Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 229: Relating to: the law enforcement officers’ bill of rights.

AB 229 repeals Section 164.05 of the statutes, which previously outlined specific protections for law enforcement officers under the "law enforcement officers’ bill of rights." This procedural bill directly affects law enforcement officers by removing an existing statutory provision governing their rights. The bill contains no new provisions or mechanisms - its sole action is the repeal of the referenced section. No additional policy changes or impacts are specified in the bill text.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Barbara Dittrich (R) Cindi Duchow (R) Calvin Callahan (R) Dave Armstrong (R) Brent Jacobson (R)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 216: Relating to: the amount and distribution of the real estate transfer fee, grants under the land information program, real property recording notification systems, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 216 reduces the real estate transfer fee from 30 to 20 cents per $100 of property value for all transactions. It changes fee distribution so 50% remains with counties and 50% goes to the state, with 46% of state funds allocated to county land information systems through new grant formulas. The bill also requires counties to establish free property monitoring systems for residents tracking changes to their properties, with no fees charged for this service. These changes directly affect all real estate buyers/sellers and county governments managing land records.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 183: Relating to: standard industrial classification codes for linen supply and industrial launderers and modifying the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit. (FE)

AB 183 creates new standard tax classification codes (7213 for "Linen supply" and 7218 for "Industrial launderers") to clarify which businesses qualify for manufacturing and agriculture tax credits. It specifically adds qualifying laundry services to these tax credits, including uniforms, linens, workwear, and cleaning supplies sold to commercial, industrial, or government clients. The changes apply to property tax exemptions starting January 1, 2025, and tax credit claims for taxable years beginning January 1, 2025. This bill directly affects industrial laundry businesses that provide these services to commercial or government entities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 490: Relating to: implementing a suicide prevention program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 490 creates a statewide suicide prevention program funded by an annual $250,000 appropriation. The program requires the Department of Health Services to implement public awareness campaigns, coordinate with community groups, and provide training for law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, and others who interact with people at risk of suicide. It specifically targets at-risk groups including youth, elderly individuals, Native Americans, and rural residents through county-level initiatives, crisis service enhancements, and a centralized resource website. The bill also mandates annual reports to the legislature on program activities starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 361: Relating to: authorizing electors to vote in the primary of more than one political party. (FE)

SB 361 removes a restriction that previously prevented voters from selecting candidates from multiple political parties in the same primary election. The bill amends voting machine rules to allow electors to vote for candidates across different parties during primaries, while still enabling voters to choose candidates within a single party. This change directly affects all voters participating in partisan primaries across the state. The policy shift would permit cross-party voting in primaries without requiring voters to choose only one party's ballot.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 475: Relating to: grants for the provision of immigration-related civil legal services to individuals and families, county grants for the provision of civil legal services to individuals and families, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 475 creates a state grant program to fund immigration-related civil legal services for individuals and families. It allocates $300,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year to award grants to community-based organizations (including for-profit groups) that provide legal assistance in immigration matters, with requirements that applicants have a history of such services and offer them without regard to immigration status. The bill also enables counties to fund similar services through existing county budgeting mechanisms. This directly supports immigrants facing legal challenges and expands access to civil legal aid in immigration cases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Immigration

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 492: Relating to: coverage of nonopioid drug alternatives for the treatment and management of pain.

SB 492 requires health insurance plans and self-insured employers to cover nonopioid pain treatment options equally with opioids. It mandates coverage for at least two nonopioid prescription drugs (approved by the FDA and not controlled substances) and three non-drug pain management options, such as physical therapy. The bill prohibits health plans from imposing stricter prior authorization or step therapy rules on nonopioid drugs compared to opioids. It also requires annual public reporting of pain management coverage details on plan websites. This affects all health plans covering prescription drugs in Wisconsin, directly impacting patients seeking nonopioid pain treatment options.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 161: Relating to: a presumption that equalizing physical placement to the highest degree is in the child’s best interest.

SB 161 establishes a legal presumption that courts should favor parenting schedules allowing children to spend nearly equal time with both parents, as this is presumed to be in the child's best interest. It directly affects family courts handling custody cases in Wisconsin, requiring judges to consider this equal-time presumption when determining physical placement. The bill adds a new factor (geographic separation) that courts must weigh when applying this presumption, and the presumption can be overridden if evidence shows unequal placement is better for the child. This change modifies how courts evaluate custody arrangements under Wisconsin Statute 767.41.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 489: Relating to: voluntary prohibitions on purchasing a handgun and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 489 creates a voluntary program allowing individuals to prohibit themselves from purchasing handguns for specific periods (1, 5, or 20 years, with the first year irrevocable). Individuals submit forms to the Department of Justice for verification, entering their details into a new database. This database is now checked by firearms dealers during background checks under existing law (s. 175.35), which will block sales if a person is listed. The program directly affects individuals seeking to restrict their own firearm access, with the state appropriating $150,000 annually to administer it.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 496: Relating to: verification of a pupil’s family income for participation in a parental choice program.

SB 496 amends income eligibility rules for families using parental choice programs (school vouchers) to attend private schools. It raises the income threshold from 2.2 times the federal poverty level to 3.0 times for most students, replacing previous lower limits for certain districts. The bill repeals outdated provisions requiring verification of income increases and updates how family income is calculated for program eligibility. These changes apply starting in the 2026-27 school year, directly affecting low-income families seeking private school options under existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 101: Relating to: honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk.

This Wisconsin joint resolution (AJR 101) honors Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent advocate for liberty, following his assassination. It recognizes his work promoting "faith, liberty, and truth," his role as a devoted family man, and his impact on inspiring young Americans. The resolution includes three key parts: honoring his life and legacy, commending his memory to future generations, and joining in prayer for his family and the nation. As a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or funding, it does not affect laws or individuals.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 488: Relating to: requiring job postings to include salary range and benefits, retaining records of job postings, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.

SB 488 requires employers and third parties posting job openings to include the salary range (minimum and maximum) and details about benefits like health insurance or retirement plans. Employers must also keep these job posting records for two years and allow department reviews. Penalties include written warnings for first violations, with fines ranging from $300 to $2,000 for repeat offenses based on company size (under 50 vs. 50+ employees), and third parties face identical fines. The bill applies to all covered employers and job postings, aiming to increase transparency in compensation offers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results