Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 849: Relating to: defining “direct result” for purposes of the affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking.

AB 849 amends Wisconsin statute 939.46(1m) to define "direct result" for an affirmative defense available to victims of human trafficking. The bill clarifies that victims who commit offenses (like theft or assault) to escape or prevent trafficking under s. 940.302(2) or s. 948.051 may use this defense if the offense has a logical causal connection to the trafficking violation, occurs immediately afterward, and is necessary for escape. It directly affects trafficking victims facing criminal charges for actions taken while escaping exploitation. The law removes the requirement that the trafficking violation must have been prosecuted or convicted for the defense to apply.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 837: Relating to: placement of sexually violent persons on supervised release.

AB 837 modifies Wisconsin law to require that serious child sex offenders placed on supervised release must reside in housing not adjacent to properties where children primarily live. Specifically, it prohibits placement within 1,500 feet of a child’s primary residence, defining "adjacent" as properties sharing a boundary line without a road or alley. The bill also mandates that counties assess proposed residences for compliance with this rule before court approval and report findings to the court. Courts must then review this assessment and reject plans that fail to meet the safety standard, requiring revised housing options if needed. This directly affects serious child sex offenders on supervised release, the Department of Corrections, counties, and courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 880: Relating to: who may purchase certain contractual services and technical changes to tax provisions related to qualified retirement plans and the film production services credit.

SB 880 modifies Wisconsin's tax code for retirement plan withdrawals and film production credits. It sets a $24,000 annual deduction limit for individuals aged 67+ (or $48,000 for married couples filing jointly) on qualified retirement plan distributions, effective 2025. The bill also clarifies film production tax credit eligibility by defining "production expenditures" to include in-state spending on music, travel, and insurance from Wisconsin-based businesses, while excluding marketing/distribution costs. Additionally, it requires background checks for contractors handling federal tax data accessed through state agencies. These changes directly affect Wisconsin retirees and film producers seeking tax credits.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 841: Relating to: sex offender registration for certain crimes.

AB 841 expands Wisconsin's sex offender registration requirements by adding specific sexual assault and child abuse crimes to the list of offenses triggering registration. It updates the legal definition of "sex offense" to include violations of statutes covering crimes like sexual assault of minors, certain predatory acts, and offenses against children under 14. People convicted of these specific crimes will now be required to register as sex offenders, with the exception that the rule applies only when the victim was a minor and the offender was not the victim’s parent. This change directly affects individuals convicted of the newly listed offenses under Wisconsin law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 122: Relating to: proclaiming February 4, 2026, as Transit Equity Day.

This resolution designates February 4, 2026, as "Transit Equity Day" in Wisconsin. It commemorates Rosa Parks' historic protest against unequal public transit access and acknowledges ongoing disparities in transit affordability and accessibility for people of color, low-income residents, and people with disabilities. The resolution serves as a symbolic observance to highlight efforts toward equitable transit systems, with no new policies or funding mechanisms attached.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 874: Relating to: report on environmental impacts to vulnerable communities and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

SB 874 requires environmental impact reports for new or expanded facilities seeking permits in "vulnerable communities" - defined as census areas with at least 50% low-income households (200% of federal poverty level) plus either 40%+ minority residents or 40%+ households with limited English proficiency. Permit applicants must assess cumulative pollution impacts, hold public hearings, and share reports with the public and local officials before permits are issued. The department must consider community input and may deny permits if combined pollution risks pose unreasonable health or environmental harm. This applies to facilities needing permits under environmental codes 283, 285, 289, or 291.

Topics ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 845: Relating to: creating a grant program for farmers who implement certain sustainable practices, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 845 creates a $2.5 million grant program for Wisconsin farmers to adopt sustainable practices that reduce fossil fuel use or store carbon in soil or vegetation. Eligible activities include cover cropping, solar-powered equipment, planting trees, or creating conservation plans. The program excludes land in retirement programs, commercial forests, or aquaculture, and requires applicants to first seek other available grants. The Department of Agriculture must prioritize small/medium farms, track carbon reductions, and publicly report grant details and environmental impacts annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 868: Relating to: Focus on Energy inclusion of programs promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

AB 868 requires Wisconsin's energy utility programs to dedicate at least 25% of annual energy efficiency funding toward initiatives specifically serving low-income households. The bill defines "low-income household" using an existing state definition and mandates programs that reduce energy costs and improve efficiency for these households. It also requires the Public Service Commission to evaluate these programs every four years, setting goals to prioritize reducing energy burdens and environmental impacts for low-income residents. The law directly affects low-income households by ensuring their energy needs are addressed through utility-funded programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 863: Relating to: an energy efficiency grant program for school districts, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 863 creates a new $10 million annual grant program for Wisconsin school districts to fund energy efficiency projects in school buildings, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill specifically directs the Department of Public Instruction to award these grants, with priority given to projects upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. School districts seeking to reduce energy costs and improve building efficiency directly benefit from this funding. The program includes authority for the department to develop implementing rules and is funded at $10 million for both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 877: Relating to: report on environmental impacts to vulnerable communities and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

AB 877 requires environmental permits for facilities in defined "vulnerable communities" to include reports assessing combined pollution effects, health impacts, and unavoidable harms. It mandates public hearings with 30 days' notice and 21-day newspaper notices in the affected community before permits are issued. The department must deny permits if cumulative pollution from the facility creates an unreasonable health or environmental risk to the community, considering public feedback. This directly affects businesses seeking permits for facilities in census areas with high poverty rates (50%+ low-income households) plus significant minority populations or limited English proficiency.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 870: Relating to: Focus on Energy inclusion of programs promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

SB 870 requires Wisconsin energy utilities to spend at least 25% of their annual energy efficiency funds on programs for low-income households, including energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy measures. The bill defines "low-income household" per state statute and mandates that these programs become a priority when setting energy efficiency goals. It also establishes minimum requirements for these programs and ensures utilities allocate funds annually toward reducing energy burdens for qualifying households. The law directly affects low-income residents and energy utilities across Wisconsin.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 869: Relating to: increasing the Focus on Energy rate and including residential energy storage in Focus on Energy. (FE)

AB 869 increases the required funding for Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program from 1.2% to 2.4% of energy utilities' annual retail sales revenue. It specifically adds residential energy storage systems (like home battery systems) to the list of eligible programs under the "energy efficiency program" definition. This means utilities must now dedicate more funding toward programs that help residential customers adopt energy storage, alongside traditional efficiency measures. The bill directly affects energy utilities (requiring higher spending) and residential customers (expanding access to storage incentives).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill results