Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 276: Relating to: statements of scope for administrative rules. (FE)

AB 276 sets time limits for state agencies' "statements of scope" when creating administrative rules. It requires permanent rule statements to expire after 30 months and emergency rule statements after 6 months, preventing agencies from using expired statements to propose new rules. The bill also mandates separate statements for concurrent emergency and permanent rules and limits agencies to one rule per statement. These changes directly affect state agencies developing regulations and ensure legislative review occurs within defined timeframes. The bill does not alter rule content but streamlines the process for agency rulemaking and legislative oversight.

Barbara Dittrich (R) Dan Knodl (R) Ron Tusler (R) Jessie Rodriguez (R) Dave Murphy (R)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 274: Relating to: the expiration of administrative rules. (FE)

AB 274 establishes a 7-year expiration cycle for Wisconsin administrative rules, requiring state agencies to formally request "readoption" before rules expire. It directly affects state agencies that create and maintain administrative rules, mandating they submit detailed notices to the legislature with specific information about each rule's purpose, legal basis, and compliance status. Key provisions include new requirements for readoption notices (including statements on rule compliance), a process for legislative committees to review these notices, and a schedule for expiring rules that were in effect before 2025. The bill also creates a rules procedures manual to guide agencies on drafting and legislative review. These changes streamline rule expiration and renewal while increasing transparency for lawmakers.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 277: Relating to: requirements for proposed administrative rules that impose any costs.

AB 277 requires state agencies to provide detailed cost analyses for new rules that may affect businesses, local governments, or individuals. Agencies must quantify all expected implementation and compliance costs (and potential savings) over a two-year period, broken down by affected groups, and report this as a single net dollar figure. If projected costs exceed $10 million, the rulemaking process must pause until costs are reduced or offset. The bill also establishes rules for funding independent cost analyses when agency estimates vary significantly and mandates revised analyses after rule modifications. This bill aims to increase transparency around financial impacts of new regulations before they are finalized.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 494: Relating to: repealing prohibition on state and local government labor regulation. (FE)

SB 494 repeals two statutes (66.0134 and 947.21) that currently prohibit state and local governments from regulating labor practices. This change would allow cities and counties to establish their own workplace standards, such as minimum wage requirements or safety rules, without state restrictions. The bill directly affects local governments by removing barriers to creating tailored labor regulations for their jurisdictions. It is a procedural bill focused solely on removing existing prohibitions, with no new regulations created.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 674: Relating to: individual income tax subtraction for certain theft losses. (FE)

SB 674 allows Wisconsin taxpayers to subtract theft losses from their state income tax if those losses are already deductible under federal tax law (specifically Internal Revenue Code Section 165(c)(2) or (3)). It directly affects individuals who experienced theft-related financial losses, such as stolen property or funds, that qualify for federal deduction. The bill creates a new state tax provision (71.05(6)(b)57) to align with federal rules, while preventing double benefits by prohibiting state tax deductions for losses already covered by this new subtraction. This change ensures Wisconsin taxpayers can claim state tax relief for theft losses that meet federal criteria, without overlapping with existing federal deductions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 499: Relating to: the definition of hemp. (FE)

SB 499 clarifies Wisconsin's legal definition of "hemp" to align with federal standards, specifying that hemp includes the *Cannabis sativa* plant and its derivatives (like seeds and cannabinoids) with no more than 0.3% THC (or up to 1% under federal law, whichever is greater), tested via approved methods. The bill creates new definitions for "hemp-derived cannabinoid products" (excluding synthetic cannabinoids and FDA-approved drugs) and "industrial hemp" (covering non-cannabinoid products like stalk fiber, seed oil, and grain). This directly affects hemp farmers, manufacturers, and retailers by establishing clear regulatory boundaries for products, ensuring consistency with federal law. The changes update existing statutes to prevent confusion between hemp and marijuana under state law.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 686: Relating to: reducing the eligibility threshold to claim the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit. (FE)

This bill reduces the required disability rating for veterans to qualify for the property tax credit from 100% to 70% or higher. It allows veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at least 70% to claim a credit proportional to their disability percentage (e.g., a 70% rating would yield 70% of the full credit amount). Surviving spouses of eligible veterans also qualify under these updated terms. The change directly affects veterans and surviving spouses with service-connected disabilities below 100% but at or above 70%.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 697: Relating to: designating the Wisconsin natural pearl as the state gem.

AB 697 designates the Wisconsin natural pearl as the state gem, adding it to Wisconsin's official list of state symbols. The bill amends statutes to include "gem" in the list of symbols required in the Wisconsin Blue Book, alongside items like the state song, tree, and flower. This is a procedural change with no direct impact on policy, funding, or affected populations. It does not alter existing laws or create new obligations. The bill is currently in committee referral after introduction on November 26, 2025.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 698: Relating to: designating the hen-of-the-woods as the Wisconsin state mushroom.

AB 698 designates the hen-of-the-woods mushroom (Grifola frondosa) as Wisconsin's official state mushroom. The bill adds this designation to Wisconsin's state symbols by creating a new section (1.10 (3) (w)) in the statutes and amends another section to include "mushroom" in the list of items covered by the Wisconsin Blue Book. This is a ceremonial measure with no regulatory or financial impact, solely recognizing a specific mushroom species for symbolic state identity. It does not affect any laws, regulations, or individuals beyond this symbolic recognition.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 693: Relating to: the offering of deer to a meat processing facility for provision to a food pantry.

AB 693 allows hunters in Wisconsin's designated central and southern farmland zones to offer legally taken deer to meat processing facilities in exchange for local business gift cards. The processed meat must then be provided to food distribution services (as defined by state law) that supply food pantries. This bill creates a new legal pathway for connecting hunting harvests with food assistance programs through a specific gift-card exchange mechanism. It directly affects hunters in those zones, meat processors, and food pantries receiving donated meat. The policy change streamlines how donated venison from legal hunts can reach food pantries via this structured process.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 695: Relating to: creating a landlord fire prevention grant program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 695 creates a state grant program to help landlords of residential buildings pay for fire safety upgrades like installing sprinklers or providing fire extinguishers. Landlords can apply for grants covering up to half the cost of these measures, with a total funding cap of $10 million across all applicants. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis through the Department of Housing. The program is funded by a new $10 million appropriation specifically designated for this purpose in the state budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 687: Relating to: establishing a statewide wolf population goal.

AB 687 requires the state wildlife department to establish a statewide wolf population goal when wolves are not protected under federal or state endangered species laws. This law directly affects the department, hunters, and trappers by mandating a management plan that sets a specific population target. The key provision allows the department to regulate wolf hunting and trapping through licensing limits - such as restricting the number of hunters, trappers, or wolves taken - based on the established population goal. The bill does not change current protections but creates a framework for future management if wolves are removed from endangered lists.

Bill results