Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 705: Relating to: the issuance of an alcohol beverage retail license for premises where certain art-related business is conducted.

AB 705 modifies alcohol licensing laws to explicitly include "painting art studios" as eligible for retail alcohol licenses. The bill defines a painting art studio as an establishment primarily offering painting instruction where customers can also purchase food and beverages to consume while painting. It adds these studios to lists of businesses permitted to serve alcohol under existing license categories, such as in hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. This change directly affects art studios that teach painting and serve food or drinks on-site, allowing them to legally sell alcohol during their regular hours. The bill does not alter alcohol sales hours or create new licensing requirements for these businesses.

Christine Sinicki (D) Shelia Stubbs (D) Angela Stroud (D) Margaret Arney (D) Priscilla Prado (D)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 740: Relating to: solitary confinement. (FE)

AB 740 limits solitary confinement to a maximum of 10 days per instance and requires a 60-day waiting period between solitary periods for inmates in state prisons and county jails. It mandates that prison and jail staff provide inmates in solitary with specific items (like books, hygiene products, and paper), access to prenatal care for pregnant individuals, three weekly 25-minute video visitation sessions, and at least 15 hours per week of structured programming - including in-person visits from case managers and department staff (like health or education). The bill directly affects all inmates placed in solitary confinement under current rules, ensuring minimum standards for their well-being during confinement. The legislation is pending in the Corrections Committee after being introduced on December 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 727: Relating to: inmate access to the outdoors. (FE)

AB 727 requires state prison leaders and county jail officials to provide inmates with 3 hours of outdoor access weekly, starting after specific waiting periods. For state prisons, this applies to most inmates after 91 days (except those in certain facilities under Section 302.01(1)(i)), while county jails must provide access after 31 days. Exceptions include inmates in lockdowns or solitary confinement. The law takes effect for the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility on January 1, 2028, with broader implementation following. This policy directly affects incarcerated individuals in state and county correctional facilities across the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 743: Relating to: considering post-traumatic stress disorder as a mitigating factor in sentencing certain criminal offenders. (FE)

AB 743 adds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed from military service as a potential mitigating factor in sentencing for veterans convicted of crimes. It specifically applies to veterans (defined as those who served in U.S. armed forces) who have a documented PTSD diagnosis linked to their military service. Courts may now consider this PTSD diagnosis when determining sentences, potentially leading to reduced penalties. The bill takes effect for offenses committed after it becomes law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 717: Relating to: listing of carfentanil under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and providing a penalty.

AB 717 is a procedural bill that renumbers an existing statute section (changing 961.16 (3) (cm) to 961.14 (2) (nd) 9g) within the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. It does not create new penalties or list carfentanil as a controlled substance; it only adjusts the statutory reference for administrative clarity. This bill directly affects the legal code structure but does not change any existing penalties or substance classifications. The summary is limited to the procedural renumbering, as no substantive policy changes are described in the bill text.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 730: Relating to: decertification of law enforcement, jail, or juvenile detention officers and tactical emergency medical services professionals and the use of force by law enforcement officers. (FE)

SB 730 requires law enforcement, jail, juvenile detention, and tactical EMS officers to be decertified within 30 days if they resign to avoid termination, are terminated for just cause, or violate board rules regarding training or conduct. It also mandates decertification for officers terminated while under investigation for misconduct, barring future certification without a waiver. The bill creates a new requirement for the board to develop and update best practices for use-of-force policies, specifically addressing interactions with vulnerable populations like those with mental health conditions, disabilities, or limited English proficiency. These changes apply to all affected officers and agencies, with the decertification rules taking effect upon the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 703: Relating to: plan sponsors’ right to access claims data.

SB 703 requires health insurers, administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide large employer plan sponsors (those covering 50+ employees) with full access to their health claims data. Plan sponsors own this data and can request specific details - like itemized billing for high-cost claims ($25,000+ medical, $10,000+ pharmacy), payment histories, pharmacy rebates, and administrative fees - within 7 business days of a written request. Insurers and PBMs must deliver this data electronically in usable formats, and cannot sell the data without the plan sponsor’s and individual’s permission. The bill directly affects large employers managing health benefits and the companies providing those benefits, ensuring transparency in how claims data is handled and shared.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 718: Relating to: free state park admission for veterans and gold star families. (FE)

SB 718 would provide free admission to Wisconsin state parks for veterans and gold star families. Specifically, it allows free entry for vehicles (excluding motor buses) occupied by individuals who can verify their status as a veteran (per federal law) or as a family member of a service member who died in action (a "gold star" family). The bill creates a new statute requiring parks to honor this exemption upon presentation of valid proof. It directly affects veterans, their families, and state park operations by adding this specific access benefit. The policy change is limited to admission fees, not other park services or costs.

Topics ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 714: Relating to: plan sponsors’ right to access claims data.

AB 714 requires health insurers, administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers to provide large employers (those with 50+ employees) full access to their health claims data. The bill states that employers (as "plan sponsors") own this data, including detailed records of high-cost claims (exceeding $25,000 for medical, $10,000 for pharmacy), billing statements, payment histories, and rebate information. Insurers and pharmacy managers must deliver this data within 7 business days of a written request, in electronic format, and cannot sell the data without employer and individual permission. The law aims to give employers greater transparency into their health plan costs and administration.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 709: Relating to: prohibiting noncommercial uses of neonicotinoid pesticides. (FE)

SB 709 prohibits the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on outdoor ornamental plants, trees, or turf grown for noncommercial purposes (like home gardens or lawns) starting January 1, 2026. It allows exceptions for tree injections, applications by certified pesticide applicators, or uses directly tied to agricultural commodity production. This bill directly affects homeowners, landscapers, and gardeners who currently use these pesticides for non-farm purposes. The law creates a clear regulatory change in pesticide use without altering agricultural practices for commercial farming.

Topics ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 736: Relating to: free menstrual products for inmates of state correctional institutions or county jails or houses of correction. (FE)

AB 736 requires state correctional facilities and county jails to provide free, nontoxic menstrual products to all inmates with active menstrual cycles. It mandates facilities to offer at least three verified brands each of tampons (with plastic applicator), pads, and reusable menstrual cups from a published list of nontoxic products. The bill defines "nontoxic" as free from harmful chemicals and requires facilities to sanitize reusable cups as needed. This directly affects incarcerated people who menstruate, ensuring access to essential hygiene products without cost. The law applies to all state prisons, county jails, and houses of correction in the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 728: Relating to: free menstrual products for inmates of state correctional institutions or county jails or houses of correction. (FE)

SB 728 requires state correctional institutions and county jails to provide free menstrual products that are free from harmful chemicals to inmates experiencing menstruation. It mandates at least three brands of tampons (including one with a plastic applicator) and three brands of pads, plus one brand of reusable menstrual cup, all selected from a list of verified products. Facilities must also ensure they can sanitize reusable cups as needed, with verification procedures developed by the department and sheriffs. The bill focuses on ensuring access to safe, affordable menstrual products without specifying funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Bill results