Legislator
Legislator > Lori Palmeri
State Representative
Lori Palmeri
(D) - Wisconsin
Wisconsin Assembly District 54
In Office - Started: 01/03/2023
contact info
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 8953
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53708
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53708
Phone: 608-237-9154
Phone 2: 888-534-0054
Voting Address
Oshkosh, WI 54901
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB176 | Financial eligibility for the Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program. (FE) | Under current law, the Department of Health Services allocates funds to local agencies to assist eligible families with obtaining goods and services related to the care of a person with Alzheimer[s disease or another irreversible dementia. Currently, a person is financially eligible for the program if the joint income of the person with irreversible dementia and that person[s spouse, if any, is $48,000 per year or less. This bill repeals the financial eligibility requirement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB156 | Requiring first responders to be trained to administer epinephrine delivery systems. (FE) | This bill requires first responders to be trained in how to recognize signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions, standards and procedures for the storage and administration of an epinephrine delivery system, and emergency follow-up procedures after an epinephrine delivery system is administered and requires first responders to have an epinephrine delivery system available to the first responder for use at all times while on duty. First responders include conservation wardens, correctional officers, emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. The Department of Health Services is required to identify organizations that conduct trainings that cover all the subjects that first responders are required to be trained in under the bill. Finally, the bill allows DHS to distribute epinephrine delivery systems to first responders who are trained in all subjects described under the bill or to employers of first responders who are trained in all subjects described under the bill to be used by those first responders. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-1317/1 JPC:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 156 | In Committee |
| SB294 | Labeling plants as beneficial to pollinators. (FE) | This bill prohibits a person that provides plants or that sells plants at retail from labeling or advertising the plant as being beneficial to pollinators if the plant has been treated with an insecticide that contains warnings about pollinator hazards on its label. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR59 | Proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR61 | Designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR62 | Proclaiming January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, as Wisconsin State Park System 125th Anniversary. | Relating to: proclaiming January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, as Wisconsin State Park System 125th Anniversary. | In Committee |
| SB293 | Native prairie and forage plants. | This bill requires state agencies and other state governmental entities to give preference, where appropriate, to using native prairie and forage plants to benefit native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide information upon request to support this initiative. | In Committee |
| SB292 | Local regulation of pesticides to protect pollinators. | This bill allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides for the purpose of protecting pollinators and pollinator habitats. Current law prohibits a political subdivision (a city, village, town, or county) from prohibiting the use of or otherwise regulating pesticides but provides numerous exemptions. For example, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance that regulates pesticides pursuant to a storm water management program or that relates to the storage, treatment, or disposal of solid waste that contains pesticides. The bill adds an additional exemption that allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides in order to protect pollinators and pollinator habitats. XPollinatorY is defined in the bill as an insect that pollinates flowers. | In Committee |
| SB297 | Special registration plates to support protecting pollinators and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under current law, members of certain designated special groups may obtain from the Department of Transportation special registration plates for certain vehicles that are owned or leased by special group members. A fee, in addition to the regular registration fee for the particular kind of vehicle, is charged for the issuance or reissuance of most special plates. This bill establishes a special group for persons to express support for protecting pollinators. The bill requires that plates issued to members of the special group have a design that covers the entire plate and includes the words XProtect Pollinators.Y The bill provides that, in addition to the required fees, special group members are required to make a voluntary payment of $25 to be issued the special plates. Under the bill, DOT retains $23,700, or the actual initial costs of production, whichever is less, from the voluntary payment moneys for the initial costs of production of the special plates. The remainder of the voluntary payment amounts LRB-3157/1 ZDW:amn&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 297 are deposited in the conservation fund to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of the endangered resources program. In addition, the bill appropriates $23,700 from the general fund to DOT for the initial costs of production of the special group plates. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB298 | Ban on the use of certain insecticides by the Department of Natural Resources. | This bill prohibits, with limited exceptions, the Department of Natural Resources from using any insecticide from the neonicotinoid class on land maintained by DNR. Under the bill, this prohibition does not apply to uses of this insecticide that are 1) pursuant to existing cooperative farming agreements or contracts or 2) for forest insect control on forested lands, state forest nurseries, or seed orchards or in designated zones of infestation. | In Committee |
| SB258 | Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | NURSING PRACTICE AND LICENSURE This bill makes various changes to practice, licensure, and certification requirements for nurses, which are administered by the Board of Nursing. Licensure of advanced practice registered nurses Under current law, a person who wishes to practice professional nursing must be licensed by the Board of Nursing as a registered nurse (RN). This bill creates an additional system of licensure for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), to be administered by the board. Under the bill, in order to apply for an APRN license, a person must 1) hold, or concurrently apply for, an RN license; 2) have completed an accredited graduate-level or postgraduate-level education program preparing the person to practice as an APRN in one of four recognized roles and hold a current national certification approved by the board; 3) possess malpractice liability insurance as provided in the bill; 4) pay a fee determined by the Department of Safety and Professional Services; and 5) satisfy certain other criteria specified in the bill. The bill also allows a person who has not completed an accredited education program described above to receive an APRN license if the person 1) on January 1, 2026, is both licensed as an RN in Wisconsin and practicing in one of the four recognized roles and 2) satisfies additional practice or education criteria established by the board. The bill also, however, automatically grants licenses to certain RNs, as further described below. The four recognized roles, as defined in the bill, are 1) certified nurse-midwife; 2) certified registered nurse anesthetist; 3) clinical nurse specialist; and 4) nurse practitioner. The bill requires the board, upon granting a person an APRN license, to also grant the person one or more specialty designations corresponding to the recognized role or roles for which the person qualifies. Under the bill, all APRNs, except APRNs with a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation, must practice in collaboration with a physician or dentist. However, under the bill, an APRN may practice without being supervised by a physician or dentist if the board verifies that the APRN has completed 3,840 hours of professional nursing in a clinical setting and has completed 3,840 clinical hours of advanced practice registered nursing practice in their recognized role while working with a physician or dentist during those 3,840 hours of practice. APRNs may count additional hours practiced as an APRN in collaboration with a physician or dentist towards the 3,840 required hours of professional nursing. APRNs with a LRB-1565/1 JPC:emw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 258 certified nurse-midwife specialty designation are instead required, if they offer to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting, to file and keep current with the board a proactive plan for involving a hospital or a physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital in the treatment of patients with higher acuity or emergency care needs, as further described below. Regardless of whether an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the bill provides that an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques only while working in a collaborative relationship with any physician who, through education, training, and experience, specializes in pain management. Alternatively, if an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques in a hospital or clinic associated with a hospital. Further, an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques if the APRN has qualified to practice independently and has privileges in a hospital to provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques without a collaborative relationship with a physician. The holder of an APRN license may append the title XA.P.R.N.Y to his or her name, as well as a title corresponding to whichever specialty designations that the person possesses. The bill prohibits any person from using the title XA.P.R.N.,Y and from otherwise indicating that he or she is an APRN, unless the person is licensed by the board as an APRN. The bill also prohibits the use of titles and abbreviations corresponding to a recognized role unless the person has a specialty designation for that role. The bill further prohibits any person licensed by the board from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any title that is not granted under the nursing statutes unless the person holds another credential that entitles the person to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title or the person is permitted to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title under any other law of the state. However, the bill provides that a person who is licensed by the board and holds a doctorate degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name the title XdoctorY or any other words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that doctorate degree or the field in which the degree was received. If a person who is licensed by the board uses, assumes, or appends to his or her name the title Xdoctor,Y the bill requires that person to also use, assume, or append to his or her name words, letters, or abbreviations that represent the field in which the person received the doctorate degree. Further, the bill provides that a person who holds a bachelor[s degree or master[s degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that degree or the field in which the degree was received. The bill allows an APRN to delegate a task or order to another clinically trained health care worker if the task or order is within the scope of the APRN[s practice, the APRN is competent to perform the task or issue the order, and the APRN has reasonable evidence that the health care worker is minimally competent LRB-1565/1 JPC:emw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 258 to perform the task or issue the order under the circumstances. The bill requires an APRN to adhere to professional standards when managing situations that are beyond the APRN[s expertise. Under the bill, when an APRN renews his or her APRN license, the board must grant the person the renewal of both the person[s RN license and the person[s APRN license. The bill requires all APRNs to complete continuing education requirements each biennium in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the APRN[s area of practice and to satisfy certain other requirements when renewing a license. Practice of nurse-midwifery This bill repeals licensure and practice requirements specific to nurse- midwives and the practice of nurse-midwifery, including specific requirements to practice with an obstetrician. Under the bill, Xcertified nurse-midwifeY is one of the four recognized roles for APRNs, and a person who is licensed as a nurse-midwife under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with a certified nurse- midwife specialty designation. The bill otherwise allows nurse-midwives to be licensed as APRNs if they satisfy the licensure requirements, except that the bill also requires that a person applying for a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation be certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. The bill also requires an APRN with a specialty designation as a certified nurse-midwife to file with the Board of Nursing, and obtain the board[s approval of, a plan for ensuring appropriate care or care transitions in treating certain patients if the APRN offers to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting. Prescribing authority Under current law, a person licensed as an RN may apply to the Board of Nursing for a certificate to issue prescription orders if the person meets certain requirements established by the board. An RN holding a certificate is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board and must possess malpractice liability insurance in an amount determined by the board. The bill eliminates certificates to issue prescription orders and generally authorizes APRNs to issue prescription orders. A person who is certified to issue prescription orders under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with his or her appropriate specialty designation. RNs who are practicing in a recognized role on January 1, 2026, but who do not hold a certificate to issue prescription orders on that date and who are granted an APRN license under the bill may not issue prescription orders. As under current law, an APRN issuing prescription orders is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board. The bill repeals a provision concerning the ability of advanced practice nurses who are certified to issue prescription orders and who are required to work in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician to obtain and practice LRB-1565/1 JPC:emw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 258 under a federal waiver to dispense narcotic drugs to individuals for addiction treatment. Malpractice liability insurance The bill requires all APRNs to maintain malpractice liability insurance coverage evidenced by personal liability coverage in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists or coverage under a group liability policy providing individual coverage for the APRN in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists. Additionally, the bill requires APRNs who have qualified to practice independently and who practice outside a collaborative or employment relationship to participate in the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund. The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund provides excess medical malpractice coverage for health care providers who participate in the fund and meet all other participation requirements, which includes maintaining malpractice liability insurance in coverage amounts specified under current law. OTHER CHANGES The bill makes numerous other changes throughout the statutes relating to APRNs, including various terminology changes. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB263 | Coverage of breast cancer screenings by the Medical Assistance program and health insurance policies and plans. (FE) | This bill requires health insurance policies to provide coverage for diagnostic breast examinations and for supplemental breast screening examinations for an individual who is at increased risk of breast cancer, as determined in accordance with the most recent applicable guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, or has heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue, as defined by the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology. Health insurance policies are referred to in the statutes as disability insurance policies. Self-insured governmental health plans are also required to provide the coverage specified in the bill. The bill also requires coverage of those breast screenings by the Medical Assistance program, which is the state- administered Medicaid program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments and that provides health services to individuals with limited financial resources. Under the bill, health insurance policies may not charge a cost-sharing amount for a supplemental breast screening examination or diagnostic breast examination. The limitation on cost-sharing does not apply to the extent that the limitation would result in ineligibility for a health savings account under the federal Internal Revenue Code. Health insurance policies are required under current law to cover two mammographic breast examinations to screen for breast cancer for a woman from ages 45 to 49 if certain criteria are satisfied. Health insurance policies must currently cover annual mammograms for a woman once she attains the age of 50. The coverage required under current law is required whether or not the woman shows any symptoms of breast cancer and may be subject to only the same exclusions and limitations, including cost sharing, that apply to other radiological examinations under the policy. The bill does not change or eliminate the current coverage requirements for mammograms, except that preferred provider plans are explicitly included in the current law and the bill[s requirements. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB189 | An optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage. | This bill allows a court to enter a judgment of divorce or legal separation based on an affidavit signed by each party to the action (final hearing by affidavit). Under current law, all hearings and trials to determine whether a divorce or legal separation must be granted must be before the court entering the judgment. In order for a final hearing by affidavit to be granted, the parties to the divorce or legal separation action must 1) be represented by counsel or have worked with a lawyer mediator with special skills and training in dispute resolution who is registered on the case and drafted and filed the signed stipulation related to divorce or legal separation, 2) sign and file any stipulation required by the court, and 3) submit the signed affidavit, which must meet a number of requirements, including that the affidavit waives the right to a hearing in person before a court. | In Committee |
| AB224 | The form of referendum questions. | Under current law, any referendum question submitted to the voters, including to approve or reject a constitutional amendment, must be concise and 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. This bill adds the requirement that the referendum question be in plain language. The bill additionally adds the requirement that for a proposed constitutional amendment, the question must clearly indicate whether any part of the constitutional amendment is contained in the statutes as of the date of final passage of the joint resolution directing that the question be submitted to a vote of the people. | In Committee |
| SB264 | Coverage of breast cancer screenings by the Medical Assistance program and health insurance policies and plans. (FE) | This bill requires health insurance policies to provide coverage for diagnostic breast examinations and for supplemental breast screening examinations for an individual who is at increased risk of breast cancer, as determined in accordance with the most recent applicable guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, or has heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue, as defined by the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology. Health insurance policies are referred to in the statutes as disability insurance policies. Self-insured governmental health plans are also required to LRB-3021/1 JPC&SWB:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 264 provide the coverage specified in the bill. The bill also requires coverage of those breast screenings by the Medical Assistance program, which is the state- administered Medicaid program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments and that provides health services to individuals with limited financial resources. Under the bill, health insurance policies may not charge a cost-sharing amount for a supplemental breast screening examination or diagnostic breast examination. The limitation on cost-sharing does not apply to the extent that the limitation would result in ineligibility for a health savings account under the federal Internal Revenue Code. Health insurance policies are required under current law to cover two mammographic breast examinations to screen for breast cancer for a woman from ages 45 to 49 if certain criteria are satisfied. Health insurance policies must currently cover annual mammograms for a woman once she attains the age of 50. The coverage required under current law is required whether or not the woman shows any symptoms of breast cancer and may be subject to only the same exclusions and limitations, including cost sharing, that apply to other radiological examinations under the policy. The bill does not change or eliminate the current coverage requirements for mammograms, except that preferred provider plans are explicitly included in the current law and the bill[s requirements. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB159 | Creating a rural creative economy development grant program. (FE) | This bill creates a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The bill requires WEDC to award rural creative economy development grants on a competitive basis to cities, villages, towns, counties, American Indian tribes and bands in this state, economic development organizations in this state, and nonprofit organizations in this state. A grant recipient must use grant moneys for any of the following purposes: 1. To develop or implement a plan to increase tourism, enhance visitor experiences, or bolster community development in rural areas in this state through the development or promotion of creative enterprises, including by supporting or expanding public arts performances and exhibitions, renovating or improving public spaces and vacant or underutilized buildings, supporting community-based arts education, supporting business accelerator programs, and providing technical assistance for creative businesses. 2. To market, brand, and promote local creative enterprises, public arts performances and exhibitions, or public spaces in rural areas in this state. Under the bill, such a grant may not exceed $50,000 and must be expended solely for the benefit of rural areas. Additionally, the bill prohibits WEDC from awarding a grant unless the grant recipient matches the amount of the grant with moneys raised from nonstate sources and limits the amount of in-kind match to no more than 25 percent of the match amount. The bill requires WEDC to submit a report on the effectiveness of the grants to the Joint Committee on Finance no later than May 1, 2027. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB173 | Creating a rural creative economy development grant program. (FE) | This bill creates a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The bill requires WEDC to award rural creative economy development grants on a competitive basis to cities, villages, towns, counties, American Indian tribes and bands in this state, economic development organizations in this state, and nonprofit organizations in this state. A grant recipient must use grant moneys for any of the following purposes: 1. To develop or implement a plan to increase tourism, enhance visitor experiences, or bolster community development in rural areas in this state through the development or promotion of creative enterprises, including by supporting or expanding public arts performances and exhibitions, renovating or improving public spaces and vacant or underutilized buildings, supporting community-based arts education, supporting business accelerator programs, and providing technical assistance for creative businesses. 2. To market, brand, and promote local creative enterprises, public arts performances and exhibitions, or public spaces in rural areas in this state. Under the bill, such a grant may not exceed $50,000 and must be expended solely for the benefit of rural areas. Additionally, the bill prohibits WEDC from awarding a grant unless the grant recipient matches the amount of the grant with LRB-2300/2 KRP:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 173 moneys raised from nonstate sources and limits the amount of in-kind match to no more than 25 percent of the match amount. The bill requires WEDC to submit a report on the effectiveness of the grants to the Joint Committee on Finance no later than May 1, 2027. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR57 | Designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AB175 | Requiring periodic inspections of parking structures. | This bill requires the owner of a parking structure to engage a professional engineer to inspect the structural integrity of the parking structure at least once within five years after the bill takes effect, and at least once every five years thereafter. The owner must also submit a report containing the results of the inspection to the Department of Safety and Professional Services or, if the city, village, town, or county within which the parking structure is located is authorized to perform commercial building plan examinations, to that city, village, town, or county. During the period beginning six months after the date by which the bill requires an inspection and ending 12 months after that date, an owner of a parking structure who violates the bill[s requirement is subject to a forfeiture of $200 for each month that no inspection is conducted. One year after the date by which the bill requires an inspection, DSPS must close the parking structure if no inspection is conducted. | In Committee |
| SB158 | County forest administration grant eligibility. | This bill makes a change, retroactive to January 1, 2025, to eligibility for a county forest administration grant. Current law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make grants to counties that have lands designated as county forest to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a professional forester in the position of county forest administrator or assistant county forest administrator (county forest administration grant program). Under the bill, the grants may be used to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a county forest administrator. The bill defines Xcounty forest administratorY as a person, excluding a person employed by the department, who is employed to manage a county forest program and who has any of the following qualifications: 1. A bachelor[s or higher degree in forestry from a school of forestry with a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters or an equivalent degree, as determined by the chief state forester. 2. A bachelor[s or higher degree in natural resources, conservation, or wildlife and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. LRB-2139/1 EHS:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 158 3. An associate degree in forestry and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. | Crossed Over |
| SB150 | Passing legislation to reduce carbon emissions. | This bill requires the legislature, during the 2025-26 legislative session, to pass legislation creating a viable plan to reduce carbon emissions by 52 percent by 2030 and creating a viable plan for achieving carbon neutral emissions by 2050. Any plan created as required under the bill must maximize the impact of the plan on improving economic and racial equity. | In Committee |
| SB155 | Requiring periodic inspections of parking structures. | This bill requires the owner of a parking structure to engage a professional engineer to inspect the structural integrity of the parking structure at least once within five years after the bill takes effect, and at least once every five years thereafter. The owner must also submit a report containing the results of the inspection to the Department of Safety and Professional Services or, if the city, village, town, or county within which the parking structure is located is authorized to perform commercial building plan examinations, to that city, village, town, or county. During the period beginning six months after the date by which the bill requires an inspection and ending 12 months after that date, an owner of a parking structure who violates the bill[s requirement is subject to a forfeiture of $200 for each month that no inspection is conducted. One year after the date by which the bill requires an inspection, DSPS must close the parking structure if no inspection is conducted. | In Committee |
| AB145 | Passing legislation to reduce carbon emissions. | This bill requires the legislature, during the 2025-26 legislative session, to pass legislation creating a viable plan to reduce carbon emissions by 52 percent by 2030 and creating a viable plan for achieving carbon neutral emissions by 2050. Any plan created as required under the bill must maximize the impact of the plan on improving economic and racial equity. | In Committee |
| SB23 | Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to seek approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to extend until the last day of the month in which the 365th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls Medical Assistance benefits to women who are eligible for those benefits when pregnant. Currently, postpartum women are eligible for Medical Assistance benefits until the last day of the month in which the 60th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls. 2021 Wisconsin Act 58 required DHS to seek approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to extend these postpartum Medical Assistance benefits until the last day of the month in which the 90th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls. On June 3, 2022, DHS filed a Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver application with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to extend postpartum coverage for eligible Medical Assistance recipients, as required by 2021 Wisconsin Act 58. The Medical Assistance program is a joint federal and state program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. LRB-0926/1 JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 23 For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | Crossed Over |
| SB2 | Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War. | This bill expands the definition of “veteran” to include individuals who were naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000. The bill extends most veterans benefits to anyone who meets this newly expanded definition of veteran, however, admission to a state veterans home and burial in a veterans cemetery are not included benefits as they are subject to federal regulation. | Crossed Over |
| SJR36 | Congratulating the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse women’s gymnastics team on winning the 2025 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship. | Relating to: congratulating the University of Wisconsin]La Crosse women[s gymnastics team on winning the 2025 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship. | Crossed Over |
| SB182 | Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) | Emergency medical services education This bill requires the Technical College System Board to provide grants to technical colleges that provide emergency medical services courses that train and prepare individuals for initial certification or initial licensure as an emergency medical responder or an emergency medical services practitioner. No grants may be awarded to a technical college for the emergency medical services courses if admission priority to the course is given to residents based on the technical college district in which the resident lives. Tuition and materials costs for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners The bill requires the Higher Educational Aids Board to develop a program to reimburse individuals or their employers for the cost of tuition and materials necessary for the individual to qualify for initial certification or initial licensure as an emergency medical responder or an emergency medical services practitioner. To LRB-2519/1 JAM:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 182 be eligible for reimbursement for the costs necessary to qualify for an initial certification or license, the individual must satisfactorily complete any required course of instruction, pass any required examination, receive a certification or license from DHS, and apply to HEAB for reimbursement on a form prescribed by HEAB. Live 911 pilot program The bill directs the Department of Military Affairs, through a pilot program, to distribute moneys through grants to enable real-time video and multimedia communications between public safety answering points and individuals who call for emergency services. Further, the bill requires DMA to annually report to the legislature on the performance of the pilot program, including information on outcomes from the pilot program, the number of responses from dispatch that were altered due to increased information from the pilot program, and any cost savings associated with the pilot program. The bill does not require DMA to submit a report to the legislature in any year that DMA does not award any moneys through grants for the pilot program. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB198 | Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) | Emergency medical services education This bill requires the Technical College System Board to provide grants to technical colleges that provide emergency medical services courses that train and prepare individuals for initial certification or initial licensure as an emergency medical responder or an emergency medical services practitioner. No grants may be awarded to a technical college for the emergency medical services courses if admission priority to the course is given to residents based on the technical college district in which the resident lives. Tuition and materials costs for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners The bill requires the Higher Educational Aids Board to develop a program to reimburse individuals or their employers for the cost of tuition and materials necessary for the individual to qualify for initial certification or initial licensure as an emergency medical responder or an emergency medical services practitioner. To be eligible for reimbursement for the costs necessary to qualify for an initial certification or license, the individual must satisfactorily complete any required course of instruction, pass any required examination, receive a certification or license from DHS, and apply to HEAB for reimbursement on a form prescribed by HEAB. Live 911 pilot program The bill directs the Department of Military Affairs, through a pilot program, to distribute moneys through grants to enable real-time video and multimedia communications between public safety answering points and individuals who call for emergency services. Further, the bill requires DMA to annually report to the legislature on the performance of the pilot program, including information on outcomes from the pilot program, the number of responses from dispatch that were altered due to increased information from the pilot program, and any cost savings associated with the pilot program. The bill does not require DMA to submit a report to the legislature in any year that DMA does not award any moneys through grants for the pilot program. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR30 | Congratulating the University of Wisconsin–Madison women’s hockey team on winning the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Hockey National Championship. | Relating to: congratulating the University of Wisconsin]Madison women[s hockey team on winning the 2025 NCAA Division I Women[s Hockey National Championship. | Crossed Over |
| SB247 | Local and private regulation of accessory dwelling units. (FE) | This bill requires political subdivisions with zoning ordinances to allow as a use permitted by right at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on each parcel on which single-family or multi-family residential use is a use permitted by right. The bill also prohibits political subdivisions from doing any of the following: 1. Charging fees, other than standard building permit fees, related to the addition of an ADU to a parcel. 2. Providing dimensional, physical, design, or locational requirements that apply to ADUs, but do not apply to single-family dwellings. 3. Providing standards, other than standards relating to habitability, that apply to ADUs but do not apply to other accessory structures. 4. Imposing any additional parking requirements to parcels on the basis of the existence of an ADU. 5. Requiring the installation of a separate utility connection to an ADU. The bill also provides that any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in a deed or other instrument affecting real property that prohibits or unreasonably restricts the construction, maintenance, or use of an ADU is void and unenforceable and prohibits a homeowners[ association from restricting or preventing the construction, maintenance, or use of an ADU, except to the extent necessary to protect public health and safety. LRB-0105/1 EVM&KRP:amn&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 247 Because this bill may increase or decrease, directly or indirectly, the cost of the development, construction, financing, purchasing, sale, ownership, or availability of housing in this state, the Department of Administration, as required by law, will prepare a report to be printed as an appendix to this bill. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB27 | Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War. | This bill expands the definition of XveteranY to include individuals who were naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans[ Naturalization Act of 2000. The bill extends most veterans benefits to anyone who meets this newly expanded definition of veteran, however, admission to a state veterans home and burial in a veterans cemetery are not included benefits as they are subject to federal regulation. | In Committee |
| SB12 | A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) | This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for sales of gun safes. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB73 | Prosecuting or adjudicating delinquent a person under the age of 18 for committing an act of prostitution. | Under current law, a person who is under the age of 18 may be prosecuted or adjudicated delinquent for committing an act of prostitution, a Class A misdemeanor. Under this bill, a person who is under the age of 18 may not be prosecuted or adjudicated delinquent for committing an act of prostitution. This bill also eliminates the option under current law in cases where a person under the age of 18 has committed an act of prostitution for a court to enter a consent decree under the Juvenile Justice Code, or a deferred prosecution agreement under the Juvenile Justice Code or adult criminal statutes, if the court determines that a consent decree or deferred prosecution agreement will serve the best interests of the person being prosecuted and will not harm society. | In Committee |
| AB246 | Cost-sharing caps on prescription drugs and medical supplies to treat asthma under health insurance policies and plans. (FE) | This bill requires health insurance policies and plans that provide coverage of prescription drugs to cover prescription drugs and related medical supplies for the treatment of asthma. This bill provides that Xrelated medical suppliesY includes asthma inhalers and other medical supply items necessary to effectively and appropriately administer a prescription drug prescribed to treat asthma. This bill requires policies and plans to limit the amount of any enrollee cost-sharing for the coverage provided in the bill to no more than $25 per one-month supply for each prescription drug prescribed to treat asthma and to no more than $50 per month for all related medical supplies. Cost-sharing may not increase with the number of conditions for which an enrollee is treated. Further, the coverage provided in the bill may not be subject to any deductible. However, the bill provides that the limitations on cost-sharing and deductibles do not apply to the extent that the limitations would result in ineligibility for a health savings account under the federal Internal Revenue Code. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB251 | Cost-sharing caps on prescription drugs and medical supplies to treat asthma under health insurance policies and plans. (FE) | This bill requires health insurance policies and plans that provide coverage of prescription drugs to cover prescription drugs and related medical supplies for the treatment of asthma. This bill provides that Xrelated medical suppliesY includes asthma inhalers and other medical supply items necessary to effectively and appropriately administer a prescription drug prescribed to treat asthma. This bill requires policies and plans to limit the amount of any enrollee cost-sharing for the coverage provided in the bill to no more than $25 per one-month supply for each prescription drug prescribed to treat asthma and to no more than $50 per month for all related medical supplies. Cost-sharing may not increase with the number of conditions for which an enrollee is treated. Further, the coverage provided in the bill may not be subject to any deductible. However, the bill provides that the limitations on cost-sharing and deductibles do not apply to the extent that the limitations would result in ineligibility for a health savings account under the federal Internal Revenue Code. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. LRB-2917/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 251 For further information see the state 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 |
| SB271 | Right to bodily autonomy, elimination of certain abortion-related regulations, and coverage of abortion under certain health care coverage plans. (FE) | This bill specifies that every individual has the fundamental right to bodily autonomy, which includes the right to access abortion. Under the bill, the state may not prohibit an individual from obtaining an abortion if an abortion is necessary in the professional judgment of the individual[s medical provider. Also under the bill, a law or rule of this state that restricts a individual[s access to abortion is unenforceable if the law or rule does not confer any legitimate health benefit. Any person that is or may be aggrieved by the enforcement of a law or rule passed or LRB-2921/1 SWB&JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 271 promulgated after the effective date of the bill that would be unenforceable under the bill may bring an action in state or federal court for injunctive relief or damages against a state or local official who enforces or attempts to enforce such a law or rule. The bill also expressly provides that all requirements applicable to health care providers are applicable to providers of abortion care. The bill does not change standard informed consent requirements applicable to all medical procedures, including abortion, but removes additional requirements specific to the performance of an abortion that exceed those standard informed consent requirements. Current law requires that these additional requirements must be met in order for a woman upon whom an abortion is to be performed or induced to give voluntary and informed consent to an abortion. Except in a medical emergency, under current law, a woman[s consent to an abortion is considered informed only if, with certain exceptions, at least 24 hours before the abortion is performed or induced, the physician or an assistant has, in person, orally provided the woman with certain information and given to the woman certain written materials. The bill repeals these requirements. Under current law, the state is required to offer to all of its employees at least 2 insured or uninsured health care coverage plans. Further, under current law, certain employers including counties, villages, towns, school districts, and other governmental units or instrumentalities other than the state may offer to all of its employees a health care coverage plan through a program offered by the Group Insurance Board. Current law prohibits these plans from providing coverage for abortion or services the funding for which is ineligible under current law. The bill repeals these restrictions and instead requires coverage of abortion and any other medical services necessary to provide abortion under these health coverage plans if the health care coverage plan provides maternity coverage. The bill also repeals other various abortion-related laws, including all of the following: 1. The bill eliminates the prohibition on giving a woman an abortion-inducing drug unless the physician who provided the drug for the woman performs a physical exam on the woman and is physically present in the room when the drug is given to the woman. 2. The bill eliminates the prohibition on coverage of abortions by qualified health plans offered through an exchange in this state. 3. The bill eliminates the prohibition on performing abortions by a physician that does not have admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is to be performed. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Planned Parenthood of Wis., Inc. v. Schimel, 806 F.3d 908 (7th Cir. 2015), which affirmed a permanent injunction granted by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. 4. The bill repeals a statute that provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned for not more than six years, or both. XUnborn childY is defined in the statute as a human being from the time of conception until born alive. LRB-2921/1 SWB&JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 271 The statute also provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn quick child or causes the mother[s death by an act done with intent to destroy the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $50,000, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. None of these penalties apply to a therapeutic abortion that is performed by a physician; is necessary, or advised by two other physicians as necessary, to save the life of the mother; and, unless an emergency prevents, is performed in a licensed maternity hospital. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable. It was cited in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), as similar to a Texas statute that was held to violate the due process clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The unenforceability of the statute following the Roe v. Wade decision was noted in a subsequent decision by a federal district court, Larkin v. McCann, 368 F. Supp. 1352 (E.D. Wis. 1974). In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women[s Health Org., 142 S. Ct. 2228 (2022). Litigation concerning the status of the statute is currently pending in state court. In December 2023, the Dane County Circuit Court issued a decision and order declaring that the statute Xdoes not apply to abortions.Y Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 22- CV-1594, slip op. at 14 (Wis. Dane Cnty. Cir. Ct. Dec. 5, 2023). An appeal is pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. See Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 2023AP002362 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting a petition to bypass the court of appeals). The Wisconsin Supreme Court has also granted a petition for leave to commence an original action regarding whether the state constitution protects a right to receive an abortion and a right for physicians to provide abortions. See Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting leave to commence an original action); see Petition to Wis. S. Ct. to Take Jurisdiction of an Original Action, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. filed Feb. 22, 2024). The bill also repeals the criminal penalty on a person who is not a physician and who intentionally performs an abortion. The bill does not affect any other criminal prohibition or limitation on abortion in current law, such as the general prohibition on performing an abortion after the fetus or unborn child has reached viability, or any other homicide prohibition. The bill also does not affect a separate provision in current law that prohibits prosecution of and imposing or enforcing a fine or imprisonment against a woman who obtains an abortion or otherwise violates any abortion law with respect to her unborn child or fetus. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. | In Committee |
| SB272 | Eligibility for Family Care for individuals who are deaf-blind. (FE) | This bill grants functional eligibility for Family Care—a program that provides community-based long-term care services—to people who are deaf-blind. Under current law, a person must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for Family Care, including that the person is at least 18 years of age; the person has a physical or developmental disability or is a frail elder; and the person is both functionally and financially eligible based on the standards described in the statute. The bill adds an express provision that a person is functionally eligible for the Family Care program if the person is deaf-blind, as defined in the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR58 | Designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR55 | Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. | Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. | In Committee |
| SJR56 | Proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SB265 | Waiver of fees for admission to state parks on Earth Day. (FE) | Under current law, vehicles entering state parks are required to display an annual or daily admission receipt, for which the Department of Natural Resources charges a fee. Under current law, DNR may waive these admission fees under certain circumstances. This bill requires DNR to waive any daily fee for admission to a state park on April 22 of each year in commemoration of Earth Day and its founder, Gaylord Nelson. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB218 | Limitations on ownership of real property in this state by foreign persons. (FE) | This bill modifies current law that limits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding large amounts of agricultural and forestry land in this state. The bill also prohibits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state within 10 miles of a military installation and prohibits foreign adversaries from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. LIMITING FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND Under current law, certain foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of agricultural or forestry land in this state. The bill makes several changes to the limitation under current law. Type of land subject to acreage limit Current law generally prohibits a covered foreign person (as defined below) from acquiring, owning, or holding more than 640 acres of land in this state. However, that limitation does not apply to any of the following activities: 1. An exploration mining lease and land used for certain mining and associated activities. 2. Certain manufacturing activities. 3. Certain mercantile activities. 4. A lease for exploration or production of oil, gas, coal, shale, and related hydrocarbons, including by-products of the production, and land used in connection with the exploration or production. Those exceptions have been interpreted to be Xextremely broad, embracing almost every conceivable business activity [other than a]ctivities relating to agriculture and forestry.Y See Wis. Op. Att[y Gen. OAG 11-14, ?5, available at https://www.doj.state.wi.us. In other words, under current law, foreign persons may acquire, own, and hold unlimited amounts of land for most nonagricultural and nonforestry purposes, but covered foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of land for agricultural or forestry purposes. The bill eliminates the current scheme under which the limitation applies to all land with extremely broad exceptions and replaces the scheme with a limitation that applies only to land that is classified, for property tax purposes, as agricultural (agricultural land). Under the bill, the limitation does not apply to forestry land. Amount of land foreign persons may own The bill reduces the maximum amount of agricultural land that a covered foreign person may acquire, own, or hold from 640 acres to 50 acres (acreage limit). Covered foreign persons Under current law, the following persons generally are subject to the acreage limit (covered foreign person): 1. An alien not a resident of a state of the United States (nonresident alien). 2. A corporation that is not created under federal law or the laws of any state (foreign entity). 3. A corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or association having more than 20 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership held or owned by nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign-owned entity). 4. A trust having more than 20 percent of the value of its assets held for the benefit of nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign beneficiary trust). The bill does all of the following: 1. Specifies that the acreage limit also applies to a foreign government. 2. Increases the percentage of an entity[s ownership held by nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the entity to be considered a foreign- owned entity from 20 percent to 25 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership. 3. Increases the percentage of a trust[s assets held for the benefit of nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the trust to be considered a foreign beneficiary trust from 20 percent to 25 percent of the value of its assets. 4. Specifies that, for purposes of determining whether an entity is a foreign- owned entity or whether a trust is a foreign beneficiary trust, foreign government interests are included in calculating the relevant percentage amounts. Exception for agricultural research leases Current law includes exceptions from the acreage limit for railroad and pipeline corporations and treaty rights, among other things. The bill provides that the acreage limit also does not apply to a lease that is exclusively for agricultural research purposes and encumbers no more than 50 acres of agricultural land. Divestiture period Under current law, if a covered foreign person acquires an interest in land that causes the covered foreign person to exceed the acreage limit, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest. Specifically, the covered foreign person must divest itself within four years after: 1. Acquiring the interest, if the covered foreign person is a nonresident alien or foreign entity and the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. 2. Acquiring the interest or becoming a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust, whichever is later, if the covered foreign person is a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust. The bill reduces the divestiture period from four years to three years and specifies that the divestiture requirement described under item 1 applies to a foreign government. PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY NEAR MILITARY INSTALLATIONS The bill generally prohibits a covered foreign person from acquiring, owning, or holding any real property in this state that is located on or within 10 miles of a military installation, as defined in the bill (military property). Under the bill, the prohibition does not apply to 1) an interest used to secure repayment of a debt, 2) a person whose right to hold military property is secured by treaty, or 3) a railroad or pipeline corporation. The bill allows a covered foreign person to acquire an interest in military property that the covered foreign person would otherwise be prohibited from acquiring if the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. However, if such an interest is acquired, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest within 18 months after acquiring the interest. The bill specifies that, if a person becomes a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust after the bill[s effective date, the person has 18 months to divest itself of any interest in military property the person is prohibited from owning or holding. Finally, the bill provides that any interest in military property acquired, owned, or held in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY BY FOREIGN ADVERSARIES The bill prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. Under the bill, Xforeign adversaryY means a person determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce to be a foreign adversary of the United States. Those countries currently include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The bill provides that any interest acquired, owned, or held by a foreign adversary in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB10 | A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) | This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for sales of gun safes. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR18 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| AJR48 | Commemorating Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and honoring the Hmong-Lao veterans who served alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. | Relating to: commemorating Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and honoring the Hmong-Lao veterans who served alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AB272 | Eligibility for Family Care for individuals who are deaf-blind. (FE) | This bill grants functional eligibility for Family Care—a program that provides community-based long-term care services—to people who are deaf-blind. Under current law, a person must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for Family Care, including that the person is at least 18 years of age; the person has a physical or developmental disability or is a frail elder; and the person is both functionally and financially eligible based on the standards described in the statute. The bill adds an express provision that a person is functionally eligible for the Family Care program if the person is deaf-blind, as defined in the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB267 | Waiver of fees for admission to state parks on Earth Day. (FE) | Under current law, vehicles entering state parks are required to display an annual or daily admission receipt, for which the Department of Natural Resources charges a fee. Under current law, DNR may waive these admission fees under certain circumstances. This bill requires DNR to waive any daily fee for admission to a state park on April 22 of each year in commemoration of Earth Day and its founder, Gaylord Nelson. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB219 | Limitations on ownership of real property in this state by foreign persons. (FE) | This bill modifies current law that limits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding large amounts of agricultural and forestry land in this state. The bill also prohibits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state within 10 miles of a military installation and prohibits foreign adversaries from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. LIMITING FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND Under current law, certain foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of agricultural or forestry land in this state. The bill makes several changes to the limitation under current law. LRB-1662/1 KRP:skw/emw/cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 219 Type of land subject to acreage limit Current law generally prohibits a covered foreign person (as defined below) from acquiring, owning, or holding more than 640 acres of land in this state. However, that limitation does not apply to any of the following activities: 1. An exploration mining lease and land used for certain mining and associated activities. 2. Certain manufacturing activities. 3. Certain mercantile activities. 4. A lease for exploration or production of oil, gas, coal, shale, and related hydrocarbons, including by-products of the production, and land used in connection with the exploration or production. Those exceptions have been interpreted to be Xextremely broad, embracing almost every conceivable business activity [other than a]ctivities relating to agriculture and forestry.Y See Wis. Op. Att[y Gen. OAG 11-14, ?5, available at https://www.doj.state.wi.us. In other words, under current law, foreign persons may acquire, own, and hold unlimited amounts of land for most nonagricultural and nonforestry purposes, but covered foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of land for agricultural or forestry purposes. The bill eliminates the current scheme under which the limitation applies to all land with extremely broad exceptions and replaces the scheme with a limitation that applies only to land that is classified, for property tax purposes, as agricultural (agricultural land). Under the bill, the limitation does not apply to forestry land. Amount of land foreign persons may own The bill reduces the maximum amount of agricultural land that a covered foreign person may acquire, own, or hold from 640 acres to 50 acres (acreage limit). Covered foreign persons Under current law, the following persons generally are subject to the acreage limit (covered foreign person): 1. An alien not a resident of a state of the United States (nonresident alien). 2. A corporation that is not created under federal law or the laws of any state (foreign entity). 3. A corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or association having more than 20 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership held or owned by nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign-owned entity). 4. A trust having more than 20 percent of the value of its assets held for the benefit of nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign beneficiary trust). The bill does all of the following: 1. Specifies that the acreage limit also applies to a foreign government. 2. Increases the percentage of an entity[s ownership held by nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the entity to be considered a foreign- owned entity from 20 percent to 25 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership. 3. Increases the percentage of a trust[s assets held for the benefit of LRB-1662/1 KRP:skw/emw/cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 219 nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the trust to be considered a foreign beneficiary trust from 20 percent to 25 percent of the value of its assets. 4. Specifies that, for purposes of determining whether an entity is a foreign- owned entity or whether a trust is a foreign beneficiary trust, foreign government interests are included in calculating the relevant percentage amounts. Exception for agricultural research leases Current law includes exceptions from the acreage limit for railroad and pipeline corporations and treaty rights, among other things. The bill provides that the acreage limit also does not apply to a lease that is exclusively for agricultural research purposes and encumbers no more than 50 acres of agricultural land. Divestiture period Under current law, if a covered foreign person acquires an interest in land that causes the covered foreign person to exceed the acreage limit, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest. Specifically, the covered foreign person must divest itself within four years after: 1. Acquiring the interest, if the covered foreign person is a nonresident alien or foreign entity and the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. 2. Acquiring the interest or becoming a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust, whichever is later, if the covered foreign person is a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust. The bill reduces the divestiture period from four years to three years and specifies that the divestiture requirement described under item 1 applies to a foreign government. PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY NEAR MILITARY INSTALLATIONS The bill generally prohibits a covered foreign person from acquiring, owning, or holding any real property in this state that is located on or within 10 miles of a military installation, as defined in the bill (military property). Under the bill, the prohibition does not apply to 1) an interest used to secure repayment of a debt, 2) a person whose right to hold military property is secured by treaty, or 3) a railroad or pipeline corporation. The bill allows a covered foreign person to acquire an interest in military property that the covered foreign person would otherwise be prohibited from acquiring if the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. However, if such an interest is acquired, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest within 18 months after acquiring the interest. The bill specifies that, if a person becomes a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust after the bill[s effective date, the person has 18 months to divest itself of any interest in military property the person is prohibited from owning or holding. Finally, the bill provides that any interest in military property acquired, owned, or held in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. LRB-1662/1 KRP:skw/emw/cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 219 PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY BY FOREIGN ADVERSARIES The bill prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. Under the bill, Xforeign adversaryY means a person determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce to be a foreign adversary of the United States. Those countries currently include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The bill provides that any interest acquired, owned, or held by a foreign adversary in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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) | Under current law, the equalized value of taxable property of a new or amended tax incremental district (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 this bill, the 12 percent rule does not apply to TID Number 6 created by the city of Middleton if the district is created before June 1, 2025. 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. LRB-1194/1 EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 24 Under the bill, a housing stock improvement extension may not be exercised with regard to TID Number 6 in the city of Middleton. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AB181 | County forest administration grant eligibility. | This bill makes a change, retroactive to January 1, 2025, to eligibility for a county forest administration grant. Current law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make grants to counties that have lands designated as county forest to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a professional forester in the position of county forest administrator or assistant county forest administrator (county forest administration grant program). Under the bill, the grants may be used to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a county forest administrator. The bill defines Xcounty forest administratorY as a person, excluding a person employed by the department, who is employed to manage a county forest program and who has any of the following qualifications: 1. A bachelor[s or higher degree in forestry from a school of forestry with a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters or an equivalent degree, as determined by the chief state forester. 2. A bachelor[s or higher degree in natural resources, conservation, or wildlife and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. 3. An associate degree in forestry and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. | In Committee |
| SJR49 | Commemorating Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and honoring the Hmong-Lao veterans who served alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. | Relating to: commemorating Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and honoring the Hmong- Lao veterans who served alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. | 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 |
| AJR40 | Celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Relating to: celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Crossed Over |
| AJR39 | Recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Relating to: recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Crossed Over |
| AJR41 | Proclaiming May 2025 and May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Months. | Relating to: proclaiming May 2025 and May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Months. | Crossed Over |
| SJR32 | Designating the first full week in May as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. | Relating to: designating the first full week in May as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB181 | A levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE) | Generally, under current law, local levy limits are applied to the property tax levies that are imposed by political subdivisions. A political subdivision may not increase its levy by a percentage that exceeds its Xvaluation factor,Y which is the greater of 0 percent or the percentage change in the political subdivision[s equalized value due to new construction, less improvements removed. Current law also contains a number of exceptions to the levy limit, such as amounts a county levies for a countywide emergency medical system, for a county children with disabilities education board, and for certain bridge and culvert construction and repair. This bill creates an additional exception to local levy limits. Under the bill, the amounts a city, village, town, or county levies for costs associated with regional emergency medical services, either through participation in a joint emergency services district or through one or more intergovernmental agreements to provide emergency medical services, or both, are exempt. Under the bill, XregionalY means consisting of a service area that is at least 232 square miles or includes at least eight municipalities. The bill also excludes expenditures of amounts levied for a regional emergency medical system that are exempt from local levy limits under the bill from being LRB-2497/1 KP:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 181 considered in determining eligibility for an expenditure restraint incentive program payment. Under current law, a municipality is eligible to receive an expenditure restraint incentive program payment if its property tax levy is greater than 5 mills and if the annual increase in its municipal budget, subject to certain exceptions, is less than the sum of factors based on inflation and the increased value of property in the municipality as a result of new construction. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB22 | 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) | Under current law, the equalized value of taxable property of a new or amended tax incremental district (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 this bill, the 12 percent rule does not apply to TID Number 6 created by the city of Middleton if the district is created before June 1, 2025. 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 6 in the city of Middleton. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB197 | A levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE) | Generally, under current law, local levy limits are applied to the property tax levies that are imposed by political subdivisions. A political subdivision may not increase its levy by a percentage that exceeds its Xvaluation factor,Y which is the greater of 0 percent or the percentage change in the political subdivision[s equalized value due to new construction, less improvements removed. Current law also contains a number of exceptions to the levy limit, such as amounts a county levies for a countywide emergency medical system, for a county children with disabilities education board, and for certain bridge and culvert construction and repair. This bill creates an additional exception to local levy limits. Under the bill, the amounts a city, village, town, or county levies for costs associated with regional emergency medical services, either through participation in a joint emergency services district or through one or more intergovernmental agreements to provide emergency medical services, or both, are exempt. Under the bill, XregionalY means consisting of a service area that is at least 232 square miles or includes at least eight municipalities. The bill also excludes expenditures of amounts levied for a regional emergency medical system that are exempt from local levy limits under the bill from being considered in determining eligibility for an expenditure restraint incentive program payment. Under current law, a municipality is eligible to receive an expenditure restraint incentive program payment if its property tax levy is greater than 5 mills and if the annual increase in its municipal budget, subject to certain exceptions, is less than the sum of factors based on inflation and the increased value of property in the municipality as a result of new construction. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB152 | Financial eligibility for the Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program. (FE) | Under current law, the Department of Health Services allocates funds to local agencies to assist eligible families with obtaining goods and services related to the care of a person with Alzheimer[s disease or another irreversible dementia. Currently, a person is financially eligible for the program if the joint income of the person with irreversible dementia and that person[s spouse, if any, is $48,000 per year or less. This bill repeals the financial eligibility requirement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB220 | Discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services. | This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual[s gender identity or gender expression. The bill defines Xgender identityY as an individual[s internal, deeply held knowledge or sense of their own gender, regardless of the individual[s sex assigned at birth or gender identifiers on official governmental documents, and Xgender expressionY as an individual[s gender-related appearance or behavior, or the perception of that appearance or behavior, regardless of whether it is stereotypically associated with the individual[s sex assigned at birth. The bill also make changes to various discrimination laws, including all of the following: 1. Current law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and the equal enjoyment of a public place of accommodation or amusement on the basis of a person[s sex or sexual orientation. Current law also requires certain state agencies, authorities, and corporations to include provisions in contracts they execute obliging the contractor to similarly not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases for discrimination in these areas. 2. Current law prohibits the University of Wisconsin System, the Technical College System, public elementary and secondary schools, and charter schools from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill prohibits the same educational institutions from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s gender identity or gender expression and from discriminating against a student based on the protected status of the student[s parent. The bill also prohibits the UW System Board of Regents from investing gifts, grants, and bequests in companies that practice discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 3. Current law prohibits the exclusion of an individual from jury duty on the basis of the individual[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as a prohibited bases for exclusion of an individual from jury duty. 4. Current law allows only either a single adult or a husband and wife jointly to adopt a child. The bill allows only either a single individual or two individuals married to each other jointly to adopt a child and also provides that no otherwise qualified person may be denied the benefits of the adoption and guardianship statute subchapter because of the person[s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 5. Current law requires heads of executive departments and agencies to determine whether there is arbitrary discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual orientation and to take remedial action if such discrimination is found. The bill requires these heads to also determine if there is discrimination on the basis of gender identity or gender expression and to take remedial action regarding such discrimination. 6. Current law prohibits discriminating against an employee, prospective employee, patient, or resident of an approved treatment facility providing treatment of alcoholic, drug dependent, mentally ill, or developmentally disabled persons on the basis of sex. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 7. Current law prohibits agency rules from discriminating against a person by reason of sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 8. Current law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the provision of vocational rehabilitation or mental health services. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 9. Current law prohibits the national guard or state defense force from denying membership based on sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. The bill also provides that no member of the national guard or state defense force may be denied equal access to facilities most consistent with the person[s gender identity. 10. Current law provides that sex is a bona fide occupational qualification if all of the members of one sex are physically incapable of performing the essential duties required by a job or if the essence of the employer[s business operation would be undermined if employees were not hired exclusively from one sex. The bill adds to the sex as a bona fide occupational qualification law that an individual may not be treated or regarded inconsistent with the individual[s gender identity or discriminated against based on the individual[s gender identity or gender expression. 11. Current law allows public places of accommodation or amusement to provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes. The bill provides that public places of accommodation or amusement may provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes but prohibits those places from denying individuals equal access to the facilities most consistent with the individual[s gender identity. 12. The bill prohibits an insurer from discriminating against an individual on the basis of age, residence, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, occupation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation, and also prohibits motor carriers, automobile insurers, transportation network companies, and real estate brokers and salespersons from discriminating against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 13. The bill expressly prohibits a school board from discriminating against a student-led organization because the organization[s mission is related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR32 | Designating the first full week in May as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. | Relating to: designating the first full week in May as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. | In Committee |
| SJR45 | Proclaiming May 2025 and May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Months. | Relating to: proclaiming May 2025 and May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Months. | In Committee |
| AJR50 | Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. | Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. | In Committee |
| AB141 | Provisional social worker certificates and licenses. | Current law prohibits a person from using the title Xsocial workerY without holding a social worker certificate, and similarly prohibits the use of other titles corresponding to higher levels of social work practice without a corresponding credential for that level of social work practice. Those higher levels of social work practice include advanced practice social work, independent social work, and clinical social work. Current law further prohibits the practice of clinical social work without a clinical social worker license. Current law specifies requirements for obtaining these social worker credentials, all of which include a requirement of passage of an examination. This bill provides for an alternative pathway to obtain a social work credential without passage of a national examination. Under the bill, an individual who has taken the examination corresponding to a particular category of social work credential and has not passed the examination, but who otherwise satisfies the requirements for the credential, may obtain a provisional credential. With the provisional credential, the individual is allowed to practice the corresponding level of social work, may use the corresponding title, and is considered to be that level of social worker, but the individual must obtain at least three hours of supervision during every 160 hours of practice, in accordance with the bill and rules promulgated by the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board and subject to periodic evaluation. Upon successful completion of the supervised practice requirement, the individual must receive a final evaluation and may obtain a corresponding nonprovisional social worker credential without passage of the examination. | 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 |
| SB140 | Provisional social worker certificates and licenses. | Current law prohibits a person from using the title Xsocial workerY without holding a social worker certificate, and similarly prohibits the use of other titles corresponding to higher levels of social work practice without a corresponding credential for that level of social work practice. Those higher levels of social work practice include advanced practice social work, independent social work, and clinical social work. Current law further prohibits the practice of clinical social work without a clinical social worker license. Current law specifies requirements for obtaining these social worker credentials, all of which include a requirement of passage of an examination. This bill provides for an alternative pathway to obtain a social work credential without passage of a national examination. Under the bill, an individual who has taken the examination corresponding to a particular category of social work credential and has not passed the examination, but who otherwise satisfies the requirements for the credential, may obtain a provisional credential. With the provisional credential, the individual is allowed to practice the corresponding level of social work, may use the corresponding title, and is considered to be that level of LRB-2171/1 MED:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 140 social worker, but the individual must obtain at least three hours of supervision during every 160 hours of practice, in accordance with the bill and rules promulgated by the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board and subject to periodic evaluation. Upon successful completion of the supervised practice requirement, the individual must receive a final evaluation and may obtain a corresponding nonprovisional social worker credential without passage of the examination. | In Committee |
| AB247 | Local building permit fees for certain improvements of residences of disabled veterans. (FE) | This bill requires a political subdivision to reduce the fee it charges for a building permit by 75 percent or $500, whichever reduction is less, if the permit is for improvements to the primary residence of a disabled veteran, the improvements are necessary to accommodate a disability of the disabled veteran, and the residence is owned by the disabled veteran or a caretaker of the disabled veteran. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR47 | Observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR46 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. | In Committee |
| SJR40 | Recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Relating to: recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | In Committee |
| AJR53 | Commemorating the Bay View labor strike and tragedy. | Relating to: commemorating the Bay View labor strike and tragedy. | In Committee |
| AJR52 | Proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AJR54 | Observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SB189 | An optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage. | This bill allows a court to enter a judgment of divorce or legal separation based on an affidavit signed by each party to the action (final hearing by affidavit). Under current law, all hearings and trials to determine whether a divorce or legal separation must be granted must be before the court entering the judgment. In order for a final hearing by affidavit to be granted, the parties to the divorce or legal separation action must 1) be represented by counsel or have worked with a lawyer mediator with special skills and training in dispute resolution who is registered on the case and drafted and filed the signed stipulation related to divorce or legal separation, 2) sign and file any stipulation required by the court, and 3) submit the signed affidavit, which must meet a number of requirements, including that the affidavit waives the right to a hearing in person before a court. | 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 |
| AB64 | An income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE) | Currently, an elementary or secondary school teacher may claim a deduction on the individual[s federal income tax return for certain eligible expenses paid by the individual during the taxable year, not exceeding $300. Eligible expenses include amounts paid to participate in professional development courses and amounts paid for books and other classroom supplies. This bill allows an elementary or secondary school teacher to claim a similar deduction for state income tax purposes for eligible expenses, not exceeding $300, paid by the teacher during the taxable year. The eligible expenses are the same as those described under federal law. Finally, the taxpayer may claim the deduction for state income tax purposes regardless of whether the taxpayer claims the deduction for federal income tax purposes. 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 |
| SB113 | A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a Xtransition to grazing pilot programY in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to provide support and grants to farmers who are implementing livestock forage-based managed grazing systems and farmers and agribusinesses in the grazing-fed livestock business. Under the bill the department may award up to $40,000 to each grantee, and may disperse up to 75 percent of the grant in the first year following the department[s decision to grant the award and may disperse up to 12.5 percent of the award in each of the second and third years following the department[s decision to grant the award. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB18 | Fee waivers for state park vehicle admission receipts to pupils with Every Kid Outdoors passes. (FE) | Under current law, no person may operate a vehicle in any state park or in certain other recreational areas on state land unless the vehicle displays a vehicle admission receipt. This bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to waive the fee for an annual vehicle admission receipt issued to the parent or guardian of a child who possesses a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass issued by the U.S. National Park Service. Under current federal law, such a pass authorizes free admission to national parks for any 4th grader and his or her family. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB118 | A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a Xtransition to grazing pilot programY in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to provide support and grants to farmers who are implementing livestock forage-based managed grazing systems and farmers and agribusinesses in the grazing-fed livestock business. Under the bill the department may award up to $40,000 to each grantee, and may disperse up to 75 percent of the grant in the first year following the department[s decision to grant the award and may disperse up to 12.5 percent of the award in each of the second and third years following the department[s decision to grant the award. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR41 | Celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Relating to: celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | In Committee |
| AJR42 | An advisory referendum on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. | Relating to: an advisory referendum on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. | In Committee |
| AJR36 | The right of the people to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment and to its preservation (first consideration). | relating to: the right of the people to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment and to its preservation (first consideration). | In Committee |
| AJR43 | Congratulating the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse women’s gymnastics team on winning the 2025 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship. | Relating to: congratulating the University of Wisconsin]La Crosse women[s gymnastics team on winning the 2025 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship. | In Committee |
| AJR44 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| SB195 | Serving maple syrup in a public eating place. | Under this bill, a public eating place may not serve a food product identified as maple syrup unless the product is made entirely of maple syrup, as the term is defined in federal regulations. | In Committee |
| SB114 | Sales and use tax exemption for diapers and feminine hygiene products. (FE) | This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of diapers and feminine hygiene products. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB149 | Requiring the legislature to convene an extraordinary session if an executive order of the president of the United States freezes federal aid to the state. | This bill requires the legislature to convene an extraordinary session if the president of the United States issues an executive order under which federal aid to Wisconsin that was previously authorized under an act of Congress is frozen. The extraordinary session must be called for legislative consideration of a bill that does all of the following: 1. Establishes a procedure to estimate the amounts of federal aid that each state agency, eligible local governmental unit, and eligible nonprofit organization is likely to be deprived of as a result of the executive order. Only those local governmental units and nonprofit organizations that receive federal moneys under a state appropriation qualify as eligible. 2. Provides for payments from the budget stabilization fund to state agencies, eligible local governmental units, and eligible nonprofit organizations to offset estimated deprivation amounts. 3. Prioritizes payments to offset deprivation amounts of federal aid that fund essential services. 4. Limits payments to eligible local governmental units and eligible nonprofit LRB-2379/1 MPG:wlj/cjs/skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 149 organizations to no more than the amounts the eligible local governmental unit or eligible nonprofit organization would have received under a state appropriation of federal moneys but for the executive order. 5. To the extent allowed under federal law, provides for reimbursement to the budget stabilization fund for the payments specified in item 2 whenever the state receives a back payment of federal aid moneys that were previously frozen by executive order of the president. 6. Provides that if, in lieu of reimbursement to the budget stabilization fund, federal aid moneys received by the state as a back payment are paid to a state agency, eligible local governmental unit, or eligible nonprofit organization, the state agency, eligible local governmental unit, or eligible nonprofit organization must remit to the state for deposit in the budget stabilization fund an amount equal to the back payment amount received. | In Committee |
| AB150 | Requiring the legislature to convene an extraordinary session if an executive order of the president of the United States freezes federal aid to the state. | This bill requires the legislature to convene an extraordinary session if the president of the United States issues an executive order under which federal aid to Wisconsin that was previously authorized under an act of Congress is frozen. The extraordinary session must be called for legislative consideration of a bill that does all of the following: 1. Establishes a procedure to estimate the amounts of federal aid that each state agency, eligible local governmental unit, and eligible nonprofit organization is likely to be deprived of as a result of the executive order. Only those local governmental units and nonprofit organizations that receive federal moneys under a state appropriation qualify as eligible. 2. Provides for payments from the budget stabilization fund to state agencies, eligible local governmental units, and eligible nonprofit organizations to offset estimated deprivation amounts. 3. Prioritizes payments to offset deprivation amounts of federal aid that fund essential services. 4. Limits payments to eligible local governmental units and eligible nonprofit organizations to no more than the amounts the eligible local governmental unit or eligible nonprofit organization would have received under a state appropriation of federal moneys but for the executive order. 5. To the extent allowed under federal law, provides for reimbursement to the budget stabilization fund for the payments specified in item 2 whenever the state receives a back payment of federal aid moneys that were previously frozen by executive order of the president. 6. Provides that if, in lieu of reimbursement to the budget stabilization fund, federal aid moneys received by the state as a back payment are paid to a state agency, eligible local governmental unit, or eligible nonprofit organization, the state agency, eligible local governmental unit, or eligible nonprofit organization must remit to the state for deposit in the budget stabilization fund an amount equal to the back payment amount received. | In Committee |
| AJR7 | Proclaiming February 4, 2025, as Transit Equity Day. | Relating to: proclaiming February 4, 2025, as Transit Equity Day. | In Committee |
| AR3 | Observing February 28, 2025, as Rare Disease Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: observing February 28, 2025, as Rare Disease Day in Wisconsin. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SJR8 | Proclaiming February 4, 2025, as Transit Equity Day. | Relating to: proclaiming February 4, 2025, as Transit Equity Day. | In Committee |
| AR6 | Proclaiming March 2025 and March 2026 as Women’s History Months. | Relating to: proclaiming March 2025 and March 2026 as Women[s History Months. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB69 | An income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE) | Currently, an elementary or secondary school teacher may claim a deduction on the individual[s federal income tax return for certain eligible expenses paid by the individual during the taxable year, not exceeding $300. Eligible expenses include amounts paid to participate in professional development courses and amounts paid for books and other classroom supplies. This bill allows an elementary or secondary school teacher to claim a similar deduction for state income tax purposes for eligible expenses, not exceeding $300, paid by the teacher during the taxable year. The eligible expenses are the same as those described under federal law. Finally, the taxpayer may claim the deduction for state income tax purposes regardless of whether the taxpayer claims the deduction for federal income tax purposes. 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-1216/1 JK:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 69 | In Committee |
| AJR13 | Designating the month of March as Endosalpingiosis Awareness Month. | Relating to: designating the month of March as Endosalpingiosis Awareness Month. | In Committee |
| AB72 | Ratification of the Driver License Compact. (FE) | This bill enters Wisconsin into the Driver License Compact, which establishes standards for the treatment and exchange of driver licensing and conviction information and other data pertinent to the licensing process. The DLC requires all participating states to recognize certain kinds of violations relating mostly to operating motor vehicles and the administrative actions taken in response to those violations, such as suspension or revocation of a person[s operating privilege by the appropriate state agency (DLC code violations). Under the DLC, when a person who is licensed in one state that is a party to the DLC commits a DLC code violation in another party state, the licensing state takes administrative action in response to the violation, based on information provided by the state in which the violation occurred. Any administrative action by a party state is recognized by all other party states. The DLC also generally provides that records concerning a licensed driver are maintained only by the licensing state. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB63 | Ratification of the Driver License Compact. (FE) | This bill enters Wisconsin into the Driver License Compact, which establishes standards for the treatment and exchange of driver licensing and conviction information and other data pertinent to the licensing process. The DLC requires all participating states to recognize certain kinds of violations relating mostly to operating motor vehicles and the administrative actions taken in response to those violations, such as suspension or revocation of a person[s operating privilege by the appropriate state agency (DLC code violations). Under the DLC, when a person who is licensed in one state that is a party to the DLC commits a DLC code violation in another party state, the licensing state takes administrative action in response to the violation, based on information provided by the state in which the violation occurred. Any administrative action by a party state is recognized by all other party states. The DLC also generally provides that records concerning a licensed driver are maintained only by the licensing state. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-1854/1 EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 63 | In Committee |
| SJR34 | Honoring the 50th anniversary of the child support program. | Relating to: honoring the 50th anniversary of the child support program. | In Committee |
| AB205 | Serving maple syrup in a public eating place. | Under this bill, a public eating place may not serve a food product identified as maple syrup unless the product is made entirely of maple syrup, as the term is defined in federal regulations. | In Committee |
| AB177 | Sales and use tax exemption for diapers and feminine hygiene products. (FE) | This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of diapers and feminine hygiene products. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR34 | Honoring the 50th anniversary of the child support program. | Relating to: honoring the 50th anniversary of the child support program. | In Committee |
| SJR38 | An advisory referendum on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. | Relating to: an advisory referendum on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. | In Committee |
| SJR37 | The right of the people to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment and to its preservation (first consideration). | relating to: the right of the people to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment and to its preservation (first consideration). | In Committee |
| SB208 | Prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE) | This bill prohibits a hedge fund from acquiring a single-family home in this state. The bill provides that an ownership interest in a single-family home acquired or owned by a hedge fund in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB213 | Prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE) | This bill prohibits a hedge fund from acquiring a single-family home in this state. The bill provides that an ownership interest in a single-family home acquired or owned by a hedge fund in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB128 | Requiring first responders to be trained to administer epinephrine delivery systems. (FE) | This bill requires first responders to be trained in how to recognize signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions, standards and procedures for the storage and administration of an epinephrine delivery system, and emergency follow-up procedures after an epinephrine delivery system is administered and requires first responders to have an epinephrine delivery system available to the first responder for use at all times while on duty. First responders include conservation wardens, correctional officers, emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. The Department of Health Services is required to identify organizations that conduct trainings that cover all the subjects that first responders are required to be trained in under the bill. Finally, the bill allows DHS to distribute epinephrine delivery systems to first responders who are trained in all subjects described under the bill or to employers of first responders who are trained in all subjects described under the bill to be used by those first responders. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB223 | Discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services. | This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual[s gender identity or gender expression. The bill defines Xgender identityY as an individual[s internal, deeply held knowledge or sense of their own gender, regardless of the individual[s sex assigned at birth or gender identifiers on official governmental documents, and Xgender expressionY as an individual[s gender-related appearance or behavior, or the perception of that appearance or behavior, regardless of whether it is stereotypically associated with the individual[s sex assigned at birth. The bill also make changes to various discrimination laws, including all of the following: 1. Current law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and the equal enjoyment of a public place of accommodation or amusement on the basis of a person[s sex or sexual orientation. Current law also requires certain state agencies, authorities, and corporations to include provisions in contracts they execute obliging the contractor to similarly not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases for discrimination in these areas. 2. Current law prohibits the University of Wisconsin System, the Technical College System, public elementary and secondary schools, and charter schools from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill prohibits the same educational institutions from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s gender identity or gender expression and from discriminating against a student based on the protected status of the student[s parent. The bill also prohibits the UW System Board of Regents from investing gifts, grants, and bequests in companies that practice discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 3. Current law prohibits the exclusion of an individual from jury duty on the basis of the individual[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as a prohibited bases for exclusion of an individual from jury duty. 4. Current law allows only either a single adult or a husband and wife jointly to adopt a child. The bill allows only either a single individual or two individuals married to each other jointly to adopt a child and also provides that no otherwise qualified person may be denied the benefits of the adoption and guardianship LRB-0820/1 MIM&FFK:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 223 statute subchapter because of the person[s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 5. Current law requires heads of executive departments and agencies to determine whether there is arbitrary discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual orientation and to take remedial action if such discrimination is found. The bill requires these heads to also determine if there is discrimination on the basis of gender identity or gender expression and to take remedial action regarding such discrimination. 6. Current law prohibits discriminating against an employee, prospective employee, patient, or resident of an approved treatment facility providing treatment of alcoholic, drug dependent, mentally ill, or developmentally disabled persons on the basis of sex. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 7. Current law prohibits agency rules from discriminating against a person by reason of sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 8. Current law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the provision of vocational rehabilitation or mental health services. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 9. Current law prohibits the national guard or state defense force from denying membership based on sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. The bill also provides that no member of the national guard or state defense force may be denied equal access to facilities most consistent with the person[s gender identity. 10. Current law provides that sex is a bona fide occupational qualification if all of the members of one sex are physically incapable of performing the essential duties required by a job or if the essence of the employer[s business operation would be undermined if employees were not hired exclusively from one sex. The bill adds to the sex as a bona fide occupational qualification law that an individual may not be treated or regarded inconsistent with the individual[s gender identity or discriminated against based on the individual[s gender identity or gender expression. 11. Current law allows public places of accommodation or amusement to provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes. The bill provides that public places of accommodation or amusement may provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes but prohibits those places from denying individuals equal access to the facilities most consistent with the individual[s gender identity. 12. The bill prohibits an insurer from discriminating against an individual on the basis of age, residence, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, occupation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation, and also prohibits motor carriers, automobile insurers, transportation network companies, and real estate brokers and salespersons from discriminating LRB-0820/1 MIM&FFK:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 223 against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 13. The bill expressly prohibits a school board from discriminating against a student-led organization because the organization[s mission is related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR19 | Honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | Relating to: honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | Crossed Over |
| SJR12 | Designating the month of March as Endosalpingiosis Awareness Month. | Relating to: designating the month of March as Endosalpingiosis Awareness Month. | Crossed Over |
| SB165 | Eliminating daylight saving time in Wisconsin. | This bill eliminates daylight saving time. Current law defines standard time and provides that daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November of each year. Federal law generally preempts states from deviating from standard time or eliminating daylight saving time, but federal law allows a state that lies entirely in one timezone, such as Wisconsin, to observe standard time instead of daylight saving time as long as the observation is throughout the entire state. | In Committee |
| AB160 | Eliminating daylight saving time in Wisconsin. | This bill eliminates daylight saving time. Current law defines standard time and provides that daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November of each year. Federal law generally preempts states from deviating from standard time or eliminating daylight saving time, but federal law allows a state that lies entirely in one timezone, such as Wisconsin, to observe standard time instead of daylight saving time as long as the observation is throughout the entire state. | In Committee |
| AJR31 | Proclaiming March 31, 2025, as Wisconsin’s Transgender Day of Visibility. | Relating to: proclaiming March 31, 2025, as Wisconsin[s Transgender Day of Visibility. | In Committee |
| AB227 | Inducements to sign or refrain from signing nomination papers, recall petitions, and certain other petitions. | Current law prohibits certain kinds of election bribery, including offering, giving, lending, or providing money or anything of value to an elector or other person to induce the elector to vote or refrain from voting. Under current law, Xanything of valueY includes an object having utility independent of a political message it contains, the value of which exceeds $1. Election bribery is a Class I felony, the penalty for which is a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed three years and six months, or both. This bill prohibits as election bribery such inducement of an elector to sign or refrain from signing a petition supporting or opposing a candidate, referendum, or proposition about political or social issues, state law, or proposed or potential legislation, if the petition is related to an election or referendum or is circulated during an election period, as defined in the bill. Additionally, the bill prohibits as election bribery such inducement of an elector to sign or refrain from signing nomination papers or a recall petition. Finally, the bill defines Xanything of valueY for purposes of a violation of the bill[s provisions to include an object having utility independent of a political message it contains, if the object[s value exceeds $5, rather than 1$. | In Committee |
| AJR27 | Condemning the pardons and sentence commutations of individuals involved in the violent attack on law enforcement officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. | Relating to: condemning the pardons and sentence commutations of individuals involved in the violent attack on law enforcement officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. | In Committee |
| AB215 | Eliminating the publication requirement for a name change petition seeking to conform an individual’s name with the individual’s gender identity. | This bill provides an exception to the requirement that notices of name change petitions must be published for an individual who is seeking a name change to conform with the individual[s gender identity. Under current law, an individual who is a resident of this state generally is entitled to petition the court of the county in which the individual resides to have the individual[s name changed or established if no sufficient cause is shown to the contrary. Currently, the individual must, before petitioning the court, publish a notice stating the nature of the petition and when and where the petition will be heard. The individual must publish the notice in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks. Current law provides an exception to the publication requirement for an individual who 1) requests that the petition remain confidential, 2) shows that publication of the petition could endanger the individual, and 3) shows that the individual is not seeking a name change in order to avoid a debt or conceal a criminal record. Under current law, if the court determines that the individual is not required to publish notice, all records related to the individual[s name change are generally confidential and exempt from disclosure under the state public records law. This bill provides an additional exception to the publication requirement for an individual who shows that the individual is seeking a name change to conform with the individual[s gender identity. Under the bill, an individual who requests a confidential name change on that basis also must show that the individual is not seeking a name change in order to avoid a debt or conceal a criminal record, but the individual need not show that publication of the petition could endanger the individual. | In Committee |
| AJR30 | Congratulating the University of Wisconsin–Madison women’s hockey team on winning the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Hockey National Championship. | Relating to: congratulating the University of Wisconsin]Madison women[s hockey team on winning the 2025 NCAA Division I Women[s Hockey National Championship. | In Committee |
| AJR28 | Commending the IBS Patient Support Group on its recognition of April 17 through April 19, 2025, as World IBS Days. | Relating to: commending the IBS Patient Support Group on its recognition of April 17 through April 19, 2025, as World IBS Days. | In Committee |
| AB147 | The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to upon request make available to agricultural equipment owners and independent service providers any documentation, data, embedded software, firmware, parts, or tools that are intended for use with agricultural equipment, at certain fair costs and fair terms as articulated in the bill. XEquipmentY is defined in the bill to include equipment or parts that are designed primarily for use in the operation of a farm or in farm-related activities, including any combine, tractor, sprayer, implement, or attachment used in planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, or ranching, but not including vehicles or self-propelled machines designed primarily for the transportation of persons or property on a street or highway, aircraft, snowmobiles, personal watercraft or motorboats, or equipment or parts used for irrigation purposes. XDataY is defined in the bill to mean information that a manufacturer gathered, transmitted, or compiled that arose from the operation of an owner[s equipment and for which the associated owner has provided consent and authorization for the manufacturer to share. The bill generally does not require manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools that would require a manufacturer to divulge a trade secret. The bill exempts manufacturers and equipment dealers from liability stemming from an owner[s or independent repair provider[s faulty or otherwise improper repair that causes damage or loss of use of equipment, and exempts manufacturers from liability for an action resulting from a person[s use or reliance upon data that the manufacturer provided to a person. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB148 | The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to upon request make available to agricultural equipment owners and independent service providers any documentation, data, embedded software, firmware, parts, or tools that are intended for use with agricultural equipment, at certain fair costs and fair terms as articulated in the bill. XEquipmentY is defined in the bill to include equipment or parts that are designed primarily for use in the operation of a farm or in farm-related activities, including any combine, tractor, sprayer, implement, or attachment used in planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, or ranching, but not including vehicles or self-propelled machines designed primarily for the transportation of persons or property on a street or highway, aircraft, snowmobiles, personal watercraft or motorboats, or equipment or parts used for irrigation purposes. XDataY is defined in the bill to mean information that a manufacturer gathered, transmitted, or compiled that arose from the operation of an owner[s equipment and for which the associated owner has provided consent and authorization for the manufacturer to share. The bill generally does not require manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools that would require a manufacturer to divulge a trade secret. The bill exempts manufacturers and equipment dealers LRB-0923/2 JAM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 148 from liability stemming from an owner[s or independent repair provider[s faulty or otherwise improper repair that causes damage or loss of use of equipment, and exempts manufacturers from liability for an action resulting from a person[s use or reliance upon data that the manufacturer provided to a person. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB217 | Eliminating the publication requirement for a name change petition seeking to conform an individual’s name with the individual’s gender identity. | This bill provides an exception to the requirement that notices of name change petitions must be published for an individual who is seeking a name change to conform with the individual[s gender identity. Under current law, an individual who is a resident of this state generally is entitled to petition the court of the county in which the individual resides to have the individual[s name changed or established if no sufficient cause is shown to the contrary. Currently, the individual must, before petitioning the court, publish a notice stating the nature of the petition and when and where the petition will be heard. The individual must publish the notice in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks. Current law provides an exception to the publication requirement for an individual who 1) requests that the petition remain confidential, 2) shows that publication of the petition could endanger the individual, and 3) shows that the individual is not seeking a name change in order to avoid a debt or conceal a criminal record. Under current law, if the court determines that the LRB-0977/1 KRP:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 217 individual is not required to publish notice, all records related to the individual[s name change are generally confidential and exempt from disclosure under the state public records law. This bill provides an additional exception to the publication requirement for an individual who shows that the individual is seeking a name change to conform with the individual[s gender identity. Under the bill, an individual who requests a confidential name change on that basis also must show that the individual is not seeking a name change in order to avoid a debt or conceal a criminal record, but the individual need not show that publication of the petition could endanger the individual. | In Committee |
| SJR31 | Proclaiming March 31, 2025, as Wisconsin’s Transgender Day of Visibility. | Relating to: proclaiming March 31, 2025, as Wisconsin[s Transgender Day of Visibility. | In Committee |
| SB142 | Algorithmic software for residential housing, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the use of algorithmic software in setting rental rates or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units and prohibits persons from selling, licensing, or providing algorithmic software to a residential landlord. XAlgorithmic softwareY is defined in the bill to mean software that uses an algorithm to perform calculations on nonpublic competitor data regarding rent or occupancy levels in this state for the purpose of informing a landlord[s decision regarding residential housing occupancy rates, whether to leave a residential unit vacant, or the amount of rent that a landlord may obtain for a residential unit. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the attorney general, or a district attorney may investigate violations of this bill, and the attorney general or a district attorney may commence an action seeking an injunction or to recover a civil forfeiture of up to $1,000 per violation. In addition, a tenant may file a civil action seeking actual damages incurred as a result of a violation of the bill or $1,000 per violation, whichever is greater, or for injunctive relief, or for a combination of injunctive relief and damages. Under the bill, if a landlord includes a provision in a lease that 1) waives the landlord[s obligation to comply with the prohibition on the use of algorithmic software or 2) discourages or impedes a tenant from filing an action seeking LRB-1569/1 JAM:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 142 injunctive relief or damages stemming from the landlord[s violation of the bill[s prohibitions, then the rental agreement is void and unenforceable. | In Committee |
| AB142 | Algorithmic software for residential housing, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the use of algorithmic software in setting rental rates or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units and prohibits persons from selling, licensing, or providing algorithmic software to a residential landlord. XAlgorithmic softwareY is defined in the bill to mean software that uses an algorithm to perform calculations on nonpublic competitor data regarding rent or occupancy levels in this state for the purpose of informing a landlord[s decision regarding residential housing occupancy rates, whether to leave a residential unit vacant, or the amount of rent that a landlord may obtain for a residential unit. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the attorney general, or a district attorney may investigate violations of this bill, and the attorney general or a district attorney may commence an action seeking an injunction or to recover a civil forfeiture of up to $1,000 per violation. In addition, a tenant may file a civil action seeking actual damages incurred as a result of a violation of the bill or $1,000 per violation, whichever is greater, or for injunctive relief, or for a combination of injunctive relief and damages. Under the bill, if a landlord includes a provision in a lease that 1) waives the landlord[s obligation to comply with the prohibition on the use of algorithmic software or 2) discourages or impedes a tenant from filing an action seeking injunctive relief or damages stemming from the landlord[s violation of the bill[s prohibitions, then the rental agreement is void and unenforceable. | In Committee |
| AB97 | Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to seek approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to extend until the last day of the month in which the 365th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls Medical Assistance benefits to women who are eligible for those benefits when pregnant. Currently, postpartum women are eligible for Medical Assistance benefits until the last day of the month in which the 60th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls. 2021 Wisconsin Act 58 required DHS to seek approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to extend these postpartum Medical Assistance benefits until the last day of the month in which the 90th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls. On June 3, 2022, DHS filed a Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver application with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to extend postpartum coverage for eligible Medical Assistance recipients, as required by 2021 Wisconsin Act 58. The Medical Assistance program is a joint federal and state program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB79 | Prosecuting or adjudicating delinquent a person under the age of 18 for committing an act of prostitution. | Under current law, a person who is under the age of 18 may be prosecuted or adjudicated delinquent for committing an act of prostitution, a Class A misdemeanor. Under this bill, a person who is under the age of 18 may not be prosecuted or adjudicated delinquent for committing an act of prostitution. This bill also eliminates the option under current law in cases where a person under the age of 18 has committed an act of prostitution for a court to enter a consent decree under the Juvenile Justice Code, or a deferred prosecution agreement under the Juvenile Justice Code or adult criminal statutes, if the court determines that a consent decree or deferred prosecution agreement will serve the best interests of the person being prosecuted and will not harm society. | In Committee |
| SJR20 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Soletski. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Soletski. | In Committee |
| SB70 | A minor’s authority to consent to health care. | This bill allows a minor who is an unaccompanied youth to consent to, contract for, and receive medically necessary care without a parent[s or guardian[s permission, authority, or consent under certain circumstances. The bill defines Xunaccompanied youthY as the term is defined under federal law, which is a homeless youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. The bill defines Xmedically necessary careY as a medical service that is required to prevent, identify, or treat a recipient[s illness, injury, or disability and that meets a set of standards specified in the bill. Under the bill, in order to consent to health care, such a minor must be at least 14 years of age and must not be under the supervision of a county department of human services or social services, a licensed child welfare agency, the Department of Children and Families, or the Department of Corrections. Also under the bill, one of the following must confirm in writing that the minor is an unaccompanied youth: a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youths designated under federal law, a school social worker or counselor, an employee who conducts intake at a shelter facility or transitional living program where the minor has been admitted as an unaccompanied youth under current law, or the director, or his or her designee, of a governmental or nonprofit entity that receives public or LRB-0487/1 EHS:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 70 private funding to provide services to individuals who are homeless or to unaccompanied youth. Under the bill, a professional who provides medically necessary care to a minor based on the minor[s consent given in conformity with the bill may not be held liable in a civil or criminal action for providing those services without having obtained permission from the minor[s parent or guardian. | In Committee |
| AB49 | A minor’s authority to consent to health care. | This bill allows a minor who is an unaccompanied youth to consent to, contract for, and receive medically necessary care without a parent[s or guardian[s permission, authority, or consent under certain circumstances. The bill defines Xunaccompanied youthY as the term is defined under federal law, which is a homeless youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. The bill defines Xmedically necessary careY as a medical service that is required to prevent, identify, or treat a recipient[s illness, injury, or disability and that meets a set of standards specified in the bill. Under the bill, in order to consent to health care, such a minor must be at least 14 years of age and must not be under the supervision of a county department of human services or social services, a licensed child welfare agency, the Department of Children and Families, or the Department of Corrections. Also under the bill, one of the following must confirm in writing that the minor is an unaccompanied youth: a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youths designated under federal law, a school social worker or counselor, an employee who conducts intake at a shelter facility or transitional living program where the minor has been admitted as an unaccompanied youth under current law, or the director, or his or her designee, of a governmental or nonprofit entity that receives public or private funding to provide services to individuals who are homeless or to unaccompanied youth. Under the bill, a professional who provides medically necessary care to a minor based on the minor[s consent given in conformity with the bill may not be held liable in a civil or criminal action for providing those services without having obtained permission from the minor[s parent or guardian. | In Committee |
| AJR5 | Proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | Relating to: proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR15 | Proclaiming March 26, 2025, as Purple Day for epilepsy. | Relating to: proclaiming March 26, 2025, as Purple Day for epilepsy. | Crossed Over |
| SJR19 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | In Committee |
| SB135 | Special observance days in schools. | This bill adds February 18, Vel R. Phillips[s birthday, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. | In Committee |
| SJR17 | Honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | Relating to: honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | In Committee |
| AR5 | Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17, 2025. | Relating to: celebrating Saint Patrick[s Day on March 17, 2025. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AB125 | Special observance days in schools. | This bill adds February 18, Vel R. Phillips[s birthday, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. | In Committee |
| SB60 | Expanding the homestead income tax credit. (FE) | Under current law, the homestead tax credit is a refundable income tax credit that may be claimed by homeowners and renters. The credit is based on the claimant[s household income and the amount of property taxes or rent constituting property taxes on his or her Wisconsin homestead. Because the credit is refundable, if the credit exceeds the claimant[s income tax liability, he or she receives the excess as a refund check. Under current law, there are three key dollar amounts used when calculating the credit: 1. If household income is $8,060 or less, the credit is 80 percent of the property taxes or rent constituting property taxes. If household income exceeds $8,060, the property taxes or rent constituting property taxes are reduced by 8.785 percent of the household income exceeding $8,060, and the credit is 80 percent of the reduced property taxes or rent constituting property taxes. 2. The credit may not be claimed if household income exceeds $24,680. LRB-2169/1 KP:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 60 3. The maximum property taxes or rent constituting property taxes used to calculate the credit is $1,460. Beginning with claims filed for the 2025 tax year, this bill reduces the percentage used for household income over $8,060 from 8.785 to 5.614 percent and increases the maximum income amount from $24,680 to $35,000. The bill also indexes the $8,060, $35,000, and $1,460 amounts for inflation during future tax years. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB52 | Expanding the homestead income tax credit. (FE) | Under current law, the homestead tax credit is a refundable income tax credit that may be claimed by homeowners and renters. The credit is based on the claimant[s household income and the amount of property taxes or rent constituting property taxes on his or her Wisconsin homestead. Because the credit is refundable, if the credit exceeds the claimant[s income tax liability, he or she receives the excess as a refund check. Under current law, there are three key dollar amounts used when calculating the credit: 1. If household income is $8,060 or less, the credit is 80 percent of the property taxes or rent constituting property taxes. If household income exceeds $8,060, the property taxes or rent constituting property taxes are reduced by 8.785 percent of the household income exceeding $8,060, and the credit is 80 percent of the reduced property taxes or rent constituting property taxes. 2. The credit may not be claimed if household income exceeds $24,680. 3. The maximum property taxes or rent constituting property taxes used to calculate the credit is $1,460. Beginning with claims filed for the 2025 tax year, this bill reduces the percentage used for household income over $8,060 from 8.785 to 5.614 percent and increases the maximum income amount from $24,680 to $35,000. The bill also indexes the $8,060, $35,000, and $1,460 amounts for inflation during future tax years. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR15 | Condemning the pardons and sentence commutations of individuals involved in the violent attack on law enforcement officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. | Relating to: condemning the pardons and sentence commutations of individuals involved in the violent attack on law enforcement officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. | In Committee |
| AB48 | Providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides additional state aid to public and private schools in this state that provide free meals to all pupils. Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction makes payments to school districts, private schools, independent charter schools, tribal schools, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to partially match the federal contribution under the National School Lunch Program, under which schools provide free or reduced-price lunches to low-income children. Currently, the state share for school lunches is a variable percentage of the amount of the federal basic reimbursement, which is then allocated among eligible schools according to the number of lunches served during the prior school year. Also under current law, DPI provides a per meal reimbursement to school districts, private schools, and tribal schools that provide breakfast to pupils under the federal School Breakfast Program. Currently, the state provides a per meal reimbursement of $0.15 for each breakfast served under the program, but, if there is insufficient funding to pay the full amount, DPI prorates the payments. Under the bill, a school is eligible for additional state reimbursement for lunches and breakfasts served in a school year if the school 1) participates in both the National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year; and 2) for each school day in which school is in session during the school year, provides to any pupil who requests one, at no cost to the pupil, one lunch and one breakfast that meet the federal food, nutritional, and other requirements for meals served under the federal programs. Under the bill, DPI must reimburse an eligible school a per meal amount that is equal to the federal reimbursement rate applicable to the eligible school under the applicable federal program for a meal served to a pupil who satisfies the income eligibility criteria for a free lunch, minus any amount the eligible school receives from the federal government to pay for those meals. In other words, the bill guarantees that an eligible school will receive a total amount in state and federal aid that will reimburse the eligible school an amount equal to the free meal reimbursement rate for each meal the eligible school serves. The additional state reimbursement under the bill is available to school districts, independent charter schools, private schools, tribal schools, residential care centers for children and youth, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired that meet the eligibility requirements. Under the bill, if a school does not meet the eligibility requirements for the additional state reimbursement for a school year, all of the following apply: 1. If the school participates in the National School Lunch Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school an amount required to meet the state[s matching obligation under the federal program. 2. If the school participates in the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school $0.15 for each breakfast served under the federal program, without proration. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB19 | Fee waivers for state park vehicle admission receipts to pupils with Every Kid Outdoors passes. (FE) | Under current law, no person may operate a vehicle in any state park or in certain other recreational areas on state land unless the vehicle displays a vehicle admission receipt. This bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to waive the fee for an annual vehicle admission receipt issued to the parent or guardian of a child who possesses a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass issued by the U.S. National Park Service. Under current federal law, such a pass authorizes free admission to national parks for any 4th grader and his or her family. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB67 | Providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides additional state aid to public and private schools in this state that provide free meals to all pupils. Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction makes payments to school districts, private schools, independent charter schools, tribal schools, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to partially match the federal contribution under the National School Lunch Program, under which schools provide free or reduced-price lunches to low-income children. Currently, the state share for school lunches is a variable percentage of the amount of the federal basic LRB-2213/1 KMS:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 67 reimbursement, which is then allocated among eligible schools according to the number of lunches served during the prior school year. Also under current law, DPI provides a per meal reimbursement to school districts, private schools, and tribal schools that provide breakfast to pupils under the federal School Breakfast Program. Currently, the state provides a per meal reimbursement of $0.15 for each breakfast served under the program, but, if there is insufficient funding to pay the full amount, DPI prorates the payments. Under the bill, a school is eligible for additional state reimbursement for lunches and breakfasts served in a school year if the school 1) participates in both the National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year; and 2) for each school day in which school is in session during the school year, provides to any pupil who requests one, at no cost to the pupil, one lunch and one breakfast that meet the federal food, nutritional, and other requirements for meals served under the federal programs. Under the bill, DPI must reimburse an eligible school a per meal amount that is equal to the federal reimbursement rate applicable to the eligible school under the applicable federal program for a meal served to a pupil who satisfies the income eligibility criteria for a free lunch, minus any amount the eligible school receives from the federal government to pay for those meals. In other words, the bill guarantees that an eligible school will receive a total amount in state and federal aid that will reimburse the eligible school an amount equal to the free meal reimbursement rate for each meal the eligible school serves. The additional state reimbursement under the bill is available to school districts, independent charter schools, private schools, tribal schools, residential care centers for children and youth, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired that meet the eligibility requirements. Under the bill, if a school does not meet the eligibility requirements for the additional state reimbursement for a school year, all of the following apply: 1. If the school participates in the National School Lunch Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school an amount required to meet the state[s matching obligation under the federal program. 2. If the school participates in the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school $0.15 for each breakfast served under the federal program, without proration. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR11 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Soletski. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Soletski. | In Committee |
| AB62 | Health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Elimination of cost sharing for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program Under current law, certain persons who receive health services under the Medical Assistance program, also known in this state as BadgerCare, are required to contribute a cost-sharing payment to the cost of certain health services. This bill eliminates all cost-sharing payments for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. Cost-sharing cap on insulin The bill prohibits every health insurance policy and governmental self-insured health plan that covers insulin and imposes cost sharing on prescription drugs from imposing cost sharing on insulin in an amount that exceeds $35 for a one-month supply. Current law requires every health insurance policy that provides coverage of expenses incurred for treatment of diabetes to provide coverage for specified expenses and items, including insulin. The required coverage under current law for certain diabetes treatments other than insulin infusion pumps is subject to the same exclusions, limitations, deductibles, and coinsurance provisions of the policy as other covered expenses. The bill[s cost-sharing limitation on insulin supersedes the specification that the exclusions, limitations, deductibles, and coinsurance are the same as for other coverage. Fiduciary and disclosure requirements for pharmacy benefit managers The bill imposes fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers. Pharmacy benefit managers contract with health plans that provide prescription drug benefits to administer those benefits for the plans. They also have contracts with pharmacies and pay the pharmacies for providing drugs to the plan beneficiaries. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager owes a fiduciary duty to a health plan sponsor. The bill also requires that a pharmacy benefit manager annually disclose all of the following information to the plan sponsor: 1. The indirect profit received by the pharmacy benefit manager from owning a pharmacy or service provider. 2. Any payments made to a consultant or broker who works on behalf of the plan sponsor. 3. From the amounts received from drug manufacturers, the amounts retained by the pharmacy benefit manager that are related to the plan sponsor[s claims or bona fide service fees. 4. The amounts received from network pharmacies and the amount retained by the pharmacy benefit manager. Reimbursements for certain 340B program entities The bill prohibits any person from reimbursing certain entities that participate in the federal drug pricing program, known as the 340B program, for a drug subject to an agreement under the program at a rate lower than that paid for the same drug to pharmacies that have a similar prescription volume. The bill also prohibits a person from imposing any fee, charge back, or other adjustment on the basis of the entity[s participation in the 340B program. The entities covered by the prohibitions under the bill are federally qualified health centers, critical access hospitals, and grantees under the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, as well as these entities[ pharmacies and any pharmacy with which any of the entities have contracted to dispense drugs through the 340B program. Drug repository program Under current law, the Department of Health Services must maintain a drug repository program under which any person may donate certain drugs or supplies to be dispensed to and used by eligible individuals, prioritizing uninsured and indigent individuals. The bill allows DHS to partner with out-of-state drug repository programs. The bill also allows out-of-state persons to donate to the drug repository program in Wisconsin and persons in Wisconsin to donate to participating drug repository programs in other states. Further, the bill directs DHS to study and implement a centralized, physical drug repository program. Value-based diabetes medication pilot project The bill directs the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to develop a pilot project under which a pharmacy benefit manager and pharmaceutical manufacturer are directed to create a value-based, sole-source arrangement to reduce the costs of prescription diabetes medication. The bill allows OCI to promulgate rules to implement the pilot project. Pharmacist continuing education credits for volunteering at free and charitable clinics Under current law, a licensed pharmacist must renew his or her license every two years. An applicant for renewal of a pharmacist license must submit proof that he or she has completed 30 hours of continuing education within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of his or her application. The bill allows pharmacists to meet up to 10 hours of the continuing education requirement for each two-year period by volunteering at a free and charitable clinic approved by the Pharmacy Examining Board. Prescription drug importation program The bill requires the commissioner of insurance, in consultation with persons interested in the sale and pricing of prescription drugs and federal officials and agencies, to design and implement a prescription drug importation program for the benefit of and that generates savings for Wisconsin residents. The bill establishes requirements for the program, including all of the following: 1. The commissioner must designate a state agency to become a licensed wholesale distributor or contract with a licensed wholesale distributor and to seek federal certification and approval to import prescription drugs. 2. The program must comply with certain federal regulations and import from Canadian suppliers only prescription drugs that are not brand-name drugs, have fewer than four competitor drugs in this country, and for which importation creates substantial savings. 3. The commissioner must ensure that prescription drugs imported under the program are not distributed, dispensed, or sold outside of Wisconsin. 4. The program must have an audit procedure to ensure the program complies with certain requirements specified in the bill. Before submitting the proposed program to the federal government for certification, the commissioner must submit the proposed program to the Joint Committee on Finance for its approval. Pharmacy benefits tool grants The bill directs OCI to award grants in an amount of up to $500,000 in each fiscal year to health care providers to develop and implement a patient pharmacy benefits tool that would allow prescribers to disclose the cost of prescription drugs for patients. The tool must be usable by physicians and other prescribers to determine the cost of prescription drugs for their patients. Any health care provider that receives a grant to develop and implement a patient pharmacy benefits tool is required to contribute matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total grant awarded. Prescription drug purchasing entity study The bill requires OCI to conduct a study on the viability of creating or implementing a state prescription drug purchasing entity. Licensure of pharmacy services administrative organizations The bill requires that a pharmacy services administrative organization (PSAO) be licensed by OCI. Under the bill, a PSAO is an entity operating in Wisconsin that does all of the following: 1. Contracts with an independent pharmacy to conduct business on the pharmacy[s behalf with a third-party payer. 2. Provides at least one administrative service to an independent pharmacy and negotiates and enters into a contract with a third-party payer or pharmacy benefit manager on the pharmacy[s behalf. The bill defines Xindependent pharmacyY to mean a licensed pharmacy operating in Wisconsin that is under common ownership with no more than two other pharmacies. XAdministrative serviceY is defined to mean assisting with claims or audits, providing centralized payment, performing certification in a specialized care program, providing compliance support, setting flat fees for generic drugs, assisting with store layout, managing inventory, providing marketing support, providing management and analysis of payment and drug dispensing data, or providing resources for retail cash cards. The bill defines Xthird-party payerY to mean an entity operating in Wisconsin that pays or insures health, medical, or prescription drug expenses on behalf of beneficiaries. The bill uses the current law definition of Xpharmacy benefit manager,Y which is an entity doing business in Wisconsin that contracts to administer or manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of an insurer or other entity that provides prescription drug benefits to Wisconsin residents. To obtain the license required by the bill, a person must apply to OCI and provide the contact information for the applicant and a contact person, evidence of financial responsibility of at least $1,000,000, and any other information required by the commissioner by rule. Under the bill, the license fee is set by the commissioner, and the term of a license is two years. The bill also requires that a PSAO disclose to OCI the extent of any ownership or control by an entity that provides pharmacy services; provides prescription drug or device services; or manufactures, sells, or distributes prescription drugs, biologicals, or medical devices. The PSAO must notify OCI within five days of any material change in its ownership or control related to such an entity. Licensure of pharmaceutical representatives The bill requires a pharmaceutical representative to be licensed by OCI and to display the pharmaceutical representative[s license during each visit with a health care professional. The bill defines Xpharmaceutical representativeY to mean an individual who markets or promotes pharmaceuticals to health care professionals on behalf of a pharmaceutical manufacturer for compensation. The term of a license issued under the bill is one year, and the license is renewable. The application to obtain or renew a license must include the applicant[s contact information, a description of the type of work in which the applicant will engage, the license fee, an attestation that professional education requirements are met, proof that any penalties and other fees are paid, and any other information required by OCI by rule. Under the bill, the license fee is set by the commissioner. The bill requires the pharmaceutical representative to report, within four business days, any change to the information provided on the application or any material change to the pharmaceutical representative[s business operations or other information required to be reported under the bill. The bill requires that a pharmaceutical representative complete a professional education course prior to becoming licensed and to annually complete at least five hours of continuing professional education courses. The coursework must include, at a minimum, training in ethical standards, whistleblower protections, and the laws and rules applicable to pharmaceutical marketing. The bill directs the commissioner to regularly publish a list of courses that fulfill the education requirements. Under the bill, a course provider must disclose any conflict of interest to the commissioner, and the courses may not be provided by the employer of a pharmaceutical representative or be funded by the pharmaceutical industry or a third party funded by the industry. The bill requires that, no later than June 1 of each year, a pharmaceutical representative report to OCI the pharmaceutical representative[s total number of contacts with health care professionals in Wisconsin, the specialties of those health care professionals, the location and duration of each contact, the pharmaceuticals discussed, and the value of any item provided to a health care professional. The bill directs the commissioner to publish the information on OCI[s website without identifying individual health care professionals. The bill requires that a pharmaceutical representative, during each contact with a health care professional, disclose the wholesale acquisition cost of any pharmaceuticals discussed and the names of at least three generic prescription drugs from the same therapeutic class. The bill directs the commissioner to promulgate ethical standards for pharmaceutical representatives. Additionally, the bill prohibits a pharmaceutical representative from engaging in deceptive or misleading marketing of a pharmaceutical product; using a title or designation that could reasonably lead a licensed health care professional, or an employee or representative of such a professional, to believe that the pharmaceutical representative is licensed to practice in a health occupation unless the pharmaceutical representative holds a license to practice in that health occupation; or attending a patient examination without the patient[s consent. An individual who violates any of the requirements under the bill is subject to a forfeiture, and the individual[s license may be suspended or revoked. An individual whose license is revoked must wait at least two years before applying for a new license. Insulin safety net programs The bill requires insulin manufacturers to establish a program under which qualifying Wisconsin residents who are in urgent need of insulin and are uninsured or have limited insurance coverage can be dispensed insulin at a pharmacy. An individual is in urgent need of insulin if the individual needs insulin in order to avoid the likelihood of suffering a significant health consequence and possesses less than a seven-day supply of insulin readily available for use. Under the program, if a qualifying individual in urgent need of insulin provides a pharmacy with a form attesting that the individual meets the program[s eligibility requirements, specified proof of residency, and a valid insulin prescription, the pharmacy must dispense a 30-day supply of insulin to the individual and may charge the individual a copayment of no more than $35. The pharmacy may submit an electronic payment claim for the insulin[s acquisition cost to the manufacturer or agree to receive a replacement of the same insulin in the amount dispensed. The bill also requires that each insulin manufacturer establish a patient assistance program to make insulin available to any qualifying Wisconsin resident who, among other requirements, is uninsured or has limited insurance coverage and whose family income does not exceed 400 percent of the federal poverty line. Under the bill, an individual must apply to participate in a manufacturer[s program. If the manufacturer determines that the individual meets the program[s eligibility requirements, the manufacturer must issue the individual a statement of eligibility, which is valid for 12 months and may be renewed. Under the bill, if an individual with a statement of eligibility and valid insulin prescription requests insulin from a pharmacy, the pharmacy must submit an order to the manufacturer, who must then provide a 90-day supply of insulin at no charge to the individual or pharmacy. The pharmacy may charge the individual a copayment of no more than $50. Under the bill, a manufacturer is not required to issue a statement of eligibility if the individual has prescription drug coverage through an individual or group health plan and the manufacturer determines that the individual[s insulin needs are better addressed through the manufacturer[s copayment assistance program. In such case, the manufacturer must provide the individual with necessary drug coupons to submit to a pharmacy, and the individual may not be required to pay more than a $50 copayment for a 90-day supply of insulin. Under the bill, if the manufacturer determines that an individual is not eligible for the patient assistance program, the individual may file an appeal with OCI. The bill directs OCI to establish procedures for deciding appeals. Under the bill, OCI must issue a decision within 10 days, and that decision is final. The bill requires that insulin manufacturers annually report to OCI certain information, including the number of individuals served and the cost of insulin dispensed under the programs and that OCI annually report to the governor and the legislature on the programs. The bill also directs OCI to conduct public outreach and develop an information sheet about the programs, conduct satisfaction surveys of individuals and pharmacies that participate in the programs, and report to the governor and the legislature on the surveys by July 1, 2028. Additionally, the bill requires that OCI develop a training program for health care navigators to assist individuals in accessing appropriate long-term insulin options and maintain a list of trained navigators. The bill provides that a manufacturer that fails to comply with the bill[s provisions may be assessed a forfeiture of up to noncompliance, which increases to $400,000 per month if the manufacturer continues to be in noncompliance after six months and to $600,000 per month if the manufacturer continues to be in noncompliance after one year. The bill[s requirements do not apply to manufacturers with annual insulin sales revenue in Wisconsin of no more than $2,000,000 or to insulin that costs less than a specified dollar amount. Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board The bill creates a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board, whose purpose is to protect Wisconsin residents and other stakeholders from the high costs of prescription drugs. The board consists of the commissioner of insurance and the following members, all of whom are appointed by the governor for four-year terms: 1. Two members who represent the pharmaceutical drug industry, at least one of whom is a licensed pharmacist. 2. Two members who represent the health insurance industry. 3. Two members who represent the health care industry, at least one of whom is a licensed practitioner. 4. Two members who represent the interests of the public. The bill requires the board to meet in open session at least four times per year to review prescription drug pricing information. The board must provide at least two weeks[ public notice of each meeting, make the meeting[s materials publicly available at least one week prior to the meeting, and provide the opportunity for public comment. The bill imposes conflict of interest requirements for the board relating to recusal and public disclosure of certain conflicts. The bill directs the board to access and assess drug pricing information, to the extent practicable, by accessing and assessing information from other states, by assessing spending for the drug in Wisconsin, and by accessing other available pricing information. Under the bill, the board must conduct drug cost affordability reviews. The board must identify prescription drugs whose launch wholesale acquisition cost exceeds specified thresholds, prescription drugs whose increase in wholesale acquisition cost exceeds specified thresholds, and other prescription drugs that may create affordability challenges for the health care system in Wisconsin. For each identified prescription drug, the board must determine whether to conduct an affordability review by seeking stakeholder input and considering the average patient cost share for the drug. During an affordability review, the board must determine whether use of the prescription drug that is fully consistent with the labeling approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or standard medical practice has led or will lead to an affordability challenge for the health care system in Wisconsin. In making this determination, the bill requires the board to consider a variety of factors, which include the following: 1. The drug[s wholesale acquisition cost. 2. The average monetary price concession, discount, or rebate the manufacturer provides, or is expected to provide, for the drug to health plans. 3. The total amount of price concessions, discounts, and rebates the manufacturer provides to each pharmacy benefit manager for the drug. 4. The price at which therapeutic alternatives have been sold and the average monetary concession, discount, or rebate the manufacturer provides, or is expected to provide, to health plan payors and pharmacy benefit managers for therapeutic alternatives. 5. The costs to health plans based on patient access consistent with federal labeled indications and recognized standard medical practice. 6. The impact on patient access resulting from the drug[s cost relative to insurance benefit design. 7. The current or expected dollar value of drug-specific patient access programs that are supported by the manufacturer. 8. The relative financial impacts to health, medical, or social services costs that can be quantified and compared to baseline effects of existing therapeutic alternatives. 9. The average patient copay or other cost sharing for the drug. If the board determines that a prescription drug will lead to an affordability challenge, the bill directs the board to establish an upper payment limit for that drug that applies to all purchases and payor reimbursements of the drug dispensed or administered to individuals in Wisconsin. In establishing the upper payment limit, the board must consider the cost of administering the drug, the cost of delivering it to consumers, and other relevant administrative costs. For certain drugs, the board must solicit information from the manufacturer regarding the price increase and, if the board determines that the price increase is not a result of the need for increased manufacturing capacity or other effort to improve patient access during a public health emergency, the board must establish an upper payment limit equal to the drug[s cost prior to the price increase. Further, this bill provides $500,000 in program revenue in fiscal year 2026]27 for onetime implementation costs associated with establishing an Office of Prescription Drug Affordability in OCI. The bill provides that the Office of Prescription Drug Affordability is responsible for prescription drug affordability programming within OCI and for overseeing the operations of the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. Additionally, the bill authorizes and funds for fiscal year 2026]27 16.0 positions for the Office of Prescription Drug Affordability. Finally, the bill credits to the appropriation account for OCI[s general program operations all moneys received from the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy benefit management brokers, pharmacy benefit management consultants, pharmacy services administrative organizations, and pharmaceutical sales representatives. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB50 | Health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Elimination of cost sharing for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program Under current law, certain persons who receive health services under the Medical Assistance program, also known in this state as BadgerCare, are required to contribute a cost-sharing payment to the cost of certain health services. This bill eliminates all cost-sharing payments for prescription drugs under the Medical LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 Assistance program. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. Cost-sharing cap on insulin The bill prohibits every health insurance policy and governmental self-insured health plan that covers insulin and imposes cost sharing on prescription drugs from imposing cost sharing on insulin in an amount that exceeds $35 for a one-month supply. Current law requires every health insurance policy that provides coverage of expenses incurred for treatment of diabetes to provide coverage for specified expenses and items, including insulin. The required coverage under current law for certain diabetes treatments other than insulin infusion pumps is subject to the same exclusions, limitations, deductibles, and coinsurance provisions of the policy as other covered expenses. The bill[s cost-sharing limitation on insulin supersedes the specification that the exclusions, limitations, deductibles, and coinsurance are the same as for other coverage. Fiduciary and disclosure requirements for pharmacy benefit managers The bill imposes fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers. Pharmacy benefit managers contract with health plans that provide prescription drug benefits to administer those benefits for the plans. They also have contracts with pharmacies and pay the pharmacies for providing drugs to the plan beneficiaries. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager owes a fiduciary duty to a health plan sponsor. The bill also requires that a pharmacy benefit manager annually disclose all of the following information to the plan sponsor: 1. The indirect profit received by the pharmacy benefit manager from owning a pharmacy or service provider. 2. Any payments made to a consultant or broker who works on behalf of the plan sponsor. 3. From the amounts received from drug manufacturers, the amounts retained by the pharmacy benefit manager that are related to the plan sponsor[s claims or bona fide service fees. 4. The amounts received from network pharmacies and the amount retained by the pharmacy benefit manager. Reimbursements for certain 340B program entities The bill prohibits any person from reimbursing certain entities that participate in the federal drug pricing program, known as the 340B program, for a drug subject to an agreement under the program at a rate lower than that paid for the same drug to pharmacies that have a similar prescription volume. The bill also prohibits a person from imposing any fee, charge back, or other adjustment on the basis of the entity[s participation in the 340B program. The entities covered by the prohibitions under the bill are federally qualified health centers, critical access hospitals, and grantees under the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, as well LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 as these entities[ pharmacies and any pharmacy with which any of the entities have contracted to dispense drugs through the 340B program. Drug repository program Under current law, the Department of Health Services must maintain a drug repository program under which any person may donate certain drugs or supplies to be dispensed to and used by eligible individuals, prioritizing uninsured and indigent individuals. The bill allows DHS to partner with out-of-state drug repository programs. The bill also allows out-of-state persons to donate to the drug repository program in Wisconsin and persons in Wisconsin to donate to participating drug repository programs in other states. Further, the bill directs DHS to study and implement a centralized, physical drug repository program. Value-based diabetes medication pilot project The bill directs the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to develop a pilot project under which a pharmacy benefit manager and pharmaceutical manufacturer are directed to create a value-based, sole-source arrangement to reduce the costs of prescription diabetes medication. The bill allows OCI to promulgate rules to implement the pilot project. Pharmacist continuing education credits for volunteering at free and charitable clinics Under current law, a licensed pharmacist must renew his or her license every two years. An applicant for renewal of a pharmacist license must submit proof that he or she has completed 30 hours of continuing education within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of his or her application. The bill allows pharmacists to meet up to 10 hours of the continuing education requirement for each two-year period by volunteering at a free and charitable clinic approved by the Pharmacy Examining Board. Prescription drug importation program The bill requires the commissioner of insurance, in consultation with persons interested in the sale and pricing of prescription drugs and federal officials and agencies, to design and implement a prescription drug importation program for the benefit of and that generates savings for Wisconsin residents. The bill establishes requirements for the program, including all of the following: 1. The commissioner must designate a state agency to become a licensed wholesale distributor or contract with a licensed wholesale distributor and to seek federal certification and approval to import prescription drugs. 2. The program must comply with certain federal regulations and import from Canadian suppliers only prescription drugs that are not brand-name drugs, have fewer than four competitor drugs in this country, and for which importation creates substantial savings. 3. The commissioner must ensure that prescription drugs imported under the program are not distributed, dispensed, or sold outside of Wisconsin. LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 4. The program must have an audit procedure to ensure the program complies with certain requirements specified in the bill. Before submitting the proposed program to the federal government for certification, the commissioner must submit the proposed program to the Joint Committee on Finance for its approval. Pharmacy benefits tool grants The bill directs OCI to award grants in an amount of up to $500,000 in each fiscal year to health care providers to develop and implement a patient pharmacy benefits tool that would allow prescribers to disclose the cost of prescription drugs for patients. The tool must be usable by physicians and other prescribers to determine the cost of prescription drugs for their patients. Any health care provider that receives a grant to develop and implement a patient pharmacy benefits tool is required to contribute matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total grant awarded. Prescription drug purchasing entity study The bill requires OCI to conduct a study on the viability of creating or implementing a state prescription drug purchasing entity. Licensure of pharmacy services administrative organizations The bill requires that a pharmacy services administrative organization (PSAO) be licensed by OCI. Under the bill, a PSAO is an entity operating in Wisconsin that does all of the following: 1. Contracts with an independent pharmacy to conduct business on the pharmacy[s behalf with a third-party payer. 2. Provides at least one administrative service to an independent pharmacy and negotiates and enters into a contract with a third-party payer or pharmacy benefit manager on the pharmacy[s behalf. The bill defines Xindependent pharmacyY to mean a licensed pharmacy operating in Wisconsin that is under common ownership with no more than two other pharmacies. XAdministrative serviceY is defined to mean assisting with claims or audits, providing centralized payment, performing certification in a specialized care program, providing compliance support, setting flat fees for generic drugs, assisting with store layout, managing inventory, providing marketing support, providing management and analysis of payment and drug dispensing data, or providing resources for retail cash cards. The bill defines Xthird-party payerY to mean an entity operating in Wisconsin that pays or insures health, medical, or prescription drug expenses on behalf of beneficiaries. The bill uses the current law definition of Xpharmacy benefit manager,Y which is an entity doing business in Wisconsin that contracts to administer or manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of an insurer or other entity that provides prescription drug benefits to Wisconsin residents. To obtain the license required by the bill, a person must apply to OCI and provide the contact information for the applicant and a contact person, evidence of LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 financial responsibility of at least $1,000,000, and any other information required by the commissioner by rule. Under the bill, the license fee is set by the commissioner, and the term of a license is two years. The bill also requires that a PSAO disclose to OCI the extent of any ownership or control by an entity that provides pharmacy services; provides prescription drug or device services; or manufactures, sells, or distributes prescription drugs, biologicals, or medical devices. The PSAO must notify OCI within five days of any material change in its ownership or control related to such an entity. Licensure of pharmaceutical representatives The bill requires a pharmaceutical representative to be licensed by OCI and to display the pharmaceutical representative[s license during each visit with a health care professional. The bill defines Xpharmaceutical representativeY to mean an individual who markets or promotes pharmaceuticals to health care professionals on behalf of a pharmaceutical manufacturer for compensation. The term of a license issued under the bill is one year, and the license is renewable. The application to obtain or renew a license must include the applicant[s contact information, a description of the type of work in which the applicant will engage, the license fee, an attestation that professional education requirements are met, proof that any penalties and other fees are paid, and any other information required by OCI by rule. Under the bill, the license fee is set by the commissioner. The bill requires the pharmaceutical representative to report, within four business days, any change to the information provided on the application or any material change to the pharmaceutical representative[s business operations or other information required to be reported under the bill. The bill requires that a pharmaceutical representative complete a professional education course prior to becoming licensed and to annually complete at least five hours of continuing professional education courses. The coursework must include, at a minimum, training in ethical standards, whistleblower protections, and the laws and rules applicable to pharmaceutical marketing. The bill directs the commissioner to regularly publish a list of courses that fulfill the education requirements. Under the bill, a course provider must disclose any conflict of interest to the commissioner, and the courses may not be provided by the employer of a pharmaceutical representative or be funded by the pharmaceutical industry or a third party funded by the industry. The bill requires that, no later than June 1 of each year, a pharmaceutical representative report to OCI the pharmaceutical representative[s total number of contacts with health care professionals in Wisconsin, the specialties of those health care professionals, the location and duration of each contact, the pharmaceuticals discussed, and the value of any item provided to a health care professional. The bill directs the commissioner to publish the information on OCI[s website without identifying individual health care professionals. The bill requires that a pharmaceutical representative, during each contact with a health care professional, disclose the wholesale acquisition cost of any LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 pharmaceuticals discussed and the names of at least three generic prescription drugs from the same therapeutic class. The bill directs the commissioner to promulgate ethical standards for pharmaceutical representatives. Additionally, the bill prohibits a pharmaceutical representative from engaging in deceptive or misleading marketing of a pharmaceutical product; using a title or designation that could reasonably lead a licensed health care professional, or an employee or representative of such a professional, to believe that the pharmaceutical representative is licensed to practice in a health occupation unless the pharmaceutical representative holds a license to practice in that health occupation; or attending a patient examination without the patient[s consent. An individual who violates any of the requirements under the bill is subject to a forfeiture, and the individual[s license may be suspended or revoked. An individual whose license is revoked must wait at least two years before applying for a new license. Insulin safety net programs The bill requires insulin manufacturers to establish a program under which qualifying Wisconsin residents who are in urgent need of insulin and are uninsured or have limited insurance coverage can be dispensed insulin at a pharmacy. An individual is in urgent need of insulin if the individual needs insulin in order to avoid the likelihood of suffering a significant health consequence and possesses less than a seven-day supply of insulin readily available for use. Under the program, if a qualifying individual in urgent need of insulin provides a pharmacy with a form attesting that the individual meets the program[s eligibility requirements, specified proof of residency, and a valid insulin prescription, the pharmacy must dispense a 30-day supply of insulin to the individual and may charge the individual a copayment of no more than $35. The pharmacy may submit an electronic payment claim for the insulin[s acquisition cost to the manufacturer or agree to receive a replacement of the same insulin in the amount dispensed. The bill also requires that each insulin manufacturer establish a patient assistance program to make insulin available to any qualifying Wisconsin resident who, among other requirements, is uninsured or has limited insurance coverage and whose family income does not exceed 400 percent of the federal poverty line. Under the bill, an individual must apply to participate in a manufacturer[s program. If the manufacturer determines that the individual meets the program[s eligibility requirements, the manufacturer must issue the individual a statement of eligibility, which is valid for 12 months and may be renewed. Under the bill, if an individual with a statement of eligibility and valid insulin prescription requests insulin from a pharmacy, the pharmacy must submit an order to the manufacturer, who must then provide a 90-day supply of insulin at no charge to the individual or pharmacy. The pharmacy may charge the individual a copayment of no more than $50. Under the bill, a manufacturer is not required to issue a statement of eligibility if the individual has prescription drug coverage through an individual or LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 group health plan and the manufacturer determines that the individual[s insulin needs are better addressed through the manufacturer[s copayment assistance program. In such case, the manufacturer must provide the individual with necessary drug coupons to submit to a pharmacy, and the individual may not be required to pay more than a $50 copayment for a 90-day supply of insulin. Under the bill, if the manufacturer determines that an individual is not eligible for the patient assistance program, the individual may file an appeal with OCI. The bill directs OCI to establish procedures for deciding appeals. Under the bill, OCI must issue a decision within 10 days, and that decision is final. The bill requires that insulin manufacturers annually report to OCI certain information, including the number of individuals served and the cost of insulin dispensed under the programs and that OCI annually report to the governor and the legislature on the programs. The bill also directs OCI to conduct public outreach and develop an information sheet about the programs, conduct satisfaction surveys of individuals and pharmacies that participate in the programs, and report to the governor and the legislature on the surveys by July 1, 2028. Additionally, the bill requires that OCI develop a training program for health care navigators to assist individuals in accessing appropriate long-term insulin options and maintain a list of trained navigators. The bill provides that a manufacturer that fails to comply with the bill[s provisions may be assessed a forfeiture of up to noncompliance, which increases to $400,000 per month if the manufacturer continues to be in noncompliance after six months and to $600,000 per month if the manufacturer continues to be in noncompliance after one year. The bill[s requirements do not apply to manufacturers with annual insulin sales revenue in Wisconsin of no more than $2,000,000 or to insulin that costs less than a specified dollar amount. Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board The bill creates a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board, whose purpose is to protect Wisconsin residents and other stakeholders from the high costs of prescription drugs. The board consists of the commissioner of insurance and the following members, all of whom are appointed by the governor for four-year terms: 1. Two members who represent the pharmaceutical drug industry, at least one of whom is a licensed pharmacist. 2. Two members who represent the health insurance industry. 3. Two members who represent the health care industry, at least one of whom is a licensed practitioner. 4. Two members who represent the interests of the public. The bill requires the board to meet in open session at least four times per year to review prescription drug pricing information. The board must provide at least two weeks[ public notice of each meeting, make the meeting[s materials publicly available at least one week prior to the meeting, and provide the opportunity for LRB-1423/1 JPC:all $200,000 per month of 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 public comment. The bill imposes conflict of interest requirements for the board relating to recusal and public disclosure of certain conflicts. The bill directs the board to access and assess drug pricing information, to the extent practicable, by accessing and assessing information from other states, by assessing spending for the drug in Wisconsin, and by accessing other available pricing information. Under the bill, the board must conduct drug cost affordability reviews. The board must identify prescription drugs whose launch wholesale acquisition cost exceeds specified thresholds, prescription drugs whose increase in wholesale acquisition cost exceeds specified thresholds, and other prescription drugs that may create affordability challenges for the health care system in Wisconsin. For each identified prescription drug, the board must determine whether to conduct an affordability review by seeking stakeholder input and considering the average patient cost share for the drug. During an affordability review, the board must determine whether use of the prescription drug that is fully consistent with the labeling approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or standard medical practice has led or will lead to an affordability challenge for the health care system in Wisconsin. In making this determination, the bill requires the board to consider a variety of factors, which include the following: 1. The drug[s wholesale acquisition cost. 2. The average monetary price concession, discount, or rebate the manufacturer provides, or is expected to provide, for the drug to health plans. 3. The total amount of price concessions, discounts, and rebates the manufacturer provides to each pharmacy benefit manager for the drug. 4. The price at which therapeutic alternatives have been sold and the average monetary concession, discount, or rebate the manufacturer provides, or is expected to provide, to health plan payors and pharmacy benefit managers for therapeutic alternatives. 5. The costs to health plans based on patient access consistent with federal labeled indications and recognized standard medical practice. 6. The impact on patient access resulting from the drug[s cost relative to insurance benefit design. 7. The current or expected dollar value of drug-specific patient access programs that are supported by the manufacturer. 8. The relative financial impacts to health, medical, or social services costs that can be quantified and compared to baseline effects of existing therapeutic alternatives. 9. The average patient copay or other cost sharing for the drug. If the board determines that a prescription drug will lead to an affordability challenge, the bill directs the board to establish an upper payment limit for that drug that applies to all purchases and payor reimbursements of the drug dispensed or administered to individuals in Wisconsin. In establishing the upper payment limit, the board must consider the cost of administering the drug, the cost of delivering it to consumers, and other relevant administrative costs. For certain LRB-1423/1 JPC:all 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 50 drugs, the board must solicit information from the manufacturer regarding the price increase and, if the board determines that the price increase is not a result of the need for increased manufacturing capacity or other effort to improve patient access during a public health emergency, the board must establish an upper payment limit equal to the drug[s cost prior to the price increase. Further, this bill provides $500,000 in program revenue in fiscal year 2026]27 for onetime implementation costs associated with establishing an Office of Prescription Drug Affordability in OCI. The bill provides that the Office of Prescription Drug Affordability is responsible for prescription drug affordability programming within OCI and for overseeing the operations of the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. Additionally, the bill authorizes and funds for fiscal year 2026]27 16.0 positions for the Office of Prescription Drug Affordability. Finally, the bill credits to the appropriation account for OCI[s general program operations all moneys received from the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy benefit management brokers, pharmacy benefit management consultants, pharmacy services administrative organizations, and pharmaceutical sales representatives. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR10 | Proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | Relating to: proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | In Committee |
| AJR3 | Proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR3 | Proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB24 | Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in, and the lifespan of, a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Middleton. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB23 | Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB43 | Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB137 | Maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB140 | Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB73 | Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| AB165 | Local guaranteed income programs. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| AB162 | Workforce metrics. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Nay |
| AB168 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Nay |
| AB169 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| AB103 | School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/20/2025 | Nay |
| AB104 | Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/20/2025 | Nay |
| AB105 | The distribution of certain material on the Internet. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/20/2025 | Yea |
| AB24 | County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Nay |
| AB96 | Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Yea |
| AB94 | Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the State of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Yea |
| AB95 | Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Yea |
| AB14 | The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. | Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections | 03/13/2025 | Nay |
| AB15 | The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. | Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections | 03/13/2025 | Nay |
| AB16 | Repealing an administrative rule of the Department of Natural Resources related to the possession of firearms. | Assembly: Referred to Environment | 03/13/2025 | Nay |
| AB13 | The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. | Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections | 03/13/2025 | Nay |
| AB66 | Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Nay |
| AB66 | Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 03/13/2025 | Nay |
| AB75 | Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| AB89 | Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB91 | The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| AB87 | Restitution orders following a conviction for human trafficking and restoration of the right to vote to a person barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| AB2 | Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 02/19/2025 | Nay |
| AB6 | Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 02/19/2025 | Nay |
| AB6 | Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE) | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 02/19/2025 | Nay |
| SJR2 | Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). | Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in | 01/14/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| AR2 | Establishing the assembly committee structure and names for the 2025-2026 legislative session. | Assembly: Adopted | 01/06/2025 | Yea |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI | Wisconsin Assembly District 54 | Assembly | Democrat | In Office | 01/03/2023 |