AB 255 requires referral agencies that connect prospective residents to assisted living facilities to disclose key financial details to those residents before making referrals. Specifically, agencies must reveal any business relationships with facilities, the exact fixed referral fee paid by the facility, and that they only list facilities with which they have contracts. Prospective residents can also terminate an agency's services at any time, including stopping the use of their personal information. Violations carry penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, enforced by the state attorney general or local district attorneys. The bill directly affects referral agencies and prospective residents in Wisconsin assisted living facilities.
SB 360 bans the release of 10 or more gas-filled balloons (like helium balloons) into the atmosphere, with exceptions for indoor releases authorized by property owners, scientific/meteorological purposes, or government activities. It creates a $500 minimum penalty per violation for breaking this rule, with the department allowed to create implementing rules. The bill directly affects individuals and businesses that release large quantities of such balloons publicly, excluding specific permitted uses. It does not apply to balloons released indoors with permission, for science, or by government entities.
Senate Bill 123 amends sections of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) related to investment securities, affecting securities intermediaries, investors (entitlement holders), and their creditors. The bill clarifies that financial assets held by a securities intermediary for investors are generally not considered the intermediary's property and are protected from the intermediary's creditors. It also establishes that, in most situations, the claims of investors have priority over the claims of a securities intermediary's creditors for the same financial asset. Additionally, the bill modifies provisions concerning the local law that governs security entitlements.
SB 143 creates a process for political parties to nominate presidential electors if they lack primary candidates for state offices (like Senate, Assembly, or state officers) in a presidential election year. Specifically, the party chair must nominate one elector per congressional district and two statewide electors by October 1st, then certify these names to the election commission. This replaces the previous requirement for a party convention when no primary candidates exist. The bill directly affects political parties that fail to field candidates for state offices through their primary process.
AJR 90 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing August 2025 as Immunization Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the importance of vaccines through the state legislature's public recognition. The resolution cites Wisconsin's school immunization requirements and global vaccine impact statistics as context for this symbolic observance. It directly affects the Wisconsin Legislature by authorizing its members to publicly honor this awareness month. This is a procedural resolution with no binding policy changes or direct impact on residents.
AB 340 increases state reimbursement for school medical services in Wisconsin from 60% to 100% of the federal share for eligible school districts, cooperative agencies, and specialized programs like the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It also raises reimbursement for administrative costs from 90% to 100% of the federal share, using time studies to calculate these costs. The bill explicitly includes common carrier transportation costs as part of reimbursable school medical services, unless federal policy changes prohibit it. School districts and agencies must still comply with federal health department requirements to receive these reimbursements.
AB 284 streamlines the management of state construction projects by raising the cost threshold for mandatory project enumeration from $1 million to $2 million. It requires quarterly budget reports for projects needing increases, sets a 6-month deadline for the Claims Board to resolve certain construction claims, and mandates state agencies to collaborate with energy conservation contractors on pilot projects. The bill also clarifies responsibilities for utility costs in contracts, modifies bidding procedures, and transfers $32 million from the general fund to the state building trust fund for infrastructure. These changes primarily affect state agencies, the building commission, and contractors managing public construction projects.
SB 349 increases state reimbursement for school medical services from 60% to 100% of the federal share for eligible school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, and specialized programs like the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It also raises reimbursement for allowable administrative costs from 90% to 100% of the federal share. The bill applies to all entities providing school medical services that meet federal requirements and allows claims for transportation costs as part of these services. This change directly affects school districts and specialized educational programs by increasing state funding for these services.
SB 192 creates a statewide framework for fatality review teams to examine preventable deaths, specifically focusing on maternal deaths, child abuse/neglect, overdoses, homicides, and other reviewable deaths like stillbirths or unexpected child fatalities. The bill establishes definitions for local and state teams, requires the Department of Health to support their development, and allows healthcare providers to share patient health records confidentially with these teams for review purposes. This directly affects hospitals, healthcare providers (who must share records under strict confidentiality rules), and local/state agencies (which must form or support these teams). The key mechanism is enabling secure, confidential record-sharing between healthcare systems and fatality review teams to identify patterns and prevent future deaths, without altering public access to most records.
SJR 85 is a symbolic resolution recognizing August 2025 as Immunization Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or change existing requirements; instead, it formally acknowledges the importance of immunizations through a legislative declaration. The resolution cites statistics on vaccine effectiveness (e.g., preventing hospitalizations and deaths) and references Wisconsin’s school immunization rules, but the resolution itself has no direct impact on policy or individuals. It serves only as a public recognition gesture, with no funding, mandates, or enforcement mechanisms. This is a procedural resolution with no concrete policy changes.
SB 226 clarifies venue rules for civil cases involving corporations. It creates two new statutory provisions: Section 801.50(3c) prevents courts from considering joined parties (like insurers under §803.04) when determining proper venue, and Section 801.50(3g) defines where corporations "reside" (place of incorporation) and where they "do substantial business" (only their principal county). This directly affects businesses and plaintiffs in civil lawsuits by limiting venue options based on corporate structure. The bill aims to standardize venue decisions for corporations, preventing claims of business activity in multiple counties to influence court location.
SB 99 creates a Spinal Cord Injury Council to oversee research grants and allocates $2.5 million biennially for spinal cord injury research in Wisconsin. The council, composed of researchers, individuals with spinal cord injuries, veterans, family members, and medical professionals, develops grant criteria and reviews applications. Researchers receiving grants must present findings at department-hosted symposia every two years and report annual progress to the legislature. The bill specifically funds innovative treatments and rehabilitative approaches, with grants allowing up to 8% for administrative costs.
