Legislator
Legislator > Travis Tranel
State Representative
Travis Tranel
(R) - Wisconsin
Wisconsin Assembly District 49
In Office - Started: 01/03/2011
contact info
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 8953
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53708
State Capitol, 2 E. Main St.
Madison, WI 53708
Phone: 608-237-9149
Phone 2: 888-872-0049
Fax: 608-282-3649
Voting Address
2231 Louisburg Road
Cuba City, WI 53807
Cuba City, WI 53807
| 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 |
| AJR71 | Honoring Jerry Apps for his contributions to Wisconsin’s heritage. | Relating to: honoring Jerry Apps for his contributions to Wisconsin[s heritage. | In Committee |
| AB326 | Local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Revenue, in each year from 2026 through 2029, to provide grants of up to $5,000 to political subdivisions with populations of less than 7,500 to be used to obtain grant writing and compliance assistance services. These grants may be used to obtain services only for grants related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility service, or cybersecurity. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB36 | An income tax exemption for cash tips paid to an employee. (FE) | This bill creates an income tax exemption for cash tips received by an employee from the customers of the employee[s employer. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-0181/1 KP:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 36 | In Committee |
| AB38 | An income tax exemption for cash tips paid to an employee. (FE) | This bill creates an income tax exemption for cash tips received by an employee from the customers of the employee[s employer. Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB275 | Challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under current law, the validity of an administrative rule may be challenged in an action for declaratory judgment or in certain other judicial proceedings when material therein. This bill requires a court, if the court declares a rule invalid, to award the party asserting the invalidity of the rule 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 |
| SB337 | Local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE) | This bill requires the Department of Revenue, in each year from 2026 through 2029, to provide grants of up to $5,000 to political subdivisions with populations of less than 7,500 to be used to obtain grant writing and compliance assistance services. These grants may be used to obtain services only for grants related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility service, or cybersecurity. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB274 | The expiration of administrative rules. (FE) | This bill provides for the expiration of each chapter of the Wisconsin Administrative Code after seven years, unless the chapter is readopted by the agency through the readoption process established under the bill. Under current law, an agency may promulgate administrative rules when it is granted rule-making authority under the statutes. administrative rules remain in effect indefinitely unless repealed or amended by the agency or suspended by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. This bill provides that each chapter of the code expires seven years after a rule that creates, or repeals and recreates, the chapter takes effect or after the chapter is readopted. The bill requires JCRAR to establish a schedule for the expiration of all existing code chapters that are in effect on the effective date of the bill. Under the bill, in the year before a code chapter is set to expire, an agency may send to JCRAR and the appropriate standing committees a notice of its intention to readopt the chapter. If no member of JCRAR or the standing committees objects to the readoption notice, the chapter is considered readopted without further action. If any member of JCRAR or either standing committee objects to readoption of the chapter, the chapter expires on its expiration date unless the agency promulgates a rule to readopt the chapter using the standard rule-making process. Under the bill, JCRAR may extend the effective date of the chapter that is set to expire for up to one year to accommodate readoption of the chapter through the standard rule- making process. The bill also requires agencies to avoid in rules the use of words and phrases that are outdated or that are now understood to be derogatory or offensive. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB277 | The expiration of administrative rules. (FE) | This bill provides for the expiration of each chapter of the Wisconsin Administrative Code after seven years, unless the chapter is readopted by the agency through the readoption process established under the bill. Under current law, an agency may promulgate administrative rules when it is granted rule-making authority under the statutes. administrative rules remain in effect indefinitely unless repealed or amended by the agency or suspended by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. This bill provides that each chapter of the code expires seven years after a rule that creates, or repeals and recreates, the chapter takes effect or after the chapter is readopted. The bill requires JCRAR to establish a schedule for the expiration of all existing code chapters that are in effect on the effective date of the bill. Under the LRB-2513/1 MED:cdc Once promulgated, 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 277 bill, in the year before a code chapter is set to expire, an agency may send to JCRAR and the appropriate standing committees a notice of its intention to readopt the chapter. If no member of JCRAR or the standing committees objects to the readoption notice, the chapter is considered readopted without further action. If any member of JCRAR or either standing committee objects to readoption of the chapter, the chapter expires on its expiration date unless the agency promulgates a rule to readopt the chapter using the standard rule-making process. Under the bill, JCRAR may extend the effective date of the chapter that is set to expire for up to one year to accommodate readoption of the chapter through the standard rule- making process. The bill also requires agencies to avoid in rules the use of words and phrases that are outdated or that are now understood to be derogatory or offensive. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB276 | Challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE) | Under current law, the validity of an administrative rule may be challenged in an action for declaratory judgment or in certain other judicial proceedings when material therein. This bill requires a court, if the court declares a rule invalid, to award the party asserting the invalidity of the rule 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 |
| SJR71 | Honoring Jerry Apps for his contributions to Wisconsin’s heritage. | Relating to: honoring Jerry Apps for his contributions to Wisconsin[s heritage. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB275 | Statements of scope for administrative rules. (FE) | Under current law, in order to promulgate a rule, an agency must submit a statement of scope for the proposed rule for review by the Department of Administration and approval by the governor. Once the governor approves the statement, the agency must send the approved statement of scope to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register before continuing with the rule promulgation process. A statement of scope expires after 30 months, after which the agency may not promulgate any rule based on that statement of scope that has not been submitted for legislative review by the expiration date. This bill does the following: 1. Limits an agency to promulgating either a permanent or an emergency rule for a given statement of scope and requires the agency to specify in a statement of scope whether it is for a proposed emergency rule or for a proposed permanent rule. 2. Limits an agency to promulgating one permanent rule or one emergency rule per statement of scope. 3. Provides that a statement of scope for an emergency rule expires after six months and provides that when a statement of scope for an emergency rule expires, LRB-2515/1 MED:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 275 an agency may not promulgate an emergency rule based upon that statement of scope. The bill retains the 30-month expiration under current law with respect to statements of scope for proposed permanent rules. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB288 | Authorized lights for funeral procession vehicles. | Under current law, the lead vehicle, or all vehicles, in a funeral procession may be equipped with a flashing amber light to be used during the procession. This bill authorizes the use of a flashing purple light during a funeral procession. | In Committee |
| AB276 | Statements of scope for administrative rules. (FE) | Under current law, in order to promulgate a rule, an agency must submit a statement of scope for the proposed rule for review by the Department of Administration and approval by the governor. Once the governor approves the statement, the agency must send the approved statement of scope to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register before continuing with the rule promulgation process. A statement of scope expires after 30 months, after which the agency may not promulgate any rule based on that statement of scope that has not been submitted for legislative review by the expiration date. This bill does the following: 1. Limits an agency to promulgating either a permanent or an emergency rule for a given statement of scope and requires the agency to specify in a statement of scope whether it is for a proposed emergency rule or for a proposed permanent rule. 2. Limits an agency to promulgating one permanent rule or one emergency rule per statement of scope. 3. Provides that a statement of scope for an emergency rule expires after six months and provides that when a statement of scope for an emergency rule expires, an agency may not promulgate an emergency rule based upon that statement of scope. The bill retains the 30-month expiration under current law with respect to statements of scope for proposed permanent rules. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB155 | Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE) | This bill directs the Department of Transportation to designate and mark USH 12 in the village of Lake Delton in Sauk County as the XTom Diehl Memorial Highway.Y For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| AB154 | Use of certified seed potatoes in planting potatoes and providing a penalty. (FE) | Under current law, a person that plants five or more acres of potatoes in a year may only use seed potatoes that are certified by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under rules promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, or by an equivalent program in another state. DATCP may waive the certification requirement to use seed potatoes of a specific variety or genotype for a growing season if there are not enough certified seed potatoes of that variety or genotype reasonably available to growers during that calendar year and DATCP determines that the seed potatoes of that variety or genotype that will be used for planting do not pose a serious disease threat. A person that violates the certification requirement is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $150, plus $150 for each acre planted in violation. Additionally under current law, a person that plants five or more acres of potatoes in the state shall retain and allow inspection by DATCP of certain records regarding planted seed potatoes. A person that violates a record keeping requirement is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $200. Under this bill, DATCP may include as a condition of a waiver certain restrictions as to permissible geographic boundaries or geographic limitations where a person may plant the waived seed potatoes. The bill also provides DATCP with the authority to order a person growing potatoes in violation of the law to remove and destroy any seed potatoes and potatoes involved in the violation. In addition, if a person does not remove and destroy any seed potatoes or potatoes as ordered by DATCP, DATCP or a cooperating local unit of government may take action to remove and destroy the seed potatoes or potatoes as ordered, and the cost of the action may be assessed, collected, and enforced against the person that failed to act as ordered as taxes for the person are assessed, collected, and enforced, or paid into the general fund if the mitigating action was taken by DATCP. A person ordered to remove and destroy any seed potatoes or potatoes is required to do so within 72 hours of receiving the order, unless DATCP extends the deadline. The orders that DATCP may issue under the bill are subject to the right of hearing before the department if requested within 10 days after the date of service of the order, and any party affected by the order may request a preliminary or informal hearing pending the scheduling and conduct of a full hearing. A person that plants potatoes in violation of the requirements of this bill is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $5,000, plus not more than $5,000 for each full acre planted in violation. A person that fails to retain, allow inspection of, or provide copies of records of potato planting as required under current law is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $5,000. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB164 | Use of certified seed potatoes in planting potatoes and providing a penalty. (FE) | Under current law, a person that plants five or more acres of potatoes in a year may only use seed potatoes that are certified by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under rules promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, or by an equivalent program in another state. DATCP may waive the certification requirement to use seed potatoes of a specific variety or genotype for a growing season if there are not enough certified seed potatoes of that variety or genotype reasonably available to growers during that calendar year and DATCP determines that the seed potatoes of that variety or genotype that will be used for planting do not pose a serious disease threat. A person that violates the certification requirement is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $150, plus $150 for each acre planted in violation. Additionally under current law, a person that plants five or more acres of potatoes in the state shall retain and allow inspection by DATCP of certain records regarding planted seed potatoes. A person that violates a record keeping requirement is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $200. LRB-2359/1 JAM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 164 Under this bill, DATCP may include as a condition of a waiver certain restrictions as to permissible geographic boundaries or geographic limitations where a person may plant the waived seed potatoes. The bill also provides DATCP with the authority to order a person growing potatoes in violation of the law to remove and destroy any seed potatoes and potatoes involved in the violation. In addition, if a person does not remove and destroy any seed potatoes or potatoes as ordered by DATCP, DATCP or a cooperating local unit of government may take action to remove and destroy the seed potatoes or potatoes as ordered, and the cost of the action may be assessed, collected, and enforced against the person that failed to act as ordered as taxes for the person are assessed, collected, and enforced, or paid into the general fund if the mitigating action was taken by DATCP. A person ordered to remove and destroy any seed potatoes or potatoes is required to do so within 72 hours of receiving the order, unless DATCP extends the deadline. The orders that DATCP may issue under the bill are subject to the right of hearing before the department if requested within 10 days after the date of service of the order, and any party affected by the order may request a preliminary or informal hearing pending the scheduling and conduct of a full hearing. A person that plants potatoes in violation of the requirements of this bill is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $5,000, plus not more than $5,000 for each full acre planted in violation. A person that fails to retain, allow inspection of, or provide copies of records of potato planting as required under current law is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $5,000. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | Crossed Over |
| AB219 | A tax credit for rail infrastructure modernization. (FE) | This bill creates an income and franchise tax credit for railroads that make rail infrastructure and railroad maintenance expenditures. Under the bill, a claimant that is classified by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board as a class II or class III railroad may claim a rail infrastructure modernization credit that is equal to the sum of the following amounts: 1. Fifty percent of the qualified short line railroad maintenance expenditures made by the railroad. This portion of the credit is limited to an amount equal to $5,000 multiplied by the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the railroad. The bill defines Xqualified short line railroad maintenance expendituresY as gross expenditures for railroad infrastructure rehabilitation or maintenance improvements located in this state. 2. Fifty percent of the railroad[s qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. This portion of the credit is limited to $2,000,000 per project. The bill defines Xqualified new rail infrastructure expendituresY as expenditures for rail infrastructure and improvements in this state placed in service after December 31, 2024. A claimant that owns or leases a rail siding, industrial spur, or industry track may claim the portion of the credit described above for the claimant[s qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. Before claiming a credit under the bill, a claimant must first apply to and receive approval from the Department of Revenue to claim the credit. DOR may approve up to $10,000,000 in total credits for qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures for each tax year, and DOR must approve applications for credits on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AJR59 | Proclaiming June as Dairy Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming June as Dairy Month in Wisconsin. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AB118 | A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a Xtransition to grazing pilot programY in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to provide support and grants to farmers who are implementing livestock forage-based managed grazing systems and farmers and agribusinesses in the grazing-fed livestock business. Under the bill the department may award up to $40,000 to each grantee, and may disperse up to 75 percent of the grant in the first year following the department[s decision to grant the award and may disperse up to 12.5 percent of the award in each of the second and third years following the department[s decision to grant the award. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB113 | A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE) | This bill creates a Xtransition to grazing pilot programY in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to provide support and grants to farmers who are implementing livestock forage-based managed grazing systems and farmers and agribusinesses in the grazing-fed livestock business. Under the bill the department may award up to $40,000 to each grantee, and may disperse up to 75 percent of the grant in the first year following the department[s decision to grant the award and may disperse up to 12.5 percent of the award in each of the second and third years following the department[s decision to grant the award. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| AB299 | Provision of virtual mental health services for students at certain UW System institutions. (FE) | This bill requires the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to contract with a vendor for the provision of virtual mental health services for students enrolled in UW System institutions that have not more than 30,000 full- time enrolled undergraduate students, as such enrollment was counted on the preceding April 1. The bill also sets certain requirements for the vendor of the virtual mental health services, including that the vendor[s services be designed to complement existing institution-based mental health offerings and expand students[ access to mental health support services beyond traditional business hours. Additionally, the bill requires the vendor chosen by the board to annually report to the board and the legislature regarding the vendor[s provision of virtual mental health services, including certain statistics regarding students[ use of the vendor[s virtual mental health 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 |
| AJR50 | Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. | Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR66 | Congratulating Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for winning the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. | Relating to: congratulating Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for winning the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AB315 | The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program. (FE) | This bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until 2030, makes changes to the land acquisition and property development and local assistance subprograms, and creates a separate major land acquisitions program. Reauthorization and changes to the stewardship program Current law authorizes the state to incur public debt for certain conservation activities under the stewardship program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The state may incur this debt to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes and for property development activities and may award grants or state aid to certain local governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations (NCOs) to acquire and develop land for these purposes. Current law establishes the amounts that DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2025-26 for expenditure under each of five subprograms of the stewardship program. The bill reauthorizes the stewardship program until fiscal year 2029-30. Under the stewardship subprogram for land acquisition, the bill continues to require that $1,000,000 be set aside to be obligated only for DNR land acquisition in each fiscal year. This equals the amount that current law requires to be set aside to be obligated only for DNR to acquire land for the Ice Age Trail. The bill reduces from $7,000,000 to $2,000,000 the amount to be set aside to be obligated for grants to NCOs to acquire and develop property for certain conservation purposes. Under current law, in the stewardship program the term XobligateY means to encumber or otherwise commit or to expend without having previously encumbered or otherwise committed, and is used with respect to limits on obligating or requirements to obligate certain amounts in the stewardship program. The bill specifies that XobligateY only refers to encumbering, otherwise committing, or expending public debt that the state is authorized to contract. In other words, XobligateY does not refer to amounts that are not the result of bonding. Under current law, DNR may obligate moneys for local assistance under the subprogram for property development and local assistance only for grant programs for urban green space, local parks, acquisition of property development rights, and urban rivers. Current law requires that such a grant may only be for up to 50 percent of the acquisition costs or development costs of a project. Under the bill, for such grants awarded to a governmental unit, no more than 30 percent of the remaining costs may be paid with funding provided from grants or in-kind contributions. Under current law, these grant programs define Xgovernmental unitY to include a city, village, town, county, or the Kickapoo reserve management board and, for urban green space grants, to also include a lake sanitary district or public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district. The bill also provides that if a governmental unit applies for such a grant after closing on the acquisition of the land in question, the grant may only be for up to 40 percent of the acquisition costs. The bill requires DNR to prioritize projects under any subprogram that involves property development over those that involve land acquisition. The bill eliminates a current law restriction providing that, of the amount set aside for DNR land acquisition and county forest grants under the stewardship program in a given fiscal year, not more than one-third may be obligated for the purpose of DNR land acquisition. The bill also eliminates a current law restriction providing that, of all of the available stewardship program bonding authority in a fiscal year, not more than 20 percent may be obligated for the acquisition of parcels of lands that are less than 10 acres in size. The bill adds a restriction that DNR may not obligate stewardship moneys for a land acquisition project that exceeds $1,000,000. For such projects, the bill creates a new, separate major land acquisitions program. Under the bill, in addition to obligating stewardship moneys to provide grants to NCOs for the acquisition of land for certain conservation purposes, DNR may obligate moneys to provide grants to NCOs to develop, manage, preserve, restore, and maintain wildlife habitat on public lands to benefit game species and other wildlife. The bill requires DNR to prioritize wildlife habitat grants over land acquisition grants under the NCO grant program. Under current law, if in a given fiscal year the amount DNR obligates to provide land acquisition grants to NCOs is less than the amount set aside for that purpose in that fiscal year, DNR may obligate the unobligated amount in the next fiscal year but only for the purpose of awarding a grant to a county for the acquisition of land for a county forest. Under this bill, such unobligated amounts may only be obligated for local assistance grants. Under current law, if DNR does not obligate an amount authorized to be obligated for a subprogram in a fiscal year, DNR may not adjust the annual bonding authority for that subprogram by raising the annual bonding authority for the next fiscal year. Under current law, portions of the unobligated amounts for the land acquisition, property development and local assistance, and recreational boating aids subprograms from various fiscal years from 2011-12 to 2025-26 are obligated for specific purposes. One such provision under current law requires DNR to obligate all unobligated amounts from those subprograms from any fiscal year, including for drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades, and renovations, and construction of new buildings. The bill limits this obligation to only those unobligated amounts for those subprograms from the fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23, and specifies that $2,500,000 of that unobligated amount must be obligated for projects at the Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery and the Brule State Fish Hatchery, including drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades and renovations, and construction of new buildings. Major land acquisitions program The bill creates a new major land acquisitions program, under which the bill authorizes DNR to use or obligate moneys to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes or to award grants to NCOs or local governments to acquire land for those purposes if two conditions are met: 1) the project or grant exceeds $1,000,000; and 2) the project or grant is enumerated through legislation. To request enumeration of such projects, the bill requires DNR annually to, no later than January 15, submit to the joint committee on finance and to the appropriate legislative standing committees a list of all proposed major land acquisitions for the subsequent fiscal biennium, including estimated purchase prices, requested state funding sources, and nonstate sources of funding, such as federal grants or donations. The bill authorizes DNR to submit a list of proposed major land acquisitions not listed under the prior proposed list at any time during a fiscal biennium. Under the bill, the legislature may enumerate projects from either list through legislation. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB316 | The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program. (FE) | This bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until 2030, makes changes to the land acquisition and property LRB-3557/1 EHS:skw&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 316 development and local assistance subprograms, and creates a separate major land acquisitions program. Reauthorization and changes to the stewardship program Current law authorizes the state to incur public debt for certain conservation activities under the stewardship program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The state may incur this debt to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes and for property development activities and may award grants or state aid to certain local governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations (NCOs) to acquire and develop land for these purposes. Current law establishes the amounts that DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2025-26 for expenditure under each of five subprograms of the stewardship program. The bill reauthorizes the stewardship program until fiscal year 2029-30. Under the stewardship subprogram for land acquisition, the bill continues to require that $1,000,000 be set aside to be obligated only for DNR land acquisition in each fiscal year. This equals the amount that current law requires to be set aside to be obligated only for DNR to acquire land for the Ice Age Trail. The bill reduces from $7,000,000 to $2,000,000 the amount to be set aside to be obligated for grants to NCOs to acquire and develop property for certain conservation purposes. Under current law, in the stewardship program the term XobligateY means to encumber or otherwise commit or to expend without having previously encumbered or otherwise committed, and is used with respect to limits on obligating or requirements to obligate certain amounts in the stewardship program. The bill specifies that XobligateY only refers to encumbering, otherwise committing, or expending public debt that the state is authorized to contract. In other words, XobligateY does not refer to amounts that are not the result of bonding. Under current law, DNR may obligate moneys for local assistance under the subprogram for property development and local assistance only for grant programs for urban green space, local parks, acquisition of property development rights, and urban rivers. Current law requires that such a grant may only be for up to 50 percent of the acquisition costs or development costs of a project. Under the bill, for such grants awarded to a governmental unit, no more than 30 percent of the remaining costs may be paid with funding provided from grants or in-kind contributions. Under current law, these grant programs define Xgovernmental unitY to include a city, village, town, county, or the Kickapoo reserve management board and, for urban green space grants, to also include a lake sanitary district or public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district. The bill also provides that if a governmental unit applies for such a grant after closing on the acquisition of the land in question, the grant may only be for up to 40 percent of the acquisition costs. The bill requires DNR to prioritize projects under any subprogram that involves property development over those that involve land acquisition. The bill eliminates a current law restriction providing that, of the amount set aside for DNR land acquisition and county forest grants under the stewardship program in a given fiscal year, not more than one-third may be obligated for the purpose of DNR land acquisition. The bill also eliminates a current law restriction LRB-3557/1 EHS:skw&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 316 providing that, of all of the available stewardship program bonding authority in a fiscal year, not more than 20 percent may be obligated for the acquisition of parcels of lands that are less than 10 acres in size. The bill adds a restriction that DNR may not obligate stewardship moneys for a land acquisition project that exceeds $1,000,000. For such projects, the bill creates a new, separate major land acquisitions program. Under the bill, in addition to obligating stewardship moneys to provide grants to NCOs for the acquisition of land for certain conservation purposes, DNR may obligate moneys to provide grants to NCOs to develop, manage, preserve, restore, and maintain wildlife habitat on public lands to benefit game species and other wildlife. The bill requires DNR to prioritize wildlife habitat grants over land acquisition grants under the NCO grant program. Under current law, if in a given fiscal year the amount DNR obligates to provide land acquisition grants to NCOs is less than the amount set aside for that purpose in that fiscal year, DNR may obligate the unobligated amount in the next fiscal year but only for the purpose of awarding a grant to a county for the acquisition of land for a county forest. Under this bill, such unobligated amounts may only be obligated for local assistance grants. Under current law, if DNR does not obligate an amount authorized to be obligated for a subprogram in a fiscal year, DNR may not adjust the annual bonding authority for that subprogram by raising the annual bonding authority for the next fiscal year. Under current law, portions of the unobligated amounts for the land acquisition, property development and local assistance, and recreational boating aids subprograms from various fiscal years from 2011-12 to 2025-26 are obligated for specific purposes. One such provision under current law requires DNR to obligate all unobligated amounts from those subprograms from any fiscal year, including for drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades, and renovations, and construction of new buildings. The bill limits this obligation to only those unobligated amounts for those subprograms from the fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23, and specifies that $2,500,000 of that unobligated amount must be obligated for projects at the Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery and the Brule State Fish Hatchery, including drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades and renovations, and construction of new buildings. Major land acquisitions program The bill creates a new major land acquisitions program, under which the bill authorizes DNR to use or obligate moneys to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes or to award grants to NCOs or local governments to acquire land for those purposes if two conditions are met: 1) the project or grant exceeds $1,000,000; and 2) the project or grant is enumerated through legislation. To request enumeration of such projects, the bill requires DNR annually to, no later than January 15, submit to the joint committee on finance and to the appropriate legislative standing committees a list of all proposed major land acquisitions for the subsequent fiscal biennium, including estimated purchase prices, requested state funding sources, and nonstate sources of funding, such as federal grants or donations. The bill authorizes DNR to submit a list of proposed major land LRB-3557/1 EHS:skw&emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 316 acquisitions not listed under the prior proposed list at any time during a fiscal biennium. Under the bill, the legislature may enumerate projects from either list through legislation. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR59 | Proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming the week of June 22 to June 28, 2025, as Amateur Radio Week in the state of Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR55 | Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. | Relating to: recognizing the United States Army[s 250th birthday. | 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 |
| SJR63 | Proclaiming June as Dairy Month in Wisconsin. | Relating to: proclaiming June as Dairy Month in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR65 | Congratulating Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for winning the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. | Relating to: congratulating Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for winning the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. | In Committee |
| SB306 | Provision of virtual mental health services for students at certain UW System institutions. (FE) | This bill requires the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to contract with a vendor for the provision of virtual mental health services for students enrolled in UW System institutions that have not more than 30,000 full- time enrolled undergraduate students, as such enrollment was counted on the preceding April 1. The bill also sets certain requirements for the vendor of the virtual mental health services, including that the vendor[s services be designed to complement existing institution-based mental health offerings and expand students[ access to mental health support services beyond traditional business hours. Additionally, the bill requires the vendor chosen by the board to annually report to the board and the legislature regarding the vendor[s provision of virtual mental health services, including certain statistics regarding students[ use of the vendor[s virtual mental health services. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| SB326 | Creating a nutrient loss reduction grant program. (FE) | This bill creates a nutrient loss reduction grant program, under which the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection may award grants to farmers for the purpose of purchasing enhanced efficiency fertilizer products, implementing variable rate technology, or preparing a nutrient management plan. Under the bill, an Xenhanced efficiency fertilizer productY is a controlled-release or slow-release fertilizer formulation or a product, added to fertilizer, that includes a urease inhibitor or a nitrification inhibitor. XVariable rate technologyY is defined under the bill as the practice of testing soil in sections of six acres or less using georeferenced data points and applying fertilizer at a prescribed rate for each section depending on the results of the soil samples. A Xnutrient management planY is a plan for using commercial fertilizer, manure, or organic byproducts in a manner that reduces nutrient loss. Under the bill, if a grant will be used for purchasing and using an enhanced efficiency fertilizer product, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $7 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of the product. If a grant will be used for implementing variable rate technology, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $8 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of soil sampling. If a grant will be used for preparing a nutrient management plan, the grant may not exceed the lesser of $2 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of preparing the plan. In addition, a grant LRB-3204/1 MCP:ads&klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 326 recipient may not receive more than $20,000 in any given year under the grant program. The bill allows an applicant to receive a grant that covers multiple allowable activities in a single year. The bill also allows an agricultural retailer (a person that supplies resources, materials, and products to farmers) to submit an application for a grant on behalf of a farmer. Finally, the bill allows DATCP to request certain information and materials from a grant applicant or recipient, including land and field information, receipts and invoices, and an attestation that the applicant is not receiving any other funding or incentives for the activities funded by the grant. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| AB310 | Creating a nutrient loss reduction grant program. (FE) | This bill creates a nutrient loss reduction grant program, under which the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection may award grants to farmers for the purpose of purchasing enhanced efficiency fertilizer products, implementing variable rate technology, or preparing a nutrient management plan. Under the bill, an Xenhanced efficiency fertilizer productY is a controlled-release or slow-release fertilizer formulation or a product, added to fertilizer, that includes a urease inhibitor or a nitrification inhibitor. XVariable rate technologyY is defined under the bill as the practice of testing soil in sections of six acres or less using georeferenced data points and applying fertilizer at a prescribed rate for each section depending on the results of the soil samples. A Xnutrient management planY is a plan for using commercial fertilizer, manure, or organic byproducts in a manner that reduces nutrient loss. Under the bill, if a grant will be used for purchasing and using an enhanced efficiency fertilizer product, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $7 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of the product. If a grant will be used for implementing variable rate technology, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $8 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of soil sampling. If a grant will be used for preparing a nutrient management plan, the grant may not exceed the lesser of $2 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of preparing the plan. In addition, a grant recipient may not receive more than $20,000 in any given year under the grant program. The bill allows an applicant to receive a grant that covers multiple allowable activities in a single year. The bill also allows an agricultural retailer (a person that supplies resources, materials, and products to farmers) to submit an application for a grant on behalf of a farmer. Finally, the bill allows DATCP to request certain information and materials from a grant applicant or recipient, including land and field information, receipts and invoices, and an attestation that the applicant is not receiving any other funding or incentives for the activities funded by the grant. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB302 | Authorized lights for funeral procession vehicles. | Under current law, the lead vehicle, or all vehicles, in a funeral procession may be equipped with a flashing amber light to be used during the procession. This bill authorizes the use of a flashing purple light during a funeral procession. | In Committee |
| SB213 | A tax credit for rail infrastructure modernization. (FE) | This bill creates an income and franchise tax credit for railroads that make rail infrastructure and railroad maintenance expenditures. Under the bill, a claimant that is classified by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board as a class II or class III railroad may claim a rail infrastructure modernization credit that is equal to the sum of the following amounts: 1. Fifty percent of the qualified short line railroad maintenance expenditures made by the railroad. This portion of the credit is limited to an amount equal to $5,000 multiplied by the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the railroad. The bill defines Xqualified short line railroad maintenance expendituresY as gross expenditures for railroad infrastructure rehabilitation or maintenance improvements located in this state. 2. Fifty percent of the railroad[s qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. This portion of the credit is limited to $2,000,000 per project. The bill defines Xqualified new rail infrastructure expendituresY as expenditures for rail LRB-1305/1 KP:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 213 infrastructure and improvements in this state placed in service after December 31, 2024. A claimant that owns or leases a rail siding, industrial spur, or industry track may claim the portion of the credit described above for the claimant[s qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. Before claiming a credit under the bill, a claimant must first apply to and receive approval from the Department of Revenue to claim the credit. DOR may approve up to $10,000,000 in total credits for qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures for each tax year, and DOR must approve applications for credits on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB289 | Requirements for proposed administrative rules that impose any costs. | Under current law, if a proposed administrative rule is reasonably expected to pass along $10,000,000 or more in implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period, the agency proposing the rule must stop working on the proposed rule until 1) the agency modifies the proposed rule to reduce the expected costs or 2) a bill is enacted that allows the agency to promulgate the proposed rule. These requirements do not apply to emergency rules or to certain rules proposed by the Department of Natural Resources that relate to air quality and that are required under federal law. This bill changes those requirements so that the requirements apply when a proposed rule is reasonably expected to pass along any amount of implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period. Under the bill, the agency proposing such a rule must stop LRB-2514/1 MED:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 289 working on the proposed rule until 1) the agency modifies the proposed rule to eliminate the expected costs; 2) a bill is enacted that allows the agency to promulgate the proposed rule; or 3) the agency promulgates or has promulgated a different rule, in the same calendar year as proposing the rule at issue, that is reasonably expected to reduce implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period, in an amount that will offset the amount of costs resulting from the proposed rule at issue. The bill also requires an agency, in the economic impact analysis of a proposed rule that the agency is required to prepare, to include an estimate of the total implementation and compliance cost savings that are reasonably expected to be realized by businesses, local governmental units, and individuals as a result of the proposed rule, expressed as a single dollar figure. | In Committee |
| AB277 | Requirements for proposed administrative rules that impose any costs. | Under current law, if a proposed administrative rule is reasonably expected to pass along $10,000,000 or more in implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period, the agency proposing the rule must stop working on the proposed rule until 1) the agency modifies the proposed rule to reduce the expected costs or 2) a bill is enacted that allows the agency to promulgate the proposed rule. These requirements do not apply to emergency rules or to certain rules proposed by the Department of Natural Resources that relate to air quality and that are required under federal law. This bill changes those requirements so that the requirements apply when a proposed rule is reasonably expected to pass along any amount of implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period. Under the bill, the agency proposing such a rule must stop working on the proposed rule until 1) the agency modifies the proposed rule to eliminate the expected costs; 2) a bill is enacted that allows the agency to promulgate the proposed rule; or 3) the agency promulgates or has promulgated a different rule, in the same calendar year as proposing the rule at issue, that is reasonably expected to reduce implementation and compliance costs to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any two-year period, in an amount that will offset the amount of costs resulting from the proposed rule at issue. The bill also requires an agency, in the economic impact analysis of a proposed rule that the agency is required to prepare, to include an estimate of the total implementation and compliance cost savings that are reasonably expected to be realized by businesses, local governmental units, and individuals as a result of the proposed rule, expressed as a single dollar figure. | In Committee |
| AB159 | Creating a rural creative economy development grant program. (FE) | This bill creates a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The bill requires WEDC to award rural creative economy development grants on a competitive basis to cities, villages, towns, counties, American Indian tribes and bands in this state, economic development organizations in this state, and nonprofit organizations in this state. A grant recipient must use grant moneys for any of the following purposes: 1. To develop or implement a plan to increase tourism, enhance visitor experiences, or bolster community development in rural areas in this state through the development or promotion of creative enterprises, including by supporting or expanding public arts performances and exhibitions, renovating or improving public spaces and vacant or underutilized buildings, supporting community-based arts education, supporting business accelerator programs, and providing technical assistance for creative businesses. 2. To market, brand, and promote local creative enterprises, public arts performances and exhibitions, or public spaces in rural areas in this state. Under the bill, such a grant may not exceed $50,000 and must be expended solely for the benefit of rural areas. Additionally, the bill prohibits WEDC from awarding a grant unless the grant recipient matches the amount of the grant with moneys raised from nonstate sources and limits the amount of in-kind match to no more than 25 percent of the match amount. The bill requires WEDC to submit a report on the effectiveness of the grants to the Joint Committee on Finance no later than May 1, 2027. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB173 | Creating a rural creative economy development grant program. (FE) | This bill creates a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The bill requires WEDC to award rural creative economy development grants on a competitive basis to cities, villages, towns, counties, American Indian tribes and bands in this state, economic development organizations in this state, and nonprofit organizations in this state. A grant recipient must use grant moneys for any of the following purposes: 1. To develop or implement a plan to increase tourism, enhance visitor experiences, or bolster community development in rural areas in this state through the development or promotion of creative enterprises, including by supporting or expanding public arts performances and exhibitions, renovating or improving public spaces and vacant or underutilized buildings, supporting community-based arts education, supporting business accelerator programs, and providing technical assistance for creative businesses. 2. To market, brand, and promote local creative enterprises, public arts performances and exhibitions, or public spaces in rural areas in this state. Under the bill, such a grant may not exceed $50,000 and must be expended solely for the benefit of rural areas. Additionally, the bill prohibits WEDC from awarding a grant unless the grant recipient matches the amount of the grant with LRB-2300/2 KRP:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 173 moneys raised from nonstate sources and limits the amount of in-kind match to no more than 25 percent of the match amount. The bill requires WEDC to submit a report on the effectiveness of the grants to the Joint Committee on Finance no later than May 1, 2027. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB174 | Transmission facilities; installation of large wind energy, large solar energy, and battery energy storage systems; installation of light-mitigating technology systems; and prioritizing nuclear energy resources. (FE) | This bill does the following, described in further detail below: 1) establishes a competitive bidding requirement for certain transmission facility contracts and establishes an audit process to review such contracts; 2) grants certain rights to incumbent transmission facility owners; construction of large wind energy systems, large solar energy systems, and battery energy storage systems, including the purchase of certain agricultural conservation easements when such systems are located on prime farmland; 4) makes nuclear energy a state policy priority; and 5) requires the installation of light-mitigating technology systems on certain wind energy systems and transmission line towers. Competitive bidding requirement for certain transmission projects The bill requires owners of proposed transmission facilities for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) is required from the Public Service Commission to let certain transmission facility contracts by competitive bidding. Under the bill, a Xtransmission facility contractY is a contract for the design of, construction of, or furnishing of materials for a transmission facility. Current law requires a person seeking to construct a high-voltage transmission line exceeding one mile in length designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 100 kilovolts or more to obtain a CPCN from PSC. The bill requires owners of proposed transmission facilities for which a CPCN is required to let transmission facility contracts having an estimated cost of performance that exceeds $1,000,000 on the basis of sealed competitive bids and to award transmission facility contracts to the lowest responsible bidder. If fewer than three bids from responsible bidders are received for a contract, the transmission facility owner must solicit additional bids for at least 30 additional days, and if fewer than three bids from responsible bidders are received after the additional bidding period, the owner must document that circumstance. A transmission facility owner may require a person, before the person submits a bid for a transmission facility contract, to submit a statement containing information relating to the person[s financial ability, equipment, experience in the work prescribed by the contract, and ability to safely perform the work prescribed by the contract. Also, under the bill, the owner of a proposed transmission facility that involves entering a transmission facility contract that the bill requires to be competitively bid must include in an application for a CPCN an estimate of the cost of construction, along with documentation that the estimate is the result of competitively bid transmission facility contracts. The bill also requires such a transmission facility owner to provide to PSC until construction is complete annual reports that include updated estimates of the construction cost and an explanation of any changes from prior cost estimates. Further, no later than 30 days after the transmission facility is placed in service, the owner must provide evidence to PSC that the transmission facility contracts performed in completing the transmission facility were awarded in compliance with the competitive bidding requirements established by the bill. Audit requirements, return on equity reductions, and equity limitation The bill requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct an audit of 15 percent of the transmission facility contracts subject to the bill[s competitive bidding requirements that are performed related to constructing each transmission facility that requires a CPCN, as well as any contracts for which the Joint Legislative Audit Committee requests an audit. The bill requires LAB to file with PSC a detailed audit report, including specific instances of any violations of the competitive bidding process requirements. The bill requires PSC to open a docket on any such audit report it receives, hold a public hearing, and determine if the transmission facility owner violated any competitive bidding requirements. In addition, if the owner of a transmission facility for which transmission rates are determined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission violates the bill[s competitive bidding requirements, the owner must seek approval of a tariff that provides a return on equity that is either half of MISO[s base return on equity with respect to the transmission facility or equal to the owner[s average cost of debt, whichever is higher. If the cost to construct a transmission facility for which transmission rates are determined by FERC exceeds the estimated cost provided to PSC, the owner must seek approval of a tariff that provides, for the portion of the cost to construct the transmission facility that exceeds the estimated cost, a rate of return on equity that is either half of MISO[s base return on equity or equal to the owner[s cost of debt, whichever is higher. In determining whether the costs of a transmission facility exceeded the estimated costs for purposes of triggering a reduction in the transmission facility owner[s return on equity, the bill provides that costs that exceed the estimated cost but that are prudently incurred or that are a result of force majeure may not be considered excess costs. Under the bill, the owner of a transmission facility for which a CPCN was required may not seek to recover in rates approved by FERC an amount of equity in the transmission facility that exceeds 50 percent of the project costs. Rights of an incumbent transmission facility owner The bill also grants to an incumbent transmission facility owner the right to construct, own, and maintain a transmission facility that has been approved for construction in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator[s (MISO) transmission plan and that connects to transmission facilities owned by that incumbent transmission facility owner. transmission facility ownerY includes a transmission company or transmission utility (a cooperative or public utility that owns a transmission facility and provides transmission service in this state), regardless of whether this state is its principal place of business or where it is organized or headquartered. Under current law, MISO is an organization that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and that coordinates and controls electric transmission in a region of the country that includes this state. The bill provides that the right to construct, own, and maintain a transmission facility that connects to transmission facilities owned by two or more incumbent transmission facility owners belongs individually and proportionally to each incumbent transmission facility owner, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. Under the bill, if under MISO[s transmission plan a regionally cost-shared transmission line has been approved for construction and connection to facilities owned by an incumbent transmission facility owner, the incumbent transmission facility owner must give the Public Service Commission written notice regarding the owner[s intent to construct, own, and maintain the line no later than 90 days after approval of the transmission plan or 90 days after the date on which this bill becomes law, whichever is later. If the owner indicates that it does not intend to construct the line, the bill requires it to fully explain that decision in the notice to PSC. In that case, the bill allows PSC to determine whether the incumbent transmission facility owner or another entity must construct the line, taking into consideration issues such as cost, efficiency, and reliability. The bill defines Xregionally cost-shared transmission lineY to mean a high-voltage transmission line that is eligible for regional cost sharing and is not subject to a right of first refusal in accordance with the MISO tariff. The bill requires an incumbent transmission facility owner with the right to construct a MISO-approved regionally cost-shared transmission line to, as soon as practicable after the information is available, submit a report to PSC, the assembly speaker, the assembly minority leader, the senate majority leader, the senate minority leader, and the governor detailing the amount of the costs of the transmission line project that are being charged to energy consumers outside this state. The bill provides that the rights and responsibilities of incumbent transmission facility owners created under the bill are void if the President of the United States issues a lawful executive order, FERC issues a lawful order or rule, or Congress enacts a valid statute and that executive order, order, rule, or statute has the effect of repealing or nullifying provisions of MISO[s tariff that allow the owner of a transmission facility to allocate costs of the transmission facility over a region encompassing more than one state. Regulation of large wind, large solar, and battery energy systems The bill requires a person seeking to construct a battery energy storage system to obtain a CPCN from PSC. The bill defines a Xbattery energy storage systemY as a device that occupies one acre or more and that captures energy produced at one time, stores it for future use, and later delivers it as electricity. The bill defines Xlarge wind energy systemY and Xlarge solar energy system,Y respectively, as a wind energy system or solar energy system with an electric generating capacity of 100 megawatts or more. Under current law, a person seeking to construct a large electric generating facility, specifically a facility designed with an electric generating capacity of at least 100 megawatts, must obtain a CPCN. The bill prohibits PSC from issuing a CPCN for a large wind energy system, large solar energy system, or battery energy storage system unless both of the following apply: 1) including the acres occupied by the system proposed by the applicant, the total amount of acres of land in the town in which the system is located that are occupied by large wind energy systems, large solar energy systems, or battery energy storage systems is not more than 2,000 acres; and 2) including the acres occupied by the system proposed by the applicant, the total amount of acres of land in the county in which the system is located that are occupied by large wind energy systems, large solar energy systems, or battery energy storage systems is not more than 5,000 acres. Additionally, current law authorizes a city, village, town, or county (political subdivision) to restrict the installation or use of a wind energy system or solar energy system as long as the restriction serves to preserve or protect the public health or safety, does not significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency, and allows for an alternative system of comparable cost and efficiency. Current law also states that a political subdivision may not place a restriction on the installation or use of a wind energy system that is more restrictive than rules that PSC is required to promulgate on that subject. Current law defines Xwind energy systemY as equipment and associated facilities that convert and then store or transfer energy from the wind into usable forms of energy. and defines Xsolar energy systemY as equipment that directly converts and then transfers or stores solar energy into usable forms of thermal or electrical energy. The bill imposes certain requirements on a person seeking political subdivision approval or a CPCN for a large wind energy system, large solar energy system, or battery energy storage system. Specifically, the bill requires all of the following from a person seeking such approvals: 1. To submit with the application a decommissioning and site restoration plan, including a plan to clean, clear, and remove foundations from the site and to restore the land to its prior condition and a financial assurance obligation for the estimated cost of decommissioning. 2. To submit with the application a drainage plan, including plans to repair or replace any subsurface drainage affected during the construction or decommissioning of a large wind energy system, large solar energy system, or battery energy storage system. 3. To provide visual screening of a large solar energy system or battery energy storage system for certain nearby properties that have a residence within 250 feet of the system. 4. To make attempts to enter good neighbor agreements with owners of certain nearby properties. 5. To provide written notice, no later than 45 days before submitting a CPCN application, indicating interest in entering into an economic development agreement to each political subdivision in which the proposed facility would be located and take all commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate an economic development agreement with each political subdivision. 6. To provide written notice at least 45 days before submitting a CPCN application to each property owner located within one mile of a proposed facility, each political subdivision in which the proposed facility is proposed, and the American Indian tribal governing body for any land under that body[s jurisdiction that is within the project boundary. 7. To post notice of the proposed project at least 45 days before submitting a CPCN application by class 1 notice in the official state newspaper. The bill requires PSC to create a pamphlet of not more than two pages, available on its website, that explains in plain language all provisions of the bill relating specifically to large wind energy systems, large solar energy systems, and battery energy storage systems, and requires PSC, if it receives a CPCN application for such a system, to distribute this pamphlet by mail or electronically to certain impacted property owners and to the political subdivision in which the project is proposed to be located. Purchase of agricultural conservation easements required for large wind, solar, and battery systems The bill also requires owners of large wind energy systems, large solar energy systems, and battery energy storage systems that are located on land that has a National Commodity Crop Productivity Index (NCCPI) of 0.6 or greater as identified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and that was prime farmland at the time that a CPCN was applied for for the system to purchase certain agricultural conservation easements before placing the system in service. Under the bill, Xprime farmlandY means land in use for an agricultural use or in use for a use that has agricultural value, including land that is part of a crop rotation or land enrolled in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program if the land is prime farmland, unique farmland, or additional farmland of statewide importance under the specifications of the USDA. An agricultural conservation easement prohibits the land subject to the easement from being developed for a use that would make the land unavailable or unsuitable for agricultural use. Under the bill, an owner of a large wind energy system, large solar energy system, or battery energy storage system must purchase agricultural conservation easements on four acres of prime farmland for each acre of land on which the system is located that was prime farmland having an NCCPI of 0.8 or greater, and must purchase such easements on two acres of prime farmland for each acre of land on which the system is located that was prime farmland having an NCCPI of not less than 0.6 and not more than 0.8 or that was unique farmland or additional farmland of statewide importance. The bill requires an owner to make commercially reasonable efforts to purchase agricultural conservation easements on acres of prime farmland in the following order of priority: 1) acres adjacent to the system and owned by an owner-operator; 2) acres located in the same county as the system and owned by an owner-operator; 3) acres located in an adjacent county and owned by an owner-operator; 4) acres adjacent to the system; 5) acres located in the same county as the system; 6) acres located in an adjacent county; and 7) acres located in this state. Under the bill, an Xowner-operatorY is a person who owns land and who materially participates in a trade or business that engages in an agricultural use on that land. The purchase cost of an agricultural conservation easement required under the bill is $2,500 for each acre, and is paid to the landowner in equal payments made over five years. Under the bill, an application to PSC for a CPCN for a proposed large wind energy system, large solar energy system, or battery energy storage system must include proof that the applicant has entered into contracts for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements required by the bill. The bill also requires the agricultural conservation easements to include a provision that authorizes the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, on behalf of the state, to bring actions to enforce or defend the easements. The bill prohibits large wind energy systems, large solar energy systems, and battery energy storage systems from being separated into multiple systems to decrease the nominal capacity of each system below 100 megawatts to construct the systems without purchasing the agricultural conservation easements required by the bill. Nuclear energy as a state policy priority The bill establishes as state policy that nuclear energy is a high-priority option, second only to energy efficiency and conservation, to be considered in meeting the state[s energy demands, over noncombustible renewable energy resources and combustible renewable energy resources. Under current law, it is the goal of the state that, to the extent it is cost effective and technically feasible, all new installed capacity for electric generation be based on renewable energy resources. The bill adds nuclear energy to this focus, along with renewable energy. Current law also provides that, in designing all new and replacement energy projects, a state agency or local governmental unit must rely to the greatest extent feasible on energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy resources if those are cost effective, are technically feasible, and do not have unacceptable environmental impacts. The bill adds nuclear energy resources to this list of prioritized resources. Current law requires the Department of Administration to establish renewable energy percentage goals for certain state agencies to meet in 2007 and 2011 and then to submit a report to the governor and the legislature each March 1 concerning the degree of attainment of those goals during the preceding year. Under the bill, beginning in 2026, those reports must include nuclear energy in the definition of Xrenewable resourceY for the purpose of that report. The bill expands current laws that govern state renewable resource goals and renewable resource credits to include as an eligible resource one that derives electricity from nuclear power. The bill changes the terminology in these laws to use the term Xlow-carbon-emissionY instead of Xrenewable.Y Light-Mitigating technology systems The bill imposes lighting requirements on certain wind energy systems and high-voltage transmission line towers. Under the bill, such structures placed in service on or after the effective date of the bill must have a light-mitigating technology system (LMTS) installed; an LMTS is triggered by aircraft detection or otherwise reduces the impact of lighting necessary to make tall structures conspicuous to aircraft to avoid collisions. The bill applies to wind energy systems and high-voltage transmission line towers that meet the criteria for which construction or alteration would be subject to Federal Aviation Administration notice requirements, including a structure that is more than 200 feet above ground level (utility structures). Current law prohibits the erection of any building, structure, tower, or other object that exceeds specified heights without a permit issued by the Department of Transportation (height permit). The bill extends this height permit requirement to any utility structure. However, DOT may not issue a height permit for a utility structure unless the applicant has received FAA approval to install an LMTS on the utility structure and the height permit includes as a condition that the applicant install the LMTS no later than 24 months after issuance of the permit. Current DOT rules implementing height permits govern enforcement of height permit requirements and conditions, including penalties and possible revocation. The bill requires that a person be approved by FAA to install an LMTS on a utility structure. The bill specifies that a person who is selected to install an LMTS on a utility structure as required under the bill must provide notice to DOT and to the city, village, or town in which the utility structure is located of the progress of the installation. If the installation is delayed beyond the 24-month installation requirement, the bill requires the installer to provide an update on the reasons for the delay and the current status of the installation to DOT and the city, village, or town at least every three months. The bill allows DOT to establish policies and procedures to set a uniform schedule for submitting these notices and updates. Also, the bill requires the owner of a utility structure that is placed in service before the bill[s effective date and for which DOT has issued a height permit to submit a report to PSC no later than July 1, 2026, on the commercial feasibility of installing an LMTS on the utility structure. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | 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 |
| AJR29 | Celebrating May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: celebrating May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| AJR14 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative David O. Martin. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative David O. Martin. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| AJR48 | Commemorating Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and honoring the Hmong-Lao veterans who served alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. | Relating to: commemorating Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and honoring the Hmong-Lao veterans who served alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB185 | Property tax exemption for nonprofit theaters. (FE) | Current law provides a property tax exemption for property owned or leased by a nonprofit organization that includes one or more outdoor theaters for performing theater arts which have a total seating capacity of not less than 400 persons. In addition, in order to claim the exemption, the Internal Revenue Service must have confirmed the organization[s federal tax exempt status in a determination letter issued no later than July 31, 1969. This bill modifies the exemption so that it applies to property owned or leased by a nonprofit organization that includes one or more theaters for performing theater arts, regardless of whether the theaters are outdoors or indoors. In addition, in order to claim the exemption, the total capacity of the theaters must be not less than 240 persons and the IRS must have confirmed the organization[s federal tax exempt status in a determination letter issued no later than October 1, 1990. 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 local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2526/1 JK:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 185 | In Committee |
| AB185 | Property tax exemption for nonprofit theaters. (FE) | Current law provides a property tax exemption for property owned or leased by a nonprofit organization that includes one or more outdoor theaters for performing theater arts which have a total seating capacity of not less than 400 persons. In addition, in order to claim the exemption, the Internal Revenue Service must have confirmed the organization[s federal tax exempt status in a determination letter issued no later than July 31, 1969. This bill modifies the exemption so that it applies to property owned or leased by a nonprofit organization that includes one or more theaters for performing theater arts, regardless of whether the theaters are outdoors or indoors. In addition, in order to claim the exemption, the total capacity of the theaters must be not less than 240 persons and the IRS must have confirmed the organization[s federal tax exempt status in a determination letter issued no later than October 1, 1990. 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 local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR26 | Celebrating May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. | Relating to: celebrating May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. | In Committee |
| SJR49 | Commemorating Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and honoring the Hmong-Lao veterans who served alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. | Relating to: commemorating Hmong-Lao Veterans Day and honoring the Hmong- Lao veterans who served alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. | In Committee |
| SB160 | Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE) | This bill directs the Department of Transportation to designate and mark USH 12 in the village of Lake Delton in Sauk County as the XTom Diehl Memorial Highway.Y For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| SB119 | Positions for the Office of School Safety. (FE) | Under current law, there is an Office of School Safety in the Department of Justice. The office has 14.2 project positions that will expire on October 1, 2025; the purpose of these positions is to support and enhance school safety initiatives. Under current law, the positions are funded by fees that DOJ receives for performing background checks for handgun sales and for issuing licenses to carry a concealed weapon. This bill creates the positions as permanent positions and funds them with general purpose revenue beginning on October 1, 2025, when the project positions expire. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. | In Committee |
| AB120 | Positions for the Office of School Safety. (FE) | Under current law, there is an Office of School Safety in the Department of Justice. The office has 14.2 project positions that will expire on October 1, 2025; the purpose of these positions is to support and enhance school safety initiatives. Under current law, the positions are funded by fees that DOJ receives for performing background checks for handgun sales and for issuing licenses to carry a concealed weapon. This bill creates the positions as permanent positions and funds them with general purpose revenue beginning on October 1, 2025, when the project positions expire. For further information see the state 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| SJR14 | Honoring the life and public service of Representative David O. Martin. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative David O. Martin. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| AB31 | Repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty. | This bill creates requirements, commonly known as a Xlemon law,Y for the repair and replacement of an implement of husbandry that has a condition or defect (nonconformity) that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the implement of husbandry and that is covered by an express warranty. Under the bill, if an implement of husbandry does not conform to an applicable express warranty, and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, the lessor, or any of the manufacturer[s authorized dealers and makes the implement of husbandry available for repair, the manufacturer, lessor, or authorized dealer must repair the nonconformity. If the same nonconformity has been subject to repair at least four times and the nonconformity continues, or if the implement of husbandry is out of service for an aggregate of at least 30 days because of warranty nonconformities, the consumer is entitled to a replacement implement of husbandry or a full refund. | 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 |
| AB83 | Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. | Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. | In Committee |
| SB82 | Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device. | Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict 1) the use or sale of a motor vehicle on the basis of the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle, or 2) the use or sale of any other device on the basis of the energy source that is used to power the device or that is consumed by the device. | In Committee |
| SJR9 | Honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr. | Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr. | In Committee |
| AB7 | Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval. | Current law prohibits a person from beginning construction of a large electric generating facility (LEGF) unless the Public Service Commission grants a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for the proposed facility. An LEGF is defined as a facility with a nominal operating capacity of 100 megawatts or more. In addition, a public utility may not engage in certain construction, expansion, or other projects unless PSC grants a certificate of authority (CA) for the proposed project. The bill defines a Xsolar projectY and Xwind projectY as an area of land on which, respectively, solar photovoltaic panels or devices used for collecting wind energy, along with any associated equipment and facilities, are installed in order to generate electricity and which altogether is designed for nominal operation at a capacity of 15 megawatts or more. Under this bill, before PSC may approve a CA or a CPCN for the construction of a solar project or wind project, the person seeking the certificate must seek approval from each city, village, and town in which the solar project or wind project is to be located. The bill requires a city, village, or town to approve or disapprove a proposed solar project or wind project by adopting a resolution to that effect no later than 90 days after receiving a request for such approval. If the city, village, or town fails to act within that time period, the project is considered approved. The bill allows this deadline to be extended for certain reasons. Current law limits the authority of political subdivisions to regulate solar and wind energy systems, allowing political subdivisions to impose restrictions only if they meet certain conditions. The bill provides that those limitations do not apply to the approval or disapproval of a solar project or a wind project by a city, town, or village. Current law also imposes procedures for political subdivisions that receive applications for approval relating to wind energy systems. Those procedures do not apply to approval or disapproval of a wind project under the bill. Under the bill, PSC may not issue a CPCN or CA for a solar project or wind project unless each city, village, and town in which the project is proposed to be located has adopted a resolution approving the project. | In Committee |
| SB3 | Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval. | Current law prohibits a person from beginning construction of a large electric generating facility (LEGF) unless the Public Service Commission grants a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for the proposed facility. An LEGF is defined as a facility with a nominal operating capacity of 100 megawatts or more. In addition, a public utility may not engage in certain construction, expansion, or other projects unless PSC grants a certificate of authority (CA) for the proposed project. The bill defines a “solar project” and “wind project” as an area of land on which, respectively, solar photovoltaic panels or devices used for collecting wind energy, along with any associated equipment and facilities, are installed in order to generate electricity and which altogether is designed for nominal operation at a capacity of 15 megawatts or more. Under this bill, before PSC may approve a CA or a CPCN for the construction of a solar project or wind project, the person seeking the certificate must seek approval from each city, village, and town in which the solar project or wind project LRB-0775/1 SWB&EHS:emw&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 3 is to be located. The bill requires a city, village, or town to approve or disapprove a proposed solar project or wind project by adopting a resolution to that effect no later than 90 days after receiving a request for such approval. If the city, village, or town fails to act within that time period, the project is considered approved. The bill allows this deadline to be extended for certain reasons. Current law limits the authority of political subdivisions to regulate solar and wind energy systems, allowing political subdivisions to impose restrictions only if they meet certain conditions. The bill provides that those limitations do not apply to the approval or disapproval of a solar project or a wind project by a city, town, or village. Current law also imposes procedures for political subdivisions that receive applications for approval relating to wind energy systems. Those procedures do not apply to approval or disapproval of a wind project under the bill. Under the bill, PSC may not issue a CPCN or CA for a solar project or wind project unless each city, village, and town in which the project is proposed to be located has adopted a resolution approving the project. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 24 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 23 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 22 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 21 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 20 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 19 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 18 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 17 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 16 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 15 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 14 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 13 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 12 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 11 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 10 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 9 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 8 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 7 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 6 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 5 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 4 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 3 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 2 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB50 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| SB45 | State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in | 07/02/2025 | Yea |
| AB17 | Creating an employee ownership conversion costs tax credit, a deduction for capital gains from the transfer of a business to employee ownership, and an employee ownership education and outreach program. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| AB63 | Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| SB108 | Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| SB108 | Sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| SB106 | Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| SB106 | Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| SB283 | Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| SB283 | Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| AB279 | Talent recruitment grants. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| AB279 | Talent recruitment grants. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 06/24/2025 | Yea |
| AJR50 | Recognizing the United States Army’s 250th birthday. | Assembly: Adopted | 06/18/2025 | Yea |
| AB269 | Delivery network couriers and transportation network drivers, Department of Financial Institutions’ approval to offer portable benefit accounts, providing for insurance coverage, modifying administrative rules related to accident and sickness insurance, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 06/18/2025 | Yea |
| SB24 | Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in, and the lifespan of, a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Middleton. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB23 | Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB43 | Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB137 | Maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB140 | Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 05/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB73 | Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| AB164 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and federal Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment grants. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| AB165 | Local guaranteed income programs. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| AB166 | Academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| AB162 | Workforce metrics. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| AB168 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| AB169 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| AB167 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 04/22/2025 | Yea |
| AB102 | Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/20/2025 | Yea |
| AB100 | Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/20/2025 | Yea |
| AB103 | School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/20/2025 | Yea |
| AB104 | Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/20/2025 | Yea |
| AB105 | The distribution of certain material on the Internet. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/20/2025 | Yea |
| AB24 | County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | 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) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Yea |
| AB94 | Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the State of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Yea |
| AB95 | Ratification of the agreement negotiated between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering employees in the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/18/2025 | Yea |
| AB14 | The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. | Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB15 | The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. | Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB16 | Repealing an administrative rule of the Department of Natural Resources related to the possession of firearms. | Assembly: Referred to Environment | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB13 | The suspension of a rule of the Elections Commission. | Assembly: Referred to Campaigns and Elections | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB66 | Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB66 | Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes. | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB75 | Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB85 | Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB85 | Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) | Assembly: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB89 | Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB91 | The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB91 | The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE) | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 03/13/2025 | 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) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 03/13/2025 | Yea |
| AB1 | Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 02/19/2025 | Yea |
| AB5 | Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 02/19/2025 | Yea |
| AB3 | Incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 02/19/2025 | Yea |
| AB4 | Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 02/19/2025 | Yea |
| AB4 | Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE) | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 02/19/2025 | Yea |
| AB2 | Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 02/19/2025 | Yea |
| AB6 | Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE) | Assembly: Read a third time and passed | 02/19/2025 | Yea |
| AB6 | Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE) | Assembly: Decision of the Chair upheld | 02/19/2025 | Yea |
| SJR2 | Requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration). | Assembly: Read a third time and concurred in | 01/14/2025 | Yea |
| AR1 | Notifying the senate and the governor that the 2025-2026 assembly is organized. | Assembly: Adopted | 01/06/2025 | Yea |
| SJR1 | The session schedule for the 2025-2026 biennial session period. | Assembly: Concurred in | 01/06/2025 | Yea |
| AR2 | Establishing the assembly committee structure and names for the 2025-2026 legislative session. | Assembly: Adopted | 01/06/2025 | Yea |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI | District 49 | House | Republican | In Office | 01/03/2011 |