Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1131: Relating to: penalties for certain offenses related to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, restrictions related to ignition interlock devices, and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill amends Wisconsin statutes to increase penalties for repeat offenders convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. It directly affects individuals with two or more prior DWI convictions within a 10-year period, as well as those with a lifetime history of alcohol-related driving offenses. The key changes include mandating longer license revocations ranging from one to two years, adjusting fine amounts, and establishing specific eligibility timelines for obtaining occupational licenses after revocation periods. The legislation also clarifies how prior convictions and suspensions are counted toward triggering these enhanced penalties, while allowing counties to offer reduced minimum jail sentences if offenders successfully complete alcohol and drug treatment programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1098: Relating to: depositing tires on private property and providing a penalty.

This bill makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally leave four or more tires on someone else's private property. It requires the person who committed the violation to pay the property owner the actual cost of properly disposing of the tires. The law creates new sections in the state statutes to establish these penalties and restitution requirements. The measure aims to address the problem of abandoned tires on private land by providing clear legal consequences for offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1154: Relating to: firearm transfers and possession that are prohibited under federal law. (FE)

This bill amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify how firearm transfers and possession are prohibited under federal law, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse. It reorganizes and updates definitions of "domestic abuse" and "dating relationship" to include individuals with whom the actor has a dating relationship or resides, ensuring broader protection for victims. The legislation also adjusts related criminal statutes to align with these updated definitions, though it failed to pass in the 2026 session.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1094: Relating to: dissemination of personally identifying information of an officer and providing a penalty.

This bill creates a new criminal offense for knowingly sharing personally identifying information about law enforcement officers online. It directly affects anyone who posts details like names, addresses, or other identifying data about police, correctional, or federal officers on public internet sites or forums. The law specifically prohibits sharing such information when done with the intent to intimidate, threaten, harass, or obstruct the officer's duties. Violating this provision would result in a Class H felony charge. The bill defines "officer" broadly to include various types of law enforcement personnel operating within the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1116: Relating to: installation of a newborn infant safety device at an emergency medical services station.

This bill updates Wisconsin statutes to allow hospitals, fire stations, emergency medical services stations, and law enforcement agencies to install newborn infant safety devices for surrendering babies. The law defines these devices as wall-mounted units with separate exterior and interior access points and requires them to be monitored 24 hours a day with surveillance cameras. It also permits parents unable to reach a designated surrender location to call 911 for assistance in relinquishing custody of their newborn. The bill establishes specific operational requirements for facilities that choose to use these devices, including regular physical checks and alarm system testing.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1138: Relating to: banning products containing intentionally added PFAS and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill would ban the sale of products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting in 2032, covering items like food packaging, cookware, cosmetics, and textiles used in homes. It requires manufacturers to submit detailed information about PFAS use in their products and allows the state to add more product categories to the ban through future rules. A complete ban on all intentionally added PFAS would take effect in 2038, except for uses deemed necessary for public safety or the environment. The law includes exemptions for medical devices, firefighting foam, and products governed by federal law, with a penalty of $100 per violating product per day for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1178: Relating to: creating the Wisconsin Climate Corps program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill establishes the Wisconsin Climate Corps program, a state initiative designed to create jobs in environmental restoration, home weatherization, and climate resilience projects while providing employment training for underserved communities. The program would be managed by a nonprofit organization under the oversight of a new board that includes state officials, legislators, and representatives from conservation and youth training groups. Key provisions require that at least 50% of workers come from underserved populations, pay workers a minimum of $15 per hour, provide health insurance equivalent to a gold-level plan, and offer weekly housing stipends or accommodations. Projects would focus on activities such as planting trees, restoring natural lands, building community gardens, and improving energy efficiency in homes across both urban and rural areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1178: Relating to: regional transit authorities and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 1178 amends Wisconsin statutes to update definitions and procedures for regional transit authorities, ensuring they are recognized as eligible entities for various state programs including highway relocation orders, right-of-way applications, and employer classifications for employee benefits. The bill creates new funding mechanisms by establishing appropriation accounts to collect and distribute taxes imposed by transit authorities that choose to levy them, with a portion of those revenues retained for administrative costs. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which organizations qualify as municipalities and employers under existing laws, explicitly including transit authorities created under the specified chapter while excluding cultural arts districts from certain employer definitions. This bill does not mandate tax collection but provides the legal framework for transit authorities to adopt resolutions imposing taxes if they choose to do so.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1159: Relating to: weight limits for certain vehicles transporting maple sap or syrup. (FE)

This bill updates weight limit rules for vehicles transporting maple sap or syrup in Wisconsin. It allows these vehicles to carry heavier loads on certain state highways, with specific axle weight limits of 21,000 pounds per axle or 37,000 pounds for closely spaced axles, while excluding interstate highways from these relaxed limits. The changes aim to support maple producers by permitting more efficient transportation of their products from collection sites to storage or markets. The bill also includes a procedural provision exempting it from a standard transportation department review requirement.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1196: Relating to: authorizing a respite care provider home to be a runaway home.

This bill allows licensed respite care provider homes to temporarily house runaway children with the consent of both the child and their parent or guardian. It establishes procedures for notifying child welfare agencies when a runaway is found in such a home without parental consent and outlines how courts can designate these homes for temporary care after a child is taken into custody. The legislation applies to homes licensed under specific state statutes and requires oversight by county departments or child welfare agencies.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1107: Relating to: requiring carbon monoxide detectors in child care centers and schools, grants for placing carbon monoxide detectors in schools, and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill requires public and private elementary and secondary schools and licensed child care centers with fuel-burning appliances to install carbon monoxide detectors in rooms containing those appliances. The law specifies that detectors must be battery-powered or permanently wired with monitoring for older buildings, while newer buildings must have permanently wired, monitored detectors certified by an independent safety organization. Schools can apply for up to $3,000 grants to purchase and install these detectors, and the Department of Justice will provide annual reports on grant usage. The bill also updates maintenance requirements and allows authorized inspectors to check detector functionality in covered facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1233: Relating to: notifying a child welfare agency and a parent, guardian, and legal custodian of the presence of a child in a runaway home.

This bill requires operators of licensed runaway homes to notify child welfare agencies and a child's parents, guardians, or legal custodians when a child is sheltered there without consent. The law mandates that intake workers inform parents within 72 hours, while home operators must attempt contact every six hours until successful if the child's safety is deemed best served by notification. Additionally, if parents do not consent to the child's placement, a court hearing must be held within 24 hours to determine whether the child can remain in the home. These provisions apply specifically to licensed facilities sheltering runaway children and aim to establish clearer communication protocols between operators, welfare agencies, and families.

Bill results