SB 1069 creates a $5 million biennial grant program for Wisconsin's private nonprofit institutions of higher education (specifically those in the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities) to fund new academic programs or public infrastructure projects that address workforce needs. The program requires institutions to match each grant dollar-for-dollar with their own funding and demonstrate a plan for the initiative to become self-sustaining through tuition or other revenue after launch. Grants are capped so no single institution receives more than 10% of the total annual funding. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will administer the program, with funds appropriated under statute 20.192(1)(d).
AB 1048 repeals statute 66.0104, which governed local regulations of landlords. This procedural bill removes an existing legal provision without creating new rules or directly affecting landlords, tenants, or local governments. It was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Housing Committee. The bill's sole action is eliminating the referenced statute from the code.
SB 1019 creates a voluntary registration program for commercial deicer applicators (businesses that apply deicers for hire on private property, excluding government employees). To register, applicators must complete department-approved training, pass an exam, and maintain records of deicer types, amounts, and weather conditions used for three years. Registered applicators gain limited liability protection if they follow approved methods and provide proof of registration in legal disputes, but this protection doesn’t apply for reckless conduct or failure to use approved methods. The bill requires annual reporting of deicer usage to the department and allows registration revocation for non-compliance.
SB 1060 modifies how sharp-tailed grouse hunting permits are managed and funded. It directs $7 from each permit's processing fee toward permit administration and grouse management/research (specifically under new section 20.370). The bill also updates permit allocation rules: applicants earn preference points for prior unissued permits, with random selection used when demand exceeds supply, and establishes separate resident/nonresident permit quotas that can be reallocated if demand is low in one category. Processing fees for these permits are adjusted to $9.75 (section 29.563 (14)(a) 3.).
AB 1090 establishes a statewide policy to prevent and end homelessness, requiring specific strategies for older adults. It creates a property tax credit for Wisconsin seniors aged 65 or older who own their primary home, allowing them to claim a credit equal to the increase in their annual property taxes compared to the previous year. The credit is funded through a state appropriation, with eligibility limited to full-time homeowners who file tax claims, excluding part-year residents and nonresidents. The bill also amends statutes to integrate this credit into the state’s tax code under section 71.07(8d).
SB 975 regulates virtual currency kiosks - machines that exchange cash for cryptocurrency or vice versa - by requiring operators to obtain licenses and implement strict fraud prevention measures. It mandates a prominent, upfront warning about scams (e.g., impersonating officials), verifies customer identities via ID and photos, and limits daily transactions to $500 with fees capped at $5 or 3% of the amount. Operators must provide refunds for fraudulent transactions reported within 30 days and display customer service contact information. The law directly affects kiosk businesses and their customers, focusing on transparency and reducing scam-related losses through concrete operational rules.
AB 1062 prohibits former members of the Public Service Commission from working for 36 months with investor-owned public utilities or transmission companies in roles involving policy-making, executive decisions, operations management, or government relations. It directly affects former commissioners who seek employment in these specific high-level positions within utility companies. The law applies retroactively to those who left the Commission within the 12 months before the bill's effective date. This restriction aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest by limiting immediate post-Commission employment in regulated utility sectors.
SB 1030 revises the membership structure of the Cosmetology Examining Board within the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The bill requires the board to have exactly nine members: four licensed cosmetologists/aestheticians, one public member, one private cosmetology school representative, one public cosmetology school representative, one licensed electrologist, and one licensed manicurist. It also prohibits more than four board members from having financial ties to cosmetology schools. This change directly affects who serves on the board and the composition of the licensing oversight body for cosmetology professionals.
SB 1055 increases funding for home-delivered meal programs by $250,000 for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This bill directly affects existing home-delivered meal services, primarily supporting seniors and vulnerable individuals who rely on these programs. The key provision amends the state budget to add the specified funds to the department of health services' appropriation under Section 46.80(5)(a). The funding boost aims to expand meal availability without creating new programs or changing eligibility rules.
SB 1040 creates a new priority category in the state's broadband grant program for projects installing fiber optic lines directly to farms. It defines "farm" using existing agricultural land classifications (Wis. Adm. Code § Tax 18.05) and specifies that such projects will be prioritized under statute 196.504 (2)(c)1.i. This bill directly affects farm owners seeking broadband infrastructure funding by changing how grant applications are evaluated. The bill does not create new funding but alters the selection criteria for existing broadband expansion grants.
AB 1046 changes the composition of the Cosmetology Examining Board by specifying that its nine members must include four licensed aestheticians or cosmetologists, one public member, one private school representative, one public school representative, one licensed electrologist, and one licensed manicurist. The bill also limits board members with financial ties to cosmetology schools to no more than four. It includes special provisions allowing the governor to provisionally appoint the initial manicurist member until confirmed by the Senate, with that member serving until July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects the makeup and appointment process of the state board overseeing cosmetology licensing.
This bill requires Wisconsin's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) to reimburse providers for maternal mental health screenings during pregnancy. It also mandates that all health insurance plans covering maternity must include these screenings as a standard benefit, with no cost to the patient. The law specifies that screenings can be provided by licensed midwives, nurse-midwives, or other qualified healthcare providers. It includes a requirement for the state to develop screening standards in consultation with organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. Coverage requirements will take effect for most plans starting September 1, 2026.
