Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 313: Relating to: providing permanency plan and comments to out-of-home care providers in advance of a permanency plan review or hearing. (FE)

SB 313 requires child welfare agencies to provide out-of-home care providers (like foster parents or group homes) with a redacted copy of a child’s permanency plan and any written comments *before* a permanency review or hearing. The bill mandates that agencies remove confidential information - such as details protected by state law (e.g., 48.396, 48.57) or federal privacy rules - before sharing the plan. This ensures providers receive advance notice of the plan’s content without exposing sensitive details. The law applies to all permanency reviews or hearings starting 30 days after its effective date. It does not change the content of permanency plans but improves transparency for care providers involved in the process.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 597: Relating to: allowing voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for every election, eliminating the indefinitely confined voter status for receiving absentee ballots, and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 597 would allow Wisconsin voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for every election without needing to reapply each time. It eliminates the current "indefinitely confined" voter status requirement, streamlining the process for voters who qualify. The bill requires voters to provide proof of identification once to enroll, with the municipal clerk retaining an electronic copy in the statewide system until the voter stops receiving automatic ballots or the ID expires. This change directly affects Wisconsin residents who currently must request absentee ballots for each election, making absentee voting more accessible while maintaining verification requirements.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 112: Relating to: the right to keep and bear arms (first consideration).

AJR 112 proposes a constitutional amendment to Article I, Section 25, explicitly defining the right to keep and bear arms as applying to security, defense, hunting, recreation, and any other lawful purpose. It states this right is "fundamental" and requires any government restriction to undergo "strict scrutiny." The amendment would directly affect all residents by altering the state constitution's firearm rights protections. If approved by voters, it would become part of the constitution, requiring future laws restricting firearms to meet the strict scrutiny standard. The bill is currently in committee after its October 2025 introduction.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 590: Relating to: faculty tenure and probationary appointments at University of Wisconsin System institutions and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

SB 590 establishes new rules for faculty tenure and probationary appointments at University of Wisconsin System institutions. It defines "probationary appointment" as a position before a tenure decision and sets a maximum of seven consecutive academic years for such appointments (excluding leaves of absence). The bill requires the University of Wisconsin System board to create rules governing tenure decisions, performance reviews, and faculty dismissals, ensuring recommendations avoid impermissible factors. It also mandates that faculty with tenure or probationary appointments can only be dismissed for just cause after due process.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 579: Relating to: University of Wisconsin System tuition grant program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 579 creates a new University of Wisconsin System tuition grant program to help cover the gap between other scholarships and full tuition and fees for eligible students. It directly affects Wisconsin residents enrolled in their first bachelor's degree program at a non-Madison UW campus with household income under $71,000 annually. The bill appropriates $11.86 million for 2025-26 and $28.11 million for 2026-27 to fund grants covering up to 8 consecutive semesters for freshmen or 4 for transfers (excluding summer terms). The program requires students to meet academic standards and excludes those with unmet selective service or child support obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 519: Relating to: the appointment of a guardian ad litem in a proceeding to grant reasonable visitation rights to a nonparent. (FE)

AB 519 requires courts to appoint a court-appointed advocate (guardian ad litem) for a minor child in any family court case where a nonparent (such as a grandparent or close family friend) petitions for reasonable visitation rights under statute 767.43 and has legally established standing to file the petition. This mandate applies specifically to cases involving nonparent visitation requests, ensuring the child’s best interests are represented by an independent advocate. The bill takes effect for all such petitions filed on or after its effective date, creating a new procedural requirement in family court proceedings.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 516: Relating to: ranked-choice voting for local nonpartisan elections, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 516 would allow local governments (counties, cities, towns, school districts) to adopt ranked-choice voting for nonpartisan local elections. Under this system, voters would rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting just one. The bill provides funding for local governments to update election equipment and software to implement this system. It also modifies tie-breaking procedures for elections where candidates receive equal votes, requiring selection by lot if ranked-choice voting isn't used.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 49: Relating to: a minor’s authority to consent to health care.

AB 49 allows minors aged 14 or older who are unaccompanied youth (homeless youth without parental supervision) to consent to medically necessary health care without parental permission. To qualify, a minor must be verified as unaccompanied by specific professionals like school counselors, shelter staff, or social workers. The bill defines "medically necessary care" as treatment meeting established medical standards, including safety, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency. Healthcare providers following this law are protected from liability for providing such care, though the law does not override existing mandatory reporting requirements or other minor consent rights under Chapter 51.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 135: Relating to: the right to repair motor vehicles and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 135 requires vehicle manufacturers to provide owners and repair shops with free, unrestricted access to vehicle data (like diagnostics) and critical repair information (tools, manuals, parts specs) needed to fix cars. It prohibits manufacturers from using technological barriers (like encrypted data) or legal barriers (such as forcing owners to use dealer-approved parts) to limit repair choices. The bill directly affects car owners, independent repair shops, and aftermarket parts companies by ensuring they can access necessary information without fees or manufacturer-imposed restrictions. Manufacturers must also stop mandating specific brands of parts or tools in repair guides, though they can still recommend options with clear disclaimers. This law aims to make vehicle repairs more accessible and affordable by removing artificial barriers.

Topics ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 261: Relating to: certain limitations on claiming the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit. (FE)

SB 261 prevents veterans and surviving spouses from claiming the property tax credit if they also claim certain other specific credits for the same tax year. It amends the law to block the property tax credit if a claim is filed under sections (3m), (9), or subchapters VIII or IX for that year. This applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2025, directly affecting eligible veterans and surviving spouses who might otherwise qualify for multiple credits. The bill creates a clear limitation to avoid overlapping claims for the same tax year.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 42: Relating to: proclaiming 2025 as the year of the snake.

SJR 42 is a ceremonial resolution that declares 2025 as "the Year of the Snake" to honor the Lunar New Year and celebrate Asian American cultural traditions in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically recognizes the significance of the Lunar New Year in Asian cultures and the positive traits associated with the snake in Chinese tradition. The resolution aims to foster appreciation for Wisconsin's diverse Asian American communities and their contributions to the state's cultural fabric. This is a non-binding proclamation with no direct impact on legislation or affected populations.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 272: Relating to: eligibility for Family Care for individuals who are deaf-blind. (FE)

SB 272 amends Wisconsin's Family Care eligibility rules to directly include individuals who are deaf-blind, as defined by federal law (29 U.S.C. § 1905). This change means deaf-blind individuals will now qualify for Family Care services without needing to undergo a separate assessment of their care needs. The bill updates the statute to establish deaf-blindness as a clear, standalone eligibility category, simplifying access to this state-supported care program for this specific group.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results