Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 928: Relating to: expanding the Office of School Safety to cover technical colleges and campus safety plans for technical colleges. (FE)

SB 928 expands campus safety requirements to technical colleges by requiring district boards to create detailed safety plans for all technical college campuses. These plans must include individual building safety strategies, emergency response procedures for incidents like violence or natural disasters, and guidelines for staff training. The bill also creates new duties for the Office of School Safety to develop technical college-specific safety models, coordinate with colleges on safety data sharing, and provide campus safety training for staff. Technical college district boards, staff, and local law enforcement are directly affected by these new requirements, which take effect by January 2027.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 992: Relating to: references to like-kin under the Wisconsin Shares program.

SB 992 clarifies and expands eligibility for Wisconsin's child care subsidy program (Shares) to include "like-kin" caregivers - non-biological individuals who have formed family-like bonds with children. It directly affects caregivers who provide regular care for children under court orders but aren't blood relatives, such as close family friends or guardians. Key changes include updating definitions to explicitly include "like-kin" in subsidy eligibility, adjusting income calculations to count certain court-ordered payments, and ensuring these caregivers qualify for subsidies when meeting income thresholds. The bill makes no new funding commitments but streamlines access to existing child care support for these families.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 961: Relating to: cross-country ski permits, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 961 establishes a permit system for cross-country skiing on most state-owned land, requiring skiers aged 12 and older to pay fees ($40 for adults, $20 for youth) or carry proof of a temporary receipt, with children under 12 skiing for free. The bill sets a 75-cent issuing fee (with 50 cents going to agents who process permits) and grants the state department rule-making authority to regulate permit agents. Exemptions include organized events and existing state trail passes under separate law. The bill also includes an appropriation to fund the permit program's administration.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 926: Relating to: implementing a behavioral health prevention pilot program and making an appropriation.

SB 926 creates a two-year pilot program (2026-27 and 2027-28 school years) to provide behavioral health prevention tools to at least 50,000 high school students across Wisconsin. The program allocates $3 million in funding, with up to $1.5 million per school year, to deliver an electronic tool meeting specific requirements: online education resources, moderated peer support, private sessions with mental health professionals, mobile/web accessibility, and English/Spanish language support. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will administer the pilot, potentially contracting with educational service agencies, and must select tools proven effective in rural and urban schools in other states. This program directly affects high school students by expanding access to preventive mental health services through a structured digital platform.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 991: Relating to: funding for tribal child care training and technical assistance and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 991 creates a new annual appropriation of $500,000 for tribal child care training and technical assistance. It directly affects tribal child care providers by funding programs to improve child care quality through training and support. The bill modifies two statutes (49.137 and 49.257) to allow the Department of Children and Families to use this funding for contracts or grants with agencies serving tribal communities. This is a concrete policy change that establishes dedicated funding for tribal child care providers without altering eligibility or requirements for other child care services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 960: Relating to: hiking permits, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 960 requires hikers to obtain a permit to walk on groomed trails on state-owned land (excluding vehicle admission areas), with fees of $20 for adults, $10 for teens (12+), and free for children under 12. The bill creates a statewide automated permit system, allowing the department to contract with third parties for issuance and collect a $0.75 processing fee per permit. Exemptions include organized events, existing trail passes, and activities incidental to other authorized uses. The department may also issue conservation cards as an alternative to carrying physical permits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 964: Relating to: registration requirements for nonmotorized boats. (FE)

SB 964 would require registration for certain nonmotorized boats (excluding sailboats) under two specific conditions: 1) when an occupant holds a valid fishing license, and 2) when operated within designated "vehicle admission areas" (as defined in statute 27.01). The bill amends existing statutes to create these registration requirements and clarifies that fees for nonmotorized boat registration are excluded from certain fee categories. This directly affects owners of non-sail nonmotorized boats used in fishing or within specific park/waterway zones. The legislation focuses on defining registration obligations without changing enforcement or penalty structures.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 935: Relating to: prohibiting the use of phones while driving a motor vehicle and providing a penalty.

SB 935 prohibits probationary license holders (new drivers) and those with instruction permits from using wireless phones while driving, except to report emergencies. The bill amends existing law to specifically apply this restriction to these driver categories, expanding the current ban which previously covered only full license holders. Violations would incur penalties under the statute, though the bill text doesn't detail the specific penalty amount. This change directly affects new drivers learning to operate vehicles under supervision or with restricted licenses. The bill applies to violations occurring on its effective date.

Topics ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 943: Relating to: the purpose statement for the statutory grant of local zoning authority.

SB 943 amends state zoning law to update the purpose statement guiding local zoning regulations. It adds specific priorities including ensuring access to sunlight for solar energy systems, protecting groundwater resources, promoting diverse housing types, and designing "complete streets" that safely accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers. The bill directly affects local governments (cities and counties) as they develop zoning codes and land-use plans. These changes require zoning decisions to explicitly consider these new community goals while maintaining existing standards like safety, congestion reduction, and preservation of burial sites. The bill has been introduced but not yet voted on in the legislature.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 962: Relating to: bicycling permits, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 962 requires bicyclists to obtain a permit to ride on state-owned trails (excluding highways and vehicle admission areas) unless participating in an organized event or using a trail pass. The permit, valid for one calendar year, costs $40 for adults, $20 for riders aged 12 and older, and is free for children under 12. Bicyclists must permanently attach the permit to their bike or carry a temporary receipt showing payment, which they must present to law enforcement upon request. The bill grants the department authority to issue permits, appoint agents, and establish rules for the program.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 963: Relating to: foraging permits, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 963 creates a permit system for collecting plants or fungi (forage) on state-owned land, requiring permits for most foragers while exempting vehicle admission areas. It sets fees of $40 for adults, $20 for teens 12+, and free for children under 12, with additional $0.75 issuing fees for those 12+ and payments to third-party permit systems. The bill authorizes the department to contract with external providers for a statewide automated permit system and establishes rules for permit issuance, proof requirements, and fee collection. It directly affects residents and visitors who gather natural materials on state land, ensuring regulated access while generating revenue for administrative costs. The legislation also clarifies that permits do not override existing area-specific foraging prohibitions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 993: Relating to: registered interior designers supervising certain construction.

SB 993 allows Wisconsin-registered interior designers to legally supervise interior construction projects and sign technical documents required for building permits. It expands their scope of practice by explicitly permitting them to oversee interior alterations or construction (like remodeling offices or retail spaces) without structural changes, as defined in the statute. The bill amends existing law to clarify that registered interior designers can be responsible for construction supervision and document sealing for these specific interior projects. This directly affects licensed interior designers and the businesses or projects they manage, without changing requirements for structural engineering or architectural work. The law does not alter building codes or safety standards but defines the professional boundaries for interior design practice.

Bill results