Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 552: Relating to: funding for chronic wasting disease research and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 552 allocates $3 million annually from the state general fund for research, management, and testing of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elk. The bill creates a dedicated funding line item under the Natural Resources Department’s budget specifically for CWD management, authorizing the department to conduct research and testing. This funding applies to both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years, directly supporting wildlife management agencies tasked with addressing this disease in cervid populations. The bill does not change existing CWD management policies but provides dedicated annual funding for these activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 475: Relating to: applicability of the commercial building code to certain buildings. (FE)

SB 475 modifies Wisconsin's building code rules for public buildings, structures, and places of employment (like government offices, schools, or public facilities). It specifies that most commercial building code chapters (SPS 361-366) apply to these public spaces, but excludes one specific provision (SPS 361.03(7)) from applying if building plans are submitted to the department or local government by April 1, 2026. The bill takes effect for projects where plans are submitted by that deadline, altering which code requirements govern public building construction. This change directly affects public construction projects requiring building code compliance.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 202: Relating to: local guaranteed income programs.

SB 202 prohibits cities, towns, and counties (political subdivisions) from using public funds - such as tax revenue, shared state money, or fees - to fund guaranteed income programs. It defines a "guaranteed income program" as one providing regular cash payments to individuals with no work or training requirements. The bill explicitly blocks local governments from spending taxpayer dollars on such programs, including funds from state shared revenue or local taxes. This directly affects all municipalities and counties considering implementing cash payment programs for residents. (SB 202, Section 1, 66.0601(1)(d))

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 655: Relating to: installation of a speed limiter for repeated reckless driving violations, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 655 requires courts to order drivers convicted of two or more reckless speeding violations (exceeding speed limits by 20+ mph) within five years to install a speed limiter on their vehicles. The law applies specifically to "Class D" vehicles and mandates that the device prevent operation above a set speed, with financial hardship exceptions for low-income individuals. Courts must order the speed limiter installation, maintenance, and removal costs (capped at 50% for qualifying low-income drivers), and violations of this order carry fines up to $600 or imprisonment. The bill creates a state program using existing ignition interlock infrastructure to manage provider rules, reporting, and enforcement under sections 343.347 and 347.414.

Topics ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 288: Relating to: authorized lights for funeral procession vehicles.

SB 288 allows the lead vehicle in a funeral procession, or all vehicles in a procession, to use flashing amber or purple lights during the procession. It requires that if any vehicle in the procession uses such lights, all vehicles must be equipped with them. This change directly affects funeral home operators and drivers participating in funeral processions by standardizing lighting rules for safety and visibility.

Topics ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 132: Relating to: classification of the crime of impersonating law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and certain other emergency personnel and providing a penalty.

SB 132 upgrades penalties for impersonating emergency personnel, changing the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony. It applies to anyone pretending to be a police officer, firefighter, paramedic (emergency medical services practitioner), or emergency medical responder with intent to deceive. The bill creates a new felony classification under state law, replacing current misdemeanor penalties for these specific impersonation acts. This directly affects individuals who falsely pose as these professionals, increasing potential criminal consequences.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 311: Relating to: prohibiting funding for health services for unlawfully present individuals. (FE)

SB 311 prohibits state and local government funds - including those from counties, cities, towns, and federal funds passing through the state treasury - from covering health care services for individuals not lawfully present in the U.S. It directly affects undocumented immigrants seeking health care in Wisconsin. The bill creates a new statute (20.926) banning such funding, with two exceptions: it does not apply if federal law requires payment, or if applying the ban would cause the state to lose federal funds. This policy change restricts public funding for health services based solely on immigration status.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Healthcare ✗ Immigration

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 573: Relating to: sexual assault forensic examination compensation.

AB 573 clarifies which costs related to sexual assault forensic examinations are covered under compensation programs for victims. It specifically defines "examination costs" to include evidence-gathering procedures, STI testing/prevention, HIV prophylaxis (medication to prevent HIV exposure), and STI treatment medications provided during the exam. The bill explicitly excludes administrative fees, attorney costs, and other non-medical expenses from coverage. Additionally, it requires applicants to submit only medical records directly related to the covered services, such as examinations, treatments, or preventive medications, and prohibits submitting unrelated documentation. This bill adjusts eligibility criteria for compensation without creating new benefits or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 286: Relating to: workforce housing and childcare awards under the business development tax credit. (FE)

SB 286 is a technical amendment to update the reference year in a bill related to workforce housing and childcare awards under the business development tax credit, changing "2025" to "2026" in the text. It does not create new policy or affect any specific entities, as it only corrects a calendar year reference in the bill's language. This is a procedural change to align the bill with the current legislative session year. No substantive policy changes or new provisions are introduced by this amendment.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 570: Relating to: payments for pupils who withdraw from a parental choice program, the Special Needs Scholarship Program, or an independent charter school. (FE)

AB 570 redirects remaining scholarship funds to public school districts when students switch schools. If a student withdraws from a private school under a parental choice program, the Special Needs Scholarship Program, or an independent charter school during a school year and enrolls in a public school district, the state department must pay the unused scholarship amount to that district instead of the original school. This applies to all specified programs and covers the remainder of the school year's funding. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. It directly affects students transferring programs, public school districts receiving funds, and the state's scholarship payment process.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 548: Relating to: special registration plates for persons awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. (FE)

AB 548 creates a new special vehicle registration plate category for Wisconsin veterans awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The bill establishes a $15 fee for issuing or reissuing these plates, with excess funds deposited into the veterans trust fund. It adds this category to Wisconsin's existing system of special plates, which require specific design elements like identifying words, symbols, or colors as outlined in state statutes. This is a procedural change that expands plate options for a specific veteran group without altering existing plate designs or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 635: Relating to: notifying counties and tribes of an exceedance of groundwater protection standards or standards for PFAS. (FE)

AB 635 requires the state environmental department to notify county health departments, tribal health departments, and county land conservation departments within 7 business days whenever groundwater protection standards or PFAS standards are exceeded. The bill creates a formal notification system to alert affected local governments and adjacent counties that might face negative impacts, with notices available for public review under state law. This law directly affects local health and land management agencies in counties where water contamination breaches are confirmed, ensuring timely public awareness of groundwater safety issues.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results