Wisconsin Bills

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 4: Relating to: required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE)

AB 4 requires all public school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools in parental choice programs to include civics instruction in their curriculum starting in the 2027-28 school year. The instruction must cover U.S. founding principles, civic participation, government advocacy processes, and comparisons of governance systems (including communism, socialism, and totalitarianism). Schools must annually report compliance to the Department of Public Instruction, and high schools must add a half-credit civics requirement to graduation standards, effective for students graduating in 2030-31. This bill amends existing statutes to establish these requirements for K-12 civics education and reporting.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 30: Relating to: required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE)

SB 30 requires all public and charter schools to include civics education in their curriculum, mandating at least 0.5 credits of civics instruction within high school social studies courses. The bill specifies that this instruction must cover foundational U.S. documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights), the Federalist Papers, civic participation, and comparisons with other governance systems like communism. Private schools participating in parental choice programs must also include this civics content and annually report compliance to the department. These requirements apply to the 2027-28 school year for curriculum, with graduation impacts beginning for students graduating in 2030-31. The bill establishes new reporting obligations for schools and creates a legislative reporting mechanism for the department.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 62: Relating to: health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 62 establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board to address prescription drug costs. The board, with members representing pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, healthcare providers, and the public, must meet quarterly and avoid conflicts of interest. Key provisions include creating a $500,000 annual grant program for healthcare providers to develop tools showing patients the cost of prescriptions (Section 601.415), launching a diabetes medication pilot project (Section 601.41), and repealing a section requiring copayments for certain Medicaid services (Section 7). This bill directly affects insurers, pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and healthcare providers who must disclose drug costs to patients.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 57: Relating to: requirements concerning assistance in the detention of individuals who are or are alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States.

AB 57 prohibits state and local officials, including law enforcement, from aiding in the detention of individuals solely because they are or are alleged to be not lawfully present in the U.S. The bill specifically bans assistance in facilities like schools, hospitals, places of worship, or childcare centers. It also prohibits using state funds for such detentions and exempts actions required by a valid judicial warrant. The law directly affects state agencies, local governments, and their employees who operate these facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 40: Relating to: flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule.

SB 40 restricts flag displays on state and local government properties to only the U.S. flag, Wisconsin state flag, and state agency flags. Exceptions allow specific flags (like veterans' or tribal flags) under strict conditions, but prohibit any flag promoting political parties, causes, holidays, or ideological views - even under these exceptions. The bill repeals an outdated administrative rule about flag displays and applies to state buildings, local government facilities, and school properties. It does not affect flags on tribal lands or private entities leasing government space.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 67: Relating to: venue for actions in which there is a governmental party.

AB 67 creates a new process for selecting where lawsuits involving government entities (like state officials, commissions, or federal representatives from the state) are heard in 1st or 2nd class cities. If a party requests it within 5 days of filing or service, the court clerk randomly assigns the case to another circuit court, and this assignment becomes final - no further venue changes are allowed. The bill also adds a fee for using this random venue option. It directly affects plaintiffs and defendants in such lawsuits filed in designated cities, changing how venue is determined under existing law.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 70: Relating to: a disclaimer of parental rights and payments allowed in connection with an adoption.

AB 70 creates a formal "affidavit of disclaimer" process for parents to voluntarily terminate parental rights in adoption cases. It sets strict timing rules (e.g., no execution before 120 hours post-birth or after the child's first birthday), requires mandatory counseling for minors, and specifies that mothers can revoke the disclaimer within 72 hours, while fathers can revoke until 72 hours after execution or 120 hours post-birth, whichever is later. The affidavit must include specific disclosures about legal rights, child support, and the child's status, and is irrevocable after set deadlines unless obtained through fraud or duress. This directly affects parents (including minors), adoption agencies, and courts handling adoption proceedings in Wisconsin.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 53: Relating to: requiring the display of the national motto in public schools and on public buildings. (FE)

SB 53 requires all state and local government buildings, including public schools, to display the national motto "In God We Trust" in specified formats. Public buildings must show it in an 11x14 inch poster, framed document, or wall inscription (visible to the public), while schools must display it in every classroom starting the 2026-27 school year. The law mandates the motto be in English with a legible font, meeting specific size and placement rules. It directly affects state agencies, local governments, and all public school districts in the state.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 25: Relating to: an incumbent transmission facility owner’s right to construct, own, and maintain certain transmission facilities and Public Service Commission procedures if the transmission facility is a regionally cost-shared transmission line.

AB 25 grants transmission companies (incumbent owners) the right to construct, own, and maintain specific high-voltage transmission lines approved in the Midwest Independent System Operator's (MISO) regional plan, provided the lines connect to their existing facilities. It requires these owners to notify Wisconsin's Public Service Commission within 90 days of MISO approval, provide competitive-bid cost estimates, and submit quarterly cost reports during construction. The bill also mandates disclosure of costs charged to out-of-state energy consumers for these regionally cost-shared lines. These provisions apply to transmission lines eligible for regional cost sharing under MISO, without requiring a right of first refusal.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 56: Relating to: requiring the display of the national motto in public schools and on public buildings. (FE)

AB 56 requires all state agencies, local governments, and public schools to display the national motto "In God We Trust" in specific locations. Public buildings must show it on a poster, framed document, or wall (at least 11x14 inches, in English, and visible to the public), while schools must display it in every classroom starting in the 2026-27 school year. The bill mandates these displays within six months of the law taking effect, with detailed size, format, and visibility requirements. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and all state/local government buildings.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 48: Relating to: providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 48 creates a state program to reimburse public and private schools for the cost of providing free meals to all students, including lunch and breakfast. Schools must participate in federal meal programs and offer free meals to every student without charge. The state will pay schools an amount equal to the federal reimbursement rate for free meals (minus any federal funds received), based on meals served in the prior school year. This applies to public, private, charter, tribal, and specialized schools meeting eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 67: Relating to: providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 67 creates a state reimbursement program for schools providing universal free meals to all students. It directly affects public schools, charter schools, private schools, tribal schools, and residential care centers participating in federal meal programs. The bill establishes a 15-cent-per-breakfast reimbursement rate from state funds (using existing appropriations) for schools meeting federal meal requirements, while matching federal reimbursement rates for lunches. It repeals the previous school meal reimbursement statute (115.341) and requires schools to serve free meals to all students without cost during school days. Payments begin for meals served in the 2025-26 school year, with reimbursements calculated based on federal rates and prorated by meal counts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Bill results