AB 801 establishes a mandatory "all-payer claims database" requiring insurers, healthcare administrators, and managed care organizations (including those serving Medicaid recipients) to submit health claims data in machine-readable format. It mandates data submission within six months of the law's effective date, with standardized electronic reporting and annual submission schedules. The data organization must analyze and publicly report on healthcare costs, quality, and effectiveness in plain language, while restricting data sharing to purposes like public health research or policy decisions. The bill repeals prior requirements and creates new provisions to standardize data collection, reporting, and transparency for the Wisconsin Health Information Organization.
AB 810 requires public schools in Wisconsin to provide at least 60 minutes of daily supervised recess for students in kindergarten through grade 6, starting in the 2026-27 school year. The bill defines recess as unstructured time for physical activity, play, or social engagement, prohibits the use of electronic devices during this period, and bans withholding recess as punishment except for immediate safety threats. School boards must ensure recess time is separate from transfer times between classes and follow department guidance for implementation. The law also clarifies that recess time cannot count toward required instructional hours under existing statutes.
SB 796 creates a mandatory system requiring insurers, healthcare administrators, and certain government programs (like Medical Assistance) to submit health claims data to a centralized Wisconsin Health Information Organization. It mandates data be provided in machine-readable format within six months of the law's effective date, with standardized reporting schedules. The data organization must analyze and publicly report on healthcare costs, quality, and effectiveness in plain language, while the state may use the data for policy decisions. This bill directly affects healthcare providers, insurers, and government health programs by establishing new data collection requirements and reporting standards.
AB 794 clarifies that healthcare workers using digital platforms to book shifts at facilities remain independent contractors - not employees - under specific conditions. The bill requires platforms to meet 15 criteria, such as allowing workers to freely accept/reject shifts, set their own rates, avoid mandatory availability, and not restrict other work. It directly affects healthcare workers and platforms connecting them to facilities, ensuring they retain contractor status if all conditions are met. The law explicitly excludes these workers from employee protections under certain statutes, focusing solely on shifts booked through compliant platforms.
AB 795 requires Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction to create a free online portal where the public can search for license holder information. The portal must include the names of license holders under investigation, the outcome of those investigations (including voluntary license surrender), and the names of individuals whose licenses were revoked. This affects licensed professionals (like educators or healthcare workers) whose records are accessed through the portal, as well as the Department of Public Instruction, which must maintain and update the portal. The bill mandates specific data points be included, such as investigation dates and reasons, without disclosing confidential details during active cases. It does not change investigation procedures but increases public access to existing disciplinary records.
SB 788 creates an independent Office of Internal Audit within the Department of Employee Trust Funds to oversee management of public employee benefit funds. The bill establishes that an internal auditor, appointed by the Employee Trust Funds Board, will report directly to the Board and conduct audits to ensure assets are safeguarded and benefit commitments are met. Key provisions require the auditor to review department activities, monitor legal compliance, and plan audits under Board policies. This office directly affects the Department of Employee Trust Funds' oversight of retirement and benefit systems for public employees. The bill does not change benefit payments or funding levels, only adding a dedicated internal audit function.
AB 791 makes it illegal to intentionally send false text messages to 911 reporting a non-existent emergency. It directly affects individuals who send such deceptive messages, imposing fines ($100-$600) or up to 90 days in jail for a first offense. For repeat offenses within four years, the penalty escalates to a Class H felony charge. The bill targets misuse of emergency services by adding specific penalties for text-based false reports, which previously lacked clear legal consequences. This law aims to deter non-emergency text spam that wastes critical resources.
AB 800 standardizes procedures for handling absentee ballots in Wisconsin municipalities. It requires absentee ballots to be delivered to election inspectors or the municipal board of absentee ballot canvassers by 8 p.m. on election day, clarifying that in some communities, ballots must be canvassed by a designated board rather than at polling places. The bill also specifies that municipal clerks must securely handle ballots in carrier envelopes and ensures military and overseas voters can submit applications up to election day. These changes directly affect municipal clerks and election officials managing absentee voting processes.
AJR 124 is a proposed constitutional amendment requiring Wisconsin's legislature to approve spending from conservation bond funds or specially created funds for nature-based recreation. It would mandate legislative approval (via joint resolution or committee) for any expenditure exceeding a threshold amount set by law. This amendment responds to a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that struck down similar spending approval rules as unconstitutional. If passed, it would require two successive legislative approvals and voter ratification before becoming effective. The bill directly affects state agencies managing conservation funding.
SB 775 creates a state program reimbursing corn farmers for nonlethal seed coating costs to prevent sandhill crane damage. Eligible farmers (with at least $6,000 in annual farm revenue) can receive up to 50% of seed coating costs, capped at $6,250 per season. The program prioritizes farmers with federal crane permits, prior reimbursement recipients, or land identified as high-risk for crane damage. It is funded by a new $1.875 million annual appropriation for the Department of Agriculture.
AB 792 modifies how Wisconsin calculates state funding for public school districts by excluding certain costs funded through local voter-approved referenda (like bond elections) from the "shared cost" formula. This directly affects school districts receiving state equalization aid, as it prevents referendum-funded expenses from reducing their state aid eligibility. The bill adds specific rules to exclude referendum-authorized levies and related debt service from the calculation, ensuring districts aren’t penalized for using locally raised funds. These changes aim to align funding formulas with how school districts actually finance projects through voter-approved measures.
AB 796 creates a $5 million annual grant program to help nonprofit religious organizations improve security. It directly affects religious groups facing bias-motivated threats or crime, prioritizing those at higher risk. Grants can cover physical security upgrades (like surveillance or fencing), staff/volunteer training, or emergency planning. No single organization can receive more than $500,000 per biennium, though umbrella groups may apply for multiple members. The program is administered by the Department of Military Affairs with additional staffing.
