SJR 123 is a symbolic resolution designating March 2026 as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month across Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally encourages all Wisconsin residents to learn about MS and support those affected by the disease. The resolution recognizes the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s work and aims to raise public awareness about MS, which impacts approximately 1 million people in the U.S. and typically affects individuals aged 20-50.
AJR 131 is a symbolic resolution designating March 2026 as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes MS as a significant health issue affecting thousands in the state. The resolution encourages Wisconsin residents to learn about MS and support those impacted by the disease and their families. It was introduced by multiple legislators and co-sponsored by numerous colleagues as a gesture of awareness, not a policy change.
SB 818 creates a "demonstration public school operator" designation for charter school operators in Wisconsin. To qualify, operators must document best practices, provide teacher training, participate in research studies, evaluate their educational models, track student progress, and partner with community organizations. Designated operators receive an additional $6,863 per pupil starting in 2026-27, with annual funding adjustments based on state revenue changes. This designation requires annual reporting on finances, student achievement, enrollment, and school transitions, and is limited to five-year terms renewable once. The bill directly affects charter school operators seeking this status and the students in their schools.
AB 818 creates a "demonstration public school operator" designation for charter school operators that meet specific requirements. To qualify, operators must document best practices, provide teacher professional development, participate in longitudinal studies, evaluate their educational models, track student progress, partner with community organizations, and collaborate with research entities like the Wisconsin Center for Educational Research. Designated operators receive an additional $6,863 per student starting in the 2026-27 school year, plus annual reporting requirements including financial data, student achievement metrics, and transition outcomes. The designation lasts up to 5 years with possible renewal, contingent on continued compliance with the specified requirements.
AB 820 clarifies and expands the scope of practice for audiologists in Wisconsin. It specifically allows audiologists to prescribe hearing aids (including over-the-counter options), manage osseo-integrated devices, and handle cochlear implants for correction or relief of hearing conditions. The bill also explicitly prohibits audiologists from performing surgical procedures, including cochlear implant surgery or osseo-integrated device surgery. Additionally, it updates the Hearing and Speech Examining Board composition to require one public member who is a hearing aid, osseo-integrated device, or cochlear implant user.
SB 868 establishes rules for how Wisconsin public colleges and universities can adjust institutional gift aid (like grants or scholarships) when students receive private scholarships. It limits reductions to situations where total aid exceeds a student’s financial need (cost of attendance minus student aid index), requiring institutions to first try reducing loans or work-study before cutting gift aid. Students must be notified of potential reductions and can request a reassessment of their cost of attendance. The bill specifically applies to scholarships of $5,000 or less from Wisconsin-based entities and includes special provisions for student-athletes and constrained scholarship awards.
AB 900 modifies eligibility for farmland preservation tax credits by prohibiting credits for any qualifying farmland where a non-accessory photovoltaic solar energy system (like standalone solar panels) is located during the taxable year. This directly affects farmers or landowners who seek these tax credits but have installed such solar systems on their eligible farmland. The bill creates new definitions to clarify that credits cannot be claimed for acres with these non-accessory solar installations, while maintaining credit eligibility for land without them. The policy change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
SB 839 requires Wisconsin schools to provide human trafficking and sextortion prevention instruction at least once in grades 6-8 and again in grades 9-12 starting in the 2026-27 school year as part of health education. The bill mandates that teachers receive training to identify children at risk of trafficking (under Wis. Stat. § 948.051) or sextortion, defined as threatening to release explicit material for money or more content. It directs the state to develop age-appropriate training courses in collaboration with child welfare and justice agencies. The law applies directly to public school students in those grade ranges and their educators, with implementation beginning in 2026-27.
This bill defines artificial intelligence and explicitly states that AI systems are not considered legal persons under Wisconsin law. It prevents AI from being granted rights such as marriage, holding property, serving in corporate roles, or facing legal liability, while assigning ownership of any assets generated by AI to its developers, manufacturers, or owners. The legislation clarifies that any attempt to grant AI legal personhood would be void and unenforceable.
SB 805 requires Wisconsin public schools and charter schools to provide at least 60 minutes of daily supervised recess for students in kindergarten through sixth grade starting in the 2026-27 school year. The bill defines recess as unstructured time for physical activity, play, games, or social engagement, prohibits using recess as punishment (except for immediate safety threats), and bans electronic devices during required recess. School boards must schedule this time without counting transfer periods, and the state education department will provide implementation guidance. This directly affects all K-6 public school students and school administrators in Wisconsin.
AB 961 requires distributors of explicit content (such as publishers and digital platforms) to display specific warning labels on all adult-oriented material. For print publications, labels must appear on the cover in 20-point bold Arial font; for digital content, labels must appear before access, remain visible for 10 seconds, and occupy two-thirds of the screen. The labels must include standardized language warning: "WARNING: This material contains explicit content that may be harmful or offensive. Viewer discretion is advised. Not intended for minors." Violations incur fines, with 50% of fines funding a state appropriation via a surcharge.
AB 962 requires app store providers to verify the age of users creating accounts in the state and link accounts of minors (under 18) to parent accounts. Before minors can purchase apps, make in-app purchases, or download apps, providers must obtain explicit parental consent after disclosing age ratings, content descriptions, and data practices. The bill also mandates that providers notify parents of significant app changes (like new in-app purchases or privacy shifts) affecting apps downloaded by minors. This directly affects minors using app stores, their parents, and app store operators like Apple or Google.
