an authorized agent of a title insurance company, or an attorney licensed to practice in the state. The bill adds liability protections for government agencies and employees of government agencies, providing that no government agency and no employee of a government agency is generally or personally liable or subject to any liability or accountability by reason of a violation of the privacy protections set forth under Act LRB-2066/1 SWB:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 169 235, unless the liability or accountability is the result of intentional or reckless actions. The bill provides that nothing in the privacy protections established under Act 235 and amended in the bill prohibits a government agency from sharing information with other government agencies for any legitimate governmental purpose. Passed
SB202 Local guaranteed income programs. This bill prohibits a political subdivision from expending moneys of the political subdivision for the purpose of making payments to individuals under a guaranteed income program. XGuaranteed income programY is defined under the bill to mean a program under which individuals are provided with regular periodic cash payments that are unearned and that may be used for any purpose. Programs under which an individual is required to perform work or attend training are not Xguaranteed income programsY under the bill. In Committee
AB165 Local guaranteed income programs. This bill prohibits a political subdivision from expending moneys of the political subdivision for the purpose of making payments to individuals under a guaranteed income program. XGuaranteed income programY is defined under the bill to mean a program under which individuals are provided with regular periodic cash payments that are unearned and that may be used for any purpose. Programs under which an individual is required to perform work or attend training are not Xguaranteed income programsY under the bill. Crossed Over
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
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
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
SB186 Training completion awards for volunteer firefighters. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Administration administers a service award program to provide length-of-service awards to volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical responders, and volunteer emergency medical services practitioners. This bill expands the program to provide grants to volunteer fire departments and volunteer fire companies to make training completion awards to volunteer firefighters. Under the bill, in order to receive a grant, the municipality in which a department or company is organized must have a municipal ordinance that provides a 100 percent match. The completion award for a volunteer firefighter who completes 60 hours of training is $500. The bill also requires that any money a volunteer fire department or fire company receives beyond what it expends on awards each calendar year must be returned to DOA for deposit in the general fund. Finally, under the bill, DOA is required to provide a report to the legislature in the sixth, seventh, and eighth years after the start of the program that includes the LRB-2625/1 MIM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 186 number of people who received the grant through the preceding year and the number of those people who are still firefighters in Wisconsin. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB171 Privacy protections for judicial officers. 2023 Wisconsin Act 235, effective April 1, 2025, established certain privacy protections for judicial officers upon submission of a written request. A Xwritten request,Y under Act 235, is a written notice signed by a judicial officer or a representative of the judicial officer[s employer requesting a government agency, business, association, or other person to refrain from publicly posting or displaying publicly available content that includes the personal information of the judicial officer or the judicial officer[s immediate family. The bill modifies the definition of a Xwritten requestY to include a requirement for notarization. Under the bill, a Xwritten requestY means a notarized written notice signed by a judicial officer or a representative of the judicial officer[s employer completed and filed under the procedures established by Act 235 and amended under the bill. The bill adds a requirement that a judicial officer describe with reasonable particularity in a written request the records the judicial officer believes to contain personal information. Act 235 provides that a written request is valid if the judicial officer sends the request to the director of state courts and the director of state courts has a policy and procedure for filing the requests, or if the judicial officer sends the request directly to a government agency, person, data broker, business, or association. The bill modifies the latter option, specifying that the judicial officer must send the request directly to the designated officer of a government agency. The bill defines a Xdesignated officerY to mean the officer or employee of a government agency, the register of deeds, or a provider of a land records website designated in writing to the director of state courts, or, in the absence of a written designation, the highest ranking officer or employee for any of these entities. The bill also changes a requirement that the director of state courts must, each quarter, provide to the appropriate officer with ultimate supervisory authority for a government agency a list of judicial officers who have submitted a written request for privacy protections to instead require that the director of state courts provide the designated officer for a government agency with such a list. The bill provides that a home address constitutes personal information as defined in the bill only if it is directly associated with or displayed with the judicial officer[s name. The bill requires a judicial officer to update a written request within 90 days of the date any home address identified in the request ceases to be a home address for any reason. The bill also defines a secondary residence for purposes of the bill to mean a residence for personal use that is not a person[s permanent residence but where a person regularly resides. The bill modifies the definition of the phrase Xpublicly post or displayY established in Act 235 to expressly exclude direct communications with a judicial officer or any immediate family member of a judicial officer. The bill also adds an exception to the prohibition on a government agency publicly posting or displaying a judicial officer[s personal information subject to protections upon a written request, providing that a government agency may publicly post or display such information if required by law to do so. The bill also makes several changes to provisions of Act 235 relating to the register of deeds and land records websites, including adding clarification that a land records website does not include a website administered by the register of deeds. The bill adds to the list of exceptions under which the register of deeds may allow third-party access to a document otherwise subject to protection, including providing an exception to allow access by a title insurance company, an authorized agent of a title insurance company, or an attorney licensed to practice in the state. The bill adds liability protections for government agencies and employees of government agencies, providing that no government agency and no employee of a government agency is generally or personally liable or subject to any liability or accountability by reason of a violation of the privacy protections set forth under Act 235, unless the liability or accountability is the result of intentional or reckless actions. The bill provides that nothing in the privacy protections established under Act 235 and amended in the bill prohibits a government agency from sharing information with other government agencies for any legitimate governmental purpose. In Committee
AB172 Consumer data protection and providing a penalty. (FE) This bill establishes requirements for controllers and processors of the personal data of consumers. The bill defines a XcontrollerY as a person that, alone or jointly with others, determines the purpose and means of processing personal data, and the bill applies to controllers that control or process the personal data of at least 100,000 consumers or that control or process the personal data of at least 25,000 consumers and derive over 50 percent of their gross revenue from the sale of personal data. Under the bill, Xpersonal dataY means any information that is linked or reasonably linkable to an individual except for publicly available information. The bill provides consumers with the following rights regarding their personal data: 1) to confirm whether a controller is processing the consumer[s personal data and to access the personal data; 2) to correct inaccuracies in the consumer[s personal data; 3) to require a controller to delete personal data provided by or about the consumer; 4) to obtain a copy of the personal data that the consumer previously provided to the controller; and 5) to opt out of the processing of the consumer[s personal data for targeted advertising; the sale of the consumer[s personal data; and certain forms of automated processing of the consumer[s personal data. These rights are subject to certain exceptions specified in the bill. Controllers may not discriminate against a consumer for exercising rights under the bill, including by charging different prices for goods or providing a different level of quality of goods or services. A controller must establish one or more secure and reliable means for consumers to submit a request to exercise their consumer rights under the bill. Such means must include a clear and conspicuous link on the controller[s website to a webpage that enables a consumer or an agent of a consumer to opt out of the targeted advertising or sale of the consumer[s personal data and, on or after July 1, 2028, an opt-out preference signal sent, with a consumer[s intent, by a platform, technology, or mechanism to the controller indicating the consumer[s intent to opt out of any processing of the consumer[s personal data for the purpose of targeted advertising or sale of the consumer[s personal data. The bill requires controllers to respond to consumers[ requests to invoke rights under the bill without undue delay. If a controller declines to take action regarding a consumer[s request, the controller must inform the consumer of its justification without undue delay. The bill also requires that information provided in response to a consumer[s request be provided free of charge once annually per consumer. Controllers must also establish processes for consumers to appeal a refusal to take action on a consumer[s request. Within 60 days of receiving an appeal, a controller must inform the consumer in writing of any action taken or not taken in response to the appeal, including a written explanation of the reasons for its decisions. If the appeal is denied, the controller must provide the consumer with a method through which the consumer can contact the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to submit a complaint. Under the bill, a controller must provide consumers with a privacy notice that discloses the categories of personal data processed by the controller; the purpose of processing the personal data; the categories of third parties, if any, with whom the controller shares personal data; the categories of personal data that the controller shares with third parties; and information about how consumers may exercise their rights under the bill. Controllers may not collect or process personal data for purposes that are not relevant to or reasonably necessary for the purposes disclosed in the privacy notice. The bill[s requirements do not restrict a controller[s ability to collect, use, or retain data for conducting internal research, effectuating a product recall, identifying and repairing technical errors, or performing internal operations that are reasonably aligned with consumer expectations or reasonably anticipated on the basis of a consumer[s relationship with the controller. Persons that process personal data on behalf of a controller must adhere to a contract between the controller and the processor, and such contracts must satisfy certain requirements specified in the bill. The bill also requires controllers to conduct data protection assessments related to certain activities, including processing personal data for targeted advertising, selling personal data, processing personal data for profiling purposes, and processing sensitive data, as defined in the bill. DATCP may request that a controller disclose a data protection assessment that is relevant to an investigation being conducted by DATCP. DATCP and the Department of Justice have exclusive authority to enforce violations of the bill[s requirements. A controller or processor that violates the bill[s requirements is subject to a forfeiture of up to $10,000 per violation, and DATCP or DOJ may recover reasonable investigation and litigation expenses incurred. During the time between the bill[s effective date and July 1, 2031, before bringing an action to enforce the bill[s requirements, DATCP or DOJ must first provide a controller or processor with a written notice identifying the violations. If within 30 days of receiving the notice the controller or processor cures the violation and provides DATCP or DOJ with an express written statement that the violation is cured and that no such further violations will occur, then DATCP or DOJ may not bring an action against the controller or processor. The bill also prohibits cities, villages, towns, and counties from enacting or enforcing ordinances that regulate the collection, processing, or sale of personal data. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB166 Consumer data protection and providing a penalty. (FE) This bill establishes requirements for controllers and processors of the personal data of consumers. The bill defines a XcontrollerY as a person that, alone or jointly with others, determines the purpose and means of processing personal data, and the bill applies to controllers that control or process the personal data of at least 100,000 consumers or that control or process the personal data of at least 25,000 consumers and derive over 50 percent of their gross revenue from the sale of personal data. Under the bill, Xpersonal dataY means any information that is linked or reasonably linkable to an individual except for publicly available information. The bill provides consumers with the following rights regarding their personal data: 1) to confirm whether a controller is processing the consumer[s personal data and to access the personal data; 2) to correct inaccuracies in the consumer[s personal data; 3) to require a controller to delete personal data provided by or about the consumer; 4) to obtain a copy of the personal data that the consumer previously provided to the controller; and 5) to opt out of the processing of the consumer[s personal data for targeted advertising; the sale of the consumer[s personal data; and certain forms of automated processing of the consumer[s personal data. These LRB-2468/1 MDE:cdc&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 166 rights are subject to certain exceptions specified in the bill. Controllers may not discriminate against a consumer for exercising rights under the bill, including by charging different prices for goods or providing a different level of quality of goods or services. A controller must establish one or more secure and reliable means for consumers to submit a request to exercise their consumer rights under the bill. Such means must include a clear and conspicuous link on the controller[s website to a webpage that enables a consumer or an agent of a consumer to opt out of the targeted advertising or sale of the consumer[s personal data and, on or after July 1, 2028, an opt-out preference signal sent, with a consumer[s intent, by a platform, technology, or mechanism to the controller indicating the consumer[s intent to opt out of any processing of the consumer[s personal data for the purpose of targeted advertising or sale of the consumer[s personal data. The bill requires controllers to respond to consumers[ requests to invoke rights under the bill without undue delay. If a controller declines to take action regarding a consumer[s request, the controller must inform the consumer of its justification without undue delay. The bill also requires that information provided in response to a consumer[s request be provided free of charge once annually per consumer. Controllers must also establish processes for consumers to appeal a refusal to take action on a consumer[s request. Within 60 days of receiving an appeal, a controller must inform the consumer in writing of any action taken or not taken in response to the appeal, including a written explanation of the reasons for its decisions. If the appeal is denied, the controller must provide the consumer with a method through which the consumer can contact the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to submit a complaint. Under the bill, a controller must provide consumers with a privacy notice that discloses the categories of personal data processed by the controller; the purpose of processing the personal data; the categories of third parties, if any, with whom the controller shares personal data; the categories of personal data that the controller shares with third parties; and information about how consumers may exercise their rights under the bill. Controllers may not collect or process personal data for purposes that are not relevant to or reasonably necessary for the purposes disclosed in the privacy notice. The bill[s requirements do not restrict a controller[s ability to collect, use, or retain data for conducting internal research, effectuating a product recall, identifying and repairing technical errors, or performing internal operations that are reasonably aligned with consumer expectations or reasonably anticipated on the basis of a consumer[s relationship with the controller. Persons that process personal data on behalf of a controller must adhere to a contract between the controller and the processor, and such contracts must satisfy certain requirements specified in the bill. The bill also requires controllers to conduct data protection assessments related to certain activities, including processing personal data for targeted advertising, selling personal data, processing personal data for profiling purposes, and processing sensitive data, as defined in LRB-2468/1 MDE:cdc&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 166 the bill. DATCP may request that a controller disclose a data protection assessment that is relevant to an investigation being conducted by DATCP. DATCP and the Department of Justice have exclusive authority to enforce violations of the bill[s requirements. A controller or processor that violates the bill[s requirements is subject to a forfeiture of up to $10,000 per violation, and DATCP or DOJ may recover reasonable investigation and litigation expenses incurred. During the time between the bill[s effective date and July 1, 2031, before bringing an action to enforce the bill[s requirements, DATCP or DOJ must first provide a controller or processor with a written notice identifying the violations. If within 30 days of receiving the notice the controller or processor cures the violation and provides DATCP or DOJ with an express written statement that the violation is cured and that no such further violations will occur, then DATCP or DOJ may not bring an action against the controller or processor. The bill also prohibits cities, villages, towns, and counties from enacting or enforcing ordinances that regulate the collection, processing, or sale of personal data. 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
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
AJR59 Proclaiming June as Dairy Month in Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming June as Dairy Month in Wisconsin. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB298 Grants for technical colleges to provide mapping data to law enforcement. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to school boards and governing bodies of private schools to assist them in submitting interactive critical mapping data for each school building and facility in the district to law enforcement agencies and the Office of School Safety in DOJ. This bill requires OSS to award grants to technical college district boards so they may submit interactive critical mapping data for each of their technical college buildings to law enforcement agencies and OSS. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB241 Required ratio of journeyworkers to apprentices in apprenticeship programs and contracts. Under current law, the Department of Workforce Development may not prescribe, enforce, or authorize a ratio of apprentices to journeyworkers for apprenticeship programs or apprentice contracts that requires more than one journeyworker for each apprentice. This bill increases the allowable ratio to one journeyworker to two apprentices. In Committee
AJR50 Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB250 Funding for the War Memorial Center and making an appropriation. (FE) Under current law, by agreement between the county board and any nonprofit private corporation, a county having a population of 750,000 or more may establish and maintain a memorial to commemorate the lives and deeds of persons who served the state or nation in war or other national service. Milwaukee County is the only county in the state with a population of 750,000 or more, and the county established and maintains a memorial called the War Memorial Center. This bill creates a continuing appropriation account for the Department of Veterans Affairs from which the War Memorial Center[s memorial board may request DVA to provide funds to it for support of the memorial. In making a request for the funds, the memorial board is required to describe its intended use of the funds, and to aver that it has secured equal matching funds that it will contribute to its intended project supporting the War Memorial Center. In addition, in each fiscal year in which the War Memorial Center[s memorial board receives funds from DVA as described under the bill, the War Memorial Center[s memorial board is required to submit a report to the Joint Committee on Finance that describes how the funds were used and that indicates how much money remains in the appropriation account. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB85 Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) Under current law, a person who is released on extended supervision, parole, or probation is subject to conditions or rules of the release. If the person violates a condition or rule, the person is subject to sanctions for the violation, which may include revocation of release. This bill requires the Department of Corrections to recommend revoking a person[s extended supervision, parole, or probation if the person is charged with a crime while on release. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Passed
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) Under current law, when a defendant is sentenced or placed on probation for a crime, the court must order the defendant to pay restitution to the victim of the crime to pay for costs incurred by the victim or the victim[s estate as a result of the crime. The court may require that restitution be paid immediately, within a specified time, or in specified installments. The court may not set the time limit to be later than the end of the defendant[s term of probation, parole, or extended supervision. When the defendant has completed the term, any outstanding restitution is enforceable in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action. The victim may use civil court actions to collect the restitution, including seeking a wage garnishment or an execution against the defendant[s property (a court order to the sheriff to seize property, sell it, and use the money toward the outstanding restitution). Under this bill, if the defendant is sentenced or placed on probation for human trafficking, the court must require restitution be paid immediately and, if the defendant fails to pay immediately, the court must issue an execution against the defendant[s property. Under current law, a person convicted of treason, felony, or bribery may not vote unless the person[s right to vote is restored through a pardon or through completion of the term of imprisonment, including parole or extended supervision, or probation for the crime that led to the disqualification. Under the bill, in addition to completing his or her term of imprisonment or probation for the crime, a person must have paid all fines, costs, fees, surcharges, and restitution, and have completed any court-ordered community service, imposed in connection with the crime. For further information see the state and local 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
SB328 A requirement for fair organizations that seek state aid. Under current law, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection provides state aid to counties, agricultural societies, associations, and boards that hold local fairs in order to cover the cost of prizes paid out to exhibitors, up to $20,000 per fair. No later than 30 days after the close of the fair, an entity that seeks to claim this state aid must file with DATCP an itemized statement showing the net premiums actually paid at the preceding fair, and that statement must include a statement that gambling devices, the sale of intoxicating liquors, and exhibitions of immoral character were prohibited and excluded from the fairgrounds. This bill removes the requirement for the statement that gambling devices, the sale of intoxicating liquors, and the exhibitions of immoral character were prohibited and excluded from the fairgrounds. In Committee
AB309 Immunity for 911 call centers and dispatchers that transfer callers to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This bill provides that any public safety answering point, more commonly known as a 911 call center, or dispatcher that transfers a caller to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is generally immune from civil liability for any outcomes resulting from the transfer. In Committee
SJR55 Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. In Committee
SB309 Immunity for 911 call centers and dispatchers that transfer callers to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This bill provides that any public safety answering point, more commonly known as a 911 call center, or dispatcher that transfers a caller to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is generally immune from civil liability for any outcomes resulting from the transfer. In Committee
SJR63 Proclaiming June as Dairy Month in Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming June as Dairy Month in Wisconsin. 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
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
AB297 Performance grants based on improving employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Corrections to award performance grants to adult probation and parole offices based on increases in employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision in the regions the offices serve. The bill provides a formula to determine the amount of funds each adult probation and parole office is eligible to receive under this performance grant program. Under the formula, DOC must calculate a baseline employment rate for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who reside in the region the office serves by averaging the annual employment rate for those individuals in fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. Then, on July 1 of each fiscal year, DOC must calculate the employment rate for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who reside in the region the office serves for the fiscal year that just ended. DOC must subtract the baseline employment rate from the employment rate for the fiscal year that just ended. If the difference is negative, the office is not eligible for a performance grant in the fiscal year that just began. If the difference is positive, the office is eligible for a performance grant in the fiscal year that just began that is equal to that difference multiplied by the number of individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who reside in the region the office serves, multiplied again by $2,500. Under the bill, an office that receives a grant must use the funds to provide bonuses for employees of the regional office. The bill requires DOC to develop and publish outcome-based measures for each region such as the employment rate and the average length of employment for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision; the percentage and employment status of individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who are convicted of a crime while on the supervised status; the number and employment status of individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who complete their period of supervised status; the programs for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision that were created or eliminated; and an estimate of savings to the state as a result of reduced correctional costs due to lower crime rates among individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. The bill requires DOC to work with the offices to prepare annual reports for the legislature. The reports must be available to the public and must include information about the effectiveness of the performance grants based on outcome- based measures and recommendations regarding resource allocations or collaboration with other state, regional, or local entities or other regions for improvements to the performance grant program. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB302 Performance grants based on improving employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Corrections to award performance grants to adult probation and parole offices based on increases in employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision in the regions the offices serve. The bill provides a formula to determine the amount of funds each adult probation and parole office is eligible to receive under this performance grant program. Under the formula, DOC must calculate a baseline employment rate for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who reside in the region the office serves by averaging the annual employment rate for those individuals in fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. Then, on July 1 of each fiscal year, DOC must calculate the employment rate for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who reside in the region the office serves for the fiscal year that just ended. DOC must subtract the baseline employment rate from the employment rate for the fiscal year that just ended. If the difference is negative, the office is not eligible for a performance grant in the fiscal year that just began. If the difference is positive, the office is eligible for a performance grant in the fiscal year LRB-2495/1 CMH:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 302 that just began that is equal to that difference multiplied by the number of individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who reside in the region the office serves, multiplied again by $2,500. Under the bill, an office that receives a grant must use the funds to provide bonuses for employees of the regional office. The bill requires DOC to develop and publish outcome-based measures for each region such as the employment rate and the average length of employment for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision; the percentage and employment status of individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who are convicted of a crime while on the supervised status; the number and employment status of individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision who complete their period of supervised status; the programs for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision that were created or eliminated; and an estimate of savings to the state as a result of reduced correctional costs due to lower crime rates among individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. The bill requires DOC to work with the offices to prepare annual reports for the legislature. The reports must be available to the public and must include information about the effectiveness of the performance grants based on outcome- based measures and recommendations regarding resource allocations or collaboration with other state, regional, or local entities or other regions for improvements to the performance grant program. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB303 Grants for technical colleges to provide mapping data to law enforcement. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to school boards and governing bodies of private schools to assist them in submitting interactive critical mapping data for each school building and facility in the district to law enforcement agencies and the Office of School Safety in DOJ. This bill requires OSS to award grants to technical college district boards so they may submit interactive critical mapping data for each of their technical college buildings to law enforcement agencies and OSS. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB326 Creating a nutrient loss reduction grant program. (FE) This bill creates a nutrient loss reduction grant program, under which the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection may award grants to farmers for the purpose of purchasing enhanced efficiency fertilizer products, implementing variable rate technology, or preparing a nutrient management plan. Under the bill, an Xenhanced efficiency fertilizer productY is a controlled-release or slow-release fertilizer formulation or a product, added to fertilizer, that includes a urease inhibitor or a nitrification inhibitor. XVariable rate technologyY is defined under the bill as the practice of testing soil in sections of six acres or less using georeferenced data points and applying fertilizer at a prescribed rate for each section depending on the results of the soil samples. A Xnutrient management planY is a plan for using commercial fertilizer, manure, or organic byproducts in a manner that reduces nutrient loss. Under the bill, if a grant will be used for purchasing and using an enhanced efficiency fertilizer product, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $7 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of the product. If a grant will be used for implementing variable rate technology, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $8 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of soil sampling. If a grant will be used for preparing a nutrient management plan, the grant may not exceed the lesser of $2 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of preparing the plan. In addition, a grant LRB-3204/1 MCP:ads&klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 326 recipient may not receive more than $20,000 in any given year under the grant program. The bill allows an applicant to receive a grant that covers multiple allowable activities in a single year. The bill also allows an agricultural retailer (a person that supplies resources, materials, and products to farmers) to submit an application for a grant on behalf of a farmer. Finally, the bill allows DATCP to request certain information and materials from a grant applicant or recipient, including land and field information, receipts and invoices, and an attestation that the applicant is not receiving any other funding or incentives for the activities funded by the grant. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB218 The amount and distribution of the real estate transfer fee, grants under the land information program, real property recording notification systems, and making an appropriation. (FE) Current law, generally, requires a person who conveys an interest in real property to file a real estate transfer return with the county register of deeds and pay a real estate transfer fee equal to 30 cents for each $100 of the value of the conveyance. The county retains 20 percent of the fees collected and transmits the remainder to the state. This bill decreases the real estate transfer fee to 20 cents for each $100 of the value of the conveyance. Under the bill, 30 percent of the fees collected are deposited into the general fund, 20 percent of the fees are deposited into the land information fund, and the county retains 50 percent of the fees. Under current law, the Department of Administration administers a land information program, using revenue from the land information fund, that provides funding to counties for the modernization of local land records. Under the land LRB-2260/1 KP/EVM/KRP:klm&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 218 information program, DOA awards land information system base budget grants to counties to enable county land information offices to develop, maintain, and operate basic land information systems. Currently, the minimum amount of a grant is $100,000 less the amount of certain fees retained by the county in the preceding fiscal year. The bill increases that base amount to $175,000 less the retained fees. Under current law, DOA may award a grant under the land information program to any county in an amount not less than $1,000 per year to be used for the training and education of county employees for the design, development, and implementation of a land information system. The bill increases the minimum training and education grant amount from $1,000 to $5,000. The bill directs DOA to award additional local government contribution based grants to counties to fully distribute 46 percent of the amount of real estate transfer fees that are deposited into the land information fund under the bill in each fiscal year. Under the bill, DOA annually must award 46 percent of those deposited amounts as grants to counties based on the relative proportion of the fees each county collected. This bill also requires any county that retains real estate transfer fee moneys to establish a real property recording notification system to be administered by the county[s register of deeds. Upon application by a person, such a system monitors publicly recorded real property records for activity and changes related to properties owned by a specific person or a specific property, and, upon the recording of a new document against a monitored property, notifies the person who applied for monitoring. The bill specifies that no fee may be charged to an applicant for application, monitoring, or notification under such a system. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. 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
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
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
AJR8 Restricting the governor’s partial veto authority to only rejecting entire bill sections of an appropriation bill that are capable of separate enactment and reducing appropriations in a bill (first consideration). relating to: restricting the governor[s partial veto authority to only rejecting entire bill sections of an appropriation bill that are capable of separate enactment and reducing appropriations in a bill (first consideration). In Committee
AB216 The amount and distribution of the real estate transfer fee, grants under the land information program, real property recording notification systems, and making an appropriation. (FE) Current law, generally, requires a person who conveys an interest in real property to file a real estate transfer return with the county register of deeds and pay a real estate transfer fee equal to 30 cents for each $100 of the value of the conveyance. The county retains 20 percent of the fees collected and transmits the remainder to the state. This bill decreases the real estate transfer fee to 20 cents for each $100 of the value of the conveyance. Under the bill, 30 percent of the fees collected are deposited into the general fund, 20 percent of the fees are deposited into the land information fund, and the county retains 50 percent of the fees. Under current law, the Department of Administration administers a land information program, using revenue from the land information fund, that provides funding to counties for the modernization of local land records. Under the land information program, DOA awards land information system base budget grants to counties to enable county land information offices to develop, maintain, and operate basic land information systems. Currently, the minimum amount of a grant is $100,000 less the amount of certain fees retained by the county in the preceding fiscal year. The bill increases that base amount to $175,000 less the retained fees. Under current law, DOA may award a grant under the land information program to any county in an amount not less than $1,000 per year to be used for the training and education of county employees for the design, development, and implementation of a land information system. The bill increases the minimum training and education grant amount from $1,000 to $5,000. The bill directs DOA to award additional local government contribution based grants to counties to fully distribute 46 percent of the amount of real estate transfer fees that are deposited into the land information fund under the bill in each fiscal year. Under the bill, DOA annually must award 46 percent of those deposited amounts as grants to counties based on the relative proportion of the fees each county collected. This bill also requires any county that retains real estate transfer fee moneys to establish a real property recording notification system to be administered by the county[s register of deeds. Upon application by a person, such a system monitors publicly recorded real property records for activity and changes related to properties owned by a specific person or a specific property, and, upon the recording of a new document against a monitored property, notifies the person who applied for monitoring. The bill specifies that no fee may be charged to an applicant for application, monitoring, or notification under such a system. For further information see the state and local 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
AB286 Interest earned on coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds. (FE) Under this bill, $172,000,000 is lapsed to the general fund from a federal program revenue appropriation to the Department of Administration on the date the bill becomes law. On May 9, 2025, the secretary of administration reported to the co-chairs of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee that, as of the end of April, the total interest earned on advanced coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds and credited to the federal program revenue appropriation was $171,487,101.82. Under current law, unless specifically provided by law, miscellaneous receipts collected by a state agency, such as interest earnings, must be credited to general purpose revenues of the general fund. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB280 Interest earned on coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds. (FE) Under this bill, $172,000,000 is lapsed to the general fund from a federal program revenue appropriation to the Department of Administration on the date the bill becomes law. On May 9, 2025, the secretary of administration reported to the co-chairs of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee that, as of the end of April, the total interest earned on advanced coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds and credited to the federal program revenue appropriation was $171,487,101.82. Under current law, unless specifically provided by law, miscellaneous receipts collected by a state agency, such as interest earnings, must be credited to general purpose revenues of the general fund. 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
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
AB310 Creating a nutrient loss reduction grant program. (FE) This bill creates a nutrient loss reduction grant program, under which the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection may award grants to farmers for the purpose of purchasing enhanced efficiency fertilizer products, implementing variable rate technology, or preparing a nutrient management plan. Under the bill, an Xenhanced efficiency fertilizer productY is a controlled-release or slow-release fertilizer formulation or a product, added to fertilizer, that includes a urease inhibitor or a nitrification inhibitor. XVariable rate technologyY is defined under the bill as the practice of testing soil in sections of six acres or less using georeferenced data points and applying fertilizer at a prescribed rate for each section depending on the results of the soil samples. A Xnutrient management planY is a plan for using commercial fertilizer, manure, or organic byproducts in a manner that reduces nutrient loss. Under the bill, if a grant will be used for purchasing and using an enhanced efficiency fertilizer product, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $7 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of the product. If a grant will be used for implementing variable rate technology, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $8 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of soil sampling. If a grant will be used for preparing a nutrient management plan, the grant may not exceed the lesser of $2 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of preparing the plan. In addition, a grant recipient may not receive more than $20,000 in any given year under the grant program. The bill allows an applicant to receive a grant that covers multiple allowable activities in a single year. The bill also allows an agricultural retailer (a person that supplies resources, materials, and products to farmers) to submit an application for a grant on behalf of a farmer. Finally, the bill allows DATCP to request certain information and materials from a grant applicant or recipient, including land and field information, receipts and invoices, and an attestation that the applicant is not receiving any other funding or incentives for the activities funded by the grant. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB93 Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) Under current law, a person who is released on extended supervision, parole, or probation is subject to conditions or rules of the release. If the person violates a condition or rule, the person is subject to sanctions for the violation, which may include revocation of release. This bill requires the Department of Corrections to recommend revoking a person[s extended supervision, parole, or probation if the person is charged with a crime while on release. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB95 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) Under current law, when a defendant is sentenced or placed on probation for a crime, the court must order the defendant to pay restitution to the victim of the crime to pay for costs incurred by the victim or the victim[s estate as a result of the crime. The court may require that restitution be paid immediately, within a specified time, or in specified installments. The court may not set the time limit to be later than the end of the defendant[s term of probation, parole, or extended supervision. When the defendant has completed the term, any outstanding restitution is enforceable in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action. The victim may use civil court actions to collect the restitution, including seeking a wage garnishment or an execution against the defendant[s property (a court order to the sheriff to seize property, sell it, and use the money toward the outstanding restitution). Under this bill, if the defendant is sentenced or placed on probation for human trafficking, the court must require restitution be paid immediately and, if LRB-2109/1 CMH:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 95 the defendant fails to pay immediately, the court must issue an execution against the defendant[s property. Under current law, a person convicted of treason, felony, or bribery may not vote unless the person[s right to vote is restored through a pardon or through completion of the term of imprisonment, including parole or extended supervision, or probation for the crime that led to the disqualification. Under the bill, in addition to completing his or her term of imprisonment or probation for the crime, a person must have paid all fines, costs, fees, surcharges, and restitution, and have completed any court-ordered community service, imposed in connection with the crime. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB7 Prohibiting a foreign adversary from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in this state. This bill generally prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in this state. In the bill, “foreign adversary” means a foreign government or nongovernment person determined by the federal secretary of commerce to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of U.S. persons. Current law generally prohibits a nonresident alien or a corporation that is not created under federal law or the laws of any state (foreign person) from acquiring, owning, or holding more than 640 acres of land in this state. However, that prohibition does not apply to any of the following activities: 1. An exploration mining lease and land used for certain mining and associated activities. LRB-0067/1 KRP:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 7 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 “extremely broad, embracing almost every conceivable business activity [other than a]ctivities relating to agriculture and forestry.” See Opinion of Wis. Att’y Gen., OAG 11-14, ¶5, available at https://www.doj.state.wi.us. In other words, under current law, a foreign person may acquire, own, and hold unlimited amounts of land for most nonagricultural and nonforestry purposes, but a foreign person may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of land for agricultural or forestry purposes. The bill retains the current law restriction on foreign person ownership of agricultural and forestry land and adds a provision that prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring any land for agricultural or forestry purposes. 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
AB268 The right of appeal for complainants aggrieved by decisions of the Elections Commission concerning the conduct of election officials. Under current law, any person eligible to vote in Wisconsin may file a complaint with the Elections Commission alleging that an election official serving the voter[s jurisdiction has failed to comply with certain election laws or has abused his or her discretion with respect to the administration of such election laws. After investigation of a complaint, current law authorizes the commission to issue an order requiring an election official to conform his or her conduct to the law, restraining an election official from taking any action inconsistent with the law, or requiring an election official to correct any action or decision inconsistent with the law. Additionally, current law authorizes any complainant who is aggrieved by an order of the commission on the complaint to appeal the commission[s decision in court. The law does not specifically define the term XaggrievedY for purposes of this right of appeal. However, in Brown v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, 2025 WI 5, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that a complainant not receiving a favorable decision from the Elections Commission on a complaint is aggrieved, and therefore has a right to appeal that decision in court, only if the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest as a result of the decision. This bill provides that a complainant must be considered aggrieved for purposes of that right of appeal regardless of whether the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest and that a complainant may appeal any commission order that dismisses the complaint or otherwise does not grant the relief requested in the complaint. In Committee
AB223 Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions. Under current law, any person may circulate nomination papers for a candidate if the person is eligible to vote in Wisconsin or is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state. A person is eligible to vote in Wisconsin if he or she is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who has resided in an election district in this state for at least 28 consecutive days. Under this bill, a person must be eligible to vote in Wisconsin in order to circulate nomination papers for a candidate. However, under the bill, nomination papers and petitions for the candidacy of candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States may continue to be circulated by any person eligible to vote in Wisconsin or by any U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state. Similarly, under current law, any person who is eligible to vote in Wisconsin or who is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older and who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state may circulate a recall petition. Under the bill, a person must be eligible to vote in Wisconsin in order to circulate a recall petition and have the signatures on the petition be counted toward a recall. In Committee
AB207 Information provided to voters concerning proposed constitutional amendments and other statewide referenda. (FE) Current law requires that each proposed constitutional amendment, contingent referendum, advisory referendum, or other proposal requiring a statewide referendum that is passed by the legislature include a complete statement of the ballot question to be voted on at the referendum. The ballot question may not be worded in such a manner as to require a negative vote to approve a proposition or an affirmative vote to disapprove a proposition. Also under current law, the attorney general must prepare an explanatory statement for each proposed constitutional amendment or other statewide referendum describing the effect of either a XyesY or XnoY vote on each ballot question. This bill eliminates the requirement that the attorney general prepare such an explanatory statement. Instead, the bill requires that each proposal for a constitutional amendment or other statewide referendum that passes both houses of the legislature contain a complete state referendum disclosure notice that includes all of the following: 1. The date of the referendum. 2. The entire text of the ballot question and proposed constitutional amendment or enactment, if any. 3. To the extent applicable, a plain language summary of current law. 4. An explanation in plain language of the effect of the proposed constitutional amendment or other statewide referendum. 5. An explanation in plain language of the effect of a XyesY vote and the effect of a XnoY vote. Under the bill, the content under items 3 to 5 combined may not exceed one page on paper not less than 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches and printed in at least 12- point font. Under the bill, the complete state referendum disclosure notice agreed to by both houses of the legislature must be included in the type C notice entitled XNotice of ReferendumY that each county clerk must provide prior to any referendum. Current law requires that the text of the type C notice be posted at polling places on election day in such a manner as to be readily observed by voters entering the polling place or waiting in line to vote. As such, the complete state referendum disclosure notice must be so posted at the polls on election day. Additionally, for at least 30 days prior to the date of a statewide referendum, the complete state referendum disclosure notice must be published by the Elections Commission on the website used for voter registration, currently titled MyVote Wisconsin, or other voter public access website maintained by the commission and must be posted by each county clerk at the county clerk[s office and published by the county clerk on the county clerk[s website. Finally, the notice must be included with absentee ballots provided to voters for voting in a statewide referendum. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB148 Interpreter action by telephone or live audiovisual means in civil or criminal proceedings. Under current law, in any civil or criminal proceeding other than a trial, a court may permit an interpreter to act by telephone or live audiovisual means. This bill removes the exclusion for trials, so that an interpreter may act by telephone or live audiovisual means in any civil or criminal proceeding. In Committee
AB163 Redeterminations of eligibility for the Medical Assistance program and database confirmation for public assistance program eligibility. (FE) This bill makes various changes to eligibility determinations for the Medical Assistance program. Currently, the Department of Health Services administers the Medical Assistance program, a joint federal and state program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. The bill prohibits DHS from automatically renewing the eligibility of a recipient under the Medical Assistance program. DHS must determine an individual[s eligibility every six months under the bill. DHS is also prohibited from using prepopulated forms or otherwise supplying information, except for name and address, to a recipient under the Medical Assistance program that has been supplied to DHS. Additionally, any recipient under the Medical Assistance program that fails to report to DHS or its designee any change that may affect eligibility within 10 days following such a change is ineligible for benefits for six months from the date DHS discovers the failure to report the change. Under current law, knowingly concealing or failing to disclose any event that an individual knows affects the initial or continued right to a Medical Assistance benefit is subject to a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $15,000 for each concealment or failure. If DHS determines that it is necessary to obtain permission from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to implement any portion of the bill with respect to the Medical Assistance program, the bill requires DHS to request any state plan amendment, waiver of federal law, or other federal approval necessary to implement that portion of the bill. The bill requires DHS to enter into data-sharing agreements with any agency that maintains a database of financial or personal information about residents of this state. DHS must confirm the information of an applicant for a public assistance program against the information contained in those databases. The bill also requires DHS to share data for the purpose of confirming eligibility for public assistance programs. Current law requires DHS and the Department of Children and Families to compare each department[s respective databases against the databases of death records to identify deceased participants. The bill directs DHS to complete a redetermination of eligibility for all recipients of Medical Assistance and immediately remove from Medical Assistance any recipient who is ineligible before January 1, 2026. For all such individuals removed from the Medical Assistance program, the bill directs DHS to inform them of the availability of coverage under a qualified health plan that is offered through an American health benefit exchange and that they may be eligible for premium assistance. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB295 The use of artificial intelligence or other machine assisted translation in court proceedings and of telephone or live audiovisual interpretation in criminal trials. (FE) Under this bill, a court may allow the use of artificial intelligence or other machine assisted translation in civil or criminal proceedings, certain municipal proceedings, and administrative contested case proceedings. Under current law, on request of any party, the court may permit an interpreter to act in any criminal proceeding, other than trial, by telephone or live audiovisual means. The bill allows an interpreter to act by telephone or live audiovisual means in a criminal trial in addition to other types of proceedings. For further information see the state and 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
AB292 The use of artificial intelligence or other machine assisted translation in court proceedings and of telephone or live audiovisual interpretation in criminal trials. (FE) Under this bill, a court may allow the use of artificial intelligence or other machine assisted translation in civil or criminal proceedings, certain municipal proceedings, and administrative contested case proceedings. Under current law, on request of any party, the court may permit an interpreter to act in any criminal proceeding, other than trial, by telephone or live audiovisual means. The bill allows an interpreter to act by telephone or live audiovisual means in a criminal trial in addition to other types of proceedings. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. 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
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
AB34 Court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths. Under current law, a district attorney has the discretion as to whether or not to issue a complaint to charge a person with a crime. Current law also provides that, if a district attorney refuses to issue a complaint against a person, a judge may conduct a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the person committed a crime and, if so, issue a complaint. Under this bill, when there is an officer-involved death, which is a death that results directly from an action or an omission of a law enforcement officer, and the district attorney determined there was no basis to prosecute the officer, a court may not issue a complaint against the involved officer unless there is new or unused evidence presented. In Committee
AB124 Prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty. Current law prohibits a person who is registered as a sex offender with the Department of Corrections from changing their name during the period they are required to register. With certain exceptions, a person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. This bill prohibits a person who has been convicted of a violent crime, which is defined in the bill and includes homicide, battery, kidnapping, stalking, human trafficking, and sexual assault, from changing their name. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. In Committee
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
SB66 Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty. Under current law, any motor vehicle for which the Department of Transportation has issued registration plates must display those plates, along with any decals issued for the plates. This bill prohibits the possession, sale, purchase, installation, and use of a registration plate concealment device, which is a manual, electronic, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle to 1) switch between two or more registration plates; 2) move, obstruct, or conceal a registration plate; or 3) alter the appearance of a registration plate so that the registration number cannot be seen and read. The bill also prohibits the equipment of any motor vehicle with a registration plate concealment device. A person who violates these prohibitions may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days, or both. Any vehicle equipped in violation of these prohibitions may be impounded, and reasonable costs for towing and impounding the vehicle may be assessed against the owner. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. LRB-0665/1 ZDW:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 66 Crossed Over
SB25 Court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths. Under current law, a district attorney has the discretion as to whether or not to issue a complaint to charge a person with a crime. Current law also provides that, if a district attorney refuses to issue a complaint against a person, a judge may conduct a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the person committed a crime and, if so, issue a complaint. Under this bill, when there is an officer-involved death, which is a death that results directly from an action or an omission of a law enforcement officer, and the district attorney determined there was no basis to prosecute the officer, a court may not issue a complaint against the involved officer unless there is new or unused evidence presented. Crossed Over
SB146 Prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty. Current law prohibits a person who is registered as a sex offender with the Department of Corrections from changing their name during the period they are required to register. With certain exceptions, a person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. This bill prohibits a person who has been convicted of a violent crime, which is defined in the bill and includes homicide, battery, kidnapping, stalking, human trafficking, and sexual assault, from changing their name. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. Crossed Over
SB147 Interpreter action by telephone or live audiovisual means in civil or criminal proceedings. Under current law, in any civil or criminal proceeding other than a trial, a court may permit an interpreter to act by telephone or live audiovisual means. This bill removes the exclusion for trials, so that an interpreter may act by telephone or live audiovisual means in any civil or criminal proceeding. Crossed Over
SB246 A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day. This bill adds April 24, Armenian Genocide Awareness Day, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. In Committee
SB270 The right of appeal for complainants aggrieved by decisions of the Elections Commission concerning the conduct of election officials. Under current law, any person eligible to vote in Wisconsin may file a complaint with the Elections Commission alleging that an election official serving the voter[s jurisdiction has failed to comply with certain election laws or has abused his or her discretion with respect to the administration of such election laws. After investigation of a complaint, current law authorizes the commission to issue an order requiring an election official to conform his or her conduct to the law, restraining an election official from taking any action inconsistent with the law, or requiring an election official to correct any action or decision inconsistent with the law. Additionally, current law authorizes any complainant who is aggrieved by an order of the commission on the complaint to appeal the commission[s decision in court. The law does not specifically define the term XaggrievedY for purposes of this right of appeal. However, in Brown v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, 2025 WI 5, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that a complainant not receiving a favorable decision from the Elections Commission on a complaint is aggrieved, and therefore has a right to appeal that decision in court, only if the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest as a result of the decision. LRB-2416/1 MPG:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 270 This bill provides that a complainant must be considered aggrieved for purposes of that right of appeal regardless of whether the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest and that a complainant may appeal any commission order that dismisses the complaint or otherwise does not grant the relief requested in the complaint. In Committee
AB256 A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day. This bill adds April 24, Armenian Genocide Awareness Day, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. In Committee
SB254 Funding for the War Memorial Center and making an appropriation. (FE) Under current law, by agreement between the county board and any nonprofit private corporation, a county having a population of 750,000 or more may establish and maintain a memorial to commemorate the lives and deeds of persons who served the state or nation in war or other national service. Milwaukee County is the only county in the state with a population of 750,000 or more, and the county established and maintains a memorial called the War Memorial Center. This bill creates a continuing appropriation account for the Department of Veterans Affairs from which the War Memorial Center[s memorial board may request DVA to provide funds to it for support of the memorial. In making a request for the funds, the memorial board is required to describe its intended use of the funds, and to aver that it has secured equal matching funds that it will contribute to its intended project supporting the War Memorial Center. In addition, in each fiscal year in which the War Memorial Center[s memorial board receives funds from DVA as described under the bill, the War Memorial Center[s memorial board is required to submit a report to the Joint Committee on Finance that describes how the funds were used and that indicates how much money remains in the appropriation account. LRB-2889/1 JAM:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 254 For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
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
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
AJR14 Honoring the life and public service of Representative David O. Martin. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative David O. Martin. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AJR12 Honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SB263 Findings of fact when the court grants less than equal physical placement of a child. Under current law, in an action affecting a family that involves a child, the court is required to determine the legal custody and the physical placement of the child. Current law requires the court to set a physical placement schedule that allows a child to have regularly occurring, meaningful periods of physical placement with each parent and that maximizes the amount of time for a child with each parent. In determining a physical placement schedule, the court must, in each case, consider a statutory list of best-interest factors. Current law provides that, if the court grants less than 25 percent of physical placement to one parent in a temporary or final order in an action affecting the family, specific findings of fact must be entered as to the reasons that greater physical placement with that parent is not in the best interest of the child. This bill changes the requirement such that specific findings of fact must be entered if the court grants less than 50 percent of physical placement to one parent in a temporary or final order in an action affecting the family. LRB-2980/1 SWB:ajk&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 263 In Committee
SB266 Human trafficking and trafficking of a child and providing a penalty. This bill increases the penalty for human trafficking from a Class D felony to a Class C felony, increases the penalty for trafficking a child from a Class C felony to a Class B felony, and creates a mandatory minimum term of confinement in prison of 10 years for human trafficking and 15 years for trafficking a child. Under current law, a Class D felony is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 25 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 15 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 10 years; a Class C felony is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 40 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 25 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 15 years; and a Class B felony is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 60 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 40 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 20 years. Under LRB-3006/1 MJW:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 266 current law, there is no mandatory minimum term of confinement for human trafficking or trafficking of a child. 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
AB262 Findings of fact when the court grants less than equal physical placement of a child. Under current law, in an action affecting a family that involves a child, the court is required to determine the legal custody and the physical placement of the child. Current law requires the court to set a physical placement schedule that allows a child to have regularly occurring, meaningful periods of physical placement with each parent and that maximizes the amount of time for a child with each parent. In determining a physical placement schedule, the court must, in each case, consider a statutory list of best-interest factors. Current law provides that, if the court grants less than 25 percent of physical placement to one parent in a temporary or final order in an action affecting the family, specific findings of fact must be entered as to the reasons that greater physical placement with that parent is not in the best interest of the child. This bill changes the requirement such that specific findings of fact must be entered if the court grants less than 50 percent of physical placement to one parent in a temporary or final order in an action affecting the family. In Committee
AB265 Human trafficking and trafficking of a child and providing a penalty. This bill increases the penalty for human trafficking from a Class D felony to a Class C felony, increases the penalty for trafficking a child from a Class C felony to a Class B felony, and creates a mandatory minimum term of confinement in prison of 10 years for human trafficking and 15 years for trafficking a child. Under current law, a Class D felony is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 25 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 15 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 10 years; a Class C felony is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 40 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 25 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 15 years; and a Class B felony is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 60 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 40 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 20 years. Under current law, there is no mandatory minimum term of confinement for human trafficking or trafficking of a child. 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
AB258 License eligibility and restriction extensions relating to ignition interlock devices. Under current law, if a person is convicted of a second or subsequent offense related to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant or other drug, with a prohibited alcohol concentration, or with a measurable amount of a controlled substance in their blood (OWI offense), a court must order the person[s operating privilege restricted to operating vehicles that are equipped with an ignition interlock device (IID). The restriction begins on the date of the IID order and lasts for at least one year, but no longer than the maximum operating privilege revocation period authorized for the refusal or violation. Under the bill, the restriction of a person[s operating privilege under an IID order must be extended by 180 days for each occurrence of any of the following events detected by an IID: 1) three or more violations within a 60-day period, 2) tampering with or attempting to circumvent the IID, or 3) removing the IID authorization. Under current law, a person whose operating privilege is administratively revoked for a first offense of refusing a test may apply for an occupational license after 30 days. The bill eliminates the 30-day waiting period and provides that a CORRECTED COPY person may apply for an occupational license upon installation of an IID on any motor vehicle that the person operates. Under current law, when a person is convicted of an OWI offense, the convicting court orders the person[s operating privilege be revoked. The length of time for a court-ordered revocation increases with each subsequent OWI offense, as does the waiting period before the person may apply for an occupational license. In general, a person with prior OWI offenses may apply after 45 days. The bill eliminates the 45-day waiting period and provides that a person may apply for an occupational license upon installation of an IID on each motor vehicle that the person operates. In Committee
AB194 Modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE) This bill makes modifications to three housing programs administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority: the residential housing infrastructure revolving loan program, also known as the Infrastructure Access Program; the main street housing rehabilitation revolving loan program, also known as the Restore Main Street Program; and the commercial-to-housing conversion revolving loan program, also known as the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program. For the Infrastructure Access Program, the bill does all of the following: 1. Allows a loan to a developer to provide up to 33 percent of total project costs and a loan to a governmental unit to provide up to 25 percent of total project costs. Under current law, a loan to a developer may provide up to 20 percent of total project costs and a loan to a governmental unit may provide up to 10 percent of total project costs. 2. Allows tribal housing authorities or business entities created by a tribal council to receive loans as developers of eligible projects. For the Restore Main Street Program, the bill does all of the following: 1. Allows a loan to provide up to $50,000 per dwelling unit or 33 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. Under current law, a loan may provide up to $20,000 per dwelling unit or 25 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. 2. Requires WHEDA to divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction of each regional planning commission constituted under current law, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission constituting collectively one region. Under the bill, of the moneys appropriated to the program[s revolving loan fund in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, WHEDA must expend any remaining unencumbered moneys in such a way that no region receives in loans more than 12.5 percent of the total amount of the moneys appropriated in the 2023- 25 fiscal biennium. 3. Allows loans to be awarded to projects under the jurisdiction of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band. For the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program, the bill does all of the following: 1. Allows a loan to provide up to 33 percent of total project costs related to constructing residential housing and eliminates the dollar amount cap on loans. Under current law, a loan may provide up to $1,000,000 per project or 20 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. 2. Permits housing developments with four or more dwelling units to be eligible for a loan if the housing development is located in a governmental unit with a population of 10,000 or less. Under current law, an eligible housing development must have 16 or more dwelling units. 3. Allows a project converting a vacant commercial building to a mixed-use development that contains residential housing to be eligible for a loan under the program. Under current law, to be eligible for a loan, a construction project must convert a vacant commercial building to residential housing. Under the bill, a loan awarded for the conversion of a vacant commercial building to a mixed-use development must be for costs associated with constructing residential housing within the mixed-use development. 4. Requires WHEDA to divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction of each regional planning commission constituted under current law, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission constituting collectively one region. Under the bill, of the moneys appropriated to the program[s revolving loan fund in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, WHEDA must expend any remaining unencumbered moneys in such a way that no region receives in loans more than 12.5 percent of the total amount of the moneys appropriated in the 2023- 25 fiscal biennium. 5. Allows tribal housing authorities or business entities created by a tribal council to receive loans as developers of eligible projects. For all three of the programs, the bill does all of the following: 1. Permits eligible projects to benefit from a tax incremental district and to use historic tax credits. Under current law, eligible projects may not benefit from a tax incremental district or use historic tax credits. 2. Allows a loan to be awarded for projects on tribal reservation or trust lands not subject to property taxes in this state if the land is designated as tribal reservation or trust lands on the effective date of the bill. 3. In applying for a loan, requires that, in addition to the current law requirement that a governmental unit establish that it has reduced the cost of housing in connection with the eligible project, a governmental unit establish that it has reduced the cost of housing within the governmental unit, generally. 4. Allows a governmental unit to satisfy the loan eligibility condition that it update the housing element of the statutorily required local government comprehensive plan if, within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application, the governmental unit adopts an ordinance or resolution certifying that the housing element of the governmental unit[s current comprehensive plan provides an adequate housing supply that meets existing and forecasted housing demand in the governmental unit. 5. Allows a loan to be secured by a corporate guarantee. Under current law, a loan under any of the three programs must be secured by a personal guarantee. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. 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
AB75 Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Justice to collect from the director of state courts all of the following information for each criminal case: 1) the county in which the case was filed; 2) the name of the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case; 3) the name of the court official assigned to the case; 4) the criminal charge filed; 5) the charging recommendation from the referring law enforcement agency, if applicable; 6) for each case, whether the court released the defendant without bail, upon the execution of an unsecured appearance bond, upon the execution of an appearance bond with sufficient solvent sureties, or upon the deposit of cash in lieu of sureties, or denied release, and the name of the court official who made the decision; 7) for each case for which a court required the execution of an appearance bond with sufficient solvent sureties, the monetary amount of the bond and the name of the court official who made the decision; 8) for each case for which a court required the deposit of cash in lieu of sureties, the monetary amount of cash required and the name of the court official who made the decision; 9) any other conditions of release imposed on the defendant and the name of the court official who made the decision; 10) whether any plea bargain was offered in the case; 11) whether a deferred prosecution agreement was offered in the case; 12) whether any charge relating to the case was dismissed; and 13) whether the case resulted in a conviction. Under the bill, DOJ must annually report the information collected to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees, and must maintain a database on its website that contains the information in a searchable format, for a period of 10 years after a criminal charge is filed. Under the bill, DOJ must ensure that the information provided in the database does not contain a criminal defendant[s personally identifying information. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
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) AN ACT to create 66.1105 (6) (a) 22., 66.1105 (6) (g) 7., 66.1105 (7) (am) 10. and 66.1105 (17) (h) of the statutes; relating to: 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. This bill creates exceptions to two aspects of the statutes governing tax incremental financing (TIF) for a tax incremental district (TIDs) located in the village of DeForest. Under current law, cities and villages may use TIF to encourage development in the city or village. In general, under TIF, a city or village pays for improvements in a TID and then collects tax moneys attributable to all taxing jurisdictions on the increased property value in the TID for a certain period of time to pay for the improvements. Ideally, after the period of time, the city or village will have been repaid for its initial investment and the property tax base in the TID will have permanently increased in value. In general and in brief, a city or village makes use of TIF using the following procedure: 1. The city or village designates an area as a TID and creates a project plan laying out the expenditures that the city or village will make within the TID. 2. DOR establishes the Xbase valueY of the TID. This value is the equalized value of all taxable property within the TID at the time of its creation. 3. Each year thereafter, the Xvalue incrementY of the property within the TID is determined by subtracting the base value from the current value of property within the TID. The portion of taxes collected on any positive value increment (Xtax incrementY) is collected by the city or village for use solely for the project costs of the TID. The tax increment includes the taxes that would have been collected by other taxing jurisdictions, such as counties or school districts, were the TID not created. 4. Tax increments are collected until the city or village has recovered all of the TID[s project costs or until the TID reaches its statutory termination date. TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest was created as a mixed-use TID in September 2017. Under current law, the unextended termination date of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest is 20 years. Under this bill, the life of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest is extended, and tax increments may continue to be allocated, for up to 30 years after the TID[s creation. Under current law, the equalized value of taxable property of a new or amended TID plus the value increment of all existing TIDs in a city or village may not exceed 12 percent of the total equalized value of taxable property in the city or village. Under the bill, the 12 percent rule does not apply to one amendment of the project plan of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest. Also under current law, a city or village may extend the life of a TID for up to one year for housing stock improvement if all of the following occur: 1. The city or village pays off all of the TID[s project costs. 2. The city or village adopts a resolution stating that it intends to extend the life of the TID, the number of months it intends to do so, and how it intends to improve housing stock. 3. The city or village notifies DOR. Under the bill, a housing stock improvement extension may not be exercised with regard to TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
SB43 Allowing advanced practice nurse prescribers to pronounce the date, time, and place of a patient’s death for purposes of the preparation of death records. Under current law, any person who moves a corpse for the purpose of final disposition must file a death record for the corpse in a manner prescribed by the state registrar when the death occurred in this state, the corpse was found in this state, or certain other circumstances apply. For purposes of preparing the death record, certain health care providers may pronounce the date, time, and place of the death in certain circumstances, including naturopathic doctors and physician assistants. This bill allows advanced practice nurse prescribers who are directly involved with the care of a patient who dies to pronounce the date, time, and place of the patient[s death for purposes of preparation of the death record. Passed
AB209 Creating a hazard mitigation revolving loan program, creating a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill authorizes the creation of a hazard mitigation revolving loan program to be administered by the Department of Military Affairs and requires the creation of a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program to be administered by the Department of Natural Resources. Hazard mitigation revolving loan program The bill authorizes the Division of Emergency Management within DMA to enter into an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to receive federal grant funding for the purpose of establishing a hazard mitigation revolving loan program. The bill creates a separate, nonlapsible trust fund, designated as the Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund, to accept money from FEMA under the federal Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act, P.L. 116-284. Under the bill, if DMA enters into such an agreement with FEMA, the secretary of administration must transfer from the general fund to the Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund an amount equal to 10 percent of any money received from the federal government, and DMA must provide loans to local units of government for hazard mitigation projects in accordance with the requirements of the STORM Act. Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program The bill requires DNR to administer a revolving loan program to assist municipalities and owners of homes located on the shore of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior where the structural integrity of municipal buildings or homes is threatened by erosion of the shoreline. The bill appropriates $5,000,000 to DNR for this purpose and increases DNR[s position authorization by 0.5 FTE to administer the program. The bill requires DNR to promulgate rules to administer the program, including eligibility requirements and income limitations, and authorizes DNR to promulgate emergency rules for the period before permanent rules take effect. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB133 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) AN ACT to create 66.1105 (6) (a) 22., 66.1105 (6) (g) 7., 66.1105 (7) (am) 10. and 66.1105 (17) (h) of the statutes; relating to: 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. This bill creates exceptions to two aspects of the statutes governing tax incremental financing (TIF) for a tax incremental district (TIDs) located in the village of DeForest. Under current law, cities and villages may use TIF to encourage development in the city or village. In general, under TIF, a city or village pays for improvements in a TID and then collects tax moneys attributable to all taxing jurisdictions on the increased property value in the TID for a certain period of time to pay for the improvements. Ideally, after the period of time, the city or village will have been repaid for its initial investment and the property tax base in the TID will have permanently increased in value. In general and in brief, a city or village makes use of TIF using the following procedure: 1. The city or village designates an area as a TID and creates a project plan laying out the expenditures that the city or village will make within the TID. LRB-2363/1 EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 133 2. DOR establishes the Xbase valueY of the TID. This value is the equalized value of all taxable property within the TID at the time of its creation. 3. Each year thereafter, the Xvalue incrementY of the property within the TID is determined by subtracting the base value from the current value of property within the TID. The portion of taxes collected on any positive value increment (Xtax incrementY) is collected by the city or village for use solely for the project costs of the TID. The tax increment includes the taxes that would have been collected by other taxing jurisdictions, such as counties or school districts, were the TID not created. 4. Tax increments are collected until the city or village has recovered all of the TID[s project costs or until the TID reaches its statutory termination date. TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest was created as a mixed-use TID in September 2017. Under current law, the unextended termination date of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest is 20 years. Under this bill, the life of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest is extended, and tax increments may continue to be allocated, for up to 30 years after the TID[s creation. Under current law, the equalized value of taxable property of a new or amended TID plus the value increment of all existing TIDs in a city or village may not exceed 12 percent of the total equalized value of taxable property in the city or village. Under the bill, the 12 percent rule does not apply to one amendment of the project plan of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest. Also under current law, a city or village may extend the life of a TID for up to one year for housing stock improvement if all of the following occur: 1. The city or village pays off all of the TID[s project costs. 2. The city or village adopts a resolution stating that it intends to extend the life of the TID, the number of months it intends to do so, and how it intends to improve housing stock. 3. The city or village notifies DOR. Under the bill, a housing stock improvement extension may not be exercised with regard to TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB170 Rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE) Under current law, certain people who receive a retirement or disability annuity from the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) 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 they are no longer in a WRS-covered position. This suspension applies to an annuitant who 1) has reached his or her normal retirement date; 2) is appointed to a position with 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 allows such an annuitant who is hired by a WRS-participating employer as an employee or to provide employee services to not suspend his or her annuity for up to 60 months. The bill also requires WRS-participating employers that hire such annuitants to make payments to ETF equal to what they would have paid as required contributions for each rehired annuitant if the rehired annuitant LRB-2369/1 MIM:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 170 had suspended his or her annuity. Under the bill, these payments are deposited into the employer reserve account. If the annuitant does not suspend the annuity and does not become an active WRS-participating employee, in the case of state employment, the annuitant is not eligible for group insurance benefits provided to active WRS-participating employees and may not use any of his or her service in the new position for any WRS purposes. If the annuitant opts to again become an active WRS-participating employee, the annuitant is eligible for all group insurance benefits provided to other participating employees and may accumulate additional years of creditable service under the WRS for the new period of WRS-covered employment. The bill also repeals two obsolete provisions related to WRS annuitants returning to WRS-covered employment during the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, which ended on May 13, 2020. 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
AB44 Allowing advanced practice nurse prescribers to pronounce the date, time, and place of a patient’s death for purposes of the preparation of death records. Under current law, any person who moves a corpse for the purpose of final disposition must file a death record for the corpse in a manner prescribed by the state registrar when the death occurred in this state, the corpse was found in this state, or certain other circumstances apply. For purposes of preparing the death record, certain health care providers may pronounce the date, time, and place of the death in certain circumstances, including naturopathic doctors and physician assistants. This bill allows advanced practice nurse prescribers who are directly involved with the care of a patient who dies to pronounce the date, time, and place of the patient[s death for purposes of preparation of the death record. In Committee
SB180 Modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE) This bill makes modifications to three housing programs administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority: the residential housing infrastructure revolving loan program, also known as the Infrastructure Access Program; the main street housing rehabilitation revolving loan program, also known as the Restore Main Street Program; and the commercial-to-housing conversion revolving loan program, also known as the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program. For the Infrastructure Access Program, the bill does all of the following: 1. Allows a loan to a developer to provide up to 33 percent of total project costs and a loan to a governmental unit to provide up to 25 percent of total project costs. Under current law, a loan to a developer may provide up to 20 percent of total project costs and a loan to a governmental unit may provide up to 10 percent of total project costs. 2. Allows tribal housing authorities or business entities created by a tribal council to receive loans as developers of eligible projects. For the Restore Main Street Program, the bill does all of the following: 1. Allows a loan to provide up to $50,000 per dwelling unit or 33 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. Under current law, a loan may provide up to $20,000 per dwelling unit or 25 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. 2. Requires WHEDA to divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction of each regional planning commission constituted under current law, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission constituting collectively one region. Under the bill, of the moneys appropriated to the program[s revolving loan fund in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, WHEDA must expend any remaining unencumbered moneys in such a way that no region receives in loans more than 12.5 percent of the total amount of the moneys appropriated in the 2023- 25 fiscal biennium. 3. Allows loans to be awarded to projects under the jurisdiction of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band. For the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program, the bill does all of the following: 1. Allows a loan to provide up to 33 percent of total project costs related to constructing residential housing and eliminates the dollar amount cap on loans. Under current law, a loan may provide up to $1,000,000 per project or 20 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. 2. Permits housing developments with four or more dwelling units to be eligible for a loan if the housing development is located in a governmental unit with a population of 10,000 or less. Under current law, an eligible housing development must have 16 or more dwelling units. 3. Allows a project converting a vacant commercial building to a mixed-use development that contains residential housing to be eligible for a loan under the LRB-1325/1 MDE:klm&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 180 program. Under current law, to be eligible for a loan, a construction project must convert a vacant commercial building to residential housing. Under the bill, a loan awarded for the conversion of a vacant commercial building to a mixed-use development must be for costs associated with constructing residential housing within the mixed-use development. 4. Requires WHEDA to divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction of each regional planning commission constituted under current law, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission constituting collectively one region. Under the bill, of the moneys appropriated to the program[s revolving loan fund in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, WHEDA must expend any remaining unencumbered moneys in such a way that no region receives in loans more than 12.5 percent of the total amount of the moneys appropriated in the 2023- 25 fiscal biennium. 5. Allows tribal housing authorities or business entities created by a tribal council to receive loans as developers of eligible projects. For all three of the programs, the bill does all of the following: 1. Permits eligible projects to benefit from a tax incremental district and to use historic tax credits. Under current law, eligible projects may not benefit from a tax incremental district or use historic tax credits. 2. Allows a loan to be awarded for projects on tribal reservation or trust lands not subject to property taxes in this state if the land is designated as tribal reservation or trust lands on the effective date of the bill. 3. In applying for a loan, requires that, in addition to the current law requirement that a governmental unit establish that it has reduced the cost of housing in connection with the eligible project, a governmental unit establish that it has reduced the cost of housing within the governmental unit, generally. 4. Allows a governmental unit to satisfy the loan eligibility condition that it update the housing element of the statutorily required local government comprehensive plan if, within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application, the governmental unit adopts an ordinance or resolution certifying that the housing element of the governmental unit[s current comprehensive plan provides an adequate housing supply that meets existing and forecasted housing demand in the governmental unit. 5. Allows a loan to be secured by a corporate guarantee. Under current law, a loan under any of the three programs must be secured by a personal guarantee. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB178 Changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE) Under current law, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority administers a low-income housing tax credit program. Under that program, a person may claim as a credit against the person[s income or franchise tax liability, or against the person[s liability for fees imposed on an insurer, the amount allocated by WHEDA in an Xallocation certificateY for a qualified low- income housing project. The bill also requires that WHEDA, if possible, ensure that at least 35 percent of the tax credits it allocates each year under the program are for qualified low- income housing projects in rural areas in Wisconsin and removes the requirement that a qualified low-income housing project be financed with tax-exempt bonds. Finally, the bill makes a technical change to the credit for insurers so that an LRB-2483/1 JK&MDE:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 178 insurer who is a shareholder of a tax-option corporation, a partner of a partnership, or a member of a limited liability company may claim the credit. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB249 Vacancies in appointive state offices. Under current law, vacancies in public office may occur in a number of ways, including when the incumbent resigns, dies, or is removed from office, or, in the case of elected office, when the incumbent[s term expires. However, as the Wisconsin Supreme Court held in State ex rel. Kaul v. Prehn, 2022 WI 50, expiration of an incumbent[s term of office does not create a vacancy if the office is filled by appointment for a fixed term. Absent a vacancy or removal for cause, these incumbents may remain in office until their successors are appointed and qualified. Under this bill, a vacancy in public office is created if the office is an appointive state office for a fixed term and the incumbent[s term expires. In Committee
SB248 License eligibility and restriction extensions relating to ignition interlock devices. Under current law, if a person is convicted of a second or subsequent offense related to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant or other drug, with a prohibited alcohol concentration, or with a measurable amount of a controlled substance in their blood (OWI offense), a court must order the person[s operating privilege restricted to operating vehicles that are equipped with an ignition interlock device (IID). The restriction begins on the date of the IID order and lasts for at least one year, but no longer than the maximum operating privilege revocation period authorized for the refusal or violation. Under the bill, the restriction of a person[s operating privilege under an IID order must be extended by 180 days for each occurrence of any of the following events detected by an IID: 1) three or more violations within a 60-day period, 2) tampering with or attempting to circumvent the IID, or 3) removing the IID authorization. Under current law, a person whose operating privilege is administratively revoked for a first offense of refusing a test may apply for an occupational license after 30 days. The bill eliminates the 30-day waiting period and provides that a CORRECTED COPY LRB-1013/1 ZDW:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 248 person may apply for an occupational license upon installation of an IID on any motor vehicle that the person operates. Under current law, when a person is convicted of an OWI offense, the convicting court orders the person[s operating privilege be revoked. The length of time for a court-ordered revocation increases with each subsequent OWI offense, as does the waiting period before the person may apply for an occupational license. In general, a person with prior OWI offenses may apply after 45 days. The bill eliminates the 45-day waiting period and provides that a person may apply for an occupational license upon installation of an IID on each motor vehicle that the person operates. In Committee
AB248 Vacancies in appointive state offices. Under current law, vacancies in public office may occur in a number of ways, including when the incumbent resigns, dies, or is removed from office, or, in the case of elected office, when the incumbent[s term expires. However, as the Wisconsin Supreme Court held in State ex rel. Kaul v. Prehn, 2022 WI 50, expiration of an incumbent[s term of office does not create a vacancy if the office is filled by appointment for a fixed term. Absent a vacancy or removal for cause, these incumbents may remain in office until their successors are appointed and qualified. Under this bill, a vacancy in public office is created if the office is an appointive state office for a fixed term and the incumbent[s term expires. 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
SB115 Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Justice to collect from the director of state courts all of the following information for each criminal case: 1) the county in which the case was filed; 2) the name of the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case; 3) the name of the court official assigned to the case; 4) the criminal charge filed; 5) the charging recommendation from the referring law enforcement agency, if applicable; 6) for each case, whether the court released the defendant without bail, upon the execution of an unsecured appearance bond, upon the execution of an appearance bond with sufficient solvent sureties, or upon the deposit of cash in lieu of sureties, or denied release, and the name of the court official who made the decision; 7) for each case for which a court required the execution of an appearance bond with sufficient solvent sureties, the monetary amount of the bond and the name of the court official who made the decision; 8) for each case for which a court required the deposit of cash in lieu of sureties, the monetary amount of cash required and the name of the court official who made the decision; 9) any other conditions of release imposed on the defendant and the name of the court official who made the decision; 10) whether any plea bargain was offered in the case; 11) LRB-2244/1 MJW:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 115 whether a deferred prosecution agreement was offered in the case; 12) whether any charge relating to the case was dismissed; and 13) whether the case resulted in a conviction. Under the bill, DOJ must annually report the information collected to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees, and must maintain a database on its website that contains the information in a searchable format, for a period of 10 years after a criminal charge is filed. Under the bill, DOJ must ensure that the information provided in the database does not contain a criminal defendant[s personally identifying information. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB162 Workforce metrics. (FE) This bill requires any state agency or authority that operates, coordinates, or oversees a workforce development program or activity, as defined in the bill, to track and report, at least annually, on the performance of that workforce development program or activity, using the primary indicators of performance under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These performance indicators are: 1) the percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program; 2) the percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the program; 3) the median earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program; 4) the percentage of program participants who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent during participation in or within one year after exit from the program; 5) the percentage of program participants who, during a program year, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains toward such a credential or employment; and 6) the indicators of effectiveness in serving employers, defined currently as the percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program who were employed by the same employer in the second and fourth quarters after exit. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB169 Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) This bill makes various changes regarding the unemployment insurance (UI) law, which is administered by the Department of Workforce Development. Suitable work; work search Current law requires that, as a condition of being eligible for UI benefits for a given week, a claimant must 1) be able to work and available for work; 2) register for work in the manner prescribed by DWD; and 3) conduct a reasonable search for suitable work. Separately, current law also makes a claimant ineligible for UI benefits if a claimant fails, without good cause, to accept suitable work when offered. The bill provides that an employer may report to DWD whenever 1) an individual declines a job interview or job offer; 2) an individual fails to respond to a job interview offer or job offer; 3) an individual cancels or fails to attend a scheduled job interview without attempting to reschedule the job interview; 4) a UI claimant is unavailable for, or unable to perform, work actually available within a given week; or 5) under certain circumstances, the employer recalls a former employee receiving UI benefits who fails to return to work. The bill requires DWD to consider these reports in determining claimants[ attachment to the labor market. The bill also provides that a UI claimant is not considered to have conducted a reasonable search for suitable work in a given week, and is therefore ineligible for benefits for that week, if the claimant declined a job interview, failed to respond to a job interview offer, or canceled or failed to attend a job interview in that week. The bill, however, provides that a report of a canceled or missed interview is to be disregarded if the claimant demonstrates that he or she promptly attempted to reschedule the interview and allows reports to be disregarded upon certain showings by a claimant. The bill requires a claimant to provide weekly verification of all job offers, job interview offers, recalls to return to work, and any other offers of work received or responded to by the claimant since the prior week[s verification, as further prescribed by DWD, and requires DWD to investigate reports from employers as needed to determine their effect on claimants[ eligibility for benefits. A disqualification of a claimant from receiving benefits for a given week based upon the claimant[s failure to conduct a reasonable search for suitable work does not reduce the claimant[s total UI benefit entitlement and does not preclude the claimant from receiving UI benefits in subsequent weeks, if the claimant is otherwise eligible for those weeks. The bill requires DWD to include information on reports submitted by employers under the bill in its annual UI fraud report made to the Council on Unemployment Insurance, including actions taken by DWD in response to the reports and their effect on claimants[ eligibility for benefits. In addition, the bill requires that this annual fraud report be submitted to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature. The bill requires DWD to have in effect methods to address any circumstances in which a claimant for UI benefits fails to return to work or to accept suitable work without good cause or is unavailable for work or unable to work, including reporting methods for employers and a notice from DWD to claimants about the laws governing such circumstances. Recovery of overpayments Current law allows DWD to act to recover overpayments in certain circumstances and allows overpayments to be required to be repaid in cases where an individual makes misrepresentations to obtain benefits in the name of another person. This bill makes such recoveries mandatory, instead of permissive. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB167 Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE) UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE This bill makes various changes in the unemployment insurance (UI) law, which is administered by the Department of Workforce Development. Significant changes include all of the following: Misconduct Currently, if an employee is discharged for misconduct connected with his or her employment, the employee is ineligible to receive UI benefits until certain requalification criteria are satisfied. In addition, all wages earned with the employer that discharges the employee are excluded in determining the amount of any future benefits to which the employee is entitled. Current law provides a general definition of misconduct and also specifies a number of specific actions that constitute misconduct. The bill does all of the following with respect to what is considered misconduct: 1. Current law specifically provides that misconduct includes theft of an employer[s property or services with intent to deprive the employer of the property or services permanently, theft of currency of any value, felonious conduct connected with an employee[s employment with his or her employer, or intentional or negligent conduct by an employee that causes substantial damage to his or her employer[s property. The bill does the following: a. Eliminates the requirement that the employee have intent to deprive the employer of the property or services permanently. b. Provides that intentional or negligent conduct by an employee that causes the destruction of an employer[s records is also considered misconduct. c. Adds unauthorized possession of an employer[s property, theft or unauthorized distribution of an employer[s confidential or proprietary information, and use of an employer[s credit card or other financial instrument for an unauthorized or nonbusiness purpose without prior approval from the employer to the list of what is considered misconduct. 2. Current law specifically provides that misconduct includes absenteeism by an employee on more than two occasions within the 120-day period before the date of the employee[s termination, unless otherwise specified by his or her employer in an employment manual of which the employee has acknowledged receipt with his or her signature, or excessive tardiness by an employee in violation of a policy of the employer that has been communicated to the employee, if the employee does not provide to his or her employer both notice and one or more valid reasons for the absenteeism or tardiness. The bill instead provides that misconduct includes both of the following: 1) a violation of an employer[s reasonable policy that covers employee absenteeism, tardiness, or both and that results in an employee[s termination, if that termination is in accordance with that policy and the policy is specified by the employer in an employment manual of which the employee has acknowledged receipt with his or her signature; and 2) if an employer does not have a policy covering absenteeism that meets the criteria just described, absenteeism on more than two occasions within the 120-day period preceding an employee[s termination, if the employee does not provide to the employer both notice and one or more valid reasons for the absenteeism. 3. The bill specifically provides that misconduct includes a violation by an employee of an employer[s reasonable employment policy that covers the use of social media specified by the employer in an employment manual of which the employee has acknowledged receipt with his or her signature. General qualifying requirements Under current law, a claimant for UI benefits is generally required to 1) register for work, 2) be able to work and available for work, and 3) conduct a work search for each week in order to remain eligible. A claimant is required to conduct at least four work search actions each week, and DWD may require, by rule, that an individual conduct more than four work search actions per week. Finally, if a claimant is claiming benefits for a week other than an initial week, the claimant must provide information or job application materials that are requested by DWD and participate in a public employment office workshop or training program or in similar reemployment services required by DWD. The bill does the following: 1. Requires a claimant who resides outside this state and who is claiming benefits for a week other than an initial week to register with his or her local job center website or labor market exchange and requires DWD to verify that each such claimant has complied with that requirement. 2. Requires DWD to conduct random audits for at least 50 percent of all work search actions reported to have been performed by claimants. Current law requires random audits of work search actions, but does not require a specific number or level of audits. OTHER CHANGES UI benefit augmentations subject to review by Joint Committee on Finance The bill provides that whenever any UI benefit augmentation is provided for through an act of Congress or by executive action of the president of the United States, the cochairpersons of the Joint Committee on Finance must be notified, in writing, of the proposed benefit augmentation. The bill defines Xbenefit augmentationY to mean any action whereby the governor or any other state official or agency would encumber or expend moneys received from, or accept reimbursement from, the federal government or whereby the governor or any other state agency or official would enter into any contract or agreement with the federal government or any federal agency to 1) increase the weekly UI benefit rate payable to claimants above what is provided under state law, or 2) increase the total amount of UI benefits to which a claimant is entitled above what is provided under state law. Under the bill, such a benefit augmentation is subject to a seven-day passive review by the Joint Committee on Finance. In addition, the bill provides that no benefit augmentation may be effectuated unless it is subject to termination or cancellation by the Joint Committee on Finance. Worker[s compensation; misconduct Currently, under the worker[s compensation law, an employer is not liable for temporary disability benefits during an employee[s healing period if the employee is suspended or terminated from employment due to misconduct, as defined under the UI law. Under the bill, the changes to the UI law[s definition of misconduct described above apply under the worker[s compensation law as well. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
SB196 Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) This bill makes various changes regarding the unemployment insurance (UI) law, which is administered by the Department of Workforce Development. Suitable work; work search Current law requires that, as a condition of being eligible for UI benefits for a given week, a claimant must 1) be able to work and available for work; 2) register for work in the manner prescribed by DWD; and 3) conduct a reasonable search for suitable work. Separately, current law also makes a claimant ineligible for UI benefits if a claimant fails, without good cause, to accept suitable work when offered. The bill provides that an employer may report to DWD whenever 1) an individual declines a job interview or job offer; 2) an individual fails to respond to a job interview offer or job offer; 3) an individual cancels or fails to attend a scheduled LRB-2743/1 MED:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 196 job interview without attempting to reschedule the job interview; 4) a UI claimant is unavailable for, or unable to perform, work actually available within a given week; or 5) under certain circumstances, the employer recalls a former employee receiving UI benefits who fails to return to work. The bill requires DWD to consider these reports in determining claimants[ attachment to the labor market. The bill also provides that a UI claimant is not considered to have conducted a reasonable search for suitable work in a given week, and is therefore ineligible for benefits for that week, if the claimant declined a job interview, failed to respond to a job interview offer, or canceled or failed to attend a job interview in that week. The bill, however, provides that a report of a canceled or missed interview is to be disregarded if the claimant demonstrates that he or she promptly attempted to reschedule the interview and allows reports to be disregarded upon certain showings by a claimant. The bill requires a claimant to provide weekly verification of all job offers, job interview offers, recalls to return to work, and any other offers of work received or responded to by the claimant since the prior week[s verification, as further prescribed by DWD, and requires DWD to investigate reports from employers as needed to determine their effect on claimants[ eligibility for benefits. A disqualification of a claimant from receiving benefits for a given week based upon the claimant[s failure to conduct a reasonable search for suitable work does not reduce the claimant[s total UI benefit entitlement and does not preclude the claimant from receiving UI benefits in subsequent weeks, if the claimant is otherwise eligible for those weeks. The bill requires DWD to include information on reports submitted by employers under the bill in its annual UI fraud report made to the Council on Unemployment Insurance, including actions taken by DWD in response to the reports and their effect on claimants[ eligibility for benefits. In addition, the bill requires that this annual fraud report be submitted to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature. The bill requires DWD to have in effect methods to address any circumstances in which a claimant for UI benefits fails to return to work or to accept suitable work without good cause or is unavailable for work or unable to work, including reporting methods for employers and a notice from DWD to claimants about the laws governing such circumstances. Recovery of overpayments Current law allows DWD to act to recover overpayments in certain circumstances and allows overpayments to be required to be repaid in cases where an individual makes misrepresentations to obtain benefits in the name of another person. This bill makes such recoveries mandatory, instead of permissive. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2743/1 MED:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 196 In Committee
SB198 Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE) UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE This bill makes various changes in the unemployment insurance (UI) law, which is administered by the Department of Workforce Development. Significant changes include all of the following: Misconduct Currently, if an employee is discharged for misconduct connected with his or her employment, the employee is ineligible to receive UI benefits until certain requalification criteria are satisfied. In addition, all wages earned with the employer that discharges the employee are excluded in determining the amount of any future benefits to which the employee is entitled. Current law provides a LRB-2741/1 MED:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 198 general definition of misconduct and also specifies a number of specific actions that constitute misconduct. The bill does all of the following with respect to what is considered misconduct: 1. Current law specifically provides that misconduct includes theft of an employer[s property or services with intent to deprive the employer of the property or services permanently, theft of currency of any value, felonious conduct connected with an employee[s employment with his or her employer, or intentional or negligent conduct by an employee that causes substantial damage to his or her employer[s property. The bill does the following: a. Eliminates the requirement that the employee have intent to deprive the employer of the property or services permanently. b. Provides that intentional or negligent conduct by an employee that causes the destruction of an employer[s records is also considered misconduct. c. Adds unauthorized possession of an employer[s property, theft or unauthorized distribution of an employer[s confidential or proprietary information, and use of an employer[s credit card or other financial instrument for an unauthorized or nonbusiness purpose without prior approval from the employer to the list of what is considered misconduct. 2. Current law specifically provides that misconduct includes absenteeism by an employee on more than two occasions within the 120-day period before the date of the employee[s termination, unless otherwise specified by his or her employer in an employment manual of which the employee has acknowledged receipt with his or her signature, or excessive tardiness by an employee in violation of a policy of the employer that has been communicated to the employee, if the employee does not provide to his or her employer both notice and one or more valid reasons for the absenteeism or tardiness. The bill instead provides that misconduct includes both of the following: 1) a violation of an employer[s reasonable policy that covers employee absenteeism, tardiness, or both and that results in an employee[s termination, if that termination is in accordance with that policy and the policy is specified by the employer in an employment manual of which the employee has acknowledged receipt with his or her signature; and 2) if an employer does not have a policy covering absenteeism that meets the criteria just described, absenteeism on more than two occasions within the 120-day period preceding an employee[s termination, if the employee does not provide to the employer both notice and one or more valid reasons for the absenteeism. 3. The bill specifically provides that misconduct includes a violation by an employee of an employer[s reasonable employment policy that covers the use of social media specified by the employer in an employment manual of which the employee has acknowledged receipt with his or her signature. General qualifying requirements Under current law, a claimant for UI benefits is generally required to 1) register for work, 2) be able to work and available for work, and 3) conduct a work LRB-2741/1 MED:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 198 search for each week in order to remain eligible. A claimant is required to conduct at least four work search actions each week, and DWD may require, by rule, that an individual conduct more than four work search actions per week. Finally, if a claimant is claiming benefits for a week other than an initial week, the claimant must provide information or job application materials that are requested by DWD and participate in a public employment office workshop or training program or in similar reemployment services required by DWD. The bill does the following: 1. Requires a claimant who resides outside this state and who is claiming benefits for a week other than an initial week to register with his or her local job center website or labor market exchange and requires DWD to verify that each such claimant has complied with that requirement. 2. Requires DWD to conduct random audits for at least 50 percent of all work search actions reported to have been performed by claimants. Current law requires random audits of work search actions, but does not require a specific number or level of audits. OTHER CHANGES UI benefit augmentations subject to review by Joint Committee on Finance The bill provides that whenever any UI benefit augmentation is provided for through an act of Congress or by executive action of the president of the United States, the cochairpersons of the Joint Committee on Finance must be notified, in writing, of the proposed benefit augmentation. The bill defines Xbenefit augmentationY to mean any action whereby the governor or any other state official or agency would encumber or expend moneys received from, or accept reimbursement from, the federal government or whereby the governor or any other state agency or official would enter into any contract or agreement with the federal government or any federal agency to 1) increase the weekly UI benefit rate payable to claimants above what is provided under state law, or 2) increase the total amount of UI benefits to which a claimant is entitled above what is provided under state law. Under the bill, such a benefit augmentation is subject to a seven-day passive review by the Joint Committee on Finance. In addition, the bill provides that no benefit augmentation may be effectuated unless it is subject to termination or cancellation by the Joint Committee on Finance. Worker[s compensation; misconduct Currently, under the worker[s compensation law, an employer is not liable for temporary disability benefits during an employee[s healing period if the employee is suspended or terminated from employment due to misconduct, as defined under the UI law. Under the bill, the changes to the UI law[s definition of misconduct described above apply under the worker[s compensation law as well. LRB-2741/1 MED:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 198 For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB201 Workforce metrics. (FE) This bill requires any state agency or authority that operates, coordinates, or oversees a workforce development program or activity, as defined in the bill, to track and report, at least annually, on the performance of that workforce development program or activity, using the primary indicators of performance under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These performance indicators are: 1) the percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program; 2) the percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the program; 3) the median earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program; 4) the percentage of program participants who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent during participation in or within one year after exit from the program; 5) the percentage of program participants who, during a program year, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains toward LRB-2742/1 MED:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 201 such a credential or employment; and 6) the indicators of effectiveness in serving employers, defined currently as the percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program who were employed by the same employer in the second and fourth quarters after exit. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB182 Changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE) Under current law, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority administers a low-income housing tax credit program. Under that program, a person may claim as a credit against the person[s income or franchise tax liability, or against the person[s liability for fees imposed on an insurer, the amount allocated by WHEDA in an Xallocation certificateY for a qualified low- income housing project. The bill also requires that WHEDA, if possible, ensure that at least 35 percent of the tax credits it allocates each year under the program are for qualified low- income housing projects in rural areas in Wisconsin and removes the requirement that a qualified low-income housing project be financed with tax-exempt bonds. Finally, the bill makes a technical change to the credit for insurers so that an insurer who is a shareholder of a tax-option corporation, a partner of a partnership, or a member of a limited liability company may claim the credit. For further information see the state 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
SB160 Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE) This bill directs the Department of Transportation to designate and mark USH 12 in the village of Lake Delton in Sauk County as the XTom Diehl Memorial Highway.Y For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB138 Prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE) Under current law, the court must impose certain surcharges on a defendant who has been found guilty of a criminal offense. The surcharges are in addition to any applicable fines, costs, and fees. For instance, the court must impose a crime victim and witness assistance surcharge in an amount of $67 for each conviction of a misdemeanor count and in an amount of $92 for each conviction of a felony count. The surcharge amounts collected reimburse counties for services provided to victims and witnesses of crimes. This bill creates a $5,000 surcharge to be imposed on persons who are convicted of patronizing or soliciting prostitutes, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution, soliciting a child for prostitution, or patronizing a child. Under the bill, the surcharge amounts collected are used for treatment and services for sex- trafficking victims and for criminal investigative operations and law enforcement relating to Internet crimes against children. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2013/1 CMH:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 138 In Committee
AB84 Prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE) Under current law, the court must impose certain surcharges on a defendant who has been found guilty of a criminal offense. The surcharges are in addition to any applicable fines, costs, and fees. For instance, the court must impose a crime victim and witness assistance surcharge in an amount of $67 for each conviction of a misdemeanor count and in an amount of $92 for each conviction of a felony count. The surcharge amounts collected reimburse counties for services provided to victims and witnesses of crimes. This bill creates a $5,000 surcharge to be imposed on persons who are convicted of patronizing or soliciting prostitutes, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution, soliciting a child for prostitution, or patronizing a child. Under the bill, the surcharge amounts collected are used for treatment and services for sex- trafficking victims and for criminal investigative operations and law enforcement relating to Internet crimes against children. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AR4 Proclaiming our appreciation and respect for our Grocery and Retail Food Employees. Relating to: proclaiming our appreciation and respect for our Grocery and Retail Food Employees. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
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
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
SB220 Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions. Under current law, any person may circulate nomination papers for a candidate if the person is eligible to vote in Wisconsin or is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state. A person is eligible to vote in Wisconsin if he or she is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who has resided in an election district in this state for at least 28 consecutive days. Under this bill, a person must be eligible to vote in Wisconsin in order to circulate nomination papers for a candidate. However, under the bill, nomination papers and petitions for the candidacy of candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States may continue to be circulated by any person eligible to vote in Wisconsin or by any U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state. Similarly, under current law, any person who is eligible to vote in Wisconsin or who is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older and who, if he or she were a Wisconsin LRB-2251/1 MPG:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 220 resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state may circulate a recall petition. Under the bill, a person must be eligible to vote in Wisconsin in order to circulate a recall petition and have the signatures on the petition be counted toward a recall. 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
SJR28 Reaffirming Wisconsin’s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin’s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan’s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile. Relating to: reaffirming Wisconsin[s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin[s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan[s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan[s international profile. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB30 Prohibiting a foreign adversary from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in this state. This bill generally prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in this state. In the bill, Xforeign adversaryY means a foreign government or nongovernment person determined by the federal secretary of commerce to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of U.S. persons. Current law generally prohibits a nonresident alien or a corporation that is not created under federal law or the laws of any state (foreign person) from acquiring, owning, or holding more than 640 acres of land in this state. However, that prohibition 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 Opinion of Wis. Att[y Gen., OAG 11-14, ?5, available at https://www.doj.state.wi.us. In other words, under current law, a foreign person may acquire, own, and hold unlimited amounts of land for most nonagricultural and nonforestry purposes, but a foreign person may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of land for agricultural or forestry purposes. The bill retains the current law restriction on foreign person ownership of agricultural and forestry land and adds a provision that prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring any land for agricultural or forestry purposes. In Committee
AB135 The right to repair motor vehicles and providing a penalty. (FE) This bill prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing certain barriers that impair the ability of the motor vehicle owners and the persons that repair motor vehicles from accessing motor vehicles[ vehicle-generated data, critical repair information, or tools in order to repair the motor vehicles; that affect motor vehicle owners[ ability to use a vehicle towing provider or service provider of their choice; or that affect motor vehicle owners[ abilities to diagnose, repair, and maintain their vehicle in the same manner as would the motor vehicle manufacturer. The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing certain barriers that affect the ability of aftermarket parts manufacturers, aftermarket parts remanufacturers, motor vehicle equipment manufacturers, motor vehicle repair facilities, distributors, or service providers to produce or offer compatible aftermarket parts. Additionally, the bill requires motor vehicle manufacturers to provide to motor vehicle owners and certain other entities access to certain data and tools related to the repair of the motor vehicles it manufactures. The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from making certain mandates in regards to what parts, tools, or equipment must be used on its vehicles. A manufacturer that violates a provision of the bill is subject to a forfeiture of $10,000 per violation. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AJR17 Proclaiming the week of April 14, 2025, as Two Lights for Tomorrow Week in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming the week of April 14, 2025, as Two Lights for Tomorrow Week in the state of Wisconsin. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SJR14 Honoring the life and public service of Representative David O. Martin. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative David O. Martin. In Committee
AB58 Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule. This bill prohibits, with certain exceptions, any flag other than the U.S. flag and the flag of the state of Wisconsin from being flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of any state office building or facility, including the state capitol, or from any local government building or school building. The bill also repeals an administrative rule that includes a similar requirement but authorizes the governor to direct otherwise. In Committee
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
AJR24 Reaffirming Wisconsin’s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin’s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan’s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile. Relating to: reaffirming Wisconsin[s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin[s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan[s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan[s international profile. In Committee
SJR11 Restricting the governor’s partial veto authority to only rejecting entire bill sections of an appropriation bill that are capable of separate enactment and reducing appropriations in a bill (first consideration). relating to: restricting the governor[s partial veto authority to only rejecting entire bill sections of an appropriation bill that are capable of separate enactment and reducing appropriations in a bill (first consideration). In Committee
SJR18 Proclaiming the week of April 14, 2025, as Two Lights for Tomorrow Week in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming the week of April 14, 2025, as Two Lights for Tomorrow Week in the state of Wisconsin. In Committee
SB129 The right to repair motor vehicles and providing a penalty. (FE) This bill prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing certain barriers that impair the ability of the motor vehicle owners and the persons that repair motor vehicles from accessing motor vehicles[ vehicle-generated data, critical repair information, or tools in order to repair the motor vehicles; that affect motor vehicle owners[ ability to use a vehicle towing provider or service provider of their choice; or that affect motor vehicle owners[ abilities to diagnose, repair, and maintain their vehicle in the same manner as would the motor vehicle manufacturer. The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing certain barriers that affect the ability of aftermarket parts manufacturers, aftermarket parts remanufacturers, motor vehicle equipment manufacturers, motor vehicle repair facilities, distributors, or service providers to produce or offer compatible aftermarket parts. Additionally, the bill requires motor vehicle manufacturers to provide to motor vehicle owners and certain other entities access to certain data and tools related to the repair of the motor vehicles it manufactures. The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from making certain mandates in regards to what parts, tools, or equipment must be used on its vehicles. A manufacturer that violates a provision of the bill is subject to a forfeiture of $10,000 per violation. LRB-2114/1 JAM:skw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 129 For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB39 Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. Under this bill, state agencies must require employees to perform their work in person at state agency offices during the employee[s regularly scheduled work hours, beginning July 1, 2025. The bill exempts telehealth services and duties that were performed off site before March 1, 2020. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB65 Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE) Under current law, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance authorizing law enforcement officers to impound vehicles used in reckless driving offenses if the person cited for reckless driving is the owner of the vehicle and the person has a prior reckless driving conviction for which a forfeiture was imposed that has not been fully paid. Under this bill, such an ordinance may authorize the impoundment of any vehicle used in a reckless driving offense regardless of ownership of the vehicle or prior record of the operator. The bill also provides that a local ordinance may authorize impounding such a vehicle until outstanding fines and forfeitures owed by the vehicle[s owner are fully paid. Also under the bill, upon impounding a vehicle under such an ordinance, the law enforcement officer must attempt to determine if the vehicle has been reported as stolen, and if so, the officer or the impounding political subdivision must attempt to contact the owner. If the vehicle is reported as stolen, the vehicle must be released to the owner without the payment of a fee or charge. LRB-2000/1 EVM:emw&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 65 For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB78 Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE) Under current law, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance authorizing law enforcement officers to impound vehicles used in reckless driving offenses if the person cited for reckless driving is the owner of the vehicle and the person has a prior reckless driving conviction for which a forfeiture was imposed that has not been fully paid. Under this bill, such an ordinance may authorize the impoundment of any vehicle used in a reckless driving offense regardless of ownership of the vehicle or prior record of the operator. The bill also provides that a local ordinance may authorize impounding such a vehicle until outstanding fines and forfeitures owed by the vehicle[s owner are fully paid. Also under the bill, upon impounding a vehicle under such an ordinance, the law enforcement officer must attempt to determine if the vehicle has been reported as stolen, and if so, the officer or the impounding political subdivision must attempt to contact the owner. If the vehicle is reported as stolen, the vehicle must be released to the owner without the payment of a fee or charge. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB89 Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE) Under current law, the penalty for the crime of property theft varies by the value of the property taken. The penalty ranges from a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property is not more than $2,500 to a Class F felony if the value of the property exceeds $100,000. Similarly, the penalty for the crime of retail theft varies by the value of the merchandise or service that is taken. The penalty ranges from a Class A misdemeanor if the value is not more than $500 to a Class G felony if the value exceeds $10,000. This bill specifies that, if, in a six-month period, a defendant commits more than one violation of property theft or more than one violation of retail theft, the value of items taken at each violation may be aggregated and the crimes may be prosecuted as one property theft crime or one retail theft crime. The penalty for the crime would be determined by the aggregated value of the items taken. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
SB92 Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE) Under current law, the penalty for the crime of property theft varies by the value of the property taken. The penalty ranges from a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property is not more than $2,500 to a Class F felony if the value of the property exceeds $100,000. Similarly, the penalty for the crime of retail theft varies by the value of the merchandise or service that is taken. The penalty ranges from a Class A misdemeanor if the value is not more than $500 to a Class G felony if the value exceeds $10,000. This bill specifies that, if, in a six-month period, a defendant commits more than one violation of property theft or more than one violation of retail theft, the value of items taken at each violation may be aggregated and the crimes may be prosecuted as one property theft crime or one retail theft crime. The penalty for the crime would be determined by the aggregated value of the items taken. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2282/1 CMH:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 92 In Committee
SB6 Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses. Under this bill, in addition to the penalties available under current law for the following offenses, the vehicle used in the offense may be immediately impounded and remain impounded for 90 days or, for a violation occurring on a highway under the jurisdiction of a political subdivision, a shorter period established by the political subdivision: 1. Operating a vehicle without a license, with certain exceptions, or with a revoked operating privilege. 2. Speeding at a rate higher than 25 miles per hour above the speed limit. 3. Fleeing from a law enforcement officer. 4. Racing on a highway. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB143 Allowing an unlicensed person to use a motor vehicle and providing a penalty. Under current law, a person who owns or is in control of a motor vehicle is prohibited from allowing another person to operate the vehicle if the vehicle operator is not authorized to operate a motor vehicle. Current law also prohibits a person from renting a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to another person who is not authorized to operate a motor vehicle. A violation of either prohibition is a forfeiture of not more than $100. This bill increases the penalty for both violations to a fine not to exceed $1,000 for a first offense and not to exceed $10,000 for a second or subsequent offense. The bill also provides that the prohibitions apply irrespective of whether the person permitting the operation of a motor vehicle had actual knowledge of the vehicle operator[s authorization to operate a motor vehicle. 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
AB170 Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE) This bill prohibits the Department of Justice from using the legal services of any person who is not a state employee or federal employee or agent to assist in the investigation or prosecution of any civil or criminal cause or matter unless DOJ uses a specific process under current law for contracting for legal services on a contingent fee basis or that person is a legal intern who earns no more than $10,000 annually from their internship employer. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB1 Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction is required to annually publish a school and school district accountability report, commonly known as school and school district report cards, for the previous school year. To measure school performance and school district improvement for purposes of the report cards, particularly measures related to pupil achievement in reading and math, DPI uses data derived from pupil performance on assessments administered in the previous school year, including assessments commonly referred to as the Wisconsin Student Assessment System, which includes the Wisconsin Forward Exam, PreACT, the ACT with Writing, and Dynamic Learning Maps. Under the bill, beginning with report cards published for the school year in which the bill becomes law, for the index system to identify school and school district performance and improvement, also known as the accountability rating categories, DPI must use the same cut scores, score ranges, and corresponding qualitative descriptions that DPI used for report cards published in the 2019-20 school year. In addition, beginning with the WSAS administered in the school year in which the bill becomes law, DPI must do the following: 1. For the Wisconsin Forward exam in English Language Arts and Mathematics, align cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories to the cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. 2. For the PreACT and ACT with Writing in English, Reading, and Mathematics, use the same cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories that DPI used for the same assessments administered in the 2021-22 school year. The bill specifically requires DPI to use the terms “below basic,” “basic,” “proficient,” and “advanced” for pupil performance categories on these assessments. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Vetoed
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
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
SB27 Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. (FE) Under this bill, state agencies must require employees to perform their work in person at state agency offices during the employee[s regularly scheduled work hours, beginning July 1, 2025. The bill exempts telehealth services and duties that were performed off site before March 1, 2020. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB105 The distribution of certain material on the Internet. This bill prohibits business entities from knowingly and intentionally publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the Internet on a website that contains a substantial portion of such material, unless the business entity performs a reasonable age verification method to verify the age of individuals attempting to access the website. XMaterial harmful to minorsY is defined in the bill to include material 1) that is designed to appeal to prurient interests, 2) that principally consists of descriptions or depictions of actual or simulated sexual acts or body parts including pubic areas, genitals, buttocks, and female nipples, and 3) that lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors. In the bill, a Xreasonable age verification methodY includes various methods whereby the business entity may verify that an individual seeking to access the material is not a minor. Under the bill, persons that perform reasonable age verification methods may not knowingly retain identifying information of the individual attempting to access the website after the individual[s access has been granted or denied. The bill also requires a business entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on the Internet from a website that contains a substantial portion of such material to prevent persons from accessing the website from an internet protocol address or internet protocol address range that is linked to or known to be a virtual private network system or provider. In addition, this bill prohibits business entities from knowingly and intentionally publishing or distributing obscene material or an obscene depiction of a purported child on the Internet. XObscene materialY is defined to mean a writing, picture, film, or other recording that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to the prurient interest if taken as a whole, describes or shows sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value if taken as a whole. XObscene depiction of a purported childY is defined to mean a visual representation that appears to depict an actual child in the form of a photograph, film, motion picture, or digital or computer-generated image or picture, that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to prurient interests if taken as a whole, describes or shows sexually explicit conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value if taken as a whole. A person that violates the provisions of the bill may be subject to civil liability for damages and the payment of court costs and reasonable attorney fees. Sovereign immunity may not be raised as an affirmative defense to a civil action brought alleging a violation of a provision of the bill. Crossed Over
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
SB139 Transfer of nursing home beds. Under current law, the Department of Health Services licenses nursing home beds and beds in facilities primarily serving the developmentally disabled and enforces a maximum limit on the number of these licensed beds in the state. A nursing home may transfer a licensed bed to another nursing home under certain circumstances, including that the receiving nursing home is within the same area for allocation of nursing home beds as is the transferring home, or is in a county adjoining that area, that the transferring nursing home and the receiving nursing home are owned by corporations that are owned by the same person, and that DHS reviews and approves the transfer. This bill repeals the transfer of nursing home beds. Instead, closed nursing home beds will be made available for distribution under procedures specified under current law. Under current law, DHS is required to redistribute nursing home beds within a county if the number of other nursing home beds for each 1,000 persons 65 years of age or over in the county is less than 80 percent of the statewide average and the total occupancy level for the other nursing homes in the county is equal to or more than the statewide average nursing home occupancy rate. Further, DHS must publish a notice at least once per year describing the number of beds that are available in each health planning area of the state. Nursing homes may then apply LRB-0506/1 JPC:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 139 for any available beds. DHS is responsible for reviewing each application it receives and making decisions on each application using criteria specified by statute and any further criteria that DHS develops by rule. In Committee
SB141 Allowing an unlicensed person to use a motor vehicle and providing a penalty. Under current law, a person who owns or is in control of a motor vehicle is prohibited from allowing another person to operate the vehicle if the vehicle operator is not authorized to operate a motor vehicle. Current law also prohibits a person from renting a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to another person who is not authorized to operate a motor vehicle. A violation of either prohibition is a forfeiture of not more than $100. This bill increases the penalty for both violations to a fine not to exceed $1,000 for a first offense and not to exceed $10,000 for a second or subsequent offense. The bill also provides that the prohibitions apply irrespective of whether the person permitting the operation of a motor vehicle had actual knowledge of the vehicle operator[s authorization to operate a motor vehicle. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. LRB-2361/1 ZDW:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 141 In Committee
AR7 Recognizing the achievements of women athletes in Wisconsin. Relating to: recognizing the achievements of women athletes in Wisconsin. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AJR9 Honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker. Relating to: honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker. In Committee
SB130 The distribution of certain material on the Internet. This bill prohibits business entities from knowingly and intentionally publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the Internet on a website that contains a substantial portion of such material, unless the business entity performs a reasonable age verification method to verify the age of individuals attempting to access the website. XMaterial harmful to minorsY is defined in the bill to include material 1) that is designed to appeal to prurient interests, 2) that principally consists of descriptions or depictions of actual or simulated sexual acts or body parts including pubic areas, genitals, buttocks, and female nipples, and 3) that lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors. In the bill, a Xreasonable age verification methodY includes various methods whereby the business entity may verify that an individual seeking to access the material is not a minor. Under the bill, persons that perform reasonable age verification methods may not knowingly retain identifying information of the individual attempting to access the website after the individual[s access has been granted or denied. The bill also requires a business entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on the Internet from a website that contains a substantial portion of such material to prevent persons from accessing the LRB-2322/1 JAM:... 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 130 website from an internet protocol address or internet protocol address range that is linked to or known to be a virtual private network system or provider. In addition, this bill prohibits business entities from knowingly and intentionally publishing or distributing obscene material or an obscene depiction of a purported child on the Internet. XObscene materialY is defined to mean a writing, picture, film, or other recording that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to the prurient interest if taken as a whole, describes or shows sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value if taken as a whole. XObscene depiction of a purported childY is defined to mean a visual representation that appears to depict an actual child in the form of a photograph, film, motion picture, or digital or computer-generated image or picture, that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to prurient interests if taken as a whole, describes or shows sexually explicit conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value if taken as a whole. A person that violates the provisions of the bill may be subject to civil liability for damages and the payment of court costs and reasonable attorney fees. Sovereign immunity may not be raised as an affirmative defense to a civil action brought alleging a violation of a provision of the bill. In Committee
SB18 Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction is required to annually publish a school and school district accountability report, commonly known as school and school district report cards, for the previous school year. To measure school performance and school district improvement for purposes of the report cards, particularly measures related to pupil achievement in reading and math, DPI uses data derived from pupil performance on assessments administered in the previous school year, including assessments commonly referred to as the Wisconsin Student Assessment System, which includes the Wisconsin Forward Exam, PreACT, the ACT with Writing, and Dynamic Learning Maps. Under the bill, beginning with report cards published for the school year in which the bill becomes law, for the index system to identify school and school district performance and improvement, also known as the accountability rating categories, DPI must use the same cut scores, score ranges, and corresponding qualitative descriptions that DPI used for report cards published in the 2019-20 LRB-0976/4 FFK:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 18 school year. In addition, beginning with the WSAS administered in the school year in which the bill becomes law, DPI must do the following: 1. For the Wisconsin Forward exam in English Language Arts and Mathematics, align cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories to the cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. 2. For the PreACT and ACT with Writing in English, Reading, and Mathematics, use the same cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories that DPI used for the same assessments administered in the 2021-22 school year. The bill specifically requires DPI to use the terms Xbelow basic,Y Xbasic,Y Xproficient,Y and XadvancedY for pupil performance categories on these assessments. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB55 Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE) This bill prohibits the Department of Justice from using the legal services of any person who is not a state employee or federal employee or agent to assist in the investigation or prosecution of any civil or criminal cause or matter unless DOJ uses a specific process under current law for contracting for legal services on a contingent fee basis or that person is a legal intern who earns no more than $10,000 annually from their internship employer. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. 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
AB119 Transfer of nursing home beds. Under current law, the Department of Health Services licenses nursing home beds and beds in facilities primarily serving the developmentally disabled and enforces a maximum limit on the number of these licensed beds in the state. A nursing home may transfer a licensed bed to another nursing home under certain circumstances, including that the receiving nursing home is within the same area for allocation of nursing home beds as is the transferring home, or is in a county adjoining that area, that the transferring nursing home and the receiving nursing home are owned by corporations that are owned by the same person, and that DHS reviews and approves the transfer. This bill repeals the transfer of nursing home beds. Instead, closed nursing home beds will be made available for distribution under procedures specified under current law. Under current law, DHS is required to redistribute nursing home beds within a county if the number of other nursing home beds for each 1,000 persons 65 years of age or over in the county is less than 80 percent of the statewide average and the total occupancy level for the other nursing homes in the county is equal to or more than the statewide average nursing home occupancy rate. Further, DHS must publish a notice at least once per year describing the number of beds that are available in each health planning area of the state. Nursing homes may then apply for any available beds. DHS is responsible for reviewing each application it receives and making decisions on each application using criteria specified by statute and any further criteria that DHS develops by rule. In Committee
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
SJR13 Honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. In Committee
AB29 Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses. Under this bill, in addition to the penalties available under current law for the following offenses, the vehicle used in the offense may be immediately impounded and remain impounded for 90 days or, for a violation occurring on a highway under the jurisdiction of a political subdivision, a shorter period established by the political subdivision: 1. Operating a vehicle without a license, with certain exceptions, or with a revoked operating privilege. 2. Speeding at a rate higher than 25 miles per hour above the speed limit. 3. Fleeing from a law enforcement officer. 4. Racing on a highway. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. 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
SB40 Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule. This bill prohibits, with certain exceptions, any flag other than the U.S. flag and the flag of the state of Wisconsin from being flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of any state office building or facility, including the state capitol, or from any local government building or school building. The bill also repeals an administrative rule that includes a similar requirement but authorizes the governor to direct otherwise. In Committee
SJR9 Honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr. In Committee
AB7 Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval. Current law prohibits a person from beginning construction of a large electric generating facility (LEGF) unless the Public Service Commission grants a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for the proposed facility. An LEGF is defined as a facility with a nominal operating capacity of 100 megawatts or more. In addition, a public utility may not engage in certain construction, expansion, or other projects unless PSC grants a certificate of authority (CA) for the proposed project. The bill defines a Xsolar projectY and Xwind projectY as an area of land on which, respectively, solar photovoltaic panels or devices used for collecting wind energy, along with any associated equipment and facilities, are installed in order to generate electricity and which altogether is designed for nominal operation at a capacity of 15 megawatts or more. Under this bill, before PSC may approve a CA or a CPCN for the construction of a solar project or wind project, the person seeking the certificate must seek approval from each city, village, and town in which the solar project or wind project is to be located. The bill requires a city, village, or town to approve or disapprove a proposed solar project or wind project by adopting a resolution to that effect no later than 90 days after receiving a request for such approval. If the city, village, or town fails to act within that time period, the project is considered approved. The bill allows this deadline to be extended for certain reasons. Current law limits the authority of political subdivisions to regulate solar and wind energy systems, allowing political subdivisions to impose restrictions only if they meet certain conditions. The bill provides that those limitations do not apply to the approval or disapproval of a solar project or a wind project by a city, town, or village. Current law also imposes procedures for political subdivisions that receive applications for approval relating to wind energy systems. Those procedures do not apply to approval or disapproval of a wind project under the bill. Under the bill, PSC may not issue a CPCN or CA for a solar project or wind project unless each city, village, and town in which the project is proposed to be located has adopted a resolution approving the project. In Committee
SB3 Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval. Current law prohibits a person from beginning construction of a large electric generating facility (LEGF) unless the Public Service Commission grants a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for the proposed facility. An LEGF is defined as a facility with a nominal operating capacity of 100 megawatts or more. In addition, a public utility may not engage in certain construction, expansion, or other projects unless PSC grants a certificate of authority (CA) for the proposed project. The bill defines a “solar project” and “wind project” as an area of land on which, respectively, solar photovoltaic panels or devices used for collecting wind energy, along with any associated equipment and facilities, are installed in order to generate electricity and which altogether is designed for nominal operation at a capacity of 15 megawatts or more. Under this bill, before PSC may approve a CA or a CPCN for the construction of a solar project or wind project, the person seeking the certificate must seek approval from each city, village, and town in which the solar project or wind project LRB-0775/1 SWB&EHS:emw&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 3 is to be located. The bill requires a city, village, or town to approve or disapprove a proposed solar project or wind project by adopting a resolution to that effect no later than 90 days after receiving a request for such approval. If the city, village, or town fails to act within that time period, the project is considered approved. The bill allows this deadline to be extended for certain reasons. Current law limits the authority of political subdivisions to regulate solar and wind energy systems, allowing political subdivisions to impose restrictions only if they meet certain conditions. The bill provides that those limitations do not apply to the approval or disapproval of a solar project or a wind project by a city, town, or village. Current law also imposes procedures for political subdivisions that receive applications for approval relating to wind energy systems. Those procedures do not apply to approval or disapproval of a wind project under the bill. Under the bill, PSC may not issue a CPCN or CA for a solar project or wind project unless each city, village, and town in which the project is proposed to be located has adopted a resolution approving the project. 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
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
SB108 Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Yea
SB108 Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
SB283 Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Yea
SB283 Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Yea
AB279 Talent recruitment grants. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Yea
AB279 Talent recruitment grants. (FE) Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table 06/24/2025 Yea
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 Abstain
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 Abstain
AB103 School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/20/2025 Abstain
AB104 Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/20/2025 Abstain
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 Abstain
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 Abstain
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 Abstain
AB14 The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections 03/13/2025 Abstain
AB15 The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections 03/13/2025 Abstain
AB16 Repealing an administrative rule of the Department of Natural Resources related to the possession of firearms. Assembly: Referred to Environment 03/13/2025 Abstain
AB13 The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections 03/13/2025 Abstain
AB66 Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/13/2025 Abstain
AB66 Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld 03/13/2025 Abstain
AB75 Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/13/2025 Abstain
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 Abstain
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 Abstain
AB89 Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE) Assembly: Read a third time and passed 03/13/2025 Abstain
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 Abstain
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 Abstain
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 Abstain
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 Children and Families Committee Vice Chair 2
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Education Committee 9
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Housing and Real Estate Committee 5
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Rules Committee 8
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Tourism Committee 6
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Chair 1
Detail Wisconsin Assembly Ways and Means Committee 6
State District Chamber Party Status Start Date End Date
WI Wisconsin Assembly District 38 Assembly Republican In Office 01/06/2025
WI Wisconsin Assembly District 37 Assembly Republican Out of Office 07/26/2021 12/30/2024