AB 413 would exempt certain farm owners from needing a campground license when operating small campgrounds on their own agricultural property. Specifically, it applies to farms that use existing agricultural land for limited overnight stays, such as for farm tours or agritourism activities. The key provision removes the requirement for these qualifying farm-based campgrounds to obtain a separate state campground license. This change directly affects small farm operators who currently face licensing costs and administrative hurdles for simple, on-farm camping services.
SB 415 exempts qualifying farm owners from needing a campground license to operate small-scale camping on their agricultural land. It directly affects farmers who run campgrounds on their own property, limiting exemptions to farms with only one campground containing three or fewer campsites. The bill defines "farm" as land primarily used for agriculture, and specifies that only farms meeting these criteria can operate without a license under existing campground regulations. This change simplifies licensing for small, farm-based camping operations while maintaining regulatory oversight for larger or commercial campgrounds.
AB 358 requires state agencies and contractors to submit written reports when construction or development projects disturb burial sites. This applies to projects on public or state-owned land, affecting state departments and private entities working on such developments. The bill mandates timely reporting to the designated state office overseeing cultural resources. It establishes a procedural requirement without altering existing laws or creating new regulations.
SB 416 requires anyone who discovers a disturbed or potentially disturbed burial site in a cemetery or adjacent land to report it immediately to local police or sheriff's offices. Police and sheriff's departments must then prepare and submit detailed reports - including property address and location - to both the Cemetery Board and the Burial Sites Preservation Board. The bill also mandates the creation of a standardized reporting form and requires the Preservation Board to publicly post all annual reports on its website by March 1. This legislation directly affects cemetery owners, public officials, and law enforcement by establishing a clear reporting process for burial site disturbances.
SB 21 creates tax incentives to encourage businesses in Wisconsin to transition to employee ownership. It provides a credit covering up to 70% of conversion costs (capped at $100,000) for worker-owned cooperatives and 50% for employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), plus a deduction for capital gains from such business transfers. These benefits apply to business owners converting ownership to employee-controlled structures where employees own more than 50% of the business. The bill also establishes an education program to support employee ownership transitions, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
AB 392 creates a state Task Force focused on addressing the crisis of missing and murdered African American women and girls in Wisconsin. The task force will develop recommendations to improve responses, prevention efforts, and support services for this community. The bill includes a funding appropriation to cover the task force’s operational costs. It was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety for further review.
AB 402 requires all health insurance plans in Wisconsin to cover maternity and newborn care services. It grants the Commissioner of Insurance authority to create specific rules for implementing this coverage requirement. The bill directly affects health insurance providers and ensures these services are included in standard coverage for policyholders.
AB 396 establishes procedures for the legislature to appoint legal counsel, specifying how the process will be managed internally. This procedural bill affects the legislative body's internal operations but does not change laws or impact the public. It focuses solely on the mechanics of hiring legal staff, without altering substantive policy or affecting constituents.
SB 397 modifies how the legislature appoints legal counsel by allowing the Speaker of the Assembly, Senate Majority Leader, and Joint Committee Co-Chairs to hire outside legal counsel (not from the Department of Justice) for legislative matters, but adds a new requirement: such appointments now need majority approval from the full legislative house. Previously, leadership could make these decisions unilaterally; the bill creates Section 4 to mandate this oversight. It directly affects legislative leadership and committees when seeking external legal services. The bill does not alter public policy or impact citizens.
SB 404 creates a Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls, directly affecting African American women and girls experiencing violence in Wisconsin. The task force, established by the attorney general within 45 days, will examine systemic causes of violence against this group, data collection methods, policing and institutional practices, and prevention strategies. It must submit a report by December 15, 2026, with recommendations for policy changes, violence reduction, and victim support. The bill appropriates $80,200 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $99,500 for 2026-27 to fund the task force, which terminates on January 1, 2027, or after the report is submitted.
SB 401 requires employer-sponsored disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans to cover maternity and newborn care as an essential health benefit, directly affecting employees and their families. The bill mandates coverage with minimal or no out-of-pocket costs, prohibits discrimination in coverage decisions based on disability or life expectancy, and directs the Insurance Commissioner to set specific benefit standards through rules. The Commissioner must base these standards on typical employer coverage surveys and update them periodically to address gaps in access. This applies to most employer health plans but excludes certain disability policies described in existing law.
AB 213 prohibits hedge funds managing $50 million or more in assets from acquiring or owning single-family homes in the state. It defines "hedge fund" as investment entities meeting specific criteria (not tax-exempt organizations, managing pooled investor funds). Violations require forfeiting the home to the state, enforced by the attorney general, but only apply to ownership acquired after a future effective date - existing holdings are unaffected. The bill directly affects large hedge funds meeting its financial and structural definition, not all real estate investors.
