Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 585: Relating to: funding for student success and retention at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill allocates $10 million annually for student success and retention programs at University of Wisconsin System institutions and Wisconsin technical colleges. It creates dedicated funding streams (under statutes 20.285(1)(ct) and 20.292(1)(er)) to support existing efforts like academic advising and program administration. The funds are provided as a continuing appropriation, meaning they are guaranteed year-to-year without needing annual legislative approval. This directly affects students and institutions by providing sustained financial support for initiatives aimed at improving graduation rates and student persistence.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 611: Relating to: per pupil aid. (FE)

AB 611 modifies how state funding for public schools is calculated by changing the formula for per-pupil aid starting in the 2026-27 school year. It directly affects school districts receiving state funding, specifically for students in grades 9-12. The bill requires that each year's per-pupil aid amount equals the previous year's amount plus any positive annual change in a separate funding formula (s. 119.23 (4) (bg) 3) for high school students. This creates an automatic annual adjustment tied to that specific funding change, rather than using a fixed rate.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 603: Relating to: per pupil aid. (FE)

SB 603 would change how state per-pupil aid is calculated for school districts starting in the 2026-27 school year. It requires districts to receive an annual increase equal to the positive change in another specific high school funding formula (s. 119.23(4)(bg)3) for students in grades 9-12. This directly affects all public school districts receiving state per-pupil aid. The bill ensures funding grows each year based on actual changes to high school funding, rather than using a fixed percentage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 608: Relating to: funding for student success and retention at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 608 allocates $10 million annually for two years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to support student success and retention programs at University of Wisconsin System institutions and Wisconsin technical colleges. The funding, designated as a continuing appropriation, directly supports institutions in enhancing academic advising and other retention-focused initiatives. It creates new statutory provisions to channel these funds through the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards. The bill does not establish new programs but provides dedicated annual funding for existing student support efforts at these public institutions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 208: Relating to: prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE)

SB 208 prohibits hedge funds (defined as entities managing $50 million+ in pooled investor funds) from acquiring or owning single-family homes in the state. It specifically targets new acquisitions after the law's effective date, requiring any violation to forfeit the property to the state, enforced by the attorney general. Existing ownership before the effective date is not affected. The bill directly impacts hedge funds meeting its financial and structural criteria, not other investors or property types. It does not alter existing ownership rights but prevents new purchases by covered hedge funds.

Topics ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 513: Relating to: actions in circuit court alleging discrimination in employment, unfair honesty testing, or unfair genetic testing. (FE)

AB 513 modifies Wisconsin law to clarify procedures for employment discrimination cases involving unfair honesty testing or genetic testing. It allows individuals or the department to file civil lawsuits in circuit court within 300 days of an alleged violation, with courts able to award compensatory damages and punitive damages up to specific caps based on employer size (e.g., $50,000 for businesses with ≤100 employees). The bill also establishes a process for automatic annual adjustments to these damage caps using the consumer price index. It ensures complainants receive clear notices about their right to pursue legal action after administrative decisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 435: 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)

SB 435 updates the official title for physician assistants to "physician associate" across all relevant state laws and licensing rules. It allows certain physician associates to practice independently without direct physician supervision, while also creating new provisions for their credentialing board. The bill extends time limits for emergency rule procedures and provides exemptions from those procedures for specific regulatory actions. These changes directly affect licensed physician associates, their employers, and the state's medical credentialing board. The policy shifts terminology to "physician associate" and expands practice authority for qualified professionals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 634: Relating to: release of audio and video footage following officer-involved deaths or other critical incidents involving a law enforcement officer. (FE)

AB 634 requires law enforcement agencies to publicly release bodycam, vehicle camera, and relevant audio/video footage within 15 days of specific incidents, including officer-involved deaths, critical incidents (like great bodily harm or death in custody), or firearm discharges by officers. This applies to footage showing actions leading to the incident, though agencies may redact sensitive information like victim identities, medical details, or confidential investigative strategies under defined exemptions. Affected parties, such as identified officers, victims, or families, must be notified 48 hours before release to review the footage. The bill aims to increase transparency while balancing privacy and investigative needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 541: Relating to: actions in circuit court alleging discrimination in employment, unfair honesty testing, or unfair genetic testing. (FE)

SB 541 creates a new pathway for individuals or the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to file civil lawsuits in circuit court alleging employment discrimination, unfair honesty testing (like pre-employment lie detector tests), or unfair genetic testing. The bill sets a 300-day deadline to file such lawsuits and establishes damage caps based on employer size (ranging from $50,000 to $300,000), with automatic annual adjustments using the consumer price index. It clarifies that individuals don’t need to first pursue administrative complaints before suing, and courts must specify whether new damages replace or add to prior relief. This directly affects employees facing these violations and employers subject to such lawsuits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 567: Relating to: covenants not to compete in employment contracts.

AB 567 bans most post-employment non-compete agreements in the state, making them illegal and unenforceable for employees after their job ends. The bill specifically allows exceptions only for protecting a customer list or intellectual property (like trade secrets or proprietary data). Employers must post clear notices about this ban in visible locations and on their websites. The law applies only to new non-compete clauses entered into, renewed, or modified after the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 583: Relating to: resolution of claims against the state for wrongful imprisonment of innocent persons, exempting from taxation certain amounts an individual receives from the claims board or legislature, health benefits and other assistance for wrongfully imprisoned persons, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 583 helps people wrongfully imprisoned in Wisconsin by providing them with tax-exempt compensation, health coverage, and transition support. It exempts state compensation payments for wrongful imprisonment from state income tax, covers health insurance premiums (with shared costs), and requires a 5-day transition plan for released individuals to access housing, job help, and healthcare. The bill creates new funding mechanisms (like appropriations under 20.515) to pay for these benefits and mandates state agencies to coordinate with counties on post-release support. It directly affects individuals who receive state compensation under wrongful imprisonment claims (s. 775.05) and the state budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 469: Relating to: the unemployment insurance waiting period.

AB 469 modifies Wisconsin's unemployment insurance rules for claimants who concealed work. It repeals outdated provisions and amends Section 108.04(11)(bm) to clarify that claimants who hid work (triggering ineligibility) will not earn "waiting period credit" during their ineligibility period. Instead, if no benefit rate applies to their claim week, the department will use their next benefit year's rate to calculate any reduction. This directly affects unemployed workers who previously concealed employment when filing for benefits.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Bill results