SB 278 prevents the automatic expiration (sunset) of Wisconsin's Community-Oriented Policing-House Grant Program by changing its funding mechanism. The bill amends state law to establish the program as a "continuing appropriation" that receives biennial funding without requiring annual legislative action to renew it. This change directly affects local law enforcement agencies and community organizations that receive these grants to fund policing initiatives focused on community engagement. The policy shift ensures stable, ongoing funding for the program starting July 1, 2025, rather than requiring renewal each biennium. The bill was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 27 and signed into law on August 11, 2025.
SB 121 reorganizes Wisconsin's battery-related statutes by consolidating, renumbering, and updating existing provisions without changing penalty structures. It moves specific offenses - like battery against elders (formerly under 940.198) to new sections (940.66), and battery by prisoners or against first responders to sections like 940.61 and 940.62 - while maintaining current felony classifications (Class H or I). The bill directly affects individuals charged under these battery statutes, including offenders targeting vulnerable groups like elders, law enforcement, or probation agents. Key mechanisms involve restructuring legal references to improve clarity in the statutes, such as updating definitions of "recklessness" for elder abuse cases. This is purely a procedural recodification, not a policy change.
AB 232 transfers worker's compensation dispute resolution from the Division of Hearings and Appeals (Department of Administration) to the Department of Workforce Development. This change affects workers filing claims, employers, and insurers by shifting who handles appeals and decisions about compensation eligibility. The bill amends over 50 statutes to update references from the old division to the new department, ensuring all related procedures now fall under the Department of Workforce Development. The law was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 33 after receiving gubernatorial approval on August 11, 2025.
SB 31 establishes "state agency status" for physician assistants and advanced practice nurses who volunteer services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. Specifically, these healthcare providers become state agents for liability protection under certain statutes (like 165.25, 893.82, and 895.46) when providing medically supervised services under written protocols. The bill defines key terms like "advanced practice nurse prescriber" and clarifies that non-employee volunteers must act without pay to qualify. This change directly affects volunteer healthcare providers in public health and school settings, ensuring they are legally protected as representatives of the Department of Health Services during their service.
SB 43 allows certified advanced practice nurse prescribers (nurses with prescribing authority under state law) to officially certify the time, place, and date of a patient's death for legal death records. This change directly affects these nurses when they are directly involved in a patient's end-of-life care. The bill amends Wisconsin statutes to add "advanced practice nurse prescriber" to the list of qualified professionals permitted to pronounce death, alongside physicians and coroners, provided they follow medical standards. It became law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 19 after receiving the Governor's approval on August 11, 2025.
SB 152 removes financial eligibility requirements for Wisconsin’s Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program. It repeals section 46.87 (5m), which previously set income-based criteria, and amends related sections to no longer reference those financial limits. This change directly affects caregivers and family members of Alzheimer’s patients who previously faced income restrictions to access support services. The bill simplifies eligibility by eliminating income thresholds, allowing more individuals to qualify for program services regardless of household income. The law became effective after Governor approval on August 11, 2025 (Wisconsin Act 21).
This bill requires hospitals to obtain written permission from patients before performing pelvic exams for educational purposes on patients who are unconscious (e.g., under anesthesia). It directly affects hospitals, medical staff, and patients undergoing such exams during medical training. The key provision mandates that hospitals create written policies ensuring patients provide explicit, prior consent for these specific exams. The law, now Wisconsin Act 22, applies to all facilities conducting such educational procedures on unconscious individuals.
Wisconsin's SB 169 creates a new system for judicial officers (judges and court staff) to request privacy protections for specific personal information. The bill allows judicial officers to submit written requests to government agencies to shield their home addresses, children's names under 18, and certain financial documents (like economic interest statements and campaign finance reports) from public access. It amends statutes to require agencies like the register of deeds and campaign finance commission to remove this protected information from public records and databases upon request. The law defines "personal information" to include home addresses tied to a judicial officer's name and specifies that agencies must not publicly post or display such information without consent.
AB 242 amends Wisconsin law to strengthen penalties for tampering with utility infrastructure. It makes it illegal to intentionally remove, damage, or interfere with telecommunication, broadband, electric power, or related wires or equipment without first giving the utility company 24 hours' notice. Violations are punishable as Class B misdemeanors (for removing structures) or Class A misdemeanors/felony (for breaking lines or making unauthorized connections). The law directly affects individuals and contractors working near utility lines, including construction crews, landscapers, and anyone modifying property where wires are attached. It includes an exception allowing work with explicit permission from the utility company.
SB 98 creates a legal process for nonprofit healthcare cooperatives to convert into service insurance corporations. The bill requires cooperatives to submit a detailed conversion plan - including reasons, terms, new name, and governance - to the insurance commissioner for approval, which can be denied if the plan violates law, lacks financial stability, or harms members or the public. After commissioner approval, the cooperative must seek member approval and file conversion documents with the Department of Financial Institutions. Upon completion, the new corporation inherits all assets and obligations of the original cooperative, which ceases to exist, while retaining the cooperative’s original incorporation date. This applies specifically to cooperatives organized to operate nonprofit healthcare plans.
SB 235 creates a new criminal trespass offense specifically for campgrounds. It makes it illegal to enter or stay on a licensed campground after being notified not to by the owner, operator, or occupant (e.g., through posted signs or direct notice). The law allows campground owners to request law enforcement assistance to remove individuals who violate this rule. This bill directly affects campground owners/operators and visitors who ignore posted notices or direct warnings, applying only to licensed campgrounds (excluding those under specific exemptions). The law was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 29.
SB 255 regulates tolls charged by the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company to water power operators using reservoirs it manages. The bill sets a cap on tolls at reasonable operational costs plus a 6% annual return on capital invested (defined as paid-in capital and bond par value), and requires the company to report semiannually on costs and recommended tolls. It prohibits tolls from covering initial reservoir construction costs and establishes that tolls create a lien on the water power properties. The law directly affects water power operators below the reservoirs and the company itself, ensuring tolls fund maintenance while protecting the company’s capital value.
