Legislator
Legislator > Van Wanggaard

State Senator
Van Wanggaard
(R) - Wisconsin
Wisconsin Senate District 21
In Office - Started: 01/05/2015

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Capitol Office

P.O. Box 7882
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53707
Phone: 608-266-1832
Phone 2: 866-615-7510

Bill Bill Name Summary Progress
AB190 Obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court. Currently, if a person requests access to a public record and the agency or officer in state or local government having custody of the record, known as an XauthorityY under the public records law, withholds or delays granting access to the record or a part of the record, the requester may bring a mandamus action asking a court to order release of the record or part of the record. Current law requires the court to award reasonable attorney fees, damages of not less than $100, and other actual costs to the requester if the requester prevails in whole or in substantial part in any such action. The Wisconsin Supreme Court decided in 2022 that a requester prevails in whole or in substantial part only if the requester obtains a judicially sanctioned change in the parties[ legal relationship, for example, a court order requiring disclosure of a record. See, Friends of Frame Park, U.A. v. City of Waukesha, 2022 WI 57. Under the supreme court[s decision, a requester generally is not entitled to attorney fees and costs if the authority voluntarily or unilaterally without a court order provides contested records after the requester files an action in court. This bill supersedes the supreme court[s decision in Friends of Frame Park. Under the bill, a requester has prevailed in whole or in substantial part if the requester has obtained relief through any of the following means: 1. A judicial order or an enforceable written agreement or consent decree. 2. The authority[s voluntary or unilateral release of a record if the court determines that the filing of the mandamus action was a substantial factor contributing to that voluntary or unilateral release. This standard is substantially the same as the standard that applies for a requester to obtain attorney fees and costs under the federal Freedom of Information Act. 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
AB320 Increasing certain court fees and surcharges and indexing those amounts for inflation. (FE) This bill 1) increases various court fees and surcharges collected by clerks of court, municipal judges, and registers in probate, 2) increases certain court fees paid to witnesses, interpreters, supplemental court commissioners, court reporters, sheriffs, and appraisers, and 3) indexes these and some other fee and surcharge amounts for inflation. For mileage reimbursement rates that are increased under the bill, the bill sets those rates at the rate determined by the federal Internal Revenue Service for the business standard mileage rate for federal income tax purposes. Under current law, a county must submit a portion of each amount the county collects, as specified in current law, to the Department of Administration for various state uses, and the county may retain the balance for use by the county. The bill generally provides for the county to retain for use by the county the additional amounts collected as a result of the increases in the bill. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB125 A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE) This bill requires the Public Service Commission to conduct a nuclear power siting study and to submit a report to the legislature containing the results of the study no later than 12 months after the bill takes effect. The study must satisfy certain requirements specified in the bill. The bill also requires PSC to take final action on an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for a large electric generating facility that contains an advanced nuclear reactor within 150 days after the application is complete, unless the chairperson of PSC extends the time period for no more than an additional 150 days for good cause. Under current law, a person seeking to construct a large electric generating facility must obtain a CPCN from PSC. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2180/1 KP:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 125 Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SB5 Battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty. Under current law, the crime of battery is defined as intentionally causing another person bodily harm and is a Class A misdemeanor. Under current law, if the battery is a special circumstance battery—for example, the battery is committed against an individual because of the individual’s status as a law enforcement officer, witness in a trial, or juror—the penalty is increased to a Class H felony. Under this bill, a threat or battery against a juror or a threat or battery against a family member of a juror is a Class H felony. Current law also allows a judge, upon sentencing a person for a crime, to LRB-1322/1 MJW:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 5 prohibit the person from contacting a victim of or witness to the person’s crime during any part of the person’s sentence or probation. The bill allows a judge to prohibit a person who is convicted of a crime from contacting, for any part of the person’s sentence or probation, a juror who served at any proceeding related to the person’s crime. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. Passed
AB35 Withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE) Current law provides that any person seeking an elective office who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline nomination. The person[s name must appear on the ballot except in the case of death. Under this bill, a person who files nomination papers with the Elections Commission for an office to be filled at the general election nevertheless does not qualify to appear on the ballot at the partisan primary or general election, and the person[s name is prohibited from appearing on the ballot, if before the last day provided in current law for the Elections Commission to certify candidates[ names to the counties for the partisan primary or general election, the person files a sworn statement with the commission attesting that the person withdraws his or her candidacy. Under current law, independent candidates for president and vice president and candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the state senate and assembly, governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and district attorney file such nomination papers with the commission. The bill includes all of those offices except district attorney. The bill also requires the Elections Commission to establish and implement a process by which the commission verifies the authenticity of such sworn statements filed with the commission. The bill additionally requires that a person withdrawing his or her candidacy for for national or statewide office pay a fee of $1,000 to the Elections Commission. A person withdrawing his or her candidacy for an office that is not elected statewide must pay a fee of $250 to the commission. Under the bill, a person who intentionally makes or files a false statement withdrawing a person[s candidacy is guilty of a Class G felony, the penalty for which is a fine not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 10 years, or both. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB65 Entering certain places with intent to commit battery and providing a penalty. Under current law, it is a Class F felony to intentionally enter a dwelling or certain other places without consent, that is, to commit a burglary, with intent to steal or commit a felony therein. Under current law, such a burglary is a Class E felony if certain additional circumstances apply. The penalty for a Class F felony is a fine not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 years and six months, or both, and the penalty for a Class E felony is a fine not to exceed $50,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 15 years, or both. Under this bill, it is also a Class F felony, or a Class E felony if certain additional circumstances apply, to intentionally enter a dwelling or certain other places without consent with intent to commit any battery. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. Crossed Over
SJR74 Recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. In Committee
SB310 Time limits on local unit of government chief executive officer emergency power proclamations. Under current law, a local unit of government[s chief executive officer may exercise by proclamation the emergency power conferred to the local unit of government if the local unit of government[s governing body is unable to meet promptly. This bill limits the length of such proclamation to 60 days, unless extended by the local unit of government[s governing body. The bill also defines Xchief executive officerY as any of the following: 1) the county executive of a county, the county administrator of a county, or, in a county with an administrative coordinator, the county board chair of a county; 2) the mayor or city manager of a city; 3) the village president of a village; 4) the town board chairperson of a town; or 5) a person acting as one of the above stated persons. In Committee
SB311 Prohibiting funding for health services for unlawfully present individuals. (FE) This bill prohibits any funds of this state, any county, village, town, long-term care district, any subdivision of this state, or any subdivision or agency of any county, city, village, or town and any federal funds passing through the state treasury from being authorized for or paid to any person to subsidize, reimburse, or otherwise provide compensation for any health care services for an individual who is not lawfully present in the United States. The prohibitions described under the bill do not apply to the extent that a payment of funds described under the bill is required under federal law or to the extent that the application of the prohibitions described under the bill would result in the loss of any federal funds. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB308 Prohibiting funding for health services for unlawfully present individuals. (FE) This bill prohibits any funds of this state, any county, village, town, long-term care district, any subdivision of this state, or any subdivision or agency of any county, city, village, or town and any federal funds passing through the state treasury from being authorized for or paid to any person to subsidize, reimburse, or otherwise provide compensation for any health care services for an individual who is not lawfully present in the United States. The prohibitions described under the bill do not apply to the extent that a payment of funds described under the bill is required under federal law or to the extent that the application of the prohibitions described under the bill would result in the loss of any federal funds. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB278 Sunset of the community-oriented policing-house grant program. Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to cities with a population of at least 30,000 to fund community-oriented policing-house programs. 2023 Wisconsin Act 19 sunsets this grant program on July 1, 2025. This bill extends the program by changing the sunset date to July 1, 2027. Passed
AB77 Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty. Under current law, any motor vehicle for which the Department of Transportation has issued registration plates must display those plates, along with any decals issued for the plates. This bill prohibits the possession, sale, purchase, installation, and use of a registration plate concealment device, which is a manual, electronic, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle to 1) switch between two or more registration plates; 2) move, obstruct, or conceal a registration plate; or 3) alter the appearance of a registration plate so that the registration number cannot be seen and read. The bill also prohibits the equipment of any motor vehicle with a registration plate concealment device. A person who violates these prohibitions may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days, or both. Any vehicle equipped in violation of these prohibitions may be impounded, and reasonable costs for towing and impounding the vehicle may be assessed against the owner. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. In Committee
SB202 Local guaranteed income programs. This bill prohibits a political subdivision from expending moneys of the political subdivision for the purpose of making payments to individuals under a guaranteed income program. XGuaranteed income programY is defined under the bill to mean a program under which individuals are provided with regular periodic cash payments that are unearned and that may be used for any purpose. Programs under which an individual is required to perform work or attend training are not Xguaranteed income programsY under the bill. In Committee
SB169 Privacy protections for judicial officers. 2023 Wisconsin Act 235, effective April 1, 2025, established certain privacy protections for judicial officers upon submission of a written request. A Xwritten request,Y under Act 235, is a written notice signed by a judicial officer or a representative of the judicial officer[s employer requesting a government agency, business, association, or other person to refrain from publicly posting or displaying publicly available content that includes the personal information of the judicial officer or the judicial officer[s immediate family. The bill modifies the definition of a Xwritten requestY to include a requirement for notarization. Under the bill, a Xwritten requestY means a notarized written notice signed by a judicial officer or a LRB-2066/1 SWB:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 169 representative of the judicial officer[s employer completed and filed under the procedures established by Act 235 and amended under the bill. The bill adds a requirement that a judicial officer describe with reasonable particularity in a written request the records the judicial officer believes to contain personal information. Act 235 provides that a written request is valid if the judicial officer sends the request to the director of state courts and the director of state courts has a policy and procedure for filing the requests, or if the judicial officer sends the request directly to a government agency, person, data broker, business, or association. The bill modifies the latter option, specifying that the judicial officer must send the request directly to the designated officer of a government agency. The bill defines a Xdesignated officerY to mean the officer or employee of a government agency, the register of deeds, or a provider of a land records website designated in writing to the director of state courts, or, in the absence of a written designation, the highest ranking officer or employee for any of these entities. The bill also changes a requirement that the director of state courts must, each quarter, provide to the appropriate officer with ultimate supervisory authority for a government agency a list of judicial officers who have submitted a written request for privacy protections to instead require that the director of state courts provide the designated officer for a government agency with such a list. The bill provides that a home address constitutes personal information as defined in the bill only if it is directly associated with or displayed with the judicial officer[s name. The bill requires a judicial officer to update a written request within 90 days of the date any home address identified in the request ceases to be a home address for any reason. The bill also defines a secondary residence for purposes of the bill to mean a residence for personal use that is not a person[s permanent residence but where a person regularly resides. The bill modifies the definition of the phrase Xpublicly post or displayY established in Act 235 to expressly exclude direct communications with a judicial officer or any immediate family member of a judicial officer. The bill also adds an exception to the prohibition on a government agency publicly posting or displaying a judicial officer[s personal information subject to protections upon a written request, providing that a government agency may publicly post or display such information if required by law to do so. The bill also makes several changes to provisions of Act 235 relating to the register of deeds and land records websites, including adding clarification that a land records website does not include a website administered by the register of deeds. The bill adds to the list of exceptions under which the register of deeds may allow third-party access to a document otherwise subject to protection, including providing an exception to allow access by a title insurance company, an authorized agent of a title insurance company, or an attorney licensed to practice in the state. The bill adds liability protections for government agencies and employees of government agencies, providing that no government agency and no employee of a government agency is generally or personally liable or subject to any liability or accountability by reason of a violation of the privacy protections set forth under Act LRB-2066/1 SWB:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 169 235, unless the liability or accountability is the result of intentional or reckless actions. The bill provides that nothing in the privacy protections established under Act 235 and amended in the bill prohibits a government agency from sharing information with other government agencies for any legitimate governmental purpose. Passed
AB165 Local guaranteed income programs. This bill prohibits a political subdivision from expending moneys of the political subdivision for the purpose of making payments to individuals under a guaranteed income program. XGuaranteed income programY is defined under the bill to mean a program under which individuals are provided with regular periodic cash payments that are unearned and that may be used for any purpose. Programs under which an individual is required to perform work or attend training are not Xguaranteed income programsY under the bill. Crossed Over
AB171 Privacy protections for judicial officers. 2023 Wisconsin Act 235, effective April 1, 2025, established certain privacy protections for judicial officers upon submission of a written request. A Xwritten request,Y under Act 235, is a written notice signed by a judicial officer or a representative of the judicial officer[s employer requesting a government agency, business, association, or other person to refrain from publicly posting or displaying publicly available content that includes the personal information of the judicial officer or the judicial officer[s immediate family. The bill modifies the definition of a Xwritten requestY to include a requirement for notarization. Under the bill, a Xwritten requestY means a notarized written notice signed by a judicial officer or a representative of the judicial officer[s employer completed and filed under the procedures established by Act 235 and amended under the bill. The bill adds a requirement that a judicial officer describe with reasonable particularity in a written request the records the judicial officer believes to contain personal information. Act 235 provides that a written request is valid if the judicial officer sends the request to the director of state courts and the director of state courts has a policy and procedure for filing the requests, or if the judicial officer sends the request directly to a government agency, person, data broker, business, or association. The bill modifies the latter option, specifying that the judicial officer must send the request directly to the designated officer of a government agency. The bill defines a Xdesignated officerY to mean the officer or employee of a government agency, the register of deeds, or a provider of a land records website designated in writing to the director of state courts, or, in the absence of a written designation, the highest ranking officer or employee for any of these entities. The bill also changes a requirement that the director of state courts must, each quarter, provide to the appropriate officer with ultimate supervisory authority for a government agency a list of judicial officers who have submitted a written request for privacy protections to instead require that the director of state courts provide the designated officer for a government agency with such a list. The bill provides that a home address constitutes personal information as defined in the bill only if it is directly associated with or displayed with the judicial officer[s name. The bill requires a judicial officer to update a written request within 90 days of the date any home address identified in the request ceases to be a home address for any reason. The bill also defines a secondary residence for purposes of the bill to mean a residence for personal use that is not a person[s permanent residence but where a person regularly resides. The bill modifies the definition of the phrase Xpublicly post or displayY established in Act 235 to expressly exclude direct communications with a judicial officer or any immediate family member of a judicial officer. The bill also adds an exception to the prohibition on a government agency publicly posting or displaying a judicial officer[s personal information subject to protections upon a written request, providing that a government agency may publicly post or display such information if required by law to do so. The bill also makes several changes to provisions of Act 235 relating to the register of deeds and land records websites, including adding clarification that a land records website does not include a website administered by the register of deeds. The bill adds to the list of exceptions under which the register of deeds may allow third-party access to a document otherwise subject to protection, including providing an exception to allow access by a title insurance company, an authorized agent of a title insurance company, or an attorney licensed to practice in the state. The bill adds liability protections for government agencies and employees of government agencies, providing that no government agency and no employee of a government agency is generally or personally liable or subject to any liability or accountability by reason of a violation of the privacy protections set forth under Act 235, unless the liability or accountability is the result of intentional or reckless actions. The bill provides that nothing in the privacy protections established under Act 235 and amended in the bill prohibits a government agency from sharing information with other government agencies for any legitimate governmental purpose. In Committee
SB184 Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. Crossed Over
AB161 Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. In Committee
AB108 A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE) This bill requires the Public Service Commission to conduct a nuclear power siting study and to submit a report to the legislature containing the results of the study no later than 12 months after the bill takes effect. The study must satisfy certain requirements specified in the bill. The bill also requires PSC to take final action on an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for a large electric generating facility that contains an advanced nuclear reactor within 150 days after the application is complete, unless the chairperson of PSC extends the time period for no more than an additional 150 days for good cause. Under current law, a person seeking to construct a large electric generating facility must obtain a CPCN from PSC. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB240 A sales and use tax exemption for equipment associated with the use of a search and rescue dog. (FE) This bill provides a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of tangible personal property used to train, manage, or control a search and rescue dog. The bill requires a purchaser to provide an exemption certificate to the seller in order to claim the exemption. 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
AB238 Prohibiting hotels, inns, and motels from discriminating against dog handlers who are accompanied by search and rescue dogs. This bill prohibits hotels, inns, and motels from discriminating against dog handlers who are accompanied by search and rescue dogs in the provision of accommodations. Under current law, a public place of accommodation, including a lodging establishment, may not refuse entrance into, or use of, or otherwise deny the full and equal enjoyment of the establishment to a person with a disability or to a service animal trainer because the person is accompanied by a service animal, unless accommodation of the service animal would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the accommodations, goods, or services provided or would jeopardize the safe operation of the public accommodation. Also under current law, a public accommodation may not charge a person with a disability or a trainer a higher price than the regular rate, including a deposit or surcharge, for the full and equal enjoyment of the public accommodation because the person is accompanied by a service animal, and a public accommodation is prohibited from communicating, in writing, that entrance into, the use of, or the full and equal enjoyment of the public accommodation will be denied to a person with a disability or a trainer because he or she is accompanied by a service animal or that the patronage of such a person is unwelcome, objectionable, or unacceptable because he or she is accompanied by a service animal. In addition, current law requires a public accommodation to modify its policies, practices, and procedures to allow the full and equal enjoyment of the public accommodation by a person with a disability or a trainer who is accompanied by a service animal and requires those policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that a person with a disability or a trainer who is accompanied by a service animal is not separated from the service animal, that the service animal is allowed to accompany the person with a disability or the trainer to all areas of the public accommodation that are open to the general public, and that the person with a disability or the trainer is not segregated from other patrons of the public accommodation. This bill provides the same protections for a dog handler who is accompanied by a search and rescue dog that is wearing a harness or cape to identify the dog as a search and rescue dog in a public accommodation that is a hotel, inn, or motel. The bill also provides that a dog handler who is accompanied by a search and rescue dog in a hotel, inn, or motel is responsible for any damage the dog causes to the establishment. In Committee
SB237 A sales and use tax exemption for equipment associated with the use of a search and rescue dog. (FE) This bill provides a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of tangible personal property used to train, manage, or control a search and rescue dog. The bill requires a purchaser to provide an exemption certificate to the seller in order to claim the exemption. 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
SB239 Prohibiting hotels, inns, and motels from discriminating against dog handlers who are accompanied by search and rescue dogs. This bill prohibits hotels, inns, and motels from discriminating against dog handlers who are accompanied by search and rescue dogs in the provision of accommodations. Under current law, a public place of accommodation, including a lodging establishment, may not refuse entrance into, or use of, or otherwise deny the full and equal enjoyment of the establishment to a person with a disability or to a service animal trainer because the person is accompanied by a service animal, unless accommodation of the service animal would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the accommodations, goods, or services provided or would jeopardize the safe operation of the public accommodation. Also under current law, a public accommodation may not charge a person with a disability or a trainer a higher price than the regular rate, including a deposit or surcharge, for the full and equal enjoyment of the public accommodation because the person is accompanied by a service animal, and a public accommodation is prohibited from communicating, in writing, that entrance into, the use of, or the full and equal enjoyment of the public accommodation will be denied to a person with a disability LRB-2883/1 MIM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 239 or a trainer because he or she is accompanied by a service animal or that the patronage of such a person is unwelcome, objectionable, or unacceptable because he or she is accompanied by a service animal. In addition, current law requires a public accommodation to modify its policies, practices, and procedures to allow the full and equal enjoyment of the public accommodation by a person with a disability or a trainer who is accompanied by a service animal and requires those policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that a person with a disability or a trainer who is accompanied by a service animal is not separated from the service animal, that the service animal is allowed to accompany the person with a disability or the trainer to all areas of the public accommodation that are open to the general public, and that the person with a disability or the trainer is not segregated from other patrons of the public accommodation. This bill provides the same protections for a dog handler who is accompanied by a search and rescue dog that is wearing a harness or cape to identify the dog as a search and rescue dog in a public accommodation that is a hotel, inn, or motel. The bill also provides that a dog handler who is accompanied by a search and rescue dog in a hotel, inn, or motel is responsible for any damage the dog causes to the establishment. In Committee
SB77 Entering certain places with intent to commit battery and providing a penalty. Under current law, it is a Class F felony to intentionally enter a dwelling or certain other places without consent, that is, to commit a burglary, with intent to steal or commit a felony therein. Under current law, such a burglary is a Class E felony if certain additional circumstances apply. The penalty for a Class F felony is a fine not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 years and six months, or both, and the penalty for a Class E felony is a fine not to exceed $50,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 15 years, or both. Under this bill, it is also a Class F felony, or a Class E felony if certain additional circumstances apply, to intentionally enter a dwelling or certain other places without consent with intent to commit any battery. 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
AB26 Battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty. Under current law, the crime of battery is defined as intentionally causing another person bodily harm and is a Class A misdemeanor. Under current law, if the battery is a special circumstance battery—for example, the battery is committed against an individual because of the individual[s status as a law enforcement officer, witness in a trial, or juror—the penalty is increased to a Class H felony. Under this bill, a threat or battery against a juror or a threat or battery against a family member of a juror is a Class H felony. Current law also allows a judge, upon sentencing a person for a crime, to prohibit the person from contacting a victim of or witness to the person[s crime during any part of the person[s sentence or probation. The bill allows a judge to prohibit a person who is convicted of a crime from contacting, for any part of the person[s sentence or probation, a juror who served at any proceeding related to the person[s crime. 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
AB293 Sunset of the community-oriented policing-house grant program. Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to cities with a population of at least 30,000 to fund community-oriented policing-house programs. 2023 Wisconsin Act 19 sunsets this grant program on July 1, 2025. This bill extends the program by changing the sunset date to July 1, 2027. In Committee
SB317 Requiring cardiac emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies that occur on school property or at school-sponsored athletic events. (FE) Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, this bill requires each school board and operator of a charter school to have in effect a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) for cardiac emergencies that occur on school property and a CERP for cardiac emergencies that occur at school-sponsored athletic practices and competitions. Under the bill, a CERP is a written document that contains specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in a specific setting. The bill also defines the core elements of a CERP, which include 1) a cardiac emergency response team, 2) a plan for activating the team in the event of a cardiac arrest, 3) distribution of the plan, 4) the incorporation of local emergency medical services into the plan, and 5) annual requirements to practice, review, and evaluate the plan. Under the bill, a CERP for a cardiac emergency that occurs on school property must address the use of school personnel to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest event that occurs on school property. This type of CERP must 1) include the core elements, 2) provide requirements for automated external defibrillator (AED) placement and maintenance, and 3) require training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and AED usage for certain school personnel. Under the bill, a CERP for athletic events is required only if the school board LRB-3419/1 FFK:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 317 or operator of a charter school operates the high school grades. A CERP for athletic events must address the use of coaches, athletic trainers, and other school personnel to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest event that occurs while an individual is attending or participating in a school-sponsored athletic practice or competition. This type of CERP must 1) include the core elements, 2) require that an AED is clearly marked and accessible in an unlocked location at each athletic venue during practices and competitions, and 3) require that each athletic coach employed by the school be certified in CPR and how to use an AED. The bill also requires a school board or operator of a charter school, when developing a CERP, to consider recommendations by the American Heart Association, Project ADAM, or another nationally recognized organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care. Finally, in the 2026-27 school year, the Office of School Safety in the Department of Justice may award grants for the purpose of assisting school boards and operators of charter schools to implement the CERPs required under the bill. The amount of a grant is based on the grade levels offered by the schools served by the CERPs. Under the bill, a school board or charter school is not required to comply with requirements in a CERP to place AEDs unless the OSS awards these grants. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB303 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline grants. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Health Services to award grants to organizations that provide crisis intervention services and crisis care coordination to individuals who contact the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from anywhere within the state. Currently, DHS partners with Wisconsin Lifeline to provide statewide 988 crisis hotline services. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AJR60 Proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB278 Grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms. Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to cities and law enforcement agencies for various purposes, including to pay for uniformed beat patrol officers and to enable agencies to purchase body cameras. This bill requires DOJ to award grants to law enforcement agencies to acquire data-sharing platforms. The bill sets forth criteria that data-sharing platforms must meet to be covered by the grant. The criteria include that the platform must be able to integrate data from common law enforcement systems on a real-time basis; eliminate redundant records; restrict access to information by data type, roles, and other parameters; allow for controlled data integration and sharing among law enforcement agencies; be accessed on devices commonly used by law enforcement agencies; and ensure that law enforcement agencies retain rights to agency data. The bill also provides that the Joint Committee on Finance, upon request by DOJ, may provide up to $2,000,000 in each fiscal year of the 2025-27 biennium to implement the grant program. In Committee
AB298 Grants for technical colleges to provide mapping data to law enforcement. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to school boards and governing bodies of private schools to assist them in submitting interactive critical mapping data for each school building and facility in the district to law enforcement agencies and the Office of School Safety in DOJ. This bill requires OSS to award grants to technical college district boards so they may submit interactive critical mapping data for each of their technical college buildings to law enforcement agencies and OSS. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB279 Grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms. Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to cities and law enforcement agencies for various purposes, including to pay for uniformed beat patrol officers and to enable agencies to purchase body cameras. This bill requires DOJ to award grants to law enforcement agencies to acquire data-sharing platforms. The bill sets forth criteria that data-sharing platforms must meet to be covered by the grant. The criteria include that the platform must be able to integrate data from common law enforcement systems on a real-time basis; eliminate redundant records; restrict access to information by data type, roles, and other parameters; allow for controlled data integration and sharing among law enforcement agencies; be accessed on devices commonly used by law enforcement agencies; and ensure that law enforcement agencies retain rights to agency data. The bill also provides that the Joint Committee on Finance, upon request by DOJ, may provide up to $2,000,000 in each fiscal year of the 2025-27 biennium to implement the grant program. Crossed Over
AB85 Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) Under current law, a person who is released on extended supervision, parole, or probation is subject to conditions or rules of the release. If the person violates a condition or rule, the person is subject to sanctions for the violation, which may include revocation of release. This bill requires the Department of Corrections to recommend revoking a person[s extended supervision, parole, or probation if the person is charged with a crime while on release. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Passed
AB27 Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War. This bill expands the definition of XveteranY to include individuals who were naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans[ Naturalization Act of 2000. The bill extends most veterans benefits to anyone who meets this newly expanded definition of veteran, however, admission to a state veterans home and burial in a veterans cemetery are not included benefits as they are subject to federal regulation. In Committee
SB238 Harassment of search and rescue dogs and providing a penalty. Under current law, no person may do any of the following to any animal that is used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties: frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse or harass the animal; strike, shove, kick or otherwise subject the animal to physical contact; or strike the animal by using a dangerous weapon. Under current law, any person who does any of those actions is subject to a Class B forfeiture, or, if the person knows the animal is a police or fire dog, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes injury to the animal is guilty of a Class I felony, and any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes death of the animal is guilty of a Class H felony. Additionally, for such a violation, a sentencing court must require a criminal violator to pay restitution, including veterinary care expenses or the value of a replacement animal. This bill expands this prohibition to include search and rescue dogs in addition to animals that are used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties. Under the bill, Xsearch and rescue dogY means a dog that has been trained or is being trained by a state or LRB-2887/1 MJW:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 238 nationally recognized search and rescue agency to locate lost or missing individuals and victims of disasters in search and rescue activities. 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
AB239 Harassment of search and rescue dogs and providing a penalty. Under current law, no person may do any of the following to any animal that is used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties: frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse or harass the animal; strike, shove, kick or otherwise subject the animal to physical contact; or strike the animal by using a dangerous weapon. Under current law, any person who does any of those actions is subject to a Class B forfeiture, or, if the person knows the animal is a police or fire dog, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes injury to the animal is guilty of a Class I felony, and any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes death of the animal is guilty of a Class H felony. Additionally, for such a violation, a sentencing court must require a criminal violator to pay restitution, including veterinary care expenses or the value of a replacement animal. This bill expands this prohibition to include search and rescue dogs in addition to animals that are used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties. Under the bill, Xsearch and rescue dogY means a dog that has been trained or is being trained by a state or nationally recognized search and rescue agency to locate lost or missing individuals and victims of disasters in search and rescue activities. 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
AJR50 Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB232 Transferring adjudicatory functions for worker’s compensation from the Division of Hearings and Appeals in the Department of Administration to the Department of Workforce Development. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Workforce Development performs various administrative and adjudicatory functions relating to worker[s compensation, except that the adjudicatory functions of DWD relating to disputed worker[s compensation claims are performed by the Division of Hearings and Appeals in the Department of Administration. This bill transfers the adjudicatory functions of DHA relating to disputed worker[s compensation claims to DWD. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Passed
SB179 Applying the motor vehicle fuel tax supplier’s administrative allowance to diesel fuel, a motor vehicle fuel tax refund for evaporation losses, and making an appropriation. (FE) Administrative allowance of the motor vehicle fuel tax Current law allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain as an administrative allowance 1.35 percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of gasoline in this state. This bill allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain the same administrative allowance for the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of diesel fuel in this state. Retailer refund for motor vehicle fuel evaporation The bill allows a retailer who sells gasoline, diesel fuel, or both (motor vehicle fuel) in this state to claim a refund equal to 0.5 percent of the state motor vehicle fuel tax paid on the retailer[s purchase of the motor vehicle fuel to compensate for motor vehicle fuel stored on site that is lost by shrinkage or evaporation. A claim for a refund under the bill must be made to the Department of Revenue no later than 12 months after the date on which the retailer purchased the motor vehicle fuel and must be accompanied with invoices prepared by the motor vehicle fuel supplier or a LRB-2510/1 JK:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 179 list of purchases prepared by the retailer. Prior to 2019, the state provided such refunds to compensate gasoline retailers for shrinkage and evaporation losses. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB61 Injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty. Under current law, no person may do any of the following to any animal that is used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties: frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass the animal; strike, shove, kick, or otherwise subject the animal to physical contact; or strike the animal by using a dangerous weapon. Under current law, any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes injury to the animal is guilty of a Class I felony, and any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes death of the animal is guilty of a Class H felony. Additionally, for such a violation, a sentencing court must require a criminal violator to pay restitution, including veterinary care expenses or the value of a replacement animal. This bill increases the penalty for injuring such an animal to a Class H felony and the penalty for causing the death of such an animal to a Class G felony. A Class H felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six years, or both, and a Class G felony is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. Passed
SB94 Civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty. This bill makes it a Class I felony to urge, promote, organize, encourage, or instigate others to commit a riot and a Class H felony to intentionally commit an act of violence while participating in a riot. The bill defines a XriotY as a public disturbance that involves an act of violence, as part of an assembly of at least three persons, that constitutes a clear and present danger of property damage or personal injury or a threat of an act of violence, as part of an assembly of at least three persons having the ability of immediate execution of the threat, if the threatened action constitutes a clear and present danger of property damage or personal injury. The bill establishes a civil cause of action for any person who suffers injury or loss to person or property as a result of conduct that violates the criminal prohibitions on vandalism or participation in a riot. The bill allows a person to bring a civil action against a person who committed the violation and against any person or organization that provided material support or resources with the intent LRB-2144/1 SWB:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 94 that such support or resources would be used to perpetrate the offense. The person bringing the action may obtain an order requiring the offender to fix or repair the damage caused to the person[s property if certain requirements set forth in the bill are met. The bill also prohibits any government official with authority over any law enforcement agency or law enforcement officers from limiting or restricting the authority of the agency to have its officers, or certain officers, arrest or detain individuals involved in a riot or vandalism activity or take action to quell a riot or vandalism activity. The bill also prohibits any government official with authority over any law enforcement agency from limiting or restricting the authority of law enforcement officers, or certain designated law enforcement officers, to arrest or detain individuals involved in a riot or vandalism activity or to take action to quell a riot or vandalism activity. Finally, the bill provides that no government official, law enforcement agency, or law enforcement officer may discharge, demote, reassign, or take any punitive action against any employee because the employee made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in any investigation, proceeding, or hearing regarding a violation of the prohibitions on government officials set forth in the bill. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. Crossed Over
AB306 Time limits on local unit of government chief executive officer emergency power proclamations. Under current law, a local unit of government[s chief executive officer may exercise by proclamation the emergency power conferred to the local unit of government if the local unit of government[s governing body is unable to meet promptly. This bill limits the length of such proclamation to 60 days, unless extended by the local unit of government[s governing body. The bill also defines Xchief executive officerY as any of the following: 1) the county executive of a county, the county administrator of a county, or, in a county with an administrative coordinator, the county board chair of a county; 2) the mayor or city manager of a city; 3) the village president of a village; 4) the town board chairperson of a town; or 5) a person acting as one of the above stated persons. In Committee
SB333 Increasing certain court fees and surcharges and indexing those amounts for inflation. (FE) This bill 1) increases various court fees and surcharges collected by clerks of court, municipal judges, and registers in probate, 2) increases certain court fees paid to witnesses, interpreters, supplemental court commissioners, court reporters, sheriffs, and appraisers, and 3) indexes these and some other fee and surcharge amounts for inflation. For mileage reimbursement rates that are increased under the bill, the bill sets those rates at the rate determined by the federal Internal Revenue Service for the business standard mileage rate for federal income tax purposes. Under current law, a county must submit a portion of each amount the county collects, as specified in current law, to the Department of Administration for various state uses, and the county may retain the balance for use by the county. The bill generally provides for the county to retain for use by the county the additional amounts collected as a result of the increases in the bill. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SJR55 Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. In Committee
AB309 Immunity for 911 call centers and dispatchers that transfer callers to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This bill provides that any public safety answering point, more commonly known as a 911 call center, or dispatcher that transfers a caller to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is generally immune from civil liability for any outcomes resulting from the transfer. In Committee
SB309 Immunity for 911 call centers and dispatchers that transfer callers to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This bill provides that any public safety answering point, more commonly known as a 911 call center, or dispatcher that transfers a caller to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is generally immune from civil liability for any outcomes resulting from the transfer. In Committee
SJR59 Proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. In Committee
SB64 Injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty. Under current law, no person may do any of the following to any animal that is used by a law enforcement agency or fire department to perform agency or department functions or duties: frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass the animal; strike, shove, kick, or otherwise subject the animal to physical contact; or strike the animal by using a dangerous weapon. Under current law, any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes injury to the animal is guilty of a Class I felony, and any person who intentionally does any of those actions and causes death of the animal is guilty of a Class H felony. Additionally, for such a violation, a sentencing court must require a criminal violator to pay restitution, including veterinary care expenses or the value of a replacement animal. This bill increases the penalty for injuring such an animal to a Class H felony and the penalty for causing the death of such an animal to a Class G felony. A Class H felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six years, or both, and a Class G felony is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, LRB-2029/1 MJW:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 64 the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. In Committee
AB173 Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE) This bill makes several changes to the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers and their interactions with pharmacies and pharmacists. Under current law, pharmacy benefit managers are generally required to be licensed as a pharmacy benefit manager or an employee benefit plan administrator by the commissioner of insurance. A pharmacy benefit manager is an entity that contracts to administer or manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of an insurer, a cooperative, or another entity that provides prescription drug benefits to Wisconsin residents. Major provisions of the bill are summarized below. Pharmacy benefit manager regulation The bill requires a pharmacy benefit manager to pay a pharmacy or pharmacist a professional dispensing fee at a rate not less than is paid by the state under the Medical Assistance program for each pharmaceutical product that the pharmacy or pharmacist dispenses to an individual. The professional dispensing fee is required to be paid in addition to the amount the pharmacy benefit manager reimburses the pharmacy or pharmacist for the cost of the pharmaceutical product that the pharmacy or pharmacist dispenses. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from assessing, charging, or collecting from a pharmacy or pharmacist any form of remuneration that passes from the pharmacy or pharmacist to the pharmacy benefit manager including claim-processing fees, performance-based fees, network-participation fees, or accreditation fees. Further, under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not use any certification or accreditation requirement as a determinant of pharmacy network participation that is inconsistent with, more stringent than, or in addition to the federal requirements for licensure as a pharmacy and the requirements for licensure as a pharmacy provided under state law. The bill requires a pharmacy benefit manager to allow a participant or beneficiary of a pharmacy benefits plan or program that the pharmacy benefit manager serves to use any pharmacy or pharmacist in this state that is licensed to dispense the pharmaceutical product that the participant or beneficiary seeks to obtain if the pharmacy or pharmacist accepts the same terms and conditions that the pharmacy benefit manager establishes for at least one of the networks of pharmacies or pharmacists that the pharmacy benefit manager has established to serve individuals in the state. A pharmacy benefit manager may establish a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists and a nonpreferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists; however, under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist from participating in either type of network provided that the pharmacy or pharmacist is licensed by this state and the federal government and accepts the same terms and conditions that the pharmacy benefit manager establishes for other pharmacies or pharmacists participating in the network that the pharmacy or pharmacist wants to join. Under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not charge a participant or beneficiary of a pharmacy benefits plan or program that the pharmacy benefit manager serves a different copayment obligation or additional fee, or provide any inducement or financial incentive, for the participant or beneficiary to use a pharmacy or pharmacist in a particular network of pharmacies or pharmacists that the pharmacy benefit manager has established to serve individuals in the state. Further, the bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager, third-party payer, or health benefit plan from excluding a pharmacy or pharmacist from its network because the pharmacy or pharmacist serves less than a certain portion of the population of the state or serves a population living with certain health conditions. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may neither prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist that dispenses a pharmaceutical product from, nor penalize a pharmacy or pharmacist that dispenses a pharmaceutical product for, informing an individual about the cost of the pharmaceutical product, the amount in reimbursement that the pharmacy or pharmacist receives for dispensing the pharmaceutical product, or any difference between the cost to the individual under the individual[s pharmacy benefits plan or program and the cost to the individual if the individual purchases the pharmaceutical product without making a claim for benefits under the individual[s pharmacy benefits plan or program. The bill prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager or any insurer or self- insured health plan from requiring, or penalizing a person who is covered under a health insurance policy or plan for using or for not using, a specific retail, mail- order, or other pharmacy provider within the network of pharmacy providers under the policy or plan. Prohibited penalties include an increase in premium, deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers to remit payment for a claim to a pharmacy or pharmacist within 30 days from the day that the claim is submitted to the pharmacy benefit manager by the pharmacy or pharmacist. Pharmaceutical product reimbursements The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must include all of the following information on the list: 1) the average acquisition cost of each pharmaceutical product and the cost of the pharmaceutical product set forth in the national average drug acquisition cost data published by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services; 2) the average manufacturer price of each pharmaceutical product; 3) the average wholesale price of each pharmaceutical product; 4) the brand effective rate or generic effective rate for each pharmaceutical product; 5) any applicable discount indexing; 6) the federal upper limit for each pharmaceutical product published by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services; pharmaceutical product; and 8) any other terms that are used to establish the maximum allowable costs. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may place or continue a particular pharmaceutical product on a maximum allowable cost list only if the pharmaceutical product 1) is listed as a drug product equivalent or is rated by a nationally recognized reference as Xnot ratedY or Xnot availableY; 2) is available for purchase by all pharmacies and pharmacists in the state from national or regional pharmaceutical wholesalers operating in the state; and 3) has not been determined by the drug manufacturer to be obsolete. Further, the bill provides that any pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must provide access to the maximum allowable cost list to each pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list, update the maximum allowable cost list on a timely basis, provide a process for a pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list to receive notification of an update to the maximum allowable cost list, and update the maximum allowable cost list no later than seven days after the pharmacy acquisition cost of the pharmaceutical product increases by 10 percent or more from at least 60 percent of the pharmaceutical wholesalers doing business in the state or there is a change in the methodology on which the maximum allowable cost list is based or in the value of a variable involved in the methodology. A maximum allowable cost list is a list of pharmaceutical products that sets forth the maximum amount that a pharmacy benefit manager will pay to a pharmacy or pharmacist for dispensing a pharmaceutical product. A maximum allowable cost list may directly establish maximum costs or may set forth a method for how the maximum costs are calculated. The bill further provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must provide a process for a pharmacy or pharmacist to appeal and resolve disputes regarding claims that the maximum payment amount for a pharmaceutical product is below the pharmacy acquisition cost. A pharmacy benefit manager that receives an appeal from or on behalf of a pharmacy or pharmacist under this bill is required to resolve the appeal and notify the pharmacy or pharmacist of the pharmacy benefit manager[s determination no later than seven business days after the appeal is received. If the pharmacy benefit manager grants the relief requested in the appeal, the bill requires the pharmacy benefit manager to make the requested change in the maximum allowable cost, allow the pharmacy or pharmacist to reverse and rebill the relevant claim, provide to the pharmacy or pharmacist the national drug code number published in a directory by the federal Food and Drug Administration on which the increase or change is based, and make the change effective for each similarly situated pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list. If the pharmacy benefit manager denies the relief requested in the appeal, the bill requires the pharmacy benefit manager to provide the pharmacy or pharmacist a reason for the denial, the national drug code number published in a directory by the FDA for the pharmaceutical product to which the claim relates, and the name of a national or regional wholesaler that has the pharmaceutical product currently in stock at a price below the amount specified in the pharmacy benefit manager[s maximum allowable cost list. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may not deny a pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s appeal if the relief requested in the appeal relates to the maximum allowable cost for a pharmaceutical product that is not available for the pharmacy or pharmacist to purchase at a cost that is below the pharmacy acquisition cost from the pharmaceutical wholesaler from which the pharmacy or pharmacist purchases the majority of pharmaceutical products for resale. If a pharmaceutical product is not available for a pharmacy or pharmacist to purchase at a cost that is below the pharmacy acquisition cost from the pharmaceutical wholesaler from which the pharmacy or pharmacist purchases the majority of pharmaceutical products for resale, the pharmacy benefit manager must revise the maximum allowable cost list to increase the maximum allowable cost for the pharmaceutical product to an amount equal to or greater than the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s pharmacy acquisition cost and allow the pharmacy or pharmacist to reverse and rebill each claim affected by the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s inability to procure the pharmaceutical product at a cost that is equal to or less than the maximum allowable cost that was the subject of the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s appeal. The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from reimbursing a pharmacy or pharmacist in the state an amount less than the amount that the pharmacy benefit manager reimburses a pharmacy benefit manager affiliate for providing the same pharmaceutical product. Under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager affiliate is a pharmacy or pharmacist that is an affiliate of a pharmacy benefit manager. Finally, the bill allows a pharmacy or pharmacist to decline to provide a pharmaceutical product to an individual or pharmacy benefit manager if, as a result of a maximum allowable cost list, the pharmacy or pharmacist would be paid less than the pharmacy acquisition cost of the pharmacy or pharmacist providing the pharmaceutical product. Drug formularies This bill makes several changes with respect to drug formularies. Under current law, a disability insurance policy that offers a prescription drug benefit, a self-insured health plan that offers a prescription drug benefit, or a pharmacy benefit manager acting on behalf of a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan must provide to an enrollee advanced written notice of a formulary change that removes a prescription drug from the formulary of the policy or plan or that reassigns a prescription drug to a benefit tier for the policy or plan that has a higher deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The advanced written notice of a formulary change must be provided no fewer than 30 days before the expected date of the removal or reassignment. This bill provides that a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit shall make the formulary and all drug costs associated with the formulary available to plan sponsors and individuals prior to selection or enrollment. Further, the bill provides that no disability insurance policy, self-insured health plan, or pharmacy benefit manager acting on behalf of a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan may remove a prescription drug from the formulary except at the time of coverage renewal. Finally, the bill provides that advanced written notice of a formulary change must be provided no fewer than 90 days before the expected date of the removal or reassignment of a prescription drug on the formulary. Pharmacy networks Under the bill, if an enrollee utilizes a pharmacy or pharmacist in a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists, no disability insurance policy or self- insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit or pharmacy benefit manager that provides services under a contract with a policy or plan may require the enrollee to pay any amount or impose on the enrollee any condition that would not be required if the enrollee utilized a different pharmacy or pharmacist in the same preferred network. Further, the bill provides that any disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit, or any pharmacy benefit manager that provides services under a contract with a policy or plan, that has established a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists must reimburse each pharmacy or pharmacist in the same network at the same rates. Audits of pharmacists and pharmacies This bill makes several changes to audits of pharmacists and pharmacies. The bill requires an entity that conducts audits of pharmacists and pharmacies to ensure that each pharmacist or pharmacy audited by the entity is audited under the same standards and parameters as other similarly situated pharmacists or pharmacies audited by the entity, that the entity randomizes the prescriptions that the entity audits and the entity audits the same number of prescriptions in each prescription benefit tier, and that each audit of a prescription reimbursed under Part D of the federal Medicare program is conducted separately from audits of prescriptions reimbursed under other policies or plans. The bill prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager from recouping reimbursements made to a pharmacist or pharmacy for errors that involve no actual financial harm to an enrollee or a policy or plan sponsor unless the error is the result of the pharmacist or pharmacy failing to comply with a formal corrective action plan. The bill further prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager from using extrapolation in calculating reimbursements that it may recoup, and instead requires a pharmacy benefit manager to base the finding of errors for which reimbursements will be recouped on an actual error in reimbursement and not a projection of the number of patients served having a similar diagnosis or on a projection of the number of similar orders or refills for similar prescription drugs. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that recoups any reimbursements made to a pharmacist or pharmacy for an error that was the cause of financial harm must return the recouped reimbursement to the enrollee or the policy or plan sponsor who was harmed by the error. Pharmacy benefit manager fiduciary and disclosure requirements The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager owes a fiduciary duty to a health benefit plan sponsor. The bill also requires that a pharmacy benefit manager annually disclose all of the following information to the health benefit plan sponsor: 1. The indirect profit received by the pharmacy benefit manager from owning a pharmacy or health service provider. 2. Any payments made to a consultant or broker who works on behalf of the plan sponsor. 3. From the amounts received from drug manufacturers, the amounts retained by the pharmacy benefit manager that are related to the plan sponsor[s claims or bona fide service fees. 4. The amounts received from network pharmacies and pharmacists and the amount retained by the pharmacy benefit manager. Discriminatory reimbursement of 340B entities The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from taking certain actions with respect to 340B covered entities, pharmacies and pharmacists contracted with 340B covered entities, and patients who obtain prescription drugs from 340B covered entities. The 340B drug pricing program is a federal program that requires pharmaceutical manufacturers that participate in the federal Medicaid program to sell outpatient drugs at discounted prices to certain health care organizations that provide health care for uninsured and low-income patients. Entities that are eligible for discounted prices under the 340B drug pricing program include federally qualified health centers, critical access hospitals, and certain public and nonprofit disproportionate share hospitals. The bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from doing any of the following: 1. Refusing to reimburse a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity for dispensing 340B drugs. 2. Imposing requirements or restrictions on 340B covered entities or pharmacies or pharmacists contracted with 340B covered entities that are not imposed on other entities, pharmacies, or pharmacists. 3. Reimbursing a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity for a 340B drug at a rate lower than the amount paid for the same drug to pharmacies or pharmacists that are not 340B covered entities or pharmacies or pharmacists contracted with a 340B covered entity. 4. Assessing a fee, charge back, or other adjustment against a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity after a claim has been paid or adjudicated. 5. Restricting the access of a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to a third-party payer[s pharmacy network solely because the 340B covered entity or the pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity participates in the 340B drug pricing program. 6. Requiring a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to contract with a specific pharmacy or pharmacist or health benefit plan in order to access a third-party payer[s pharmacy network. 7. Imposing a restriction or an additional charge on a patient who obtains a 340B drug from a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity. 8. Restricting the methods by which a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity may dispense or deliver 340B drugs. 9. Requiring a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to share pharmacy bills or invoices with a pharmacy benefit manager, a third-party payer, or a health benefit plan. Application of prescription drug payments Health insurance policies and plans often apply cost-sharing requirements and out-of-pocket maximum amounts to the benefits covered by the policy or plan. A cost-sharing requirement is a share of covered benefits that an insured is required to pay under a health insurance policy or plan. Cost-sharing requirements include copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. An out-of-pocket maximum amount is a limit specified by a policy or plan on the amount that an insured pays, and, once that limit is reached, the policy or plan covers the benefit entirely. The bill generally requires health insurance policies that offer prescription drug benefits, self-insured health plans, and pharmacy benefit managers acting on behalf of policies or plans to apply amounts paid by or on behalf of an individual covered under the policy or plan for brand name prescription drugs to any cost- sharing requirement or to any calculation of an out-of-pocket maximum amount of the policy or plan. Health insurance policies are referred to in the bill as disability insurance policies. Prohibited retaliation The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from retaliating against a pharmacy or pharmacist for reporting an alleged violation of certain laws applicable to pharmacy benefit managers or for exercising certain rights or remedies. Retaliation includes terminating or refusing to renew a contract with a pharmacy or pharmacist, subjecting a pharmacy or pharmacist to increased audits, or failing to promptly pay a pharmacy or pharmacist any money that the pharmacy benefit manager owes to the pharmacy or pharmacist. The bill provides that a pharmacy or pharmacist may bring an action in court for injunctive relief if a pharmacy benefit manager is retaliating against the pharmacy or pharmacist as provided in the bill. In addition to equitable relief, the court may award a pharmacy or pharmacist that prevails in such an action reasonable attorney fees and costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB229 Transferring adjudicatory functions for worker’s compensation from the Division of Hearings and Appeals in the Department of Administration to the Department of Workforce Development. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Workforce Development performs various administrative and adjudicatory functions relating to worker[s compensation, except that the adjudicatory functions of DWD relating to disputed worker[s compensation claims are performed by the Division of Hearings and Appeals in the Department of Administration. This bill transfers the adjudicatory functions of DHA relating to disputed worker[s compensation claims to DWD. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2823/2 MIM:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 229 In Committee
SB12 A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for sales of gun safes. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB2 Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War. This bill expands the definition of “veteran” to include individuals who were naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000. The bill extends most veterans benefits to anyone who meets this newly expanded definition of veteran, however, admission to a state veterans home and burial in a veterans cemetery are not included benefits as they are subject to federal regulation. Crossed Over
SB307 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline grants. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Health Services to award grants to organizations that provide crisis intervention services and crisis care coordination to individuals who contact the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from anywhere within the state. Currently, DHS partners with Wisconsin Lifeline to provide statewide 988 crisis hotline services. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB303 Grants for technical colleges to provide mapping data to law enforcement. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Justice awards grants to school boards and governing bodies of private schools to assist them in submitting interactive critical mapping data for each school building and facility in the district to law enforcement agencies and the Office of School Safety in DOJ. This bill requires OSS to award grants to technical college district boards so they may submit interactive critical mapping data for each of their technical college buildings to law enforcement agencies and OSS. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AJR62 Designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. Relating to: designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. In Committee
SJR61 Designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. Relating to: designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. In Committee
AB10 A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for sales of gun safes. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB9 Allowing representatives of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations to provide information to pupils on public school property. This bill requires, upon the request of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations, the principal of a public school, including an independent charter school, to schedule at least one date and time at the beginning of the school term for representatives of the youth membership organization to provide information about the organization to pupils during the school day on school property. Such information may include information about how the organization furthers the educational interests and civic involvement of pupils consistent with good citizenship. Examples of these federally chartered youth membership organizations are Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the United States of America. In Committee
AB24 County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE) This bill requires sheriffs to request proof of legal presence status from individuals held in a county jail for an offense punishable as a felony. The bill also requires sheriffs to comply with detainers and administrative warrants received from the federal department of homeland security regarding individuals held in the county jail for a criminal offense. Under the bill, sheriffs must annually certify to the Department of Revenue that they have complied with each of these requirements. If a sheriff fails to provide such a certification, DOR must reduce the county[s shared revenue payments for the next year by 15 percent. The bill also requires sheriffs to maintain a record of the number of individuals from whom proof of legal presence is requested who are verified as unlawfully present in this state and a list of the types of crimes for which those individuals were confined in the jail. The information must be provided to the Department of Justice upon request, and DOJ must compile the information and submit a report to the legislature. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
SB57 County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE) This bill requires sheriffs to request proof of legal presence status from individuals held in a county jail for an offense punishable as a felony. The bill also requires sheriffs to comply with detainers and administrative warrants received from the federal department of homeland security regarding individuals held in the county jail for a criminal offense. Under the bill, sheriffs must annually certify to the Department of Revenue that they have complied with each of these requirements. If a sheriff fails to provide such a certification, DOR must reduce the county[s shared revenue payments for the next year by 15 percent. The bill also requires sheriffs to maintain a record of the number of individuals from whom proof of legal presence is requested who are verified as unlawfully present in this state and a list of the types of crimes for which those individuals were confined in the jail. The information must be provided to the Department of Justice upon request, and DOJ must compile the information and submit a report to the legislature. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-1735/1 EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 57 In Committee
SB218 The amount and distribution of the real estate transfer fee, grants under the land information program, real property recording notification systems, and making an appropriation. (FE) Current law, generally, requires a person who conveys an interest in real property to file a real estate transfer return with the county register of deeds and pay a real estate transfer fee equal to 30 cents for each $100 of the value of the conveyance. The county retains 20 percent of the fees collected and transmits the remainder to the state. This bill decreases the real estate transfer fee to 20 cents for each $100 of the value of the conveyance. Under the bill, 30 percent of the fees collected are deposited into the general fund, 20 percent of the fees are deposited into the land information fund, and the county retains 50 percent of the fees. Under current law, the Department of Administration administers a land information program, using revenue from the land information fund, that provides funding to counties for the modernization of local land records. Under the land LRB-2260/1 KP/EVM/KRP:klm&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 218 information program, DOA awards land information system base budget grants to counties to enable county land information offices to develop, maintain, and operate basic land information systems. Currently, the minimum amount of a grant is $100,000 less the amount of certain fees retained by the county in the preceding fiscal year. The bill increases that base amount to $175,000 less the retained fees. Under current law, DOA may award a grant under the land information program to any county in an amount not less than $1,000 per year to be used for the training and education of county employees for the design, development, and implementation of a land information system. The bill increases the minimum training and education grant amount from $1,000 to $5,000. The bill directs DOA to award additional local government contribution based grants to counties to fully distribute 46 percent of the amount of real estate transfer fees that are deposited into the land information fund under the bill in each fiscal year. Under the bill, DOA annually must award 46 percent of those deposited amounts as grants to counties based on the relative proportion of the fees each county collected. This bill also requires any county that retains real estate transfer fee moneys to establish a real property recording notification system to be administered by the county[s register of deeds. Upon application by a person, such a system monitors publicly recorded real property records for activity and changes related to properties owned by a specific person or a specific property, and, upon the recording of a new document against a monitored property, notifies the person who applied for monitoring. The bill specifies that no fee may be charged to an applicant for application, monitoring, or notification under such a system. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB99 Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Health Services to establish a program to award grants to persons in this state for research into spinal cord injuries. The grants must support research into new and innovative treatments and rehabilitative efforts for the functional improvement of individuals with spinal cord injuries. Research topics may include pharmaceutical, medical device, brain stimulus, and rehabilitative approaches and techniques. DHS must make annual reports to the legislature about the grants. The bill specifies that no more than 8 percent of any grant award may be used for administrative or indirect costs and expenses. The bill also requires DHS to appoint a Spinal Cord Injury Council with one member representing the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health who is a researcher specializing in spinal cord injuries, one member representing Marquette University who is a researcher specializing in spinal cord injuries, one member representing the Medical College of Wisconsin who is an expert in spinal cord injuries, and the following members: 1) a person with a spinal cord injury; 2) a family member of a person with a spinal cord injury; 3) a veteran LRB-2084/1 JPC:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 99 with a spinal cord injury; 4) a physician specializing in the treatment of spinal cord injuries; 5) a neurosurgery researcher; and 6) a researcher employed by the federal Veterans Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If DHS is unable to appoint any of the foregoing members, the bill allows DHS to appoint, in lieu of that member, a member representing the general public. Members of the council have two-year terms. The bill requires the council to develop criteria for DHS to evaluate and award grants, review and make recommendations on grant applications, and perform other duties specified by DHS. Council members must make written disclosures of financial interests in organizations that the council recommends for grants. Finally, the bill allows DHS, with the permission of the council, to hold symposia, not more than once every two years, for grant recipients to present findings of research supported by the grants. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB203 Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE) This bill makes several changes to the regulation of pharmacy benefit LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 managers and their interactions with pharmacies and pharmacists. Under current law, pharmacy benefit managers are generally required to be licensed as a pharmacy benefit manager or an employee benefit plan administrator by the commissioner of insurance. A pharmacy benefit manager is an entity that contracts to administer or manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of an insurer, a cooperative, or another entity that provides prescription drug benefits to Wisconsin residents. Major provisions of the bill are summarized below. Pharmacy benefit manager regulation The bill requires a pharmacy benefit manager to pay a pharmacy or pharmacist a professional dispensing fee at a rate not less than is paid by the state under the Medical Assistance program for each pharmaceutical product that the pharmacy or pharmacist dispenses to an individual. The professional dispensing fee is required to be paid in addition to the amount the pharmacy benefit manager reimburses the pharmacy or pharmacist for the cost of the pharmaceutical product that the pharmacy or pharmacist dispenses. The Medical Assistance program is a joint state and federal program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources. The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from assessing, charging, or collecting from a pharmacy or pharmacist any form of remuneration that passes from the pharmacy or pharmacist to the pharmacy benefit manager including claim-processing fees, performance-based fees, network-participation fees, or accreditation fees. Further, under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not use any certification or accreditation requirement as a determinant of pharmacy network participation that is inconsistent with, more stringent than, or in addition to the federal requirements for licensure as a pharmacy and the requirements for licensure as a pharmacy provided under state law. The bill requires a pharmacy benefit manager to allow a participant or beneficiary of a pharmacy benefits plan or program that the pharmacy benefit manager serves to use any pharmacy or pharmacist in this state that is licensed to dispense the pharmaceutical product that the participant or beneficiary seeks to obtain if the pharmacy or pharmacist accepts the same terms and conditions that the pharmacy benefit manager establishes for at least one of the networks of pharmacies or pharmacists that the pharmacy benefit manager has established to serve individuals in the state. A pharmacy benefit manager may establish a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists and a nonpreferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists; however, under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist from participating in either type of network provided that the pharmacy or pharmacist is licensed by this state and the federal government and accepts the same terms and conditions that the pharmacy benefit manager establishes for other pharmacies or pharmacists participating in the network that the pharmacy or pharmacist wants to join. Under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager may not charge a participant or beneficiary of a LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 pharmacy benefits plan or program that the pharmacy benefit manager serves a different copayment obligation or additional fee, or provide any inducement or financial incentive, for the participant or beneficiary to use a pharmacy or pharmacist in a particular network of pharmacies or pharmacists that the pharmacy benefit manager has established to serve individuals in the state. Further, the bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager, third-party payer, or health benefit plan from excluding a pharmacy or pharmacist from its network because the pharmacy or pharmacist serves less than a certain portion of the population of the state or serves a population living with certain health conditions. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may neither prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist that dispenses a pharmaceutical product from, nor penalize a pharmacy or pharmacist that dispenses a pharmaceutical product for, informing an individual about the cost of the pharmaceutical product, the amount in reimbursement that the pharmacy or pharmacist receives for dispensing the pharmaceutical product, or any difference between the cost to the individual under the individual[s pharmacy benefits plan or program and the cost to the individual if the individual purchases the pharmaceutical product without making a claim for benefits under the individual[s pharmacy benefits plan or program. The bill prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager or any insurer or self- insured health plan from requiring, or penalizing a person who is covered under a health insurance policy or plan for using or for not using, a specific retail, mail- order, or other pharmacy provider within the network of pharmacy providers under the policy or plan. Prohibited penalties include an increase in premium, deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers to remit payment for a claim to a pharmacy or pharmacist within 30 days from the day that the claim is submitted to the pharmacy benefit manager by the pharmacy or pharmacist. Pharmaceutical product reimbursements The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must include all of the following information on the list: 1) the average acquisition cost of each pharmaceutical product and the cost of the pharmaceutical product set forth in the national average drug acquisition cost data published by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services; 2) the average manufacturer price of each pharmaceutical product; 3) the average wholesale price of each pharmaceutical product; 4) the brand effective rate or generic effective rate for each pharmaceutical product; 5) any applicable discount indexing; 6) the federal upper limit for each pharmaceutical product published by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services; pharmaceutical product; and 8) any other terms that are used to establish the maximum allowable costs. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may place or continue a particular pharmaceutical product on a maximum allowable cost list only if the pharmaceutical product 1) is listed as a drug product equivalent or is rated by a LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 7) the wholesale acquisition cost of each 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 nationally recognized reference as Xnot ratedY or Xnot availableY; 2) is available for purchase by all pharmacies and pharmacists in the state from national or regional pharmaceutical wholesalers operating in the state; and 3) has not been determined by the drug manufacturer to be obsolete. Further, the bill provides that any pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must provide access to the maximum allowable cost list to each pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list, update the maximum allowable cost list on a timely basis, provide a process for a pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list to receive notification of an update to the maximum allowable cost list, and update the maximum allowable cost list no later than seven days after the pharmacy acquisition cost of the pharmaceutical product increases by 10 percent or more from at least 60 percent of the pharmaceutical wholesalers doing business in the state or there is a change in the methodology on which the maximum allowable cost list is based or in the value of a variable involved in the methodology. A maximum allowable cost list is a list of pharmaceutical products that sets forth the maximum amount that a pharmacy benefit manager will pay to a pharmacy or pharmacist for dispensing a pharmaceutical product. A maximum allowable cost list may directly establish maximum costs or may set forth a method for how the maximum costs are calculated. The bill further provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that uses a maximum allowable cost list must provide a process for a pharmacy or pharmacist to appeal and resolve disputes regarding claims that the maximum payment amount for a pharmaceutical product is below the pharmacy acquisition cost. A pharmacy benefit manager that receives an appeal from or on behalf of a pharmacy or pharmacist under this bill is required to resolve the appeal and notify the pharmacy or pharmacist of the pharmacy benefit manager[s determination no later than seven business days after the appeal is received. If the pharmacy benefit manager grants the relief requested in the appeal, the bill requires the pharmacy benefit manager to make the requested change in the maximum allowable cost, allow the pharmacy or pharmacist to reverse and rebill the relevant claim, provide to the pharmacy or pharmacist the national drug code number published in a directory by the federal Food and Drug Administration on which the increase or change is based, and make the change effective for each similarly situated pharmacy or pharmacist subject to the maximum allowable cost list. If the pharmacy benefit manager denies the relief requested in the appeal, the bill requires the pharmacy benefit manager to provide the pharmacy or pharmacist a reason for the denial, the national drug code number published in a directory by the FDA for the pharmaceutical product to which the claim relates, and the name of a national or regional wholesaler that has the pharmaceutical product currently in stock at a price below the amount specified in the pharmacy benefit manager[s maximum allowable cost list. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager may not deny a pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s appeal if the relief requested in the appeal relates to LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 the maximum allowable cost for a pharmaceutical product that is not available for the pharmacy or pharmacist to purchase at a cost that is below the pharmacy acquisition cost from the pharmaceutical wholesaler from which the pharmacy or pharmacist purchases the majority of pharmaceutical products for resale. If a pharmaceutical product is not available for a pharmacy or pharmacist to purchase at a cost that is below the pharmacy acquisition cost from the pharmaceutical wholesaler from which the pharmacy or pharmacist purchases the majority of pharmaceutical products for resale, the pharmacy benefit manager must revise the maximum allowable cost list to increase the maximum allowable cost for the pharmaceutical product to an amount equal to or greater than the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s pharmacy acquisition cost and allow the pharmacy or pharmacist to reverse and rebill each claim affected by the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s inability to procure the pharmaceutical product at a cost that is equal to or less than the maximum allowable cost that was the subject of the pharmacy[s or pharmacist[s appeal. The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from reimbursing a pharmacy or pharmacist in the state an amount less than the amount that the pharmacy benefit manager reimburses a pharmacy benefit manager affiliate for providing the same pharmaceutical product. Under the bill, a pharmacy benefit manager affiliate is a pharmacy or pharmacist that is an affiliate of a pharmacy benefit manager. Finally, the bill allows a pharmacy or pharmacist to decline to provide a pharmaceutical product to an individual or pharmacy benefit manager if, as a result of a maximum allowable cost list, the pharmacy or pharmacist would be paid less than the pharmacy acquisition cost of the pharmacy or pharmacist providing the pharmaceutical product. Drug formularies This bill makes several changes with respect to drug formularies. Under current law, a disability insurance policy that offers a prescription drug benefit, a self-insured health plan that offers a prescription drug benefit, or a pharmacy benefit manager acting on behalf of a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan must provide to an enrollee advanced written notice of a formulary change that removes a prescription drug from the formulary of the policy or plan or that reassigns a prescription drug to a benefit tier for the policy or plan that has a higher deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The advanced written notice of a formulary change must be provided no fewer than 30 days before the expected date of the removal or reassignment. This bill provides that a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit shall make the formulary and all drug costs associated with the formulary available to plan sponsors and individuals prior to selection or enrollment. Further, the bill provides that no disability insurance policy, self-insured health plan, or pharmacy benefit manager acting on behalf of a disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan may remove a prescription LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 drug from the formulary except at the time of coverage renewal. Finally, the bill provides that advanced written notice of a formulary change must be provided no fewer than 90 days before the expected date of the removal or reassignment of a prescription drug on the formulary. Pharmacy networks Under the bill, if an enrollee utilizes a pharmacy or pharmacist in a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists, no disability insurance policy or self- insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit or pharmacy benefit manager that provides services under a contract with a policy or plan may require the enrollee to pay any amount or impose on the enrollee any condition that would not be required if the enrollee utilized a different pharmacy or pharmacist in the same preferred network. Further, the bill provides that any disability insurance policy or self-insured health plan that provides a prescription drug benefit, or any pharmacy benefit manager that provides services under a contract with a policy or plan, that has established a preferred network of pharmacies or pharmacists must reimburse each pharmacy or pharmacist in the same network at the same rates. Audits of pharmacists and pharmacies This bill makes several changes to audits of pharmacists and pharmacies. The bill requires an entity that conducts audits of pharmacists and pharmacies to ensure that each pharmacist or pharmacy audited by the entity is audited under the same standards and parameters as other similarly situated pharmacists or pharmacies audited by the entity, that the entity randomizes the prescriptions that the entity audits and the entity audits the same number of prescriptions in each prescription benefit tier, and that each audit of a prescription reimbursed under Part D of the federal Medicare program is conducted separately from audits of prescriptions reimbursed under other policies or plans. The bill prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager from recouping reimbursements made to a pharmacist or pharmacy for errors that involve no actual financial harm to an enrollee or a policy or plan sponsor unless the error is the result of the pharmacist or pharmacy failing to comply with a formal corrective action plan. The bill further prohibits any pharmacy benefit manager from using extrapolation in calculating reimbursements that it may recoup, and instead requires a pharmacy benefit manager to base the finding of errors for which reimbursements will be recouped on an actual error in reimbursement and not a projection of the number of patients served having a similar diagnosis or on a projection of the number of similar orders or refills for similar prescription drugs. The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager that recoups any reimbursements made to a pharmacist or pharmacy for an error that was the cause of financial harm must return the recouped reimbursement to the enrollee or the policy or plan sponsor who was harmed by the error. Pharmacy benefit manager fiduciary and disclosure requirements The bill provides that a pharmacy benefit manager owes a fiduciary duty to a health benefit plan sponsor. The bill also requires that a pharmacy benefit LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 manager annually disclose all of the following information to the health benefit plan sponsor: 1. The indirect profit received by the pharmacy benefit manager from owning a pharmacy or health service provider. 2. Any payments made to a consultant or broker who works on behalf of the plan sponsor. 3. From the amounts received from drug manufacturers, the amounts retained by the pharmacy benefit manager that are related to the plan sponsor[s claims or bona fide service fees. 4. The amounts received from network pharmacies and pharmacists and the amount retained by the pharmacy benefit manager. Discriminatory reimbursement of 340B entities The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from taking certain actions with respect to 340B covered entities, pharmacies and pharmacists contracted with 340B covered entities, and patients who obtain prescription drugs from 340B covered entities. The 340B drug pricing program is a federal program that requires pharmaceutical manufacturers that participate in the federal Medicaid program to sell outpatient drugs at discounted prices to certain health care organizations that provide health care for uninsured and low-income patients. Entities that are eligible for discounted prices under the 340B drug pricing program include federally qualified health centers, critical access hospitals, and certain public and nonprofit disproportionate share hospitals. The bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from doing any of the following: 1. Refusing to reimburse a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity for dispensing 340B drugs. 2. Imposing requirements or restrictions on 340B covered entities or pharmacies or pharmacists contracted with 340B covered entities that are not imposed on other entities, pharmacies, or pharmacists. 3. Reimbursing a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity for a 340B drug at a rate lower than the amount paid for the same drug to pharmacies or pharmacists that are not 340B covered entities or pharmacies or pharmacists contracted with a 340B covered entity. 4. Assessing a fee, charge back, or other adjustment against a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity after a claim has been paid or adjudicated. 5. Restricting the access of a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to a third-party payer[s pharmacy network solely because the 340B covered entity or the pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity participates in the 340B drug pricing program. 6. Requiring a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 with a 340B covered entity to contract with a specific pharmacy or pharmacist or health benefit plan in order to access a third-party payer[s pharmacy network. 7. Imposing a restriction or an additional charge on a patient who obtains a 340B drug from a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity. 8. Restricting the methods by which a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity may dispense or deliver 340B drugs. 9. Requiring a 340B covered entity or a pharmacy or pharmacist contracted with a 340B covered entity to share pharmacy bills or invoices with a pharmacy benefit manager, a third-party payer, or a health benefit plan. Application of prescription drug payments Health insurance policies and plans often apply cost-sharing requirements and out-of-pocket maximum amounts to the benefits covered by the policy or plan. A cost-sharing requirement is a share of covered benefits that an insured is required to pay under a health insurance policy or plan. Cost-sharing requirements include copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. An out-of-pocket maximum amount is a limit specified by a policy or plan on the amount that an insured pays, and, once that limit is reached, the policy or plan covers the benefit entirely. The bill generally requires health insurance policies that offer prescription drug benefits, self-insured health plans, and pharmacy benefit managers acting on behalf of policies or plans to apply amounts paid by or on behalf of an individual covered under the policy or plan for brand name prescription drugs to any cost- sharing requirement or to any calculation of an out-of-pocket maximum amount of the policy or plan. Health insurance policies are referred to in the bill as disability insurance policies. Prohibited retaliation The bill prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from retaliating against a pharmacy or pharmacist for reporting an alleged violation of certain laws applicable to pharmacy benefit managers or for exercising certain rights or remedies. Retaliation includes terminating or refusing to renew a contract with a pharmacy or pharmacist, subjecting a pharmacy or pharmacist to increased audits, or failing to promptly pay a pharmacy or pharmacist any money that the pharmacy benefit manager owes to the pharmacy or pharmacist. The bill provides that a pharmacy or pharmacist may bring an action in court for injunctive relief if a pharmacy benefit manager is retaliating against the pharmacy or pharmacist as provided in the bill. In addition to equitable relief, the court may award a pharmacy or pharmacist that prevails in such an action reasonable attorney fees and costs. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-1278/1 JPC:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 203 In Committee
AB216 The amount and distribution of the real estate transfer fee, grants under the land information program, real property recording notification systems, and making an appropriation. (FE) Current law, generally, requires a person who conveys an interest in real property to file a real estate transfer return with the county register of deeds and pay a real estate transfer fee equal to 30 cents for each $100 of the value of the conveyance. The county retains 20 percent of the fees collected and transmits the remainder to the state. This bill decreases the real estate transfer fee to 20 cents for each $100 of the value of the conveyance. Under the bill, 30 percent of the fees collected are deposited into the general fund, 20 percent of the fees are deposited into the land information fund, and the county retains 50 percent of the fees. Under current law, the Department of Administration administers a land information program, using revenue from the land information fund, that provides funding to counties for the modernization of local land records. Under the land information program, DOA awards land information system base budget grants to counties to enable county land information offices to develop, maintain, and operate basic land information systems. Currently, the minimum amount of a grant is $100,000 less the amount of certain fees retained by the county in the preceding fiscal year. The bill increases that base amount to $175,000 less the retained fees. Under current law, DOA may award a grant under the land information program to any county in an amount not less than $1,000 per year to be used for the training and education of county employees for the design, development, and implementation of a land information system. The bill increases the minimum training and education grant amount from $1,000 to $5,000. The bill directs DOA to award additional local government contribution based grants to counties to fully distribute 46 percent of the amount of real estate transfer fees that are deposited into the land information fund under the bill in each fiscal year. Under the bill, DOA annually must award 46 percent of those deposited amounts as grants to counties based on the relative proportion of the fees each county collected. This bill also requires any county that retains real estate transfer fee moneys to establish a real property recording notification system to be administered by the county[s register of deeds. Upon application by a person, such a system monitors publicly recorded real property records for activity and changes related to properties owned by a specific person or a specific property, and, upon the recording of a new document against a monitored property, notifies the person who applied for monitoring. The bill specifies that no fee may be charged to an applicant for application, monitoring, or notification under such a system. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB230 Requiring retail sellers to accept cash and providing a penalty. (FE) This bill requires a retailer who sells goods or services from a physical location to accept cash as payment during a face-to-face sale with a consumer at one or more points of sale at the physical location, unless the person is otherwise prohibited by law from accepting cash. A retailer who violates this requirement is subject to a civil forfeiture of $200 to $5,000. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB300 A grant program for the purchase of automated registration plate reader systems. (FE) This bill establishes a grant program, administered by the Department of Justice, that provides grants to law enforcement agencies to purchase automated registration plate reader systems. Under the bill, to be eligible for a grant, a law enforcement agency must apply for a grant and include in the application a proposed plan of expenditure of the grant moneys. The bill requires DOJ to ensure that at least 50 percent of the grant moneys awarded under the program are awarded to law enforcement agencies located in rural areas. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB311 Changing an individual’s sex on a birth certificate. Current law allows for changes to an individual[s sex on a birth record due to a surgical sex-change procedure or to correct an error on a birth record, subject to certain requirements. Under this bill, an individual[s sex on a birth record may not be changed due to a surgical sex-change procedure. Moreover, the bill prohibits any person from changing an individual[s sex on a birth record to a sex other than the individual[s biological sex. The bill also prohibits a court from ordering a change to an individual[s sex on a birth record to a sex other than the individual[s biological sex. Under the bill, Xbiological sexY means the biological state of being male or female based on sex chromosomes. In Committee
SB230 Requiring retail sellers to accept cash and providing a penalty. (FE) This bill requires a retailer who sells goods or services from a physical location to accept cash as payment during a face-to-face sale with a consumer at one or more points of sale at the physical location, unless the person is otherwise prohibited by law from accepting cash. A retailer who violates this requirement is subject to a civil forfeiture of $200 to $5,000. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB93 Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) Under current law, a person who is released on extended supervision, parole, or probation is subject to conditions or rules of the release. If the person violates a condition or rule, the person is subject to sanctions for the violation, which may include revocation of release. This bill requires the Department of Corrections to recommend revoking a person[s extended supervision, parole, or probation if the person is charged with a crime while on release. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB219 Limitations on ownership of real property in this state by foreign persons. (FE) This bill modifies current law that limits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding large amounts of agricultural and forestry land in this state. The bill also prohibits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state within 10 miles of a military installation and prohibits foreign adversaries from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. LIMITING FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND Under current law, certain foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of agricultural or forestry land in this state. The bill makes several changes to the limitation under current law. LRB-1662/1 KRP:skw/emw/cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 219 Type of land subject to acreage limit Current law generally prohibits a covered foreign person (as defined below) from acquiring, owning, or holding more than 640 acres of land in this state. However, that limitation does not apply to any of the following activities: 1. An exploration mining lease and land used for certain mining and associated activities. 2. Certain manufacturing activities. 3. Certain mercantile activities. 4. A lease for exploration or production of oil, gas, coal, shale, and related hydrocarbons, including by-products of the production, and land used in connection with the exploration or production. Those exceptions have been interpreted to be Xextremely broad, embracing almost every conceivable business activity [other than a]ctivities relating to agriculture and forestry.Y See Wis. Op. Att[y Gen. OAG 11-14, ?5, available at https://www.doj.state.wi.us. In other words, under current law, foreign persons may acquire, own, and hold unlimited amounts of land for most nonagricultural and nonforestry purposes, but covered foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of land for agricultural or forestry purposes. The bill eliminates the current scheme under which the limitation applies to all land with extremely broad exceptions and replaces the scheme with a limitation that applies only to land that is classified, for property tax purposes, as agricultural (agricultural land). Under the bill, the limitation does not apply to forestry land. Amount of land foreign persons may own The bill reduces the maximum amount of agricultural land that a covered foreign person may acquire, own, or hold from 640 acres to 50 acres (acreage limit). Covered foreign persons Under current law, the following persons generally are subject to the acreage limit (covered foreign person): 1. An alien not a resident of a state of the United States (nonresident alien). 2. A corporation that is not created under federal law or the laws of any state (foreign entity). 3. A corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or association having more than 20 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership held or owned by nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign-owned entity). 4. A trust having more than 20 percent of the value of its assets held for the benefit of nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign beneficiary trust). The bill does all of the following: 1. Specifies that the acreage limit also applies to a foreign government. 2. Increases the percentage of an entity[s ownership held by nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the entity to be considered a foreign- owned entity from 20 percent to 25 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership. 3. Increases the percentage of a trust[s assets held for the benefit of LRB-1662/1 KRP:skw/emw/cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 219 nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the trust to be considered a foreign beneficiary trust from 20 percent to 25 percent of the value of its assets. 4. Specifies that, for purposes of determining whether an entity is a foreign- owned entity or whether a trust is a foreign beneficiary trust, foreign government interests are included in calculating the relevant percentage amounts. Exception for agricultural research leases Current law includes exceptions from the acreage limit for railroad and pipeline corporations and treaty rights, among other things. The bill provides that the acreage limit also does not apply to a lease that is exclusively for agricultural research purposes and encumbers no more than 50 acres of agricultural land. Divestiture period Under current law, if a covered foreign person acquires an interest in land that causes the covered foreign person to exceed the acreage limit, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest. Specifically, the covered foreign person must divest itself within four years after: 1. Acquiring the interest, if the covered foreign person is a nonresident alien or foreign entity and the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. 2. Acquiring the interest or becoming a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust, whichever is later, if the covered foreign person is a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust. The bill reduces the divestiture period from four years to three years and specifies that the divestiture requirement described under item 1 applies to a foreign government. PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY NEAR MILITARY INSTALLATIONS The bill generally prohibits a covered foreign person from acquiring, owning, or holding any real property in this state that is located on or within 10 miles of a military installation, as defined in the bill (military property). Under the bill, the prohibition does not apply to 1) an interest used to secure repayment of a debt, 2) a person whose right to hold military property is secured by treaty, or 3) a railroad or pipeline corporation. The bill allows a covered foreign person to acquire an interest in military property that the covered foreign person would otherwise be prohibited from acquiring if the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. However, if such an interest is acquired, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest within 18 months after acquiring the interest. The bill specifies that, if a person becomes a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust after the bill[s effective date, the person has 18 months to divest itself of any interest in military property the person is prohibited from owning or holding. Finally, the bill provides that any interest in military property acquired, owned, or held in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. LRB-1662/1 KRP:skw/emw/cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 219 PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY BY FOREIGN ADVERSARIES The bill prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. Under the bill, Xforeign adversaryY means a person determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce to be a foreign adversary of the United States. Those countries currently include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The bill provides that any interest acquired, owned, or held by a foreign adversary in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB312 Changing an individual’s sex on a birth certificate. Current law allows for changes to an individual[s sex on a birth record due to a surgical sex-change procedure or to correct an error on a birth record, subject to certain requirements. Under this bill, an individual[s sex on a birth record may not be changed due to a surgical sex-change procedure. Moreover, the bill prohibits any person from changing an individual[s sex on a birth record to a sex other than the individual[s biological sex. The bill also prohibits a court from ordering a change to an individual[s sex on a birth record to a sex other than the individual[s biological sex. Under the bill, Xbiological sexY means the biological state of being male or female based on sex chromosomes. In Committee
AB268 The right of appeal for complainants aggrieved by decisions of the Elections Commission concerning the conduct of election officials. Under current law, any person eligible to vote in Wisconsin may file a complaint with the Elections Commission alleging that an election official serving the voter[s jurisdiction has failed to comply with certain election laws or has abused his or her discretion with respect to the administration of such election laws. After investigation of a complaint, current law authorizes the commission to issue an order requiring an election official to conform his or her conduct to the law, restraining an election official from taking any action inconsistent with the law, or requiring an election official to correct any action or decision inconsistent with the law. Additionally, current law authorizes any complainant who is aggrieved by an order of the commission on the complaint to appeal the commission[s decision in court. The law does not specifically define the term XaggrievedY for purposes of this right of appeal. However, in Brown v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, 2025 WI 5, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that a complainant not receiving a favorable decision from the Elections Commission on a complaint is aggrieved, and therefore has a right to appeal that decision in court, only if the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest as a result of the decision. This bill provides that a complainant must be considered aggrieved for purposes of that right of appeal regardless of whether the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest and that a complainant may appeal any commission order that dismisses the complaint or otherwise does not grant the relief requested in the complaint. In Committee
AB223 Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions. Under current law, any person may circulate nomination papers for a candidate if the person is eligible to vote in Wisconsin or is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state. A person is eligible to vote in Wisconsin if he or she is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who has resided in an election district in this state for at least 28 consecutive days. Under this bill, a person must be eligible to vote in Wisconsin in order to circulate nomination papers for a candidate. However, under the bill, nomination papers and petitions for the candidacy of candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States may continue to be circulated by any person eligible to vote in Wisconsin or by any U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state. Similarly, under current law, any person who is eligible to vote in Wisconsin or who is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older and who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state may circulate a recall petition. Under the bill, a person must be eligible to vote in Wisconsin in order to circulate a recall petition and have the signatures on the petition be counted toward a recall. In Committee
AB148 Interpreter action by telephone or live audiovisual means in civil or criminal proceedings. Under current law, in any civil or criminal proceeding other than a trial, a court may permit an interpreter to act by telephone or live audiovisual means. This bill removes the exclusion for trials, so that an interpreter may act by telephone or live audiovisual means in any civil or criminal proceeding. In Committee
AB92 Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Health Services to establish a program to award grants to persons in this state for research into spinal cord injuries. The grants must support research into new and innovative treatments and rehabilitative efforts for the functional improvement of individuals with spinal cord injuries. Research topics may include pharmaceutical, medical device, brain stimulus, and rehabilitative approaches and techniques. DHS must make annual reports to the legislature about the grants. The bill specifies that no more than 8 percent of any grant award may be used for administrative or indirect costs and expenses. The bill also requires DHS to appoint a Spinal Cord Injury Council with one member representing the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health who is a researcher specializing in spinal cord injuries, one member representing Marquette University who is a researcher specializing in spinal cord injuries, one member representing the Medical College of Wisconsin who is an expert in spinal cord injuries, and the following members: 1) a person with a spinal cord injury; 2) a family member of a person with a spinal cord injury; 3) a veteran with a spinal cord injury; 4) a physician specializing in the treatment of spinal cord injuries; 5) a neurosurgery researcher; and 6) a researcher employed by the federal Veterans Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If DHS is unable to appoint any of the foregoing members, the bill allows DHS to appoint, in lieu of that member, a member representing the general public. Members of the council have two-year terms. The bill requires the council to develop criteria for DHS to evaluate and award grants, review and make recommendations on grant applications, and perform other duties specified by DHS. Council members must make written disclosures of financial interests in organizations that the council recommends for grants. Finally, the bill allows DHS, with the permission of the council, to hold symposia, not more than once every two years, for grant recipients to present findings of research supported by the grants. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB299 A grant program for the purchase of automated registration plate reader systems. (FE) This bill establishes a grant program, administered by the Department of Justice, that provides grants to law enforcement agencies to purchase automated registration plate reader systems. Under the bill, to be eligible for a grant, a law enforcement agency must apply for a grant and include in the application a proposed plan of expenditure of the grant moneys. The bill requires DOJ to ensure that at least 50 percent of the grant moneys awarded under the program are awarded to law enforcement agencies located in rural areas. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB300 Eliminating the 13-week limit on the garnishment of earnings of certain debtors. This bill eliminates the 13-week limit imposed on the garnishment of earnings of certain debtors. Under current law, a creditor may file a garnishment notice with a court and pay a fee to a garnishee for the purpose of collecting an unsatisfied judgment for money damages from earnings owed to the debtor by the garnishee. Current law limits the number of weeks in which the earnings of a debtor, other than a debtor who is an employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state, may be garnisheed to 13 weeks. Under current law, a court-ordered assignment of a debtor[s earnings for support or maintenance in a family law matter takes priority over an earnings garnishment. The bill provides that a court-ordered earnings garnishment to satisfy an order for restitution in a criminal matter takes priority over other LRB-3019/1 KRP:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 300 earnings garnishments but does not have priority over an assignment in a family law matter. The bill makes various other changes, including changes to account for the increased length of time a garnishment may continue. For example, the bill requires a creditor to provide additional notices to a debtor when a garnishment extends beyond a 13-week period. In Committee
AB296 Eliminating the 13-week limit on the garnishment of earnings of certain debtors. This bill eliminates the 13-week limit imposed on the garnishment of earnings of certain debtors. Under current law, a creditor may file a garnishment notice with a court and pay a fee to a garnishee for the purpose of collecting an unsatisfied judgment for money damages from earnings owed to the debtor by the garnishee. Current law limits the number of weeks in which the earnings of a debtor, other than a debtor who is an employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state, may be garnisheed to 13 weeks. Under current law, a court-ordered assignment of a debtor[s earnings for support or maintenance in a family law matter takes priority over an earnings garnishment. The bill provides that a court-ordered earnings garnishment to satisfy an order for restitution in a criminal matter takes priority over other earnings garnishments but does not have priority over an assignment in a family law matter. The bill makes various other changes, including changes to account for the increased length of time a garnishment may continue. For example, the bill requires a creditor to provide additional notices to a debtor when a garnishment extends beyond a 13-week period. In Committee
AB34 Court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths. Under current law, a district attorney has the discretion as to whether or not to issue a complaint to charge a person with a crime. Current law also provides that, if a district attorney refuses to issue a complaint against a person, a judge may conduct a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the person committed a crime and, if so, issue a complaint. Under this bill, when there is an officer-involved death, which is a death that results directly from an action or an omission of a law enforcement officer, and the district attorney determined there was no basis to prosecute the officer, a court may not issue a complaint against the involved officer unless there is new or unused evidence presented. In Committee
AB124 Prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty. Current law prohibits a person who is registered as a sex offender with the Department of Corrections from changing their name during the period they are required to register. With certain exceptions, a person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. This bill prohibits a person who has been convicted of a violent crime, which is defined in the bill and includes homicide, battery, kidnapping, stalking, human trafficking, and sexual assault, from changing their name. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. In Committee
AB138 Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE) Under current law, certain persons who receive a retirement or disability annuity from the Wisconsin Retirement System and who are hired by an employer that participates in the WRS must suspend that annuity and may not receive a WRS annuity payment until the employee is no longer in a WRS-covered position. This suspension applies to a person who 1) has reached his or her normal retirement date; 2) is appointed to a position with a WRS-participating employer or provides employee services to a WRS-participating employer; and 3) is expected to work at least two-thirds of what is considered full-time employment by the Department of Employee Trust Funds. This bill creates an exception to this suspension for an annuitant who retired from employment with a participating employer and who is subsequently rehired or provides employee services after retirement if 1) at the time the annuitant initially retires from covered employment with a participating employer, the annuitant does not have an agreement with any participating employer to return to employment; 2) the annuitant elects to not become a participating employee at the time the annuitant is rehired or enters into a contract after retirement; and 3) either the annuitant retired as a protective occupation participant or the annuitant retired as a county jailer who was not a protective occupation participant under the WRS. Under current law, a county jailer has the opportunity to opt out of becoming a protective occupation participant under the WRS. The bill treats county jailers who opt out of becoming a protective occupation participant in the same manner as county jailers who are protective occupation participants. Because this bill relates to public employee retirement or pensions, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB191 Requiring a subpoena to a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer served in official capacity to be served at the officer’s work address. Under current law, a subpoena may generally be served by any person by exhibiting and reading it to the witness, by giving the witness a copy of the subpoena, or by leaving a copy of the subpoena at the witness[s home. This bill modifies the procedure with respect to law enforcement officers and tribal law enforcement officers served in an official capacity, requiring that a subpoena may be served upon a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer in the officer[s official capacity as a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer only at the officer[s work address by exhibiting and reading it to the officer, by giving the officer a copy of the subpoena, or by leaving a copy of the subpoena at the officer[s work address. In Committee
AB175 Requiring periodic inspections of parking structures. This bill requires the owner of a parking structure to engage a professional engineer to inspect the structural integrity of the parking structure at least once within five years after the bill takes effect, and at least once every five years thereafter. The owner must also submit a report containing the results of the inspection to the Department of Safety and Professional Services or, if the city, village, town, or county within which the parking structure is located is authorized to perform commercial building plan examinations, to that city, village, town, or county. During the period beginning six months after the date by which the bill requires an inspection and ending 12 months after that date, an owner of a parking structure who violates the bill[s requirement is subject to a forfeiture of $200 for each month that no inspection is conducted. One year after the date by which the bill requires an inspection, DSPS must close the parking structure if no inspection is conducted. In Committee
SB194 Obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court. Currently, if a person requests access to a public record and the agency or officer in state or local government having custody of the record, known as an XauthorityY under the public records law, withholds or delays granting access to the record or a part of the record, the requester may bring a mandamus action asking a court to order release of the record or part of the record. Current law requires the court to award reasonable attorney fees, damages of not less than $100, and other actual costs to the requester if the requester prevails in whole or in substantial part in any such action. The Wisconsin Supreme Court decided in 2022 that a requester prevails in whole or in substantial part only if the requester obtains a judicially sanctioned change in the parties[ legal relationship, for example, a court order requiring disclosure of a record. See, Friends of Frame Park, U.A. v. City of Waukesha, 2022 WI 57. Under the supreme court[s decision, a requester generally is not entitled to LRB-2242/1 MPG:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 194 attorney fees and costs if the authority voluntarily or unilaterally without a court order provides contested records after the requester files an action in court. This bill supersedes the supreme court[s decision in Friends of Frame Park. Under the bill, a requester has prevailed in whole or in substantial part if the requester has obtained relief through any of the following means: 1. A judicial order or an enforceable written agreement or consent decree. 2. The authority[s voluntary or unilateral release of a record if the court determines that the filing of the mandamus action was a substantial factor contributing to that voluntary or unilateral release. This standard is substantially the same as the standard that applies for a requester to obtain attorney fees and costs under the federal Freedom of Information Act. Crossed Over
SB191 Requiring a subpoena to a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer served in official capacity to be served at the officer’s work address. Under current law, a subpoena may generally be served by any person by exhibiting and reading it to the witness, by giving the witness a copy of the subpoena, or by leaving a copy of the subpoena at the witness[s home. This bill modifies the procedure with respect to law enforcement officers and tribal law enforcement officers served in an official capacity, requiring that a subpoena may be served upon a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer in the officer[s official capacity as a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer only at the officer[s work address by exhibiting and reading it to the officer, by giving the officer a copy of the subpoena, or by leaving a copy of the subpoena at the officer[s work address. Crossed Over
SB146 Prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty. Current law prohibits a person who is registered as a sex offender with the Department of Corrections from changing their name during the period they are required to register. With certain exceptions, a person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. This bill prohibits a person who has been convicted of a violent crime, which is defined in the bill and includes homicide, battery, kidnapping, stalking, human trafficking, and sexual assault, from changing their name. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. Crossed Over
SB155 Requiring periodic inspections of parking structures. This bill requires the owner of a parking structure to engage a professional engineer to inspect the structural integrity of the parking structure at least once within five years after the bill takes effect, and at least once every five years thereafter. The owner must also submit a report containing the results of the inspection to the Department of Safety and Professional Services or, if the city, village, town, or county within which the parking structure is located is authorized to perform commercial building plan examinations, to that city, village, town, or county. During the period beginning six months after the date by which the bill requires an inspection and ending 12 months after that date, an owner of a parking structure who violates the bill[s requirement is subject to a forfeiture of $200 for each month that no inspection is conducted. One year after the date by which the bill requires an inspection, DSPS must close the parking structure if no inspection is conducted. In Committee
SB147 Interpreter action by telephone or live audiovisual means in civil or criminal proceedings. Under current law, in any civil or criminal proceeding other than a trial, a court may permit an interpreter to act by telephone or live audiovisual means. This bill removes the exclusion for trials, so that an interpreter may act by telephone or live audiovisual means in any civil or criminal proceeding. Crossed Over
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
SB25 Court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths. Under current law, a district attorney has the discretion as to whether or not to issue a complaint to charge a person with a crime. Current law also provides that, if a district attorney refuses to issue a complaint against a person, a judge may conduct a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the person committed a crime and, if so, issue a complaint. Under this bill, when there is an officer-involved death, which is a death that results directly from an action or an omission of a law enforcement officer, and the district attorney determined there was no basis to prosecute the officer, a court may not issue a complaint against the involved officer unless there is new or unused evidence presented. Crossed Over
SB66 Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty. Under current law, any motor vehicle for which the Department of Transportation has issued registration plates must display those plates, along with any decals issued for the plates. This bill prohibits the possession, sale, purchase, installation, and use of a registration plate concealment device, which is a manual, electronic, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle to 1) switch between two or more registration plates; 2) move, obstruct, or conceal a registration plate; or 3) alter the appearance of a registration plate so that the registration number cannot be seen and read. The bill also prohibits the equipment of any motor vehicle with a registration plate concealment device. A person who violates these prohibitions may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days, or both. Any vehicle equipped in violation of these prohibitions may be impounded, and reasonable costs for towing and impounding the vehicle may be assessed against the owner. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. LRB-0665/1 ZDW:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 66 Crossed Over
SB246 A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day. This bill adds April 24, Armenian Genocide Awareness Day, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. In Committee
AB256 A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day. This bill adds April 24, Armenian Genocide Awareness Day, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day. In Committee
SB270 The right of appeal for complainants aggrieved by decisions of the Elections Commission concerning the conduct of election officials. Under current law, any person eligible to vote in Wisconsin may file a complaint with the Elections Commission alleging that an election official serving the voter[s jurisdiction has failed to comply with certain election laws or has abused his or her discretion with respect to the administration of such election laws. After investigation of a complaint, current law authorizes the commission to issue an order requiring an election official to conform his or her conduct to the law, restraining an election official from taking any action inconsistent with the law, or requiring an election official to correct any action or decision inconsistent with the law. Additionally, current law authorizes any complainant who is aggrieved by an order of the commission on the complaint to appeal the commission[s decision in court. The law does not specifically define the term XaggrievedY for purposes of this right of appeal. However, in Brown v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, 2025 WI 5, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that a complainant not receiving a favorable decision from the Elections Commission on a complaint is aggrieved, and therefore has a right to appeal that decision in court, only if the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest as a result of the decision. LRB-2416/1 MPG:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 270 This bill provides that a complainant must be considered aggrieved for purposes of that right of appeal regardless of whether the complainant has suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest and that a complainant may appeal any commission order that dismisses the complaint or otherwise does not grant the relief requested in the complaint. In Committee
SB263 Findings of fact when the court grants less than equal physical placement of a child. Under current law, in an action affecting a family that involves a child, the court is required to determine the legal custody and the physical placement of the child. Current law requires the court to set a physical placement schedule that allows a child to have regularly occurring, meaningful periods of physical placement with each parent and that maximizes the amount of time for a child with each parent. In determining a physical placement schedule, the court must, in each case, consider a statutory list of best-interest factors. Current law provides that, if the court grants less than 25 percent of physical placement to one parent in a temporary or final order in an action affecting the family, specific findings of fact must be entered as to the reasons that greater physical placement with that parent is not in the best interest of the child. This bill changes the requirement such that specific findings of fact must be entered if the court grants less than 50 percent of physical placement to one parent in a temporary or final order in an action affecting the family. LRB-2980/1 SWB:ajk&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 263 In Committee
SB266 Human trafficking and trafficking of a child and providing a penalty. This bill increases the penalty for human trafficking from a Class D felony to a Class C felony, increases the penalty for trafficking a child from a Class C felony to a Class B felony, and creates a mandatory minimum term of confinement in prison of 10 years for human trafficking and 15 years for trafficking a child. Under current law, a Class D felony is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 25 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 15 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 10 years; a Class C felony is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 40 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 25 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 15 years; and a Class B felony is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 60 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 40 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 20 years. Under LRB-3006/1 MJW:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 266 current law, there is no mandatory minimum term of confinement for human trafficking or trafficking of a child. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. In Committee
AB218 Limitations on ownership of real property in this state by foreign persons. (FE) This bill modifies current law that limits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding large amounts of agricultural and forestry land in this state. The bill also prohibits certain foreign persons from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state within 10 miles of a military installation and prohibits foreign adversaries from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. LIMITING FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND Under current law, certain foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of agricultural or forestry land in this state. The bill makes several changes to the limitation under current law. Type of land subject to acreage limit Current law generally prohibits a covered foreign person (as defined below) from acquiring, owning, or holding more than 640 acres of land in this state. However, that limitation does not apply to any of the following activities: 1. An exploration mining lease and land used for certain mining and associated activities. 2. Certain manufacturing activities. 3. Certain mercantile activities. 4. A lease for exploration or production of oil, gas, coal, shale, and related hydrocarbons, including by-products of the production, and land used in connection with the exploration or production. Those exceptions have been interpreted to be Xextremely broad, embracing almost every conceivable business activity [other than a]ctivities relating to agriculture and forestry.Y See Wis. Op. Att[y Gen. OAG 11-14, ?5, available at https://www.doj.state.wi.us. In other words, under current law, foreign persons may acquire, own, and hold unlimited amounts of land for most nonagricultural and nonforestry purposes, but covered foreign persons may not acquire, own, or hold more than 640 acres of land for agricultural or forestry purposes. The bill eliminates the current scheme under which the limitation applies to all land with extremely broad exceptions and replaces the scheme with a limitation that applies only to land that is classified, for property tax purposes, as agricultural (agricultural land). Under the bill, the limitation does not apply to forestry land. Amount of land foreign persons may own The bill reduces the maximum amount of agricultural land that a covered foreign person may acquire, own, or hold from 640 acres to 50 acres (acreage limit). Covered foreign persons Under current law, the following persons generally are subject to the acreage limit (covered foreign person): 1. An alien not a resident of a state of the United States (nonresident alien). 2. A corporation that is not created under federal law or the laws of any state (foreign entity). 3. A corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or association having more than 20 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership held or owned by nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign-owned entity). 4. A trust having more than 20 percent of the value of its assets held for the benefit of nonresident aliens or foreign entities (foreign beneficiary trust). The bill does all of the following: 1. Specifies that the acreage limit also applies to a foreign government. 2. Increases the percentage of an entity[s ownership held by nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the entity to be considered a foreign- owned entity from 20 percent to 25 percent of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership. 3. Increases the percentage of a trust[s assets held for the benefit of nonresident aliens or foreign entities that is required for the trust to be considered a foreign beneficiary trust from 20 percent to 25 percent of the value of its assets. 4. Specifies that, for purposes of determining whether an entity is a foreign- owned entity or whether a trust is a foreign beneficiary trust, foreign government interests are included in calculating the relevant percentage amounts. Exception for agricultural research leases Current law includes exceptions from the acreage limit for railroad and pipeline corporations and treaty rights, among other things. The bill provides that the acreage limit also does not apply to a lease that is exclusively for agricultural research purposes and encumbers no more than 50 acres of agricultural land. Divestiture period Under current law, if a covered foreign person acquires an interest in land that causes the covered foreign person to exceed the acreage limit, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest. Specifically, the covered foreign person must divest itself within four years after: 1. Acquiring the interest, if the covered foreign person is a nonresident alien or foreign entity and the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. 2. Acquiring the interest or becoming a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust, whichever is later, if the covered foreign person is a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust. The bill reduces the divestiture period from four years to three years and specifies that the divestiture requirement described under item 1 applies to a foreign government. PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY NEAR MILITARY INSTALLATIONS The bill generally prohibits a covered foreign person from acquiring, owning, or holding any real property in this state that is located on or within 10 miles of a military installation, as defined in the bill (military property). Under the bill, the prohibition does not apply to 1) an interest used to secure repayment of a debt, 2) a person whose right to hold military property is secured by treaty, or 3) a railroad or pipeline corporation. The bill allows a covered foreign person to acquire an interest in military property that the covered foreign person would otherwise be prohibited from acquiring if the interest is acquired by devise or inheritance or in the good faith collection of debts by due process of law. However, if such an interest is acquired, the covered foreign person must divest itself of that interest within 18 months after acquiring the interest. The bill specifies that, if a person becomes a foreign-owned entity or foreign beneficiary trust after the bill[s effective date, the person has 18 months to divest itself of any interest in military property the person is prohibited from owning or holding. Finally, the bill provides that any interest in military property acquired, owned, or held in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. PROHIBITING OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY BY FOREIGN ADVERSARIES The bill prohibits a foreign adversary from acquiring, owning, or holding any interest in real property in this state. Under the bill, Xforeign adversaryY means a person determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce to be a foreign adversary of the United States. Those countries currently include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The bill provides that any interest acquired, owned, or held by a foreign adversary in violation of the bill is forfeited to the state and that the attorney general is responsible for enforcement. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AJR12 Honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SJR2 Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). To create section 1m of article III of the constitution; Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AJR4 Honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB262 Findings of fact when the court grants less than equal physical placement of a child. Under current law, in an action affecting a family that involves a child, the court is required to determine the legal custody and the physical placement of the child. Current law requires the court to set a physical placement schedule that allows a child to have regularly occurring, meaningful periods of physical placement with each parent and that maximizes the amount of time for a child with each parent. In determining a physical placement schedule, the court must, in each case, consider a statutory list of best-interest factors. Current law provides that, if the court grants less than 25 percent of physical placement to one parent in a temporary or final order in an action affecting the family, specific findings of fact must be entered as to the reasons that greater physical placement with that parent is not in the best interest of the child. This bill changes the requirement such that specific findings of fact must be entered if the court grants less than 50 percent of physical placement to one parent in a temporary or final order in an action affecting the family. In Committee
AB265 Human trafficking and trafficking of a child and providing a penalty. This bill increases the penalty for human trafficking from a Class D felony to a Class C felony, increases the penalty for trafficking a child from a Class C felony to a Class B felony, and creates a mandatory minimum term of confinement in prison of 10 years for human trafficking and 15 years for trafficking a child. Under current law, a Class D felony is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 25 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 15 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 10 years; a Class C felony is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed 40 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 25 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 15 years; and a Class B felony is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 60 years, which, under a bifurcated sentence, is a maximum term of confinement in prison of 40 years followed by a maximum term of extended supervision of 20 years. Under current law, there is no mandatory minimum term of confinement for human trafficking or trafficking of a child. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. In Committee
AB258 License eligibility and restriction extensions relating to ignition interlock devices. Under current law, if a person is convicted of a second or subsequent offense related to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant or other drug, with a prohibited alcohol concentration, or with a measurable amount of a controlled substance in their blood (OWI offense), a court must order the person[s operating privilege restricted to operating vehicles that are equipped with an ignition interlock device (IID). The restriction begins on the date of the IID order and lasts for at least one year, but no longer than the maximum operating privilege revocation period authorized for the refusal or violation. Under the bill, the restriction of a person[s operating privilege under an IID order must be extended by 180 days for each occurrence of any of the following events detected by an IID: 1) three or more violations within a 60-day period, 2) tampering with or attempting to circumvent the IID, or 3) removing the IID authorization. Under current law, a person whose operating privilege is administratively revoked for a first offense of refusing a test may apply for an occupational license after 30 days. The bill eliminates the 30-day waiting period and provides that a CORRECTED COPY person may apply for an occupational license upon installation of an IID on any motor vehicle that the person operates. Under current law, when a person is convicted of an OWI offense, the convicting court orders the person[s operating privilege be revoked. The length of time for a court-ordered revocation increases with each subsequent OWI offense, as does the waiting period before the person may apply for an occupational license. In general, a person with prior OWI offenses may apply after 45 days. The bill eliminates the 45-day waiting period and provides that a person may apply for an occupational license upon installation of an IID on each motor vehicle that the person operates. In Committee
SB22 Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents. This bill requires a school board to comply with a school district resident[s written request to inspect a textbook, curriculum, or instructional material within 14 days. Under the bill, a school board must comply with a school district resident[s written request to inspect curricula or instructional materials used in a school in the school district by no later than 14 days after the school board receives the written request. The bill also requires each school board to adopt procedures under which the school board is able to produce for inspection any curriculum or instructional material used in a school in the school district in fewer than 14 days. The bill defines XcurriculumY as a curriculum plan adopted by a school board to comply with state law and defines Xinstructional materialY as any course content or resource included in a curriculum. Similarly, the bill requires a school board to comply with a school district resident[s written request to inspect a textbook on the school board[s list of adopted LRB-1620/1 FFK:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 22 textbooks by no later than 14 days after the school board receives the written request. Under the bill, a school board must also adopt procedures under which the school board is capable of producing for inspection any textbook included on the school board[s list of adopted textbooks in no more than 14 days. Current law requires each school board to adopt all textbooks necessary for use in schools in the school district and file a list of adopted textbooks with the school district clerk. Under the bill, each school board must also post the list of adopted textbooks on the school board[s website. Finally, the bill specifies that nothing in the bill may be construed to require a school board to take an action that would violate federal copyright law and that the bill does not limit any rights a school district resident has to inspect or copy records under open records law. In Committee
SB11 Allowing representatives of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations to provide information to pupils on public school property. This bill requires, upon the request of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations, the principal of a public school, including an independent charter school, to schedule at least one date and time at the beginning of the school term for representatives of the youth membership organization to provide information about the organization to pupils during the school day on school property. Such information may include information about how the organization furthers the educational interests and civic involvement of pupils consistent with good citizenship. Examples of these federally chartered youth membership organizations are Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the United States of America. In Committee
AB5 Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents. This bill requires a school board to comply with a school district resident’s written request to inspect a textbook, curriculum, or instructional material within 14 days. Under the bill, a school board must comply with a school district resident’s written request to inspect curricula or instructional materials used in a school in the school district by no later than 14 days after the school board receives the written request. The bill also requires each school board to adopt procedures under which the school board is able to produce for inspection any curriculum or instructional material used in a school in the school district in fewer than 14 days. The bill defines “curriculum” as a curriculum plan adopted by a school board to comply with state law and defines “instructional material” as any course content or resource included in a curriculum. Similarly, the bill requires a school board to comply with a school district resident’s written request to inspect a textbook on the school board’s list of adopted textbooks by no later than 14 days after the school board receives the written request. Under the bill, a school board must also adopt procedures under which the school board is capable of producing for inspection any textbook included on the school board’s list of adopted textbooks in no more than 14 days. Current law requires each school board to adopt all textbooks necessary for use in schools in the school district and file a list of adopted textbooks with the school district clerk. Under the bill, each school board must also post the list of adopted textbooks on the school board’s website. Finally, the bill specifies that nothing in the bill may be construed to require a school board to take an action that would violate federal copyright law and that the bill does not limit any rights a school district resident has to inspect or copy records under open records law. Crossed Over
SB83 Utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE) This bill prohibits the Department of Health Services from imposing any utilization management controls for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program that are approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration and are classified as antipsychotic. Utilization management controls are formal techniques used by a health carrier or prescription drug utilization management entity that are designed to evaluate prescription drug medical necessity, appropriateness, efficacy, or efficiency. Currently, DHS administers the Medical Assistance program, which 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
AB54 Utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE) This bill prohibits the Department of Health Services from imposing any utilization management controls for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program that are approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration and are classified as antipsychotic. Utilization management controls are formal techniques used by a health carrier or prescription drug utilization management entity that are designed to evaluate prescription drug medical necessity, appropriateness, efficacy, or efficiency. Currently, DHS administers the Medical Assistance program, which 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
AB202 Voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and the application of the Wisconsin Consumer Act to leases. (FE) Under current law, a residential lease is void and unenforceable if it contains certain provisions (voidable provisions). Examples of voidable provisions include provisions that: 1) allow landlords to refuse to renew a lease because a tenant has contacted an entity for law enforcement, health, or safety services; 2) waive a landlord[s obligation to mitigate damages; 3) impose liability on a tenant for personal injury arising from causes clearly beyond the tenant[s control, and; 4) allow landlords to terminate a tenancy for a crime committed in relation to the rental property when the tenant[s lease did not include a statutorily required notice of domestic abuse protections. This bill provides that if court of competent jurisdiction finds that a residential lease includes a voidable provision, a tenant may elect to: 1) void the lease and have their tenancy converted into a periodic tenancy, or; 2) sever the voidable provision from their lease and continue under the remainder of the lease. In addition, in April 2024, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals published a decision, Koble Invs. v Marquardt, 2024 WI App 26, regarding certain landlord and CORRECTED COPY tenant matters. As of February 28, 2025, the case was on appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, with parties[ first briefings due to the court in March 2025. Among the holdings in Koble, the court of appeals determined that a particular landlord was acting as a Xdebt collectorY and that landlord[s tenant was a XcustomerY as those terms are defined under Wisconsin Consumer Act. The court of appeals also held that because the landlord violated a provision of the Wisconsin Consumer Act, the tenant[s attorney was entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs. Under this bill, the Wisconsin Consumer Act does not apply to residential leases or mobile home leases. In the same case, the court of appeals held that the tenant[s lease was void and unenforceable under landlord and tenant law, and that, under another law enforcing fair methods of competition, the tenant could recover twice the amount of the tenant[s pecuniary loss, together with reasonable attorney fees and court costs. The bill provides that under landlord and tenant law, a person injured by a voidable provision can recover twice the amount of the pecuniary loss, together with reasonable attorney fees and court costs, and provides that such pecuniary loss does not include any rent paid by the tenant. The bill also limits the remedies a person may seek when a rental agreement includes a voidable provision to only those remedies provided in the bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AJR41 Proclaiming May 2025 and May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Months. Relating to: proclaiming May 2025 and May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Months. Crossed Over
AB137 Maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE) AN ACT to create 66.1105 (6) (a) 22., 66.1105 (6) (g) 7., 66.1105 (7) (am) 10. and 66.1105 (17) (h) of the statutes; relating to: maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. This bill creates exceptions to two aspects of the statutes governing tax incremental financing (TIF) for a tax incremental district (TIDs) located in the village of DeForest. Under current law, cities and villages may use TIF to encourage development in the city or village. In general, under TIF, a city or village pays for improvements in a TID and then collects tax moneys attributable to all taxing jurisdictions on the increased property value in the TID for a certain period of time to pay for the improvements. Ideally, after the period of time, the city or village will have been repaid for its initial investment and the property tax base in the TID will have permanently increased in value. In general and in brief, a city or village makes use of TIF using the following procedure: 1. The city or village designates an area as a TID and creates a project plan laying out the expenditures that the city or village will make within the TID. 2. DOR establishes the Xbase valueY of the TID. This value is the equalized value of all taxable property within the TID at the time of its creation. 3. Each year thereafter, the Xvalue incrementY of the property within the TID is determined by subtracting the base value from the current value of property within the TID. The portion of taxes collected on any positive value increment (Xtax incrementY) is collected by the city or village for use solely for the project costs of the TID. The tax increment includes the taxes that would have been collected by other taxing jurisdictions, such as counties or school districts, were the TID not created. 4. Tax increments are collected until the city or village has recovered all of the TID[s project costs or until the TID reaches its statutory termination date. TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest was created as a mixed-use TID in September 2017. Under current law, the unextended termination date of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest is 20 years. Under this bill, the life of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest is extended, and tax increments may continue to be allocated, for up to 30 years after the TID[s creation. Under current law, the equalized value of taxable property of a new or amended TID plus the value increment of all existing TIDs in a city or village may not exceed 12 percent of the total equalized value of taxable property in the city or village. Under the bill, the 12 percent rule does not apply to one amendment of the project plan of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest. Also under current law, a city or village may extend the life of a TID for up to one year for housing stock improvement if all of the following occur: 1. The city or village pays off all of the TID[s project costs. 2. The city or village adopts a resolution stating that it intends to extend the life of the TID, the number of months it intends to do so, and how it intends to improve housing stock. 3. The city or village notifies DOR. Under the bill, a housing stock improvement extension may not be exercised with regard to TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB23 Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) This bill establishes within the Department of Health Services a Palliative Care Council, which includes as members a statewide group of medical and clinical professionals with expertise in the provision of palliative care services, as well as patients or family members of patients who have experience receiving palliative care services, to advise DHS about palliative care issues. The bill requires the council to consult with and advise DHS regarding 1) outcome evaluation of established palliative care programs; 2) the economic and quality of life effectiveness of palliative care that is provided along with curative treatment; 3) the mechanisms for and adequacy of reimbursement for palliative care services; and 4) any other issues relating to palliative care arising through meetings or discussions, as the council determines appropriate. The bill provides that the council may not consult with or advise DHS on physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, medical aid in dying, or any other act that would condone, authorize, approve, or permit any affirmative or deliberate act to end life other than the withholding or withdrawing of health care under an advance directive or power of attorney for health care so as to permit the natural process of dying. Under the bill, DHS must, in consultation with the council, establish a statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program to ensure that comprehensive and accurate information and education about palliative care are available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities. The bill provides that DHS must make certain information and resources regarding palliative care available on its website. Under the bill, the council must submit reports to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature providing its analysis on the issues of access to palliative care and the impact of palliative care on health care delivery systems in this state and on families that have experience with palliative care services. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
SB39 Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) This bill establishes within the Department of Health Services a Palliative Care Council, which includes as members a statewide group of medical and clinical professionals with expertise in the provision of palliative care services, as well as patients or family members of patients who have experience receiving palliative care services, to advise DHS about palliative care issues. The bill requires the council to consult with and advise DHS regarding 1) outcome evaluation of established palliative care programs; 2) the economic and quality of life effectiveness of palliative care that is provided along with curative treatment; 3) the mechanisms for and adequacy of reimbursement for palliative care services; and 4) any other issues relating to palliative care arising through meetings or discussions, as the council determines appropriate. The bill provides that the council may not consult with or advise DHS on physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, medical aid in dying, or any other act that would condone, authorize, approve, or permit any affirmative or deliberate act to end life other than the withholding or withdrawing of health care under an advance directive or power of attorney for health care so as to permit the natural process of dying. Under the bill, DHS must, in consultation with the council, establish a statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program to ensure that LRB-1834/1 SWB:emw&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 39 comprehensive and accurate information and education about palliative care are available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities. The bill provides that DHS must make certain information and resources regarding palliative care available on its website. Under the bill, the council must submit reports to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature providing its analysis on the issues of access to palliative care and the impact of palliative care on health care delivery systems in this state and on families that have experience with palliative care services. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB133 Maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE) AN ACT to create 66.1105 (6) (a) 22., 66.1105 (6) (g) 7., 66.1105 (7) (am) 10. and 66.1105 (17) (h) of the statutes; relating to: maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. This bill creates exceptions to two aspects of the statutes governing tax incremental financing (TIF) for a tax incremental district (TIDs) located in the village of DeForest. Under current law, cities and villages may use TIF to encourage development in the city or village. In general, under TIF, a city or village pays for improvements in a TID and then collects tax moneys attributable to all taxing jurisdictions on the increased property value in the TID for a certain period of time to pay for the improvements. Ideally, after the period of time, the city or village will have been repaid for its initial investment and the property tax base in the TID will have permanently increased in value. In general and in brief, a city or village makes use of TIF using the following procedure: 1. The city or village designates an area as a TID and creates a project plan laying out the expenditures that the city or village will make within the TID. LRB-2363/1 EVM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 133 2. DOR establishes the Xbase valueY of the TID. This value is the equalized value of all taxable property within the TID at the time of its creation. 3. Each year thereafter, the Xvalue incrementY of the property within the TID is determined by subtracting the base value from the current value of property within the TID. The portion of taxes collected on any positive value increment (Xtax incrementY) is collected by the city or village for use solely for the project costs of the TID. The tax increment includes the taxes that would have been collected by other taxing jurisdictions, such as counties or school districts, were the TID not created. 4. Tax increments are collected until the city or village has recovered all of the TID[s project costs or until the TID reaches its statutory termination date. TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest was created as a mixed-use TID in September 2017. Under current law, the unextended termination date of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest is 20 years. Under this bill, the life of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest is extended, and tax increments may continue to be allocated, for up to 30 years after the TID[s creation. Under current law, the equalized value of taxable property of a new or amended TID plus the value increment of all existing TIDs in a city or village may not exceed 12 percent of the total equalized value of taxable property in the city or village. Under the bill, the 12 percent rule does not apply to one amendment of the project plan of TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest. Also under current law, a city or village may extend the life of a TID for up to one year for housing stock improvement if all of the following occur: 1. The city or village pays off all of the TID[s project costs. 2. The city or village adopts a resolution stating that it intends to extend the life of the TID, the number of months it intends to do so, and how it intends to improve housing stock. 3. The city or village notifies DOR. Under the bill, a housing stock improvement extension may not be exercised with regard to TID Number 9 in the village of DeForest. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SJR45 Proclaiming May 2025 and May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Months. Relating to: proclaiming May 2025 and May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Months. In Committee
SB250 Prohibiting abandonment of a boat and providing a penalty. This bill prohibits a person from abandoning a boat on the waters of this state or upon adjacent riparian land. XAbandonY is defined to mean 1) leaving a boat unattended, without demonstrated intent to return to or moor or maintain the boat, for a period of more than seven consecutive days, or 2) leaving a boat that is partially submerged, in a state of disrepair, or otherwise neglected such that the boat presents a hazard to navigation, public safety, or environmental health and the owner has failed to take reasonable actions to remove or maintain the boat. Under the bill, if a law enforcement officer determines that a boat has been abandoned, the officer must notify the owner, who must remove the boat within 30 days. If the boat remains abandoned after that period, the owner is subject to imprisonment for up to nine months and a fine of up to $10,000, or both. In addition, the Department of Natural Resources shall require the person to obtain a certificate of satisfactory completion of a safety course before operating a boat. In Committee
SJR46 Honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. In Committee
SB248 License eligibility and restriction extensions relating to ignition interlock devices. Under current law, if a person is convicted of a second or subsequent offense related to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant or other drug, with a prohibited alcohol concentration, or with a measurable amount of a controlled substance in their blood (OWI offense), a court must order the person[s operating privilege restricted to operating vehicles that are equipped with an ignition interlock device (IID). The restriction begins on the date of the IID order and lasts for at least one year, but no longer than the maximum operating privilege revocation period authorized for the refusal or violation. Under the bill, the restriction of a person[s operating privilege under an IID order must be extended by 180 days for each occurrence of any of the following events detected by an IID: 1) three or more violations within a 60-day period, 2) tampering with or attempting to circumvent the IID, or 3) removing the IID authorization. Under current law, a person whose operating privilege is administratively revoked for a first offense of refusing a test may apply for an occupational license after 30 days. The bill eliminates the 30-day waiting period and provides that a CORRECTED COPY LRB-1013/1 ZDW:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 248 person may apply for an occupational license upon installation of an IID on any motor vehicle that the person operates. Under current law, when a person is convicted of an OWI offense, the convicting court orders the person[s operating privilege be revoked. The length of time for a court-ordered revocation increases with each subsequent OWI offense, as does the waiting period before the person may apply for an occupational license. In general, a person with prior OWI offenses may apply after 45 days. The bill eliminates the 45-day waiting period and provides that a person may apply for an occupational license upon installation of an IID on each motor vehicle that the person operates. In Committee
AB249 Prohibiting abandonment of a boat and providing a penalty. This bill prohibits a person from abandoning a boat on the waters of this state or upon adjacent riparian land. XAbandonY is defined to mean 1) leaving a boat unattended, without demonstrated intent to return to or moor or maintain the boat, for a period of more than seven consecutive days, or 2) leaving a boat that is partially submerged, in a state of disrepair, or otherwise neglected such that the boat presents a hazard to navigation, public safety, or environmental health and the owner has failed to take reasonable actions to remove or maintain the boat. Under the bill, if a law enforcement officer determines that a boat has been abandoned, the officer must notify the owner, who must remove the boat within 30 days. If the boat remains abandoned after that period, the owner is subject to imprisonment for up to nine months and a fine of up to $10,000, or both. In addition, the Department of Natural Resources shall require the person to obtain a certificate of satisfactory completion of a safety course before operating a boat. In Committee
SB159 Requirements for lighting on police vehicles. Current law provides that a police vehicle may be equipped with flashing, oscillating, or rotating blue and red lights. On a marked police vehicle, the blue light must be mounted on the passenger side of the vehicle and the red light must be mounted on the driver side of the vehicle. This bill provides that, on a marked police vehicle with an exterior light bar, the blue light must be mounted on the roof of the passenger side of the vehicle and the red light must be mounted on the roof of the driver side of the vehicle. For lights mounted inside the vehicle, blue lights must be displayed on the interior of the passenger side of the vehicle and red lights must be displayed on the interior of the driver side of the vehicle. The bill also authorizes the use of a combination of blue and red lights mounted on the front, sides, or rear of a police vehicle if the vehicle is already equipped with roof or interior lights as required by the bill. In Committee
SB115 Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE) This bill requires the Department of Justice to collect from the director of state courts all of the following information for each criminal case: 1) the county in which the case was filed; 2) the name of the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case; 3) the name of the court official assigned to the case; 4) the criminal charge filed; 5) the charging recommendation from the referring law enforcement agency, if applicable; 6) for each case, whether the court released the defendant without bail, upon the execution of an unsecured appearance bond, upon the execution of an appearance bond with sufficient solvent sureties, or upon the deposit of cash in lieu of sureties, or denied release, and the name of the court official who made the decision; 7) for each case for which a court required the execution of an appearance bond with sufficient solvent sureties, the monetary amount of the bond and the name of the court official who made the decision; 8) for each case for which a court required the deposit of cash in lieu of sureties, the monetary amount of cash required and the name of the court official who made the decision; 9) any other conditions of release imposed on the defendant and the name of the court official who made the decision; 10) whether any plea bargain was offered in the case; 11) LRB-2244/1 MJW:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 115 whether a deferred prosecution agreement was offered in the case; 12) whether any charge relating to the case was dismissed; and 13) whether the case resulted in a conviction. Under the bill, DOJ must annually report the information collected to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees, and must maintain a database on its website that contains the information in a searchable format, for a period of 10 years after a criminal charge is filed. Under the bill, DOJ must ensure that the information provided in the database does not contain a criminal defendant[s personally identifying information. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB105 Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE) Under current law, certain persons who receive a retirement or disability annuity from the Wisconsin Retirement System and who are hired by an employer that participates in the WRS must suspend that annuity and may not receive a WRS annuity payment until the employee is no longer in a WRS-covered position. This suspension applies to a person who 1) has reached his or her normal retirement date; 2) is appointed to a position with a WRS-participating employer or provides employee services to a WRS-participating employer; and 3) is expected to work at least two-thirds of what is considered full-time employment by the Department of Employee Trust Funds. This bill creates an exception to this suspension for an annuitant who retired from employment with a participating employer and who is subsequently rehired or provides employee services after retirement if 1) at the time the annuitant initially retires from covered employment with a participating employer, the annuitant does not have an agreement with any participating employer to return to employment; 2) LRB-2167/1 MIM:klm&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 105 the annuitant elects to not become a participating employee at the time the annuitant is rehired or enters into a contract after retirement; and 3) either the annuitant retired as a protective occupation participant or the annuitant retired as a county jailer who was not a protective occupation participant under the WRS. Under current law, a county jailer has the opportunity to opt out of becoming a protective occupation participant under the WRS. The bill treats county jailers who opt out of becoming a protective occupation participant in the same manner as county jailers who are protective occupation participants. Because this bill relates to public employee retirement or pensions, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB88 Civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty. This bill makes it a Class I felony to urge, promote, organize, encourage, or instigate others to commit a riot and a Class H felony to intentionally commit an act of violence while participating in a riot. The bill defines a XriotY as a public disturbance that involves an act of violence, as part of an assembly of at least three persons, that constitutes a clear and present danger of property damage or personal injury or a threat of an act of violence, as part of an assembly of at least three persons having the ability of immediate execution of the threat, if the threatened action constitutes a clear and present danger of property damage or personal injury. The bill establishes a civil cause of action for any person who suffers injury or loss to person or property as a result of conduct that violates the criminal prohibitions on vandalism or participation in a riot. The bill allows a person to bring a civil action against a person who committed the violation and against any person or organization that provided material support or resources with the intent that such support or resources would be used to perpetrate the offense. The person bringing the action may obtain an order requiring the offender to fix or repair the damage caused to the person[s property if certain requirements set forth in the bill are met. The bill also prohibits any government official with authority over any law enforcement agency or law enforcement officers from limiting or restricting the authority of the agency to have its officers, or certain officers, arrest or detain individuals involved in a riot or vandalism activity or take action to quell a riot or vandalism activity. The bill also prohibits any government official with authority over any law enforcement agency from limiting or restricting the authority of law enforcement officers, or certain designated law enforcement officers, to arrest or detain individuals involved in a riot or vandalism activity or to take action to quell a riot or vandalism activity. Finally, the bill provides that no government official, law enforcement agency, or law enforcement officer may discharge, demote, reassign, or take any punitive action against any employee because the employee made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in any investigation, proceeding, or hearing regarding a violation of the prohibitions on government officials set forth in the bill. 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
AB64 An income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE) Currently, an elementary or secondary school teacher may claim a deduction on the individual[s federal income tax return for certain eligible expenses paid by the individual during the taxable year, not exceeding $300. Eligible expenses include amounts paid to participate in professional development courses and amounts paid for books and other classroom supplies. This bill allows an elementary or secondary school teacher to claim a similar deduction for state income tax purposes for eligible expenses, not exceeding $300, paid by the teacher during the taxable year. The eligible expenses are the same as those described under federal law. Finally, the taxpayer may claim the deduction for state income tax purposes regardless of whether the taxpayer claims the deduction for federal income tax purposes. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB229 The law enforcement officers’ bill of rights. Current law contains a law enforcement officers[ bill of rights that protects certain law enforcement officers[ rights relating to their engagement or lack of engagement in political activity, the manner in which they may be subject to interrogation, and their candidacy for public office and provides that a law enforcement officer may not be discharged; disciplined; demoted or denied promotion, transfer, or reassignment; or otherwise discriminated against in regard to employment for exercising such rights. Under current law, this bill of rights applies only to law enforcement officers employed by a city, village, town, or county. This bill applies the law enforcement officers[ bill of rights to any person employed by the state or by a city, village, town, or county for the purpose of detecting and preventing crime and enforcing laws or ordinances, who is authorized to make arrests for violations of the laws or ordinances that he or she is employed to enforce. In Committee
AJR44 Honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Frederick P. Kessler. In Committee
SB138 Prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE) Under current law, the court must impose certain surcharges on a defendant who has been found guilty of a criminal offense. The surcharges are in addition to any applicable fines, costs, and fees. For instance, the court must impose a crime victim and witness assistance surcharge in an amount of $67 for each conviction of a misdemeanor count and in an amount of $92 for each conviction of a felony count. The surcharge amounts collected reimburse counties for services provided to victims and witnesses of crimes. This bill creates a $5,000 surcharge to be imposed on persons who are convicted of patronizing or soliciting prostitutes, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution, soliciting a child for prostitution, or patronizing a child. Under the bill, the surcharge amounts collected are used for treatment and services for sex- trafficking victims and for criminal investigative operations and law enforcement relating to Internet crimes against children. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2013/1 CMH:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 138 In Committee
SB69 An income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE) Currently, an elementary or secondary school teacher may claim a deduction on the individual[s federal income tax return for certain eligible expenses paid by the individual during the taxable year, not exceeding $300. Eligible expenses include amounts paid to participate in professional development courses and amounts paid for books and other classroom supplies. This bill allows an elementary or secondary school teacher to claim a similar deduction for state income tax purposes for eligible expenses, not exceeding $300, paid by the teacher during the taxable year. The eligible expenses are the same as those described under federal law. Finally, the taxpayer may claim the deduction for state income tax purposes regardless of whether the taxpayer claims the deduction for federal income tax purposes. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-1216/1 JK:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 69 In Committee
AB84 Prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE) Under current law, the court must impose certain surcharges on a defendant who has been found guilty of a criminal offense. The surcharges are in addition to any applicable fines, costs, and fees. For instance, the court must impose a crime victim and witness assistance surcharge in an amount of $67 for each conviction of a misdemeanor count and in an amount of $92 for each conviction of a felony count. The surcharge amounts collected reimburse counties for services provided to victims and witnesses of crimes. This bill creates a $5,000 surcharge to be imposed on persons who are convicted of patronizing or soliciting prostitutes, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution, soliciting a child for prostitution, or patronizing a child. Under the bill, the surcharge amounts collected are used for treatment and services for sex- trafficking victims and for criminal investigative operations and law enforcement relating to Internet crimes against children. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AJR23 Designating April 2025 and April 2026 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Months. Relating to: designating April 2025 and April 2026 as Parkinson[s Disease Awareness Months. In Committee
SB227 The law enforcement officers’ bill of rights. Current law contains a law enforcement officers[ bill of rights that protects certain law enforcement officers[ rights relating to their engagement or lack of engagement in political activity, the manner in which they may be subject to interrogation, and their candidacy for public office and provides that a law enforcement officer may not be discharged; disciplined; demoted or denied promotion, transfer, or reassignment; or otherwise discriminated against in regard to employment for exercising such rights. Under current law, this bill of rights applies only to law enforcement officers employed by a city, village, town, or county. This bill applies the law enforcement officers[ bill of rights to any person employed by the state or by a city, village, town, or county for the purpose of detecting and preventing crime and enforcing laws or ordinances, who is authorized to make arrests for violations of the laws or ordinances that he or she is employed to enforce. In Committee
AB200 Applying the motor vehicle fuel tax supplier’s administrative allowance to diesel fuel, a motor vehicle fuel tax refund for evaporation losses, and making an appropriation. (FE) Administrative allowance of the motor vehicle fuel tax Current law allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain as an administrative allowance 1.35 percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of gasoline in this state. This bill allows a motor vehicle fuel supplier to retain the same administrative allowance for the motor vehicle fuel tax the supplier collects on the first sale of diesel fuel in this state. Retailer refund for motor vehicle fuel evaporation The bill allows a retailer who sells gasoline, diesel fuel, or both (motor vehicle fuel) in this state to claim a refund equal to 0.5 percent of the state motor vehicle fuel tax paid on the retailer[s purchase of the motor vehicle fuel to compensate for motor vehicle fuel stored on site that is lost by shrinkage or evaporation. A claim for a refund under the bill must be made to the Department of Revenue no later than 12 months after the date on which the retailer purchased the motor vehicle fuel and must be accompanied with invoices prepared by the motor vehicle fuel supplier or a list of purchases prepared by the retailer. Prior to 2019, the state provided such refunds to compensate gasoline retailers for shrinkage and evaporation losses. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB220 Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions. Under current law, any person may circulate nomination papers for a candidate if the person is eligible to vote in Wisconsin or is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state. A person is eligible to vote in Wisconsin if he or she is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who has resided in an election district in this state for at least 28 consecutive days. Under this bill, a person must be eligible to vote in Wisconsin in order to circulate nomination papers for a candidate. However, under the bill, nomination papers and petitions for the candidacy of candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States may continue to be circulated by any person eligible to vote in Wisconsin or by any U.S. citizen aged 18 or older who, if he or she were a Wisconsin resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state. Similarly, under current law, any person who is eligible to vote in Wisconsin or who is a U.S. citizen aged 18 or older and who, if he or she were a Wisconsin LRB-2251/1 MPG:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 220 resident, would not be disqualified from voting in the state may circulate a recall petition. Under the bill, a person must be eligible to vote in Wisconsin in order to circulate a recall petition and have the signatures on the petition be counted toward a recall. In Committee
SJR29 Designating April 2025 and April 2026 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Months. Relating to: designating April 2025 and April 2026 as Parkinson[s Disease Awareness Months. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
SJR28 Reaffirming Wisconsin’s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin’s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan’s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile. Relating to: reaffirming Wisconsin[s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin[s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan[s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan[s international profile. Signed/Enacted/Adopted
AB203 Limiting liability relating to traffic control devices for manufacturers and others. This bill provides that the manufacturer, distributor, seller, installer, or owner of a traffic control device is not liable for damages arising from the design, manufacture, distribution, or installation of a traffic control device, if the device complies with specifications established in the traffic control devices manual adopted by the Department of Transportation and and operates as intended. Under the bill, the manufacturer, distributor, seller, installer, and owner enjoy a rebuttable presumption that the traffic control device complied with the traffic control devices manual if the manufacturer, distributor, seller, installer, or owner can demonstrate that the device was designed, manufactured, distributed, and installed in accordance with the applicable standards and guidelines and that any deviations from the specifications were expressly authorized in writing by DOT or the appropriate local authorities. Under the bill, the limitation of liability applies to any claim for personal injury, property damage, or other loss arising out of the use of a traffic control device, including claims of negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty. The limitation of liability does not apply if the claimant establishes that the traffic control device to which the damages are attributable did not, at the time that the damages occurred, comply with the specifications established in the traffic control devices manual or operate as intended. In Committee
SB206 Voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and the application of the Wisconsin Consumer Act to leases. (FE) Under current law, a residential lease is void and unenforceable if it contains certain provisions (voidable provisions). Examples of voidable provisions include provisions that: 1) allow landlords to refuse to renew a lease because a tenant has contacted an entity for law enforcement, health, or safety services; 2) waive a landlord[s obligation to mitigate damages; 3) impose liability on a tenant for personal injury arising from causes clearly beyond the tenant[s control, and; 4) allow landlords to terminate a tenancy for a crime committed in relation to the rental property when the tenant[s lease did not include a statutorily required notice of domestic abuse protections. This bill provides that if court of competent jurisdiction finds that a residential lease includes a voidable provision, a tenant may elect to: 1) void the lease and have their tenancy converted into a periodic tenancy, or; 2) sever the voidable provision from their lease and continue under the remainder of the lease. In addition, in April 2024, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals published a decision, Koble Invs. v Marquardt, 2024 WI App 26, regarding certain landlord and CORRECTED COPY LRB-2555/1 JAM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 206 tenant matters. As of February 28, 2025, the case was on appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, with parties[ first briefings due to the court in March 2025. Among the holdings in Koble, the court of appeals determined that a particular landlord was acting as a Xdebt collectorY and that landlord[s tenant was a XcustomerY as those terms are defined under Wisconsin Consumer Act. The court of appeals also held that because the landlord violated a provision of the Wisconsin Consumer Act, the tenant[s attorney was entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs. Under this bill, the Wisconsin Consumer Act does not apply to residential leases or mobile home leases. In the same case, the court of appeals held that the tenant[s lease was void and unenforceable under landlord and tenant law, and that, under another law enforcing fair methods of competition, the tenant could recover twice the amount of the tenant[s pecuniary loss, together with reasonable attorney fees and court costs. The bill provides that under landlord and tenant law, a person injured by a voidable provision can recover twice the amount of the pecuniary loss, together with reasonable attorney fees and court costs, and provides that such pecuniary loss does not include any rent paid by the tenant. The bill also limits the remedies a person may seek when a rental agreement includes a voidable provision to only those remedies provided in the bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AJR24 Reaffirming Wisconsin’s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin’s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan’s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile. Relating to: reaffirming Wisconsin[s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan; reaffirming Wisconsin[s support for the Taiwan Relations Act; supporting Taiwan[s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States; and continuing support for increasing Taiwan[s international profile. In Committee
SB209 Limiting liability relating to traffic control devices for manufacturers and others. This bill provides that the manufacturer, distributor, seller, installer, or owner of a traffic control device is not liable for damages arising from the design, manufacture, distribution, or installation of a traffic control device, if the device complies with specifications established in the traffic control devices manual adopted by the Department of Transportation and and operates as intended. Under the bill, the manufacturer, distributor, seller, installer, and owner enjoy a rebuttable presumption that the traffic control device complied with the traffic control devices manual if the manufacturer, distributor, seller, installer, or owner can demonstrate that the device was designed, manufactured, distributed, and installed in accordance with the applicable standards and guidelines and that any deviations from the specifications were expressly authorized in writing by DOT or the appropriate local authorities. Under the bill, the limitation of liability applies to any claim for personal injury, property damage, or other loss arising out of the use of a traffic control device, including claims of negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty. The limitation of liability does not apply if the claimant establishes that the traffic control device to which the damages are attributable did not, at the time that the LRB-2085/1 ZDW:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 209 damages occurred, comply with the specifications established in the traffic control devices manual or operate as intended. In Committee
SB34 Withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE) Current law provides that any person seeking an elective office who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline nomination. The person[s name must appear on the ballot except in the case of death. Under this bill, a person who files nomination papers with the Elections Commission for an office to be filled at the general election nevertheless does not qualify to appear on the ballot at the partisan primary or general election, and the person[s name is prohibited from appearing on the ballot, if before the last day provided in current law for the Elections Commission to certify candidates[ names to the counties for the partisan primary or general election, the person files a sworn statement with the commission attesting that the person withdraws his or her candidacy. Under current law, independent candidates for president and vice president and candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the state senate and assembly, governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and district attorney file such nomination papers with the commission. The bill includes all of those offices except district attorney. The bill also requires the Elections Commission to establish and implement a process by LRB-1342/1 MPG:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 34 which the commission verifies the authenticity of such sworn statements filed with the commission. The bill additionally requires that a person withdrawing his or her candidacy for for national or statewide office pay a fee of $1,000 to the Elections Commission. A person withdrawing his or her candidacy for an office that is not elected statewide must pay a fee of $250 to the commission. Under the bill, a person who intentionally makes or files a false statement withdrawing a person[s candidacy is guilty of a Class G felony, the penalty for which is a fine not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 10 years, or both. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB39 Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. Under this bill, state agencies must require employees to perform their work in person at state agency offices during the employee[s regularly scheduled work hours, beginning July 1, 2025. The bill exempts telehealth services and duties that were performed off site before March 1, 2020. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB65 Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE) Under current law, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance authorizing law enforcement officers to impound vehicles used in reckless driving offenses if the person cited for reckless driving is the owner of the vehicle and the person has a prior reckless driving conviction for which a forfeiture was imposed that has not been fully paid. Under this bill, such an ordinance may authorize the impoundment of any vehicle used in a reckless driving offense regardless of ownership of the vehicle or prior record of the operator. The bill also provides that a local ordinance may authorize impounding such a vehicle until outstanding fines and forfeitures owed by the vehicle[s owner are fully paid. Also under the bill, upon impounding a vehicle under such an ordinance, the law enforcement officer must attempt to determine if the vehicle has been reported as stolen, and if so, the officer or the impounding political subdivision must attempt to contact the owner. If the vehicle is reported as stolen, the vehicle must be released to the owner without the payment of a fee or charge. LRB-2000/1 EVM:emw&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 65 For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB78 Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE) Under current law, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance authorizing law enforcement officers to impound vehicles used in reckless driving offenses if the person cited for reckless driving is the owner of the vehicle and the person has a prior reckless driving conviction for which a forfeiture was imposed that has not been fully paid. Under this bill, such an ordinance may authorize the impoundment of any vehicle used in a reckless driving offense regardless of ownership of the vehicle or prior record of the operator. The bill also provides that a local ordinance may authorize impounding such a vehicle until outstanding fines and forfeitures owed by the vehicle[s owner are fully paid. Also under the bill, upon impounding a vehicle under such an ordinance, the law enforcement officer must attempt to determine if the vehicle has been reported as stolen, and if so, the officer or the impounding political subdivision must attempt to contact the owner. If the vehicle is reported as stolen, the vehicle must be released to the owner without the payment of a fee or charge. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB179 Requirements for lighting on police vehicles. Current law provides that a police vehicle may be equipped with flashing, oscillating, or rotating blue and red lights. On a marked police vehicle, the blue light must be mounted on the passenger side of the vehicle and the red light must be mounted on the driver side of the vehicle. This bill provides that, on a marked police vehicle with an exterior light bar, the blue light must be mounted on the roof of the passenger side of the vehicle and the red light must be mounted on the roof of the driver side of the vehicle. For lights mounted inside the vehicle, blue lights must be displayed on the interior of the passenger side of the vehicle and red lights must be displayed on the interior of the driver side of the vehicle. The bill also authorizes the use of a combination of blue and red lights mounted on the front, sides, or rear of a police vehicle if the vehicle is already equipped with roof or interior lights as required by the bill. In Committee
SB6 Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses. Under this bill, in addition to the penalties available under current law for the following offenses, the vehicle used in the offense may be immediately impounded and remain impounded for 90 days or, for a violation occurring on a highway under the jurisdiction of a political subdivision, a shorter period established by the political subdivision: 1. Operating a vehicle without a license, with certain exceptions, or with a revoked operating privilege. 2. Speeding at a rate higher than 25 miles per hour above the speed limit. 3. Fleeing from a law enforcement officer. 4. Racing on a highway. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
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
AB1 Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction is required to annually publish a school and school district accountability report, commonly known as school and school district report cards, for the previous school year. To measure school performance and school district improvement for purposes of the report cards, particularly measures related to pupil achievement in reading and math, DPI uses data derived from pupil performance on assessments administered in the previous school year, including assessments commonly referred to as the Wisconsin Student Assessment System, which includes the Wisconsin Forward Exam, PreACT, the ACT with Writing, and Dynamic Learning Maps. Under the bill, beginning with report cards published for the school year in which the bill becomes law, for the index system to identify school and school district performance and improvement, also known as the accountability rating categories, DPI must use the same cut scores, score ranges, and corresponding qualitative descriptions that DPI used for report cards published in the 2019-20 school year. In addition, beginning with the WSAS administered in the school year in which the bill becomes law, DPI must do the following: 1. For the Wisconsin Forward exam in English Language Arts and Mathematics, align cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories to the cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. 2. For the PreACT and ACT with Writing in English, Reading, and Mathematics, use the same cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories that DPI used for the same assessments administered in the 2021-22 school year. The bill specifically requires DPI to use the terms “below basic,” “basic,” “proficient,” and “advanced” for pupil performance categories on these assessments. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Vetoed
SB51 Flags flown at state and local government buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule. This bill prohibits any flag other than the U.S. flag, the state flag, the official POW/MIA flag recognized by Congress, and the official flags of each branch of the U.S. armed forces from being flown, hung, or displayed from any flagpole or building, structure, or facility, including the state capitol, that is owned or occupied entirely by a state agency or authority or by a city, village, town, or county. However, the bill authorizes the legislature to make exceptions for state flagpoles and facilities by joint resolution adopted by a three-fourths majority vote of all members elected to each house. Similarly, a city, village, town, or county may make exceptions for its flagpoles and facilities by a three-fourths majority vote of all members elected to its governing body. The bill also repeals an administrative rule that includes requirements similar to those of the bill but that authorizes the governor to make exceptions. The bill delays its requirements for state flagpoles and facilities until January 1, 2027. LRB-1545/1 MPG:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 51 In Committee
AB46 Flags flown at state and local government buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule. This bill prohibits any flag other than the U.S. flag, the state flag, the official POW/MIA flag recognized by Congress, and the official flags of each branch of the U.S. armed forces from being flown, hung, or displayed from any flagpole or building, structure, or facility, including the state capitol, that is owned or occupied entirely by a state agency or authority or by a city, village, town, or county. However, the bill authorizes the legislature to make exceptions for state flagpoles and facilities by joint resolution adopted by a three-fourths majority vote of all members elected to each house. Similarly, a city, village, town, or county may make exceptions for its flagpoles and facilities by a three-fourths majority vote of all members elected to its governing body. The bill also repeals an administrative rule that includes requirements similar to those of the bill but that authorizes the governor to make exceptions. The bill delays its requirements for state flagpoles and facilities until January 1, 2027. In Committee
SB27 Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. (FE) Under this bill, state agencies must require employees to perform their work in person at state agency offices during the employee[s regularly scheduled work hours, beginning July 1, 2025. The bill exempts telehealth services and duties that were performed off site before March 1, 2020. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB100 The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE) Current law requires, beginning January 1, 2024, the school board of a first class city school district (currently only Milwaukee Public Schools) to ensure that at least 25 school resource officers are present at schools within the school district (SRO requirement). Under current law, a Xschool resource officerY is a law enforcement officer who is deployed in community-oriented policing and assigned by the law enforcement agency that employs him or her to work in a full-time capacity in collaboration with a school district. Current law also requires MPS and the City of Milwaukee to agree on how to apportion the costs of meeting the SRO requirement between the two entities. On October 8, 2024, a complaint was filed in Milwaukee County that alleged MPS is failing to comply with the SRO requirement and asked for a writ of mandamus to require compliance. On January 23, 2025, a Milwaukee County judge ordered MPS to comply with the SRO requirement on or before February 17, 2025. On February 17, 2025, the same Milwaukee County judge gave MPS an additional 10 days to comply with the January 23, 2025 order. LRB-1376/1 FFK&KP:emw&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 100 This bill requires MPS and the City of Milwaukee to apportion 75 percent of the costs of complying with the SRO requirement to MPS and 25 percent to the City of Milwaukee. The bill further requires that by no later than 30 days after the bill becomes law 1) MPS and the City of Milwaukee must enter into an agreement on how they will implement compliance with the SRO requirement and 2) MPS and the City of Milwaukee must jointly certify to the Joint Committee on Finance that at least 25 school resource officers are present in MPS schools. Under the bill, a similar certification process is required if the initial agreement between MPS and the City of Milwaukee is terminated. First, MPS and the City of Milwaukee must enter into an agreement on how they will implement compliance with the SRO requirement within 30 days of the termination of the agreement. Second, by no later than 30 days after entering into the agreement, the City of Milwaukee must certify to JCF that at least 25 law enforcement officers are trained and available to be placed in MPS schools. Lastly, by no later than 30 days after the certification is made to JCF, MPS must certify to JCF that at least 25 school resource officers are present in MPS schools. The bill also creates financial consequences for both the City of Milwaukee and MPS if these requirements are not met. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Administration to withhold 10 percent of the supplemental county and municipal aid to the City of Milwaukee if evidence is not provided of an agreement between the city and MPS or if the City of Milwaukee fails to certify to JCF, by no later than 30 days after the bill becomes law, that at least 25 school resource officers are present in MPS schools and, if a new agreement is entered into in the future, that 25 law enforcement officers are trained and available to be placed in MPS schools. Similarly, the bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to withhold 20 percent of the per pupil categorical aid payment owed to MPS if evidence is not provided of an agreement between the City of Milwaukee and MPS or if MPS fails to certify to JCF by no later than 30 days after the bill becomes law and, if required in the future due to a new agreement, that at least 25 school resource officers are present in MPS schools. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB102 Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants. This bill requires each University of Wisconsin institution and technical college that operates or sponsors an intercollegiate or club athletic team or sport to designate the athletic team or sport as one of the following based on the sex of the participating students: 1) males or men; or 2) females or women. The bill defines XsexY as the sex determined by a physician at birth and reflected on the birth certificate. The bill also requires a UW institution or technical college to prohibit 1) a male student from participating on an athletic team or in a sport designated for females, and 2) a male student from using locker rooms designated for females. Crossed Over
AB100 Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants. This bill requires each school board, independent charter school, and private school participating in a parental choice program (educational institution) that operates or sponsors an interscholastic, intramural, or club athletic team or sport to designate the athletic team or sport based on the sex of the participating pupils. The bill defines XsexY as the sex determined at birth by a physician and reflected on the birth certificate. The bill also requires an educational institution to prohibit a male pupil from 1) participating on an athletic team or in an athletic sport designated for females and 2) using a locker room designated for females. Finally, the bill requires the educational institution to notify pupils and parents if an educational institution intends to change a designation for an athletic team or sport. CORRECTED COPY Crossed Over
AB105 The distribution of certain material on the Internet. This bill prohibits business entities from knowingly and intentionally publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the Internet on a website that contains a substantial portion of such material, unless the business entity performs a reasonable age verification method to verify the age of individuals attempting to access the website. XMaterial harmful to minorsY is defined in the bill to include material 1) that is designed to appeal to prurient interests, 2) that principally consists of descriptions or depictions of actual or simulated sexual acts or body parts including pubic areas, genitals, buttocks, and female nipples, and 3) that lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors. In the bill, a Xreasonable age verification methodY includes various methods whereby the business entity may verify that an individual seeking to access the material is not a minor. Under the bill, persons that perform reasonable age verification methods may not knowingly retain identifying information of the individual attempting to access the website after the individual[s access has been granted or denied. The bill also requires a business entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on the Internet from a website that contains a substantial portion of such material to prevent persons from accessing the website from an internet protocol address or internet protocol address range that is linked to or known to be a virtual private network system or provider. In addition, this bill prohibits business entities from knowingly and intentionally publishing or distributing obscene material or an obscene depiction of a purported child on the Internet. XObscene materialY is defined to mean a writing, picture, film, or other recording that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to the prurient interest if taken as a whole, describes or shows sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value if taken as a whole. XObscene depiction of a purported childY is defined to mean a visual representation that appears to depict an actual child in the form of a photograph, film, motion picture, or digital or computer-generated image or picture, that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to prurient interests if taken as a whole, describes or shows sexually explicit conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value if taken as a whole. A person that violates the provisions of the bill may be subject to civil liability for damages and the payment of court costs and reasonable attorney fees. Sovereign immunity may not be raised as an affirmative defense to a civil action brought alleging a violation of a provision of the bill. Crossed Over
SB130 The distribution of certain material on the Internet. This bill prohibits business entities from knowingly and intentionally publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the Internet on a website that contains a substantial portion of such material, unless the business entity performs a reasonable age verification method to verify the age of individuals attempting to access the website. XMaterial harmful to minorsY is defined in the bill to include material 1) that is designed to appeal to prurient interests, 2) that principally consists of descriptions or depictions of actual or simulated sexual acts or body parts including pubic areas, genitals, buttocks, and female nipples, and 3) that lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors. In the bill, a Xreasonable age verification methodY includes various methods whereby the business entity may verify that an individual seeking to access the material is not a minor. Under the bill, persons that perform reasonable age verification methods may not knowingly retain identifying information of the individual attempting to access the website after the individual[s access has been granted or denied. The bill also requires a business entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on the Internet from a website that contains a substantial portion of such material to prevent persons from accessing the LRB-2322/1 JAM:... 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 130 website from an internet protocol address or internet protocol address range that is linked to or known to be a virtual private network system or provider. In addition, this bill prohibits business entities from knowingly and intentionally publishing or distributing obscene material or an obscene depiction of a purported child on the Internet. XObscene materialY is defined to mean a writing, picture, film, or other recording that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to the prurient interest if taken as a whole, describes or shows sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value if taken as a whole. XObscene depiction of a purported childY is defined to mean a visual representation that appears to depict an actual child in the form of a photograph, film, motion picture, or digital or computer-generated image or picture, that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to prurient interests if taken as a whole, describes or shows sexually explicit conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational, or scientific value if taken as a whole. A person that violates the provisions of the bill may be subject to civil liability for damages and the payment of court costs and reasonable attorney fees. Sovereign immunity may not be raised as an affirmative defense to a civil action brought alleging a violation of a provision of the bill. In Committee
AB91 The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE) Current law requires, beginning January 1, 2024, the school board of a first class city school district (currently only Milwaukee Public Schools) to ensure that at least 25 school resource officers are present at schools within the school district (SRO requirement). Under current law, a Xschool resource officerY is a law enforcement officer who is deployed in community-oriented policing and assigned by the law enforcement agency that employs him or her to work in a full-time capacity in collaboration with a school district. Current law also requires MPS and the City of Milwaukee to agree on how to apportion the costs of meeting the SRO requirement between the two entities. On October 8, 2024, a complaint was filed in Milwaukee County that alleged MPS is failing to comply with the SRO requirement and asked for a writ of mandamus to require compliance. On January 23, 2025, a Milwaukee County judge ordered MPS to comply with the SRO requirement on or before February 17, 2025. On February 17, 2025, the same Milwaukee County judge gave MPS an additional 10 days to comply with the January 23, 2025 order. This bill requires MPS and the City of Milwaukee to apportion 75 percent of the costs of complying with the SRO requirement to MPS and 25 percent to the City of Milwaukee. The bill further requires that by no later than 30 days after the bill becomes law 1) MPS and the City of Milwaukee must enter into an agreement on how they will implement compliance with the SRO requirement and 2) MPS and the City of Milwaukee must jointly certify to the Joint Committee on Finance that at least 25 school resource officers are present in MPS schools. Under the bill, a similar certification process is required if the initial agreement between MPS and the City of Milwaukee is terminated. First, MPS and the City of Milwaukee must enter into an agreement on how they will implement compliance with the SRO requirement within 30 days of the termination of the agreement. Second, by no later than 30 days after entering into the agreement, the City of Milwaukee must certify to JCF that at least 25 law enforcement officers are trained and available to be placed in MPS schools. Lastly, by no later than 30 days after the certification is made to JCF, MPS must certify to JCF that at least 25 school resource officers are present in MPS schools. The bill also creates financial consequences for both the City of Milwaukee and MPS if these requirements are not met. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Administration to withhold 10 percent of the supplemental county and municipal aid to the City of Milwaukee if evidence is not provided of an agreement between the city and MPS or if the City of Milwaukee fails to certify to JCF, by no later than 30 days after the bill becomes law, that at least 25 school resource officers are present in MPS schools and, if a new agreement is entered into in the future, that 25 law enforcement officers are trained and available to be placed in MPS schools. Similarly, the bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to withhold 20 percent of the per pupil categorical aid payment owed to MPS if evidence is not provided of an agreement between the City of Milwaukee and MPS or if MPS fails to certify to JCF by no later than 30 days after the bill becomes law and, if required in the future due to a new agreement, that at least 25 school resource officers are present in MPS schools. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
SB18 Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction is required to annually publish a school and school district accountability report, commonly known as school and school district report cards, for the previous school year. To measure school performance and school district improvement for purposes of the report cards, particularly measures related to pupil achievement in reading and math, DPI uses data derived from pupil performance on assessments administered in the previous school year, including assessments commonly referred to as the Wisconsin Student Assessment System, which includes the Wisconsin Forward Exam, PreACT, the ACT with Writing, and Dynamic Learning Maps. Under the bill, beginning with report cards published for the school year in which the bill becomes law, for the index system to identify school and school district performance and improvement, also known as the accountability rating categories, DPI must use the same cut scores, score ranges, and corresponding qualitative descriptions that DPI used for report cards published in the 2019-20 LRB-0976/4 FFK:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 18 school year. In addition, beginning with the WSAS administered in the school year in which the bill becomes law, DPI must do the following: 1. For the Wisconsin Forward exam in English Language Arts and Mathematics, align cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories to the cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. 2. For the PreACT and ACT with Writing in English, Reading, and Mathematics, use the same cut scores, score ranges, and pupil performance categories that DPI used for the same assessments administered in the 2021-22 school year. The bill specifically requires DPI to use the terms Xbelow basic,Y Xbasic,Y Xproficient,Y and XadvancedY for pupil performance categories on these assessments. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SB123 Investment securities under the Uniform Commercial Code. This bill makes changes to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), as adopted in this state, related to jurisdiction and creditor claims involving assets held in a customer[s brokerage account that are not held directly in the customer[s name, commonly referred to as securities held in Xstreet nameY in the customer[s account. Under current law, the UCC provides guiding rules for both creditor-debtor relationships involving a security interest in collateral and transactions that involve investment securities. These latter rules govern such matters as proper endorsement of securities being transferred, persons who have authority to make such transfers, and rights of creditors in these securities. These rules frequently distinguish between a security held directly by the owner and represented by a security certificate (certificated security), a security held directly by the owner and represented only by a book entry instead of a security certificate (uncertificated security), and a security not held directly by the owner but instead held directly by LRB-0061/1 ARG:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 123 a broker or bank in an aggregated account in which the owner[s interest is represented by a book entry (security entitlement). Under current law, a person generally acquires a security entitlement if 1) a securities broker-dealer, bank, or securities clearing corporation (securities intermediary) credits a financial asset (security), by book entry, to the person[s securities account; 2) the securities intermediary holds the security for the person; and 3) the security is not held in the person[s name or directly by the person. The person who acquires the security entitlement, as identified in the securities intermediary[s records, is the Xentitlement holder,Y and the security entitlement constitutes the rights and property interest in the security. In addition to holding securities for its customers, certain securities intermediaries, such as broker- dealers, may hold securities for their own account. Generally, under current law, the interests in a security held by a securities intermediary for entitlement holders are not property of the securities intermediary and are not subject to the claims of the securities intermediary[s creditors. The entitlement holders of the security have a prorated property interest in the aggregate holdings of the security. The securities intermediary has a duty to maintain the security in a quantity corresponding to the aggregate of all security entitlements it established for its entitlement holders and may not grant to any creditor a security interest in the security unless agreed to by an entitlement holder. With an exception (discussed below), if a securities intermediary does not have sufficient interests in a security to satisfy its obligations to entitlement holders and to its own creditors, the claims of the entitlement holders have priority over the claims of the creditors. Current law allows an entitlement holder and a securities intermediary to modify their relative rights and obligations. A securities intermediary and an entitlement holder may enter into a creditor-debtor relationship in which the securities intermediary takes a security interest in the security entitlement when the entitlement holder buys the security on credit through the securities intermediary. The security interest secures the obligation to pay for the security, and the entitlement holder may grant its interest in the securities entitlement to the securities intermediary, giving the securities intermediary control. Also, the rights and obligations of a clearing corporation and its participants may be governed by the clearing corporation[s rules, and a security interest may arise automatically during settlement of a transaction involving a certificated security. Current law specifies rules governing priority among conflicting security interests in a security, including that a secured party having control of a security has priority over a secured party that does not have control of the security. A security interest held by a securities intermediary in a security entitlement has priority over a conflicting security interest held by another secured party. If a securities intermediary[s creditor has control over a security held by the securities intermediary and the creditor has a security interest in the security, the creditor[s claim has priority over claims of the securities intermediary[s entitlement holders, LRB-0061/1 ARG:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 123 except that, if the securities intermediary is a clearing corporation, it need not have control over the security. This is an exception to the general rule that a securities intermediary[s entitlement holders have priority in claims to a security over the security intermediary[s creditors. The bill eliminates this exception, providing an entitlement holder with priority in claims to a security even if the entitlement holder has purchased the security on margin and provided the securities intermediary with a security interest in the security. Current law also specifies that the law of the securities intermediary[s jurisdiction (as described below) governs all of the following: 1) acquisition of a security entitlement from the securities intermediary; 2) the rights and duties of the securities intermediary and entitlement holder arising out of a security entitlement; 3) whether the securities intermediary owes any duty to an adverse claimant to a security entitlement; 4) whether an adverse claim can be asserted against a person who acquires a security entitlement from the securities intermediary or a person who purchases a security entitlement from an entitlement holder; and 5) perfection and priority of a security interest in a security entitlement. Specific principles dictate in which state a securities intermediary[s jurisdiction lies, including that an agreement between the securities intermediary and the entitlement holder on the subject will control or, in the absence of an agreement, the securities intermediary[s jurisdiction lies in the state of the office identified on the entitlement holder[s account statement. The bill eliminates all of these jurisdictional provisions and instead provides that the law of the entitlement holder[s jurisdiction governs. In Committee
AB133 Investment securities under the Uniform Commercial Code. This bill makes changes to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), as adopted in this state, related to jurisdiction and creditor claims involving assets held in a customer[s brokerage account that are not held directly in the customer[s name, commonly referred to as securities held in Xstreet nameY in the customer[s account. Under current law, the UCC provides guiding rules for both creditor-debtor relationships involving a security interest in collateral and transactions that involve investment securities. These latter rules govern such matters as proper endorsement of securities being transferred, persons who have authority to make such transfers, and rights of creditors in these securities. These rules frequently distinguish between a security held directly by the owner and represented by a security certificate (certificated security), a security held directly by the owner and represented only by a book entry instead of a security certificate (uncertificated security), and a security not held directly by the owner but instead held directly by a broker or bank in an aggregated account in which the owner[s interest is represented by a book entry (security entitlement). Under current law, a person generally acquires a security entitlement if 1) a securities broker-dealer, bank, or securities clearing corporation (securities intermediary) credits a financial asset (security), by book entry, to the person[s securities account; 2) the securities intermediary holds the security for the person; and 3) the security is not held in the person[s name or directly by the person. The person who acquires the security entitlement, as identified in the securities intermediary[s records, is the Xentitlement holder,Y and the security entitlement constitutes the rights and property interest in the security. In addition to holding securities for its customers, certain securities intermediaries, such as broker- dealers, may hold securities for their own account. Generally, under current law, the interests in a security held by a securities intermediary for entitlement holders are not property of the securities intermediary and are not subject to the claims of the securities intermediary[s creditors. The entitlement holders of the security have a prorated property interest in the aggregate holdings of the security. The securities intermediary has a duty to maintain the security in a quantity corresponding to the aggregate of all security entitlements it established for its entitlement holders and may not grant to any creditor a security interest in the security unless agreed to by an entitlement holder. With an exception (discussed below), if a securities intermediary does not have sufficient interests in a security to satisfy its obligations to entitlement holders and to its own creditors, the claims of the entitlement holders have priority over the claims of the creditors. Current law allows an entitlement holder and a securities intermediary to modify their relative rights and obligations. A securities intermediary and an entitlement holder may enter into a creditor-debtor relationship in which the securities intermediary takes a security interest in the security entitlement when the entitlement holder buys the security on credit through the securities intermediary. The security interest secures the obligation to pay for the security, and the entitlement holder may grant its interest in the securities entitlement to the securities intermediary, giving the securities intermediary control. Also, the rights and obligations of a clearing corporation and its participants may be governed by the clearing corporation[s rules, and a security interest may arise automatically during settlement of a transaction involving a certificated security. Current law specifies rules governing priority among conflicting security interests in a security, including that a secured party having control of a security has priority over a secured party that does not have control of the security. A security interest held by a securities intermediary in a security entitlement has priority over a conflicting security interest held by another secured party. If a securities intermediary[s creditor has control over a security held by the securities intermediary and the creditor has a security interest in the security, the creditor[s claim has priority over claims of the securities intermediary[s entitlement holders, except that, if the securities intermediary is a clearing corporation, it need not have control over the security. This is an exception to the general rule that a securities intermediary[s entitlement holders have priority in claims to a security over the security intermediary[s creditors. The bill eliminates this exception, providing an entitlement holder with priority in claims to a security even if the entitlement holder has purchased the security on margin and provided the securities intermediary with a security interest in the security. Current law also specifies that the law of the securities intermediary[s jurisdiction (as described below) governs all of the following: 1) acquisition of a security entitlement from the securities intermediary; 2) the rights and duties of the securities intermediary and entitlement holder arising out of a security entitlement; 3) whether the securities intermediary owes any duty to an adverse claimant to a security entitlement; 4) whether an adverse claim can be asserted against a person who acquires a security entitlement from the securities intermediary or a person who purchases a security entitlement from an entitlement holder; and 5) perfection and priority of a security interest in a security entitlement. Specific principles dictate in which state a securities intermediary[s jurisdiction lies, including that an agreement between the securities intermediary and the entitlement holder on the subject will control or, in the absence of an agreement, the securities intermediary[s jurisdiction lies in the state of the office identified on the entitlement holder[s account statement. The bill eliminates all of these jurisdictional provisions and instead provides that the law of the entitlement holder[s jurisdiction governs. In Committee
SB116 Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants. This bill requires each University of Wisconsin institution and technical college that operates or sponsors an intercollegiate or club athletic team or sport to designate the athletic team or sport as one of the following based on the sex of the participating students: 1) males or men; or 2) females or women. The bill defines XsexY as the sex determined by a physician at birth and reflected on the birth certificate. The bill also requires a UW institution or technical college to prohibit 1) a male student from participating on an athletic team or in a sport designated for females, and 2) a male student from using locker rooms designated for females. In Committee
SB117 Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants. This bill requires each school board, independent charter school, and private school participating in a parental choice program (educational institution) that operates or sponsors an interscholastic, intramural, or club athletic team or sport to designate the athletic team or sport based on the sex of the participating pupils. The bill defines XsexY as the sex determined at birth by a physician and reflected on the birth certificate. The bill also requires an educational institution to prohibit a male pupil from 1) participating on an athletic team or in an athletic sport designated for females and 2) using a locker room designated for females. Finally, the bill requires the educational institution to notify pupils and parents if an educational institution intends to change a designation for an athletic team or sport. CORRECTED COPY LRB-1553/2 FFK:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 117 In Committee
SJR13 Honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller. In Committee
AB29 Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses. Under this bill, in addition to the penalties available under current law for the following offenses, the vehicle used in the offense may be immediately impounded and remain impounded for 90 days or, for a violation occurring on a highway under the jurisdiction of a political subdivision, a shorter period established by the political subdivision: 1. Operating a vehicle without a license, with certain exceptions, or with a revoked operating privilege. 2. Speeding at a rate higher than 25 miles per hour above the speed limit. 3. Fleeing from a law enforcement officer. 4. Racing on a highway. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB83 Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. In Committee
SB75 Venue for actions in which there is a governmental party. This bill provides that when certain governmental parties are parties to or intervene in an action filed in a county in which there is a first or second class city, any party to the action may seek to have the clerk of the circuit court in which the case has been filed assign venue at random. Under the bill, a governmental party means 1) the legislature, either house of the legislature, or a committee of the legislature or of either house of the legislature, or any member of the legislature acting in his or her official capacity; 2) the elections commission or the ethics commission, or any commissioner thereof, acting in his or her official capacity; or 3) if acting in his or her official capacity, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, or superintendent of public instruction, a secretary or deputy secretary of a department, a commissioner or deputy commissioner of an independent agency, the president or vice president of the United States, or any U.S. senator or representative in Congress from this state. The bill provides that if an action is filed in a county in which there is a first or second class city and a governmental party is a party to the action, including as an intervenor, any party to the action has the option to elect random venue LRB-1911/1 SWB:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 75 assignment. A plaintiff seeking to exercise the option for random venue assignment must file a notice not later than five days after the summons and complaint are filed. If the party seeking to exercise the option for random venue assignment is not the plaintiff, that party must file notice not later than five days after the service of a summons and complaint upon that party. In an action in which a governmental party files a motion to intervene, the notice must be filed not later than five days after that governmental party[s motion to intervene is granted. Under the bill, upon receipt of a notice from a party seeking random venue assignment, the clerk of the circuit court in which the case is filed must select a circuit at random, excluding the circuit in which the case was originally filed, and then assign the selected circuit as the venue for the case. The clerk of courts for the county where the action was initially filed must notify the clerk of courts for the county where the action is assigned of the venue assignment. The court to which the action is assigned must then issue an order to notify the parties of the venue assignment. If a case is assigned under the provisions of the bill, no party may seek to exercise the random venue assignment option again in the case, and neither a court, acting on its own, nor any party or intervenor may move for any subsequent change of venue. In Committee
SB82 Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. In Committee
AB67 Venue for actions in which there is a governmental party. This bill provides that when certain governmental parties are parties to or intervene in an action filed in a county in which there is a first or second class city, any party to the action may seek to have the clerk of the circuit court in which the case has been filed assign venue at random. Under the bill, a governmental party means 1) the legislature, either house of the legislature, or a committee of the legislature or of either house of the legislature, or any member of the legislature acting in his or her official capacity; 2) the elections commission or the ethics commission, or any commissioner thereof, acting in his or her official capacity; or 3) if acting in his or her official capacity, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, or superintendent of public instruction, a secretary or deputy secretary of a department, a commissioner or deputy commissioner of an independent agency, the president or vice president of the United States, or any U.S. senator or representative in Congress from this state. The bill provides that if an action is filed in a county in which there is a first or second class city and a governmental party is a party to the action, including as an intervenor, any party to the action has the option to elect random venue assignment. A plaintiff seeking to exercise the option for random venue assignment must file a notice not later than five days after the summons and complaint are filed. If the party seeking to exercise the option for random venue assignment is not the plaintiff, that party must file notice not later than five days after the service of a summons and complaint upon that party. In an action in which a governmental party files a motion to intervene, the notice must be filed not later than five days after that governmental party[s motion to intervene is granted. Under the bill, upon receipt of a notice from a party seeking random venue assignment, the clerk of the circuit court in which the case is filed must select a circuit at random, excluding the circuit in which the case was originally filed, and then assign the selected circuit as the venue for the case. The clerk of courts for the county where the action was initially filed must notify the clerk of courts for the county where the action is assigned of the venue assignment. The court to which the action is assigned must then issue an order to notify the parties of the venue assignment. If a case is assigned under the provisions of the bill, no party may seek to exercise the random venue assignment option again in the case, and neither a court, acting on its own, nor any party or intervenor may move for any subsequent change of venue. In Committee
SB30 Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE) Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, this bill requires school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in a parental choice program to include in their respective curricula instruction in civics that includes the following topics and pupil development goals: 1. An understanding of pupils[ shared rights and responsibilities as residents of this state and the United States and of the founding principles of the United States. 2. A sense of civic pride and desire to participate regularly with government at the local, state, and federal levels. 3. An understanding of the process for effectively advocating before governmental bodies and officials. 4. An understanding of the civic-minded expectations of an upright and LRB-1842/1 FFK:wlj&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 30 desirable citizenry that recognizes and accepts responsibility for preserving and defending the benefits of liberty inherited from previous generations and secured by the U.S. Constitution. 5. Knowledge of other nations[ governing philosophies, including communism, socialism, and totalitarianism, and an understanding of how those philosophies compare with the philosophy and principles of freedom and representative democracy essential to the founding principles of the United States. The bill also requires school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in a parental choice program to annually report to the Department of Public Instruction regarding how they are meeting the civics instruction requirement created under the bill. DPI must then compile the information and submit it to the legislature. Finally, under current law, a school board may grant a high school diploma to a pupil only if the pupil meets specific statutory requirements, including earning a certain number of credits in various subjects in the high school grades and passing a civics test comprised of questions that are identical to those that are asked as part of the process of applying for U.S. citizenship. Currently, a pupil must earn at least three credits of social studies, including state and local government. The bill specifies that the social studies credits also must include one-half credit of civics instruction. This graduation requirement first applies to pupils who graduate in the 2030-31 school year. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
AB3 Incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE) This bill requires the state superintendent of public instruction to incorporate cursive writing into the model academic standards for English language arts. The bill also requires all school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in a parental choice program to include cursive writing in its respective curriculum for the elementary grades. Specifically, each elementary school curriculum must include the objective that pupils be able to write legibly in cursive by the end of fifth grade. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
AB4 Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE) Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, this bill requires school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in a parental choice program to include in their respective curricula instruction in civics that includes the following topics and pupil development goals: 1. An understanding of pupils’ shared rights and responsibilities as residents of this state and the United States and of the founding principles of the United States. 2. A sense of civic pride and desire to participate regularly with government at the local, state, and federal levels. 3. An understanding of the process for effectively advocating before governmental bodies and officials. 4. An understanding of the civic-minded expectations of an upright and desirable citizenry that recognizes and accepts responsibility for preserving and defending the benefits of liberty inherited from previous generations and secured by the U.S. Constitution. 5. Knowledge of other nations’ governing philosophies, including communism, socialism, and totalitarianism, and an understanding of how those philosophies compare with the philosophy and principles of freedom and representative democracy essential to the founding principles of the United States. The bill also requires school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in a parental choice program to annually report to the Department of Public Instruction regarding how they are meeting the civics instruction requirement created under the bill. DPI must then compile the information and submit it to the legislature. Finally, under current law, a school board may grant a high school diploma to a pupil only if the pupil meets specific statutory requirements, including earning a certain number of credits in various subjects in the high school grades and passing a civics test comprised of questions that are identical to those that are asked as part of the process of applying for U.S. citizenship. Currently, a pupil must earn at least three credits of social studies, including state and local government. The bill specifies that the social studies credits also must include one-half credit of civics instruction. This graduation requirement first applies to pupils who graduate in the 2030-31 school year. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. Crossed Over
SB13 Incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE) This bill requires the state superintendent of public instruction to incorporate cursive writing into the model academic standards for English language arts. The bill also requires all school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in a parental choice program to include cursive writing in its respective curriculum for the elementary grades. Specifically, each elementary school curriculum must include the objective that pupils be able to write legibly in cursive by the end of fifth grade. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. In Committee
SJR9 Honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr. Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr. In Committee
AJR3 Proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. In Committee
SJR3 Proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin. In Committee
AJR1 Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). To create section 1m of article III of the constitution; Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). In Committee
Bill Bill Name Motion Vote Date Vote
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Move to call the question 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 26 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 25 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 24 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 23 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 22 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 21 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 20 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 19 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 18 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 17 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 16 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 15 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 14 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 13 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 12 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 11 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 10 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 9 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 8 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 7 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 6 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected 07/02/2025 Yea
SB10 Access to public high schools for military recruiters. Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB10 Access to public high schools for military recruiters. Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB41 School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB41 School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB41 School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 1 adopted 06/18/2025 Yea
SB41 School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
AB85 Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and concurred in 06/18/2025 Yea
AB87 Restitution orders following a conviction for human trafficking and restoration of the right to vote to a person barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and concurred in 06/18/2025 Yea
SB108 Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB108 Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 1 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB108 Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB94 Civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty. Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB111 Transportation of minors for emergency detention. Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB111 Transportation of minors for emergency detention. Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB111 Transportation of minors for emergency detention. Senate: Senate Amendment 1 adopted 06/18/2025 Yea
SB111 Transportation of minors for emergency detention. Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB106 Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB106 Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB106 Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected 06/18/2025 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) Senate: Read a third time and concurred in 06/18/2025 Yea
SB179 Applying the motor vehicle fuel tax supplier’s administrative allowance to diesel fuel, a motor vehicle fuel tax refund for evaporation losses, and making an appropriation. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB184 Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB182 Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB182 Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB182 Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB232 Grants to child advocacy centers. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 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) Senate: Read a third time and concurred in 06/18/2025 Yea
SB278 Sunset of the community-oriented policing-house grant program. Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB279 Grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms. Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB283 Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 06/18/2025 Yea
SB283 Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) Senate: Senate Amendment 2 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SB283 Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected 06/18/2025 Yea
SR5 Notifying the assembly and the governor that Timothy La Sage is elected senate sergeant at arms of the 2025-2026 senate. Senate: Adopted 06/18/2025 Yea
SR5 Notifying the assembly and the governor that Timothy La Sage is elected senate sergeant at arms of the 2025-2026 senate. Senate: Refused to refer to committee on Senate Organization 06/18/2025 Nay
SB33 Representations depicting nudity and providing a penalty. Senate: Read a third time and passed 05/15/2025 Yea
SB56 The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 05/15/2025 Yea
SB56 The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE) Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate 05/15/2025 Yea
SB56 The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE) Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected 05/15/2025 Yea
AB73 Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets. Senate: Read a third time and concurred in 05/15/2025 Yea
AB73 Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets. Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate 05/15/2025 Yea
SB96 Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 05/15/2025 Yea
SB125 A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 05/15/2025 Yea
SB125 A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE) Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate 05/15/2025 Yea
SB146 Prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty. Senate: Read a third time and passed 05/15/2025 Yea
SJR48 Congratulating Knights of Columbus Council 499 for achieving a century of compassionate commitment to service of the Church, their community, and their fellow man. Senate: Adopted 05/15/2025 Yea
SB23 Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
SB24 Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in, and the lifespan of, a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Middleton. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
SB66 Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty. Senate: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
SB66 Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty. Senate: Senate Amendment 1 rejected 04/22/2025 Yea
SB76 Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. Senate: Read a third time and passed 04/22/2025 Yea
SR3 Notifying the assembly and the governor that Cyrus Anderson is elected senate chief clerk of the 2025-2026 senate. Senate: Adopted 04/22/2025 Yea
SB5 Battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty. Senate: Read a third time and passed 03/18/2025 Yea
SB4 Agreements for direct primary care. Senate: Read a third time and passed 03/18/2025 Yea
SB4 Agreements for direct primary care. Senate: Senate Amendment 1 rejected 03/18/2025 Yea
AB1 Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and concurred in 03/18/2025 Yea
SB25 Court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths. Senate: Read a third time and passed 03/18/2025 Yea
SJR7 Recognizing that the Wisconsin State Legislature supports nuclear power and fusion energy as clean energy sources that are critical to safely meeting Wisconsin’s growing energy demands and declaring the legislature’s commitment to the continuation and expansion of nuclear power and nuclear technologies, the development of nuclear technologies and fusion energy, and employing the leadership and resources necessary to support the development of and investment in nuclear power, fusion energy, and r Senate: Adopted 03/18/2025 Yea
AB96 Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) Senate: Read a third time and concurred in 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) Senate: Read a third time and concurred in 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) Senate: Read a third time and concurred in 03/18/2025 Yea
SJR2 Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). Senate: Read a third time and adopted 01/08/2025 Yea
SR1 Notifying the assembly and the governor that the 2025-2026 senate is organized. Senate: Adopted 01/06/2025 Yea
SJR1 The session schedule for the 2025-2026 biennial session period. Senate: Adopted 01/06/2025 Yea
  Committee Position Rank
Detail Wisconsin Joint Retirement Systems Survey Committee 2
Detail Wisconsin Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Chair 1
Detail Wisconsin Senate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families Committee Vice Chair 2
Detail Wisconsin Senate Transportation and Local Government Committee 3
State District Chamber Party Status Start Date End Date
WI Wisconsin Senate District 21 Senate Republican In Office 01/05/2015
WI District 21 Senate Republican Out of Office 01/03/2011 08/05/2024