SB 807 creates a new Office of the Public Affairs Network within Wisconsin's Department of Administration to provide live, unedited online coverage of state government proceedings. The office must stream real-time video and audio of legislative sessions, court hearings, agency meetings, and related public events, while maintaining permanent online archives accessible without registration or fees. It allocates $2 million biennially for operations and transitions WisconsinEye's existing digital archives and equipment to the state. The bill establishes a board with gubernatorial, legislative, and public members to oversee the network's nonpartisan operation.
AB 828 creates a new program to provide grants to licensed school counselors in Wisconsin for mental and behavioral health training. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, the Department of Public Instruction will award these grants to cover costs related to continuing education in this field. The bill appropriates $2 million for the program in the 2026-27 fiscal year. It requires the department to develop rules to administer the grants, targeting counselors who hold a specific state license under Wisconsin Administrative Code § PI 34.059.
AJR 127 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit the governor from using a partial veto to create or increase any tax or fee. If approved by voters, it would amend the state constitution to restrict the governor's partial veto power specifically regarding tax or fee increases. This change would directly affect the governor's authority when reviewing budget bills containing tax or fee provisions. The amendment is currently moving toward a voter referendum in November 2026, following legislative approval. It does not change current law but would require voter ratification to become effective.
SB 856 creates a new $5 million annual scholarship program (biennially) to support Wisconsin students pursuing climate-related education. It directly affects Wisconsin residents enrolled in eligible higher education institutions - such as UW System campuses, technical colleges, tribal colleges, or private nonprofits - who study fields addressing climate change. The program awards up to $5,000 per academic year, with half of scholarships based on merit and half on financial need. Funding comes from the state's Higher Educational Aids Board budget, and students with unresolved child support liens may qualify only if they provide approved payment agreements.
SB 830 clarifies the legal standard for human trafficking victims to use an "affirmative defense" when charged with crimes committed while escaping trafficking. It defines a crime as a "direct result" of trafficking if it has a clear causal link to the trafficking violation (not caused by other factors), occurs near the trafficking incident, and is necessary to escape or stop the trafficking. This applies specifically to victims of violations under statutes 940.302(2) or 948.051, removing the previous requirement that the trafficking perpetrator be prosecuted. The bill ensures victims cannot be punished for actions taken to survive trafficking, focusing on the immediate connection between the crime and the trafficking incident.
SB 854 creates a new funding line to support county conservation staff focused on climate change resiliency. It directly affects counties with approved land and water resource management plans, requiring them to request funding for climate-focused personnel in annual grant applications. The bill adds a specific appropriation of $1.8 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year under statute 20.115(7)(f) for "soil and water management; climate change personnel." This establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for counties to hire or retain staff addressing climate impacts, separate from existing conservation program funding.
AB 875 creates a new funding line for county conservation staff focused on climate change resiliency. It directly affects counties that have approved land and water conservation plans and choose to allocate matching funds. The bill adds "climate change personnel" as a specific budget item under soil and water management, requiring counties to specifically request funding for these roles in their annual grant applications to the Department of Agriculture. This changes how counties can use state grants by mandating explicit requests for climate-focused staff positions within their conservation planning process. The bill appropriates $1.8 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year for this purpose.
AB 883 bans most uses of automatic license plate readers (devices that capture plate images and convert them to data) by prohibiting their use except for three specific purposes: parking enforcement, controlling access to enclosed private areas with limited entry points, and verifying commercial vehicle compliance at weigh stations. The bill requires that any data collected under these exceptions cannot be shared for other purposes and must be deleted after 90 days. This law directly affects government agencies, private parking facilities, and property managers who previously used such technology for general surveillance or data retention.
AB 862 creates a state grant program to help local governments (counties, cities, towns, and regional planning commissions) cover the full cost of including climate change considerations in specific planning documents. The bill requires these local governments to consider climate change effects in comprehensive plans, community health improvement plans, and hazard mitigation plans to the extent practicable. Funding for the grants comes from a new state appropriation, with the department determining the grant amount based on the cost of climate considerations for each plan.
AB 859 adjusts the state reimbursement rate for special education and school-age parent program costs. It sets the reimbursement rate at 42% of eligible costs for the 2025-26 school year, increasing to 45% for the 2026-27 school year and all subsequent years. The bill applies to costs covered under sections 115.88(1m)-(3), (6), (8), 115.93, and 118.255(4), which include services for students in hospitals, convalescent homes, and school programs. This change directly affects school districts and programs providing these services by altering the state's financial contribution toward their expenses. The bill amends statutes to ensure state funds are distributed according to these revised percentages.
SB 857 establishes the Energy Innovation Grant Program, allocating $10 million annually for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. The program is administered by the Office of Energy Innovation within the Public Service Commission to fund energy innovation projects. It creates new statutory references (20.155(3)(e) and 196.379) to formalize the grant program and its funding structure. This bill directly affects the Public Service Commission and its Office of Energy Innovation by providing dedicated funding for energy-related grants. The program does not specify eligible projects or recipients, only creating the funding mechanism and administrative structure.
AB 843 would require all law enforcement officers and tribal law enforcement officers in the state to be U.S. citizens. This bill directly affects individuals seeking or currently holding these law enforcement positions, including tribal officers. The key provision creates a new statutory requirement stating: "No person may be employed as a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer unless that person is a citizen of the United States." The bill does not alter existing hiring practices for other public safety roles, focusing solely on citizenship as a mandatory qualification for these specific law enforcement positions.
