Wisconsin Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 331: Relating to: operation of all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles and revision of the Department of Transportation highway maintenance manual.

SB 331 updates rules for operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) by creating new definitions for specific vehicle types, including "dune buggies" and emergency-use vehicles operated by public safety agencies. The bill requires ATVs to have one headlight and tail light (with lights on), UTVs to have two of each with specified visibility standards (200 feet for headlights, 500 feet for tail lights), and mandates functional brakes for all vehicles. It also prohibits modifications that exceed width limits (except on private property) and adds a requirement for operators to render aid after accidents.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 395: Relating to: requirement for certain telecommunications providers to provide basic voice service.

SB 395 creates a new process for certified alternative telecommunications providers to request reduced regulatory requirements. These providers can ask the commission to exempt them from most state telecom regulations, keeping only specific provisions like basic service requirements (e.g., Section 196.503) and certain wholesale service rules. The bill repeals Section 196.503 entirely and modifies recertification procedures to allow providers to choose which regulations apply. This directly affects alternative telecom utilities seeking a streamlined regulatory framework under current law.

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 20, 2026

AB 572: Relating to: the definition of bingo.

AB 572 clarifies the legal definition of "bingo" in Wisconsin law to distinguish it from certain free games. The bill specifies that bingo requires participants to pay to play, uses standard 5x5 cards with numbers 1-75 (including a "FREE" center space), and determines winners based on random number draws matching predefined patterns. Crucially, it explicitly excludes games using free cards and donated prizes where participants pay no consideration, regardless of whether the host pays for prizes or supplies. This change directly affects gambling regulators, local governments, and organizations running bingo events, ensuring only paid participation games fall under gambling licensing rules. The bill does not alter existing bingo rules but provides clear legal boundaries for enforcement.

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 20, 2026

AB 443: Relating to: increasing the maximum fee for court costs collectible in a municipal court action. (FE)

AB 443 increases the maximum fee municipal courts can collect for most cases from $38 to $48 per matter, such as traffic violations or other non-traffic offenses. The bill affects municipal courts directly, as they collect these fees for cases not excluded (like certain traffic violations under specific statutes). For each fee collected, $5 goes to the state general fund, while the remainder stays with the municipality. This change applies to all court actions in municipal courts except for financial responsibility violations or certain ordinance violations. The bill does not alter the minimum fee ($15) or the fee structure for excluded cases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 20, 2026

AB 598: Relating to: consent to admissions to certain health care facilities by patient representatives without requiring a petition for guardianship or protective placement. (FE)

AB 598 allows patient representatives to consent to health care facility admissions for incapacitated individuals without requiring a court-appointed guardian or protective placement petition. The bill creates a defined "patient representative" role, requiring two medical professionals (e.g., two physicians or one physician plus an advanced practice clinician) to certify incapacity based on medical need - not age, disability, or eccentricity. Patient representatives gain authority to make health care decisions, enroll individuals in Medical Assistance, and authorize health care expenses similar to a guardian, but only for non-developmental disability and non-mental illness cases. This change streamlines admissions for incapacitated patients while mandating 72-hour notifications to county agencies about the certification.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 20, 2026

AB 89: Relating to: theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 89 addresses theft crimes and their associated penalties. The bill text includes an amendment that removes the phrase "in a 6-month period" from two specific lines within the bill. This change modifies the criteria for certain theft crimes by eliminating a previously defined 6-month time constraint. This adjustment impacts individuals accused of theft and the legal process for prosecuting these offenses.

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 419: Relating to: emergency testing of a criminal defendant for certain diseases. (FE)

SB 419 allows courts to order emergency testing for certain diseases (like HIV or STIs) of criminal defendants without their consent in specific cases. It applies when a defendant allegedly committed a crime involving bodily fluids (blood, semen, etc.) that could transmit disease to public safety workers, prosecutors, or correctional staff. The bill requires court approval based on probable cause, mandates immediate disclosure of results to the defendant, and prohibits adding test results to the person's permanent medical record. It also creates new procedures for prosecutors to seek these orders quickly when public safety is at risk. This bill directly affects criminal defendants in cases involving potential disease transmission to protected public safety personnel.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 461: Relating to: alternative delivery of projects contracted by the Department of Transportation. (FE)

SB 461 clarifies the definition of "design-build project" for Department of Transportation (DOT) contracts. It specifies that such projects involve procuring design, engineering, construction, and related services through a single contract with one private entity (like a company or joint venture), rather than separate contracts. This procedural bill updates statute 84.062(1)(e) to remove ambiguity in how DOT contracts are structured. The change affects DOT's contracting procedures but does not alter project requirements or impact specific groups directly. The bill passed on November 18, 2025, after third reading.

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 20, 2026

AB 543: Relating to: the sales tax exemption for memberships sold to real estate brokers. (FE)

AB 543 amends a sales tax exemption to include memberships sold to licensed real estate brokers who share property listing details and compensation offers with other brokers. The bill directly affects real estate brokers licensed under Chapter 452 by expanding the tax exemption to cover memberships that enable them to access shared listing information and cooperate on property sales. Key provisions clarify that memberships qualifying for the exemption must allow brokers to offer compensation, cooperate with other brokers, and access listing data from their network. This change provides a sales tax exemption for eligible broker memberships without altering existing tax rates or creating new requirements.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 20, 2026

AB 666: Relating to: fraudulent claims for unclaimed property and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 666 creates penalties for individuals who fraudulently claim ownership of another person's unclaimed property without consent. It imposes civil penalties equal to the full value of the property (plus $1,000-$2,500 for non-compliant claims) and criminal penalties of a Class I felony for intentional fraud. The bill requires the state administrator to publicly post names and penalty amounts of offenders online for 12 months. This directly affects claimants who file false claims, not property owners or administrators.

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 19, 2026

AB 61: Relating to: injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty.

AB 61 increases penalties for harming police or fire department animals used in official duties. It creates three penalty tiers: a Class A misdemeanor for negligent harm, a Class I H felony for intentional injury, and a Class H G felony for intentional killing. The law applies specifically to animals working for law enforcement or fire departments during their duties. Penalties depend on the perpetrator's intent (intentional vs. negligent) and the outcome (injury vs. death). This bill, enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 28, directly affects individuals who intentionally or negligently injure or kill such animals.

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 19, 2026

AB 45: Relating to: ratification of the Dietitian Licensure Compact. (FE)

AB 45 ratifies Wisconsin's participation in the Dietitian Licensure Compact, enabling dietitians licensed in other participating states to practice in Wisconsin with minimal additional requirements. The bill creates a Dietitian Licensure Compact Commission and updates statutes to recognize "compact privilege" as a valid credential for dietitians. Key provisions allow dietitians to practice across state lines without full re-licensing, streamline verification of training hours, and adjust fee structures for compact-related credentials. This directly affects dietitians seeking to practice in Wisconsin while holding a license from another compact state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare