SB 445 Wisconsin Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: consideration of a certain definition of antisemitism for purposes of laws, ordinances, policies, or criminal penalty enhancers concerning discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin.

SB 445 requires state agencies and local governments (including cities, counties, and school districts) to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) 2016 definition of antisemitism when evaluating discrimination cases involving race, religion, color, or national origin under state laws, ordinances, or criminal penalty enhancements. It specifically applies when assessing whether a victim was targeted due to their actual or perceived identity. The bill clarifies it does not override First Amendment rights or conflict with existing federal or state antidiscrimination laws. This is a procedural requirement for consistent application of the IHRA definition in relevant legal contexts.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Sep 29, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Hutton
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 3
upper
Sep 29, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Senators Hutton, Cabral-Guevara, Hesselbein, James, Pfaff, Testin, Wall, Wanggaard and Wirch; cosponsored by Representatives Tusler, Dallman, Dittrich, Donovan, Emerson, Gundrum, Knodl, Kreibich, Murphy, O'Connor, Ortiz-Velez, Sinicki, Subeck and Wichgers
upper
9 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors