Senate Bill 114 proposes to exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from state sales and use tax. The bill defines "diaper" as an absorbent garment for humans with bladder or bowel control difficulties, and "feminine hygiene products" to include items like tampons and sanitary napkins, specifically excluding general grooming products. If enacted, consumers would no longer pay sales tax on these defined items, and retailers would not collect it. This change aims to remove the sales and use tax from the sale and consumption of these specific products.
AB 93 modifies the labeling and distribution requirements for fertilizers and soil or plant additives created from animal or vegetable manure, specifically compost and vermicompost. The bill allows producers of these manure-based products to use a "typical analysis" of their contents on labels and invoices, instead of a "guaranteed analysis" or "grade," if the claims are scientifically validated. It also exempts mixed fertilizers made from manure-based compost or vermicompost from minimum nutrient content requirements. Additionally, the bill prohibits the state department from requiring controlled experimental field tests for compost-based soil or plant additives when substantiating claims for permits.
Senate Bill 197 proposes significant changes to Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law, primarily by renaming it the "reemployment assistance" program. The bill establishes a new Division of Reemployment Assistance within the Department of Workforce Development. It also amends various statutes to reflect this name change and reiterates that individuals must be able, available, and actively seeking work to be eligible for benefits. These changes directly affect individuals applying for benefits, employers who contribute to the system, and the state's workforce development efforts.
SB 44 prevents local governments (cities, towns, counties) from banning residents from keeping 4 or fewer chickens or quail on residential properties they own or rent in owner-occupied homes. It allows local units to require permits, request neighbor notifications, set housing location rules, ban roosters, and enforce cleanliness standards. The bill directly affects homeowners and renters in residential zones who wish to keep small flocks of poultry. It does not override condominium rules but limits local restrictions on low-scale backyard farming. The law creates clear boundaries for municipal regulation of residential fowl keeping.
SB 37 prohibits local governments (cities, towns, or counties) from requiring permits or banning vegetable gardens on residential property. It defines "vegetable garden" broadly to include edible plants, flowers, and pollinator plants grown in residential plots. The bill does not stop local governments from enforcing unrelated rules like zoning, water use, fertilizer regulations, or controlling weeds/invasive species - only those specifically targeting vegetable gardens. This directly affects homeowners who grow food or flowers in their yards and limits municipal overreach into residential gardening.
Senate Bill 198 proposes several changes to the state's unemployment insurance law. It requires the Joint Committee on Finance to approve any federally authorized increases to weekly unemployment benefits or total benefit amounts before they can be implemented by state agencies. The bill also expands the definition of employment misconduct that can disqualify individuals from receiving benefits, including new provisions related to theft of employer information or property damage, and violations of employer absenteeism or tardiness policies. Additionally, it adds a requirement for out-of-state claimants to register with their local job center website or labor market exchange.
Senate Bill 201 requires state agencies and authorities to track and report standardized performance metrics for various state-funded workforce development programs. These metrics include participants' employment rates, median earnings, and attainment of postsecondary credentials after program exit. The bill mandates that this performance data be published annually on a single, state-maintained website. Additionally, it updates requirements for employers to provide information about local workforce development resources to employees affected by business closings or mass layoffs.
SB 167 allows licensed teachers to carry concealed firearms on school grounds under specific conditions. It requires schools (public, charter, private, or tribal) to adopt written policies permitting this, and exempts licensed teachers from firearm possession restrictions in school areas if their school has such a policy. The bill also adjusts concealed carry license fees: new licenses cost up to $37 (covering issuance costs), and renewals cost up to $12. These changes apply to applications submitted on the bill's effective date. The law directly affects licensed teachers, school districts, and the Department of Justice (which sets fees).
SB 230 requires physical retail stores to accept cash for in-person purchases at the point of sale, directly affecting businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies, and shops that operate from a physical location. The bill prohibits stores from refusing cash payments unless legally barred from accepting cash for specific goods or services. Violations would result in fines ranging from $200 to $5,000 per incident, enforceable by the department or district attorneys through civil penalties or court injunctions. This law applies only to face-to-face transactions at physical store locations, not online or phone sales.
AB 300 creates a state grant program to help local law enforcement agencies purchase automated license plate reader systems (high-speed cameras that scan plates and convert data for law enforcement use). The program requires at least half of the grant funds to go to agencies in rural areas (defined as cities/towns under 20,000 population, at least 15 miles from larger cities). Agencies must submit a spending plan to the Department of Justice for review before receiving grants, which are limited to public safety and crime prevention purposes. The bill does not apply to state-level agencies or require specific outcomes, focusing solely on funding access for local rural and urban law enforcement.
SB 299 creates a state grant program to help law enforcement agencies buy automated registration plate reader systems (high-speed cameras that scan license plates and convert data). The bill requires at least half of the grant funds to go to agencies in rural areas (defined as communities under 20,000 people at least 15 miles from larger cities). Law enforcement agencies applying for grants must submit a detailed spending plan for review by the Department of Justice. This program directly affects local police departments, sheriffs' offices, and tribal law enforcement in rural communities seeking to enhance public safety technology.
AJR 64 designates June 2025 as Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Awareness Month in Wisconsin. This symbolic resolution recognizes MG, an autoimmune neuromuscular disease causing muscle weakness that affects vision, speech, and breathing, and aligns with the national observance of MG Awareness Month held every June. The bill does not create new laws, funding, or services; it is a formal acknowledgment to raise public awareness about MG, which impacts approximately 10-20 people per 100,000 Americans.
