SB 1038 establishes a legislative study committee to examine implementation strategies for a "Dig Once Law," which would require installing empty conduit lines during infrastructure projects to support future fiber-optic internet expansion. The committee will focus on practical details like communication protocols between municipalities and contractors, ownership of conduit infrastructure, maintenance cost responsibilities, and optimal installation timing during road or utility work. It must submit recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2027, addressing how such a law could be structured. This bill does not create new law but prepares for potential future legislation.
SB 1022 requires drivers aged 75 and older to pass a driving skills test before their 76th birthday and every five years thereafter. The test assesses the ability to safely operate a vehicle and must be administered at county DMV examination stations. This applies directly to seniors holding operator’s licenses who reach age 75, replacing previous renewal requirements for this age group. The bill amends statutes to establish this testing requirement, with license cancellation possible for those who refuse the mandated examination.
SB 1058 requires landlords to offer tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus. Landlords must provide written offers (via mail or email) to all tenants by July 1, 2026, detailing the option, any fee (capped at $10/month or actual cost), and how to accept or opt out. Tenants may accept the offer at any time, but must wait six months to restart reporting after opting out. Landlords cannot charge fees for reporting, deduct fees from security deposits, or treat non-payment of the optional fee as lease breach. The bill directly affects renters seeking to build credit and landlords managing reporting systems.
AB 1054 requires the state Department of Administration to create a public affairs network providing free, unedited live video and audio coverage of state government proceedings. This includes live streaming all public legislative sessions, prioritizing senate/assembly floor sessions, committee meetings, court proceedings, and related events, with permanent online archives maintained. The network must remain strictly nonpartisan, prohibit charging for access to key sessions (like assembly floor sessions), and ban using coverage for campaign purposes. It directly affects how the public accesses government transparency, ensuring free, real-time access to official proceedings without partisan editing or fees.
AB 1066 would require Wisconsin's broadband expansion grant program to prioritize projects that install fiber optic broadband lines directly to farms. It defines "farm" using existing Wisconsin agricultural definitions (from tax code) to clarify which properties qualify. The bill creates a specific grant priority for fiber projects connecting to these agricultural lands, ensuring farms receive targeted broadband infrastructure support. This policy change would directly affect farmers and agricultural businesses seeking broadband access through state grant programs. The bill is currently pending in the Energy and Utilities Committee after introduction on February 26, 2026.
AB 1065 establishes requirements for state broadband expansion grants to connect unserved areas. It defines "broadband infrastructure" as requiring minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload (or federal standards), and mandates grantees to report construction progress and final service speeds. If grantees fail to build the specified infrastructure or meet speed standards, they must reimburse the state. The bill also requires biennial audits of the grant program starting in 2027 to assess performance.
SB 1063 prohibits landlords from charging prospective tenants application fees for reviewing rental applications. It also limits credit and background check fees to $25 per report, requires landlords to provide copies of these reports within 7 business days if charged, and allows tenants to submit their own recent (under 6 months) credit or background reports to avoid paying. The bill directly affects landlords and prospective renters in rental housing applications. It takes effect for applications submitted on its effective date, which is three months after publication.
SB 1037 establishes requirements for state broadband expansion grants to improve internet access in underserved areas. It defines "broadband infrastructure" as requiring minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload (or federal standards), and mandates that grant recipients report construction progress and service speeds after completion. If projects fail to meet these speed standards or aren’t completed, recipients must reimburse the state. The bill also requires biennial performance audits of the grant program starting in 2027 to ensure accountability. This directly affects grant applicants (like internet providers or local governments) and residents in areas designated as lacking adequate broadband service.
AB 1059 increases funding for home-delivered meals by $250,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and another $250,000 for fiscal year 2026-27. This directly affects seniors and vulnerable adults who rely on state-funded home-delivered meal programs under Section 46.80(5)(a). The bill modifies the budget allocation to the Department of Health Services, specifically boosting the available funds for these services. It does not change program eligibility or service requirements, only increasing the financial support.
AB 1072 raises the property damage threshold requiring drivers to report motor vehicle accidents from $1,000 to $2,000. It directly affects drivers involved in accidents causing property damage, meaning they must now report incidents only if damage totals $2,000 or more (previously $1,000). The bill clarifies that "total damage to property owned by one person" includes joint ownership counted as a single owner. This change reduces the number of minor property damage incidents requiring police reporting.
AB 1082 creates a temporary sales and use tax exemption for breastfeeding equipment in Wisconsin, effective until June 30, 2027. It exempts breast pumps, breast pump kits (pumps bundled with collection/storage supplies), and specific collection/storage supplies like breast shields, bottles, and milk storage bags. This directly affects new and expecting mothers who purchase these items, reducing their out-of-pocket costs. The exemption does not cover unrelated products like nursing bras, cleaning supplies, or general bottles sold separately. The bill defines covered items precisely to ensure only essential breastfeeding equipment qualifies for the tax break.
AB 1053 ensures that children in out-of-home care (like foster care) retain control over their state or federal benefits. It requires child welfare departments to hold these benefits in protected accounts that won’t reduce other benefits, provide regular financial reports to the child and their legal representatives, and return any remaining funds when the child leaves care. The bill explicitly prohibits using a child’s benefits to cover their care costs. This policy change directly affects children in state custody and their legal representatives, focusing on financial accountability and preserving benefits for the child’s future.
