Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1035: Relating to: employment by a former member of the legislature as a lobbyist.

SB 1035 creates a new statute (19.45(8m)) prohibiting former state legislators from working as lobbyists for 12 months after leaving office. This directly affects individuals who served in the legislature, preventing them from immediately transitioning to lobbying roles. The bill establishes a clear 12-month cooling-off period, defined by existing law (s. 13.62(11)), to limit potential conflicts of interest. It does not apply to other government employees or lobbyists with different backgrounds.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1010: Relating to: claims for loss of society and companionship resulting from medical malpractice. (FE)

AB 1010 allows adult and minor children to claim damages for loss of society and companionship if a parent is injured or dies due to medical malpractice. It specifically covers three situations: adult children with disabilities who relied on parental support, adult children in post-secondary education dependent on parental financial support, or children who incurred out-of-pocket medical, funeral, or legal costs. The bill creates new legal grounds for these claims while clarifying they do not replace other existing malpractice claims under Wisconsin law. It applies to cases arising after the bill's effective date.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1011: Relating to: recovery of noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases.

AB 1011 raises the cap on total noneconomic damages (such as pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life) in medical malpractice cases from $750,000 to $3,000,000 per incident. This directly affects patients who win malpractice lawsuits and healthcare providers or insurers who pay these damages. The bill amends statutes to set this new $3 million limit for all claims against health care providers or their employees for negligence occurring on or after April 6, 2006. It also updates the legislative findings to state that this amount balances victim compensation with maintaining affordable healthcare access. The bill does not change limits for economic damages (like medical costs) or alter liability rules.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 125: Relating to: the life and public service of George Meyer.

SJR 125 is a commemorative resolution honoring George Meyer, a former Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) secretary and conservation leader, for his decades of service protecting waterways, advancing tribal treaty rights, and expanding state land conservation. It was adopted by the Wisconsin Legislature to recognize his legacy following his death in 2025, citing his work on wetland regulations, mercury emissions rules, and land acquisitions during his DNR tenure (1993-2001). The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses legislative gratitude for his contributions to Wisconsin's environmental stewardship.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 932: Relating to: the legal status of artificial intelligence.

SB 932 defines artificial intelligence and explicitly states it does not have legal personhood in Wisconsin. The bill creates a new statute section that clarifies AI systems are not considered persons, cannot own property, hold titles, or serve in corporate leadership roles. It also specifies that any assets or interests generated by AI belong to the developer, manufacturer, or owner rather than the AI itself. This legislation aims to prevent AI from being granted rights or legal status similar to humans or other entities.

passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 132: Relating to: designating the month of February 2026 as Career and Technical Education Month in Wisconsin.

SJR 132 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education Month" in Wisconsin. It recognizes the value of career and technical education (CTE) programs by highlighting their role in preparing students for careers, with supporting data on high graduate employment rates (92%) and median salaries ($55,636 for certificates, $60,003 for associate degrees). The resolution has no binding effect or new funding - it simply encourages public awareness of CTE benefits. It affects all Wisconsinites by promoting statewide recognition of CTE opportunities, but does not alter existing programs or policies. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with policy changes.)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1033: Relating to: allowing more than 35 percent of the area within a tax incremental district in the Village of Somers to be used for residential use. (FE)

SB 1033 would change zoning rules for development districts in the Village of Somers by raising the maximum allowable residential land use from 35% to 50% of the district's total area. This specifically affects new residential projects within Somers' tax incremental districts, which are designated areas used to spur local economic development through tax revenue reinvestment. The bill amends a statute defining "mixed-use development" to remove the 35% cap and replace it with a 50% limit for Somers, while maintaining the 35% cap for other areas. This policy change directly modifies how residential space can be allocated in development plans approved for Somers' tax increment districts.

Topics ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 138: Relating to: designating the month of February 2026 as Career and Technical Education Month in Wisconsin.

AJR 138 designates February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education Month" in Wisconsin to raise awareness about the value of these programs. It does not create new laws or funding but symbolically recognizes how career and technical education prepares students for jobs, citing that 92% of 2024 Wisconsin Technical College graduates were employed within six months and earned median salaries of $55,636 (for certificates) or $60,030 (for associate degrees). The resolution aims to encourage state residents to learn about CTE opportunities and their role in supporting Wisconsin's workforce. This is a ceremonial designation, not a policy change.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 944: Relating to: levy increase limits in political subdivisions with qualifying parking lot redevelopment. (FE)

SB 944 adjusts how property tax limits are calculated for cities and towns (political subdivisions) that redevelop parking lots into new commercial, residential, or mixed-use buildings. Specifically, it adds 1.5 times the value increase from qualifying parking lot redevelopment to the annual development percentage used in tax levy calculations. Qualifying redevelopment requires at least 40% of the parcel area to have been paved parking in the prior year. This change applies to all political subdivisions with qualifying projects but specifically includes tax increment districts in Evansville and Stevens Point, plus new districts after 2024. The bill aims to account for redevelopment value in tax levy limits without increasing the overall tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 139: Relating to: reaffirming Wisconsin’s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan, reaffirming Wisconsin’s support for the Taiwan Relations Act, supporting Taiwan’s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States, and continuing support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile.

AJR 139 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) reaffirming Wisconsin’s longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan, marking its 40th anniversary in 2026. It supports the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act, encourages Wisconsin to explore establishing a representative office in Taiwan to boost trade and cultural exchanges, and backs efforts to advance a U.S.-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement. The resolution highlights Wisconsin’s economic ties with Taiwan, including $380 million in exports to Taiwan in 2023. It does not create new legal obligations but formally expresses legislative support for strengthening Wisconsin-Taiwan relations.

passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 133: Relating to: reaffirming Wisconsin’s commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the State of Wisconsin and Taiwan, reaffirming Wisconsin’s support for the Taiwan Relations Act, supporting Taiwan’s signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States, and continuing support for increasing Taiwan’s international profile.

SJR 133 is a symbolic resolution (not a binding law) that reaffirms Wisconsin's longstanding relationship with Taiwan. It expresses support for the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act, highlights Wisconsin's economic ties with Taiwan (including $380 million in exports to Taiwan in 2023), and encourages state agencies to explore establishing a Wisconsin representative office in Taiwan to boost trade and cultural exchanges. The resolution does not create new programs or change laws but formally endorses continued cooperation amid Taiwan's 40th anniversary of Wisconsin's sister-state relationship.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 976: Relating to: grants for community emergency medical services, grants for falls prevention awareness and initiatives, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 976 allocates $600,000 for municipal emergency medical services programs to hire full-time community paramedics or practitioners, with preference for rural, suburban, and urban programs. It creates a pilot program funding up to seven municipal EMS programs (six initial grants, one potential additional) to expand community-based emergency care. Additionally, the bill adds $200,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund statewide falls prevention awareness initiatives through the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging. These provisions directly affect municipal EMS programs seeking to hire staff and the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, which will administer falls prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Bill results