AB 791 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: intentionally sending false text messages to 911 and providing a penalty.

AB 791 makes it illegal to intentionally send false text messages to 911 reporting a non-existent emergency. It directly affects individuals who send such deceptive messages, imposing fines ($100-$600) or up to 90 days in jail for a first offense. For repeat offenses within four years, the penalty escalates to a Class H felony charge. The bill targets misuse of emergency services by adding specific penalties for text-based false reports, which previously lacked clear legal consequences. This law aims to deter non-emergency text spam that wastes critical resources.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 23, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 13, Noes 2
lower
Dec 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Donovan, Goodwin, Sortwell, Sinicki, Behnke, DeSmidt, Dittrich, Goeben, Gundrum, Kaufert, Kurtz, Maxey, Murphy, O'Connor, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Stubbs, Subeck and Knodl; cosponsored by Senator Wanggaard
lower
19 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors