Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 127: Relating to: prohibiting the governor from using the partial veto to create or increase any tax or fee (second consideration).

AJR 127 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit the governor from using a partial veto to create or increase any tax or fee. If approved by voters, it would amend the state constitution to restrict the governor's partial veto power specifically regarding tax or fee increases. This change would directly affect the governor's authority when reviewing budget bills containing tax or fee provisions. The amendment is currently moving toward a voter referendum in November 2026, following legislative approval. It does not change current law but would require voter ratification to become effective.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Barbara Dittrich (R) Scott Allen (R) Dan Knodl (R) Ron Tusler (R) Dave Murphy (R)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 856: Relating to: climate change scholarships and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 856 creates a new $5 million annual scholarship program (biennially) to support Wisconsin students pursuing climate-related education. It directly affects Wisconsin residents enrolled in eligible higher education institutions - such as UW System campuses, technical colleges, tribal colleges, or private nonprofits - who study fields addressing climate change. The program awards up to $5,000 per academic year, with half of scholarships based on merit and half on financial need. Funding comes from the state's Higher Educational Aids Board budget, and students with unresolved child support liens may qualify only if they provide approved payment agreements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 830: Relating to: defining “direct result” for purposes of the affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking.

SB 830 clarifies the legal standard for human trafficking victims to use an "affirmative defense" when charged with crimes committed while escaping trafficking. It defines a crime as a "direct result" of trafficking if it has a clear causal link to the trafficking violation (not caused by other factors), occurs near the trafficking incident, and is necessary to escape or stop the trafficking. This applies specifically to victims of violations under statutes 940.302(2) or 948.051, removing the previous requirement that the trafficking perpetrator be prosecuted. The bill ensures victims cannot be punished for actions taken to survive trafficking, focusing on the immediate connection between the crime and the trafficking incident.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 854: Relating to: county conservation staff for climate change resiliency purposes and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 854 creates a new funding line to support county conservation staff focused on climate change resiliency. It directly affects counties with approved land and water resource management plans, requiring them to request funding for climate-focused personnel in annual grant applications. The bill adds a specific appropriation of $1.8 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year under statute 20.115(7)(f) for "soil and water management; climate change personnel." This establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for counties to hire or retain staff addressing climate impacts, separate from existing conservation program funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 875: Relating to: county conservation staff for climate change resiliency purposes and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 875 creates a new funding line for county conservation staff focused on climate change resiliency. It directly affects counties that have approved land and water conservation plans and choose to allocate matching funds. The bill adds "climate change personnel" as a specific budget item under soil and water management, requiring counties to specifically request funding for these roles in their annual grant applications to the Department of Agriculture. This changes how counties can use state grants by mandating explicit requests for climate-focused staff positions within their conservation planning process. The bill appropriates $1.8 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year for this purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 883: Relating to: limiting the use of automatic registration plate readers.

AB 883 bans most uses of automatic license plate readers (devices that capture plate images and convert them to data) by prohibiting their use except for three specific purposes: parking enforcement, controlling access to enclosed private areas with limited entry points, and verifying commercial vehicle compliance at weigh stations. The bill requires that any data collected under these exceptions cannot be shared for other purposes and must be deleted after 90 days. This law directly affects government agencies, private parking facilities, and property managers who previously used such technology for general surveillance or data retention.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 862: Relating to: consideration of climate change in certain local plans and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 862 creates a state grant program to help local governments (counties, cities, towns, and regional planning commissions) cover the full cost of including climate change considerations in specific planning documents. The bill requires these local governments to consider climate change effects in comprehensive plans, community health improvement plans, and hazard mitigation plans to the extent practicable. Funding for the grants comes from a new state appropriation, with the department determining the grant amount based on the cost of climate considerations for each plan.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 859: Relating to: the reimbursement rate for special education costs and school age parents programs and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 859 adjusts the state reimbursement rate for special education and school-age parent program costs. It sets the reimbursement rate at 42% of eligible costs for the 2025-26 school year, increasing to 45% for the 2026-27 school year and all subsequent years. The bill applies to costs covered under sections 115.88(1m)-(3), (6), (8), 115.93, and 118.255(4), which include services for students in hospitals, convalescent homes, and school programs. This change directly affects school districts and programs providing these services by altering the state's financial contribution toward their expenses. The bill amends statutes to ensure state funds are distributed according to these revised percentages.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 857: Relating to: the Energy Innovation Grant Program and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 857 establishes the Energy Innovation Grant Program, allocating $10 million annually for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. The program is administered by the Office of Energy Innovation within the Public Service Commission to fund energy innovation projects. It creates new statutory references (20.155(3)(e) and 196.379) to formalize the grant program and its funding structure. This bill directly affects the Public Service Commission and its Office of Energy Innovation by providing dedicated funding for energy-related grants. The program does not specify eligible projects or recipients, only creating the funding mechanism and administrative structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 843: Relating to: citizenship as a requirement to be employed as a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer.

AB 843 would require all law enforcement officers and tribal law enforcement officers in the state to be U.S. citizens. This bill directly affects individuals seeking or currently holding these law enforcement positions, including tribal officers. The key provision creates a new statutory requirement stating: "No person may be employed as a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer unless that person is a citizen of the United States." The bill does not alter existing hiring practices for other public safety roles, focusing solely on citizenship as a mandatory qualification for these specific law enforcement positions.

Topics ✗ Immigration

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 861: Relating to: the civil causes of action for human trafficking and trafficking a child.

AB 861 extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child trafficking. It allows victims to file lawsuits for damages before reaching age 35, instead of the previous deadline. The bill specifically creates new legal provisions (895.439(2) and 893.586) to clarify this timeline for child trafficking cases. It does not change criminal penalties but ensures victims have more time to pursue civil claims, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed. The law directly affects minors who were trafficked and now have until their 35th birthday to seek legal remedies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 872: Relating to: the Energy Innovation Grant Program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 872 creates a new Energy Innovation Grant Program to fund projects advancing clean energy technologies. It allocates $10 million annually for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years, directly supporting the Office of Energy Innovation within the Public Service Commission. The program allows the agency to distribute grants for innovative energy solutions, with no specific project types or recipient criteria detailed in the bill. This is a funding measure with no voting record yet, as the bill was introduced on January 16, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill results