Legislator
Legislator > Angelina Cruz
State Representative
Angelina Cruz
(D) - Wisconsin
Wisconsin Assembly District 62
In Office - Started: 01/06/2025
contact info
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 8952
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53708
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53708
Phone: 608-237-9162
Phone 2: 888-534-0062
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB269 | A school psychologist loan program. (FE) | This bill creates a school psychologist loan program to be administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) for students who meet certain eligibility criteria, including enrollment at an institution of higher education in a program of study leading to a school psychologist career. Under the program, HEAB may award to an eligible graduate student a loan of up to $10,000 annually for up to three years. HEAB must forgive 25 percent of the loan for each school year that the recipient is employed as a school psychologist in a rural county or urbanized area, as defined in the bill. XSchool psychologistY is defined in the bill as a licensed psychologist who practices in a school-based setting or an individual who is licensed as a school psychologist under rules promulgated by the Department of Public Instruction. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB462 | Employee misclassification; construction contractor registration; reporting state tax law violations committed by construction industry employers; and granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill makes the following changes to current law regarding employee misclassifications: Outreach and education regarding employee misclassification The bill directs the commissioner of insurance to conduct, on at least an annual basis, outreach and education to insurers and other persons regulated by the state insurance laws on how to identify the misclassification of employees and report suspected misclassifications to the appropriate federal and state agencies. Worker classification notice and posting The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to design and make available to employers a notice regarding worker classification laws, requirements for employers and employees, and penalties for noncompliance. Under the bill, all employers in this state must post the notice in a conspicuous place where notices to employees are customarily posted. The bill also provides a penalty of not more than $100 for an employer that does not post the notice as required. Website for worker classification laws Under the bill, DWD must establish and maintain on its website information regarding worker classification laws, requirements for employers and employees, penalties for noncompliance, and contact information at each state agency that administers worker classification laws. Unemployment insurance; worker misclassification penalties Current law requires DWD to assess an administrative penalty against an employer engaged in construction projects or in the painting or drywall finishing of buildings or other structures who knowingly and intentionally provides false information to DWD for the purpose of misclassifying or attempting to misclassify an individual who is an employee of the employer as a nonemployee under the unemployment insurance law. The penalty under current law is $500 for each employee who is misclassified, not to exceed $7,500 per incident. Current law additionally requires DWD to assess an administrative penalty against such an employer who, through coercion, requires an individual to adopt the status of a nonemployee in the amount of $1,000 for each individual so coerced, but not to exceed $10,000 per calendar year. Penalties are deposited in the unemployment program integrity fund. The bill removes the $7,500 and $10,000 limitations on these penalties and provides that the penalties double for each act occurring after the date of the first determination of a violation. The bill also removes the limitations on the types of employers that the penalties apply to, allowing them to be assessed against any type of employer that violates the above prohibitions. Worker[s compensation; penalties for uninsured employers Under current law, DWD is required to assess an administrative penalty against an employer who requires an employee to pay for any part of worker[s compensation insurance or who fails to provide mandatory worker[s compensation insurance coverage. If the employer violates those requirements, for the first 10 days, the penalty under current law is not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 for such a violation. If the employer violates those requirements for more than 10 days, the penalty under current law is not less than $10 and not more than $100 for each day of such a violation. The bill provides that the penalty for violations occurring after the second such violation is $3,000 per violation, or three times the amount of the insurance premium that would have been payable, whichever is greater. The bill also provides that the penalty for violations occurring after the third such violation is $4,000 per violation, or four times the amount of the insurance premium that would have been payable, whichever is greater. Also under current law, if an employer who is required to provide worker[s compensation insurance coverage provides false information about the coverage to his or her employees or contractors who request information about the coverage, or fails to notify a person who contracts with the employer that the coverage has been canceled in relation to the contract, DWD is required to assess a penalty of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 for each such violation. The bill provides that the penalty for violations occurring after the third such violation is $3,000 per violation, and the penalty is $4,000 for violations occurring after the fourth such violation. Worker[s compensation; false or fraudulent claims Under current law, if an insurer or self-insured employer has evidence that a worker[s compensation claim is false or fraudulent, the insurer or self-insured employer must generally report the claim to DWD. If, based on the investigation, DWD has a reasonable basis to believe that criminal insurance fraud has occurred, DWD must refer the matter to the district attorney for prosecution. Also under current law, DWD may request assistance from the Department of Justice to investigate false or fraudulent activity related to a worker[s compensation claim. If, based on that investigation, DWD has a reasonable basis to believe that theft, forgery, fraud, or any other criminal violation has occurred, DWD must refer the matter to the district attorney or DOJ for prosecution. The bill extends these requirements to insurers who have evidence that an application for worker[s compensation insurance coverage is fraudulent or that an employer has committed fraud by misclassifying employees to lower the employer[s worker[s compensation insurance premiums. Worker misclassification outreach The bill requires the Department of Administration to direct state agencies, constitutional offices, departments, independent agencies, and societies, associations, and certain other agencies of state government for which appropriations are made by law, to provide educational outreach regarding worker misclassification to employers, workers, and organizations that serve vulnerable populations. Worker misclassification information The bill requires the Department of Financial Institutions to provide informational materials and resources on worker misclassification to each person who files with DFI documents forming a business corporation, nonstock corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or limited partnership. Construction contractor registration The bill requires most persons who hold themselves out or act as construction contractors to be registered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. DSPS may directly assess a forfeiture by issuing an order against any person who fails to register as required under the bill. The registration requirement does not apply to a person who engages in construction on his or her own property, to a state agency or local governmental unit, or to a person who engages in construction in the course of his or her employment by a state agency or local governmental unit. Construction industry violations The bill authorizes the secretary of revenue to provide monetary awards to individuals who provide information to the Department of Revenue regarding alleged state tax law violations by construction industry employers. The amount of the award is at least 15 percent, but not more than 30 percent, of the proceeds collected by DOR resulting from an administrative or judicial action concerning the allegations or from any settlement of such action. The bill allows the secretary to reduce the amount of the award if the secretary determines that the information provided by the individual resulted from an administrative or judicial hearing; from a government report, hearing, audit, or investigation; or from the news media. However, the secretary may not provide an award to an individual who is convicted of criminal conduct arising from the individual's role in the alleged violation. In addition, an individual who obtains information regarding an alleged state tax law violation through the individual's official duties as a DOR or DOJ employee is not eligible to receive an award. Under the bill, no employer may discharge or otherwise discipline or discriminate against any employee who provides information about alleged state tax law violations by a construction industry employer to DOR or the secretary. Audits and investigations The bill requires the Unemployment Insurance Division in DWD to coordinate with the Division of Personnel Management in DOA to review all recruitment and onboarding programs to ensure that auditor positions are correctly classified and the compensation for auditors is comparable to that in the private labor market. The bill also requires DWD to review resources available to investigators and auditors and evaluate potential strategies and improvements that could be implemented by DWD. The bill also requires DWD to submit a report to the legislature of its findings no later than January 31, 2027. Finally, the bill authorizes three full-time positions for DWD to perform investigations and audits regarding worker misclassification. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB470 | Eliminating the right-to-work law. (FE) | The current right-to-work law prohibits a person from requiring, as a condition of obtaining or continuing employment, an individual to refrain or resign from membership in a labor organization, to become or remain a member of a labor organization, to pay dues or other charges to a labor organization, or to pay any other person an amount that is in place of dues or charges required of members of a labor organization. This bill repeals these prohibitions and the associated misdemeanor offense for violating the right-to-work law. The bill explicitly provides that, when an all-union agreement is in effect, it is not an unfair labor practice to encourage or discourage membership in a labor organization or to deduct labor organization dues or assessments from an employee[s earnings. The bill sets conditions under which an employer may enter into an all-union agreement. The bill also sets conditions for the continuation or termination of all-union agreements, including that, if the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission determines there is reasonable ground to believe employees in an all-union agreement have changed their attitude about the agreement, WERC is required to conduct a referendum to determine whether the employees wish to continue the agreement. WERC is required to terminate an all-union agreement if it finds the union unreasonably refused to admit an employee into the union. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB495 | Application of the public records and open meetings laws to charter schools and private schools participating in school choice programs. | This bill provides that charter schools and private schools participating in a parental choice program are subject to the state[s public records and open meetings laws. The bill includes an exemption from disclosure under the public records law for records concerning individual pupils that are maintained by such a school. | In Committee |
| SB516 | School district employee participation in state group health insurance and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill requires the Group Insurance Board to conduct studies of the potential costs and savings to school districts and current participants in group health insurance plans offered by GIB of mandatory participation by all school districts in this state and of voluntary participation by school districts in this state in a group health insurance plan offered by GIB. The bill also requires GIB to submit a written report of the studies to the governor and the Joint Committee on Finance no later than six months after the effective date of the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB497 | Application of the public records and open meetings laws to charter schools and private schools participating in school choice programs. | This bill provides that charter schools and private schools participating in a parental choice program are subject to the state[s public records and open meetings laws. The bill includes an exemption from disclosure under the public records law for records concerning individual pupils that are maintained by such a school. | In Committee |
| AB496 | Verification of a pupil’s family income for participation in a parental choice program. | Under current law, to be eligible to participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program or the Racine Parental Choice Program, a pupil[s family income may not be more than 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Similarly, to be eligible to participate in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, a pupil[s family income may not be more than 220 percent of the federal poverty level. Each parental choice program allows a pupil to continue participating in the parental choice program if the pupil[s family income increases. Under this bill, a pupil attending a private school under a parental choice program may not continue to participate in the parental choice program if the pupil[s family income increases and exceeds the maximum family income for the parental choice program. Under current law, each parental choice program requires that a pupil[s family income be verified through the Department of Revenue, but verification is not required if the pupil attended a private school under a parental choice program in the previous school year. The bill requires that, to participate in a parental choice program, a pupil[s family income must be verified through DOR each year, regardless of whether the pupil attended a private school under a parental choice program in the previous school year. | In Committee |
| SJR92 | Proclaiming October 2025 as Filipino American History Month in the state of Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming October 2025 as Filipino American History Month in the state of Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR98 | Equality of rights on the basis of sex, gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, or any other immutable characteristic and creating a private cause of action for violations of those rights by state actors (first consideration). | relating to: equality of rights on the basis of sex, gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, or any other immutable characteristic and creating a private cause of action for violations of those rights by state actors (first consideration). | In Committee |
| AB506 | Authorizing electors to vote in the primary of more than one political party. (FE) | Under current law, a voter in a partisan primary election may cast a ballot or vote in the column of only one major political party, regardless of the number of candidates who are running for office in that party, if any. Similarly, a voter in a partisan primary may vote for any of the independent candidates for state office, but if the voter chooses this option, he or she may not vote for any party candidates for any office. Candidates of minor parties appear on the ballot as independent candidates. This bill permits a voter in a partisan primary to Xsplit tickets,Y designating the candidate of his or her choice for each office, including the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, regardless of party affiliation. The bill also allows a voter to vote for independent candidates for one or more state offices in a partisan primary, in addition to party candidates for one or more state or county offices. Under the bill, a voter may still vote for only one candidate for each office. The voting procedure at the general election and other partisan elections is unaffected by the bill. The bill initially applies to voting at the 2026 partisan primary election. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB478 | Repealing prohibition on state and local government labor regulation. (FE) | This bill repeals a provision under which neither the state nor a local government may enact a statute or ordinance, adopt a policy or regulation, or impose a contract, zoning, permitting, or licensing requirement, or any other condition, that would require any person to accept any provision that is a subject of collective bargaining under state labor laws or the federal National Labor Relations Act. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR88 | Recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald. | Relating to: recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald. | In Committee |
| AJR86 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Rooney. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jim Rooney. | Crossed Over |
| AB378 | Prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE) | Under this bill, except as specified below, no state agency or other body in Wisconsin state government, including the legislature and the courts, may share with the federal government data containing personally identifiable information unless the data is first masked or otherwise anonymized. Under the bill, any person who negligently violates that prohibition is liable to any person injured as a result of the violation for actual damages to that person, exemplary damages of not more than $1,000, and costs and reasonable actual attorney fees. Notwithstanding the bill[s prohibition, under the bill, a state agency may share unmasked data with federal officials or agencies to the extent necessary to comply with other state law or federal law or to carry out the administration of a state or federal program; a member of the legislature may share unmasked data with federal officials or agencies to the extent necessary to carry out constituent relations or the member[s other official duties; and a court may share unmasked data with federal officials or agencies to the extent necessary to carry out the court[s official duties. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB369 | Prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE) | Under this bill, except as specified below, no state agency or other body in Wisconsin state government, including the legislature and the courts, may share with the federal government data containing personally identifiable information unless the data is first masked or otherwise anonymized. Under the bill, any person who negligently violates that prohibition is liable to any person injured as a result of the violation for actual damages to that person, exemplary damages of not more than $1,000, and costs and reasonable actual attorney fees. Notwithstanding the bill[s prohibition, under the bill, a state agency may share unmasked data with federal officials or agencies to the extent necessary to comply with other state law or federal law or to carry out the administration of a state or federal program; a member of the legislature may share unmasked data with federal officials or agencies to the extent necessary to carry out constituent LRB-3575/1 MPG:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 369 relations or the member[s other official duties; and a court may share unmasked data with federal officials or agencies to the extent necessary to carry out the court[s official duties. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR98 | Proclaiming October 2025 as Filipino American History Month in the state of Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming October 2025 as Filipino American History Month in the state of Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SB496 | Verification of a pupil’s family income for participation in a parental choice program. | Under current law, to be eligible to participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program or the Racine Parental Choice Program, a pupil[s family income may not be more than 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Similarly, to be eligible to participate in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, a pupil[s family income may not be more than 220 percent of the federal poverty level. Each parental choice program allows a pupil to continue participating in the parental choice program if the pupil[s family income increases. Under this bill, a pupil attending a private school under a parental choice program may not continue to participate in the parental choice program if the pupil[s family income increases and exceeds the maximum family income for the parental choice program. Under current law, each parental choice program requires that a pupil[s family income be verified through the Department of Revenue, but verification is not required if the pupil attended a private school under a parental choice program in the previous school year. The bill requires that, to participate in a parental choice program, a pupil[s family income must be verified through DOR each year, LRB-4264/1 FFK:ajk&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 496 regardless of whether the pupil attended a private school under a parental choice program in the previous school year. | In Committee |
| SB494 | Repealing prohibition on state and local government labor regulation. (FE) | This bill repeals a provision under which neither the state nor a local government may enact a statute or ordinance, adopt a policy or regulation, or impose a contract, zoning, permitting, or licensing requirement, or any other condition, that would require any person to accept any provision that is a subject of collective bargaining under state labor laws or the federal National Labor Relations Act. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB458 | Eliminating the right-to-work law. (FE) | The current right-to-work law prohibits a person from requiring, as a condition of obtaining or continuing employment, an individual to refrain or resign from membership in a labor organization, to become or remain a member of a labor organization, to pay dues or other charges to a labor organization, or to pay any other person an amount that is in place of dues or charges required of members of a labor organization. This bill repeals these prohibitions and the associated misdemeanor offense for violating the right-to-work law. The bill explicitly provides that, when an all-union agreement is in effect, it is not an unfair labor practice to encourage or discourage membership in a labor organization or to deduct labor organization dues or assessments from an employee[s earnings. The bill sets conditions under which an employer may enter into an all-union agreement. The bill also sets conditions for the continuation or termination of all-union agreements, including that, if the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission determines there is reasonable ground to believe employees LRB-4607/1 MIM:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 458 in an all-union agreement have changed their attitude about the agreement, WERC is required to conduct a referendum to determine whether the employees wish to continue the agreement. WERC is required to terminate an all-union agreement if it finds the union unreasonably refused to admit an employee into the union. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB484 | Prohibitions concerning use of state and local facilities to detain individuals on the basis of immigration status. | Under this bill, no state agency or other body in state government, political subdivision of the state, or county sheriff may use or permit the federal government to use a facility owned or operated by the state agency, political subdivision, or county sheriff to detain or hold in custody an individual if the individual is being detained or held in custody solely on the basis of the individual[s immigration status. The bill additionally provides that no state agency, political subdivision, or county sheriff may expend moneys to establish or operate, or to assist in the establishment or operation of, an immigrant detention facility in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SB490 | Prevailing wage, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Prevailing wage This bill requires that laborers, workers, mechanics, and truck drivers employed on the site of certain projects of public works be paid the prevailing wage and not be required or allowed to work a greater number of hours per day and per LRB-4516/1 MIM:amn&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 490 week than the prevailing hours of labor unless they are paid overtime for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor. Projects subject to the bill include state and local projects of public works, including state highway projects, with exceptions including projects below certain cost thresholds, minor service or maintenance work, and certain residential projects. Under the bill, Xprevailing wage rateY is defined as the hourly basic rate of pay, plus the hourly contribution for bona fide economic benefits, paid for a majority of the hours worked in a trade or occupation in the area in which the project is located, except that, if there is no rate at which a majority of those hours is paid, Xprevailing wage rateY means the average hourly basic rate of pay, plus the average hourly contribution for bona fide economic benefits, paid for the highest-paid 51 percent of hours worked in a trade or occupation in the area. XPrevailing hours of laborY is defined as 10 hours per day and 40 hours per week, excluding weekends and holidays. The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to conduct investigations and hold public hearings as necessary to define the trades or occupations that are commonly employed on projects that are subject to the prevailing wage law and to inform itself of the prevailing wage rates in all areas of the state for those trades or occupations, in order to determine the prevailing wage rate for each trade or occupation. The bill contains certain other provisions regarding the calculation of prevailing wage rates by DWD, including provisions allowing persons to request recalculations or reviews of the prevailing wage rates determined by DWD. The bill requires contracts and notices for bids for projects subject to the bill to include and incorporate provisions ensuring compliance with the requirements. The bill also establishes a requirement that state agencies and local governments post prevailing wage rates and hours of labor in areas readily accessible to persons employed on the project or in sites regularly used for posting notices. The bill makes a contractor that fails to pay the prevailing wage rate or overtime pay to an employee as required under the prevailing wage law liable to the affected employee for not only the amount of unpaid wages and overtime pay, but also for liquidated damages in an amount equal to 100 percent of the unpaid wages and overtime pay. Finally, the bill includes, for both state and local projects of public works, provisions regarding coverage, compliance, enforcement, and penalties, including 1) requirements for affidavits to be filed by contractors affirming compliance with the prevailing wage law; 2) record retention requirements for contractors regarding wages paid to workers and provisions allowing for the inspection of those records by DWD; 3) liability and penalty provisions for certain violations, including criminal penalties; and 4) provisions prohibiting contracts from being awarded to persons who have failed to comply with the prevailing wage law. Transportation projects Under current law, for certain highway projects for which the Department of Transportation spends federal money, federal money must make up at least 70 percent of the funding for those projects. DOT is required to notify political LRB-4516/1 MIM:amn&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 490 subdivisions receiving aid for local projects whether the aid includes federal moneys and how those moneys must be spent. For certain projects that receive no federal money, DOT may not require political subdivisions to comply with any portion of DOT[s facilities development manual other than design standards. Any local project funded with state funds under the surface transportation program or the local bridge program must be let through competitive bidding and by contract to the lowest responsible bidder. The bill repeals all of these requirements. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB465 | Project labor agreements and public contracts. (FE) | Under current law, the state and local units of government are prohibited from engaging in certain practices in letting bids for state procurement or public works contracts. Among these prohibitions, as established by 2017 Wisconsin Act 3, the state and local governments may not do any of the following in specifications for bids for the contracts: 1) require that a bidder enter into an agreement with a labor organization; 2) consider, when awarding a contract, whether a bidder has or has not entered into an agreement with a labor organization; or 3) require that a bidder enter into an agreement that requires that the bidder or bidder[s employees become or remain members of a labor organization or pay any dues or fees to a labor organization. This bill repeals these bidding specification restrictions, allowing state and local units of government to opt to use such specifications. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-4526/1 EVM:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 465 | In Committee |
| AB270 | A school psychologist loan program. (FE) | This bill creates a school psychologist loan program to be administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) for students who meet certain eligibility criteria, including enrollment at an institution of higher education in a program of study leading to a school psychologist career. Under the program, HEAB may award to an eligible graduate student a loan of up to $10,000 annually for up to three years. HEAB must forgive 25 percent of the loan for each school year that the recipient is employed as a school psychologist in a rural county or urbanized area, as defined in the bill. XSchool psychologistY is defined in the bill as a licensed psychologist who practices in a school-based setting or an individual who is licensed as a school psychologist under rules promulgated by the Department of Public Instruction. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB436 | The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program (stewardship program) until 2032 and makes various changes to the program. WARREN KNOWLES-GAYLORD NELSON STEWARDSHIP 2000 PROGRAM Current law authorizes the state to incur public debt for certain conservation activities under the stewardship program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The state may incur this debt to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes and for property development activities and may award grants or state aid to certain local governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations (NCOs) to acquire land for these purposes. Current law establishes the amounts that DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2025-26 for expenditure under each of five subprograms of the stewardship program. This bill increases the total amount that may be obligated for the stewardship program from $33,250,000 each fiscal year to $72,000,000 each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2031-32. Land acquisition subprogram The bill increases the amount that may be obligated under the land acquisition subprogram each fiscal year from $16,000,000 to $17,200,000. The bill increases the amount under the land acquisition subprogram that must be set aside for grants to nonprofit conservation organizations each fiscal year from $7,000,000 to $11,350,000. Moneys obligated under the stewardship program are appropriated from the capital improvement fund (CIF) and stewardship bond proceeds are deposited into CIF. Current law provides that, in obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, DNR must set aside certain amounts to be obligated only for DNR to acquire land and to provide grants to counties for land acquisition (county forest grants). Specifically, the set-aside for DNR land acquisition each fiscal year is $1,000,000 plus the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from moneys received for forestry activities (the forestry account) to CIF $5,000,000 in each fiscal year. The set-aside for county forest grants is equal to the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from the forestry account to CIF $3,000,000 in each fiscal year. The bill ends these annual transfers from the forestry account to CIF beginning in fiscal year 2026-27 and instead appropriates amounts directly to fund those purposes from the conservation fund. Specifically, the bill appropriates $6,000,000 each fiscal year from the conservation fund for DNR land acquisitions and $3,000,000 each fiscal year from the forestry account for county forest grants. In addition, the bill requires that $5,850,000 be set aside under the land acquisition subprogram of the stewardship program to be obligated for DNR land acquisitions. The bill provides that any amount in CIF remaining from the amounts transferred from the forestry account in fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 is transferred back to the forestry account in fiscal year 2026-27. LRB-3744/1 EHS:skw&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 436 The bill eliminates a current law provision that states that, of the amount set aside under the land acquisition subprogram for DNR to acquire land, DNR may not use more than one-third to acquire land in fee simple. In addition, the bill eliminates a provision requiring DNR to use at least two appraisals to determine the current fair market value of land that is the subject of a stewardship funding for an NCO or governmental unit if DNR estimates the fair market value of the land to exceed $350,000. State property development and local parks and recreation subprogram The bill renames the property development and local assistance subprogram to be the Xstate property development and local parks and recreation subprogram,Y and increases the amount in each fiscal year that may be obligated under the subprogram from $14,250,000 to $45,000,000. Of that amount, the bill increases the amount that DNR must obligate for property development each fiscal year from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 and increases the amount that DNR must obligate for local assistance each fiscal year from $9,250,000 to $30,000,000. The bill increases from $500,000 to $1,500,000 the amount that DNR is required to set aside each fiscal year, from the amounts obligated for property development, for grants to friends groups and NCOs for property development activities on DNR properties. The bill also increases from $20,000 to $50,000 the maximum amount that DNR may encumber per DNR property for these grants in each fiscal year. Motorized recreation subprogram The bill creates a motorized recreation subprogram of the stewardship program, and authorizes DNR to obligate $2,000,000 each fiscal year under that subprogram to award grants to a county, city, village, town, or recreational vehicle club either to acquire land for the purpose of establishing an all-terrain vehicle trail, off-highway motorcycle trail, or snowmobile trail or to construct a trail crossing for an all-terrain vehicle trail, off-highway motorcycle trail, or snowmobile trail as part of an interchange project. Local recreation boat facilities subprogram The bill renames the recreational boating aids subprogram to be the Xlocal recreation boat facilities subprogramY and increases the amount in each fiscal year that DNR may obligate under the subprogram from $3,000,000 to $7,800,000. The bill eliminates DNR[s authority under current law to use funds, whether stewardship or other funds, for recreational boating project feasibility studies. The bill changes one of the factors that DNR must consider in establishing priorities for projects from Xprojects underwayY to Xprojects in a state of readiness.Y Knowles-Nelson stewardship board The bill creates the Knowles-Nelson stewardship board in DNR, with the responsibilities of providing advice to DNR on all stewardship land acquisition projects and activities and reviewing all stewardship land acquisition projects and activities requiring an obligation of over $2,500,000 (large land acquisition projects). Under the bill, DNR may not obligate any stewardship moneys for a large land acquisition project unless it first notifies the Knowles-Nelson stewardship LRB-3744/1 EHS:skw&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 436 board in writing of the proposal. Under the bill, if, within 120 days after the date of DNR[s notification, the board does not meet to review the proposal, then DNR may obligate the moneys. If, within 120 days after the date of DNR[s notification, the board meets to review the proposal, DNR may obligate the moneys only upon approval of the board. Under the bill, the board must meet at least quarterly and has the following members appointed by the governor for staggered three-year terms: 1. One member who is a representative to the assembly, nominated by the majority leader of the assembly. 2. One member who is a representative to the assembly, nominated by the minority leader of the assembly. 3. One member who is a senator, nominated by the majority leader of the senate. 4. One member who is a senator, nominated by the minority leader of the senate. 5. Two members who represent environmental organizations or nonprofit conservation organizations in this state. 6. Two members who each represent organizations that represent hunting, fishing, or trapping interests in this state. 7. Two members who represent DNR, including one member of the natural resources board. 8. One member who represents the office of outdoor recreation in the department of tourism. 9. One member who represents an outdoor recreation business in this state. 10. One member who represents the Ice Age Trail Alliance. 11. One member who represents a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state. 12. One member who is a representative of local government in this state who occupies an executive or legislative post. 13. Two members who are citizens of this state. New grant programs The bill creates two new programs and funds them with appropriations from the general fund. Specifically, the bill creates a grant program for nonprofit conservation organizations to support wildlife and habitat management, and a tribal co-management program under which DNR must coordinate with the federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands domiciled in this state in the management of education infrastructure, land management activities, and other activities on DNR land. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB466 | Project labor agreements and public contracts. (FE) | Under current law, the state and local units of government are prohibited from engaging in certain practices in letting bids for state procurement or public works contracts. Among these prohibitions, as established by 2017 Wisconsin Act 3, the state and local governments may not do any of the following in specifications for bids for the contracts: 1) require that a bidder enter into an agreement with a labor organization; 2) consider, when awarding a contract, whether a bidder has or has not entered into an agreement with a labor organization; or 3) require that a bidder enter into an agreement that requires that the bidder or bidder[s employees become or remain members of a labor organization or pay any dues or fees to a labor organization. This bill repeals these bidding specification restrictions, allowing state and local units of government to opt to use such specifications. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| AB464 | Prevailing wage, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Prevailing wage This bill requires that laborers, workers, mechanics, and truck drivers employed on the site of certain projects of public works be paid the prevailing wage and not be required or allowed to work a greater number of hours per day and per week than the prevailing hours of labor unless they are paid overtime for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor. Projects subject to the bill include state and local projects of public works, including state highway projects, with exceptions including projects below certain cost thresholds, minor service or maintenance work, and certain residential projects. Under the bill, Xprevailing wage rateY is defined as the hourly basic rate of pay, plus the hourly contribution for bona fide economic benefits, paid for a majority of the hours worked in a trade or occupation in the area in which the project is located, except that, if there is no rate at which a majority of those hours is paid, Xprevailing wage rateY means the average hourly basic rate of pay, plus the average hourly contribution for bona fide economic benefits, paid for the highest-paid 51 percent of hours worked in a trade or occupation in the area. XPrevailing hours of laborY is defined as 10 hours per day and 40 hours per week, excluding weekends and holidays. The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to conduct investigations and hold public hearings as necessary to define the trades or occupations that are commonly employed on projects that are subject to the prevailing wage law and to inform itself of the prevailing wage rates in all areas of the state for those trades or occupations, in order to determine the prevailing wage rate for each trade or occupation. The bill contains certain other provisions regarding the calculation of prevailing wage rates by DWD, including provisions allowing persons to request recalculations or reviews of the prevailing wage rates determined by DWD. The bill requires contracts and notices for bids for projects subject to the bill to include and incorporate provisions ensuring compliance with the requirements. The bill also establishes a requirement that state agencies and local governments post prevailing wage rates and hours of labor in areas readily accessible to persons employed on the project or in sites regularly used for posting notices. The bill makes a contractor that fails to pay the prevailing wage rate or overtime pay to an employee as required under the prevailing wage law liable to the affected employee for not only the amount of unpaid wages and overtime pay, but also for liquidated damages in an amount equal to 100 percent of the unpaid wages and overtime pay. Finally, the bill includes, for both state and local projects of public works, provisions regarding coverage, compliance, enforcement, and penalties, including 1) requirements for affidavits to be filed by contractors affirming compliance with the prevailing wage law; 2) record retention requirements for contractors regarding wages paid to workers and provisions allowing for the inspection of those records by DWD; 3) liability and penalty provisions for certain violations, including criminal penalties; and 4) provisions prohibiting contracts from being awarded to persons who have failed to comply with the prevailing wage law. Transportation projects Under current law, for certain highway projects for which the Department of Transportation spends federal money, federal money must make up at least 70 percent of the funding for those projects. DOT is required to notify political subdivisions receiving aid for local projects whether the aid includes federal moneys and how those moneys must be spent. For certain projects that receive no federal money, DOT may not require political subdivisions to comply with any portion of DOT[s facilities development manual other than design standards. Any local project funded with state funds under the surface transportation program or the local bridge program must be let through competitive bidding and by contract to the lowest responsible bidder. The bill repeals all of these requirements. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB352 | Limiting the release of certain balloons into the atmosphere, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the release into the atmosphere of 10 or more balloons constructed with biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (commonly known under the trade name Mylar) and inflated with lighter-than-air gas. A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a $500 forfeiture. The prohibition does not apply to balloons that are 1) released indoors, 2) released for scientific or meteorological purposes, or 3) released by or on behalf of any government agency for scientific or meteorological purposes. | In Committee |
| AB321 | Prohibition against undetectable firearms, possessing a frame or receiver of a firearm without a serial number, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the manufacture, transportation, sale, possession, and carrying of firearms that cannot be detected by metal detectors or airport x-ray machines or scanners. Federal law currently has a comparable prohibition; under this bill, the person would violate state law as well. A person who violates the state prohibition is guilty of a Class G felony. This bill also prohibits the sale, posting, provision, or possession of plans for manufacturing an undetectable firearm. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. Finally, the bill prohibits the possession of a frame or a receiver of a firearm that is not marked with a serial number. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class I felony. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. | In Committee |
| SB332 | Prohibition against undetectable firearms, possessing a frame or receiver of a firearm without a serial number, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the manufacture, transportation, sale, possession, and carrying of firearms that cannot be detected by metal detectors or airport x-ray machines or scanners. Federal law currently has a comparable prohibition; under this bill, the person would violate state law as well. A person who violates the state prohibition is guilty of a Class G felony. This bill also prohibits the sale, posting, provision, or possession of plans for manufacturing an undetectable firearm. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. Finally, the bill prohibits the possession of a frame or a receiver of a firearm that is not marked with a serial number. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class I felony. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, LRB-3489/1 CMH:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 332 the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. | In Committee |
| AB383 | The veterans housing and recovery program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides to the Department of Veteran[s Affairs $900,000 in 2025-26 and $1,050,000 in 2026-27 for the veterans housing and recovery program to increase funding for supplies and services costs for the program[s three locations in Chippewa Falls, Green Bay, and Union Grove and for costs associated with leasing a different facility for the Chippewa Falls-based program due to space and facility deficiencies of the current location. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB385 | The veterans housing and recovery program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill provides to the Department of Veteran[s Affairs $900,000 in 2025-26 and $1,050,000 in 2026-27 for the veterans housing and recovery program to increase funding for supplies and services costs for the program[s three locations in Chippewa Falls, Green Bay, and Union Grove and for costs associated with leasing a different facility for the Chippewa Falls-based program due to space and facility deficiencies of the current location. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB444 | Prohibitions concerning use of state and local facilities to detain individuals on the basis of immigration status. | Under this bill, no state agency or other body in state government, political subdivision of the state, or county sheriff may use or permit the federal government to use a facility owned or operated by the state agency, political subdivision, or county sheriff to detain or hold in custody an individual if the individual is being detained or held in custody solely on the basis of the individual[s immigration status. The bill additionally provides that no state agency, political subdivision, or county sheriff may expend moneys to establish or operate, or to assist in the establishment or operation of, an immigrant detention facility in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AB435 | The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program (stewardship program) until 2032 and makes various changes to the program. WARREN KNOWLES-GAYLORD NELSON STEWARDSHIP 2000 PROGRAM Current law authorizes the state to incur public debt for certain conservation activities under the stewardship program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The state may incur this debt to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes and for property development activities and may award grants or state aid to certain local governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations (NCOs) to acquire land for these purposes. Current law establishes the amounts that DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2025-26 for expenditure under each of five subprograms of the stewardship program. This bill increases the total amount that may be obligated for the stewardship program from $33,250,000 each fiscal year to $72,000,000 each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2031-32. Land acquisition subprogram The bill increases the amount that may be obligated under the land acquisition subprogram each fiscal year from $16,000,000 to $17,200,000. The bill increases the amount under the land acquisition subprogram that must be set aside for grants to nonprofit conservation organizations each fiscal year from $7,000,000 to $11,350,000. Moneys obligated under the stewardship program are appropriated from the capital improvement fund (CIF) and stewardship bond proceeds are deposited into CIF. Current law provides that, in obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, DNR must set aside certain amounts to be obligated only for DNR to acquire land and to provide grants to counties for land acquisition (county forest grants). Specifically, the set-aside for DNR land acquisition each fiscal year is $1,000,000 plus the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from moneys received for forestry activities (the forestry account) to CIF $5,000,000 in each fiscal year. The set-aside for county forest grants is equal to the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from the forestry account to CIF $3,000,000 in each fiscal year. The bill ends these annual transfers from the forestry account to CIF beginning in fiscal year 2026-27 and instead appropriates amounts directly to fund those purposes from the conservation fund. Specifically, the bill appropriates $6,000,000 each fiscal year from the conservation fund for DNR land acquisitions and $3,000,000 each fiscal year from the forestry account for county forest grants. In addition, the bill requires that $5,850,000 be set aside under the land acquisition subprogram of the stewardship program to be obligated for DNR land acquisitions. The bill provides that any amount in CIF remaining from the amounts transferred from the forestry account in fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 is transferred back to the forestry account in fiscal year 2026-27. The bill eliminates a current law provision that states that, of the amount set aside under the land acquisition subprogram for DNR to acquire land, DNR may not use more than one-third to acquire land in fee simple. In addition, the bill eliminates a provision requiring DNR to use at least two appraisals to determine the current fair market value of land that is the subject of a stewardship funding for an NCO or governmental unit if DNR estimates the fair market value of the land to exceed $350,000. State property development and local parks and recreation subprogram The bill renames the property development and local assistance subprogram to be the Xstate property development and local parks and recreation subprogram,Y and increases the amount in each fiscal year that may be obligated under the subprogram from $14,250,000 to $45,000,000. Of that amount, the bill increases the amount that DNR must obligate for property development each fiscal year from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 and increases the amount that DNR must obligate for local assistance each fiscal year from $9,250,000 to $30,000,000. The bill increases from $500,000 to $1,500,000 the amount that DNR is required to set aside each fiscal year, from the amounts obligated for property development, for grants to friends groups and NCOs for property development activities on DNR properties. The bill also increases from $20,000 to $50,000 the maximum amount that DNR may encumber per DNR property for these grants in each fiscal year. Motorized recreation subprogram The bill creates a motorized recreation subprogram of the stewardship program, and authorizes DNR to obligate $2,000,000 each fiscal year under that subprogram to award grants to a county, city, village, town, or recreational vehicle club either to acquire land for the purpose of establishing an all-terrain vehicle trail, off-highway motorcycle trail, or snowmobile trail or to construct a trail crossing for an all-terrain vehicle trail, off-highway motorcycle trail, or snowmobile trail as part of an interchange project. Local recreation boat facilities subprogram The bill renames the recreational boating aids subprogram to be the Xlocal recreation boat facilities subprogramY and increases the amount in each fiscal year that DNR may obligate under the subprogram from $3,000,000 to $7,800,000. The bill eliminates DNR[s authority under current law to use funds, whether stewardship or other funds, for recreational boating project feasibility studies. The bill changes one of the factors that DNR must consider in establishing priorities for projects from Xprojects underwayY to Xprojects in a state of readiness.Y Knowles-Nelson stewardship board The bill creates the Knowles-Nelson stewardship board in DNR, with the responsibilities of providing advice to DNR on all stewardship land acquisition projects and activities and reviewing all stewardship land acquisition projects and activities requiring an obligation of over $2,500,000 (large land acquisition projects). Under the bill, DNR may not obligate any stewardship moneys for a large land acquisition project unless it first notifies the Knowles-Nelson stewardship board in writing of the proposal. Under the bill, if, within 120 days after the date of DNR[s notification, the board does not meet to review the proposal, then DNR may obligate the moneys. If, within 120 days after the date of DNR[s notification, the board meets to review the proposal, DNR may obligate the moneys only upon approval of the board. Under the bill, the board must meet at least quarterly and has the following members appointed by the governor for staggered three-year terms: 1. One member who is a representative to the assembly, nominated by the majority leader of the assembly. 2. One member who is a representative to the assembly, nominated by the minority leader of the assembly. 3. One member who is a senator, nominated by the majority leader of the senate. 4. One member who is a senator, nominated by the minority leader of the senate. 5. Two members who represent environmental organizations or nonprofit conservation organizations in this state. 6. Two members who each represent organizations that represent hunting, fishing, or trapping interests in this state. 7. Two members who represent DNR, including one member of the natural resources board. 8. One member who represents the office of outdoor recreation in the department of tourism. 9. One member who represents an outdoor recreation business in this state. 10. One member who represents the Ice Age Trail Alliance. 11. One member who represents a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state. 12. One member who is a representative of local government in this state who occupies an executive or legislative post. 13. Two members who are citizens of this state. New grant programs The bill creates two new programs and funds them with appropriations from the general fund. Specifically, the bill creates a grant program for nonprofit conservation organizations to support wildlife and habitat management, and a tribal co-management program under which DNR must coordinate with the federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands domiciled in this state in the management of education infrastructure, land management activities, and other activities on DNR land. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR83 | Recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald. | Relating to: recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald. | In Committee |
| AB340 | Payment for school medical services. (FE) | Under current law, if a school district or a cooperative educational service agency elects to provide school medical services and meets certain requirements, DHS is required to reimburse the school district or cooperative educational service agency for 60 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services that they provide. If the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing elects to provide school medical services and meets certain other requirements, DHS is also required to reimburse DPI for 60 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services that the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provide. Further, under current law, DHS is required to reimburse school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for 90 percent of the federal share of allowable school medical services administrative costs. This bill increases the amount that DHS is required to reimburse a school district, cooperative educational service agency, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for provided school medical services to 100 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services. The bill also increases the amount that DHS is required to reimburse a school district, cooperative educational service agency, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, to 100 percent of the federal share of allowable school medical services administrative costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB349 | Payment for school medical services. (FE) | Under current law, if a school district or a cooperative educational service agency elects to provide school medical services and meets certain requirements, DHS is required to reimburse the school district or cooperative educational service agency for 60 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services that they provide. If the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing elects to provide school medical services and meets certain other requirements, DHS is also required to reimburse DPI for 60 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services that the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provide. Further, under current law, DHS is required to reimburse school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for 90 percent of the federal share of allowable school medical services administrative costs. This bill increases the amount that DHS is required to reimburse a school district, cooperative educational service agency, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin LRB-3581/1 JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 349 Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for provided school medical services to 100 percent of the federal share of allowable charges for the school medical services. The bill also increases the amount that DHS is required to reimburse a school district, cooperative educational service agency, and DPI, on behalf of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, to 100 percent of the federal share of allowable school medical services administrative costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB360 | Limiting the release of certain balloons into the atmosphere, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits the release into the atmosphere of 10 or more balloons constructed with biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (commonly known under the trade name Mylar) and inflated with lighter-than-air gas. A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a $500 forfeiture. The prohibition does not apply to balloons that are 1) released indoors, 2) released for scientific or meteorological purposes, or 3) released by or on behalf of any government agency for scientific or meteorological purposes. | In Committee |
| AJR89 | Honoring Wisconsin’s Hispanic veterans. | Relating to: honoring Wisconsin[s Hispanic veterans. | In Committee |
| SJR84 | Honoring Wisconsin’s Hispanic veterans. | Relating to: honoring Wisconsin[s Hispanic veterans. | In Committee |
| AB379 | Forms of proof of identification for voting. | Current law requires an individual who is a qualified elector to provide proof of identification to vote. The document that the individual presents for proof of identification must contain the individual[s name and a photograph of the individual. Documents that are considered proof of identification are enumerated in statute and include a U.S. passport, an identification card issued by a U.S. uniformed service, an operator[s license issued by the Department of Transportation, and an identification card issued by DOT. This bill adds to the list of documents that may be used as proof of identification for voting a valid operator[s license or identification card that satisfies federal REAL ID requirements and is issued by a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any other territory or possession of the United States. | In Committee |
| SB362 | Forms of proof of identification for voting. | Current law requires an individual who is a qualified elector to provide proof of identification to vote. The document that the individual presents for proof of identification must contain the individual[s name and a photograph of the individual. Documents that are considered proof of identification are enumerated in statute and include a U.S. passport, an identification card issued by a U.S. uniformed service, an operator[s license issued by the Department of Transportation, and an identification card issued by DOT. This bill adds to the list of documents that may be used as proof of identification for voting a valid operator[s license or identification card that satisfies federal REAL ID requirements and is issued by a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any other territory or possession of the United States. | In Committee |
| SB330 | Waiting period for purchase of handguns. | Current law provides that, before a federally licensed firearms dealer may transfer a handgun after a sale, the dealer must request that the Department of Justice perform a background check on the prospective purchaser to determine if the purchaser is prohibited from possessing a firearm. This bill prohibits the dealer from transferring the handgun to the purchaser until 48 hours have passed since the firearms dealer requested the background check on the purchaser. | In Committee |
| SB329 | Extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Under current law, a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, and must surrender all firearms, if the person is subject to a domestic abuse injunction, a child abuse injunction, or, in certain cases, a harassment or an individuals-at-risk injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to one of those injunctions, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm under such an injunction is guilty of a Class G felony for violating the prohibition. This bill creates an extreme risk protection temporary restraining order and injunction to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm. Under the bill, either a law enforcement officer or a family or household member of the person may file a LRB-3517/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 329 petition with a court to request an extreme risk protection injunction. The petition must allege facts that show that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. Under the bill, the petitioner may request the court to consider first granting a temporary restraining order. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the petitioner must include evidence that there is an immediate and present danger that the person may injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing increases the immediate and present danger. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the court must hear the petition in an expedited manner. The judge must issue a TRO if, after questioning the petitioner and witnesses or relying on affidavits, the judge determines that it is substantially likely that the petition for an injunction will be granted and the judge finds good cause to believe there is an immediate and present danger that the person will injure themself or another if the person has a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing may increase the immediate and present danger. If the judge issues a TRO, the TRO is in effect until the injunction hearing, which must occur within 14 days of the TRO issuance. The TRO must require a law enforcement officer to personally serve the person with the order and to require the person to immediately surrender all firearms in their possession. If a law enforcement officer is unable to personally serve the person, then the TRO requires the person to surrender within 24 hours all firearms to a law enforcement officer or a firearms dealer and to provide the court a receipt indicating the surrender occurred. At the injunction hearing, the court may grant an extreme risk protection injunction ordering the person to refrain from possessing a firearm and, if the person was not subject to a TRO, to surrender all firearms he or she possesses if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. An extreme risk protection injunction is effective for up to one year and may be renewed. A person who is subject to an extreme risk protection injunction may petition to vacate the injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the TRO has expired or the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who possesses a firearm while subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction is guilty of a Class G felony. In addition, a person who files a petition for an extreme risk protection injunction, knowing the information in the petition to be false, is guilty of the crime of false swearing, a Class H felony. The bill also requires the Department of Administration to award grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of training officers how to identify persons who are substantially likely to injure themselves or another if the person possesses a firearm and how to file a petition for an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction. LRB-3517/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 329 Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB324 | Waiting period for purchase of handguns. | Current law provides that, before a federally licensed firearms dealer may transfer a handgun after a sale, the dealer must request that the Department of Justice perform a background check on the prospective purchaser to determine if the purchaser is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal or state law. This bill prohibits the dealer from transferring the handgun to the purchaser until 48 hours have passed since the firearms dealer requested the background check on the purchaser. | In Committee |
| AB319 | Extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Under current law, a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, and must surrender all firearms, if the person is subject to a domestic abuse injunction, a child abuse injunction, or, in certain cases, a harassment or an individuals-at-risk injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to one of those injunctions, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm under such an injunction is guilty of a Class G felony for violating the prohibition. This bill creates an extreme risk protection temporary restraining order and injunction to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm. Under the bill, either a law enforcement officer or a family or household member of the person may file a petition with a court to request an extreme risk protection injunction. The petition must allege facts that show that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. Under the bill, the petitioner may request the court to consider first granting a temporary restraining order. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the petitioner must include evidence that there is an immediate and present danger that the person may injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing increases the immediate and present danger. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the court must hear the petition in an expedited manner. The judge must issue a TRO if, after questioning the petitioner and witnesses or relying on affidavits, the judge determines that it is substantially likely that the petition for an injunction will be granted and the judge finds good cause to believe there is an immediate and present danger that the person will injure themself or another if the person has a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing may increase the immediate and present danger. If the judge issues a TRO, the TRO is in effect until the injunction hearing, which must occur within 14 days of the TRO issuance. The TRO must require a law enforcement officer to personally serve the person with the order and to require the person to immediately surrender all firearms in their possession. If a law enforcement officer is unable to personally serve the person, then the TRO requires the person to surrender within 24 hours all firearms to a law enforcement officer or a firearms dealer and to provide the court a receipt indicating the surrender occurred. At the injunction hearing, the court may grant an extreme risk protection injunction ordering the person to refrain from possessing a firearm and, if the person was not subject to a TRO, to surrender all firearms he or she possesses if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. An extreme risk protection injunction is effective for up to one year and may be renewed. A person who is subject to an extreme risk protection injunction may petition to vacate the injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the TRO has expired or the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who possesses a firearm while subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction is guilty of a Class G felony. In addition, a person who files a petition for an extreme risk protection injunction, knowing the information in the petition to be false, is guilty of the crime of false swearing, a Class H felony. The bill also requires the Department of Administration to award grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of training officers how to identify persons who are substantially likely to injure themselves or another if the person possesses a firearm and how to file a petition for an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR82 | Recognizing and proclaiming September 15 to October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: recognizing and proclaiming September 15 to October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AB257 | Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | NURSING PRACTICE AND LICENSURE This bill makes various changes to practice, licensure, and certification requirements for nurses, which are administered by the Board of Nursing. Licensure of advanced practice registered nurses Under current law, a person who wishes to practice professional nursing must be licensed by the Board of Nursing as a registered nurse (RN). This bill creates an additional system of licensure for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), to be administered by the board. Under the bill, in order to apply for an APRN license, a person must 1) hold, or concurrently apply for, an RN license; 2) have completed an accredited graduate-level or postgraduate-level education program preparing the person to practice as an APRN in one of four recognized roles and hold a current national certification approved by the board; 3) possess malpractice liability insurance as provided in the bill; 4) pay a fee determined by the Department of Safety and Professional Services; and 5) satisfy certain other criteria specified in the bill. The bill also allows a person who has not completed an accredited education program described above to receive an APRN license if the person 1) on January 1, 2026, is both licensed as an RN in Wisconsin and practicing in one of the four recognized roles and 2) satisfies additional practice or education criteria established by the board. The bill also, however, automatically grants licenses to certain RNs, as further described below. The four recognized roles, as defined in the bill, are 1) certified nurse-midwife; 2) certified registered nurse anesthetist; 3) clinical nurse specialist; and 4) nurse practitioner. The bill requires the board, upon granting a person an APRN license, to also grant the person one or more specialty designations corresponding to the recognized role or roles for which the person qualifies. Under the bill, all APRNs, except APRNs with a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation, must practice in collaboration with a physician or dentist. However, under the bill, an APRN may practice without being supervised by a physician or dentist if the board verifies that the APRN has completed 3,840 hours of professional nursing in a clinical setting and has completed 3,840 clinical hours of advanced practice registered nursing practice in their recognized role while working with a physician or dentist during those 3,840 hours of practice. APRNs may count additional hours practiced as an APRN in collaboration with a physician or dentist towards the 3,840 required hours of professional nursing. APRNs with a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation are instead required, if they offer to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting, to file and keep current with the board a proactive plan for involving a hospital or a physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital in the treatment of patients with higher acuity or emergency care needs, as further described below. Regardless of whether an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the bill provides that an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques only while working in a collaborative relationship with any physician who, through education, training, and experience, specializes in pain management. Alternatively, if an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques in a hospital or clinic associated with a hospital. Further, an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques if the APRN has qualified to practice independently and has privileges in a hospital to provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques without a collaborative relationship with a physician. The holder of an APRN license may append the title XA.P.R.N.Y to his or her name, as well as a title corresponding to whichever specialty designations that the person possesses. The bill prohibits any person from using the title XA.P.R.N.,Y and from otherwise indicating that he or she is an APRN, unless the person is licensed by the board as an APRN. The bill also prohibits the use of titles and abbreviations corresponding to a recognized role unless the person has a specialty designation for that role. The bill further prohibits any person licensed by the board from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any title that is not granted under the nursing statutes unless the person holds another credential that entitles the person to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title or the person is permitted to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title under any other law of the state. However, the bill provides that a person who is licensed by the board and holds a doctorate degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name the title XdoctorY or any other words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that doctorate degree or the field in which the degree was received. If a person who is licensed by the board uses, assumes, or appends to his or her name the title Xdoctor,Y the bill requires that person to also use, assume, or append to his or her name words, letters, or abbreviations that represent the field in which the person received the doctorate degree. Further, the bill provides that a person who holds a bachelor[s degree or master[s degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that degree or the field in which the degree was received. The bill allows an APRN to delegate a task or order to another clinically trained health care worker if the task or order is within the scope of the APRN[s practice, the APRN is competent to perform the task or issue the order, and the APRN has reasonable evidence that the health care worker is minimally competent to perform the task or issue the order under the circumstances. The bill requires an APRN to adhere to professional standards when managing situations that are beyond the APRN[s expertise. Under the bill, when an APRN renews his or her APRN license, the board must grant the person the renewal of both the person[s RN license and the person[s APRN license. The bill requires all APRNs to complete continuing education requirements each biennium in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the APRN[s area of practice and to satisfy certain other requirements when renewing a license. Practice of nurse-midwifery This bill repeals licensure and practice requirements specific to nurse- midwives and the practice of nurse-midwifery, including specific requirements to practice with an obstetrician. Under the bill, Xcertified nurse-midwifeY is one of the four recognized roles for APRNs, and a person who is licensed as a nurse-midwife under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with a certified nurse- midwife specialty designation. The bill otherwise allows nurse-midwives to be licensed as APRNs if they satisfy the licensure requirements, except that the bill also requires that a person applying for a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation be certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. The bill also requires an APRN with a specialty designation as a certified nurse-midwife to file with the Board of Nursing, and obtain the board[s approval of, a plan for ensuring appropriate care or care transitions in treating certain patients if the APRN offers to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting. Prescribing authority Under current law, a person licensed as an RN may apply to the Board of Nursing for a certificate to issue prescription orders if the person meets certain requirements established by the board. An RN holding a certificate is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board and must possess malpractice liability insurance in an amount determined by the board. The bill eliminates certificates to issue prescription orders and generally authorizes APRNs to issue prescription orders. A person who is certified to issue prescription orders under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with his or her appropriate specialty designation. RNs who are practicing in a recognized role on January 1, 2026, but who do not hold a certificate to issue prescription orders on that date and who are granted an APRN license under the bill may not issue prescription orders. As under current law, an APRN issuing prescription orders is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board. The bill repeals a provision concerning the ability of advanced practice nurses who are certified to issue prescription orders and who are required to work in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician to obtain and practice under a federal waiver to dispense narcotic drugs to individuals for addiction treatment. Malpractice liability insurance The bill requires all APRNs to maintain malpractice liability insurance coverage evidenced by personal liability coverage in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists or coverage under a group liability policy providing individual coverage for the APRN in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists. Additionally, the bill requires APRNs who have qualified to practice independently and who practice outside a collaborative or employment relationship to participate in the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund. The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund provides excess medical malpractice coverage for health care providers who participate in the fund and meet all other participation requirements, which includes maintaining malpractice liability insurance in coverage amounts specified under current law. OTHER CHANGES The bill makes numerous other changes throughout the statutes relating to APRNs, including various terminology changes. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AR8 | Commemorating the victims of the Abundant Life Christian School tragedy, supporting the students, staff, families, and community of Abundant Life Christian School, and condemning violence. | Relating to: commemorating the victims of the Abundant Life Christian School tragedy, supporting the students, staff, families, and community of Abundant Life Christian School, and condemning violence. | In Committee |
| AB272 | Eligibility for Family Care for individuals who are deaf-blind. (FE) | This bill grants functional eligibility for Family Care—a program that provides community-based long-term care services—to people who are deaf-blind. Under current law, a person must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for Family Care, including that the person is at least 18 years of age; the person has a physical or developmental disability or is a frail elder; and the person is both functionally and financially eligible based on the standards described in the statute. The bill adds an express provision that a person is functionally eligible for the Family Care program if the person is deaf-blind, as defined in the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR38 | Proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | Relating to: proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake. | In Committee |
| AJR63 | 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 |
| AB325 | Sales and transfers of firearms and providing a penalty. (FE) | Current law provides that a federally licensed firearms dealer may not transfer a handgun after a sale until the dealer has performed a background check on the prospective transferee to determine if he or she is prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. This bill generally prohibits any person from transferring any firearm, including the frame or receiver of a firearm, unless the transfer occurs through a federally licensed firearms dealer and involves a background check of the prospective transferee. Under the bill, the following are excepted from that prohibition: a transfer to a firearms dealer or to a law enforcement or armed services agency; a transfer of a firearm classified as antique; or a transfer that is by gift, bequest, or inheritance to a family member. A person who is convicted of violating the prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be fined not less than $500 nor more than $10,000, may be imprisoned for not more than nine months, and may not possess a firearm for a period of two years. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB356 | Perimenopause and menopause education. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to enter into partnerships with health care providers, including obstetricians and gynecologists, and community health centers and hospitals to educate women on the symptoms, processes, and other issues surrounding perimenopause and menopause so that women may be prepared for perimenopause and menopause. The bill requires DHS to create, in coordination with these partners, informational materials, in electronic and physical form, that may be distributed to or accessed by women who are determined by their health care provider to be experiencing or will soon be experiencing perimenopause and menopause. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB321 | Adopting gender-neutral terminology and incorporating gender-neutral marriage and parentage rights. (FE) | Summary This bill recognizes same-sex marriage by making references in the statutes to spouses gender-neutral, with the intent of harmonizing the Wisconsin Statutes with the holding of the U.S. Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2584, 192 L. Ed. 2d 609 (2015), which recognizes that same-sex couples have a fundamental constitutional right to marriage. The bill also recognizes legal parentage for same-sex couples under certain circumstances and adopts gender- neutral parentage terminology. Same-sex marriage The bill provides that marriage may be contracted between persons of the same sex and confers the same rights and responsibilities on married persons of the same sex that married persons of different sexes have under current law. The bill LRB-0842/1 MDE:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 321 defines XspouseY as a person who is legally married to another person of the same sex or a different sex and replaces every reference to XhusbandY or XwifeY in current law with Xspouse.Y The bill makes applicable to married persons of the same sex all provisions under current law that apply to married persons of different sexes. These provisions relate to such diverse areas of the law as income tax, marital property, inheritance rights, divorce, child and spousal support, insurance coverage, family and spousal recreational licenses, consent to conduct an autopsy, domestic abuse, and eligibility for various types of benefits, such as retirement or death benefits and medical assistance. Parentage In addition to making statutory references to spouses gender-neutral, the bill specifies ways in which couples of the same sex may be the legal parents of a child, recognizes that a transgender person may become pregnant and give birth to a child, and makes current references in the statutes to XmotherY and Xfather,Y and related terms, gender-neutral. Under current law, all of the following may adopt a child: a husband and wife jointly, a husband or wife whose spouse is the parent of the child, and an unmarried adult. Because the bill makes references in the statutes to spouses gender-neutral, same-sex spouses jointly may adopt a child and become the legal parents of the child, and a same-sex spouse of a person who is the parent of a minor child may adopt the child and become the legal parent of his or her spouse[s child. Under current law, if a woman is artificially inseminated under the supervision of a physician with semen donated by a man who is not her husband and the husband consents in writing to the artificial insemination of his wife, the husband is the natural father of any child conceived. Under the bill, one spouse may also consent to the artificial insemination of his or her spouse and is the natural parent of the child conceived. The artificial insemination is not required to take place under the supervision of a physician, but, if it does not, the semen used for the insemination must have been obtained from a sperm bank. Under current law, a man is presumed to be the father of a child if he and the child[s natural mother 1) were married to each other when the child was conceived or born or 2) married each other after the child was born but had a relationship with each other when the child was conceived and no other man has been adjudicated to be the father or is presumed to be the father because the man was married to the mother when the child was conceived or born. The paternity presumption may be rebutted in a legal action or proceeding by the results of a genetic test showing that the statistical probability of another man[s parentage is 99.0 percent or higher. The bill expands this presumption into a parentage presumption, so that a person is presumed to be the natural parent of a child if he or she 1) was married to the person who gave birth to the child when the child was conceived or born or 2) married the person who gave birth to the child after the child was born but had a relationship with the person who gave birth to the child when the child was conceived and no person has been adjudicated to be the child[s LRB-0842/1 MDE:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 321 parent and no other person is presumed to be the child[s parent because he or she was married, at the time the child was born, to the person who gave birth to the child. The parentage presumption may still be rebutted by the results of a genetic test showing that the statistical probability of another person[s parentage is 99.0 percent or higher. Expanding on current law, the bill allows for a parentage action to be brought for the purpose of rebutting the parentage presumption, regardless of whether that presumption applies to a male or female spouse. Current law provides that a mother and a man may sign a statement acknowledging paternity and file it with the state registrar. If the state registrar has received such a statement, the man is presumed to be the father of the child. Under current law, either person who has signed a statement acknowledging paternity may rescind the statement before an order is filed in an action affecting the family concerning the child or within 60 days after the statement is filed, whichever occurs first. Under current law, a man who has filed a statement acknowledging paternity that is not rescinded within the time period is conclusively determined to be the father of the child. The bill provides that two people, one of whom gave birth to the child, may sign a statement acknowledging parentage and file it with the state registrar. If the state registrar has received such a statement, the people who have signed the statement are presumed to be the parents of the child. Under the bill, a statement acknowledging parentage that is not rescinded conclusively establishes parentage with regard to the person who did not give birth to the child and who signed the statement. Under current law, the paternity of a child may be established by genetic testing in an administrative determination of paternity or in a paternity action in court. The bill changes the term XpaternityY to XparentageY in the context of establishing the parent of a child by genetic testing. The bill defines Xnatural parentY as a parent of a child who is not an adoptive parent, whether the parent is biologically related to the child or not. Thus, a person who is a biological parent, a parent by consenting to the artificial insemination of his or her spouse, or a parent under the parentage presumption is a natural parent of a child. The definition applies throughout the statutes wherever the term Xnatural parentY is used. In addition, the bill expands some references in the statutes to Xbiological parentY by changing the reference to Xnatural parent.Y Birth certificates Generally, the bill substitutes the term XspouseY for XhusbandY in the birth certificate statutes and enters the spouse, instead of the husband, of the person who has given birth on the birth certificate at times when a husband would currently be entered on a birth certificate. The name of the person who has given birth is entered on a birth certificate when the person gives birth to a child, and current law specifies when another name should be entered on the birth certificate. Current law requires that if a birth mother is married at any time from the conception to the birth of a child, then her husband[s name is entered on the birth certificate as the legal father of the child. Under the bill, if a person who gives birth is married at any LRB-0842/1 MDE:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 321 time from the conception to the birth of the child, then that person[s spouse[s name is entered as a legal parent of the child. The bill also specifies that, in the instance that a second parent[s name is initially omitted from the birth certificate, if the state registrar receives a signed acknowledgement of parentage by people presumed to be parents because the two people married after the birth of the child, the two people had a relationship during the time the child was conceived, no person is adjudicated to be the father, and no other person is presumed to be the parent, then the state registrar must enter the name of the spouse of the person who gave birth as a parent on the birth certificate. 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 |
| AB314 | Adopting gender-neutral terminology and incorporating gender-neutral marriage and parentage rights. (FE) | Summary This bill recognizes same-sex marriage by making references in the statutes to spouses gender-neutral, with the intent of harmonizing the Wisconsin Statutes with the holding of the U.S. Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2584, 192 L. Ed. 2d 609 (2015), which recognizes that same-sex couples have a fundamental constitutional right to marriage. The bill also recognizes legal parentage for same-sex couples under certain circumstances and adopts gender- neutral parentage terminology. Same-sex marriage The bill provides that marriage may be contracted between persons of the same sex and confers the same rights and responsibilities on married persons of the same sex that married persons of different sexes have under current law. The bill defines XspouseY as a person who is legally married to another person of the same sex or a different sex and replaces every reference to XhusbandY or XwifeY in current law with Xspouse.Y The bill makes applicable to married persons of the same sex all provisions under current law that apply to married persons of different sexes. These provisions relate to such diverse areas of the law as income tax, marital property, inheritance rights, divorce, child and spousal support, insurance coverage, family and spousal recreational licenses, consent to conduct an autopsy, domestic abuse, and eligibility for various types of benefits, such as retirement or death benefits and medical assistance. Parentage In addition to making statutory references to spouses gender-neutral, the bill specifies ways in which couples of the same sex may be the legal parents of a child, recognizes that a transgender person may become pregnant and give birth to a child, and makes current references in the statutes to XmotherY and Xfather,Y and related terms, gender-neutral. Under current law, all of the following may adopt a child: a husband and wife jointly, a husband or wife whose spouse is the parent of the child, and an unmarried adult. Because the bill makes references in the statutes to spouses gender-neutral, same-sex spouses jointly may adopt a child and become the legal parents of the child, and a same-sex spouse of a person who is the parent of a minor child may adopt the child and become the legal parent of his or her spouse[s child. Under current law, if a woman is artificially inseminated under the supervision of a physician with semen donated by a man who is not her husband and the husband consents in writing to the artificial insemination of his wife, the husband is the natural father of any child conceived. Under the bill, one spouse may also consent to the artificial insemination of his or her spouse and is the natural parent of the child conceived. The artificial insemination is not required to take place under the supervision of a physician, but, if it does not, the semen used for the insemination must have been obtained from a sperm bank. Under current law, a man is presumed to be the father of a child if he and the child[s natural mother 1) were married to each other when the child was conceived or born or 2) married each other after the child was born but had a relationship with each other when the child was conceived and no other man has been adjudicated to be the father or is presumed to be the father because the man was married to the mother when the child was conceived or born. The paternity presumption may be rebutted in a legal action or proceeding by the results of a genetic test showing that the statistical probability of another man[s parentage is 99.0 percent or higher. The bill expands this presumption into a parentage presumption, so that a person is presumed to be the natural parent of a child if he or she 1) was married to the person who gave birth to the child when the child was conceived or born or 2) married the person who gave birth to the child after the child was born but had a relationship with the person who gave birth to the child when the child was conceived and no person has been adjudicated to be the child[s parent and no other person is presumed to be the child[s parent because he or she was married, at the time the child was born, to the person who gave birth to the child. The parentage presumption may still be rebutted by the results of a genetic test showing that the statistical probability of another person[s parentage is 99.0 percent or higher. Expanding on current law, the bill allows for a parentage action to be brought for the purpose of rebutting the parentage presumption, regardless of whether that presumption applies to a male or female spouse. Current law provides that a mother and a man may sign a statement acknowledging paternity and file it with the state registrar. If the state registrar has received such a statement, the man is presumed to be the father of the child. Under current law, either person who has signed a statement acknowledging paternity may rescind the statement before an order is filed in an action affecting the family concerning the child or within 60 days after the statement is filed, whichever occurs first. Under current law, a man who has filed a statement acknowledging paternity that is not rescinded within the time period is conclusively determined to be the father of the child. The bill provides that two people, one of whom gave birth to the child, may sign a statement acknowledging parentage and file it with the state registrar. If the state registrar has received such a statement, the people who have signed the statement are presumed to be the parents of the child. Under the bill, a statement acknowledging parentage that is not rescinded conclusively establishes parentage with regard to the person who did not give birth to the child and who signed the statement. Under current law, the paternity of a child may be established by genetic testing in an administrative determination of paternity or in a paternity action in court. The bill changes the term XpaternityY to XparentageY in the context of establishing the parent of a child by genetic testing. The bill defines Xnatural parentY as a parent of a child who is not an adoptive parent, whether the parent is biologically related to the child or not. Thus, a person who is a biological parent, a parent by consenting to the artificial insemination of his or her spouse, or a parent under the parentage presumption is a natural parent of a child. The definition applies throughout the statutes wherever the term Xnatural parentY is used. In addition, the bill expands some references in the statutes to Xbiological parentY by changing the reference to Xnatural parent.Y Birth certificates Generally, the bill substitutes the term XspouseY for XhusbandY in the birth certificate statutes and enters the spouse, instead of the husband, of the person who has given birth on the birth certificate at times when a husband would currently be entered on a birth certificate. The name of the person who has given birth is entered on a birth certificate when the person gives birth to a child, and current law specifies when another name should be entered on the birth certificate. Current law requires that if a birth mother is married at any time from the conception to the birth of a child, then her husband[s name is entered on the birth certificate as the legal father of the child. Under the bill, if a person who gives birth is married at any time from the conception to the birth of the child, then that person[s spouse[s name is entered as a legal parent of the child. The bill also specifies that, in the instance that a second parent[s name is initially omitted from the birth certificate, if the state registrar receives a signed acknowledgement of parentage by people presumed to be parents because the two people married after the birth of the child, the two people had a relationship during the time the child was conceived, no person is adjudicated to be the father, and no other person is presumed to be the parent, then the state registrar must enter the name of the spouse of the person who gave birth as a parent on the birth certificate. 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| AB381 | Perimenopause and menopause education. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to enter into partnerships with health care providers, including obstetricians and gynecologists, and community health centers and hospitals to educate women on the symptoms, processes, and other issues surrounding perimenopause and menopause so that women may be prepared for perimenopause and menopause. The bill requires DHS to create, in coordination with these partners, informational materials, in electronic and physical form, that may be distributed to or accessed by women who are determined by their health care provider to be experiencing or will soon be experiencing perimenopause and menopause. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | 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. | Crossed Over |
| AB301 | Grants to mental health clubhouses and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to award grants to clubhouses. A Xclubhouse,Y as defined in the bill, is a nonresidential rehabilitation program that provides support and services to individuals who have or are awaiting diagnosis for a mental illness but does not directly provide treatment or medical care for mental illnesses. To receive a grant, a clubhouse must include members who have been diagnosed with or are awaiting diagnosis for a mental illness and are under treatment for the condition, raise an amount of money itself to receive a matching grant, provide activities and services to members on a voluntary basis, have its own distinct physical space, and allow members to have the opportunity to participate in the administration and other operational functions of the clubhouse. The grant program sunsets at the end of the 2029-30 fiscal year. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB305 | Grants to mental health clubhouses and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Health Services to award grants to clubhouses. A Xclubhouse,Y as defined in the bill, is a nonresidential rehabilitation program that provides support and services to individuals who have or are awaiting diagnosis for a mental illness but does not directly provide treatment or medical care for mental illnesses. To receive a grant, a clubhouse must include members who have been diagnosed with or are awaiting diagnosis for a mental illness and are under treatment for the condition, raise an amount of money itself to receive a matching grant, provide activities and services to members on a voluntary basis, have its own distinct physical space, and allow members to have the opportunity to participate in the administration and other operational functions of the clubhouse. The grant program sunsets at the end of the 2029-30 fiscal year. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB355 | Right to bodily autonomy, elimination of certain abortion-related regulations, and coverage of abortion under certain health care coverage plans. (FE) | This bill specifies that every individual has the fundamental right to bodily autonomy, which includes the right to access abortion. Under the bill, the state may not prohibit an individual from obtaining an abortion if an abortion is necessary in the professional judgment of the individual[s medical provider. Also under the bill, a law or rule of this state that restricts a individual[s access to abortion is unenforceable if the law or rule does not confer any legitimate health benefit. Any person that is or may be aggrieved by the enforcement of a law or rule passed or promulgated after the effective date of the bill that would be unenforceable under the bill may bring an action in state or federal court for injunctive relief or damages against a state or local official who enforces or attempts to enforce such a law or rule. The bill also expressly provides that all requirements applicable to health care providers are applicable to providers of abortion care. The bill does not change standard informed consent requirements applicable to all medical procedures, including abortion, but removes additional requirements specific to the performance of an abortion that exceed those standard informed consent requirements. Current law requires that these additional requirements must be met in order for a woman upon whom an abortion is to be performed or induced to give voluntary and informed consent to an abortion. Except in a medical emergency, under current law, a woman[s consent to an abortion is considered informed only if, with certain exceptions, at least 24 hours before the abortion is performed or induced, the physician or an assistant has, in person, orally provided the woman with certain information and given to the woman certain written materials. The bill repeals these requirements. Under current law, the state is required to offer to all of its employees at least 2 insured or uninsured health care coverage plans. Further, under current law, certain employers including counties, villages, towns, school districts, and other governmental units or instrumentalities other than the state may offer to all of its employees a health care coverage plan through a program offered by the Group Insurance Board. Current law prohibits these plans from providing coverage for abortion or services the funding for which is ineligible under current law. The bill repeals these restrictions and instead requires coverage of abortion and any other medical services necessary to provide abortion under these health coverage plans if the health care coverage plan provides maternity coverage. The bill also repeals other various abortion-related laws, including all of the following: 1. The bill eliminates the prohibition on giving a woman an abortion-inducing drug unless the physician who provided the drug for the woman performs a physical exam on the woman and is physically present in the room when the drug is given to the woman. 2. The bill eliminates the prohibition on coverage of abortions by qualified health plans offered through an exchange in this state. 3. The bill eliminates the prohibition on performing abortions by a physician that does not have admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is to be performed. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Planned Parenthood of Wis., Inc. v. Schimel, 806 F.3d 908 (7th Cir. 2015), which affirmed a permanent injunction granted by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. 4. The bill repeals a statute that provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned for not more than six years, or both. XUnborn childY is defined in the statute as a human being from the time of conception until born alive. The statute also provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn quick child or causes the mother[s death by an act done with intent to destroy the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $50,000, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. None of these penalties apply to a therapeutic abortion that is performed by a physician; is necessary, or advised by two other physicians as necessary, to save the life of the mother; and, unless an emergency prevents, is performed in a licensed maternity hospital. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable. It was cited in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), as similar to a Texas statute that was held to violate the due process clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The unenforceability of the statute following the Roe v. Wade decision was noted in a subsequent decision by a federal district court, Larkin v. McCann, 368 F. Supp. 1352 (E.D. Wis. 1974). In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women[s Health Org., 142 S. Ct. 2228 (2022). Litigation concerning the status of the statute is currently pending in state court. In December 2023, the Dane County Circuit Court issued a decision and order declaring that the statute Xdoes not apply to abortions.Y Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 22- CV-1594, slip op. at 14 (Wis. Dane Cnty. Cir. Ct. Dec. 5, 2023). An appeal is pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. See Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 2023AP002362 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting a petition to bypass the court of appeals). The Wisconsin Supreme Court has also granted a petition for leave to commence an original action regarding whether the state constitution protects a right to receive an abortion and a right for physicians to provide abortions. See Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting leave to commence an original action); see Petition to Wis. S. Ct. to Take Jurisdiction of an Original Action, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. filed Feb. 22, 2024). The bill also repeals the criminal penalty on a person who is not a physician and who intentionally performs an abortion. The bill does not affect any other criminal prohibition or limitation on abortion in current law, such as the general prohibition on performing an abortion after the fetus or unborn child has reached viability, or any other homicide prohibition. The bill also does not affect a separate provision in current law that prohibits prosecution of and imposing or enforcing a fine or imprisonment against a woman who obtains an abortion or otherwise violates any abortion law with respect to her unborn child or fetus. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. | In Committee |
| SB336 | Sales and transfers of firearms and providing a penalty. (FE) | Current law provides that a federally licensed firearms dealer may not LRB-1276/1 CMH:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 336 transfer a handgun after a sale until the dealer has performed a background check on the prospective transferee to determine if he or she is prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. This bill generally prohibits any person from transferring any firearm, including the frame or receiver of a firearm, unless the transfer occurs through a federally licensed firearms dealer and involves a background check of the prospective transferee. Under the bill, the following are excepted from that prohibition: a transfer to a firearms dealer or to a law enforcement or armed services agency; a transfer of a firearm classified as antique; or a transfer that is by gift, bequest, or inheritance to a family member. A person who is convicted of violating the prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be fined not less than $500 nor more than $10,000, may be imprisoned for not more than nine months, and may not possess a firearm for a period of two years. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB271 | Right to bodily autonomy, elimination of certain abortion-related regulations, and coverage of abortion under certain health care coverage plans. (FE) | This bill specifies that every individual has the fundamental right to bodily autonomy, which includes the right to access abortion. Under the bill, the state may not prohibit an individual from obtaining an abortion if an abortion is necessary in the professional judgment of the individual[s medical provider. Also under the bill, a law or rule of this state that restricts a individual[s access to abortion is unenforceable if the law or rule does not confer any legitimate health benefit. Any person that is or may be aggrieved by the enforcement of a law or rule passed or LRB-2921/1 SWB&JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 271 promulgated after the effective date of the bill that would be unenforceable under the bill may bring an action in state or federal court for injunctive relief or damages against a state or local official who enforces or attempts to enforce such a law or rule. The bill also expressly provides that all requirements applicable to health care providers are applicable to providers of abortion care. The bill does not change standard informed consent requirements applicable to all medical procedures, including abortion, but removes additional requirements specific to the performance of an abortion that exceed those standard informed consent requirements. Current law requires that these additional requirements must be met in order for a woman upon whom an abortion is to be performed or induced to give voluntary and informed consent to an abortion. Except in a medical emergency, under current law, a woman[s consent to an abortion is considered informed only if, with certain exceptions, at least 24 hours before the abortion is performed or induced, the physician or an assistant has, in person, orally provided the woman with certain information and given to the woman certain written materials. The bill repeals these requirements. Under current law, the state is required to offer to all of its employees at least 2 insured or uninsured health care coverage plans. Further, under current law, certain employers including counties, villages, towns, school districts, and other governmental units or instrumentalities other than the state may offer to all of its employees a health care coverage plan through a program offered by the Group Insurance Board. Current law prohibits these plans from providing coverage for abortion or services the funding for which is ineligible under current law. The bill repeals these restrictions and instead requires coverage of abortion and any other medical services necessary to provide abortion under these health coverage plans if the health care coverage plan provides maternity coverage. The bill also repeals other various abortion-related laws, including all of the following: 1. The bill eliminates the prohibition on giving a woman an abortion-inducing drug unless the physician who provided the drug for the woman performs a physical exam on the woman and is physically present in the room when the drug is given to the woman. 2. The bill eliminates the prohibition on coverage of abortions by qualified health plans offered through an exchange in this state. 3. The bill eliminates the prohibition on performing abortions by a physician that does not have admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is to be performed. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Planned Parenthood of Wis., Inc. v. Schimel, 806 F.3d 908 (7th Cir. 2015), which affirmed a permanent injunction granted by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. 4. The bill repeals a statute that provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned for not more than six years, or both. XUnborn childY is defined in the statute as a human being from the time of conception until born alive. LRB-2921/1 SWB&JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 271 The statute also provides that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn quick child or causes the mother[s death by an act done with intent to destroy the life of an unborn child may be fined not more than $50,000, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. None of these penalties apply to a therapeutic abortion that is performed by a physician; is necessary, or advised by two other physicians as necessary, to save the life of the mother; and, unless an emergency prevents, is performed in a licensed maternity hospital. This statute was previously held to be unenforceable. It was cited in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), as similar to a Texas statute that was held to violate the due process clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The unenforceability of the statute following the Roe v. Wade decision was noted in a subsequent decision by a federal district court, Larkin v. McCann, 368 F. Supp. 1352 (E.D. Wis. 1974). In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women[s Health Org., 142 S. Ct. 2228 (2022). Litigation concerning the status of the statute is currently pending in state court. In December 2023, the Dane County Circuit Court issued a decision and order declaring that the statute Xdoes not apply to abortions.Y Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 22- CV-1594, slip op. at 14 (Wis. Dane Cnty. Cir. Ct. Dec. 5, 2023). An appeal is pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. See Kaul v. Urmanski, No. 2023AP002362 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting a petition to bypass the court of appeals). The Wisconsin Supreme Court has also granted a petition for leave to commence an original action regarding whether the state constitution protects a right to receive an abortion and a right for physicians to provide abortions. See Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. July 2, 2024) (order granting leave to commence an original action); see Petition to Wis. S. Ct. to Take Jurisdiction of an Original Action, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Urmanski, No. 2024AP000330 (Wis. filed Feb. 22, 2024). The bill also repeals the criminal penalty on a person who is not a physician and who intentionally performs an abortion. The bill does not affect any other criminal prohibition or limitation on abortion in current law, such as the general prohibition on performing an abortion after the fetus or unborn child has reached viability, or any other homicide prohibition. The bill also does not affect a separate provision in current law that prohibits prosecution of and imposing or enforcing a fine or imprisonment against a woman who obtains an abortion or otherwise violates any abortion law with respect to her unborn child or fetus. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats. | In Committee |
| AJR79 | Recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month. | Relating to: recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month. | In Committee |
| AB359 | Prohibiting conversion therapy. | This bill prohibits certain mental health providers from engaging in conversion therapy with a minor. Conversion therapy is defined under the bill to mean any intervention or method that has the purpose of attempting to change a person[s sexual orientation or gender identity, including any intervention or method that attempts to change behaviors or expressions of self or to reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. However, under the bill, conversion therapy does not include counseling that assists an individual who is seeking to undergo a gender transition or who is in the process of undergoing a gender transition; counseling that provides a client with acceptance, support, or understanding; counseling that facilitates a client[s coping, social support, and identity exploration or development; or counseling in the form of sexual orientation-neutral or gender identity-neutral interventions provided for the purpose of preventing or addressing unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, but only if the counseling is not provided for the purpose of attempting to change the client[s sexual orientation or gender identity. Under the bill, the Medical Examining Board, the Psychology Examining Board, and the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board are required to investigate any allegation that any person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to practice by the respective boards has violated the prohibition on performing conversion therapy. Upon a finding that the holder of a license, certificate, or other authorization has violated the prohibition on performing conversion therapy, the bill requires the applicable examining board to limit, suspend, or revoke the person[s license, certificate, or other authorization, or any combination of the three. | In Committee |
| SB380 | Eliminating criminal defenses of adequate provocation, self-defense, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect if the claim is based on the victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation. | Current law provides specific defenses to criminal liability. For instance, a charge of first-degree intentional homicide may be mitigated to second-degree intentional homicide if, at the time of committing the crime, the defendant reasonably believes the victim has done something that adequately provokes the defendant to lack self-control completely. Another defense is the privilege of self- defense under which a person may threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person reasonably believes to be an unlawful interference with their person by the other person. Under this bill, a defendant may not assert adequate provocation or self-defense as a defense if the criminal action in question resulted from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victim[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the LRB-3389/1 CMH:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 380 victim made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. Under current law, a person is not responsible for criminal conduct if, when the person committed the conduct, they were suffering from a mental disease or defect so that they lacked substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of the conduct or to conform their conduct to the requirements of law. To raise this defense, a defendant must plead not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Then, at the trial, if the defendant is found guilty of the crime, the court must determine if the person is not responsible for the crime due to mental disease or defect. If the person is found not responsible due to mental disease or defect, the person is committed to the Department of Heath Services for treatment for a period that varies depending on the severity of the crime. Under this bill, mental disease or defect does not include a state that is brought on by or results from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of another[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the other person made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the other person dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. | In Committee |
| SB361 | Authorizing electors to vote in the primary of more than one political party. (FE) | Under current law, a voter in a partisan primary election may cast a ballot or vote in the column of only one major political party, regardless of the number of candidates who are running for office in that party, if any. Similarly, a voter in a partisan primary may vote for any of the independent candidates for state office, but if the voter chooses this option, he or she may not vote for any party candidates for any office. Candidates of minor parties appear on the ballot as independent candidates. This bill permits a voter in a partisan primary to Xsplit tickets,Y designating the candidate of his or her choice for each office, including the offices of governor LRB-3583/1 JK:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 361 and lieutenant governor, regardless of party affiliation. The bill also allows a voter to vote for independent candidates for one or more state offices in a partisan primary, in addition to party candidates for one or more state or county offices. Under the bill, a voter may still vote for only one candidate for each office. The voting procedure at the general election and other partisan elections is unaffected by the bill. The bill initially applies to voting at the 2026 partisan primary election. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB316 | Grants for LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and school social workers and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must award grants to school boards to provide training in LGBTQIA+ rights, in a program developed or approved by DPI, to school counselors and school social workers employed by school boards. The bill defines XLGBTQIA+Y as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or any other nonheterosexual or noncisgender orientation, identity, or expression. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR77 | Honoring the dedication and service of Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. | Relating to: honoring the dedication and service of Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. | In Committee |
| AJR76 | Eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration). | relating to: eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration). | In Committee |
| AB361 | Eliminating criminal defenses of adequate provocation, self-defense, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect if the claim is based on the victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation. | Current law provides specific defenses to criminal liability. For instance, a charge of first-degree intentional homicide may be mitigated to second-degree intentional homicide if, at the time of committing the crime, the defendant reasonably believes the victim has done something that adequately provokes the defendant to lack self-control completely. Another defense is the privilege of self- defense under which a person may threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person reasonably believes to be an unlawful interference with their person by the other person. Under this bill, a defendant may not assert adequate provocation or self-defense as a defense if the criminal action in question resulted from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victim[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the victim made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. Under current law, a person is not responsible for criminal conduct if, when the person committed the conduct, they were suffering from a mental disease or defect so that they lacked substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of the conduct or to conform their conduct to the requirements of law. To raise this defense, a defendant must plead not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Then, at the trial, if the defendant is found guilty of the crime, the court must determine if the person is not responsible for the crime due to mental disease or defect. If the person is found not responsible due to mental disease or defect, the person is committed to the Department of Heath Services for treatment for a period that varies depending on the severity of the crime. Under this bill, mental disease or defect does not include a state that is brought on by or results from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of another[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the other person made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the other person dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. | In Committee |
| SJR78 | Honoring the dedication and service of Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. | Relating to: honoring the dedication and service of Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. | In Committee |
| AB288 | Labeling plants as beneficial to pollinators. (FE) | This bill prohibits a person that provides plants or that sells plants at retail from labeling or advertising the plant as being beneficial to pollinators if the plant has been treated with an insecticide that contains warnings about pollinator hazards on its label. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB294 | Labeling plants as beneficial to pollinators. (FE) | This bill prohibits a person that provides plants or that sells plants at retail from labeling or advertising the plant as being beneficial to pollinators if the plant has been treated with an insecticide that contains warnings about pollinator hazards on its label. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR70 | Proclaiming June 2025 as Immigrant Heritage Month. | Relating to: proclaiming June 2025 as Immigrant Heritage Month. | In Committee |
| SB368 | Storage of a firearm in a residence if child is present and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits a person from storing or leaving a firearm at his or her residence if the person resides with a child who is under the age of 18, or knows a child who is under the age of 18 will be present in the residence, unless the firearm is in a securely locked box or container or other secure locked location or has a trigger lock engaged. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class I felony for a subsequent offense. This prohibition replaces the current law that penalizes a person who recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm within reach of a child who is under 14 if the child obtains it and does one of the following: 1) discharges the firearm and causes bodily harm or death (Class A misdemeanor); or 2) possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or endangers public safety (Class C misdemeanor). Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. LRB-3494/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 368 | In Committee |
| AB356 | Storage of a firearm in a residence if child is present and providing a penalty. | This bill prohibits a person from storing or leaving a firearm at his or her residence if the person resides with a child who is under the age of 18, or knows a child who is under the age of 18 will be present in the residence, unless the firearm is in a securely locked box or container or other secure locked location or has a trigger lock engaged. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class I felony for a subsequent offense. This prohibition replaces the current law that penalizes a person who recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm within reach of a child who is under 14 if the child obtains it and does one of the following: 1) discharges the firearm and causes bodily harm or death (Class A misdemeanor); or 2) possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or endangers public safety (Class C misdemeanor). Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. | In Committee |
| AJR72 | Recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AB317 | A Department of Children and Families program to make payments to child care programs, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill authorizes the Department of Children and Families to establish a program for making monthly payments and monthly per-child payments to certified child care providers, licensed child care centers, and child care programs established or contracted for by a school board. This new payment program is in addition to the current law system for providing child care payments under Wisconsin Shares. The bill requires DCF to promulgate rules to implement the program, including establishing eligibility requirements and payment amounts and setting requirements for how recipients may use the payments, and authorizes DCF to promulgate these rules as emergency rules. The bill funds the program through a new appropriation and by allocating federal moneys, including child care development funds and moneys received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program. The bill eliminates the current law method by which DCF may modify maximum payment rates for child care providers under Wisconsin Shares based on a child care provider[s rating under the quality rating system known as YoungStar. Wisconsin Shares is a part of the Wisconsin Works program under current law, which DCF administers and which provides work experience and benefits for low-income custodial parents who are at least 18 years old. Under current law, an individual who is the parent of a child under the age of 13 or, if the child is disabled, under the age of 19, who needs child care services to participate in various education or work activities, and who satisfies other eligibility criteria may receive a child care subsidy for child care services under Wisconsin Shares. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR74 | Recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. | 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 |
| SB320 | Grants for LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and school social workers and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must award grants to school boards to provide training in LGBTQIA+ rights, in a program developed or approved by DPI, to school counselors and school social workers employed by school boards. The bill defines XLGBTQIA+Y as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or any other nonheterosexual or noncisgender orientation, identity, or expression. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR72 | Proclaiming June 2025 as Immigrant Heritage Month. | Relating to: proclaiming June 2025 as Immigrant Heritage Month. | In Committee |
| SJR73 | Recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month. | Relating to: recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month. | In Committee |
| AB307 | The pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program. | Current law limits the percentage of pupils in each school district who may attend a private school under the statewide parental choice program. The pupil participation limit started in the 2015-16 school year at 1 percent of a school district[s membership and increased gradually to 10 percent of a school district[s membership in the 2025-26 school year. Under current law, the pupil participation limit sunsets after the 2025-26 school year. This bill repeals the sunset and continues the pupil participation limit at membership. | In Committee |
| SB258 | Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | NURSING PRACTICE AND LICENSURE This bill makes various changes to practice, licensure, and certification requirements for nurses, which are administered by the Board of Nursing. Licensure of advanced practice registered nurses Under current law, a person who wishes to practice professional nursing must be licensed by the Board of Nursing as a registered nurse (RN). This bill creates an additional system of licensure for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), to be administered by the board. Under the bill, in order to apply for an APRN license, a person must 1) hold, or concurrently apply for, an RN license; 2) have completed an accredited graduate-level or postgraduate-level education program preparing the person to practice as an APRN in one of four recognized roles and hold a current national certification approved by the board; 3) possess malpractice liability insurance as provided in the bill; 4) pay a fee determined by the Department of Safety and Professional Services; and 5) satisfy certain other criteria specified in the bill. The bill also allows a person who has not completed an accredited education program described above to receive an APRN license if the person 1) on January 1, 2026, is both licensed as an RN in Wisconsin and practicing in one of the four recognized roles and 2) satisfies additional practice or education criteria established by the board. The bill also, however, automatically grants licenses to certain RNs, as further described below. The four recognized roles, as defined in the bill, are 1) certified nurse-midwife; 2) certified registered nurse anesthetist; 3) clinical nurse specialist; and 4) nurse practitioner. The bill requires the board, upon granting a person an APRN license, to also grant the person one or more specialty designations corresponding to the recognized role or roles for which the person qualifies. Under the bill, all APRNs, except APRNs with a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation, must practice in collaboration with a physician or dentist. However, under the bill, an APRN may practice without being supervised by a physician or dentist if the board verifies that the APRN has completed 3,840 hours of professional nursing in a clinical setting and has completed 3,840 clinical hours of advanced practice registered nursing practice in their recognized role while working with a physician or dentist during those 3,840 hours of practice. APRNs may count additional hours practiced as an APRN in collaboration with a physician or dentist towards the 3,840 required hours of professional nursing. APRNs with a LRB-1565/1 JPC:emw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 258 certified nurse-midwife specialty designation are instead required, if they offer to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting, to file and keep current with the board a proactive plan for involving a hospital or a physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital in the treatment of patients with higher acuity or emergency care needs, as further described below. Regardless of whether an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the bill provides that an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques only while working in a collaborative relationship with any physician who, through education, training, and experience, specializes in pain management. Alternatively, if an APRN has qualified to practice independently, the APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques in a hospital or clinic associated with a hospital. Further, an APRN may provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques if the APRN has qualified to practice independently and has privileges in a hospital to provide treatment of pain syndromes through the use of invasive techniques without a collaborative relationship with a physician. The holder of an APRN license may append the title XA.P.R.N.Y to his or her name, as well as a title corresponding to whichever specialty designations that the person possesses. The bill prohibits any person from using the title XA.P.R.N.,Y and from otherwise indicating that he or she is an APRN, unless the person is licensed by the board as an APRN. The bill also prohibits the use of titles and abbreviations corresponding to a recognized role unless the person has a specialty designation for that role. The bill further prohibits any person licensed by the board from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any title that is not granted under the nursing statutes unless the person holds another credential that entitles the person to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title or the person is permitted to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title under any other law of the state. However, the bill provides that a person who is licensed by the board and holds a doctorate degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name the title XdoctorY or any other words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that doctorate degree or the field in which the degree was received. If a person who is licensed by the board uses, assumes, or appends to his or her name the title Xdoctor,Y the bill requires that person to also use, assume, or append to his or her name words, letters, or abbreviations that represent the field in which the person received the doctorate degree. Further, the bill provides that a person who holds a bachelor[s degree or master[s degree is not prohibited from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that degree or the field in which the degree was received. The bill allows an APRN to delegate a task or order to another clinically trained health care worker if the task or order is within the scope of the APRN[s practice, the APRN is competent to perform the task or issue the order, and the APRN has reasonable evidence that the health care worker is minimally competent LRB-1565/1 JPC:emw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 258 to perform the task or issue the order under the circumstances. The bill requires an APRN to adhere to professional standards when managing situations that are beyond the APRN[s expertise. Under the bill, when an APRN renews his or her APRN license, the board must grant the person the renewal of both the person[s RN license and the person[s APRN license. The bill requires all APRNs to complete continuing education requirements each biennium in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the APRN[s area of practice and to satisfy certain other requirements when renewing a license. Practice of nurse-midwifery This bill repeals licensure and practice requirements specific to nurse- midwives and the practice of nurse-midwifery, including specific requirements to practice with an obstetrician. Under the bill, Xcertified nurse-midwifeY is one of the four recognized roles for APRNs, and a person who is licensed as a nurse-midwife under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with a certified nurse- midwife specialty designation. The bill otherwise allows nurse-midwives to be licensed as APRNs if they satisfy the licensure requirements, except that the bill also requires that a person applying for a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation be certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. The bill also requires an APRN with a specialty designation as a certified nurse-midwife to file with the Board of Nursing, and obtain the board[s approval of, a plan for ensuring appropriate care or care transitions in treating certain patients if the APRN offers to deliver babies outside of a hospital setting. Prescribing authority Under current law, a person licensed as an RN may apply to the Board of Nursing for a certificate to issue prescription orders if the person meets certain requirements established by the board. An RN holding a certificate is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board and must possess malpractice liability insurance in an amount determined by the board. The bill eliminates certificates to issue prescription orders and generally authorizes APRNs to issue prescription orders. A person who is certified to issue prescription orders under current law is automatically granted an APRN license with his or her appropriate specialty designation. RNs who are practicing in a recognized role on January 1, 2026, but who do not hold a certificate to issue prescription orders on that date and who are granted an APRN license under the bill may not issue prescription orders. As under current law, an APRN issuing prescription orders is subject to various practice requirements and limitations established by the board. The bill repeals a provision concerning the ability of advanced practice nurses who are certified to issue prescription orders and who are required to work in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician to obtain and practice LRB-1565/1 JPC:emw&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 258 under a federal waiver to dispense narcotic drugs to individuals for addiction treatment. Malpractice liability insurance The bill requires all APRNs to maintain malpractice liability insurance coverage evidenced by personal liability coverage in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists or coverage under a group liability policy providing individual coverage for the APRN in the amounts specified under current law for physicians and nurse anesthetists. Additionally, the bill requires APRNs who have qualified to practice independently and who practice outside a collaborative or employment relationship to participate in the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund. The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund provides excess medical malpractice coverage for health care providers who participate in the fund and meet all other participation requirements, which includes maintaining malpractice liability insurance in coverage amounts specified under current law. OTHER CHANGES The bill makes numerous other changes throughout the statutes relating to APRNs, including various terminology changes. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB314 | The pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program. | Current law limits the percentage of pupils in each school district who may attend a private school under the statewide parental choice program. The pupil participation limit started in the 2015-16 school year at 1 percent of a school district[s membership and increased gradually to 10 percent of a school district[s membership in the 2025-26 school year. Under current law, the pupil participation limit sunsets after the 2025-26 school year. This bill repeals the sunset and continues the pupil participation limit at membership. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| SB292 | Local regulation of pesticides to protect pollinators. | This bill allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides for the purpose of protecting pollinators and pollinator habitats. Current law prohibits a political subdivision (a city, village, town, or county) from prohibiting the use of or otherwise regulating pesticides but provides numerous exemptions. For example, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance that regulates pesticides pursuant to a storm water management program or that relates to the storage, treatment, or disposal of solid waste that contains pesticides. The bill adds an additional exemption that allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides in order to protect pollinators and pollinator habitats. XPollinatorY is defined in the bill as an insect that pollinates flowers. | In Committee |
| SB293 | Native prairie and forage plants. | This bill requires state agencies and other state governmental entities to give preference, where appropriate, to using native prairie and forage plants to benefit native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide information upon request to support this initiative. | In Committee |
| AB290 | Special registration plates to support protecting pollinators and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under current law, members of certain designated special groups may obtain from the Department of Transportation special registration plates for certain vehicles that are owned or leased by special group members. A fee, in addition to the regular registration fee for the particular kind of vehicle, is charged for the issuance or reissuance of most special plates. This bill establishes a special group for persons to express support for protecting pollinators. The bill requires that plates issued to members of the special group have a design that covers the entire plate and includes the words XProtect Pollinators.Y The bill provides that, in addition to the required fees, special group members are required to make a voluntary payment of $25 to be issued the special plates. Under the bill, DOT retains $23,700, or the actual initial costs of production, whichever is less, from the voluntary payment moneys for the initial costs of production of the special plates. The remainder of the voluntary payment amounts are deposited in the conservation fund to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of the endangered resources program. In addition, the bill appropriates $23,700 from the general fund to DOT for the initial costs of production of the special group plates. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB289 | Ban on the use of certain insecticides by the Department of Natural Resources. | This bill prohibits, with limited exceptions, the Department of Natural Resources from using any insecticide from the neonicotinoid class on land maintained by DNR. Under the bill, this prohibition does not apply to uses of this insecticide that are 1) pursuant to existing cooperative farming agreements or contracts or 2) for forest insect control on forested lands, state forest nurseries, or seed orchards or in designated zones of infestation. | In Committee |
| SB298 | Ban on the use of certain insecticides by the Department of Natural Resources. | This bill prohibits, with limited exceptions, the Department of Natural Resources from using any insecticide from the neonicotinoid class on land maintained by DNR. Under the bill, this prohibition does not apply to uses of this insecticide that are 1) pursuant to existing cooperative farming agreements or contracts or 2) for forest insect control on forested lands, state forest nurseries, or seed orchards or in designated zones of infestation. | In Committee |
| AJR62 | Designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AB287 | Local regulation of pesticides to protect pollinators. | This bill allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides for the purpose of protecting pollinators and pollinator habitats. Current law prohibits a political subdivision (a city, village, town, or county) from prohibiting the use of or otherwise regulating pesticides but provides numerous exemptions. For example, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance that regulates pesticides pursuant to a storm water management program or that relates to the storage, treatment, or disposal of solid waste that contains pesticides. The bill adds an additional exemption that allows a political subdivision to regulate pesticides in order to protect pollinators and pollinator habitats. XPollinatorY is defined in the bill as an insect that pollinates flowers. | In Committee |
| AB291 | Native prairie and forage plants. | This bill requires state agencies and other state governmental entities to give preference, where appropriate, to using native prairie and forage plants to benefit native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide information upon request to support this initiative. | In Committee |
| SB297 | Special registration plates to support protecting pollinators and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under current law, members of certain designated special groups may obtain from the Department of Transportation special registration plates for certain vehicles that are owned or leased by special group members. A fee, in addition to the regular registration fee for the particular kind of vehicle, is charged for the issuance or reissuance of most special plates. This bill establishes a special group for persons to express support for protecting pollinators. The bill requires that plates issued to members of the special group have a design that covers the entire plate and includes the words XProtect Pollinators.Y The bill provides that, in addition to the required fees, special group members are required to make a voluntary payment of $25 to be issued the special plates. Under the bill, DOT retains $23,700, or the actual initial costs of production, whichever is less, from the voluntary payment moneys for the initial costs of production of the special plates. The remainder of the voluntary payment amounts LRB-3157/1 ZDW:amn&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 297 are deposited in the conservation fund to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of the endangered resources program. In addition, the bill appropriates $23,700 from the general fund to DOT for the initial costs of production of the special group plates. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR53 | Commemorating the Bay View labor strike and tragedy. | Relating to: commemorating the Bay View labor strike and tragedy. | In Committee |
| SB324 | Prohibiting conversion therapy. | This bill prohibits certain mental health providers from engaging in conversion therapy with a minor. Conversion therapy is defined under the bill to mean any intervention or method that has the purpose of attempting to change a person[s sexual orientation or gender identity, including any intervention or method that attempts to change behaviors or expressions of self or to reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. However, under the bill, conversion therapy does not include counseling that assists an individual who is seeking to undergo a gender transition or who is in the process of undergoing a gender transition; counseling that provides a client with acceptance, support, or understanding; counseling that facilitates a client[s coping, social support, and identity exploration or development; or counseling in the form of sexual orientation-neutral or gender identity-neutral interventions provided for the purpose of preventing or addressing unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, but only if the counseling is not provided for the purpose of attempting to change the client[s sexual orientation or gender identity. Under the bill, the Medical Examining Board, the Psychology Examining Board, and the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board are required to investigate any allegation that any person LRB-3040/1 JPC:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 324 licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to practice by the respective boards has violated the prohibition on performing conversion therapy. Upon a finding that the holder of a license, certificate, or other authorization has violated the prohibition on performing conversion therapy, the bill requires the applicable examining board to limit, suspend, or revoke the person[s license, certificate, or other authorization, or any combination of the three. | In Committee |
| SJR68 | Eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration). | relating to: eliminating constitutional restrictions on marriage (first consideration). | In Committee |
| SB319 | Designating the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect. | Current law designates a variety of state symbols and requires the Wisconsin Blue Book to include information about them. This bill designates the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect and requires the Wisconsin Blue Book to include information concerning that designation. | In Committee |
| AB305 | Designating the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect. | Current law designates a variety of state symbols and requires the Wisconsin Blue Book to include information about them. This bill designates the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect and requires the Wisconsin Blue Book to include information concerning that designation. | In Committee |
| SB322 | A Department of Children and Families program to make payments to child care programs, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill authorizes the Department of Children and Families to establish a program for making monthly payments and monthly per-child payments to certified child care providers, licensed child care centers, and child care programs established or contracted for by a school board. This new payment program is in addition to the current law system for providing child care payments under Wisconsin Shares. The bill requires DCF to promulgate rules to implement the program, including establishing eligibility requirements and payment amounts and setting requirements for how recipients may use the payments, and authorizes DCF to promulgate these rules as emergency rules. The bill funds the program through a new appropriation and by allocating federal moneys, including child care development funds and moneys received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program. LRB-3324/1 EHS:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 322 The bill eliminates the current law method by which DCF may modify maximum payment rates for child care providers under Wisconsin Shares based on a child care provider[s rating under the quality rating system known as YoungStar. Wisconsin Shares is a part of the Wisconsin Works program under current law, which DCF administers and which provides work experience and benefits for low-income custodial parents who are at least 18 years old. Under current law, an individual who is the parent of a child under the age of 13 or, if the child is disabled, under the age of 19, who needs child care services to participate in various education or work activities, and who satisfies other eligibility criteria may receive a child care subsidy for child care services under Wisconsin Shares. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB272 | Eligibility for Family Care for individuals who are deaf-blind. (FE) | This bill grants functional eligibility for Family Care—a program that provides community-based long-term care services—to people who are deaf-blind. Under current law, a person must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for Family Care, including that the person is at least 18 years of age; the person has a physical or developmental disability or is a frail elder; and the person is both functionally and financially eligible based on the standards described in the statute. The bill adds an express provision that a person is functionally eligible for the Family Care program if the person is deaf-blind, as defined in the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| AJR61 | Proclaiming June 6, 2025, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming June 6, 2025, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR57 | Designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AJR58 | Designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: designating May as Older Americans Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| AJR18 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR40 | Celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Relating to: celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and Vietnamese people. | Crossed Over |
| AJR39 | Recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Relating to: recognizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| SB148 | The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to upon request make available to agricultural equipment owners and independent service providers any documentation, data, embedded software, firmware, parts, or tools that are intended for use with agricultural equipment, at certain fair costs and fair terms as articulated in the bill. XEquipmentY is defined in the bill to include equipment or parts that are designed primarily for use in the operation of a farm or in farm-related activities, including any combine, tractor, sprayer, implement, or attachment used in planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, or ranching, but not including vehicles or self-propelled machines designed primarily for the transportation of persons or property on a street or highway, aircraft, snowmobiles, personal watercraft or motorboats, or equipment or parts used for irrigation purposes. XDataY is defined in the bill to mean information that a manufacturer gathered, transmitted, or compiled that arose from the operation of an owner[s equipment and for which the associated owner has provided consent and authorization for the manufacturer to share. The bill generally does not require manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools that would require a manufacturer to divulge a trade secret. The bill exempts manufacturers and equipment dealers LRB-0923/2 JAM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 148 from liability stemming from an owner[s or independent repair provider[s faulty or otherwise improper repair that causes damage or loss of use of equipment, and exempts manufacturers from liability for an action resulting from a person[s use or reliance upon data that the manufacturer provided to a person. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB147 | The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE) | This bill requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to upon request make available to agricultural equipment owners and independent service providers any documentation, data, embedded software, firmware, parts, or tools that are intended for use with agricultural equipment, at certain fair costs and fair terms as articulated in the bill. XEquipmentY is defined in the bill to include equipment or parts that are designed primarily for use in the operation of a farm or in farm-related activities, including any combine, tractor, sprayer, implement, or attachment used in planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, or ranching, but not including vehicles or self-propelled machines designed primarily for the transportation of persons or property on a street or highway, aircraft, snowmobiles, personal watercraft or motorboats, or equipment or parts used for irrigation purposes. XDataY is defined in the bill to mean information that a manufacturer gathered, transmitted, or compiled that arose from the operation of an owner[s equipment and for which the associated owner has provided consent and authorization for the manufacturer to share. The bill generally does not require manufacturers to provide documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools that would require a manufacturer to divulge a trade secret. The bill exempts manufacturers and equipment dealers from liability stemming from an owner[s or independent repair provider[s faulty or otherwise improper repair that causes damage or loss of use of equipment, and exempts manufacturers from liability for an action resulting from a person[s use or reliance upon data that the manufacturer provided to a person. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| AJR9 | Honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker. | Relating to: honoring the life and enduring legacy of Robert George Uecker. | In Committee |
| SJR19 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| AB57 | Requirements concerning assistance in the detention of individuals who are or are alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States. | Under this bill, no official, employee, or agent of a state agency or other body in state government or a local governmental unit, including any law enforcement officer, may aid in the detention of an individual if the individual is being detained on the sole basis that the individual is or is alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States. The bill applies only to a detention that occurs in a public building or facility, school, place of worship, place where child care services are provided, or place where medical or other health care services are provided. Also, the bill does not prohibit any state or local government official from providing access to any place or facility as required pursuant to a properly executed judicial warrant. The bill further provides that, except as required pursuant to a properly executed judicial warrant, no person employed or otherwise lawfully present at a public building or facility, school, place of worship, place where child care services are provided, or place where medical or other health care services are provided may be required to provide access to such facility or place or otherwise aid federal officials for purposes of the detention of an individual at such facility or place who is being detained on the sole basis that the individual is or is alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States. Finally, the bill prohibits any state agency or other body in state government from expending any moneys to aid in the detention of an individual in this state if the individual is being detained on the sole basis that the individual is or is alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States. | 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 |
| SB54 | Requirements concerning assistance in the detention of individuals who are or are alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States. | Under this bill, no official, employee, or agent of a state agency or other body in state government or a local governmental unit, including any law enforcement officer, may aid in the detention of an individual if the individual is being detained on the sole basis that the individual is or is alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States. The bill applies only to a detention that occurs in a public building or facility, school, place of worship, place where child care services are provided, or place where medical or other health care services are provided. Also, the bill does not prohibit any state or local government official from providing access to any place or facility as required pursuant to a properly executed judicial warrant. The bill further provides that, except as required pursuant to a properly executed judicial warrant, no person employed or otherwise lawfully present at a public building or facility, school, place of worship, place where child care services are provided, or place where medical or other health care services are provided may be required to provide access to such facility or place or otherwise aid federal officials for purposes of the detention of an individual at such facility or place who is LRB-1688/1 MPG:cdc&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 54 being detained on the sole basis that the individual is or is alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States. Finally, the bill prohibits any state agency or other body in state government from expending any moneys to aid in the detention of an individual in this state if the individual is being detained on the sole basis that the individual is or is alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States. | In Committee |
| SJR10 | Proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | Relating to: proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB280 | Workforce housing and childcare awards under the business development tax credit. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 10/07/2025 | Yea |
| AB450 | Applicability of the commercial building code to certain buildings. (FE) | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 10/07/2025 | Nay |
| AB451 | Residential tax incremental districts. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 10/07/2025 | Yea |
| AB453 | Required approvals of rezoning requests related to residential development, contents of and consistency of local ordinances with local comprehensive plans, certain tax incremental district project costs related to residential development, and tax incremental district lifespan extension. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 10/07/2025 | Nay |
| AB453 | Required approvals of rezoning requests related to residential development, contents of and consistency of local ordinances with local comprehensive plans, certain tax incremental district project costs related to residential development, and tax incremental district lifespan extension. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 10/07/2025 | Nay |
| AB455 | A condominium conversion reimbursement grant program. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 10/07/2025 | Nay |
| AB39 | Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 09/11/2025 | Abstain |
| AB39 | Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 09/11/2025 | Abstain |
| AB58 | Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule. | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 09/11/2025 | Abstain |
| AB211 | Exempting tobacco bars from the public smoking ban. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 09/11/2025 | Abstain |
| AB388 | Grant program for an integrated mental health facility. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 09/11/2025 | Abstain |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 24 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 23 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 22 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 21 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 20 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 19 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 18 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 17 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 16 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 15 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 14 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 13 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 12 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 11 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 10 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 9 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 8 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 7 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 6 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 5 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 4 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 3 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 2 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in | 07/02/2025 | Nay |
| AB17 | Creating an employee ownership conversion costs tax credit, a deduction for capital gains from the transfer of a business to employee ownership, and an employee ownership education and outreach program. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| AB63 | Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| SB108 | Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Nay |
| SB108 | Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Nay |
| SB106 | Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Nay |
| SB106 | Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Nay |
| SB283 | Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Nay |
| SB283 | Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Nay |
| AB279 | Talent recruitment grants. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Nay |
| AB279 | Talent recruitment grants. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Nay |
| AJR50 | Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. | Assembly: Adopted | 06/18/2025 | Yea |
| AB269 | Delivery network couriers and transportation network drivers, Department of Financial Institutions’ approval to offer portable benefit accounts, providing for insurance coverage, modifying administrative rules related to accident and sickness insurance, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 62 | Assembly | Democrat | In Office | 01/06/2025 |