Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 851: Relating to: the use of live animals in medical training and providing a penalty.

SB 851 prohibits medical schools and training programs in this state from using live animals to teach human medical treatment if equivalent alternatives exist, such as human cadavers, realistic simulators, or virtual models. It requires institutions to switch to these alternatives when another accredited program in the same field does not use live animals or when a comparable method is available. Violating this rule would result in a $1,000 fine per animal used. The bill directly affects medical training institutions and their curricula, aiming to reduce live animal use where effective alternatives are already available.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 975: Relating to: prohibiting the use of phones while driving a motor vehicle and providing a penalty.

AB 975 prohibits probationary license holders and drivers with instruction permits from using cellular or wireless phones while driving, except to report emergencies. The bill amends Wisconsin statute 346.89(4)(a) to explicitly ban phone use for these new drivers, expanding an existing restriction. Violations would be subject to penalties under the statute, though specific penalty details aren't outlined in the bill text. This law directly affects new and learning drivers, aiming to reduce distractions during their early driving experience. The bill was introduced in the 2026 Legislature and referred to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 963: Relating to: social media accounts for minors and providing a penalty.

AB 963 requires large social media platforms (with $1 billion+ annual revenue) to identify users under 18 and obtain parental permission before collecting their personal data. After a user spends 25 hours on the platform within six months, companies must estimate age with 80% confidence; if uncertain, they must treat the user as a minor. Platforms must then get verifiable parental consent for data collection, including location, browsing history, and biometric information. This bill directly affects minors under 18 in the state and major social media companies operating there, focusing on data handling rather than restricting access to platforms.

Topics ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 883: Relating to: allowing employment of minors in the operation of a pizza-dough roller. (FE)

SB 883 allows minors aged 16 or older to operate pizza-dough rollers in workplaces, provided specific safety features are met. The bill requires machines to have enclosed gears, designs preventing finger/hand entanglement, automatic shut-off microswitches if parts are removed, and prohibits minors from setting up, adjusting, repairing, or cleaning the equipment. These provisions align with federal OSHA standards (29 CFR 570.62) and directly affect minor workers in food service businesses and their employers. The law creates a new statutory exception to existing child labor rules for this specific machinery.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 989: Relating to: minority health grants.

AB 989 creates annual grants of up to $50,000 per year to community health organizations serving economically disadvantaged minority groups. The bill requires recipients to provide 50% in matching funds (cash or in-kind) and prioritizes non-federally qualified health centers and providers offering maternal/child health services. These grants, funded from a specific state appropriation account, aim to improve health outcomes for underserved minority populations through direct community health programs. The legislation directly affects community health providers and minority-serving organizations eligible to apply for these state-funded grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 983: Relating to: surplus property held by the Department of Transportation. (FE)

AB 983 requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to notify local governments, school districts, and tribes before selling surplus land, giving them 60 days to express interest in acquiring it for public use. If they respond, the DOT must offer the land at appraised value for general public use, or at a reduced price if the land is needed for transportation or infrastructure projects. The bill also mandates that buyers provide a plan for the public use and agree to permanent restrictions ensuring the land remains for that purpose. This change affects counties, municipalities, school districts, and federally recognized tribes that may seek to acquire DOT surplus land. The policy directly alters the DOT's land sale process to prioritize public ownership over general public sales.

Topics ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 860: Relating to: the practice of audiology, licensure of audiologists, the composition of the Hearing and Speech Examining Board, and repealing an administrative rule related to the practical examination of audiologists. (FE)

SB 860 updates Wisconsin's audiology licensing rules by expanding the scope of practice for audiologists. It explicitly allows audiologists to prescribe, sell, and fit hearing aids (including over-the-counter options) and handle devices like cochlear implants and osseo-integrated systems. The bill also clarifies that audiologists cannot perform surgeries, interpret radiographic imaging, or conduct surgical procedures. Additionally, it changes the Hearing and Speech Examining Board composition to require one public member who uses hearing aids, cochlear implants, or osseo-integrated devices, and repeals outdated temporary license rules.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 912: Relating to: an audiovisual recording of a child’s statement admitted as evidence.

AB 912 amends Wisconsin law to allow audiovisual recordings of children's statements as evidence in court for children aged 12 to 18 (previously 12-16). The bill requires recordings to begin before the child's statement is made and directs courts to consider factors like the child's age and the interests of justice when admitting such evidence. It specifically raises the upper age limit for admissibility from 16 to 18 years old. This change directly affects children involved in legal cases where their recorded statements might be used as evidence. The bill does not alter how recordings are made but adjusts the eligibility criteria and court considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 980: Relating to: bicycling permits, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 980 requires bicyclists to have a permit to ride on state-owned trails (excluding highways and vehicle admission areas), with fees of $40 for adults, $20 for teens 12+, and free for children under 12. It allows temporary receipts for immediate access while processing permanent permits and exempts organized events and existing trail pass holders. The state Department of Natural Resources may issue permits directly or appoint agents, who can collect a 75-cent fee (with 50 cents retained for agent compensation). The bill creates new fee structures and rule-making authority for permit administration on state trails.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 991: Relating to: allowing employment of minors in the operation of a pizza-dough roller. (FE)

AB 991 allows minors aged 16 or older to operate pizza-dough rollers in restaurants, provided specific safety features are met. The bill directly affects minor workers in food service establishments using these machines and requires employers to ensure the equipment includes enclosed gears, microswitches that stop the machine if parts are removed, and safeguards preventing fingers or clothing from getting caught. Minors may not perform setup, adjustment, repair, oiling, or cleaning of the rollers. The law aligns with federal safety standards (29 CFR 570.62) and focuses solely on this specific equipment, not broader minor employment rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 986: Relating to: levy increase limits in political subdivisions with qualifying infill housing development. (FE)

AB 986 modifies property tax valuation rules for local governments (like cities and towns) that build qualifying infill housing projects. It defines "qualifying infill housing" as projects adding 2-6 new homes on older residential parcels (with 90% of the area developed for 10+ years), using existing infrastructure, and increasing total units. The bill changes how new construction value affects annual tax levy limits by including 90% of new property value in tax incremental districts (TIDs) and excluding removed improvements from these calculations. This adjustment aims to ease tax levy constraints for municipalities developing such housing without altering tax rates themselves.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 965: Relating to: artificial intelligence systems that simulate humanlike relationships with children and providing a penalty.

AB 965 prohibits operators of AI chatbots designed to simulate ongoing, humanlike relationships with children (under 18 in the state) from making them available without specific safety measures. The bill requires these "companion chatbots" to avoid encouraging self-harm, illegal activity, sexual content, or prioritizing a child’s feelings over safety, while excluding standard customer service tools. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $25,000 per day or private lawsuits by affected children or parents for damages. The law takes effect after January 1, 2027, with a transition period for operators unaware a user is a child.

Topics ✗ Technology

Bill results