Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 32: Relating to: access to public high schools for military recruiters.

This bill requires public school districts to allow military recruiters access to high school common areas and school events during the school day, as mandated by federal law (10 USC 503(c)). It specifically prohibits schools from denying this access based on whether they allow college recruiters or employers, but explicitly states that classrooms during instructional time are excluded. The law applies to all public high schools and takes effect for the 2025-26 school year. It directly affects school districts, which must adjust their policies to comply.

Ben Franklin (R) Barbara Dittrich (R) Dan Knodl (R) Ron Tusler (R) Clint Moses (R)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 645: Relating to: serving margarine as a substitute for butter in certain circumstances.

SB 645 prohibits restaurants from serving margarine as a substitute for butter unless a customer specifically orders it. It also bars state institutions (like hospitals or prisons) and schools from using margarine instead of butter without a health-related exception - such as a physician's order for a specific patient or student. The bill specifically requires schools to get explicit permission from a student, parent/guardian, or healthcare provider to substitute margarine, while maintaining the existing ban on unrequested use in public dining.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 171: Relating to: requiring child sexual abuse prevention education. (FE)

SB 171 requires all public school districts to implement age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education for students in 4-year-old kindergarten through 12th grade starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The law mandates specific curriculum content, including anatomical terms, setting personal boundaries, identifying safe/unsafe touch, recognizing abuse signs, and reporting procedures. Schools must provide parents with program outlines, timing details, and educational materials about abuse prevention and vulnerability factors before instruction begins. Parents may opt their child out of the program with a written request, but schools must still share the educational resources with them.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 654: Relating to: a public information campaign related to aggressive driving and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 654 creates a public information campaign to reduce aggressive driving behaviors like excessive speeding, illegal racing, and fleeing police. The bill allocates $500,000 over two fiscal years ($250,000 annually) for the campaign, which must run for 1-2 years and prioritize areas with the highest incidents of such driving. It requires using billboards, radio, TV, and digital ads, while prioritizing local contractors and featuring stories from affected individuals like young drivers and families. The campaign targets high-risk drivers and must partner with community organizations to influence behavior, without making specific policy changes to traffic laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 508: Relating to: owner liability for illegally passing a school bus and providing a penalty.

SB 508 allows school buses to install cameras to record drivers illegally passing them. Bus operators or third-party vendors can submit photo/video evidence of violations to traffic officers, who can then issue fines. The bill establishes fines of $30-$500 for drivers who pass school buses illegally, with no license suspension or demerit points added to driving records. It directly affects drivers who violate school bus stop laws, creating a new process for evidence-based enforcement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 239: Relating to: prohibiting hotels, inns, and motels from discriminating against dog handlers who are accompanied by search and rescue dogs.

SB 239 prohibits hotels, motels, and inns from discriminating against dog handlers accompanied by certified search and rescue (SAR) dogs. It requires these businesses to allow full access and equal treatment without extra fees, discriminatory communications, or segregation, provided the SAR dog wears an identifying harness or cape and is leashed. Exceptions apply if accommodating the dog would fundamentally alter services or jeopardize safety, but businesses must modify policies to prevent separation of handlers from their dogs. The bill directly affects hospitality businesses and SAR professionals who rely on these facilities during emergency response work.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 440: Relating to: levy increase limit for the village of Oregon and the towns of Oregon and Rutland. (FE)

AB 440 modifies how the village of Oregon and the towns of Oregon and Rutland in Dane County calculate their annual tax levy limits. It prevents the state from reducing the base tax amount for these municipalities based on payments made in 2024 for joint fire department or emergency medical services district costs. This ensures their 2025 tax levy limits remain at 2024 levels for these specific shared services, rather than adjusting downward for those expenses. The bill directly affects these three local governments' budgeting for shared public safety services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 210: Relating to: changes to amount of, and criteria for designating recipients of, academic excellence higher education scholarships. (FE)

AB 210 amends Wisconsin's academic scholarship program by changing how high school seniors are selected for "academic excellence" higher education scholarships. It sets a minimum 3.800 grade point average for alternates when multiple seniors tie for top rank, requires schools with 80+ students to designate one top scholar annually, and adds rules for schools that close or merge (allowing prior scholars to retain eligibility). The bill directly affects public, private, and tribal high schools in Wisconsin with 80+ students and their graduating seniors who meet academic criteria. Key provisions clarify selection procedures, tie-breaking rules, and continuity for students at closing schools, without changing scholarship funding amounts.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 236: Relating to: the rights of sexual assault crime victims.

AB 236 ensures sexual assault victims who provide a forensic kit receive clear, timely updates about their case. It requires law enforcement to notify victims about kit testing timelines, DNA analysis results, and the kit's destruction date upon request. Victims also get updates if their case status changes (e.g., closed or reopened). The bill directly affects individuals who submit sexual assault kits, improving transparency in how their evidence is handled. It does not change criminal penalties or create new programs, but mandates specific communication protocols for law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 116: Relating to: congratulating the Greendale High School Marching Band on winning the Wisconsin School Music Association State Marching Band Championship for the 20th consecutive year.

AJR 116 is a ceremonial joint resolution congratulating the Greendale High School Marching Band on winning the Wisconsin School Music Association State Marching Band Championship for the 20th consecutive year. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is solely a symbolic expression of legislative recognition. The resolution formally acknowledges the band's achievement of first place in Class AA at the 2025 championship, their 20-year championship streak, and their upcoming performances. This type of resolution has no legal effect on the band, students, or school.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 341: Relating to: the timing of equalization aid payments to school districts. (FE)

SB 341 changes how Wisconsin school districts receive state funding for the 2024-2030 school years. It gradually increases the percentage of annual aid paid in September (from 15% to 25%) while decreasing the June payment (from 35% to 25%), with fixed 25% payments in December and March each year. This affects all Wisconsin school districts that receive state equalization aid. The bill does not change the total annual funding amount, only the timing of payments.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 268: Relating to: the right of appeal for complainants aggrieved by decisions of the Elections Commission concerning the conduct of election officials.

AB 268 allows individuals who filed complaints about election officials' conduct (complainants) to appeal decisions by the Elections Commission to local court. The bill lets complainants appeal within 30 days - regardless of whether they suffered actual harm - to the circuit court in the county where the election official works or the complainant lives. It specifically clarifies that complainants can appeal if their complaint is dismissed or they don’t get the requested relief. The bill does not pause the Commission’s original decision during the appeal unless a court orders it. This bill was recommended for passage in October 2025 but was later laid on the table and did not advance further.

Bill results