SB 914 modernizes Wisconsin's veterans' affairs laws by removing outdated provisions and updating key programs. It revises definitions (like "permanently and totally disabled veteran"), adds requirements for reporting on mental health services for PTSD, and clarifies rules for determining eligibility for veterans' assistance payments. The bill also creates a new "Council" to advise on veterans' programs, updates website requirements for information on depleted uranium exposure, and adjusts subsistence payment rules. These changes directly affect Wisconsin veterans accessing VA services and the Department of Veterans Affairs staff administering benefits.
This bill corrects a legal reference in the state statutes regarding enforcement powers for earned wage access service providers. It updates a specific section to ensure the relevant division has the same authority to conduct hearings and gather evidence as provided in other related statutes. The change is a technical amendment suggested by the Department of Financial Institutions to align regulatory enforcement provisions. This adjustment does not create new rules or change existing requirements for these service providers.
SB 887 requires public school human growth and development classes to include instruction on adoption, parental responsibility, and the socioeconomic benefits of marriage for adults and their children. This policy change directly affects school curricula in Wisconsin public schools, specifically the required human growth and development program. The bill amends existing statute to add these three specific topics to the mandated subjects, replacing previous requirements. The legislation focuses on adding these educational components to existing classroom instruction without altering funding or creating new programs. It was introduced in the 2026 legislature and referred to the Education Committee.
This bill is a correction measure that amends various existing statutes to fix errors, reconcile conflicts, and clarify provisions across multiple areas of state law. It directly affects state agencies, local governments, child welfare departments, school districts, and property tax assessment boards by updating specific rules they must follow. Key changes include restricting public access to electric vehicle charging stations for state and local entities, adjusting financial rules for dam removal projects, expanding contracting options for child welfare services in larger counties, modifying tax incremental district timelines and funding rules, and clarifying property valuation procedures for city assessors. The bill does not create new programs or policies but instead refines and corrects language in current laws to ensure consistent application.
AB 942 requires municipalities to mail notice to all residents in an area if a polling place is discontinued after an election. Specifically, the municipal clerk must send this notice by mail at least 30 days before the next election. The bill directly affects voters in communities that change polling locations and ensures they receive timely notification. It modifies existing election procedures to add this mandatory notice requirement after a public hearing process for discontinuing polling places. This is a procedural change focused on improving voter communication, not altering voting rights or eligibility.
AB 906 bans foreign nationals from contributing to or influencing referendum committees that support or oppose ballot measures. It defines "foreign national" broadly to include non-citizens, foreign governments, and foreign-owned entities, and requires committees to obtain written confirmations from contributors that they are not foreign nationals and haven’t received over $100,000 from foreign sources in the past four years. Committees must also attest they haven’t accepted such funds and cannot allow foreign nationals to direct or control their activities related to referendums. The bill directly affects referendum committees, campaign finance committees, and anyone contributing to ballot measure campaigns.
SB 912 updates outdated references in Wisconsin law to the administrative code (PI 34) related to teacher licensing. It specifically removes a 1936-era provision that allowed industrial arts teachers with 5 years of experience to be treated as having a bachelor's degree for salary and promotion purposes. The bill makes no new policy changes but corrects obsolete language in statutes governing teaching certifications and experience requirements. This is technical "housekeeping" legislation requested by the Department of Public Instruction to modernize the code.
AB 945 reduces the residency requirement for voting in Wisconsin from 28 consecutive days to 10 days before an election. It directly affects voters who move within the state, allowing those who meet the 10-day residency at a new address to vote there instead of their previous location. Key provisions include amending statutes to reflect the shorter residency period for general voting, presidential elections (where voters with less than 10 days' residency can still vote for president only), and military voter extensions. The bill also updates registration forms and affidavits for voters meeting the revised residency threshold.
SB 916 modifies election rules for city elections and voter registration. It requires city ballots to include space for write-in candidates and removes independent candidates from partisan primary ballots (meaning only party-affiliated candidates appear in those primaries). The bill also allows temporary driver's licenses or ID cards as proof of residence for voter registration, replacing some current documentation requirements. These changes directly affect city voters, candidates running for local office, and election administrators. The bill was proposed by the Elections Commission as corrective legislation.
SB 845 repeals and amends specific sections of state law related to operating while intoxicated (OWI) and refusal to provide chemical tests, correcting provisions deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill removes penalties for refusal that were treated as separate offenses (e.g., repealing sections like 23.33 (4p) (a) 3. and 30.684 (1) (c)) and adjusts penalty structures for repeat OWI violations to align with the Court's ruling. It directly affects individuals charged with OWI or refusal, as well as law enforcement officers enforcing these laws, by ensuring refusal penalties are only applied alongside OWI violations rather than as standalone offenses. The changes clarify that refusal penalties now follow the same procedures as OWI violations, eliminating unconstitutional distinctions in the statutes.
AB 920 automatically registers eligible voters for state elections when they interact with the Department of Transportation (e.g., renewing a driver’s license or ID card). It requires the election commission to match DOT data (including name, address, date of birth, and verified citizenship proof) with existing voter records. If someone appears eligible but isn’t registered, they’re added to the voter list with a multilingual notice explaining how to opt out. Individuals can request exclusion from the list at any time, and the commission must verify eligibility before re-registering someone previously removed. The bill directly affects voters who use state-issued licenses or IDs but does not change voter eligibility requirements.
SB 812 amends a sales tax exemption to apply to "motion picture projectors" sold to "motion picture theaters" instead of "movie" terminology. It creates a temporary 25-month tax exemption for these purchases, ending 25 months after the law takes effect. The bill directly affects motion picture theaters purchasing new projectors during this limited window. This is a procedural update to existing tax code language, not a substantive policy change.
