Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 62: Relating to: financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE)

SB 62 modifies how Wisconsin's Health and Educational Facilities Authority (WHEFA) finances projects for nonprofit institutions like hospitals, schools, and research organizations. It creates new provisions to fund working capital for operating expenses and expands WHEFA's ability to make loans for facility projects, requiring security arrangements like mortgages. The bill also allows WHEFA to fund out-of-state projects only if they include a substantial Wisconsin component, as determined by the authority. These changes directly affect participating nonprofit institutions by altering how they access financing for operations and facilities. The bill adjusts salary limits for WHEFA staff but focuses primarily on restructuring the authority's financing mechanisms.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 259: Relating to: criminal trespass at a campground and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 259 creates a new misdemeanor offense for entering or remaining on a campground without permission from the operator. It directly affects visitors who enter or stay on licensed campground property without consent. The law allows campground operators to issue written requests for individuals to leave, and failing to comply results in fines up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail. This bill specifically applies to campgrounds and camping resorts licensed under state law, clarifying that standard trespass laws do not cover campground occupants or guests.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 83: Relating to: governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device.

AB 83 prohibits state and local governments from restricting the sale or use of motor vehicles based on their energy source (e.g., gasoline, electric, or hydrogen). It also extends this rule to other energy-powered devices, such as power tools or generators, if their significant functions rely on that energy source. The law explicitly allows government agencies to prioritize electric vehicles for their own fleets when purchasing. This ensures public policies do not discriminate against specific vehicle or device types based on energy use.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 251: Relating to: jurisdiction over juveniles on federal enclaves. (FE)

AB 251 clarifies that the state retains concurrent jurisdiction over juveniles aged 10 or older involved in delinquency cases (under §938.12(1)) or protection/safety cases (under §938.13) on federal lands within the state. The bill requires the governor to accept jurisdiction transfers from federal authorities for these cases when offered, and mandates that such agreements be filed with the secretary of state and county land records. This directly affects juveniles 10+ committing offenses on federal enclaves (like military bases or national parks) by ensuring state courts handle their cases. The key mechanism is establishing state authority as concurrent with federal jurisdiction and creating a formal process for transferring jurisdiction. The bill does not change existing court procedures but clarifies jurisdictional boundaries for these specific cases.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 304: Relating to: hours for voting by absentee ballot in person at the office of the municipal clerk or an alternate site. (FE)

SB 304 requires municipal clerk offices and designated alternate sites to be open for at least 20 total hours during in-person absentee ballot application periods. It updates deadlines: voters applying in person must do so between 14 days before an election and the Sunday before, with specific hours published in election notices. Military voters and sequestered jurors may apply until 5 p.m. on election day, while other voters must apply by 5 p.m. on the Friday before. The bill standardizes notice requirements and access hours for absentee ballot applications.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 50: Relating to: state finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE)

Assembly Bill 50 constitutes the executive budget act for the 2025 legislature, establishing the state's finances and appropriations. This bill directs how state funds will be allocated across various government agencies and programs, impacting state operations and services. Key provisions in the bill include changes to the state's minimum wage, reporting requirements for the Department of Public Instruction, and measures concerning school resource officers in school districts. It also addresses aspects of kinship care eligibility. The legislation ultimately affects state agencies, employees, and residents through its funding decisions and policy adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 242: Relating to: required ratio of journeyworkers to apprentices in apprenticeship programs and contracts.

SB 242 sets a maximum ratio of one journeyworker (skilled tradesperson) for every two apprentices in apprenticeship programs and contracts. It prohibits state agencies from requiring a stricter ratio (e.g., more journeyworkers per apprentice) through rules, program approvals, or contracts. The bill directly affects apprenticeship programs, contractors, and unions operating under collective bargaining agreements. It takes effect when existing collective bargaining agreements expire or are renewed, modifying how these agreements must align with the new ratio standard.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 72: Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin.

AJR 72 is a ceremonial resolution that officially recognizes June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or policies but formally declares this date to honor the historical significance of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States following Union troops' arrival in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The resolution acknowledges Wisconsin’s longstanding Juneteenth observance, including Milwaukee’s celebration beginning in 1971. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect beyond promoting awareness of this historical milestone.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 69: Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Terrence A. “Terry” Willkom.

SJR 69 is a non-binding joint resolution honoring the late Wisconsin State Representative Terrence A. "Terry" Willkom, who served in the Assembly from 1971-1976 and passed away in May 2025. It commemorates his public service, personal life, and career - including his roles as a business executive, family man, and advocate for bipartisan collaboration - without creating any new laws or affecting any policies. The resolution formally extends the Wisconsin Legislature’s condolences to his family and recognizes his legacy of "honesty, integrity, and ability to work with both sides of the aisle." As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on constituents or legislation.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 74: Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin.

SJR 74 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. It formally declares this date to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, referencing the historical event when Union troops announced freedom to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The resolution highlights Wisconsin's longstanding Juneteenth celebration tradition, dating to Milwaukee's first observance in 1971, and acknowledges Juneteenth's national significance as a federal holiday since 2021. This resolution has no legal effect beyond symbolic recognition and does not create new laws or funding.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 320: Relating to: grants for LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and school social workers and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 320 creates $2 million in annual state funding for grants to school boards to provide LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and social workers. The bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to award these grants for training programs developed or approved by the department. It directly affects school counselors, social workers, and school boards across the state, with the training focusing on supporting LGBTQIA+ students. The legislation specifies that "LGBTQIA+" includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other nonheterosexual or noncisgender identities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 334: Relating to: designating the monarch butterfly as the state butterfly.

SB 334 designates the monarch butterfly as Wisconsin's official state butterfly. It adds a new section (1.10(3)(w)) to state statutes declaring this designation and amends another section (1.10(4)) to include "butterfly" in the list of symbols featured in the Wisconsin Blue Book. The bill directly affects state symbolism by formally recognizing the monarch butterfly alongside existing symbols like the state bird and flower. This is a procedural, non-regulatory change with no funding or policy impacts, solely updating official state identifiers.

Bill results