Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 752: Relating to: creating a WisKids savings account program within the college savings program. (FE)

SB 752 creates a Wisconsin program that automatically deposits $25 into college savings accounts for children born in Wisconsin whose parents resided here at birth, provided they're under age 10. The state uses birth record data to identify eligible children, allowing parents to opt out within 30 days. Annual deposits are capped at $2 million, and the program excludes children from safe haven births, adoption records, or "do not contact" flags. This expands the existing college savings program by adding state contributions without requiring new family contributions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 762: Relating to: creating a WisKids savings account program within the college savings program. (FE)

AB 762 creates the WisKids Savings Account Program, automatically depositing $25 into college savings accounts for Wisconsin children born or adopted in the state who reside there before age 10. The program uses birth records to identify eligible children, with parents able to opt out within 30 days of receiving notice. The state limits total annual deposits to $2 million across all accounts. This new initiative operates separately from existing college savings programs under Wisconsin law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 776: Relating to: veterans mental health services and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 776 allocates $5 million in state funds to expand veterans' access to mental health services. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to promote community-based mental health care and provide grants to organizations offering these services to veterans, including emergency crisis support. The bill streamlines implementation by allowing the department to issue emergency rules without standard public notice requirements. This directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and the community organizations delivering these services. The legislation creates new statutory provisions (45.49) to formalize this program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 753: Relating to: funding for the department of financial institutions from the college savings program trust fund and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 753 redirects $2 million annually from the college savings program trust fund to the Department of Financial Institutions. It authorizes the department to deposit funds into college savings accounts for children born or adopted in the state, residing there, and designated as beneficiaries under existing law (s. 224.50). The bill adds one full-time position to administer these deposits and provides specific funding increases: $446,900 for 2025-26 implementation and $317,900 for 2026-27 ongoing operations. All funds must cover qualified higher education expenses for the children in these accounts.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 761: Relating to: funding for the department of financial institutions from the college savings program trust fund and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 761 redirects $2 million annually from the college savings program trust fund to the Department of Financial Institutions. It directs the department to deposit funds into college savings accounts for children born or adopted in the state, residing there, and designated as beneficiaries under existing law. These deposits cover qualified higher education expenses for the children. The bill also appropriates additional funds ($446,900 for 2025-26, $317,900 for 2026-27) to administer this program and fund an additional full-time position.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 800: Relating to: office of county board counsel in certain counties. (FE)

SB 800 creates a new "office of board counsel" in counties that already have a corporation counsel (including shared counsel) and a county executive or administrator. This independent legal position, appointed by the county board and requiring a licensed attorney, provides direct legal advice and services specifically to the county board. The county board may choose not to fill this position at any time.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 1: Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).

AJR 1 is a constitutional amendment requiring voters to present valid photo identification to cast a ballot in any election. It directly affects all voters in state elections, specifying that acceptable ID must be issued by the state, federal government, a federally recognized tribal entity, or a college/university in the state. The bill mandates the legislature to define acceptable ID types and establish exceptions, while allowing voters without ID on election day to cast a provisional ballot and submit ID later. This proposal, on second consideration after a 2023 rejection, would be submitted to voters in April 2025 if approved.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 3: Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin.

AJR 3 is a symbolic resolution that officially recognizes January 2025 as "Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about human trafficking, highlighting its prevalence across all 72 Wisconsin counties and its impact on vulnerable groups like youth and individuals with disabilities. The resolution aligns with broader state and national efforts to combat trafficking through education and community engagement. As a procedural resolution, it focuses solely on designation and awareness, with no direct policy changes or obligations for state agencies.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 20: Relating to: allowing certain married persons to claim the earned income tax credit when filing a separate return. (FE)

AB 20 allows married individuals living apart due to domestic abuse (as defined in state law) to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) when filing a separate state tax return, rather than being required to file jointly. It establishes a state tax credit equal to 4%, 11%, or 34% of the federal EITC amount they’d qualify for if unmarried, depending on having one, two, or three or more qualifying children living with them. The bill directly affects survivors of domestic abuse who cannot file jointly with their spouse and are already eligible for the federal EITC but lose state credit access under current rules. It amends state tax code to create this exception, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 20: Relating to: allowing certain married persons to claim the earned income tax credit when filing a separate return. (FE)

SB 20 allows married individuals who live apart from their spouse due to domestic abuse (as defined by state law) to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) when filing a separate state tax return. It provides a state tax credit equal to 4%, 11%, or 34% of the federal EITC amount - depending on whether the filer has one, two, or three or more qualifying children living with them. The bill applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and modifies existing tax code to permit this credit for eligible individuals who cannot file jointly. This policy change directly supports domestic abuse survivors facing financial barriers while filing separately.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 13: Relating to: incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE)

SB 13 requires Wisconsin's public school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in parental choice programs to include cursive writing in their elementary school curriculum. The bill mandates that all students must be able to write legibly in cursive by the end of fifth grade, with this standard to be implemented by July 1, 2026. This applies specifically to elementary grades (not high school districts) and affects all schools receiving state funding or participating in choice programs. The requirement will be incorporated into state academic standards and school curriculum plans, starting with the 2026-27 school year for charter and private schools.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 32: Relating to: requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE)

SB 32 requires school districts to spend at least 70% of their operating funds on direct classroom expenditures (including teacher salaries, instructional supplies, and programs like athletics). If a district falls short, it must increase classroom spending by 2% annually until reaching the 70% target. Districts failing to comply face state aid deductions, with remaining shortfalls potentially requiring property tax reductions for residents. The bill also amends rules to cap annual pay increases for school administrators at the average teacher pay increase rate, not mandate them. This affects all public school districts in the state, with penalties enforced through state funding adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results