Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1163: Relating to: prior authorization transparency, exemptions from prior authorization requirements, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

This bill requires health care plans to publicly disclose which medical services require prior authorization and the specific rules governing those requirements. It mandates that these lists be posted on websites in plain language without requiring users to create accounts, and it sets standards for how clinical review criteria must be developed and updated. The legislation also grants the state insurance commissioner authority to create rules for certain limited service health organizations and includes provisions to prevent claims denials when prior authorization requirements were not in effect at the time of service.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

AB 1218: Relating to: preventing surprise bills for emergency medical services and other items and services under health insurance policies and plans. (FE)

This bill aims to protect health insurance enrollees from unexpected medical bills by establishing rules for how insurance plans must handle emergency care and services provided by out-of-network providers. It requires insurance plans to cover emergency medical services without requiring prior authorization and ensures that cost-sharing amounts for out-of-network emergency care are no higher than what would apply for in-network care. Additionally, the bill mandates that plans pay out-of-network providers directly for emergency services and certain non-emergency services provided at in-network facilities, preventing patients from being billed for the difference between the out-of-network rate and the recognized amount. These provisions apply to defined network plans, preferred provider plans, and self-insured governmental plans that have networks of participating providers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1164: Relating to: preventing surprise bills for emergency medical services and other items and services under health insurance policies and plans. (FE)

This bill aims to protect patients from unexpected medical bills by establishing rules for how health insurance plans must handle emergency care and services provided by out-of-network providers. It requires insurance plans to cover emergency medical services without prior authorization and ensures that cost-sharing amounts for out-of-network emergency care are no higher than what would apply for in-network care. Additionally, the bill mandates that plans pay out-of-network providers directly for services rendered at participating facilities and counts patient cost-sharing payments toward in-network deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. These provisions apply to defined network plans, preferred provider plans, and self-insured governmental plans that have networks of participating providers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

AB 1185: Relating to: testing cosmetics on animals and providing a penalty.

This bill prohibits cosmetic manufacturers from conducting or contracting for animal testing on cosmetics within the state after December 31, 2026, and restricts the sale of products developed using such testing after July 1, 2027. It applies to any person whose name appears on a cosmetic label and bans the import or sale of cosmetics or ingredients known to have been tested on live nonhuman vertebrates after the specified date. Exceptions allow testing required by federal or state regulatory agencies under specific conditions, including when no alternative testing methods exist, or for compliance with foreign jurisdiction requirements where test results are not used to substantiate product safety in the state. Violations of the prohibition carry a penalty of $5,000 for each offense plus an additional $1,000 for each day the violation continues.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SJR 149: Relating to: proclaiming April 2026 as family strengthening month in Wisconsin.

This bill proposes designating April 2026 as Family Strengthening Month in Wisconsin to raise awareness about preventing child abuse and neglect. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic resolution to highlight the importance of family support and community involvement. The measure references research on protective factors like parental resilience and social connections that help build safe environments for children. Ultimately, the bill aims to encourage public and government commitment to strengthening families through awareness rather than policy changes.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

AB 1109: Relating to: use of artificial intelligence to deny prior authorization for medical necessity or experimental status.

This bill prohibits disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans from using artificial intelligence to deny prior authorization requests for medical necessity or experimental treatments. Instead, it requires that a licensed human healthcare provider must review these specific requests before any denial can occur. The law applies to limited service health organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans, with exceptions for plans covered by collective bargaining agreements. If passed, the restrictions would take effect at the start of the fourth month following the bill's publication.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✗ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

AB 1223: Relating to: a tuition program for higher education students seeking careers in teaching, firefighting, or law enforcement, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill establishes a tuition loan program for Wisconsin residents enrolled in higher education who commit to working full-time in teaching, firefighting, or law enforcement for at least 10 years after completing their training. The program provides loans covering total tuition costs for up to four years of undergraduate study at University of Wisconsin System institutions or two years at technical colleges, with funds allocated equally among the three career fields. Eligible students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, apply annually, and repay loans at a 5 percent annual interest rate, though repayment is deferred while they work in their chosen profession and 50 to 100 percent of the loan is forgiven if they remain in the state and profession for seven or ten years respectively. The bill also grants the Higher Educational Aids Board authority to create rules for administering the program and includes a $1.5 million appropriation for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1140: Relating to: algorithmic pricing of essential consumer goods, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.

This bill would require grocery retailers in the state to disclose when they use algorithms to set personalized prices for essential consumer goods like food and household products. It prohibits retailers from displaying algorithmically set prices on electronic screens in stores and bans using consumer data from brokers to determine these prices. The law also forbids pricing that varies based on protected characteristics like race, sex, or disability. Violations could result in fines of up to $2,000 per incident, and individuals harmed by violations could sue for damages and legal fees.

Topics ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

AB 1181: Relating to: the school district revenue limit adjustment for energy efficiency projects. (FE)

This bill would allow Wisconsin school districts to increase their revenue limits when they spend money on energy efficiency projects. The adjustment applies to districts that adopt a resolution authorizing the increase and meet specific requirements, including using performance contracts for the project and financing it with bonds or loans of 20 years or less. Eligible projects must reduce energy or operational costs, conserve water, or improve metering accuracy, and the revenue limit increase would last for each school year the district pays debt service on the financing. The bill updates existing statutes to clarify how these adjustments are calculated and applies to resolutions adopted on the effective date of the law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

AB 1180: Relating to: prohibitions on postemployment nonsolicitation clauses in employment contracts.

This bill prohibits employers from including clauses in employment contracts that prevent former employees from recruiting other current or former employees after leaving their job. It applies to all workers, including assistants, servants, employees, and agents, and declares such nonsolicitation provisions illegal and unenforceable as unreasonable restraints on trade. Employers must post a notice in conspicuous locations and on their websites explaining that these post-employment recruitment restrictions are void. The law takes effect for any employment contract that is entered into, extended, modified, or renewed on the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

AB 1096: Relating to: a revolving loan program to provide gap funding for workforce housing programs and granting bonding authority. (FE)

This bill creates a revolving loan program to provide gap funding for workforce housing projects that have already received some financial assistance but still need additional funds to complete construction. It authorizes the state housing authority to issue up to $50 million in bonds to establish a dedicated fund for these loans, which will be repaid by developers and reused to fund future projects. The program targets residential housing where costs do not exceed 30% of 120% of the area median income, benefiting developers and local governments that partner on eligible workforce housing initiatives. The bill also amends existing statutes to exempt these new bonds from certain spending limitations and requires coordination with the state building commission before issuing any bonds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1096: Relating to: allowing private individuals, families, and private employers to elect health care coverage through plans offered by the Group Insurance Board, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill allows private individuals, families, and private employers to choose health care coverage through plans offered by the Group Insurance Board, expanding options beyond traditional state employee plans. It creates new statutory provisions for health savings accounts for both state employees and private sector participants who select high-deductible health plans, with separate accounts established to track funds from each group. The legislation grants the Group Insurance Board rule-making authority to manage enrollment, premium collection, and coverage procedures for these expanded options. Additionally, the bill authorizes the collection of administrative fees from state agencies, individuals, and private employers to fund the operation of these health savings account programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results