Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1235: Relating to: reporting of mass communications.

This bill updates Wisconsin election laws to require political committees to report specific spending details when they make mass communications, such as sending 500 or more identical emails, making 500 or more identical phone calls, or distributing 500 or more identical printed materials. It defines mass communications as messages sent during the 60 days before an election that clearly reference a certified candidate and are intended to appeal for or against their vote. Committees including political action committees, independent expenditure committees, and legislative campaign committees must file registration statements and detailed reports about these expenditures within 10 business days of making the communication or exceeding spending thresholds. The changes apply to any group supporting or opposing candidates in elections and aim to increase transparency around campaign spending on large-scale outreach efforts.

Karen Kirsch (D) Maureen McCarville (D) Francesca Hong (D) Tara Johnson (D) Mike Bare (D)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1160: Relating to: attorney general enforcement authority for civil rights violations and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill creates new authority for the Wisconsin attorney general to investigate and sue individuals or entities for civil rights violations in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It allows the attorney general to conduct investigations requiring sworn statements, access to documents, and subpoenas when there is reasonable cause to believe a pattern of rights violations or a denial of rights with public importance has occurred. If violations are found, courts can order injunctive relief, award damages, and impose civil forfeiture penalties of up to $50,000 for first violations or $100,000 for subsequent violations within seven years. The bill also permits the attorney general to accept voluntary compliance agreements instead of pursuing litigation, though violations of such agreements remain subject to penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1108: Relating to: reimbursement for doula services under the Medical Assistance program, doulas accompanying Medical Assistance recipients in hospitals and birthing centers, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

SB 1108 establishes a framework for reimbursing certified doulas under the Medical Assistance program and requires hospitals and birthing centers to allow these doulas to accompany patients during labor and childbirth. The bill defines a certified doula as someone certified by a department-recognized organization and authorizes the state to seek federal waivers to cover doula services for pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum support. It mandates that healthcare facilities adopt policies permitting Medical Assistance recipients to have a doula of their choice present, while exempting doulas from facility guest quotas and requiring hospitals to publish relevant policies online. The legislation also includes liability protections for hospitals and requires doulas to provide written proof of certification when requested by healthcare facilities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1150: Relating to: net zero emissions, carbon-free and renewable energy standards, and creating an office of sustainability and clean energy, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill establishes a state goal to achieve 100 percent clean electricity and net zero carbon emissions by 2050, creating a new Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy to oversee implementation. It sets specific milestones requiring the state to reach at least 50 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030, 65 percent by 2035, 80 percent by 2040, 90 percent by 2045, and full carbon-free status by 2050. The legislation also directs the state to develop a detailed decarbonization roadmap using sector-based modeling and provides funding for technology needed to meet these targets. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions for renewable and carbon-free resources and includes provisions for agencies to consider technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness when meeting these energy standards.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 139: Relating to: slavery or involuntary servitude in punishment of a crime (first consideration).

This bill proposes adding a clause to the state constitution that explicitly prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime where the person has been duly convicted. The amendment would modify the existing constitutional language to clarify that the exception for criminal punishment remains in place. If approved by voters, it would codify a long-standing legal principle into the state's fundamental law. The measure is currently in the legislative process and has not yet been adopted.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 145: Relating to: state contracts for stationery and printing (first consideration).

This bill proposes amending the state constitution to require that all stationery and printing contracts for state use be awarded to the lowest bidder operating within the state, unless federal law or international agreements prohibit it. It allows the legislature to set a maximum price for these contracts and prohibits any state legislators or officers from having a financial interest in such agreements. The measure would be submitted to voters at the next general election after a three-month public notice period.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1158: Relating to: reporting of mass communications.

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.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1147: Relating to: limitation on retroactive claim denials under health insurance policies.

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.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1166: Relating to: use of autonomous devices equipped with weapons by law enforcement agencies.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1087: Relating to: disrupting access to a reproductive health service facility or place of religious worship and providing a penalty.

This bill creates new criminal penalties and civil remedies for intentionally disrupting access to reproductive health service facilities or places of religious worship. It prohibits actions such as using force or physical obstruction to injure, intimidate, or interfere with individuals seeking or providing reproductive health services, as well as damaging property at these locations. Violations are classified as a Class A misdemeanor for first offenses and a Class I felony for repeat offenses. The legislation also allows affected individuals and entities to file civil lawsuits seeking injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees, while permitting prosecutors to seek civil forfeitures ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1202: Relating to: reporting a contributor’s place of employment.

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.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1131: Relating to: requiring an employer to provide reasonable break time and accommodations for an employee who is breastfeeding the employee’s child to express breast milk for the child. (FE)

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results