AB 1011 raises the cap on total noneconomic damages (such as pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life) in medical malpractice cases from $750,000 to $3,000,000 per incident. This directly affects patients who win malpractice lawsuits and healthcare providers or insurers who pay these damages. The bill amends statutes to set this new $3 million limit for all claims against health care providers or their employees for negligence occurring on or after April 6, 2006. It also updates the legislative findings to state that this amount balances victim compensation with maintaining affordable healthcare access. The bill does not change limits for economic damages (like medical costs) or alter liability rules.
SB 932 defines artificial intelligence and explicitly states it does not have legal personhood in Wisconsin. The bill creates a new statute section that clarifies AI systems are not considered persons, cannot own property, hold titles, or serve in corporate leadership roles. It also specifies that any assets or interests generated by AI belong to the developer, manufacturer, or owner rather than the AI itself. This legislation aims to prevent AI from being granted rights or legal status similar to humans or other entities.
SB 1033 would change zoning rules for development districts in the Village of Somers by raising the maximum allowable residential land use from 35% to 50% of the district's total area. This specifically affects new residential projects within Somers' tax incremental districts, which are designated areas used to spur local economic development through tax revenue reinvestment. The bill amends a statute defining "mixed-use development" to remove the 35% cap and replace it with a 50% limit for Somers, while maintaining the 35% cap for other areas. This policy change directly modifies how residential space can be allocated in development plans approved for Somers' tax increment districts.
AJR 138 designates February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education Month" in Wisconsin to raise awareness about the value of these programs. It does not create new laws or funding but symbolically recognizes how career and technical education prepares students for jobs, citing that 92% of 2024 Wisconsin Technical College graduates were employed within six months and earned median salaries of $55,636 (for certificates) or $60,030 (for associate degrees). The resolution aims to encourage state residents to learn about CTE opportunities and their role in supporting Wisconsin's workforce. This is a ceremonial designation, not a policy change.
SB 944 adjusts how property tax limits are calculated for cities and towns (political subdivisions) that redevelop parking lots into new commercial, residential, or mixed-use buildings. Specifically, it adds 1.5 times the value increase from qualifying parking lot redevelopment to the annual development percentage used in tax levy calculations. Qualifying redevelopment requires at least 40% of the parcel area to have been paved parking in the prior year. This change applies to all political subdivisions with qualifying projects but specifically includes tax increment districts in Evansville and Stevens Point, plus new districts after 2024. The bill aims to account for redevelopment value in tax levy limits without increasing the overall tax burden.
AJR 139 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) reaffirming Wisconsin’s longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan, marking its 40th anniversary in 2026. It supports the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act, encourages Wisconsin to explore establishing a representative office in Taiwan to boost trade and cultural exchanges, and backs efforts to advance a U.S.-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement. The resolution highlights Wisconsin’s economic ties with Taiwan, including $380 million in exports to Taiwan in 2023. It does not create new legal obligations but formally expresses legislative support for strengthening Wisconsin-Taiwan relations.
SB 976 allocates $600,000 for municipal emergency medical services programs to hire full-time community paramedics or practitioners, with preference for rural, suburban, and urban programs. It creates a pilot program funding up to seven municipal EMS programs (six initial grants, one potential additional) to expand community-based emergency care. Additionally, the bill adds $200,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund statewide falls prevention awareness initiatives through the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging. These provisions directly affect municipal EMS programs seeking to hire staff and the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, which will administer falls prevention efforts.
SB 996 creates a new state appropriation of $600,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 to fund grants supporting community paramedic programs within emergency medical services. It also increases annual funding for falls prevention initiatives by $200,000 per fiscal year (2025-26 and 2026-27). The bill establishes these as continuing appropriations under Wisconsin statute for eligible programs. These funds directly support local health services addressing community safety and injury prevention. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027.
SB 977 allocates $1 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year to fund economic support specialist positions in county resource centers across 10 Wisconsin counties. The Department of Health Services must prioritize grants for two rural, two suburban, and two urban counties, with up to four additional grants awarded as needed. Counties receiving funds must submit annual reports detailing the specialist's impact on individuals served. This program expires after the 2025-26 budget year, with no funding allocated for 2026-27.
SB 997 creates a new funding line for economic support specialist positions at resource centers, appropriating $1 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year. It replaces the previous funding mechanism for these specialists (defined under statute 46.2805(10)) with a dedicated appropriation. The bill directly affects resource centers that provide economic support services, ensuring funding for specialist staff positions. This is a procedural budgetary change, not a policy shift, and takes effect immediately for the 2025-26 funding cycle (with a repeal of the prior provision scheduled for July 1, 2027).
SB 984 requires the Department of Transportation to notify local governments, school districts, and tribal governments before selling surplus land. These entities have 60 days to express interest in acquiring the land for public use, such as parks or transportation projects. If they show interest, the DOT must offer the land at appraised value (or below for transportation projects) only if they provide a detailed public use plan and agree to permanent restrictions on the land's use. The bill ensures surplus land is prioritized for public purposes rather than general sale. Ownership transfers only after payment and confirmation the land will be used as planned.
SB 1025 regulates wakesurfing by defining the activity and establishing safety requirements. It requires wakesurfers to maintain at least 200 feet from shorelines, docks, people in the water, or other vessels, and mandates wearing a federally approved personal flotation device (PFD). The bill also adds wakesurfing to mandatory boating safety courses, requiring instruction on proper motorboat operation for this activity. These rules apply to recreational wakesurfing, while organized tournaments are exempt under specific conditions.
