Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1053: Relating to: adding a teacher representative to school boards. (FE)

SB 1053 requires common and union high school districts to add a non-voting teacher representative to their school boards. This representative, selected annually by secret ballot among teaching staff in the district, attends all school board meetings (including closed sessions) but cannot vote. The bill creates new procedures (Section 120.065) for selecting the representative, who serves a 3-year term starting April 4th. The change applies only to school boards in common/union high school districts, not all school districts.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1048: Relating to: modifications to the property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that sell property to low-income persons. (FE)

SB 1048 modifies property tax exemption rules for nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status) that sell properties to low-income households. It requires nonprofits to hold property for rehabilitation, redevelopment, or new construction specifically for sale to buyers with income below 120% of the area median income (using federal standards). The bill removes a previous requirement for nonprofits to offer interest-free loans to buyers and updates the income threshold for eligibility. This exemption applies to property tax assessments starting January 1, 2026, directly affecting nonprofits developing affordable housing for qualifying buyers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1037: Relating to: retainage on public construction contracts. (FE)

AB 1037 modifies retainage rules for public construction contracts, specifically lowering the maximum withholdable percentage for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing subcontractors from 5% to 3% until 50% project completion. It requires prime contractors to pay these subcontractors within 7 days of receiving payment from the municipality, with full payments due after 50% completion unless work progress is unsatisfactory. The bill sets a 10% cap on total retainage and mandates final payment upon substantial completion, minus costs for corrective work. It directly affects contractors and subcontractors working on public projects, particularly those in MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) specialties. The changes aim to improve cash flow for smaller subcontractors while maintaining safeguards for project completion.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 136: Relating to: recognizing February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

This resolution (SJR 136) is a symbolic recognition by the Wisconsin Legislature that February is designated as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. It does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups, but it aims to raise public awareness about teen dating violence - highlighting statistics like one in five teens experiencing abuse and two in three victims not reporting it - by encouraging community education and support for prevention efforts.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 140: Relating to: celebrating the Wisconsin athletes competing in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy.

AJR 140 is a ceremonial joint resolution celebrating Wisconsin athletes competing in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy. It formally recognizes specific Wisconsin athletes across sports like cross-country skiing, biathlon, wheelchair curling, sled hockey, and speedskating, highlighting their connections to Wisconsin communities. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it simply asks the Wisconsin Legislature to "celebrate" these athletes and "root for their success" as a symbolic gesture. This is purely a commemorative measure with no concrete legislative effect.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 942: Relating to: changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE)

SB 942 amends state tax statutes to clarify how the low-income housing tax credit is claimed by entities and their members. It specifies that partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax-option corporations cannot claim the credit directly, but their individual partners, members, or shareholders may claim it based on the entity’s eligible costs. The bill requires entities to calculate and distribute credit amounts to members and mandates that individuals claiming credit under written agreements must submit those agreements with tax returns. It also adds a specific provision allowing insurers (as shareholders) to claim the credit based on costs incurred by the entity they are part of. This bill directly affects housing developers, investors, and insurers involved in low-income housing projects financed with tax-exempt bonds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1068: Relating to: notice to employees of full-service pharmacies and major grocery stores of permanent business closings and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 1068 requires full-service pharmacies and major grocery stores (defined as stores over 15,000 sq ft selling fresh produce, meats, and dairy) to provide employees with 60 days' written notice before a permanent closure (over 90 days, excluding health emergencies or renovations). Employers must notify affected employees, union representatives, local officials, and county boards, including contact information for local workforce resources. If notice is not given on time, employees can recover up to 60 days' pay and lost benefits through the state department, with enforcement handled by the department of justice if needed. The bill directly affects workers at these specific retail businesses and aims to provide advance notice and support during job loss.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1026: Relating to: required instruction in African American history in the elementary and high school grades and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 1026 requires all Wisconsin public and private schools, including charter schools, to incorporate African American history into their social studies curriculum for all grades kindergarten through 12. The bill mandates a state-developed model curriculum covering African American contributions, experiences, and migration history within broader U.S. and state contexts, with grade-specific learning standards. It funds three education consultants to assist schools with implementation and adds a requirement for teacher licensure to include African American history study. The law applies to all schools starting with the school year following its effective date.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1061: Relating to: moratorium on data centers.

SB 1061 imposes a moratorium on new data center operations in the state until specific requirements are met. It directly affects data center operators and developers by requiring: a statewide planning authority, prohibitions on shifting energy/water costs to residential customers, mandatory public reporting of water/electricity usage, and 100% renewable energy sourcing from newly built, directly accessible projects. The bill also mandates prevailing wages for construction workers, local referendum approval for new sites, and environmental safeguards for air, water, and noise. These provisions must be enacted by law before any new data center can operate.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✗ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1070: Relating to: public financing of campaigns for the offices of justice of the supreme court, court of appeals judge, and circuit court judge, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 1070 creates a public financing system for judicial candidates running for supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or circuit court judge. To qualify, candidates must collect 1,000 separate contributions of $5-$100 each (totaling $5,000-$50,000) during a defined period, with written receipts required. The bill limits anonymous contributions to $5 for candidates using public funds and requires unspent campaign funds to transfer to replacement candidates if a vacancy occurs. It establishes a "Democracy Trust Fund" to administer these public financing benefits and sets strict reporting requirements for contributions. This system aims to reduce reliance on large private donations in judicial elections.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AR 16: Relating to: proclaiming May 2026 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

This resolution (AR 16) declares May 2026 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It recognizes the disease's impact - citing Wisconsin's record 6,469 cases in 2024 - and urges all residents to learn about prevention (like tick avoidance), symptoms, and early treatment. The bill has no new funding or regulations; it is a symbolic observance calling for public education on Lyme disease, not a policy change.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1015: Relating to: Wisconsin Shares copayment amounts and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 1015 adjusts Wisconsin Shares child care assistance copayment rules and increases funding. It limits copayments to no more than 7% of a family’s gross income (49.155 (5) (ag)) and waives copayments entirely for families earning below 150% of the federal poverty line (49.155 (5) (ar)). The bill also increases annual funding for child care subsidies by $22.93 million for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. These changes directly affect low-income families using Wisconsin Shares child care assistance.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results