SB 284 defines key terms for a future sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit program. It specifies that "renewable biomass" includes wood waste, crop residues, dairy byproducts, and other organic agricultural waste, and defines "sustainable aviation fuel" as aviation fuel derived from this biomass and meeting U.S. Department of Energy standards. The bill replaces outdated terms like "energy crops" with "renewable biomass" throughout the tax credit framework. This definitional bill enables future tax credits for SAF producers but does not establish the credit amount or implementation details. (Note: The bill is still pending scheduling as of the latest action on 2025-11-06.)
SB 538 prevents law enforcement from using statements about prostitution as evidence in prosecution if those statements were gathered while someone sought medical care or reported another crime (not prostitution). It protects individuals who contact police, medical providers, or emergency services for reasons unrelated to prostitution, as well as those reporting crimes or seeking care on behalf of others. The bill creates a clear rule that statements obtained during these unrelated interactions cannot be used to prosecute a person for prostitution. This change directly affects people interacting with authorities for medical or non-prostitution-related crime reporting, ensuring such statements remain inadmissible in prostitution cases.
SB 408 creates an agricultural purchase program that allocates $30 million in state funds to support local food assistance organizations purchasing Wisconsin-grown or made food. The program provides grants to nonprofit food banks, pantries, and local food distributors to buy food produced within the state. It establishes new staff positions (a program specialist and grants specialist) within the Department of Agriculture to manage the program, funded by the same appropriation. The bill directly affects Wisconsin food assistance providers and local agricultural producers by creating a dedicated funding stream for regional food purchases.
SB 607 modifies Wisconsin's firearm laws by expanding exemptions for law enforcement officers and adjusting hunting restrictions. It repeals existing limits on concealed carry licenses and creates new exemptions allowing peace officers to carry firearms in vehicles or aircraft while on duty. The bill also reduces the hunting restriction distance near schools and hospitals from 1,700 to 1,200 feet. These changes directly affect law enforcement personnel and hunters, while maintaining existing prohibitions for general firearm use in vehicles and near roadways.
AB 620 requires teachers and administrators in Wisconsin's parental choice programs and Special Needs Scholarship Program to hold state teaching licenses starting July 1, 2027. Schools may employ educators with at least five years of prior experience (as of July 1, 2027) under a temporary, nonrenewable waiver until July 1, 2032. The law creates a process for these educators to apply for waivers while working toward full licensure, with the state department developing implementing rules. It applies specifically to private schools participating in these state-funded education choice programs.
AB 290 creates a special vehicle registration plate titled "Protect Pollinators" with a voluntary $25 annual or $50 biennial fee for vehicle owners who choose it. All fees collected beyond $23,700 (or production costs, whichever is less) are deposited into the conservation fund to support pollinator protection programs. The plate must display "Protect Pollinators" and cover the entire plate, as specified in the bill. This directly affects Wisconsin vehicle owners who select this plate option, directing funds toward conservation efforts.
SB 592 modifies state law to exclude certain event or sports wagers from the legal definition of "bet." Specifically, it exempts wagers made by people physically in the state using mobile devices if the wagering server is on tribal lands and the activity follows an Indian gaming compact signed before April 1, 1993. This primarily affects tribal gaming operations that conduct mobile sports betting under these specific historical agreements. The change clarifies that such wagers are not treated as "bets" under current gambling statutes.
SB 216 increases local government competitive bidding thresholds for public works contracts. It raises the bidding threshold from $25,000 to $50,000 and the notice threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 for general public contracts. For highway contracts, it sets a bidding threshold of $25,000 and a notice threshold of $5,000. The bill also establishes automatic annual inflation adjustments to these thresholds using the U.S. consumer price index, rounded to the nearest $1,000, every five years. This affects towns and counties when contracting for public construction, repairs, or improvements.
SB 588 requires Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction to create a two-year pilot program (2025-26 and 2026-27) providing free professional development for K-12 science teachers, in partnership with state nonprofit organizations. The program may also supply related science equipment at no cost to participating teachers for classroom use. By October 2027, the department must report to the legislature on program participation, equipment distribution, and partner organizations. The bill directly affects science teachers and nonprofit providers, focusing on enhancing classroom resources through structured training.
SB 378 aligns Wisconsin's election procedures with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act. It requires the state election commission to publish all key election deadlines (including recounts) on its website. For presidential elections, the bill mandates that municipal clerks deliver ballots to county clerks by 9 a.m. on Saturday (instead of the previous deadline), and county clerks must remain open that Saturday to accept filings. It also adjusts timelines for counting provisional ballots and reconciling absentee and in-person votes to prevent duplicate voting. This bill directly affects municipal and county clerks, election boards, and the processing of ballots in presidential elections.
AB 501 establishes new standards for free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges. It protects students, faculty, staff, and graduate assistants from campus restrictions on First Amendment-protected speech, including in virtual spaces (except during virtual classroom instruction). Institutions may only limit speech that violates laws, constitutes threats/harassment, or materially disrupts operations, and must use content-neutral time/place/manner rules for public forums. The bill also creates legal grounds for individuals to sue the Board of Regents or technical college boards if these protections are violated.
AB 505 creates a state program to help veterinarians in rural counties repay student loans. It provides grants covering up to $100,000 over four years (max $25,000 annually) for vets working full-time in rural areas who provide at least 25% of their care to farm animals. The grants are specifically for repaying debts from veterinary school and are exempt from state income tax. This directly affects veterinarians in qualifying rural counties who meet the employment and farm animal care requirements. The program begins for 2025 veterinary graduates.
