SB 882 amends Wisconsin sentencing laws to specifically address individuals under 18 convicted of crimes. It requires courts to consider designated mitigating factors and relevant information (such as youth-related circumstances) when determining release eligibility for "youthful offenders" under sections 973.014 and 973.018. The bill creates new procedural requirements for parole commissions, including mandatory consideration of these factors and written reasons for denials with reconsideration timelines. These changes apply to juvenile offenders sentenced under the specified statutes, focusing on release decisions rather than sentencing ranges.
AB 888 creates a new state-funded program providing $1.5 million annually in grants to public or private organizations for training workers in green jobs. Green jobs are defined as roles in renewable energy (like solar/wind) or environmental services that conserve resources or benefit the environment. Organizations receiving grants must provide matching funds, and the Department of Workforce Development will track outcomes like employment rates and wage changes for participants. The funding comes from the state's workforce development budget and requires annual reporting on program impact.
AB 887 adds the Platteville Veteran's Memorial in Grant County to official Wisconsin state highway maps. The bill requires the memorial's location to be marked on all future highway maps published after the law takes effect. This is a procedural change that directly affects how the memorial is identified on public transportation maps, with no financial or policy impact beyond map notation.
AB 891 eliminates the "personal conviction" exemption from school immunization requirements in Wisconsin. It directly affects students attending public or private schools, child care centers, and nurseries, as well as their parents or guardians. The bill amends statutes (49.155 and 252.04) to restrict immunization waivers solely to health or religious reasons, removing the option for parents to cite personal beliefs as a justification. Schools must now inform families of this limited waiver process when notifying them about immunization requirements. This is a concrete policy change to narrow exemptions, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
SB 878 creates a new grant program to fund planning for regional biodigesters, which convert organic waste into renewable energy. It allocates $250,000 annually from the environmental fund for planning grants, specifically for establishing these facilities. The Department of Agriculture would administer the grants and develop rules for the program. This bill directly affects entities seeking to develop regional biodigester infrastructure, providing funding for initial planning stages. The legislation focuses on creating a structured process for grant distribution without specifying recipient eligibility.
This bill creates a new regulatory category for pharmacies operating without a pharmacist physically present ("remote dispensing sites" or "remotely supervised pharmacies"). It allows the pharmacy board to establish specific rules for these sites, potentially exempting them from standard pharmacy requirements that apply to traditional locations. The law clarifies that such sites will not be classified as community or institutional pharmacies under existing rules. These changes streamline oversight for remote pharmacy operations while maintaining separate regulatory treatment.
SB 834 creates a new $2 million grant program to support parent and guardian volunteer programs in schools, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The bill directs the Department of Public Instruction to award grants to public school districts, charter schools, and participating private schools that meet specific program criteria. These grants will fund initiatives designed to encourage or allow parents and guardians to volunteer in elementary and secondary schools. The program requires the department to develop implementing rules and is funded through an appropriation in the 2026-27 state budget.
SB 833 creates a $2 million appropriation for school counseling grants starting in the 2026-27 school year. It directly affects licensed school counselors (those holding a department-issued license under Wis. Admin. Code PI 34.059) by providing funds for their continuing education in mental and behavioral health. The bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to develop a program and promulgate rules to administer these grants. The funding is specifically allocated for counselor training costs, with no additional requirements or eligibility criteria detailed in the bill text.
SB 836 requires the Department of Justice to create and provide free prerecorded audio messages for schools to use during lockdowns. It directly affects all public, private, and tribal schools in the state by mandating that these standardized messages be incorporated into school safety plans if lockdown procedures are included. The bill’s key provision amends existing law to require schools to use this specific audio message for lockdown announcements, replacing potentially inconsistent or unclear verbal instructions. This creates a uniform, accessible communication method during emergencies without altering lockdown protocols themselves. The bill focuses solely on standardizing the announcement mechanism, not on changing safety procedures or funding.
SB 848 allows the City of Milwaukee to install utility lines (water, gas, sewer, or heat) connecting to homes without the property owner's permission under specific conditions. It applies to properties owned by non-residents where the city has made at least three reasonable contact attempts and has permission from a tenant. The bill explicitly prohibits the city from charging property owners for these installations, shifting costs away from residents. This change affects Milwaukee properties with absentee owners and tenants who consent to the work, streamlining utility infrastructure updates.
SB 835 requires school districts in Wisconsin to add specific procedures to their safety plans. It mandates that schools must inform students and families when a safety event occurs, and hold debriefings with students, staff, and families after such events. These changes apply directly to all public school districts and their safety planning processes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, updating existing guidelines for emergency response and communication.
SB 820 gives the state superintendent of public instruction (or their designee) the authority to issue subpoenas during investigations into revoking professional licenses for incompetency or immoral conduct. The bill creates new statute sections (115.31(2c) and 885.01(6)) allowing the superintendent to compel witness testimony or document production using subpoenas in the same format as those authorized under section 885.02. This directly affects license holders facing potential revocation and streamlines investigations by providing clear subpoena authority. The bill does not change license standards or revocation criteria, only the process for gathering evidence during investigations.
