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Wisconsin Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 12,159 Active 1,418 In committee 1,418 Passed 1,112 Signed 1,133 Failed 8,181

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 251: Relating to: jurisdiction over juveniles on federal enclaves. (FE)

AB 251 clarifies that the state retains concurrent jurisdiction over juveniles aged 10 or older involved in delinquency cases (under §938.12(1)) or protection/safety cases (under §938.13) on federal lands within the state. The bill requires the governor to accept jurisdiction transfers from federal authorities for these cases when offered, and mandates that such agreements be filed with the secretary of state and county land records. This directly affects juveniles 10+ committing offenses on federal enclaves (like military bases or national parks) by ensuring state courts handle their cases. The key mechanism is establishing state authority as concurrent with federal jurisdiction and creating a formal process for transferring jurisdiction. The bill does not change existing court procedures but clarifies jurisdictional boundaries for these specific cases.

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 187: Relating to: training completion awards for volunteer firefighters. (FE)

AB 187 creates a program providing a one-time $250 completion service award to volunteer firefighters after they complete 60 hours of training. Municipalities must match this award with their own payments, and the state will provide a 2:1 match for municipal contributions toward length-of-service awards (up to $390 annually), which are tax-deferred benefits based on service years. The bill requires a 10-year vesting period for length-of-service benefits and sets rules for closing inactive accounts after 12 months of inactivity. It directly affects volunteer firefighters, emergency medical responders, and emergency medical services practitioners in municipalities operating volunteer departments or contracting with volunteer fire companies.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 234: Relating to: the electronic vaping device directory and electronic nicotine devices. (FE)

AB 234 amends Wisconsin law to clarify the legal definition of "electronic vaping device." It explicitly includes devices like e-cigarettes, vape pens, and e-cigars, along with their components, accessories, and nicotine-containing liquids, while excluding separate batteries and FDA-approved nicotine products. This definition directly affects vaping device manufacturers, retailers, and regulators by establishing clear boundaries for compliance under state law. The bill does not create new regulations but refines existing terminology to improve legal clarity.

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 63: Relating to: financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE)

AB 63 authorizes the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority (WHEFA) to provide working capital loans to participating health, educational, and nonprofit institutions for operating expenses. It expands WHEFA's ability to make loans for facility projects, requiring security like mortgages and limiting loan amounts to project costs or approved working capital. The bill permits out-of-state projects only if they include a substantial Wisconsin component, as determined by WHEFA. It also sets salary caps for WHEFA's executive staff based on state pay scales for specific leadership roles.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 279: Relating to: talent recruitment grants. (FE)

AB 279 creates a state grant program to help municipalities and eligible nonprofits recruit new residents from outside the state. The program provides grants (capped at $500,000 per municipality annually) to cover costs of talent recruitment initiatives, with half the funds paid upfront and the second half released only if half the target number of relocating households is met. Households must earn at least $55,000 annually, live outside the state when applying, and commit to relocating to qualify for incentives. Recipients must submit detailed semiannual reports tracking applications, approved households, costs, incomes, and economic impacts like tax revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 53: Relating to: special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty.

AB 53 amends Wisconsin law to classify intentionally causing bodily harm or threatening harm to a community service officer (or their family) as a Class H felony under specific conditions. It directly affects community service officers and their families by creating a new felony charge when the harm occurs in response to the officer's official duties. The bill requires that the perpetrator knew the victim was a community service officer (or family member) and that the act was retaliation for an official action taken by the officer. This policy change strengthens criminal penalties for attacks targeting these officers during their work, without altering existing protections for other law enforcement roles.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 304: Relating to: hours for voting by absentee ballot in person at the office of the municipal clerk or an alternate site. (FE)

SB 304 requires municipal clerk offices and designated alternate sites to be open for at least 20 total hours during in-person absentee ballot application periods. It updates deadlines: voters applying in person must do so between 14 days before an election and the Sunday before, with specific hours published in election notices. Military voters and sequestered jurors may apply until 5 p.m. on election day, while other voters must apply by 5 p.m. on the Friday before. The bill standardizes notice requirements and access hours for absentee ballot applications.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 50: Relating to: state finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE)

Assembly Bill 50 constitutes the executive budget act for the 2025 legislature, establishing the state's finances and appropriations. This bill directs how state funds will be allocated across various government agencies and programs, impacting state operations and services. Key provisions in the bill include changes to the state's minimum wage, reporting requirements for the Department of Public Instruction, and measures concerning school resource officers in school districts. It also addresses aspects of kinship care eligibility. The legislation ultimately affects state agencies, employees, and residents through its funding decisions and policy adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 242: Relating to: required ratio of journeyworkers to apprentices in apprenticeship programs and contracts.

SB 242 sets a maximum ratio of one journeyworker (skilled tradesperson) for every two apprentices in apprenticeship programs and contracts. It prohibits state agencies from requiring a stricter ratio (e.g., more journeyworkers per apprentice) through rules, program approvals, or contracts. The bill directly affects apprenticeship programs, contractors, and unions operating under collective bargaining agreements. It takes effect when existing collective bargaining agreements expire or are renewed, modifying how these agreements must align with the new ratio standard.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 72: Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin.

AJR 72 is a ceremonial resolution that officially recognizes June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or policies but formally declares this date to honor the historical significance of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States following Union troops' arrival in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The resolution acknowledges Wisconsin’s longstanding Juneteenth observance, including Milwaukee’s celebration beginning in 1971. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect beyond promoting awareness of this historical milestone.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 69: Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Terrence A. “Terry” Willkom.

SJR 69 is a non-binding joint resolution honoring the late Wisconsin State Representative Terrence A. "Terry" Willkom, who served in the Assembly from 1971-1976 and passed away in May 2025. It commemorates his public service, personal life, and career - including his roles as a business executive, family man, and advocate for bipartisan collaboration - without creating any new laws or affecting any policies. The resolution formally extends the Wisconsin Legislature’s condolences to his family and recognizes his legacy of "honesty, integrity, and ability to work with both sides of the aisle." As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on constituents or legislation.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 74: Relating to: recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin.

SJR 74 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. It formally declares this date to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, referencing the historical event when Union troops announced freedom to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The resolution highlights Wisconsin's longstanding Juneteenth celebration tradition, dating to Milwaukee's first observance in 1971, and acknowledges Juneteenth's national significance as a federal holiday since 2021. This resolution has no legal effect beyond symbolic recognition and does not create new laws or funding.