Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 181: Relating to: county forest administration grant eligibility.

AB 181 modifies grant eligibility for county forest programs by allowing counties to receive funding for one professional forester in a county forest administrator or assistant role. The bill specifies that grants cover up to 50% of the forester’s salary and up to 40% of fringe benefits (capped at 40% of salary), using funds from a designated appropriation. It defines a qualifying "county forest administrator" as someone with a forestry degree (or equivalent), natural resources degree with 3+ years’ experience, or an associate degree in forestry with 3+ years’ experience managing county forests - excluding department employees. The changes apply retroactively to grant applications submitted on or after the bill’s effective date (January 1, 2025). This bill directly affects counties managing forest programs seeking state funding for their designated forest administration staff.

Topics ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 37: Relating to: personalized registration plate fees for gold star family special registration plates. (FE)

AB 37 eliminates fees for Gold Star families who maintain or reissue special license plates displaying the Gold Star family symbol. It specifically removes the $15 annual or $30 biennial maintenance fees and $15 annual or $30 reissuance fees that would otherwise apply to these plates. The bill directly affects families of military members who died in service, ensuring they pay no additional costs for these plates beyond the initial application. This policy change modifies existing fee structures under Wisconsin statute 341.145(3) to provide fee-free plate maintenance and reissuance for this designated group.

Topics ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 214: Relating to: town clerk and treasurer appointments, publication requirements for proposed budget summary and notice of public hearing, and discontinuance of highways. (FE)

AB 214 modifies Wisconsin town government procedures for appointing clerks and treasurers. It allows towns with 2,500+ residents to combine these roles under new rules, including immediate implementation when both positions become vacant or upon vacancy in one role. The bill updates deputy appointment rules (removing residency requirements) and adjusts highway discontinuance timelines. These changes primarily affect municipal officials in Wisconsin towns operating under the specified statutes.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 326: Relating to: creating a nutrient loss reduction grant program. (FE)

SB 326 creates a state grant program to help farms reduce nutrient runoff into waterways. It provides financial assistance covering up to $7 per acre for purchasing specialized fertilizers, $8 per acre for soil-testing technology, or $2 per acre for developing nutrient management plans. Farms can apply for grants covering these specific practices, with a yearly limit of $20,000 per farm. Agricultural retailers may also apply on behalf of farms. The program aims to support cost-effective methods that minimize fertilizer waste and protect water quality.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 148: Relating to: interpreter action by telephone or live audiovisual means in civil or criminal proceedings.

AB 148 allows courts to permit interpreters to provide services remotely via telephone or live video in civil and criminal court proceedings (excluding trials), upon a party's request. This amendment updates statutes to explicitly include remote interpretation as an option for civil cases (via 807.14) and criminal cases (via 967.09), replacing previous restrictions. It directly affects individuals involved in court cases who require language assistance, making it easier to access interpreters without in-person attendance. The bill does not mandate remote interpretation but expands court flexibility in approving it. This change applies to all relevant civil and criminal proceedings where an interpreter is requested.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 313: Relating to: the minimum net worth requirement for licensed mortgage brokers.

AB 313 would increase the minimum net worth requirement for licensed mortgage brokers in California. This change directly affects mortgage brokers seeking or maintaining their license, requiring them to hold a higher amount of personal assets. The bill's key provision raises the net worth threshold to ensure brokers have greater financial stability, aiming to protect consumers through stronger financial safeguards.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 229: Relating to: the law enforcement officers’ bill of rights.

AB 229 repeals Section 164.05 of the statutes, which previously outlined specific protections for law enforcement officers under the "law enforcement officers’ bill of rights." This procedural bill directly affects law enforcement officers by removing an existing statutory provision governing their rights. The bill contains no new provisions or mechanisms - its sole action is the repeal of the referenced section. No additional policy changes or impacts are specified in the bill text.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 216: Relating to: the amount and distribution of the real estate transfer fee, grants under the land information program, real property recording notification systems, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 216 reduces the real estate transfer fee from 30 to 20 cents per $100 of property value for all transactions. It changes fee distribution so 50% remains with counties and 50% goes to the state, with 46% of state funds allocated to county land information systems through new grant formulas. The bill also requires counties to establish free property monitoring systems for residents tracking changes to their properties, with no fees charged for this service. These changes directly affect all real estate buyers/sellers and county governments managing land records.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 183: Relating to: standard industrial classification codes for linen supply and industrial launderers and modifying the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit. (FE)

AB 183 creates new standard tax classification codes (7213 for "Linen supply" and 7218 for "Industrial launderers") to clarify which businesses qualify for manufacturing and agriculture tax credits. It specifically adds qualifying laundry services to these tax credits, including uniforms, linens, workwear, and cleaning supplies sold to commercial, industrial, or government clients. The changes apply to property tax exemptions starting January 1, 2025, and tax credit claims for taxable years beginning January 1, 2025. This bill directly affects industrial laundry businesses that provide these services to commercial or government entities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 490: Relating to: implementing a suicide prevention program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 490 creates a statewide suicide prevention program funded by an annual $250,000 appropriation. The program requires the Department of Health Services to implement public awareness campaigns, coordinate with community groups, and provide training for law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, and others who interact with people at risk of suicide. It specifically targets at-risk groups including youth, elderly individuals, Native Americans, and rural residents through county-level initiatives, crisis service enhancements, and a centralized resource website. The bill also mandates annual reports to the legislature on program activities starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 361: Relating to: authorizing electors to vote in the primary of more than one political party. (FE)

SB 361 removes a restriction that previously prevented voters from selecting candidates from multiple political parties in the same primary election. The bill amends voting machine rules to allow electors to vote for candidates across different parties during primaries, while still enabling voters to choose candidates within a single party. This change directly affects all voters participating in partisan primaries across the state. The policy shift would permit cross-party voting in primaries without requiring voters to choose only one party's ballot.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 475: Relating to: grants for the provision of immigration-related civil legal services to individuals and families, county grants for the provision of civil legal services to individuals and families, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 475 creates a state grant program to fund immigration-related civil legal services for individuals and families. It allocates $300,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year to award grants to community-based organizations (including for-profit groups) that provide legal assistance in immigration matters, with requirements that applicants have a history of such services and offer them without regard to immigration status. The bill also enables counties to fund similar services through existing county budgeting mechanisms. This directly supports immigrants facing legal challenges and expands access to civil legal aid in immigration cases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Immigration

Bill results