Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 492: Relating to: coverage of nonopioid drug alternatives for the treatment and management of pain.

SB 492 requires health insurance plans and self-insured employers to cover nonopioid pain treatment options equally with opioids. It mandates coverage for at least two nonopioid prescription drugs (approved by the FDA and not controlled substances) and three non-drug pain management options, such as physical therapy. The bill prohibits health plans from imposing stricter prior authorization or step therapy rules on nonopioid drugs compared to opioids. It also requires annual public reporting of pain management coverage details on plan websites. This affects all health plans covering prescription drugs in Wisconsin, directly impacting patients seeking nonopioid pain treatment options.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 161: Relating to: a presumption that equalizing physical placement to the highest degree is in the child’s best interest.

SB 161 establishes a legal presumption that courts should favor parenting schedules allowing children to spend nearly equal time with both parents, as this is presumed to be in the child's best interest. It directly affects family courts handling custody cases in Wisconsin, requiring judges to consider this equal-time presumption when determining physical placement. The bill adds a new factor (geographic separation) that courts must weigh when applying this presumption, and the presumption can be overridden if evidence shows unequal placement is better for the child. This change modifies how courts evaluate custody arrangements under Wisconsin Statute 767.41.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 489: Relating to: voluntary prohibitions on purchasing a handgun and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 489 creates a voluntary program allowing individuals to prohibit themselves from purchasing handguns for specific periods (1, 5, or 20 years, with the first year irrevocable). Individuals submit forms to the Department of Justice for verification, entering their details into a new database. This database is now checked by firearms dealers during background checks under existing law (s. 175.35), which will block sales if a person is listed. The program directly affects individuals seeking to restrict their own firearm access, with the state appropriating $150,000 annually to administer it.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 496: Relating to: verification of a pupil’s family income for participation in a parental choice program.

SB 496 amends income eligibility rules for families using parental choice programs (school vouchers) to attend private schools. It raises the income threshold from 2.2 times the federal poverty level to 3.0 times for most students, replacing previous lower limits for certain districts. The bill repeals outdated provisions requiring verification of income increases and updates how family income is calculated for program eligibility. These changes apply starting in the 2026-27 school year, directly affecting low-income families seeking private school options under existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 101: Relating to: honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk.

This Wisconsin joint resolution (AJR 101) honors Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent advocate for liberty, following his assassination. It recognizes his work promoting "faith, liberty, and truth," his role as a devoted family man, and his impact on inspiring young Americans. The resolution includes three key parts: honoring his life and legacy, commending his memory to future generations, and joining in prayer for his family and the nation. As a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or funding, it does not affect laws or individuals.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 488: Relating to: requiring job postings to include salary range and benefits, retaining records of job postings, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.

SB 488 requires employers and third parties posting job openings to include the salary range (minimum and maximum) and details about benefits like health insurance or retirement plans. Employers must also keep these job posting records for two years and allow department reviews. Penalties include written warnings for first violations, with fines ranging from $300 to $2,000 for repeat offenses based on company size (under 50 vs. 50+ employees), and third parties face identical fines. The bill applies to all covered employers and job postings, aiming to increase transparency in compensation offers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 469: Relating to: voluntary prohibitions on purchasing a handgun and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 469 creates a voluntary program allowing individuals to prohibit themselves from purchasing handguns by submitting forms to the Department of Justice. Participants can choose a 1-year (irrevocable), 5-year (first year irrevocable), or 20-year (first year irrevocable) prohibition period. The Department verifies requests, maintains a database of participants, and requires firearms dealers to check this database during background checks. If a person is listed, dealers receive a nonapproval number without disclosure of the reason; otherwise, they get an approval number. The program is funded with $150,000 annually for administration.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 477: Relating to: implementing a suicide prevention program and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 477 creates a statewide suicide prevention program within the Department of Health Services, allocating $250,000 annually for its implementation. The program requires public awareness campaigns, training for law enforcement, healthcare providers, school staff, and others who interact with at-risk individuals, and coordination with community groups and crisis services. It mandates county-level advisory groups, enhanced crisis services, and annual reports to the legislature detailing program activities. The bill directly affects state agencies, community organizations, and professionals working with vulnerable populations like youth, rural residents, and Native Americans.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 177: Relating to: standard industrial classification codes for linen supply and industrial launderers and modifying the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit. (FE)

SB 177 updates tax credit eligibility for businesses that clean and provide specific items to commercial or government clients. It creates new industry codes (7213 for linen supply, 7218 for industrial laundries) and clarifies that uniforms, linens, protective workwear, and cleaning supplies qualify for the manufacturing/agriculture tax credit when sold or leased to businesses. The changes apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2025. This bill directly affects laundry businesses serving hospitals, restaurants, and other large organizations that provide these specific items.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 507: Relating to: allowing Social Security Disability Insurance recipients to receive concurrent unemployment insurance benefits. (FE)

SB 507 repeals two sections of state law (108.04 (2) (h) and 108.04 (12) (f)) that previously prevented Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients from receiving unemployment insurance benefits simultaneously. This change would allow individuals receiving SSDI to also qualify for unemployment benefits during periods of job loss. The bill removes the existing legal barrier, enabling these recipients to access both forms of financial support concurrently. It takes effect for unemployment weeks beginning the first Sunday after the bill is published.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 446: 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)

SB 446 creates a state grant program to fund immigration-related civil legal services for individuals and families, allocating $300,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The Department of Administration will award grants to community-based organizations (including for-profit groups) that provide such services without regard to a client's immigration status, requiring applicants to have a history of offering these services. The bill also amends county funding rules to allow local governments to provide broader civil legal services to individuals and families through separate county grants, which are not limited to immigration matters.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Immigration

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 480: Relating to: requiring job postings to include salary range and benefits, retaining records of job postings, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.

AB 480 requires most employers to include a salary range (minimum and maximum) and details about benefits like health insurance or retirement plans in all public job postings. Employers must also retain these posting records for two years and allow department or employee review. Penalties include $300-$600 for small businesses (under 50 employees) and $1,000-$2,000 for larger businesses for repeated violations. Third parties (e.g., staffing agencies) posting jobs on behalf of employers must follow the same rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results