Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1191: Relating to: banning products containing intentionally added PFAS and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill would ban the sale and distribution of products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals, starting with specific categories like food packaging, cookware, and children's products by January 1, 2032, and expanding to all products by January 1, 2038, unless the chemical use is deemed unavoidable for public health or safety. Manufacturers would be required to submit detailed information about their PFAS-containing products to the state department, and the department could require testing to verify compliance. The law includes exemptions for products regulated by federal law, firefighting foam, used products, and medical devices, and imposes a penalty of $100 per violating product for each day the violation continues.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1152: Relating to: entering into an agreement among the states to elect the president and vice president of the United States by means of a national popular vote.

This bill would authorize Wisconsin to join an interstate compact that implements a national popular vote system for electing the president and vice president, but it only takes effect once enough states have joined to control a majority of electoral votes. Under the agreement, member states would still hold traditional statewide elections, but they would award all their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most total votes nationwide rather than the winner of their individual state. The bill also includes provisions for handling ties, certifying results, and allowing states to withdraw from the compact with certain restrictions. This legislation does not change the current Electoral College system itself but creates a legal framework for states to participate in an alternative election method if sufficient states agree to join the compact.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1175: Relating to: student identification acceptable for voting.

This bill proposes to update the list of acceptable student identification cards for voting in Wisconsin. It would allow unexpired student IDs from accredited universities, colleges, and technical colleges in the state to be used at polling places. The ID must include the issuance date, signature, and an expiration date no later than two years after issuance, provided the student is currently enrolled. The legislation aims to clarify which student credentials qualify for voter identification purposes.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 148: Relating to: reserving to the people the power of referendum to reject acts of the legislature and the power of initiative to propose and approve at an election laws and constitutional amendments (first consideration).

This bill proposes constitutional changes to give voters the power to directly reject laws passed by the legislature and to propose new laws or constitutional amendments themselves. Under the referendum provision, citizens could collect signatures equal to at least 4% of the last gubernatorial vote to force a vote on rejecting specific legislation, with rejected laws barred from being reenacted during the same session. The initiative provision would allow voters to propose laws or amendments by gathering signatures equal to 6% for laws or 8% for constitutional changes, with proposed measures limited to a single subject and requiring a 120-day waiting period before elections. The bill also prohibits payments based on the number of petition signatures collected and would require any approved initiative laws to be protected from legislative repeal for two years, with stricter rules for constitutional amendments.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1117: Relating to: constitutional eligibility of candidates for federal office.

This bill would require election officials to exclude candidates from federal ballots if there is conclusive evidence that the candidate is ineligible under the U.S. Constitution to hold the office. It directly affects election administrators and candidates for president, vice president, and other national offices by mandating that they verify constitutional eligibility before allowing names on ballots. The law specifies that ineligibility must be clear through candidate admission or other conclusive proof, and it prevents presidential electors from voting for candidates who are constitutionally ineligible. The bill creates new statutory sections to codify these requirements in state election laws.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1214: Relating to: prior authorization for treatment of severe misalignment or malocclusion of teeth under health insurance policies and plans.

This bill requires health insurance plans and self-insured programs to stop using the Salzmann Evaluation Index alone when deciding whether to cover treatment for severe misalignment or malocclusion of teeth. It directly affects dental coverage under disability insurance policies, self-insured plans, limited service health organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans. The law mandates that these plans must consider additional factors beyond the index when making prior authorization decisions for orthodontic treatments. The changes apply to policy years starting after the law takes effect, with specific timing for plans affected by collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1177: Relating to: notice provided to electric utility customers with rate case information...

This bill requires electric utilities in the state to send notices to customers whenever they request rate changes from the public service commission. The notices must explain how proposed or approved rate changes would affect average residential and commercial bills, and inform customers where to find copies of the rate case application and request detailed explanations. Utilities must deliver these notices through their existing billing methods and on their websites, with the content updating after the commission issues its final decision. The law applies starting with rate case applications filed after the bill takes effect.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1189: Relating to: limitation on retroactive claim denials under health insurance policies.

This bill would limit when health insurance companies can ask people to pay back money they already received for medical claims. It directly affects individuals with disability insurance policies, health maintenance organizations, and other health coverage plans. Under the new rules, insurers can only request repayment of already paid claims within 12 months of the initial payment, or 18 months if the claim involved coordination with other programs like Medicare or state medical assistance. The only exception allows retroactive denials if the original claim information was found to be fraudulent.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1099: Relating to: moratorium on data centers.

This bill establishes a moratorium on operating new data centers in the state unless specific conditions are met, directly affecting companies that build or operate large-scale digital storage and processing facilities. It requires the creation of a statewide planning authority and mandates that data centers cannot shift their energy or water costs to residential customers. The legislation also includes requirements for mandatory public reporting of resource usage, environmental safeguards, 100% renewable energy from newly built projects, prevailing wage standards for construction workers, and prior approval by local voters before a data center can be built. Additionally, it prohibits financial subsidies for data centers, bans nondisclosure agreements between data centers and local officials, and restores public utility planning authority.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment ✗ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1128: Relating to: insurer claims denial practices and auditing, creating the Office of the Public Intervenor, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill creates a new Office of the Public Intervenor within the state insurance commissioner's office to help individuals with insurance claims, policies, and appeals for medical procedures and medications. It establishes rules requiring insurers to process disability insurance claims within reasonable timeframes, provide detailed explanations for claim denials, and disclose when artificial intelligence is used in claim decisions. The office can levy assessments on insurers based on their premium volume to fund its operations and conduct audits of claims denial practices. Additionally, the bill prohibits specific insurer practices such as using vague policy terms, stalling claim reviews, or allowing non-physician personnel to determine medical necessity.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1153: Relating to: BadgerCare purchase option, basic plan, state-based insurance exchange, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

This bill establishes a new basic health plan for individuals with household incomes below 200 percent of the poverty line and creates a purchase option program allowing eligible people with higher incomes to buy coverage through the state program instead of private insurance. The program would offer benefits similar to existing state coverage, include tax credits for eligible participants, and set premium rates comparable to managed care plans while requiring federal waivers to implement. It also directs the creation of a state-based insurance exchange where individuals can access these purchase options and grants officials authority to create rules needed for implementation. The bill requires a report on federal waiver status and economic analyses by March 2027 before the program can be fully launched.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1121: Relating to: health insurance coverage of prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces. (FE)

This bill requires health insurance plans, including those for government employees and public schools, to cover prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces when deemed medically necessary by a licensed healthcare provider. The law defines prostheses as devices that replace missing limbs and custom orthotic braces as personalized devices that correct or support musculoskeletal conditions, ensuring coverage includes materials, instruction, and repairs under specific circumstances. Coverage must match or exceed federal standards and apply to replacement or repair when medically needed due to changes in the patient's condition or when repair costs exceed 60 percent of replacement costs. The bill also mandates that plans maintain access to at least two in-network providers in the state and requires written explanations for any coverage denials based on medical necessity.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Bill results