AB 530 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: the operation of drones over school property and providing a penalty.

AB 530 restricts drone operations over school properties, directly affecting anyone flying drones near public, private, or tribal schools. The bill prohibits drones over school grounds without authorization, except for specific law enforcement or emergency purposes like search/rescue, locating escaped prisoners, or preventing imminent danger. Violations carry a maximum $5,000 penalty, and evidence from drone recordings related to violations must be handled by law enforcement or correctional authorities. The law clarifies definitions for "school" and "public protective services agency" to ensure consistent application.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Assembly Passage
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Oct 15, 2025 Signed Apr 3, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
36
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Amendments
2
Apr 3, 2026
Signed into law
Report approved by the Governor on 4-3-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 189
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and concurred in
upper
Mar 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0
upper
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and passed
lower
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Assembly Amendment 1 adopted
lower
Nov 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on calendar 11-19-2025 by Committee on Rules
lower
Nov 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Nov 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Science, Technology, and AI, Ayes 5, Noes 1
lower
Nov 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Science, Technology, and AI, Ayes 6, Noes 0
lower
Nov 4, 2025
Introduced
Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Kitchens
lower
Oct 15, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Kitchens, Franklin, Steffen, Behnke, Dittrich, Goodwin, Gundrum, Knodl, Melotik, Murphy, Mursau, O'Connor, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Sheehan, Sinicki, Stroud and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators James, Marklein and Tomczyk
lower
18 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors