SB 896 creates a state tax credit for small Wisconsin businesses that offer individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs) to employees. The credit provides up to $400 per covered employee annually for businesses with 1-50 employees, provided they contribute at least $400 per employee toward the ICHRA. To qualify, the ICHRA must meet federal requirements for health reimbursement arrangements. The credit reduces the business’s state income tax liability and applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. This directly affects small employers and their employees who accept the ICHRA as part of their health coverage.
This bill corrects various non-substantive errors and reconciles conflicts in existing Wisconsin statutes without changing the underlying laws. It updates specific text in multiple statutes to fix typos, grammatical inconsistencies, and formatting issues identified in previous legislative acts. The changes affect administrative language, jurisdictional descriptions, and procedural requirements across different state laws. This is a technical correction bill that does not introduce new policies or alter substantive legal obligations.
AB 941 allows Wisconsin college and university student identification cards to be used as valid voter identification. It specifically applies to students at state-accredited universities (including the University of Wisconsin System) and technical colleges in the state. The bill requires these IDs to include the issuance date, student signature, and an expiration date no later than two years after issuance. If an ID is expired, voters must prove current enrollment at the institution on the day they vote. The law takes effect for institutions by August 1, 2026.
AB 919 creates a $10 million appropriation to reimburse communications service providers for costs incurred when relocating facilities in public rights-of-way. It directly affects cable, internet, and telecom companies (defined as "communications service providers") that must move infrastructure due to government agency, city, or county requirements. The bill establishes that the Public Service Commission must provide these reimbursements as a continuing appropriation. Key provisions include defining "communications service facility" and requiring the Commission to report on this funding in budget submissions. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change to service requirements.
SB 913 removes outdated definitions and adjusts tax calculation rules in Wisconsin statutes. It eliminates the term "relative" for lottery eligibility, updates the definition of "taxable property" in tax incremental districts, and revises the order of tax withholdings and credits for income tax calculations. The bill also repeals an adjustment to the economic development surcharge for certain businesses, simplifying corporate tax computations. These changes, suggested by the Department of Revenue, correct administrative inconsistencies in existing tax code provisions.
This bill limits the amount patients can pay out of pocket for insulin by setting a maximum cost-sharing cap of $35 per one-month supply for disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans. It applies to plans that currently cover insulin and charge copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance, while allowing insurers to charge less than the cap or no cost at all. The legislation also clarifies that existing diabetes coverage requirements for insulin pumps and supplies remain unchanged, though pump coverage may still be limited to one per year. The changes would take effect on the first day of the fourth month after the bill is published.
AJR 132 is a commemorative resolution honoring George Meyer, former Wisconsin Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), recognizing his decades of service to conservation and public policy. It details his work on wetland protections, tribal rights negotiations, land acquisitions, and environmental advocacy during his 1993-2001 DNR leadership, without creating new laws or affecting any policies. The resolution expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's gratitude for his legacy and extends condolences to his family. As a purely ceremonial measure, it has no direct policy impact or effect on citizens or programs.
AB 922 requires all Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) office locations that issue operators' licenses to meet 2010 ADA accessibility standards by January 1, 2030. This directly affects DOT offices serving the public, particularly people with disabilities seeking license services. The bill mandates modifications to ensure full accessibility, prohibits using exceptions or local ordinances to avoid compliance, and sets reporting deadlines: by 2027, DOT must identify priority locations needing upgrades and cost estimates, and by 2028, submit progress reports on completed modifications.
AB 917 creates a $150 million First-Time Home Buyer Purchasing Assistance Fund to provide interest-free loans for eligible buyers. It directly affects first-time homebuyers who have never owned a home (or lost one to foreclosure), earn at or below 100% of local median income, complete homebuyer education, and occupy the home as their primary residence. Loans cover up to $35,000 or 10% of the home’s purchase price (whichever is lower) for down payments, closing costs, and other expenses, with 12.5% forgiveness after 2.5 years and full forgiveness after 10 years. Repayment is triggered if the home is sold, stops being the primary residence, or if the borrower violates loan terms. The program is administered by Wisconsin’s Housing and Economic Development Authority.
SB 918 removes outdated language from statutes regarding the state public defender's term and removal process. Specifically, it deletes a 1980-era provision that allowed the defender to be removed "at the pleasure of the board" during a 5-year term, which no longer applies. This is a technical correction to align the statutes with current practice, with no changes to the actual appointment (5-year term) or removal procedures (for cause after a hearing). The bill affects the legal framework governing the State Public Defender's office.
This bill creates a new civil legal option for victims of sexual extortion to sue for damages without needing to go through criminal court proceedings. It allows individuals who suffer physical injury, emotional distress, or property loss due to sexual extortion to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator, with provisions for parents or guardians to sue on behalf of children. The law permits plaintiffs to use initials instead of their real names in court filings to protect their privacy and allows for recovery of emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and legal fees. Importantly, victims can pursue this civil action regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or the outcome of any criminal case.
SB 910 updates Wisconsin law to replace the term "advanced practice nurse prescriber" with "advanced practice registered nurse" across multiple statutes, including those governing healthcare provider roles and immunization programs. The bill also allocates $50,000 in grants to HealthNet of Rock County, Inc., a public health organization. Key changes affect how healthcare providers (like nurses and physicians) are referenced in legal definitions, ensuring terminology aligns with current professional standards. The legislation is categorized as "remedial" to correct outdated language without altering healthcare access or responsibilities. It takes effect September 1, 2026.
