AJR 10 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: the freedom to gather in places of worship during a state of emergency (second consideration).

AJR 10 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would amend Article I, Section 18 to prohibit state or local governments from closing places of worship or banning gatherings there during a state of emergency (including public health emergencies). If approved by voters, this change would directly affect religious congregations and local officials responsible for emergency orders. The amendment would require that places of worship be treated equally with other businesses during emergencies, preventing restrictions specifically targeting them. This is a voter-approved constitutional change, not a law, and is currently awaiting submission to the November 2026 ballot.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 24, 2025 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Joint Resolution Text Enrolled Joint Resolution · 3 edits · May 26, 2026
MINOR
The document was converted from a draft 'Joint Resolution Text' to the final 'Enrolled Joint Resolution' format, which is the official version submitted to voters. The substantive policy text regarding religious freedom and emergency gatherings remains unchanged, but the final version includes specific instructions on how the question will appear on the ballot and adds signatures from the Senate President and Assembly Speaker.
TECHNICAL

The document structure was updated from a draft analysis format to the official enrolled format required for voter submission.

Added signature blocks for the President of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly to certify the resolution.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific text defining the exact wording of the ballot question that voters will see.

Floor votes · Assembly Jan 13, 2026

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 15
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Adopted, Ayes 56, Noes 43
lower
Jan 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on calendar 1-13-2026 by Committee on Rules
lower
May 29, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
May 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report adoption recommended by Committee on Judiciary, Ayes 5, Noes 1
lower
May 20, 2025
Introduced
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Ortiz-Velez
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Tusler, Green, Allen, Armstrong, Behnke, Brill, Brooks, Callahan, Dittrich, Donovan, Franklin, Goeben, Gundrum, Gustafson, Hurd, B. Jacobson, Knodl, Kreibich, Maxey, Murphy, Nedweski, O'Connor, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Tittl and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Tomczyk, Nass, Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Felzkowski, James, Kapenga and Quinn
lower
26 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors