SB 184 would prevent Wisconsin state agencies and local governments from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles or other devices based on their energy source (such as gasoline, electricity, or hydrogen). It specifically prohibits rules that ban or limit vehicles/devices due to their power source, though government fleets may still select energy types for their own purchases. The law would apply to all state and local regulations, including those governing vehicle access, sales, or device usage. This bill aimed to remove barriers for alternative-energy vehicles in public policy contexts.
SB 25 would require courts to defer to a district attorney's determination that there is no basis to prosecute a law enforcement officer involved in a death. Specifically, it prohibits judges from issuing criminal complaints against such officers unless new or unused evidence is presented, after the district attorney has already concluded there is no case to pursue. The bill directly affects officers in officer-involved death cases defined under Wisconsin law (s. 175.47 (1) (c)). This change shifts authority from courts to district attorneys in determining whether charges proceed, streamlining the process for cases where prosecutors have already declined to file.
SB 76 requires courts to approve any dismissal or amendment of criminal charges for specific "covered crimes" (like domestic abuse violations, certain traffic offenses, or crimes under Chapter 948). Prosecutors must provide reasons for seeking such changes, and courts can only approve if the action aligns with deterring these offenses. The bill also prohibits deferred prosecution agreements for these crimes and mandates annual court reports detailing approved dismissals. This directly affects prosecutors, courts, and defendants charged with the listed offenses.
AB 146 would require Wisconsin employers to provide written reasons for objecting to unemployment insurance claims and give them at least 12 business days to respond to information requests from the unemployment department. The department would also be permitted to seek additional details directly from employees about their eligibility, employment, or wages. This bill applies to claims filed for weeks beginning after its effective date, affecting employers, the unemployment department, and employees involved in claims. It modifies the existing process for handling claim disputes without changing benefit eligibility rules.
AB 39 requires most Wisconsin state employees to work at their agency's office for at least 80% of their regularly scheduled work hours each month. This applies to all state agencies, including departments and boards, but excludes employees whose duties were performed off-site before March 1, 2020, and staff from the investment board. The law mandates in-office work during standard hours, with exceptions for pre-pandemic remote work patterns. It takes effect on December 31, 2025, and does not apply to legislative or judicial staff.
AB 281 requires state agencies and contractors to verify employees' work eligibility through the federal E-Verify program before hiring or awarding government contracts. It prohibits contracts with employers not enrolled in E-Verify or who knowingly hire workers flagged as ineligible by the program. Contracts must include written verification statements, and violations require immediate termination without liability for uncompleted work. The law applies to state procurement, construction, and local government hiring, but stops if the federal E-Verify program ends.
SB 622 revises annual fee structures for animal market operators, dealers, and truckers in Wisconsin. It establishes three new market license classes: Class A ($420/year, allows livestock/auction sales any day), Class B ($220/year, limits auctions to 4 days), and Class E ($280/year, limited to equine sales only). The bill also creates a $20 annual fee for each registered animal transport vehicle and repeals outdated reinspection fee provisions. These changes directly affect businesses operating animal markets, dealers, and transporters by clarifying licensing requirements and standardizing fees.
SB 610 increases the maximum prison sentence for distributing methamphetamine or similar drugs near homeless shelters. If someone distributes these drugs within 1,000 feet of a homeless shelter - knowing or reasonably aware the shelter is nearby - their maximum prison term rises by 5 years. The bill specifically targets violations of drug distribution laws (Section 961.65) occurring in these proximity circumstances. This policy change directly affects individuals convicted of such drug distribution offenses near shelters, without altering existing penalties for other drug offenses.
SB 405 creates a legal right for minors injured by gender transition procedures to sue healthcare providers for physical, psychological, emotional, or physiological harm. The bill defines "gender transition procedure" broadly (including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones) but excludes treatments for certain medical conditions like disorders of sexual development. It requires providers to document a minor's gender identity for two years, obtain certification from multiple healthcare professionals confirming the procedure is the only treatment for a mental health concern, and provide specific risk warnings to minors and parents before consent. The law allows lawsuits to be filed before the minor turns 33, with defenses available if providers follow the required documentation and consent protocols.
AB 457 would allow California school districts to adopt resolutions exceeding their legally set revenue limits under specific, defined conditions. It directly affects school districts seeking flexibility to spend more than their allocated budget for certain needs, such as addressing unexpected costs or funding critical projects. The bill establishes clear criteria and procedures districts must follow to request and receive approval for exceeding revenue limits. Currently, the bill has passed the Education Committee and is pending further review by the Rules Committee, but it has not yet become law.
AB 326 creates a program providing grants to small local governments (populations under 7,500) to cover costs for grant writing and compliance assistance services. Grants up to $5,000 can be used for securing funding related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility costs, or cybersecurity projects. The program requires a simple application listing only basic details (project purpose, contact info, and estimated costs) and prioritizes first-time applicants. A report evaluating the program must be submitted by December 2028.
AB 460 changes eligibility rules for parental choice education programs (like school vouchers or education savings accounts). It allows a student to qualify for such a program if a sibling or dependent child of their parent/guardian is already enrolled in the program. This directly affects families with multiple children, making it easier for additional children in the same household to access these programs once one child qualifies. The bill is currently under review by the Rules Committee after passing the Education Committee.
