AB 167 requires the governor or state agency to notify the Joint Committee on Finance before implementing any increase to unemployment benefits above current state law (e.g., higher weekly rates or additional benefit weeks). The committee must approve such "benefit augmentations" before they take effect, and it retains the right to terminate them at any time. This applies to federally funded benefits but excludes federal extended benefits under Section 108.141. The bill also makes minor technical updates to unemployment claim requirements, such as requiring out-of-state claimants to register with local job centers. These changes aim to centralize oversight of unemployment benefit adjustments at the state level.
SB 420 prohibits cities, towns, villages, and counties from enacting "rights of nature ordinances," which are local laws granting legal rights to natural resources (like rivers or forests) to exist, be protected from pollution, or maintain healthy ecosystems. The bill directly affects local governments that might consider such ordinances. It creates a new statute (66.0132) explicitly banning these ordinances without providing exceptions. The law is purely procedural, preventing local governments from passing this specific type of ordinance.
This bill amends Wisconsin's fair employment law to prevent employers and licensing agencies from refusing employment or licenses solely because an applicant has a pending criminal charge. It allows such refusal only if the pending charge is substantially related to the specific job or licensed activity (e.g., refusing a security position for a theft charge). The law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on arrest record alone, requiring a direct job-related connection before denying employment or licensing. This directly affects job seekers and licensed professionals facing pending criminal charges who may have been automatically disqualified under previous rules. The change clarifies that pending charges cannot be the sole basis for denial without demonstrating relevance to the position.
AB 461 creates a new tax deduction for Wisconsin taxpayers who earn qualifying overtime pay. It allows individuals to subtract up to $12,500 (or $25,000 for joint filers) of overtime compensation from their taxable income, provided the overtime was reported to the IRS via standard forms (like Form 1099-NEC). The deduction phases out for higher earners: it decreases by $100 for every $1,000 their modified federal adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers). This applies only to overtime pay reported to the IRS, excluding tips, and requires taxpayers to include their Social Security number on their return.
SB 300 eliminates a 13-week cap on wage garnishment for certain debtors, meaning creditors can continue taking a portion of a debtor's wages indefinitely after the initial garnishment period. The bill directly affects individuals who owe debts (like unpaid taxes or court judgments) and have had their wages garnished. Key changes include removing the 13-week limit and establishing that the first notice of garnishment occurs when a debtor is served under specific procedures, with garnishment starting on the next payroll date. This alters the timing and duration of wage deductions without changing the underlying debt collection process.
SB 315 raises the minimum net worth requirement for mortgage bankers from $100,000 to $250,000, while maintaining the $100,000 requirement for mortgage brokers. The bill requires mortgage bankers to submit audited financial statements and a CPA-certified statement verifying their net worth, ensuring financial stability. This change directly affects licensed mortgage bankers who must now meet the higher threshold, though mortgage brokers remain subject to the existing lower requirement. The legislation aims to strengthen financial oversight for mortgage bankers through standardized, independently verified financial documentation.
SB 214 requires out-of-state health care providers (like doctors and nurses) to register with Wisconsin to offer telehealth services within the state. The bill establishes a new registration fee and mandates that providers maintain malpractice insurance coverage meeting Wisconsin’s standards for health care providers. It also requires registrants to report any license issues to Wisconsin authorities. The law directly affects telehealth providers from other states seeking to serve Wisconsin patients remotely. This bill creates a formal registration process to ensure provider accountability and patient protection in telehealth.
AB 554 requires clear labeling for food products containing lab-grown meat, directly affecting food manufacturers, restaurants, and state institutions. It mandates that "lab-grown meat" appear in prominent, contrasting text on labels (at least as large as other text), with full ingredient lists and separate labeling for multi-component products. The bill prohibits serving lab-grown meat as a meat substitute in public eateries without customer order or in state institutions (like prisons or hospitals) without specific health 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.
AB 549 updates rules for manufactured home sales and title certificates in the state. It directly affects manufactured home dealers, buyers, and county offices handling title records. Key changes include requiring dealers to provide receipts for title payments, preventing dealers from listing themselves as owners on title applications when reselling, and mandating that title records include the home's location by county. The bill also clarifies when title applications are considered submitted and specifies details required on title documents, such as the home's address and identification number.
SB 184 would prevent Wisconsin state agencies and local governments from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles or other devices based on their energy source (such as gasoline, electricity, or hydrogen). It specifically prohibits rules that ban or limit vehicles/devices due to their power source, though government fleets may still select energy types for their own purchases. The law would apply to all state and local regulations, including those governing vehicle access, sales, or device usage. This bill aimed to remove barriers for alternative-energy vehicles in public policy contexts.
SB 25 would require courts to defer to a district attorney's determination that there is no basis to prosecute a law enforcement officer involved in a death. Specifically, it prohibits judges from issuing criminal complaints against such officers unless new or unused evidence is presented, after the district attorney has already concluded there is no case to pursue. The bill directly affects officers in officer-involved death cases defined under Wisconsin law (s. 175.47 (1) (c)). This change shifts authority from courts to district attorneys in determining whether charges proceed, streamlining the process for cases where prosecutors have already declined to file.
SB 76 requires courts to approve any dismissal or amendment of criminal charges for specific "covered crimes" (like domestic abuse violations, certain traffic offenses, or crimes under Chapter 948). Prosecutors must provide reasons for seeking such changes, and courts can only approve if the action aligns with deterring these offenses. The bill also prohibits deferred prosecution agreements for these crimes and mandates annual court reports detailing approved dismissals. This directly affects prosecutors, courts, and defendants charged with the listed offenses.
