Legislator
Legislator > Angela Stroud
State Representative
Angela Stroud
(D) - Wisconsin
Wisconsin Assembly District 73
In Office - Started: 01/06/2025
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: 608-237-9173
Phone 2: 888-534-0073
Voting Address
62585 Dahlstrom Road
Ashand, WI 54806
Ashand, WI 54806
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| SJR60 | Proclaiming June 6, 2025, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming June 6, 2025, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| AB254 | Regulation of the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company. | Current law requires the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company to produce as nearly as practicable a uniform flow of water on certain rivers by storing in reservoirs surplus water for discharge when the water supply is low, to improve the usefulness of the rivers and to reduce flood damage. To do so, the company may construct, maintain, or operate reservoirs, dams, and other improvements located along certain rivers and their tributaries, divert flood waters, and deepen or otherwise improve tributaries to improve navigation. If the company operates water reservoirs meeting certain requirements, the company may charge tolls to the operators of water power located on certain rivers or tributaries below the reservoir and benefitted by the reservoir. The Public Service Commission determines the amount of these tolls based on certain criteria and provides notice to each water power operator to be charged with tolls. This bill makes the following changes regarding the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company: 1. Allows tolls to be levied and used to pay for acquisition and improvement of the company[s reservoir system. Current law prohibits levying and using tolls for those purposes and prohibits tolls from exceeding the reasonable costs of operation and maintenance, including rent paid for leased properties, and a net annual return of 6 percent on capital invested in the company, including the par value of negotiable bonds issued by the company. 2. Allows tolls to be levied to recover the costs of taxes and depreciation and to provide a reasonable allowance for working capital. 3. Makes a water power operator that operates for at least two months of a six- month toll period subject to tolls for the entire six-month toll period. Under current law, such a water power operator is not subject to tolls for the entire six-month toll period. 4. Eliminates the restriction under current law that restricts negotiable interest-bearing bonds issued by the company from funding no more than half of the cost of acquiring dams, reservoirs, and rights. 5. Eliminates the prohibition under current law against the company from paying dividends to its stockholders while any of its bonds are outstanding, and also eliminates the current law requirement that if any company bonds are outstanding, subject to PSC approval, the earnings of the capital stock must be invested in a sinking fund to retire the outstanding bonds. | In Committee |
| AB17 | Creating an employee ownership conversion costs tax credit, a deduction for capital gains from the transfer of a business to employee ownership, and an employee ownership education and outreach program. (FE) | This bill creates tax incentives related to businesses in this state converting to an employee ownership business structure and requires the Department of Revenue to establish an outreach and education program to promote employee ownership business structures. Employee ownership conversion costs tax credit Under the bill, DOR may certify a business to claim a nonrefundable income tax credit for an amount equal to 70 percent of costs related to converting the business to a worker-owned cooperative or 50 percent of the costs related to converting the business to an employee stock ownership plan. The credit is limited to a maximum amount of $100,000. A business is qualified to receive the credit if the business is subject to income and franchise taxes in this state and, at the time the business receives the credit, does not have an employee stock ownership plan and is not, in whole or in part, a worker-owned cooperative. Capital gain deduction The bill also creates an individual income tax subtraction and a corporate income and franchise tax deduction for the amount of the capital gain realized from the transfer of ownership of a business in this state to an employee stock ownership plan or worker-owned cooperative. Employee ownership outreach and education Finally, the bill directs DOR to establish an economic development program for the purpose of promoting employee ownership business structures, including the business structures of employee stock ownership plans and worker-owned cooperatives, through education, outreach, technical assistance, and training related to converting existing businesses to an employee ownership business structure or starting new businesses with an employee ownership business structure. The bill directs DOR to submit an application to the U.S. secretary of labor for a grant under 29 USC 3228 for use in administering the program created in the bill. 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 |
| 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 |
| SJR57 | Designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | 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 |
| SB44 | Local regulation of fowl. | This bill prohibits political subdivisions and sewerage districts from prohibiting the keeping of up to four chickens or quail (fowl) by property owners or certain lessors on properties zoned for residential use. The bill specifically allows political subdivisions and sewerage districts to do any of the following with regard to the keeping of fowl: 1. Require a keeper of fowl to obtain a permit. 2. Require notification of adjoining land owners. 3. Impose reasonable regulations related to the location of fowl housing on a property. 4. Prohibit the keeping of roosters. 5. Impose reasonable cleanliness standards. | In Committee |
| SB37 | Local regulation of vegetable gardens. | This bill prohibits a political subdivision from requiring a permit for or prohibiting the cultivation of a vegetable or flower garden on residential property not owned by the political subdivision. | In Committee |
| AB145 | Passing legislation to reduce carbon emissions. | This bill requires the legislature, during the 2025-26 legislative session, to pass legislation creating a viable plan to reduce carbon emissions by 52 percent by 2030 and creating a viable plan for achieving carbon neutral emissions by 2050. Any plan created as required under the bill must maximize the impact of the plan on improving economic and racial equity. | In Committee |
| SB150 | Passing legislation to reduce carbon emissions. | This bill requires the legislature, during the 2025-26 legislative session, to pass legislation creating a viable plan to reduce carbon emissions by 52 percent by 2030 and creating a viable plan for achieving carbon neutral emissions by 2050. Any plan created as required under the bill must maximize the impact of the plan on improving economic and racial equity. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| SB246 | A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day. | This bill adds April 24, Armenian Genocide Awareness Day, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. | In Committee |
| AB256 | A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day. | This bill adds April 24, Armenian Genocide Awareness Day, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| SB255 | Regulation of the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company. | Current law requires the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company to produce as nearly as practicable a uniform flow of water on certain rivers by storing in reservoirs surplus water for discharge when the water supply is low, to improve the usefulness of the rivers and to reduce flood damage. To do so, the company may construct, maintain, or operate reservoirs, dams, and other improvements located along certain rivers and their tributaries, divert flood waters, and deepen or otherwise improve tributaries to improve navigation. If the company operates water reservoirs meeting certain requirements, the company may charge tolls to the operators of water power located on certain rivers or tributaries below the reservoir and benefitted by the reservoir. The Public Service Commission determines the amount of these tolls based on certain criteria and provides notice to each water power operator to be charged with tolls. This bill makes the following changes regarding the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company: 1. Allows tolls to be levied and used to pay for acquisition and improvement of LRB-2641/1 KP:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 255 the company[s reservoir system. Current law prohibits levying and using tolls for those purposes and prohibits tolls from exceeding the reasonable costs of operation and maintenance, including rent paid for leased properties, and a net annual return of 6 percent on capital invested in the company, including the par value of negotiable bonds issued by the company. 2. Allows tolls to be levied to recover the costs of taxes and depreciation and to provide a reasonable allowance for working capital. 3. Makes a water power operator that operates for at least two months of a six- month toll period subject to tolls for the entire six-month toll period. Under current law, such a water power operator is not subject to tolls for the entire six-month toll period. 4. Eliminates the restriction under current law that restricts negotiable interest-bearing bonds issued by the company from funding no more than half of the cost of acquiring dams, reservoirs, and rights. 5. Eliminates the prohibition under current law against the company from paying dividends to its stockholders while any of its bonds are outstanding, and also eliminates the current law requirement that if any company bonds are outstanding, subject to PSC approval, the earnings of the capital stock must be invested in a sinking fund to retire the outstanding bonds. | In Committee |
| SJR54 | Designating May 2025 and May 2026 as Food Allergy Awareness Months. | Relating to: designating May 2025 and May 2026 as Food Allergy Awareness Months. | In Committee |
| SJR56 | Proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming April 20 to 26 as 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| AJR39 | Recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Relating to: recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Crossed Over |
| AJR40 | Celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Relating to: celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Crossed Over |
| AJR51 | Designating May 2025 and May 2026 as Food Allergy Awareness Months. | Relating to: designating May 2025 and May 2026 as Food Allergy Awareness Months. | Crossed Over |
| AB23 | Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) | This bill establishes within the Department of Health Services a Palliative Care Council, which includes as members a statewide group of medical and clinical professionals with expertise in the provision of palliative care services, as well as patients or family members of patients who have experience receiving palliative care services, to advise DHS about palliative care issues. The bill requires the council to consult with and advise DHS regarding 1) outcome evaluation of established palliative care programs; 2) the economic and quality of life effectiveness of palliative care that is provided along with curative treatment; 3) the mechanisms for and adequacy of reimbursement for palliative care services; and 4) any other issues relating to palliative care arising through meetings or discussions, as the council determines appropriate. The bill provides that the council may not consult with or advise DHS on physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, medical aid in dying, or any other act that would condone, authorize, approve, or permit any affirmative or deliberate act to end life other than the withholding or withdrawing of health care under an advance directive or power of attorney for health care so as to permit the natural process of dying. Under the bill, DHS must, in consultation with the council, establish a statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program to ensure that comprehensive and accurate information and education about palliative care are available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities. The bill provides that DHS must make certain information and resources regarding palliative care available on its website. Under the bill, the council must submit reports to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature providing its analysis on the issues of access to palliative care and the impact of palliative care on health care delivery systems in this state and on families that have experience with palliative care services. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | Crossed Over |
| 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) | This bill permits a pharmacist to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives, subject to limitations described as follows. The bill requires the Pharmacy Examining Board, after consultation with the Medical Examining Board, the Board of Nursing, and the Department of Health Services, to promulgate rules to establish standard procedures for the prescribing of contraceptives by pharmacists under the bill. The rules must require that pharmacists use a self-assessment questionnaire, developed in consideration of guidelines established by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, when prescribing a contraceptive. questionnaire must state and the patient must acknowledge on the self-assessment questionnaire that a hormonal contraceptive patch or a self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive is not protection against sexually transmitted diseases, and that it is strongly recommended that the patient annually meet with a physician or other medical professional to discuss the patient[s prescribed hormonal contraceptive treatment and other routine preventive care. Under the bill, the rules promulgated by the Pharmacy Examining Board establishing standard procedures for the prescribing of contraceptives by pharmacists must include certain requirements for pharmacists such as requiring that the pharmacist report to the patient[s primary health care practitioner following a prescription and requiring that the contraceptive be dispensed as soon as practicable after the pharmacist issues the prescription order. Further, the rules must prohibit a pharmacist from prescribing or dispensing a contraceptive to a patient unless the patient has responded to the self-assessment questionnaire and undergone a blood pressure screening and unless the use of the contraceptive is not contraindicated based upon the results of the questionnaire and screening. A pharmacist who prescribes contraceptives as permitted under the bill must comply with those rules, as well as any other rules promulgated by the Pharmacy Examining Board. A pharmacist may only prescribe a contraceptive to a person who is at least 18 years of age. The bill requires any pharmacist who prescribes hormonal contraceptives as provided in the bill to have in effect malpractice liability insurance coverage in the amounts specified for other health care providers under current law. Finally, the bill requires that DHS ensure any contraceptives or contraceptive services that are covered under the Medical Assistance program are covered and reimbursed when prescribed, if a prescription is required under federal law, or provided by a pharmacist acting within the scope of his or her practice. The Medical Assistance program is a joint federal and state program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. The bill also requires DHS to certify pharmacists as providers of Medical Assistance services for the purposes of covering and reimbursing prescribed hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | Crossed Over |
| SB39 | Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) | This bill establishes within the Department of Health Services a Palliative Care Council, which includes as members a statewide group of medical and clinical professionals with expertise in the provision of palliative care services, as well as patients or family members of patients who have experience receiving palliative care services, to advise DHS about palliative care issues. The bill requires the council to consult with and advise DHS regarding 1) outcome evaluation of established palliative care programs; 2) the economic and quality of life effectiveness of palliative care that is provided along with curative treatment; 3) the mechanisms for and adequacy of reimbursement for palliative care services; and 4) any other issues relating to palliative care arising through meetings or discussions, as the council determines appropriate. The bill provides that the council may not consult with or advise DHS on physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, medical aid in dying, or any other act that would condone, authorize, approve, or permit any affirmative or deliberate act to end life other than the withholding or withdrawing of health care under an advance directive or power of attorney for health care so as to permit the natural process of dying. Under the bill, DHS must, in consultation with the council, establish a statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program to ensure that LRB-1834/1 SWB:emw&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 39 comprehensive and accurate information and education about palliative care are available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities. The bill provides that DHS must make certain information and resources regarding palliative care available on its website. Under the bill, the council must submit reports to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature providing its analysis on the issues of access to palliative care and the impact of palliative care on health care delivery systems in this state and on families that have experience with palliative care services. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB42 | 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) | This bill permits a pharmacist to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives, subject to limitations described as follows. The bill requires the Pharmacy Examining Board, after consultation with the Medical Examining Board, the Board of Nursing, and the Department of Health Services, to promulgate rules to establish standard procedures for the prescribing of contraceptives by pharmacists under the bill. The rules must require that pharmacists use a self-assessment questionnaire, developed in consideration of guidelines established by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, when prescribing a contraceptive. LRB-2068/1 JPC:cdc The self-assessment 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 42 questionnaire must state and the patient must acknowledge on the self-assessment questionnaire that a hormonal contraceptive patch or a self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive is not protection against sexually transmitted diseases, and that it is strongly recommended that the patient annually meet with a physician or other medical professional to discuss the patient[s prescribed hormonal contraceptive treatment and other routine preventive care. Under the bill, the rules promulgated by the Pharmacy Examining Board establishing standard procedures for the prescribing of contraceptives by pharmacists must include certain requirements for pharmacists such as requiring that the pharmacist report to the patient[s primary health care practitioner following a prescription and requiring that the contraceptive be dispensed as soon as practicable after the pharmacist issues the prescription order. Further, the rules must prohibit a pharmacist from prescribing or dispensing a contraceptive to a patient unless the patient has responded to the self-assessment questionnaire and undergone a blood pressure screening and unless the use of the contraceptive is not contraindicated based upon the results of the questionnaire and screening. A pharmacist who prescribes contraceptives as permitted under the bill must comply with those rules, as well as any other rules promulgated by the Pharmacy Examining Board. A pharmacist may only prescribe a contraceptive to a person who is at least 18 years of age. The bill requires any pharmacist who prescribes hormonal contraceptives as provided in the bill to have in effect malpractice liability insurance coverage in the amounts specified for other health care providers under current law. Finally, the bill requires that DHS ensure any contraceptives or contraceptive services that are covered under the Medical Assistance program are covered and reimbursed when prescribed, if a prescription is required under federal law, or provided by a pharmacist acting within the scope of his or her practice. The Medical Assistance program is a joint federal and state program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. The bill also requires DHS to certify pharmacists as providers of Medical Assistance services for the purposes of covering and reimbursing prescribed hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB21 | Creating an employee ownership conversion costs tax credit, a deduction for capital gains from the transfer of a business to employee ownership, and an employee ownership education and outreach program. (FE) | This bill creates tax incentives related to businesses in this state converting to an employee ownership business structure and requires the Department of Revenue to establish an outreach and education program to promote employee ownership business structures. Employee ownership conversion costs tax credit Under the bill, DOR may certify a business to claim a nonrefundable income tax credit for an amount equal to 70 percent of costs related to converting the business to a worker-owned cooperative or 50 percent of the costs related to LRB-1413/1 KP:cdc&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 21 converting the business to an employee stock ownership plan. The credit is limited to a maximum amount of $100,000. A business is qualified to receive the credit if the business is subject to income and franchise taxes in this state and, at the time the business receives the credit, does not have an employee stock ownership plan and is not, in whole or in part, a worker-owned cooperative. Capital gain deduction The bill also creates an individual income tax subtraction and a corporate income and franchise tax deduction for the amount of the capital gain realized from the transfer of ownership of a business in this state to an employee stock ownership plan or worker-owned cooperative. Employee ownership outreach and education Finally, the bill directs DOR to establish an economic development program for the purpose of promoting employee ownership business structures, including the business structures of employee stock ownership plans and worker-owned cooperatives, through education, outreach, technical assistance, and training related to converting existing businesses to an employee ownership business structure or starting new businesses with an employee ownership business structure. The bill directs DOR to submit an application to the U.S. secretary of labor for a grant under 29 USC 3228 for use in administering the program created in the bill. 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 |
| AB220 | Discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services. | This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual[s gender identity or gender expression. The bill defines Xgender identityY as an individual[s internal, deeply held knowledge or sense of their own gender, regardless of the individual[s sex assigned at birth or gender identifiers on official governmental documents, and Xgender expressionY as an individual[s gender-related appearance or behavior, or the perception of that appearance or behavior, regardless of whether it is stereotypically associated with the individual[s sex assigned at birth. The bill also make changes to various discrimination laws, including all of the following: 1. Current law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and the equal enjoyment of a public place of accommodation or amusement on the basis of a person[s sex or sexual orientation. Current law also requires certain state agencies, authorities, and corporations to include provisions in contracts they execute obliging the contractor to similarly not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases for discrimination in these areas. 2. Current law prohibits the University of Wisconsin System, the Technical College System, public elementary and secondary schools, and charter schools from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill prohibits the same educational institutions from discriminating against a student on the basis of the student[s gender identity or gender expression and from discriminating against a student based on the protected status of the student[s parent. The bill also prohibits the UW System Board of Regents from investing gifts, grants, and bequests in companies that practice discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 3. Current law prohibits the exclusion of an individual from jury duty on the basis of the individual[s sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as a prohibited bases for exclusion of an individual from jury duty. 4. Current law allows only either a single adult or a husband and wife jointly to adopt a child. The bill allows only either a single individual or two individuals married to each other jointly to adopt a child and also provides that no otherwise qualified person may be denied the benefits of the adoption and guardianship statute subchapter because of the person[s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 5. Current law requires heads of executive departments and agencies to determine whether there is arbitrary discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual orientation and to take remedial action if such discrimination is found. The bill requires these heads to also determine if there is discrimination on the basis of gender identity or gender expression and to take remedial action regarding such discrimination. 6. Current law prohibits discriminating against an employee, prospective employee, patient, or resident of an approved treatment facility providing treatment of alcoholic, drug dependent, mentally ill, or developmentally disabled persons on the basis of sex. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 7. Current law prohibits agency rules from discriminating against a person by reason of sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 8. Current law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the provision of vocational rehabilitation or mental health services. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. 9. Current law prohibits the national guard or state defense force from denying membership based on sex or sexual orientation. The bill adds gender identity and gender expression as prohibited bases of discrimination. The bill also provides that no member of the national guard or state defense force may be denied equal access to facilities most consistent with the person[s gender identity. 10. Current law provides that sex is a bona fide occupational qualification if all of the members of one sex are physically incapable of performing the essential duties required by a job or if the essence of the employer[s business operation would be undermined if employees were not hired exclusively from one sex. The bill adds to the sex as a bona fide occupational qualification law that an individual may not be treated or regarded inconsistent with the individual[s gender identity or discriminated against based on the individual[s gender identity or gender expression. 11. Current law allows public places of accommodation or amusement to provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes. The bill provides that public places of accommodation or amusement may provide separate facilities to persons of different sexes but prohibits those places from denying individuals equal access to the facilities most consistent with the individual[s gender identity. 12. The bill prohibits an insurer from discriminating against an individual on the basis of age, residence, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, occupation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation, and also prohibits motor carriers, automobile insurers, transportation network companies, and real estate brokers and salespersons from discriminating against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 13. The bill expressly prohibits a school board from discriminating against a student-led organization because the organization[s mission is related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR33 | Declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights. | Relating to: declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights. | In Committee |
| SJR33 | Declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights. | Relating to: declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights. | In Committee |
| SJR42 | Proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | Relating to: proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | In Committee |
| SJR40 | Recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Relating to: recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | In Committee |
| SJR47 | Observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: observing Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| AJR38 | Proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | Relating to: proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| AB135 | The right to repair motor vehicles and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing certain barriers that impair the ability of the motor vehicle owners and the persons that repair motor vehicles from accessing motor vehicles[ vehicle-generated data, critical repair information, or tools in order to repair the motor vehicles; that affect motor vehicle owners[ ability to use a vehicle towing provider or service provider of their choice; or that affect motor vehicle owners[ abilities to diagnose, repair, and maintain their vehicle in the same manner as would the motor vehicle manufacturer. The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing certain barriers that affect the ability of aftermarket parts manufacturers, aftermarket parts remanufacturers, motor vehicle equipment manufacturers, motor vehicle repair facilities, distributors, or service providers to produce or offer compatible aftermarket parts. Additionally, the bill requires motor vehicle manufacturers to provide to motor vehicle owners and certain other entities access to certain data and tools related to the repair of the motor vehicles it manufactures. The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from making certain mandates in regards to what parts, tools, or equipment must be used on its vehicles. A manufacturer that violates a provision of the bill is subject to a forfeiture of $10,000 per violation. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| SB129 | The right to repair motor vehicles and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing certain barriers that impair the ability of the motor vehicle owners and the persons that repair motor vehicles from accessing motor vehicles[ vehicle-generated data, critical repair information, or tools in order to repair the motor vehicles; that affect motor vehicle owners[ ability to use a vehicle towing provider or service provider of their choice; or that affect motor vehicle owners[ abilities to diagnose, repair, and maintain their vehicle in the same manner as would the motor vehicle manufacturer. The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from employing certain barriers that affect the ability of aftermarket parts manufacturers, aftermarket parts remanufacturers, motor vehicle equipment manufacturers, motor vehicle repair facilities, distributors, or service providers to produce or offer compatible aftermarket parts. Additionally, the bill requires motor vehicle manufacturers to provide to motor vehicle owners and certain other entities access to certain data and tools related to the repair of the motor vehicles it manufactures. The bill also prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from making certain mandates in regards to what parts, tools, or equipment must be used on its vehicles. A manufacturer that violates a provision of the bill is subject to a forfeiture of $10,000 per violation. LRB-2114/1 JAM:skw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 129 For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| SJR6 | Honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker. | Relating to: honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR5 | Proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | Relating to: proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR15 | Proclaiming March 26, 2025, as Purple Day for epilepsy. | Relating to: proclaiming March 26, 2025, as Purple Day for epilepsy. | Crossed Over |
| AJR9 | Honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker. | Relating to: honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker. | In Committee |
| AB41 | Local regulation of vegetable gardens. | This bill prohibits a political subdivision from requiring a permit for or prohibiting the cultivation of a vegetable or flower garden on residential property not owned by the political subdivision. | In Committee |
| AB42 | Local regulation of fowl. | This bill prohibits political subdivisions and sewerage districts from prohibiting the keeping of up to four chickens or quail (fowl) by property owners or certain lessors on properties zoned for residential use. The bill specifically allows political subdivisions and sewerage districts to do any of the following with regard to the keeping of fowl: 1. Require a keeper of fowl to obtain a permit. 2. Require notification of adjoining land owners. 3. Impose reasonable regulations related to the location of fowl housing on a property. 4. Prohibit the keeping of roosters. 5. Impose reasonable cleanliness standards. | In Committee |
| SB135 | Special observance days in schools. | This bill adds February 18, Vel R. Phillips[s birthday, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. | In Committee |
| SJR17 | Honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | Relating to: honoring April 22, 2025, as the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. | In Committee |
| AB125 | Special observance days in schools. | This bill adds February 18, Vel R. Phillips[s birthday, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 73 | Assembly | Democrat | In Office | 01/06/2025 |