AB 691 amends Wisconsin's service award program for volunteer emergency responders, including fire fighters and emergency medical personnel. It increases the required service years for full benefits from 15 to 20 years, with eligibility also requiring age 60. For those with 10-20 years of service who are age 53-59 (but under 60), the bill creates a reduced payout option, calculated by the department but less than the full amount. The department must establish rules to implement these changes, affecting how volunteer emergency responders receive retirement benefits.
AB 689 requires gas stations in the state to display a sticker on fuel pumps showing both the federal and state motor vehicle fuel tax rates in cents per gallon. The Department of Revenue must create and distribute these 3.5-inch stickers whenever tax rates change, and pump inspectors/sealers must place them prominently on pumps during inspections. Retail fuel sellers are not liable for affixing or maintaining the stickers. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 670 increases fees for nonresident hunting, fishing, and trapping permits in Wisconsin. The bill raises specific fee amounts across multiple categories, such as daily vehicle admission from $19.85 to $29.85, annual small game licenses from $87.25 to $107.25, and deer hunting permits from $197.25 to $237.25. These changes directly affect nonresidents (individuals with out-of-state vehicle registration) seeking permits for recreational hunting, fishing, or trapping activities. The fee increases take effect March 1, 2026, as specified in the bill's effective date section.
SB 662 requires gas stations in Wisconsin to display a sticker on every fuel pump showing the current federal and state gas tax rates in cents per gallon for both gasoline and diesel. The sticker, mandated to be at least 3.5 inches square, must be placed prominently on the pump face by inspectors during routine checks and updated whenever tax rates change. This affects gas station operators (who are protected from liability for applying the sticker) and directly informs consumers about the tax components of their fuel prices. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
AB 694 amends multiple state statutes to explicitly prohibit the use of eminent domain (government power to take private land) for establishing or extending recreational trails, bicycle ways, bicycle lanes, or pedestrian paths. It directly affects state agencies, counties, and cities when acquiring land for public parks, trails, or related infrastructure. The bill adds consistent language across various land acquisition statutes, banning condemnation for these specific purposes while allowing it for traditional park or trail development under other provisions. This policy change clarifies that governments cannot use eminent domain to build or expand recreational trails or bike/pedestrian pathways, though they may still acquire land for other park-related projects.
SB 534 creates an Office of Medical Cannabis Regulation within the Department of Health Services to oversee medical cannabis programs. It defines "medical cannabis product" consistently across statutes and prohibits courts from considering lawful medical cannabis use or registry status when making child custody decisions, except in cases where a child accesses the products. The bill also amends provisions related to prescription drug monitoring and clarifies that local ordinances cannot prosecute for marijuana possession under specific conditions. These changes primarily affect patients using medical cannabis, courts handling custody cases, and state agencies managing cannabis and drug monitoring programs.
SB 658 creates a tax credit for insurance companies that invest in community development entities (CDEs) focused on low-income communities. Insurers can claim a credit equal to 0% of their investment for the first two years and 10% for the next five years, based on the investment amount, against certain insurance fees. The credit applies only to investments where CDEs use at least 100% of funds to support qualified low-income businesses with operations in Wisconsin's rural counties ($125 million allocation) or metro counties ($125 million allocation). This policy directly affects insurers, CDEs, and qualifying businesses in targeted communities, aiming to incentivize private investment in economic development.
SB 648 prohibits Wisconsin state agencies from contracting with business entities tied to certain foreign governments designated as adversaries (like the People’s Republic of China or its government entities). It requires contractors to certify they are not prohibited entities and that their goods/services don’t originate from such entities, with state agencies relying on these certifications. Violations trigger penalties including fines up to $250,000 or twice the contract value, plus a 5-year ban on state contracts. Exceptions exist if goods/services are unavailable elsewhere and approved by the Department of Administration.
SB 574 creates a state funding mechanism to maintain Wisconsin's WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program benefits during federal government shutdowns. It requires the Department of Health Services to continue providing WIC benefits at pre-shutdown levels if federal funding lapses, specifically referencing the October 1, 2025 funding gap. The bill ensures uninterrupted access to nutrition support for low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children who rely on WIC. This temporary provision expires on October 1, 2026, and is repealed upon federal funding restoration. The measure directly affects WIC participants and state budgeting during federal funding interruptions.
AB 690 prohibits local governments (like cities and counties) from granting preferential treatment or discriminating based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation in hiring employees or awarding public works contracts. The bill amends statutes to state that political subdivisions may not use these protected characteristics in employment decisions or contracting, unless required to secure federal aid. This directly affects how local governments manage their workforce and public construction projects. The law would require neutrality in these hiring and contracting processes, with no exceptions beyond federal requirements.
AB 462 requires construction contractors to register with the state and comply with worker classification laws, directly affecting employers in the construction industry. It creates a whistleblower program offering 15-30% of penalties collected (up to 10% for media-sourced tips) to employees who report misclassification or tax violations, while prohibiting retaliation against reporting workers. The bill also mandates multilingual outreach to educate employers and workers about misclassification rights and anonymous reporting options. These provisions aim to increase compliance with worker classification and tax laws in the construction sector.
AB 578 ensures Wisconsin continues providing WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) food benefits during federal government shutdowns. It requires the state to fund these benefits at pre-shutdown levels until federal funding is restored under federal law. The bill directly affects WIC participants - mothers, infants, and young children - who rely on these nutrition services. It creates a state funding mechanism to prevent benefit disruptions during federal funding lapses, such as the October 2025 shutdown referenced in the bill. The policy change takes effect immediately but includes a repeal provision for October 2026.
