Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 965: Relating to: collective bargaining for employees of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority.

SB 965 modifies collective bargaining rules specifically for employees of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority (UWHCA). It allows multiple bargaining units at UWHCA to share a single representative if majority employees in each unit agree, streamlining negotiations under existing public employee bargaining laws. The bill also updates definitions and references to clarify that UWHCA employees are covered under collective bargaining agreements for benefits like health insurance and sick leave accrual. These changes directly affect UWHCA staff by adjusting how their workplace representation and benefit calculations are structured under state law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 982: Relating to: the effective date of administrative rules and the effective period of emergency rules.

SB 982 amends Wisconsin statutes to change the effective timing for state agency rules. It extends the maximum duration of emergency rules from 150 to 180 days and specifies that standard administrative rules become effective seven months after publication unless otherwise stated. These changes directly affect state agencies that create and implement regulations, requiring them to follow the new timing rules for rule adoption and enforcement. The bill focuses on clarifying procedural timelines for rulemaking without altering the substantive content of regulations.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 967: Relating to: town authority over the water elevation of an artificial water body created by a dam and recourse due to damage caused by an obstructed waterway.

SB 967 allows towns to set maximum water levels for artificial lakes or ponds created by dams if the water saturates road beds. It creates a new rule (82.03 (5) (ag)) requiring town boards to approve such limits when road saturation occurs. The bill also updates existing law (88.90 (1)) to let property owners affected by flooding from negligent waterway obstructions demand removal by notifying the landowner responsible. This directly affects towns managing water bodies, dam operators, and property owners near waterways. The changes focus on preventing infrastructure damage from water levels and clarifying recourse for flood-related harm.

Topics ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 134: Relating to: recognizing the holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in Wisconsin.

AJR 134 is a joint resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official holidays in Wisconsin. It directly affects Wisconsin's Muslim community (approximately 70,000 people) by encouraging schools and employers to acknowledge these religious holidays, which mark the end of Ramadan and the Hajj pilgrimage. The resolution does not create new policies or mandate changes but aims to raise awareness of these holidays' cultural and religious significance. It is currently pending in committee after being introduced on February 6, 2026.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 945: Relating to: storage of firearms in retail facility when unattended.

SB 945 requires retail stores selling firearms to securely store all firearms when the business is unattended. It mandates one of five specific security methods: locked fireproof safes/cabinets, reinforced display cases with steel frames and anti-break-in features, steel rods/cables through trigger guards with secured locks, windowless rooms with deadbolts, or steel roll-down doors. Street-level stores must also install bollards or roll-down doors on perimeter openings. The bill directly affects firearm retailers operating in the state, imposing concrete storage requirements to prevent unauthorized access. These provisions aim to enhance security at retail locations without altering firearm ownership laws.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 948: Relating to: storage of a firearm in a house in which a resident is prohibited from possessing a firearm and providing a penalty.

SB 948 requires anyone living in a household with a person banned from owning firearms (due to certain criminal convictions) to store all firearms securely - either in a locked container or with a trigger lock engaged. This applies to all firearms owned by household members who are not prohibited from possessing them. Violating this rule is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class I felony for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects households where one resident is legally barred from firearm possession due to specific felony convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 957: Relating to: policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during the school day in public schools.

SB 957 requires Wisconsin public school districts to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal wireless communication devices (like cell phones, tablets, and laptops) during the school day, with exceptions for emergencies, health care needs, special education plans, and teacher-approved educational use. School boards must create these policies by July 1, 2027, and submit them to the Department of Justice by October 1, 2027, with annual updates thereafter. The policy must define "wireless communication device" to include cell phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices, and must include specific requirements for student notification and documentation. This bill directly affects all public school districts and students in Wisconsin, requiring implementation of device restrictions starting in the 2027-2028 school year.

Topics ✗ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 980: Relating to: the expiration of administrative rules. (FE)

SB 980 establishes a process for automatically removing expired chapters from Wisconsin's administrative code and requires agencies to conduct detailed cost assessments before renewing existing rules. It mandates that agencies prepare economic impact analyses for rule renewals, including quantified costs to businesses, local governments, and individuals, and sets a $10 million cost threshold over two years that would halt rule development. The bill directly affects state agencies (which create rules), businesses, and local governments by requiring transparency about rule costs and limiting rule renewals that exceed the cost threshold. Key provisions include automatic removal of expired rules, new analysis requirements for rule renewals, and exceptions for certain rule types like those under specific statutes.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 930: Relating to: beer festivals conducted under temporary retail licenses; inapplicability of a sales tax exemption to beer festivals. (FE)

SB 930 removes a sales tax exemption for beer festivals held under temporary licenses. It specifically states that ticket sales and beer sales at these events are no longer exempt from sales tax. The bill defines a "beer festival" as an event charging admission, lasting no more than two consecutive days, and featuring beer from at least 25 different breweries. This change applies to festival sponsors operating under temporary Class B licenses, ending their previous tax-exempt status for festival-related sales.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 129: Relating to: recognizing the holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in Wisconsin.

SJR 129 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as holidays in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or mandate time off, but aims to formally acknowledge these major Islamic holidays to promote inclusivity. The resolution highlights the religious significance of the holidays - Eid al-Fitr ending Ramadan and Eid al-Adha marking the Hajj pilgrimage - and encourages schools and employers to be mindful of these observances. It directly affects Wisconsin’s Muslim community (approximately 70,000 people) by affirming their cultural and religious practices.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1018: Relating to: income eligibility for Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill expands eligibility for Wisconsin's child care subsidy program (Wisconsin Shares) by allowing families with incomes above 200% of the federal poverty line but below 100% of the state median income to continue receiving subsidies. It creates a new eligibility pathway (20.437 (2) (ct)) to cover families previously disqualified due to income thresholds and adjusts copayment rules for those exceeding income limits. The policy directly affects low-income working families who lost subsidies due to modest income increases but remain below the new 100% state median income cutoff. A $1.25 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27 funds this expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1016: Relating to: funding for child care provider workforce training and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 1016 allocates $2,166,600 annually for two fiscal years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to fund workforce training for child care providers and prospective providers. The bill creates a new funding line (20.437(2)(d)) under the Department of Children and Families, directing these funds toward contracts focused specifically on training child care staff. It directly affects licensed child care providers and those seeking to enter the field by providing financial support for their professional development. The bill establishes a dedicated funding stream but does not change eligibility rules or create new regulatory requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results