Relating to: the opportunity attraction and promotion program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
SB 809 modifies Wisconsin's Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Program, administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). It creates new rules allowing grants for non-public events (like exclusive conferences) only if they bring national exposure or boost economic growth, with strict limits: no more than 25% of annual funds can support such events, and they must avoid regularly scheduled or rotating events. The bill requires applicants to provide cost-benefit analyses of economic impacts before funding, mandates matching contributions from non-state sources, and adds annual reporting to the legislature. This directly affects event organizers seeking WEDC grants to attract major events to Wisconsin.
Bill status
failed
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 2, 2026
Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced by Senators Testin, Dassler-Alfheim, Feyen, Keyeski, Ratcliff, Spreitzer and Tomczyk;
cosponsored by Representatives Kurtz, Armstrong, Brill, Green, Kaufert, Kitchens, Mursau, Novak, Sinicki, Stubbs and Knodl
upper
7 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 809
Scope: WI
Hi! I can help you understand SB 809. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline