Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 97: Relating to: extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE)

AB 97 extends health coverage under Wisconsin's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) for postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days after pregnancy, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum women who qualify for the program. The bill changes eligibility rules to ensure coverage continues without regard to income changes during this extended period. It also adds a provision allowing women with family incomes above 300% of the poverty line to qualify if their income is spent on medical care or health insurance premiums. This policy update aims to provide longer-term health coverage for new mothers during a critical postpartum period.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Karen Kirsch (D) Ben Franklin (R) Barbara Dittrich (R) Scott Allen (R) Maureen McCarville (D)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 263: Relating to: coverage of breast cancer screenings by the Medical Assistance program and health insurance policies and plans. (FE)

AB 263 requires disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans to cover diagnostic breast examinations and supplemental screenings for individuals at increased breast cancer risk, as defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines or breast density (per American College of Radiology standards). It mandates coverage without copays or deductibles for these specific screenings, including diagnostic exams for abnormalities and supplemental screenings for high-risk patients. The bill applies to all affected plans, ensuring coverage regardless of symptoms and prohibiting cost-sharing for these services. This directly impacts patients with dense breast tissue, family history, or other risk factors, as well as the insurers and employers offering these health plans.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 547: Relating to: regulating medical cannabis, the prescription drug monitoring program, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 547 establishes a new Office of Medical Cannabis Regulation within Wisconsin's Department of Health Services to oversee medical cannabis programs. It defines "medical cannabis product" consistently across state laws and adds protections preventing courts from denying child custody based solely on lawful medical cannabis use or registry enrollment. The bill also updates local ordinances to clarify restrictions on marijuana possession, ensuring penalties don't apply to medical cannabis users under specific circumstances. These changes aim to create a clearer regulatory framework while addressing legal inconsistencies in existing statutes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 609: Relating to: a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments. (FE)

SB 609 creates a state matching grant program for organizations that receive federal per diem payments to house veterans. It directly affects eligible veterans' housing providers (like nonprofits or care facilities) that already qualify for federal per diem payments under 38 USC 2012. The bill provides state matching funds of $25 per day per veteran, up to 365 days yearly, paid quarterly based on the previous quarter's housing. Applications are accepted annually, and grants are awarded in the order received.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 476: Relating to: prohibiting abusive work environments and creating a cause of action. (FE)

AB 476 creates a new legal right for employees to sue employers or co-workers for creating an "abusive work environment" that causes physical or psychological harm. It defines "abusive conduct" as repeated verbal abuse, threats, sabotage of work, or exploitation of health conditions - excluding single incidents unless exceptionally severe. Employees can seek remedies like medical costs, back pay, or front pay through a civil lawsuit filed within one year of the abusive conduct, while also prohibiting retaliation for reporting abuse or participating in investigations. The law directly affects employees experiencing such conduct and employers/co-workers who engage in it, with specific procedures requiring notification to the department for certain claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 608: Relating to: a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 608 creates a state matching grant program that provides $950,000 in state funds to match federal per diem payments received by eligible non-state entities (like community organizations or service providers). The program directly affects organizations that already receive federal daily living payments, allowing them to access additional state funding through a 1:1 match. Key provisions include allocating $950,000 specifically for this matching grant under the Veterans Affairs budget and defining eligible recipients as non-state entities receiving federal per diem payments. This is a procedural funding measure that establishes a new appropriation line without changing eligibility criteria or creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 618: Relating to: allowing renters to claim the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit. (FE)

SB 618 allows renters who are veterans or surviving spouses to claim the property tax credit based on their rent payments instead of property taxes. The bill amends tax statutes to define "rent constituting property taxes" and permits eligible renters to file for this credit against their income taxes, with unused portions paid via state funds. It specifically applies to renters in veterans' principal dwellings, and couples filing separately can claim 50% of total rent paid. The law takes effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026. This expands an existing homeowner-focused credit to include qualifying renters without creating new funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 625: Relating to: funding for reimbursements to municipalities for required office hours for in-person absentee voting and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 625 increases state funding by $10 million for fiscal year 2025-26 to reimburse cities and towns for costs related to required in-person absentee voting office hours during spring and general elections. Municipalities that must keep clerk offices open for absentee voting under state law will receive payments based on a set hourly rate. The bill specifically covers hours required for spring elections (as defined in section 5.02(21)) and general elections (section 5.02(5)). This is a funding measure, not a change to voting rules, and aims to cover operational costs for local election offices.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 606: Relating to: a sales and use tax exemption for firearms, bows and arrows for archery, crossbows, and ammunition sold during certain times of the year. (FE)

SB 606 creates a sales and use tax exemption for firearms, archery equipment (bows and arrows), crossbows, and ammunition sold specifically on July 4th and during the third week of December. This exemption directly affects consumers purchasing these items during those two designated time periods. Retailers selling these products during the exempt dates would not collect sales tax on the transaction. The exemption is automatic during those dates, requiring no additional documentation from buyers.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 555: Relating to: intentionally disarming a correctional officer and providing a penalty.

AB 555 creates a new Class H felony charge for intentionally disarming correctional officers while they are on duty. It specifically targets individuals who take dangerous weapons, devices (as defined in §941.26), or official duty items like radios, keys, or other tools from correctional officers without consent. The law applies when these items are being carried by the officer or within their immediate presence. This bill directly affects correctional officers working in state facilities and establishes criminal penalties for interference with their safety equipment during official duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 636: Relating to: a sales and use tax exemption for nuclear fusion technology projects. (FE)

SB 636 creates a sales and use tax exemption for businesses developing nuclear fusion technology. It exempts specific equipment, materials, and software listed in the bill (such as fusion reactors, diagnostic tools, and specialized materials) when used exclusively in qualified fusion projects. Qualified projects include research on energy generation, medical isotopes, plasma physics, or fusion-enabling technologies. Businesses must obtain certification from the corporation to qualify for the exemption, covering both direct purchases and contractor-transferred items used in these projects. The exemption applies to sales and use of qualifying items at the project location.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 275: Relating to: challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 275 modifies state law to require government agencies to pay legal fees and costs when a court rules that an administrative rule is invalid (e.g., because it violates the constitution or was improperly created). It specifically directs that these costs - awarded to successful challengers - be paid from designated state funds under statutes 20.865(1)(a), (g), or (q). The bill applies to challenges involving agency rules or guidance documents and ensures fees are limited to the scope of the rule validity challenge. This change affects state agencies (who must cover costs) and individuals or groups challenging agency rules (who can recover legal expenses).

Bill results