Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 707: Relating to: managed forest land recording fees. (FE)

AB 707 modifies fees for land designated as "managed forest land" in Wisconsin. It requires new owners of such land to pay a $100 fee within 30 days of transfer (to certify continued compliance with management plans and obtain department approval), and sets a $300 withdrawal fee if land is removed from the program. The fees are deposited into the conservation fund, with $20 allocated to forestry recording under statute 20.370. This directly affects landowners transferring or withdrawing managed forest land, updating existing fee structures under statutes 77.82 and 77.88.

Topics ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 704: Relating to: fees for snowmobile registration and trail use stickers. (FE)

AB 704 increases fees for snowmobile registration and trail use stickers in Wisconsin. It raises the public-use registration fee from $30 to $45 (with a $5 fee for political subdivisions), keeps private-use registration fee-free, and increases trail sticker fees: from $49.25 to $69.25 for exempt snowmobiles, $9.25 to $19.25 for club members meeting specific criteria, and $29.25 to $49.25 for others. The bill directly affects snowmobile owners who register their vehicles or use public trails. Key provisions include standardized fee increases and a reduced rate for members of qualifying snowmobile clubs.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 773: Relating to: the treatment of a pregnant or postpartum person in prison or jail. (FE)

AB 773 requires correctional facilities to provide specific care for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals (within 6 weeks of birth). It prohibits unnecessary restraints on these individuals except in extreme safety circumstances, mandating written documentation and staff training. Facilities must offer pregnancy testing, STI/HIV screening, continuing medication, doula/lactation support (if available at no cost), mental health assessments, and breastfeeding supplies. The bill directly affects all pregnant or postpartum people held in state prisons or jails, ensuring access to healthcare and support services during incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 698: Relating to: managed forest land recording fees. (FE)

SB 698 modifies fees for managed forest land transactions. It requires new owners of land designated as managed forest land to pay a $100 fee within 30 days of transfer to maintain the designation, with $20 of that fee credited to forest land management. The bill also sets a $300 withdrawal fee for land exiting the program, both fees deposited into the conservation fund. This directly affects landowners transferring or withdrawing managed forest land. The changes update existing statutes governing these recording fees without altering the land designation requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 755: Relating to: the treatment of a pregnant or postpartum person in prison or jail. (FE)

SB 755 requires correctional facilities to provide specific healthcare and support services to incarcerated people who are pregnant or within six weeks postpartum. It bans unnecessary physical restraints during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period, mandating staff training on these requirements. Facilities must offer pregnancy testing, STI/HIV screening, continuing medication, educational materials on parenting, and access to doula or lactation support services. They must also provide mental health assessments, breastfeeding supplies, and opportunities to express milk to maintain milk supply. These requirements apply to all state correctional facilities under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 700: Relating to: fees for snowmobile registration and trail use stickers. (FE)

SB 700 increases fees for snowmobile registration and trail use stickers in Wisconsin. It raises the public-use registration fee from $30 to $45 (with a $5 fee for political subdivisions), and adjusts trail sticker costs: $69.25 for snowmobiles exempt from registration, $19.25 for members of qualifying snowmobile clubs, and $49.25 for others. The bill directly affects snowmobile owners, clubs, and local governments managing trails. Key provisions include updated fee structures for registration certificates and annual trail stickers, with specific discounts for club members and reduced fees for government-owned equipment. These changes apply to all snowmobiles operated on public or private trails under Wisconsin's current regulations.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 732: Relating to: prohibiting noncommercial uses of neonicotinoid pesticides. (FE)

AB 732 prohibits the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on outdoor ornamental plants, trees, or turf grown for noncommercial purposes (like home gardens or personal landscaping) starting January 1, 2026. The bill allows exceptions for tree injections, applications by certified professionals, and uses related to growing agricultural crops for sale. This directly affects homeowners and non-commercial landscapers who currently use these pesticides on decorative plants or lawns.

Topics ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 759: Relating to: interest rates on consumer loans and activities of consumer lenders regulated by the Department of Financial Institutions. (FE)

SB 759 sets a new maximum annual interest rate of 36% for most consumer loans made by licensed lenders in the state, replacing the previous 18% limit. It directly affects licensed lenders (including those operating as "special purpose vehicles" or structuring loans to avoid regulation) by requiring them to report detailed data on loans above 18% APR, including refinancing, repossessions, and defaults. The bill also adds anti-evasion provisions to prevent lenders from disguising loans as other transactions (e.g., property sales) to bypass the rate cap. Lenders must submit annual reports to the Department of Financial Institutions, with aggregated data shared with the legislature.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 763: Relating to: interest rates on consumer loans and activities of consumer lenders regulated by the Department of Financial Institutions. (FE)

AB 763 caps the annual percentage rate (APR) for most consumer loans at 36%, affecting licensed lenders regulated by the Department of Financial Institutions. It requires these lenders to report detailed data on high-rate loans, including the number of loans above 18% APR, repossession rates, and default outcomes. The bill also clarifies who qualifies as a lender to prevent evasion, such as disguising loans as property sales or leasebacks. These changes aim to increase transparency and limit excessive interest charges for borrowers.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 702: Relating to: requiring battery stewardship organizations to administer battery collection and recycling programs and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 702 requires producers of covered batteries (like portable and medium-sized rechargeable batteries that can be easily removed) to fund and manage recycling programs through designated "battery stewardship organizations." Starting January 1, 2027, producers must mark batteries with their brand and, by January 1, 2029, include chemistry details for proper recycling. Consumers cannot dispose of covered batteries in regular trash after January 1, 2028, and must instead use designated collection sites. The bill excludes medical device batteries, lead-acid batteries, and certain alkaline batteries from these requirements.

Topics ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 760: Relating to: payday loans. (FE)

SB 760 modifies Wisconsin's payday loan regulations to increase borrower protections. It requires lenders to verify a borrower's ability to repay before issuing a loan (Section 7) and caps total debt from all lenders at $1,500 or 35% of monthly income (Section 14). The bill prohibits loans maturing in under 90 days (Section 16g) and mandates clear disclosures about payment plans and interest costs (Section 5). These changes directly affect payday lenders and borrowers by restructuring loan terms, limiting debt accumulation, and requiring transparency in financing terms.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 764: Relating to: payday loans. (FE)

AB 764 reforms payday loan regulations in the state. It defines "payday loan" as short-term, unsecured loans with terms under six months and requires lenders to verify borrowers' repayment ability before issuing loans. The bill caps total debt from all lenders at $1,500 or 35% of a borrower's monthly income, bans loans with maturity dates under 90 days, and mandates that all loans use precomputed interest (interest calculated upfront). These changes directly affect payday lenders and borrowers by imposing new underwriting standards, debt limits, and loan term requirements.

Bill results