This bill establishes reporting requirements for political committees that make mass communications, such as distributing 500 or more identical pieces of material, sending 500 or more identical emails, making 500 or more identical phone calls, or disseminating messages during the 60 days before an election. It requires political action committees, independent expenditure committees, political parties, and legislative campaign committees to file registration statements and detailed expenditure reports when they spend money on these mass communications. The bill defines specific thresholds and timing for when committees must register and report, ensuring transparency around spending on large-scale communications that appeal to voters to support or oppose candidates.
This bill limits when health insurance companies can demand repayment for claims they have already paid. It applies to disability insurance policies and various health care plans, including those offered by the state, counties, and other organizations. Under the bill, insurers can only request repayment within 12 months of making the initial payment, or 18 months if the claim involved coordination with other programs like Medicare or state medical assistance. The only exception is when the original claim was based on fraudulent information. The bill would take effect for policy years beginning on the date it is enacted, with special rules for plans covered by collective bargaining agreements.
This bill prohibits law enforcement agencies from using autonomous devices equipped with weapons. It defines an autonomous device as one that can operate without active human control and uses the existing legal definition of a dangerous weapon. The law enforcement restriction is the main policy change, while the definitions clarify what types of technology and weapons are covered. The bill was introduced in March 2026 but failed to pass the Senate.
This bill modifies state election law to require disclosure of a donor's job and employer address when they contribute more than $100 to various political committees during a calendar year. The change applies to contributions made to candidates, political parties, legislative committees, action committees, independent expenditure groups, recipients, referendum committees, and recall committees. Under current rules, this information is only required for contributions exceeding $200, so the bill lowers that threshold to increase transparency in political fundraising. The amendment affects individuals who make these contributions and the committees that receive them by mandating additional reporting details.
This bill requires employers in Wisconsin to provide reasonable break time and a private, shielded space for breastfeeding employees to express breast milk for children under one year of age. The law mandates access to electrical outlets, running water, and refrigeration for milk storage, while allowing unpaid break time unless the employee remains partially on duty. Employers with fewer than 50 employees may claim an undue hardship exemption if compliance would cause significant difficulty or expense. The bill also prohibits discrimination or retaliation against employees who take these breaks and establishes a complaint process through the state department for enforcement.
This bill modifies Wisconsin's property tax deferral loan program to increase the maximum loan amount from $3,525 to $5,000 annually. It also establishes an annual adjustment mechanism that ties the loan limit to changes in the consumer price index, ensuring the amount keeps pace with inflation. The legislation applies these changes to loans where applications are filed after the bill's effective date. Additionally, the bill allows the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority to use up to 5 percent of allocated funds for marketing the program. Eligible participants must still meet existing income requirements, earning no more than $20,000 or 80 percent of the area median income.
This bill establishes a state minimum wage that increases annually from 2026 through 2034, with lower rates for small employers defined as those with 50 or fewer employees. It allows local governments to enact their own minimum wage ordinances and grants the state department authority to set wages for specific job categories like agricultural workers, camp counselors, and tipped employees. The law also gives the department power to exempt certain workers, such as casual domestic helpers and student workers, from minimum wage requirements. Starting in 2031, the minimum wage will be adjusted each year based on changes in the consumer price index to account for inflation.
This bill updates Wisconsin's campaign finance laws by creating new definitions for mass communications, including mass distribution, mass electronic communication, and mass telephoning, each requiring at least 500 pieces of substantially identical material or messages. It modifies how coordinated expenditures are defined for express advocacy and mass communications, specifying that coordination occurs when a candidate or their party exercises control over or engages in substantial discussions regarding the content, timing, or other aspects of a communication. The legislation also establishes reporting requirements for coordinated mass communications made during the 60-day period before an election, requiring political committees to report expenditures and candidate committees to report them as contributions. These changes directly affect political action committees, independent expenditure committees, and candidates by clarifying what constitutes coordinated spending and how such spending must be reported under existing contribution limits and source restrictions.
This bill requires hospitals in Wisconsin to offer free postpartum home visits to new mothers and their infants upon request, provided the birth occurred within the last 14 days. The visits can be conducted by trained doulas, licensed midwives, nurse-midwives, or other licensed healthcare providers and must be scheduled within 14 days of the request. Additionally, the bill mandates that state and local disability insurance plans and self-insured health plans covering maternity services must include coverage for these visits without any cost-sharing requirements. The bill also establishes definitions for postpartum home visits and specifies that hospitals cannot charge patients directly for these services.
This bill establishes a state assistance program to help smaller municipalities, specifically 3rd and 4th class cities, villages, and towns, upgrade their water infrastructure to meet federal water quality standards. The program would provide up to 50 percent funding for approved construction projects and requires local governments to submit applications for consideration. The Department of Natural Resources would administer the program, set eligibility criteria, prioritize projects, and review project plans before releasing funds. The legislation also allocates $10 million in state funding for the program in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
This bill updates weight limit rules for vehicles carrying maple sap or syrup, allowing them to transport heavier loads on most state roads. It sets specific axle weight limits of 21,000 pounds per axle, 37,000 pounds for closely spaced dual axles, and up to 80,000 pounds total for multi-axle combinations. The exemption from these limits does not apply to vehicles using designated interstate highways. The legislation applies to vehicles moving maple sap or syrup from collection points to storage facilities or primary markets.
This bill establishes a 20 percent purchasing goal for state agencies and local governments to buy products and services from businesses with a principal place of business in Wisconsin. It requires state departments and purchasing agents to attempt to meet this target each fiscal year, while also ensuring the percentage does not fall below the previous year's level. The legislation mandates that agencies collect and publicly report data on vendor locations and evaluate their progress toward meeting these goals. Local governments are given the option to opt out of the reporting requirements through a formal resolution. The bill also defines "local products or services" and includes exemptions for commercial resale items and situations where foreign vendors face similar government purchasing restrictions.
