SB 157 prohibits healthcare providers from performing or referring minors under 18 for specific gender transition medical interventions. The bill bans surgeries (like hysterectomy or mastectomy), puberty-blocking drugs, and supraphysiologic hormone treatments aimed at changing a minor’s body to align with a gender discordant with their biological sex (defined as female or male based on chromosomes, sex organs, and hormones). Exceptions apply for minors with genetic disorders of sex development, infections, injuries, or life-threatening conditions requiring immediate surgery. Violations could lead to license revocation for healthcare providers, with disciplinary processes outlined in the bill.
AB 46 restricts flag displays on state and local government properties to only the U.S. flag, state flag, POW/MIA flag (recognized by Congress), and military branch flags. It applies to all state agencies and political subdivisions (cities, towns, counties) that own or occupy government buildings. The bill allows exceptions only if the legislature passes a joint resolution with a three-fourths majority vote for state facilities or a local governing body votes with a three-fourths majority for municipal properties. It repeals an existing administrative rule and takes effect January 1, 2027.
SB 51 restricts the flags that can be flown on state and local government properties. It mandates that only the U.S. flag, the state flag, the official POW/MIA flag, and the flags of U.S. military branches may be displayed on state agency buildings, state authorities, and local government facilities (like city halls or county offices), unless a 3/4 vote of the local governing body or a legislative joint resolution allows exceptions. The bill repeals an existing administrative rule and takes effect January 1, 2027, applying to all state-owned or occupied facilities. This directly affects state agencies, local governments (cities, towns, counties), and their flag display practices.
AB 13 repeals a temporary rule requiring uniform instructions for absentee voting that the Elections Commission implemented in June 2024. This rule, which created Section EL 6.05 in Wisconsin Administrative Code, mandated standardized voting instructions for absentee ballots. The bill directly affects the Elections Commission's authority and the process for absentee voting procedures. By removing this requirement, the bill eliminates a specific administrative mandate for how absentee voting materials must be presented.
AB 15 would repeal an emergency rule issued by Wisconsin's Elections Commission on July 1, 2024. This rule established specific procedures for challenging nomination papers - documents candidates use to qualify for the ballot - and created administrative code sections EL 2.05 and 2.07. The bill removes these procedures, reverting to prior election rules that governed nomination paper challenges before the emergency measure. It does not create new rules but ends an emergency provision that had been in effect for over a year.
AB 14 repeals an emergency rule created by the Elections Commission on July 1, 2024, which established procedures for challenging declarations of candidacy. Specifically, it removes sections EL 2.06 and 2.08 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code that governed these challenge processes. The bill directly affects the Elections Commission’s authority to enforce candidacy challenge rules. This is a procedural change to administrative rules, not a new policy affecting voters or candidates.
AB 151 creates a legal presumption that courts should prioritize custody arrangements allowing children to spend roughly equal time with each parent, whenever feasible. This applies to all custody cases filed after the bill's effective date, directly affecting parents and judges determining physical placement. The law requires courts to assume equal time is in the child's best interest unless they find, based on evidence, that it isn't - considering factors like geographic separation between households. The bill modifies Wisconsin's custody statute to make this equal-time presumption the starting point for court decisions, with specific attention to practical realities like distance between parents' homes.
AB 79 prevents the prosecution of minors under 18 for prostitution offenses when a court determines it serves the minor's best interests and protects public safety. Instead, the court may use diversion programs like consent decrees or deferred prosecution agreements under existing laws. The bill amends statutes to remove prosecution as an option for juveniles in these cases while maintaining DNA collection and expungement requirements for other serious juvenile offenses. This change directly affects minors charged with prostitution under section 944.30 (1m) by prioritizing rehabilitation over criminal prosecution.
AB 55 modifies firearm possession rules on school grounds for licensed school employees and adjusts concealed carry license fees. It repeals restrictions preventing school employees from carrying concealed weapons and creates an exemption: licensed teachers may carry on school grounds if their school (public, charter, private, or tribal) has adopted a policy permitting it. The bill also sets a new $37 fee for initial concealed carry licenses (covering administrative costs) and a $12 renewal fee. These changes directly affect licensed school staff seeking to carry firearms on campus under approved school policies.
AB 122 extends the deadline for military-connected families to apply for school residency changes under open enrollment. It changes the requirement from submitting applications within 30 days of military orders to 90 days after the orders are issued. This applies specifically to students whose families relocate due to active-duty military orders from any U.S. armed force, reserve component, state defense force, or National Guard. The bill directly affects military families seeking school enrollment in new districts following a permanent relocation ordered by military command. The change aims to provide more time for families to complete necessary paperwork during relocation transitions.
AB 170 prohibits the Department of Justice from using legal services from non-governmental employees (such as private lawyers or contractors) for investigating or prosecuting civil or criminal cases. The only exception allows legal interns paid no more than $10,000 annually, even if they are not state or federal employees. This directly affects how the Department of Justice hires legal support for case work. The bill creates a new statute (165.252) to enforce this restriction, with no other exemptions beyond the intern provision. It was introduced in April 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
SB 55 prohibits the state Department of Justice from using legal services provided by non-governmental employees (such as private attorneys or outside contractors) for civil or criminal investigations or prosecutions. The bill allows limited use of legal interns who are not state or federal employees, but only if they are paid $10,000 or less annually by their internship program. This rule directly affects the Department of Justice’s contracting practices and sets a specific pay cap for intern involvement in legal work. The bill would take effect upon enactment, changing how the agency hires legal support.
