Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1094: Relating to: dissemination of personally identifying information of an officer and providing a penalty.

This bill creates a new criminal offense for knowingly sharing personally identifying information about law enforcement officers online. It directly affects anyone who posts details like names, addresses, or other identifying data about police, correctional, or federal officers on public internet sites or forums. The law specifically prohibits sharing such information when done with the intent to intimidate, threaten, harass, or obstruct the officer's duties. Violating this provision would result in a Class H felony charge. The bill defines "officer" broadly to include various types of law enforcement personnel operating within the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects law enforcement officers from online harassment and intimidation, enhancing officer safety and supporting criminal justice system operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1098: Relating to: depositing tires on private property and providing a penalty.

This bill makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally leave four or more tires on someone else's private property. It requires the person who committed the violation to pay the property owner the actual cost of properly disposing of the tires. The law creates new sections in the state statutes to establish these penalties and restitution requirements. The measure aims to address the problem of abandoned tires on private land by providing clear legal consequences for offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes criminal penalties for abandoned tires, strengthening law enforcement authority and protecting property rights through clear legal consequences.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1154: Relating to: firearm transfers and possession that are prohibited under federal law. (FE)

This bill amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify how firearm transfers and possession are prohibited under federal law, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse. It reorganizes and updates definitions of "domestic abuse" and "dating relationship" to include individuals with whom the actor has a dating relationship or resides, ensuring broader protection for victims. The legislation also adjusts related criminal statutes to align with these updated definitions, though it failed to pass in the 2026 session.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens domestic abuse protections by clarifying firearm prohibitions and expanding definitions, enhancing victim safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 1, 2026

AB 1141: Relating to: public financing of campaigns for the offices of justice of the supreme court, court of appeals judge, and circuit court judge, and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill establishes a public financing system for judicial campaigns in Wisconsin, allowing candidates for supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, and circuit court judge positions to receive state funding if they meet specific contribution requirements. To qualify, candidates must collect at least 1,000 qualifying contributions totaling between $5,000 and $50,000 during a designated period, and they must file detailed receipts showing each contributor's name and address. The bill also limits anonymous contributions to $5 for public financing candidates and $10 for others, requiring any excess to be donated to schools or charities. Additionally, it creates a mechanism for transferring unspent public funds to replacement candidates when a vacancy occurs, with funds reverting to the state if no replacement is filed within seven days.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes public financing for judicial campaigns, increasing government funding for essential democratic processes and reducing reliance on private donations.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes public financing for judicial campaigns, enhancing judicial independence and reducing campaign influence, which strengthens the integrity of the criminal justice system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Courts Judges

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1160: Relating to: attorney general enforcement authority for civil rights violations and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill creates new authority for the Wisconsin attorney general to investigate and sue individuals or entities for civil rights violations in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It allows the attorney general to conduct investigations requiring sworn statements, access to documents, and subpoenas when there is reasonable cause to believe a pattern of rights violations or a denial of rights with public importance has occurred. If violations are found, courts can order injunctive relief, award damages, and impose civil forfeiture penalties of up to $50,000 for first violations or $100,000 for subsequent violations within seven years. The bill also permits the attorney general to accept voluntary compliance agreements instead of pursuing litigation, though violations of such agreements remain subject to penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens civil rights enforcement by empowering attorney general to investigate and sue for violations, enhancing accountability and protecting individual rights within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by expanding attorney general authority to investigate and sue for civil rights violations in housing, preventing discrimination.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1087: Relating to: disrupting access to a reproductive health service facility or place of religious worship and providing a penalty.

This bill creates new criminal penalties and civil remedies for intentionally disrupting access to reproductive health service facilities or places of religious worship. It prohibits actions such as using force or physical obstruction to injure, intimidate, or interfere with individuals seeking or providing reproductive health services, as well as damaging property at these locations. Violations are classified as a Class A misdemeanor for first offenses and a Class I felony for repeat offenses. The legislation also allows affected individuals and entities to file civil lawsuits seeking injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees, while permitting prosecutors to seek civil forfeitures ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by creating penalties for disrupting access to reproductive health services and places of worship, enhancing protection for individuals and facilities.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient access to reproductive health services by criminalizing obstruction and intimidation, thereby safeguarding healthcare access and patient rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1125: Relating to: disrupting access to a reproductive health service facility or place of religious worship and providing a penalty.

This bill creates new criminal penalties for intentionally obstructing access to reproductive health service facilities or places of religious worship. It defines prohibited actions as using force, threats, or physical obstruction to injure, intimidate, or interfere with people seeking or providing reproductive health services, or to damage property at these locations. Violations are classified as a Class A misdemeanor for first offenses and a Class I felony for repeat offenses. The law also establishes civil remedies allowing affected individuals or entities to sue for damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees, with the option to receive statutory damages of up to $25,000 per violation. Additionally, the bill modifies existing tort claim limitations to exclude cases covered under this new statute.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by creating penalties for obstructing access to reproductive health facilities and places of worship, enhancing protection for individuals seeking services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects access to reproductive health services by criminalizing obstruction, directly supporting patient access to healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1134: Relating to: information contained in the Consolidated Court Automation Programs Internet site related to dismissed eviction actions. (FE)

This bill would require the Wisconsin state courts to remove defendants' names from public eviction records when an eviction case is dismissed. It creates a new rule that mandates redaction of names from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Internet site for dismissed eviction actions, while keeping names visible for cases where eviction writs are granted for at least 10 years. The change applies to eviction cases dismissed on or after the bill's effective date. This legislation directly affects tenants involved in dismissed eviction proceedings and modifies how public court records are managed for those specific cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by removing dismissed eviction records from public view, reducing stigma and potential barriers to employment for individuals with dismissed cases.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenant rights by removing names from public eviction records after dismissal, reducing stigma and potential discrimination against tenants.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects individuals' privacy by removing names from public eviction records, enhancing data privacy protections for citizens accessing court information online.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1165: Relating to: creating an Office of Civil Legal Aid to be overseen by a Civil Legal Aid Board, providing a right to the appointment of counsel at state expense for residential tenants in eviction actions, and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill creates a new Office of Civil Legal Aid overseen by a nine-member Civil Legal Aid Board, which would be appointed by the state supreme court and include at least five attorneys. The legislation guarantees that residential tenants facing eviction have the right to be represented by a state-appointed lawyer, unless they voluntarily give up that right. Landlords would be required to include a notice in their rental agreements and eviction notices informing tenants of this right and explaining how to request legal representation. The bill also establishes procedures for the board to manage attorney appointments, handle budget approvals, and enter into agreements with legal organizations to support the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes explicit appropriation for civil legal aid services, expanding access to justice for tenants through state-funded legal representation.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill guarantees right to counsel for tenants facing eviction, protecting civil rights and ensuring fair legal representation in civil proceedings.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes right to legal counsel for tenants facing eviction, strengthening tenant protections and preventing wrongful displacement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Courts Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1238: Relating to: allocation of building trust funds to develop preliminary plans and specification for expansion of the mother-young child care program under the Department of Corrections. (FE)

This bill directs the building commission to allocate $1,000,000 from state building trust funds to develop preliminary plans for expanding mother-young child care facilities within the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The funding is intended to evaluate infrastructure needs and design specifications for a prison nursery program that would allow eligible incarcerated women and their infants to reside together in correctional institutions. The bill focuses on establishing physical spaces and support systems to enable bonding, breastfeeding, and healthy infant development for mothers and children in custody. This measure requires no new operational funding but authorizes planning work to prepare for potential future program expansion. The legislation was introduced in the 2026 Wisconsin Legislature and referred to the Corrections Committee for review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds prison nursery program to support incarcerated mothers and children, promoting rehabilitation and family preservation within corrections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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