Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1016: Relating to: funding for child care provider workforce training and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 1016 allocates $2,166,600 annually for two fiscal years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to fund workforce training for child care providers and prospective providers. The bill creates a new funding line (20.437(2)(d)) under the Department of Children and Families, directing these funds toward contracts focused specifically on training child care staff. It directly affects licensed child care providers and those seeking to enter the field by providing financial support for their professional development. The bill establishes a dedicated funding stream but does not change eligibility rules or create new regulatory requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Karen Kirsch (D) Maureen McCarville (D) Alex Joers (D) Francesca Hong (D) Tara Johnson (D)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1026: Relating to: interest rates on late, nondelinquent taxes and on overpayments. (FE)

AB 1026 updates interest rate calculations for tax payments and refunds in Wisconsin. It sets a 1% monthly interest rate (12% annually) on underpaid estimated taxes due between June 15 and payment date, and requires 12% annual interest during tax filing extensions for corporations and pass-through entities. The bill also mandates that the Department of Revenue (DOR) pays 3% annual interest on tax overpayments. These changes affect taxpayers filing returns, including corporations, pass-through entities, and individuals who use federal tax extension periods. The bill clarifies existing interest rate provisions across multiple tax statutes without altering tax obligations.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1024: Relating to: the sale, service, and labeling of food products containing lab-grown milk and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 1024 requires food products containing lab-grown milk (defined as milk replicated without mammal harvesting) to be prominently labeled with the phrase "lab-grown milk" in large, contrasting text on packaging. It mandates full ingredient lists and specific labeling for multi-component products. The bill prohibits using lab-grown milk as a milk substitute in restaurants without customer order and restricts its use in state institutions like schools or hospitals without medical authorization. Violations carry fines of $100-$500 for first offenses and up to $1,000 for repeat violations. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1014: Relating to: ratification of the Interstate Massage Compact. (FE)

AB 1014 ratifies Wisconsin's participation in the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact), allowing massage therapists licensed in other participating states to practice in Wisconsin with a multistate license. This directly affects licensed massage therapists and the state's massage therapy credentialing board, which will manage the new licensing system. The bill creates a commission to oversee the compact and updates licensing definitions to recognize "multistate licenses" granted under the compact, replacing some single-state licensing requirements. It also clarifies that the licensing board may not deny licenses based on certain criminal convictions when evaluating multistate applicants.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1021: Relating to: agricultural damage caused by elk.

AB 1021 requires the state department to include agricultural landowners affected by elk damage on its advisory committee. It mandates that the department remove elk causing property damage within 48 hours of receiving a notice from a landowner. The bill also exempts landowners seeking damage compensation from needing to allow hunting on their property as part of the claim process. These changes directly affect farmers and ranchers experiencing elk-related crop or property damage. The bill creates specific statutory provisions to expedite damage response and simplify compensation claims.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1017: Relating to: child care subsidies for custodial parents who are child care employees and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 1017 creates a new child care subsidy program specifically for custodial parents who work as employees in child care facilities. It allows these parents to qualify for subsidies under revised eligibility rules, bypassing standard income and asset requirements that typically apply to other subsidy recipients. The bill appropriates $1.2 million in fiscal year 2025-26 for administrative costs related to this new program. This directly affects parents employed by child care providers who have primary custody of children under 13 (or 19 if disabled) and meet the new eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1009: Relating to: tourism promotion improvement districts. (FE)

AB 1009 creates a framework for local governments to establish "tourism promotion improvement districts" to fund tourism marketing and infrastructure. It directly affects hotels and motels within designated districts, requiring at least 50% of room owners to petition for creation and approve an operating plan detailing improvements, activities, and financing. Key provisions include setting a 5-year maximum assessment period (10 years for renewals), capping fees for payment processing at 5%, and mandating public hearings before district approval. The bill enables districts to fund tourism promotions and infrastructure (like visitor centers) through business assessments, with all details of costs and benefits outlined in the approved operating plan.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1020: Relating to: designating and marking memorial highways for state troopers.

AB 1020 designates specific highway segments in Wisconsin as "Memorial Highways" honoring eight fallen state troopers, naming each route after a trooper (e.g., STH 23 near Green Lake for Trooper Donald C. Pederson). The bill requires the state transportation department to install commemorative signs on these routes only if sufficient private contributions cover all costs - no state funds may be used. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes to transportation or law enforcement, directly affecting the named highways and the troopers' families.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 136: Relating to: the right to privacy (first consideration).

AJR 136 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new Section 1m to Article I of the state constitution, stating: "As a necessary part of a free society, the people have an individual and fundamental right to privacy." This resolution, introduced by multiple assembly members and senators, would establish this privacy right as a fundamental constitutional protection for all residents. The bill requires voter approval at the next general election, as it must be referred to voters following a three-month publication period. It does not create immediate legal requirements but proposes a foundational constitutional change.

Topics ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1019: Relating to: state parks vehicle admission receipts purchased with motor vehicle registration.

AB 1019 allows vehicle owners to purchase an annual state park admission receipt when registering or renewing their vehicle license. It adds a line on vehicle registration forms where owners can choose to pay an additional fee (with discounts for seniors or those with existing park passes). The collected fees are deposited quarterly into the conservation fund, specifically for state parks, recreation areas, and forest lands. This affects all vehicle owners in the state during registration, streamlining park access without requiring separate purchases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1030: Relating to: increasing the earned income tax credit for families with fewer than three children. (FE)

AB 1030 increases the state earned income tax credit for low-income working families with fewer than three children. Starting in 2026, eligible individuals will receive a credit equal to 34% of the federal earned income credit (if they have children) or 15% (if they have no children), up from previous rates. This policy directly benefits qualifying working adults and families who earn below certain income thresholds. The change applies to tax returns filed for years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1000: Relating to: prohibiting education employers from entering into certain agreements related to information about alleged immoral conduct by an employee and civil immunity for information provided to a prospective employer.

SB 1000 prohibits education employers (like school boards, charter schools, and qualifying private schools) from including clauses in agreements (such as termination or severance contracts) that hide information about investigations into alleged immoral conduct by employees. It requires employers to retain such information unless findings are later deemed false or unsubstantiated. The bill also grants civil immunity to education employers who share verified information about an employee's conduct - including alleged immoral conduct - with prospective employers upon request. This protects employers from lawsuits when providing such information, while ensuring transparency about workplace conduct during employment transitions.

Bill results