Wisconsin Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

AB 459: Relating to: county public works notice and competitive bidding thresholds. (FE)

AB 459 changes the minimum cost threshold for county public works projects that require competitive bidding. Currently, counties must use competitive bidding for projects over $50,000; this bill raises that threshold to $100,000. As a result, counties will no longer need to hold competitive bids for smaller public works projects between $50,000 and $100,000. The bill directly affects county governments by reducing administrative requirements for certain construction and service contracts.

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 576: Relating to: a property tax exemption for prefabricated recreational structures. (FE)

SB 576 creates a property tax exemption for specific prefabricated recreational structures used in licensed campgrounds. It defines these structures as prefabricated units designed to be towed, used primarily for temporary living (like camping or seasonal stays), and located on land not owned by the structure owner. The bill requires the state to reimburse municipalities starting in 2027 for property taxes collected on these structures for 2025 assessments, based on reports from local governments. This directly affects campground owners and renters of these temporary recreational structures, shifting tax responsibility from property owners to the state. The exemption applies to structures meeting the new definition in Section 70.11(49), excluding permanent mobile homes or other taxable property.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

AB 668: Relating to: reports on the competency of involuntarily committed individuals to refuse medication or treatment based upon an examination by an advanced practice registered nurse.

AB 668 amends Wisconsin law to allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with psychiatric expertise to conduct examinations determining whether involuntarily committed individuals can refuse medication or treatment. This change directly affects individuals in psychiatric commitment under specific legal standards who refuse care, as it expands the pool of qualified professionals (previously limited to physicians) who can provide the required medical certification. The bill requires any motion to override a patient's refusal to include a written report signed by an APRN or physician stating the individual is not competent to refuse treatment or that treatment is necessary to prevent serious harm. The amendment takes effect September 1, 2026, after a temporary transition period allowing physician-only assessments until that date. This creates a new pathway for competency determinations while maintaining existing court hearing requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 529: Relating to: repeal of obsolete tax credits and tax provisions. (FE)

SB 529 repeals outdated tax provisions and updates specific tax rules in Wisconsin's statutes. It removes obsolete tax credits (like those in sections 71.03(7)(d) and 77.54(57d)(a)1) and modifies college savings account deductions, limiting annual tax deductions for contributions to $5,000 per beneficiary (adjusted annually for inflation). The bill also clarifies that income from disaster relief work performed by out-of-state businesses does not increase a business's taxable income in Wisconsin. These changes primarily affect taxpayers claiming college savings deductions or involved in disaster relief work with out-of-state businesses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 448: Relating to: the use of videoconferencing technology in certain civil actions.

This bill changes rules for objections to video testimony in civil cases. It requires courts to use discretion when ruling on objections (instead of automatically sustaining them) for most civil proceedings, except for expert witness testimony in cases under chapters 51 or 55. The change directly affects defendants and respondents who object to video testimony, and applies to cases where physical courtroom presence isn’t required. Courts must now follow specific criteria in statute 885.56 when deciding such objections.

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 593: Relating to: various changes to insurance laws.

SB 593 amends multiple insurance laws to update licensing, fee collection, and revocation rules for insurance agents and navigators. It requires agents without Social Security numbers to submit sworn statements instead of SSNs when paying annual fees, and adds new grounds for license revocation - including failure to pay child support, delinquent taxes, or unpaid unemployment contributions. The bill also modifies rules around a state healthcare reinsurance program, restricting the commissioner from seeking federal waiver changes without new legislation before 2023. These changes directly affect insurance professionals who apply for or maintain licenses in the state. The bill passed its third reading in November 2025.

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

AB 223: Relating to: residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions.

This bill amends residency requirements for people circulating nomination papers or recall petitions. It requires circulators to certify their residence (with street address if applicable) and confirms they are either a qualified elector of the state or a U.S. citizen aged 18+ who would not be disqualified from voting if they lived in the state. For recall petitions specifically, the certification must state the circulator is a qualified elector. These changes directly affect individuals collecting signatures for candidate nominations or recall efforts, ensuring circulators meet clear residency and eligibility standards before submitting petitions.

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

AB 446: Relating to: consideration of a certain definition of antisemitism for purposes of laws, ordinances, policies, or criminal penalty enhancers concerning discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin.

AB 446 requires all state agencies and local governments (including cities, counties, and school districts) to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 definition of antisemitism when evaluating evidence in discrimination cases based on race, religion, color, or national origin. This applies to both civil policies prohibiting discrimination and criminal cases where bias against a victim's identity is a factor for enhanced penalties. The bill explicitly states it does not affect First Amendment rights or conflict with existing federal or state antidiscrimination laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 84: Relating to: exempting certain conveyances between grandparents and grandchildren from the real estate transfer fee. (FE)

SB 84 exempts real estate transfers between grandparents and grandchildren from the state's real estate transfer fee when the transfer is for nominal or no consideration (such as a gift). This change adds "grandparent and grandchild" to the existing list of family relationships already exempt under Wisconsin law, which includes parent-child and stepparent-stepchild transfers. The exemption applies only to transfers filed on or after the law's effective date (November 1, 2025), and does not apply to standard market-rate sales. This bill directly affects families transferring property between these generations without monetary exchange, reducing associated costs.

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 24, 2026

AB 180: Relating to: requiring the Department of Health Services to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. (FE)

AB 180 requires the state Department of Health Services to request a federal waiver from the USDA to prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits (the state's name for SNAP) for purchasing candy or sugary drinks. The bill mandates that if the waiver is granted, candy and sugary drinks would be excluded from eligible items; if denied, the state must reapply annually. This applies directly to FoodShare recipients who currently can use benefits for these items. The bill creates a procedural requirement for the state to seek this change but does not immediately ban the purchases.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 825: Relating to: environmental review prerequisites for certain major highway project actions.

SB 825 streamlines environmental review processes for major highway projects by establishing clearer timelines and requirements. It defines "categorical exclusion" (avoiding full environmental reviews for standard projects) and requires the transportation department to submit a report to the commission before construction begins, including proof that financing is secured to start work within 6 years of project approval. The bill directly affects highway projects listed under Section 84.013(3) and those described in Section 84.013(1)(a)2m., requiring project reports to include approved environmental documentation and a financing plan. These changes aim to accelerate project timelines while ensuring compliance with federal environmental review standards.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Transportation

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 787: Relating to: increasing jurisdictional amounts in small claims actions. (FE)

SB 787 increases the dollar limits for cases handled in small claims court across several categories. It raises the threshold for consumer credit transactions from $25,000 to $50,000 (with automatic inflation adjustments), replevin actions from $10,000 to $25,000, personal injury/tort claims from $5,000 to $25,000, and other civil actions from $10,000 to $25,000. These increases take effect in phases starting January 2027, with the final amounts adjusting every five years based on the U.S. consumer price index. The bill directly affects individuals and small businesses seeking to resolve disputes in small claims court instead of higher-cost regular courts.