Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 600: Relating to: participating in the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations.

SB 600 would enable Wisconsin to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) from their state taxes. The bill requires the state education department to annually submit a list of qualifying SGOs meeting federal standards and certify Wisconsin's eligibility to the U.S. Treasury. It gives the governor until July 1, 2026, to decide whether to join the program, which would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new tax benefits but establishes the state's administrative process to align with the federal program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 397: Relating to: reporting requirements for recipients of economic development grants and loans.

AB 397 requires businesses and organizations receiving state economic development grants or loans to submit annual reports detailing how funds were used. It directly affects grant and loan recipients by mandating transparency in fund allocation and project outcomes. The key provision establishes standardized reporting templates and deadlines for these entities to submit to the state. The bill, currently in the Assembly Jobs and Economy Committee, aims to improve accountability without changing grant eligibility or funding levels. (Note: An amendment was offered on October 30, 2025, but specific changes are not detailed in the provided context.)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 438: Relating to: adopting the title of physician associate for physician assistants, independent practice of certain physician associates, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, and providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures. (FE)

AB 438 proposes changing the official title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate" across state statutes. This bill directly affects current and future physician assistants, as well as the licensing board overseeing their credentials. Key mechanisms include amending over 30 sections of law to replace "physician assistant" with "physician associate" in definitions, title usage rules, and board references. The bill does not alter practice authority or requirements - it only standardizes terminology. This is a procedural title change bill, not a substantive policy shift.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 244: Relating to: modifying the sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers. (FE)

SB 244 modifies the state's sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers. It redefines "qualified data center" to require buildings housing server computers for processing, storing, or managing data, and explicitly allows centers to provide space, utilities, and infrastructure services to tenants. The bill specifically excludes cryptocurrency-related operations (like blockchain verification) from qualifying for the tax exemption. This change directly affects data center operators and businesses that rent space or services within these facilities by altering which facilities qualify for tax savings.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 434: Relating to: local traffic calming grants and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 434 creates a new $60 million annual state grant program to fund local traffic calming projects. It directly affects counties, cities, villages, towns, and federally recognized tribes by providing funding for infrastructure projects designed to reduce vehicle speeds. The program, administered by the Department of Transportation, will award grants for projects eligible under federal transportation alternatives programs. Grants require applications with specified details, and the department will set evaluation criteria for funding decisions. This is a concrete policy change establishing ongoing state funding for community safety improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 556: Relating to: zero-based biennial budget requests by executive branch agencies. (FE)

AB 556 requires most state executive agencies to submit biennial budget requests using zero-based budgeting starting in 2027. This means agencies must justify each program's funding needs from scratch, not just build on previous budgets, and analyze whether each appropriation met its intended goal. The bill mandates that 20% of agencies use this method each biennium, with every agency required to submit at least one zero-based budget every five years. Agencies must also publicly post these reports on their websites.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 545: Relating to: manufactured home sales and certificates of title and modifying administrative rules of the Department of Safety and Professional Services related to manufactured home purchase contracts. (FE)

SB 545 revises Wisconsin's rules for manufactured home sales and title certificates. It requires dealers to provide buyers with a receipt for title and tax payments and submit title applications within seven business days of a sale. Owners must apply for a certificate of title when a manufactured home is situated in the state (with limited exemptions), and the Department of Safety and Professional Services must maintain public records indexed by county. These changes aim to clarify title processes, improve record-keeping, and ensure timely transfers of ownership for manufactured homes.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 471: Relating to: the regulation of digital assets.

AB 471 prevents cities, towns, and counties from banning residents or businesses from using digital assets (like cryptocurrency) to pay for goods/services or storing them in personal wallets (e.g., hardware or self-hosted wallets). It explicitly allows individuals to operate blockchain nodes, develop related software, transfer digital assets, and participate in staking (locking assets to support network security). The bill defines key terms like "digital asset" and "stake" to clarify these protections, ensuring local governments cannot restrict these activities. This directly affects digital asset users, service providers, and local governments across the state.

Topics ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 555: Relating to: zero-based biennial budget requests by executive branch agencies. (FE)

SB 555 requires Wisconsin's executive branch agencies to submit biennial budget requests using "zero-based budgeting" for 20% of agencies each fiscal biennium, starting in 2027-29. This means agencies must justify every budget line item based on current needs and goals, rather than relying on previous funding levels. The bill also mandates that agencies analyze whether past appropriations met their intended goals and explain any shortfalls, with these reports posted online. It directly affects all state executive agencies submitting budget requests, shifting how they justify spending. The changes take effect for the 2027-29 budget cycle.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 211: Relating to: exempting tobacco bars from the public smoking ban.

SB 211 would exempt certain tobacco-focused venues from the state's public smoking ban. Specifically, it creates a new exemption for "tobacco bars" that opened after June 4, 2009, allow only cigar and pipe smoking (not cigarettes), and are not classified as food establishments. This change would directly affect new tobacco bars meeting all three criteria, allowing them to operate without complying with the general smoking ban that applies to most public spaces. The bill does not alter the smoking ban for other businesses or venues. It is currently pending in committee after being introduced in April 2025.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 567: Relating to: verifying a voter’s change of address and registration status and removing ineligible voters from the official voter registration list. (FE)

SB 567 updates Wisconsin's voter registration rules to improve address verification and remove ineligible voters. It requires election officials to send postcards to verify a voter's current address when registration changes are reported, and to automatically remove voters from the list if addresses can't be confirmed or if they register in another state. The bill also mandates timely notifications to voters and election commissions when registration status changes from "eligible" to "ineligible." These changes directly affect voters who move or update their address, and election offices responsible for maintaining accurate registration lists.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 375: Relating to: the use of speed safety camera systems and traffic control photographic systems in a first class city and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 375 allows first-class cities to use traffic control photographic systems (red-light cameras) to automatically detect vehicles running red lights at intersections. The bill requires cameras to be placed only at intersections with a documented annual accident rate of 1.0 or higher, mandates clear signage, and requires photographs to focus on license plates from the rear. Vehicle owners receive written notices with photos within 30 business days, and fines range from $20 to $40 for first offenses, with proceeds funding system costs and traffic safety programs. This directly affects drivers in first-class cities who violate red-light laws, as cities may implement the system at no more than five intersections per aldermanic district.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Bill results