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Wisconsin Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 12,159 Active 7 In committee 9,574 Passed 998 Signed 1,132 Failed 8,245

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 957: Relating to: policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during the school day in public schools.

SB 957 requires Wisconsin public school districts to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal wireless communication devices (like cell phones, tablets, and laptops) during the school day, with exceptions for emergencies, health care needs, special education plans, and teacher-approved educational use. School boards must create these policies by July 1, 2027, and submit them to the Department of Justice by October 1, 2027, with annual updates thereafter. The policy must define "wireless communication device" to include cell phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices, and must include specific requirements for student notification and documentation. This bill directly affects all public school districts and students in Wisconsin, requiring implementation of device restrictions starting in the 2027-2028 school year.

Topics ✗ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 930: Relating to: beer festivals conducted under temporary retail licenses; inapplicability of a sales tax exemption to beer festivals. (FE)

SB 930 removes a sales tax exemption for beer festivals held under temporary licenses. It specifically states that ticket sales and beer sales at these events are no longer exempt from sales tax. The bill defines a "beer festival" as an event charging admission, lasting no more than two consecutive days, and featuring beer from at least 25 different breweries. This change applies to festival sponsors operating under temporary Class B licenses, ending their previous tax-exempt status for festival-related sales.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 129: Relating to: recognizing the holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in Wisconsin.

SJR 129 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as holidays in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or mandate time off, but aims to formally acknowledge these major Islamic holidays to promote inclusivity. The resolution highlights the religious significance of the holidays - Eid al-Fitr ending Ramadan and Eid al-Adha marking the Hajj pilgrimage - and encourages schools and employers to be mindful of these observances. It directly affects Wisconsin’s Muslim community (approximately 70,000 people) by affirming their cultural and religious practices.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1018: Relating to: income eligibility for Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill expands eligibility for Wisconsin's child care subsidy program (Wisconsin Shares) by allowing families with incomes above 200% of the federal poverty line but below 100% of the state median income to continue receiving subsidies. It creates a new eligibility pathway (20.437 (2) (ct)) to cover families previously disqualified due to income thresholds and adjusts copayment rules for those exceeding income limits. The policy directly affects low-income working families who lost subsidies due to modest income increases but remain below the new 100% state median income cutoff. A $1.25 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27 funds this expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1016: Relating to: funding for child care provider workforce training and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 1016 allocates $2,166,600 annually for two fiscal years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to fund workforce training for child care providers and prospective providers. The bill creates a new funding line (20.437(2)(d)) under the Department of Children and Families, directing these funds toward contracts focused specifically on training child care staff. It directly affects licensed child care providers and those seeking to enter the field by providing financial support for their professional development. The bill establishes a dedicated funding stream but does not change eligibility rules or create new regulatory requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1026: Relating to: interest rates on late, nondelinquent taxes and on overpayments. (FE)

AB 1026 updates interest rate calculations for tax payments and refunds in Wisconsin. It sets a 1% monthly interest rate (12% annually) on underpaid estimated taxes due between June 15 and payment date, and requires 12% annual interest during tax filing extensions for corporations and pass-through entities. The bill also mandates that the Department of Revenue (DOR) pays 3% annual interest on tax overpayments. These changes affect taxpayers filing returns, including corporations, pass-through entities, and individuals who use federal tax extension periods. The bill clarifies existing interest rate provisions across multiple tax statutes without altering tax obligations.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1024: Relating to: the sale, service, and labeling of food products containing lab-grown milk and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 1024 requires food products containing lab-grown milk (defined as milk replicated without mammal harvesting) to be prominently labeled with the phrase "lab-grown milk" in large, contrasting text on packaging. It mandates full ingredient lists and specific labeling for multi-component products. The bill prohibits using lab-grown milk as a milk substitute in restaurants without customer order and restricts its use in state institutions like schools or hospitals without medical authorization. Violations carry fines of $100-$500 for first offenses and up to $1,000 for repeat violations. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1014: Relating to: ratification of the Interstate Massage Compact. (FE)

AB 1014 ratifies Wisconsin's participation in the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact), allowing massage therapists licensed in other participating states to practice in Wisconsin with a multistate license. This directly affects licensed massage therapists and the state's massage therapy credentialing board, which will manage the new licensing system. The bill creates a commission to oversee the compact and updates licensing definitions to recognize "multistate licenses" granted under the compact, replacing some single-state licensing requirements. It also clarifies that the licensing board may not deny licenses based on certain criminal convictions when evaluating multistate applicants.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1021: Relating to: agricultural damage caused by elk.

AB 1021 requires the state department to include agricultural landowners affected by elk damage on its advisory committee. It mandates that the department remove elk causing property damage within 48 hours of receiving a notice from a landowner. The bill also exempts landowners seeking damage compensation from needing to allow hunting on their property as part of the claim process. These changes directly affect farmers and ranchers experiencing elk-related crop or property damage. The bill creates specific statutory provisions to expedite damage response and simplify compensation claims.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1017: Relating to: child care subsidies for custodial parents who are child care employees and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 1017 creates a new child care subsidy program specifically for custodial parents who work as employees in child care facilities. It allows these parents to qualify for subsidies under revised eligibility rules, bypassing standard income and asset requirements that typically apply to other subsidy recipients. The bill appropriates $1.2 million in fiscal year 2025-26 for administrative costs related to this new program. This directly affects parents employed by child care providers who have primary custody of children under 13 (or 19 if disabled) and meet the new eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1009: Relating to: tourism promotion improvement districts. (FE)

AB 1009 creates a framework for local governments to establish "tourism promotion improvement districts" to fund tourism marketing and infrastructure. It directly affects hotels and motels within designated districts, requiring at least 50% of room owners to petition for creation and approve an operating plan detailing improvements, activities, and financing. Key provisions include setting a 5-year maximum assessment period (10 years for renewals), capping fees for payment processing at 5%, and mandating public hearings before district approval. The bill enables districts to fund tourism promotions and infrastructure (like visitor centers) through business assessments, with all details of costs and benefits outlined in the approved operating plan.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1020: Relating to: designating and marking memorial highways for state troopers.

AB 1020 designates specific highway segments in Wisconsin as "Memorial Highways" honoring eight fallen state troopers, naming each route after a trooper (e.g., STH 23 near Green Lake for Trooper Donald C. Pederson). The bill requires the state transportation department to install commemorative signs on these routes only if sufficient private contributions cover all costs - no state funds may be used. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes to transportation or law enforcement, directly affecting the named highways and the troopers' families.