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Wisconsin Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 12,159 Active 7 In committee 9,574 Passed 998 Signed 1,132 Failed 8,245
vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 326: Relating to: local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE)

AB 326 creates a program providing grants to small local governments (populations under 7,500) to cover costs for grant writing and compliance assistance services. Grants up to $5,000 can be used for securing funding related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility costs, or cybersecurity projects. The program requires a simple application listing only basic details (project purpose, contact info, and estimated costs) and prioritizes first-time applicants. A report evaluating the program must be submitted by December 2028.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds ($5k grants) for local governments' grant writing/compliance, representing a budgetary expenditure to support infrastructure and public service funding access.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly allows grants for cybersecurity projects, directly funding and advancing cybersecurity initiatives for small governments.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationGrants explicitly fund transportation infrastructure projects, enabling small governments to secure funding for road/transit improvements.95% confidence
Tara Johnson (D) Dave Murphy (R) Calvin Callahan (R) Dave Armstrong (R) David Steffen (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 460: Relating to: pupil eligibility for parental choice programs based upon participation by a sibling or a dependent child of the pupil's parent or guardian. (FE)

AB 460 changes eligibility rules for parental choice education programs (like school vouchers or education savings accounts). It allows a student to qualify for such a program if a sibling or dependent child of their parent/guardian is already enrolled in the program. This directly affects families with multiple children, making it easier for additional children in the same household to access these programs once one child qualifies. The bill is currently under review by the Rules Committee after passing the Education Committee.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by allowing siblings to qualify for parental choice programs once one child is enrolled, directly increasing family participation in school choice options.95% confidence
Barbara Dittrich (R) Cindi Duchow (R) Ron Tusler (R) Dave Murphy (R) David Steffen (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 417: Relating to: visitation of a long-term care facility resident or hospital patient during a communicable disease outbreak.

SB 417 establishes rules for allowing essential visitors and clergy to visit residents in long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) and hospitals during communicable disease outbreaks. It requires facilities to permit at least one designated essential visitor (such as a family member or legal guardian) or clergy member in specific compassionate situations, including end-of-life care, grief support, or when a health professional determines the visitor’s presence benefits the patient. Facilities may deny visitation only if the visitor refuses safety protocols, poses a contagion risk, or the patient declines the visit. The bill also creates a process for residents to file complaints if facilities violate these rules and provides liability protection for facilities following the policy.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates essential visitor access during outbreaks, protecting patient rights and improving compassionate care access in healthcare facilities.95% confidence
Steve Nass (R) Cory Tomczyk (R) André Jacque (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 629: Relating to: police authority to disable drones threatening public safety and providing a penalty.

AB 629 prohibits operating drones over correctional facilities without authorization from facility leaders (e.g., secretary of corrections or sheriff). It imposes a $5,000 fine for unauthorized drone flights and criminalizes using weaponized drones (equipped with tasers, firearms, etc.) near prisons, classifying it as a Class H felony. The bill grants police officers authority to disable or destroy drones they reasonably believe pose an imminent threat to public safety, including through jamming or hacking, without financial liability for property damage. These provisions directly affect drone operators near prisons, facility staff, and law enforcement agencies, with specific focus on preventing security threats at correctional institutions.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances prison security by authorizing police to disable threatening drones, directly protecting correctional facilities within criminal justice.90% confidence
Barbara Dittrich (R) Dan Knodl (R) Dave Murphy (R) Jeff Mursau (R) Tony Kurtz (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 36: Relating to: an income tax exemption for cash tips paid to an employee. (FE)

SB 36 creates a state income tax exemption for cash tips received by employees, directly benefiting service industry workers (like servers or bartenders) who report cash tips to their employers. The bill allows taxpayers to subtract up to $25,000 in qualified tips from their taxable income each year, provided the tips are reported via federal tax forms (like those used for IRS Form 1099-NEC). This exemption phases out for higher earners: single filers see reductions when their modified adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000, while joint filers face reductions above $300,000. To claim the exemption, filers must include their Social Security number and, for married couples, file a joint return.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief for service workers (middle/lower income) via income tax exemption on reported cash tips, directly reducing taxable income for qualifying earners.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTax exemption for cash tips increases take-home pay for service workers, directly enhancing earnings and protecting income from state taxation.95% confidence
Romaine Quinn (R) Steve Nass (R) Cory Tomczyk (R) Rob Hutton (R) Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 176: Relating to: an income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE)

SB 176 creates tax exemptions for income received from broadband expansion grants and federal high-cost program funding. It exempts from state income and franchise taxes funds provided by the state, local governments, tribal governments, or the federal government for broadband expansion projects. This directly affects businesses, internet service providers, and organizations receiving these specific grants or federal funding. The exemption applies to both state broadband grants and federal high-cost program funds (under 47 USC 254) used for expanding broadband access in the state, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts broadband grant funds from state income/franchise taxes, providing tax relief to incentivize broadband infrastructure expansion.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts broadband expansion grants from taxes to incentivize infrastructure investment, directly expanding internet access per topic indicators.95% confidence
Romaine Quinn (R) Patrick Testin (R) Brad Pfaff (D) Cory Tomczyk (R) Melissa Ratcliff (D)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 502: Relating to: outdoor advertising signs that do not conform to local ordinances and that are affected by certain transportation-related projects; compensation for takings of signs, and appraisals upon which jurisdictional offers are based. (FE)

AB 502 establishes compensation rules for outdoor advertising signs affected by highway projects. It requires state agencies to provide detailed appraisals (within 85-115% of the offered value) and specifies separate payments for sign owners (covering sign value and related losses) and property owners (for lost rights to erect signs). Nonconforming signs (those not meeting local rules) can be repositioned without losing their status, as long as size and visibility remain similar. This directly affects sign owners, local governments, and state transportation departments involved in highway construction.
Dave Murphy (R) Brent Jacobson (R) John Spiros (R) Jerry O'Connor (R) Jeff Mursau (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 105: Relating to: the distribution of certain material on the Internet.

AB 105 requires business entities (like websites or platforms) distributing material harmful to minors to verify users' ages using approved methods before granting access. It applies specifically to sites containing a "substantial portion" (over one-third) of such material, defined as content with sexual depictions, prurient appeal, or lacking literary/artistic value for minors. The bill exempts bona fide news organizations and internet service providers from these requirements. Violations could result in civil lawsuits seeking damages, while the bill also bans publishing obscene material involving children or obscene content online.
Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRequires age verification for platforms distributing harmful content, restricting platform operations without clear consumer protection benefits per bill language.95% confidence
Barbara Dittrich (R) Scott Allen (R) Dan Knodl (R) Dave Murphy (R) Brent Jacobson (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 415: Relating to: use restrictions on state and local government electronic devices.

AB 415 restricts state and local government employees from using electronic devices owned by their agencies to access social media, apps, or AI tools owned by entities located in "foreign countries of concern" (as defined by federal regulations). The bill directly affects government employees and contractors who use official devices for non-law enforcement work, banning access to specific foreign-owned technology. Exceptions allow written waivers from the secretary of administration for limited job-related purposes. This policy change aims to limit government use of technology linked to designated foreign adversaries, with no impact on law enforcement activities. The bill does not create new funding or require agency budget changes.
Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts government access to foreign-owned tech platforms, directly limiting use of specific foreign AI/social media tools on official devices per bill's explicit ban.95% confidence
Barbara Dittrich (R) Dan Knodl (R) Cindi Duchow (R) Rick Gundrum (R) Paul Tittl (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 498: Relating to: free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, due process in disciplinary proceedings at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, and causes of action against the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards. (FE)

SB 498 establishes new Wisconsin statutes to protect free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges. It defines "employee" to include faculty, staff, and graduate assistants, and specifies that institutions cannot restrict First Amendment-protected speech - including protests, discussions, or virtual gatherings (except during instructional classes) - in public campus areas or designated forums. The bill allows limited restrictions only for speech that violates law, constitutes false defamation, poses a genuine threat, or causes material disruption, requiring all rules to be content-neutral and viewpoint-neutral. It also clarifies that institutions must uphold these protections while ensuring reasonable time, place, and manner regulations for expressive activities.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects academic freedom and free speech at UW institutions, directly supporting education policies on academic autonomy and faculty rights within higher education.95% confidence
Cory Tomczyk (R) Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R) Chris Kapenga (R) Van Wanggaard (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 672: Relating to: penalty enhancer for crimes committed by a person acting as an agent of a foreign government or terrorist organization with the intent to silence or punish persons for their political view, criminalizing the enforcement of foreign laws without federal or state approval, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 672 creates new Wisconsin statutes to address "transnational repression," defined as actions by foreign government or terrorist organization agents targeting dissidents (like activists, journalists, or minority group members) to silence them over political views. It establishes a state training program for law enforcement, a public awareness campaign, and a digital reporting portal to identify such cases. The bill increases penalties for crimes committed as part of this repression (e.g., elevating a Class B felony to a Class A felony) and criminalizes enforcing foreign laws without federal or state approval, punishable by a minimum 3-year prison term. These provisions directly affect foreign agents operating within Wisconsin and target actions intended to suppress political dissent.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets transnational repression against dissidents, creates law enforcement training/reporting, and enhances penalties for silencing political views - aligning with civil rights protection and accountability in criminal justice.92% confidence
Dan Knodl (R) Dave Murphy (R) Clint Moses (R) Calvin Callahan (R) Chanz Green (R)
vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 663: Relating to: imposing certain prohibitions on foreign influence at University of Wisconsin System institutions. (FE)

AB 663 prohibits University of Wisconsin System institutions from accepting foreign grants, entering academic partnerships, or engaging in research collaborations with entities from countries designated as security threats (like China or Russia) without board approval. Exceptions require security reviews, approval that benefits students, and confirmation the partnership won’t compromise U.S. security or academic freedom. The bill also bans accepting gifts or cultural exchange payments from such entities. Institutions must submit annual reports detailing all foreign partnerships to state officials.
Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts foreign partnerships at universities, limiting academic collaborations without security approval, aligning with 'restrict' in OPPOSE indicators.90% confidence
Barbara Dittrich (R) Dan Knodl (R) Dave Murphy (R) Clint Moses (R) Calvin Callahan (R)
Showing 85 to 96 of 12,159 bills
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