This bill would establish a state funding program to help local governments acquire or create public utilities such as water, power, heat, or light systems. It allows municipalities to apply for grants covering up to 50 percent of the costs associated with building new utility infrastructure, purchasing existing utilities, or acquiring utility property. The program requires municipalities to obtain approval from the state commission before receiving funds and to submit detailed information as part of their application. The bill also creates a specific appropriation in the state budget to finance these grants.
This bill creates a new category called "very large customer" for electric utilities and gives the state commission authority to define who qualifies for this class. It requires electric utilities to file rate applications every other year for these customers and mandates that the commission review whether the rates charged are fair and not discriminatory. The commission will also develop specific rules to ensure utilities properly justify how rates cover the costs of serving these large customers. If rates are found to be unreasonable or unfairly discriminatory, the commission can adjust them or modify service terms accordingly.
This bill creates a state grant program to help school districts pay student teachers an hourly wage of at least $15 for the hours they spend teaching in district schools. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, school boards must compensate student teachers enrolled in approved teacher preparation programs, with the state reimbursing districts based on the number of hours taught. The legislation also gives the state department authority to create rules for administering the program and includes an appropriation to fund the payments.
This bill makes three main changes to how electric power facilities are regulated and financed. First, it prevents electric utilities from charging customers higher rates to recover profits from power plants that have already been retired. Second, it requires anyone building a large new power facility to agree to pay for all costs of connecting it to the public power grid. Third, it mandates that the state commission create an online dashboard showing the status of permit applications for new power projects, including any other required approvals from federal, state, or local agencies. These rules directly affect electric utilities, power plant developers, and customers who pay electricity bills.
This bill establishes a comprehensive clean energy framework requiring Wisconsin to achieve 100 percent clean electricity production and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It creates a new Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy within the Department of Administration to develop and update an economy-wide decarbonization roadmap using sector-based modeling. The legislation sets specific interim targets for carbon-free electricity, including 50 percent by 2030, 65 percent by 2035, 80 percent by 2040, 90 percent by 2045, and full carbon-free status by 2050. State agencies must consider purchasing renewable energy from providers with long-term contracts, though the requirements do not apply if generation is not technically feasible or cost-effective. The bill also provides funding for technology implementation and defines carbon-free resources to include hydroelectric power alongside other renewable sources.
This bill exempts youth entrepreneurs aged 12 to 17 from paying filing fees when forming a limited liability company in Wisconsin. It applies specifically to LLCs where all members are youth entrepreneurs or where all organizers who become members are youth entrepreneurs. The Department of Financial Institutions would no longer collect the standard filing fee for these qualifying youth-led businesses. The law takes effect on the first day of the second month after publication in 2026.
This bill requires Wisconsin school boards to provide age-appropriate, medically accurate instruction on human growth and development to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The legislation mandates that any such program include specific topics such as reproductive anatomy, puberty, gender identity, sexual orientation, online safety, and the benefits of abstinence alongside information about contraceptives and disease prevention. Schools must use evidence-based materials recognized by leading medical organizations and ensure instruction supports communication between students and their families about healthy decision-making. The bill also addresses how to handle gender separation in classrooms and emphasizes teaching consent, respectful behavior, and healthy relationships.
This bill creates a state tax credit to help residents offset the cost of subscribing to local newspapers. It directly affects individuals who file state income tax returns and purchase subscriptions from newspapers that are legally qualified to print official notices. Under the bill, eligible taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 50 percent of their newspaper subscription costs, with a maximum credit of $250 per year or $125 for married individuals filing separately. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and must be claimed within the standard tax filing period.
This bill establishes a revolving loan program to help municipalities and homeowners on the Mississippi River shorelines address erosion threats to their properties. It authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to administer loans funded by a $2 million appropriation, with rules to set eligibility criteria and income limits for borrowers. The legislation also grants the department authority to create emergency rules without the usual requirement to prove an immediate public safety emergency, extending how long such temporary rules can remain in effect. Additionally, it increases the department's staffing by half a full-time equivalent position to manage the new loan program.
This bill establishes a state assistance program to help smaller municipalities, specifically 3rd and 4th class cities, villages, and towns, upgrade their water infrastructure to meet federal water quality standards. The program would provide grants covering up to 50 percent of project costs, with the Department of Natural Resources responsible for administering applications, setting eligibility criteria, and prioritizing projects based on established rules. An appropriation of $10 million is included for the 2025-26 fiscal year to fund these assistance payments, and the department must approve all project plans and specifications before funds are released.
AB 1070 limits county and state agency regulations on shoreland property maintenance. It prohibits counties from requiring approvals, fees, or restrictions for repairing, replacing, or remodeling existing structures (without expanding their footprint) or for vertical expansions under specific conditions. The bill creates a new provision (59.692(1k)(ag)) allowing counties to charge fees for these activities, while repealing prior restrictions on such fees. It directly affects landowners with properties near shorelines who seek to maintain or repair existing structures without expanding them.
SB 921 requires Wisconsin high schools to offer a 0.5-credit personal financial literacy course for graduation. The course must cover topics like money management, saving, investing, credit, and debt, and can be delivered through traditional classroom instruction or approved partnerships with local financial institutions. Schools may also award credit for completing an advanced placement business course with a personal finance focus. This requirement directly affects all Wisconsin high school students seeking graduation.
