AB 681 allows law enforcement officers to use oral fluid tests (alongside breath tests) during initial roadside screening when they suspect a driver is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances. This applies to drivers suspected of violating DUI laws (e.g., operating under the influence or while impaired). The test results help officers decide whether to arrest the driver or request further chemical testing, but cannot be used as evidence in court except to prove probable cause for an arrest. Refusing this preliminary test carries no penalty, unlike refusing a formal chemical test later.
SB 680 allows hunters who legally take deer in Wisconsin's central farmland zone to exchange the deer for gift cards to local businesses. The gift cards fund meat processing facilities to prepare the deer meat, which is then distributed to food pantries through established food distribution services. This bill directly affects hunters in designated zones, local businesses selling gift cards, meat processors, and food pantries serving communities. It creates a new legal pathway to redirect legally harvested deer meat to food assistance programs using a gift card incentive system.
SB 598 would require the state health department to seek a federal Medicaid waiver enabling coverage for incarcerated individuals in the Medical Assistance program (state Medicaid) up to 90 days before release. It specifically covers case management, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, and a 30-day supply of prescription medications for those already eligible for Medical Assistance. If approved, the federal government would fund the program’s share of these services, with the state covering its portion. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals transitioning to community care, aiming to improve continuity of health services upon release.
AB 688 creates a temporary Shared Revenue Advisory Council to review and recommend improvements to how Wisconsin distributes supplemental county and municipal aid. The council, composed of legislative leaders, local association representatives, and the revenue secretary, must study revenue variations, evaluate current distribution formulas, and propose fairer methods for 2027 and beyond. It requires the council to submit recommendations by January 2027, including a formula that maintains or increases aid for all counties/municipalities and accounts for population and equalized value changes. The bill also establishes a new funding mechanism: starting in 2026, payments will adjust annually based on tax revenue changes (using $16.2575 million as the base for 2026-27) and include a population-based supplement for larger cities. This directly affects all Wisconsin counties and municipalities receiving supplemental aid under existing statutes.
AB 692 organizes the administration of existing county and municipal sales taxes in Wisconsin. It creates new administrative structures for local governments to manage tax revenues collected under statutes 77.70 (counties) and 77.702 (municipalities), specifically designating 0.75% of collected tax revenue for administrative purposes. The bill requires local governments to follow specific procedures for adopting or repealing tax ordinances (e.g., submitting certified copies to the revenue secretary 120 days in advance) and limits refund claims to four years after repeal. It directly affects counties and municipalities that impose local sales taxes, ensuring consistent handling of these funds within state tax administration.
SB 651 prohibits telecommunications providers in Wisconsin from using critical infrastructure equipment made by "foreign adversaries" (as defined by federal law) or equipment banned by the federal government under 47 USC 1601. It directly affects telecom providers, requiring them to remove existing prohibited equipment by a specified date and cease purchasing such equipment going forward. The bill mandates annual certification of compliance, public reporting of equipment locations and replacement plans, and requires the Public Service Commission to publish a public map and annual report to the legislature. These provisions align with federal actions under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (47 USC 1601 et seq.) to address national security risks in telecommunications infrastructure.
AB 680 prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp products to individuals under age 21. It defines "intoxicating hemp products" as those containing specific cannabinoids (like delta-8 THC) above certain thresholds (e.g., over 0.3% concentration for solids, 1mg per 12oz beverage). Retailers must verify age, use child-resistant packaging, display age warnings, and provide QR codes linking to product testing certificates. This applies only to products that can cause intoxication, not all hemp products (which remain legal with under 0.3% THC).
SB 644 prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp products to anyone under age 21. It defines "intoxicating hemp products" as those containing specific cannabinoids (like delta-8 or delta-9 THC) above 0.3% concentration in solids or 1mg per 12oz beverage. The bill requires manufacturers to test products, provide certificates of analysis via QR codes, and package products in child-resistant, tamper-evident containers with clear age warnings and ingredient labels. Retailers must verify ages, display age restriction signs, and avoid vending machines accessible to minors. This directly affects hemp product manufacturers, retailers, and consumers under 21 in the state.
This bill designates the hen-of-the-woods mushroom (*Grifola frondosa*) as Wisconsin's official state mushroom. It adds this designation to Wisconsin's list of state symbols by creating a new subsection (1.10 (3) (w)) in the statutes and amending another section to include "mushroom" in the list of symbols covered by the Wisconsin Blue Book. The bill does not create new policies or affect any regulations, programs, or funding - it is purely symbolic recognition. The change would appear in the state's official publications like the Blue Book, similar to existing symbols like the state song or tree.
SB 664 lowers the disability rating requirement for veterans and surviving spouses to qualify for the state property tax credit. Previously, claimants needed a 100% service-connected disability rating; this bill reduces that threshold to 70% or higher. It also creates a new provision allowing the credit amount to be calculated as a percentage of the full credit based on the veteran's actual disability rating (e.g., a 70% rating would yield 70% of the full credit). The bill directly affects veterans and surviving spouses with service-connected disabilities rated between 70% and 99%, who now qualify for a proportional tax credit. The change applies to taxable years beginning in the year the bill takes effect.
AB 684 repeals and revises specific laws related to Milwaukee's fire and police department governance and a tax provision for rail projects, as originally enacted under 2023 Act 12. It modifies the appointment rules for the fire and police board (requiring political balance and 45-day appointment deadlines), mandates an annual policy review by the board, and requires a two-thirds city council vote to change department policies. The bill also clarifies that tax incentives for rail projects do not apply to Milwaukee's Lakefront Line route. These changes directly affect Milwaukee's fire and police departments, the city council, and the board of fire and police commissioners.
SB 642 creates a program providing grants to residential landlords for fire safety upgrades, including installing sprinklers and fire extinguishers in rental properties. Landlords can receive grants covering up to 50% of eligible costs, with a total program cap of $10 million. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and the Department of Insurance will establish eligibility rules and application procedures. The $10 million funding is allocated from a new budget appropriation for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
