Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 237: Relating to: a sales and use tax exemption for equipment associated with the use of a search and rescue dog. (FE)

SB 237 creates a sales and use tax exemption for physical equipment used to train, manage, or care for search and rescue dogs. It directly affects state and nationally recognized search and rescue agencies that use trained dogs to locate missing persons or disaster victims. The bill exempts the purchase price of such equipment from state sales and use taxes. This change simplifies cost management for agencies relying on canine units in emergency response. The bill is procedural and focuses solely on tax policy, not broader operational changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 205: Relating to: information provided to voters concerning proposed constitutional amendments and other statewide referenda. (FE)

SB 205 requires clear, standardized information to be provided to voters about statewide constitutional amendments and referendums. It mandates a "complete state referendum disclosure notice" including the referendum date, full ballot text, plain-language summaries of current law, and explanations of "yes/no" vote effects - all fitting on one page (8.5x11", 12pt font). This notice must be posted with sample ballots, published online by elections commissions for 30 days before voting, and included with absentee ballots. The bill directly affects voters in statewide referendums by ensuring they receive consistent, accessible information before casting ballots.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 477: Relating to: age for the issuance of a Missing Child Alert.

AB 477 changes the age threshold for issuing a Missing Child Alert from under 10 years to under 12 years. It directly affects minors under 12 who are believed to be incapable of returning home without assistance due to a physical or mental condition, disability, or inability to navigate safely. The bill amends the statute to adjust the age requirement while maintaining the existing criteria for qualifying alerts. This is a technical adjustment to the alert system's eligibility rules, not a new program or policy. The change aims to expand the alert coverage to include older minors who may still require urgent assistance.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 660: Relating to: a public information campaign related to aggressive driving and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 660 creates a statewide public information campaign to reduce aggressive driving behaviors like excessive speeding, illegal racing, and fleeing police. The campaign, funded with $500,000 over two fiscal years, must run for 1-2 years and prioritize local governments with the highest rates of these incidents. It requires using billboards, radio, TV, and digital ads, while partnering with local creative agencies and community groups (like schools and churches) to share real stories from affected drivers and families. The law mandates that materials reflect the experiences of high-risk drivers and target communities most impacted by aggressive driving.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 595: Relating to: compliance with the federal Help America Vote Act, voter registration data sharing agreements, removing ineligible voters from the official voter registration list, and fees for obtaining the official voter registration list. (FE)

SB 595 establishes new procedures to verify voter eligibility under federal requirements. It mandates that Wisconsin's Elections Commission match voter registration data with state databases (DMV, vital records, corrections) to confirm U.S. citizenship and remove ineligible voters. Municipal clerks must conduct annual audits, report results monthly, and verify registration changes in real-time. The bill also updates complaint processes for eligibility disputes, requiring the Commission to resolve such cases within 89 days and publish outcomes publicly. These changes directly affect the Elections Commission, local election officials, and voters whose registration is reviewed for citizenship status.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 646: Relating to: reports on the competency of involuntarily committed individuals to refuse medication or treatment based upon an examination by an advanced practice registered nurse.

SB 646 amends Wisconsin statute 51.61(1)(g)3 to allow reports assessing whether involuntarily committed individuals can refuse mental health treatment to be based on examinations by advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with psychiatric expertise, not just physicians. This directly affects individuals in involuntary mental health commitments and expands the healthcare professionals authorized to certify treatment necessity and competency to refuse care. The bill requires such reports to include a signed statement from the APRN or physician confirming the individual needs treatment and lacks competence to refuse it. The change takes effect September 1, 2026, after a transitional period allowing either physicians or qualified APRNs to issue these reports until that date. The law maintains existing court hearing requirements for treatment decisions but broadens who can provide the foundational medical assessment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 660: Relating to: refundable individual income tax credit for premarital counseling and making an appropriation.

AB 660 creates a refundable tax credit for married couples who complete premarital counseling before marriage. It provides up to $600 annually for joint filers (reducing to $300 in year two and $100 in year three) or $300 for separate filers (reducing to $150 and $50), with the credit tied to the couple's first three years of marriage. To claim the credit, couples must submit written certification from a qualified counselor (including licensed therapists, psychologists, or clergy) verifying premarital counseling was completed before marriage. The credit is refundable, meaning it can be paid even if no tax is owed, and cannot be claimed by divorced couples, nonresidents, or those filing for partial tax years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 414: Relating to: requiring animal testing facilities and breeders to offer certain dogs and cats for adoption to releasing agencies and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 414 requires animal testing facilities and breeders to offer dogs and cats for adoption to shelters or rescue groups for at least three weeks before euthanizing them, provided the animals pose no health or safety risk. Facilities must report annually on the number of animals they owned, used for testing, and transferred to adoption groups. Violations could result in fines up to $5,000 per animal. This bill directly affects facilities and breeders that handle dogs or cats for research, education, or breeding purposes.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 112: Relating to: hunting of sandhill cranes, programs related to sandhill crane damage, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 112 establishes a permit system for hunting sandhill cranes, requiring state approval and federal compliance. It allocates 50% of permit fees to fund crane population management and education, while the remaining 50% supports wildlife damage programs. The bill creates a $1.875 million annual appropriation for reimbursing landowners affected by sandhill crane damage. These changes directly affect hunters (who need permits), landowners (receiving damage reimbursements), and conservation programs managing crane populations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 152: Relating to: bid requirement for publication and printing of county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements in counties having a population of 250,000 or more and at least two English newspapers published daily.

AB 152 requires counties with over 250,000 residents and at least two daily English newspapers to annually invite newspaper proposals for publishing county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements. The county board directs the clerk to collect these bids at the annual meeting, formalizing a process for selecting publications. This applies only to qualifying large counties with sufficient newspaper options. The bill creates a structured bidding requirement for official county publications in specific jurisdictions.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 643: Relating to: an audit of fire sprinkler systems in certain residential buildings and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 643 requires the Department of Safety and Professional Services to audit fire sprinkler systems in specific residential buildings - defined as apartment buildings, rowhouses, townhouses, or condos with 8+ attached units and at least 2 stories above ground (excluding some licensed facilities). The audit must determine if automatic sprinklers are installed, with a report due to the governor and legislature by September 30, 2026. The bill appropriates $75,000 for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund two staff positions dedicated to conducting this audit. This affects building owners/managers of the specified properties by triggering a state review of existing fire safety systems.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 635: Relating to: refundable individual income tax credit for premarital counseling and making an appropriation.

SB 635 creates a refundable tax credit for married couples who complete premarital counseling before their wedding. It allows couples filing jointly to claim $600 in their first married year, $300 in the second, and $100 in the third, with reduced amounts for separate returns. To qualify, couples must obtain written certification from a licensed therapist, psychiatrist, or clergy member confirming the counseling occurred before marriage. The credit is funded through a new state appropriation and must be claimed within specific time limits after the marriage year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Bill results