Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 88: Relating to: recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

AJR 88 is a commemorative resolution recognizing November 10, 2025, as the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The resolution honors the 29 crew members who died when the ship sank during a storm on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, including eight Wisconsin residents. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it solely serves to formally acknowledge this historical event and the ongoing impact on families. The resolution was introduced by multiple Wisconsin legislators and referred to committee for consideration.

Barbara Dittrich (R) Maureen McCarville (D) Alex Joers (D) Tara Johnson (D) Mike Bare (D)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 484: Relating to: training requirements for a license to carry a concealed weapon.

AB 484 modifies requirements for concealed carry license applicants and renewals in this state. It allows applicants to use copies of previous licenses (from this state, another state, or a local jurisdiction) as proof of training, instead of requiring separate documentation. The bill also mandates specific training topics for renewals, including live ammunition practice, firearm safety and storage, suicide prevention, and de-escalation techniques. License holders must submit proof of completing such training when renewing their licenses.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 479: Relating to: reducing costs of trade examinations administered by third parties and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 479 reduces costs for individuals seeking trade licenses by creating a funding mechanism to offset fees for third-party-administered examinations. It allocates $181,900 annually (for 2025-26 and 2026-27) from the General Purpose Revenue fund to lower exam costs required for occupations like electricians or plumbers. The bill directly affects license applicants who must pay these third-party exams, as the funding lowers their out-of-pocket expenses. This is a straightforward appropriation bill with no new regulatory requirements, solely focused on reducing financial barriers for license seekers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 468: Relating to: reducing costs of trade examinations administered by third parties and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 468 reduces costs for trade license applicants by appropriating $181,900 annually to offset fees for third-party-administered examinations required for occupational licenses (e.g., plumbing, electrical work). It directly affects individuals seeking state-licensed trades by lowering their examination expenses through state funding. The bill creates a new statute section (20.165 (2) (b)) authorizing this cost reduction using General Purpose Revenue (GPR) funds. This change applies specifically to exams administered by external providers, not state-run tests.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 100: Relating to: recognizing October as Vaccine Injury Awareness Month in Wisconsin.

AJR 100 is a symbolic resolution recognizing October 2025 as "Vaccine Injury Awareness Month" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws, programs, or funding; instead, it formally acknowledges the national observance to raise awareness about vaccine-related injuries and support affected individuals and families. The resolution highlights the use of a black ribbon symbol for this awareness month and notes concerns about incomplete vaccine information in medical settings. This is a procedural recognition by the Wisconsin Legislature with no direct policy or regulatory changes.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 487: Relating to: training requirements for a license to carry a concealed weapon.

SB 487 modifies training requirements for concealed carry license applicants and renewers in this state. It expands acceptable proof of training to include out-of-state licenses that document required training, and adds new mandatory training components like suicide prevention, de-escalation techniques, and firearm safety storage practices. The bill requires applicants to submit proof of continuing training (including specific topics like live-fire practice and de-escalation) when renewing licenses. These changes apply to all new applications or renewals submitted on the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 256: Relating to: a special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day.

AB 256 designates April 24 as Armenian Genocide Awareness Day in Wisconsin public schools, to be observed annually as part of Genocide Awareness Month. The bill requires schools to recognize this day on their calendars but does not mandate specific curriculum or activities. It directly affects all public K-12 schools in Wisconsin, beginning with the school year after the law takes effect. The legislation creates a new statutory provision (118.02 (7d)) to formalize this observance without altering existing educational requirements.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 94: Relating to: prohibiting governmental entity discrimination (second consideration).

SJR 94 proposes adding Section 27 to the state constitution to prohibit government agencies from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to individuals or groups based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. This would apply to public employment, education, contracting, and administration. The bill is a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval, with a ballot question scheduled for the November 2026 election. If approved by voters, it would create a new constitutional standard for state and local government actions. This is a second legislative attempt to submit this amendment to voters after a prior proposal in 2023.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 499: Relating to: coverage of nonopioid drug alternatives for the treatment and management of pain.

AB 499 requires health insurance plans and self-insured health plans to provide equal coverage for nonopioid pain treatments compared to opioids. Specifically, plans must cover at least two nonopioid prescription medications (not controlled substances) and three non-drug pain management options, without imposing stricter prior authorization or step therapy rules on nonopioid treatments than on opioids. The law prohibits designating nonopioid drugs as "nonpreferred" if opioids are listed and mandates annual public disclosure of pain management coverage details to enrollees and providers. This directly affects all health plans covering prescription drugs in Wisconsin, aiming to expand access to nonopioid pain management alternatives.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 228: Relating to: prohibiting school boards and independent charter schools from providing food containing certain ingredients in free or reduced-price meals.

SB 228 would prohibit public schools (including charter schools) and private schools participating in specific parental choice programs from serving school meals containing certain ingredients. It directly affects all schools providing meals under these programs by banning specific food components in every meal served, not just free or reduced-price options. The bill's key mechanism is a blanket restriction on meals containing the prohibited ingredients, applying to both public and participating private schools. This is a pending legislative proposal (not yet law) that would require schools to adjust meal menus to comply with the ingredient restrictions.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 470: Relating to: eliminating the right-to-work law. (FE)

AB 470 repeals the state's right-to-work law, which previously prohibited requiring employees to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. The bill eliminates section 111.04(3) and amends labor statutes to allow employers to collect union dues with employee consent (via written authorization) and to enter "all-union agreements" requiring membership in collective bargaining units where a majority of workers have voted in favor. This directly affects employees, employers, and labor organizations by removing restrictions on mandatory union membership and dues in unionized workplaces. The bill also establishes a new policy declaration emphasizing fair employment relations and collective bargaining rights.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 94: Relating to: proclaiming January as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin.

AJR 94 is a symbolic resolution that would officially recognize January as "Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month" across Wisconsin. It directly affects all Wisconsin residents by designating a specific month for statewide awareness efforts focused on human trafficking. The resolution has no binding legal requirements but serves as a formal declaration to encourage educational events, community outreach, and resource sharing related to human trafficking prevention during January. It does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results