Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 137: Relating to: celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the American Birkebeiner and proclaiming February 16 to 22, 2026, as American Birkebeiner Week in Wisconsin.

AJR 137 is a ceremonial joint resolution designating February 16-22, 2026, as "American Birkebeiner Week" in Wisconsin to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the American Birkebeiner ski race. The resolution recognizes the event’s significance as North America’s largest cross-country ski race, its economic impact on Sawyer and Bayfield Counties (attracting 35,000+ spectators and 100,000 annual trail visitors), and its role in promoting community and active lifestyles through the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. It does not create new laws or alter policies but formally acknowledges the event’s contributions to Wisconsin’s culture and economy. The resolution was introduced in 2026 and referred to committee.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1007: Relating to: administration of the veterans at risk alert system.

AB 1007 amends the definition of "veteran at risk" in Wisconsin law to explicitly include active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces, National Guard, or military reserves who have service-related physical or mental health conditions. The bill clarifies that a person qualifies as "at risk" based on information provided in a report about such conditions. This change directly affects military service members and veterans who may be identified through the existing veterans at risk alert system. The amendment refines the eligibility criteria for the system without creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 968: Relating to: funding for the Family Foundations home visitation program for social media education and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 968 increases funding by $500,000 for the Family Foundations home visitation program in fiscal year 2026-27. This specifically expands parental education on social media's effects on children and healthy social media practices within the existing home visitation program. The bill directly affects parents participating in the program and their children, through enhanced educational resources provided during home visits. It makes a concrete policy change by appropriating additional state funds to support this targeted educational component.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 955: Relating to: Internet crimes against children law enforcement and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 955 allocates an additional $400,000 annually for the Department of Justice's Internet Crimes Against Children unit, covering fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This funding increase supports existing law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute online crimes targeting children. The bill does not create new laws or policies but provides specific budgetary resources for current operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 978: Relating to: online services accessed by minors, minors’ personal data, and granting rule-making authority.

SB 978 requires online services likely accessed by minors (like social media or games) to design features that protect young users. It prohibits features causing "compulsive use" (e.g., endless scrolling) and restricts collecting sensitive data like biometrics or genetic information without clear consent. Businesses must set default privacy settings to the most protective level for minors and cannot use algorithmic recommendations to target them in ways that disrupt daily activities. The law also gives state agencies authority to create rules for identifying minors and enforcing these requirements, applying to businesses generating most revenue from online services in the state.

Topics ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 973: Relating to: the name of the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. (FE)

SB 973 is a procedural bill that changes the official name of the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board to the "Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Strengthening Families Board" across multiple statutes. It does not alter the board's duties, funding, or operations - only updates its name in legal references. The bill affects no new groups or policies; it is purely a technical renaming for consistency in state law. This change was introduced in the 2026 legislature and referred to the Mental Health Committee.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1009: Relating to: the sale, service, and labeling of food products containing lab-grown milk and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 1009 requires clear labeling for food products containing lab-grown milk (defined as liquid replicating milk but not from mammals). It mandates that such products display "lab-grown milk" prominently on labels, include full ingredient lists, and use 20-point type for separate components containing it. The bill prohibits using lab-grown milk as a milk substitute in restaurants unless ordered by a customer, and bans its use in state institutions (like hospitals or prisons) except for specific health needs. Violations carry fines of $100-$500 for first offenses and $500-$1,000 for repeat offenses. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers selling these products.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 995: Relating to: funding for individual income tax rebates and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 995 would appropriate state funds to cover individual income tax rebates for 2026, directly affecting eligible Wisconsin residents who qualify for these rebates under prior law. The bill creates a new statutory provision requiring the state to allocate sufficient funding to make these rebate payments. It references a 2025 legislative act that established the rebate program but does not change the rebate eligibility or amounts. The bill is currently pending in the Agriculture and Revenue Committee after a committee recommendation for passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1: Relating to: onetime individual income tax rebates. (FE)

SB 1 provides a one-time tax rebate to Wisconsin taxpayers who filed individual income tax returns for 2023-2024. Eligible married couples filing jointly receive $1,000, while other individuals receive $500, capped at their actual tax liability for that period. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will automatically identify eligible taxpayers and issue payments by September 15, 2026, with a claim process available through December 31, 2026, for those who don’t receive the full amount. The bill applies specific tax refund procedures to these rebates, treating them as tax liabilities under existing Wisconsin law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 135: Relating to: paying tribute to the entire Polish community that has lived in Wisconsin for 180 years and contributed to its strength.

AJR 135 is a commemorative resolution honoring Wisconsin's Polish community for 180 years of residence and contributions. It formally recognizes the historical significance of Polish immigrants who arrived seeking freedom after Poland's partition, and acknowledges their cultural enrichment of Wisconsin. The resolution pays tribute to the community's enduring legacy, including figures like Polish-American heroes and refugees from historical events like the January Uprising and the Września Children's Strike. This non-binding resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the community's historical impact.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 986: Relating to: requirements for state lottery drawings. (FE)

SB 986 modifies state lottery drawing requirements by requiring all drawings to use random selection methods (via mechanical, electrical, or computerized systems) and mandating annual independent audits. The bill replaces outdated language with new provisions that specify drawing randomness and require yearly reviews of security, technology, and randomly selected drawings by an outside firm. It directly affects the state lottery department, which must implement these changes to ensure transparency and security in its operations. The bill focuses solely on procedural updates to lottery administration without altering prize structures or public participation.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 966: Relating to: water diversion or elevation projects in towns.

This bill requires towns to approve water diversion or elevation projects before they can proceed. Specifically, it mandates that town boards must pass a resolution approving projects using pumps or other methods to divert water to unnatural locations or raise water levels above natural elevations. Exceptions only apply during emergencies. The law directly affects developers, municipalities, and property owners involved in such water projects within town boundaries. It creates a new requirement (Section 31.16) that replaces previous departmental authority for these projects.

Bill results