AB 242 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: tampering with telecommunication or electric wires and providing a penalty.

AB 242 amends Wisconsin law to strengthen penalties for tampering with utility infrastructure. It makes it illegal to intentionally remove, damage, or interfere with telecommunication, broadband, electric power, or related wires or equipment without first giving the utility company 24 hours' notice. Violations are punishable as Class B misdemeanors (for removing structures) or Class A misdemeanors/felony (for breaking lines or making unauthorized connections). The law directly affects individuals and contractors working near utility lines, including construction crews, landscapers, and anyone modifying property where wires are attached. It includes an exception allowing work with explicit permission from the utility company.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Assembly Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced May 2, 2025 Signed Aug 11, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Amendments
2
Aug 11, 2025
Signed into law
Report approved by the Governor on 8-8-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 30
lower
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and concurred in
upper
Jun 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and passed
lower
Jun 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Assembly Amendment 1 adopted
lower
May 29, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
May 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 12, Noes 1
lower
May 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 12, Noes 1
lower
May 15, 2025
Introduced
Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Summerfield
lower
May 2, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Summerfield, Behnke, Callahan, Dittrich, Doyle, Green, Gundrum, Moses, Mursau, Penterman, Steffen, Subeck and Melotik; cosponsored by Senators James, Marklein, Nass and Pfaff
lower
13 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors