SB 221 clarifies that all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) registered outside the state must be treated as ATVs/UTVs if their manufacturer's certificate designates them as such, regardless of their out-of-state registration type. This directly affects out-of-state ATV/UTV owners seeking to operate these vehicles within the state. The bill requires such vehicles to meet the state's ATV/UTV definition to qualify for nonresident trail passes; if they don't meet this definition, they cannot be operated on highways, ATV routes, or trails. The law overrides reciprocal agreements and ensures out-of-state vehicles comply with state-specific ATV/UTV regulations.
SB 511 (2026 Legislature) amends Wisconsin statute 6.87(9) to clarify that municipal clerks must return absentee ballots with incomplete or missing voter certification to the voter. The bill requires clerks to return the ballot (inside its sealed envelope, if applicable) with a new envelope, allowing voters time to correct the error and resubmit before the deadline. This directly affects absentee voters who make mistakes on their ballot certificates and municipal clerks handling ballot processing. The change aims to reduce ballot disqualification due to minor administrative errors.
AB 515 makes it a crime to disrupt elections by engaging in loud, harassing, or intimidating behavior at polling places or absentee voting sites during voting hours. It directly affects individuals who interfere with voters, election officials, or municipal staff performing election duties. The bill increases penalties for crimes committed specifically to target election activities, such as attacking someone because they were voting or working at a polling place. Violators face fines up to $10,000 or up to 9 months in jail, with steeper penalties for repeat offenses or crimes against election workers.
SB 509 would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they will turn 18 by the date of the general election. The bill updates voting eligibility rules to include this group, requiring them to meet standard residency and registration requirements like other voters. However, the law requires a referendum for implementation, meaning voters must approve it before it takes effect. This change would directly affect eligible 17-year-old residents who are otherwise qualified to vote in primaries.
SB 526 allows substitute teachers with a department-issued permit (under Section 118.19(7m)) to teach at private schools participating in a parental choice program. It modifies existing requirements by adding new provisions (118.60(2)(a)6.e. and 119.23(2)(a)6.d.) that exempt these permit-holding substitutes from the standard rule requiring all private school teachers to have a teaching license or bachelor's degree or higher. The bill directly affects substitute teachers holding the specific permit and private schools enrolled in state parental choice programs. This change streamlines substitute staffing for participating schools without altering credential requirements for regular teachers.
Senate Bill 22 requires school boards to make adopted textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by residents of the school district. Upon a written request, a resident can inspect these materials at a designated location without cost. School boards must fulfill these requests within 14 days and establish procedures to provide access more quickly. The bill also requires school boards to post a list of adopted textbooks on their website. These provisions do not require actions that would infringe on copyright law.
SJR 20 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Representative Jim Soletski, who served Wisconsin's 88th Assembly District as a Democrat from 2006-2010. It commemorates his career as a legislator (including committee leadership roles on Energy, Clean Energy Jobs, and Tribal Relations), his work in the energy industry, and his community service. The resolution formally recognizes his life, public service, and passing on August 20, 2024, and extends condolences to his family. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely symbolic.
SB 274 amends the statute governing the Controlled Substances Board by adding new voting members to its composition. It requires the board to include the chairpersons of five medical examining boards (pharmacy, medical, physician assistant, dentistry, and nursing) and two appointed experts - a psychiatrist and a pharmacologist - each serving 3-year terms. This change directly affects how the board is structured, ensuring representation from key medical licensing bodies and specialized health professionals. The bill focuses on updating the board's membership to include specific clinical expertise relevant to drug regulation, without altering its core responsibilities.
SB 282 amends Wisconsin's Board of Nursing membership requirements. It specifies that the board must include 3 licensed registered nurses (RNs), 1 licensed practical nurse (LPN), 1 certified advanced practice registered nurse prescriber, 1 nurse educator, 1 additional RN or LPN, and 2 public members - all appointed for staggered 4-year terms. All nursing members must have graduated from an accredited program. The changes take effect September 1, 2026, directly affecting how the Board of Nursing is structured and who serves on it.
SB 520 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing money to referendum committees and bans referendum committees from accepting such contributions. The bill adds a specific provision (11.1208(4)(b)) to state law, defining "foreign national" per federal election regulations (11 CFR 110.20(a)(3) and 52 USC 30121(b)). This directly affects referendum committees organizing ballot measure campaigns and foreign nationals seeking to influence state-level referendums. The policy change explicitly bars foreign funding in referendum committee finances without altering broader campaign finance rules.
SJR 81 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Baseball Team for winning the 2025 NCAA Division III National Championship. It formally recognizes the team's historic season, including their 49-6 record, record-setting 74 runs in the tournament, and championship victory over Messiah University. The resolution specifically commends the student-athletes, coaching staff (led by Head Coach John Vodenlich), and athletic department for their achievement. As a symbolic gesture with no policy or funding changes, it directly affects the team and their supporters but does not impact broader legislation or public policy.
SB 115, as amended, requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to collect and report specific criminal case data. The bill mandates the DOJ to create an interactive dashboard, starting by January 1, 2026, to display a summary of this data. This dashboard will specifically include arrest charges from the arresting agency and will not contain any personally identifying information for criminal defendants. The goal is to provide accessible, summarized data on criminal cases.
