Relating to: operation of drones over certain utility facilities and providing a penalty.
AB 768 restricts drone operations near critical utility facilities by prohibiting flights below 300 feet within 500 feet of water reclamation plants, power plants/substations, telecom facilities, or public water systems. Exceptions allow facility owners, local governments, and commercial operators (complying with FAA rules) to operate drones for maintenance, inspections, or official business. The bill also requires law enforcement to seize drone footage during violations and transfer it to relevant local agencies for enforcement. This directly affects drone operators near these infrastructure sites while aiming to protect public safety and facility security.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Assembly Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Dec 17, 2025
Signed Apr 3, 2026
Floor votes · Assembly Feb 17, 2026
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
38
Key actions
9
Committee
5
Amendments
4
Apr 3, 2026
Signed into law
Report approved by the Governor on 4-3-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 194
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 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 85, Noes 14
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Assembly Amendment 2 adopted
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Assembly Amendment 1 adopted
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Introduced
Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Donovan
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 13, Noes 2
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 15, Noes 0
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Introduced
Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Donovan
lower
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Donovan, Dittrich, Goodwin, Knodl, Maxey, Melotik, Murphy, Novak, O'Connor, Penterman, Sinicki, Tittl and Wichgers;
cosponsored by Senators Tomczyk and James
lower
13 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Barbara Dittrich
RRepublican
P
Bob Donovan
RRepublican
P
Christine Sinicki
DDemocratic
P
Chuck Wichgers
RRepublican
P
Dan Knodl
RRepublican
P
Dave Maxey
RRepublican
P
Dave Murphy
RRepublican
P
Jerry O'Connor
RRepublican
P
Paul Melotik
RRepublican
P
Paul Tittl
RRepublican
P
Russell Goodwin
DDemocratic
P
Todd Novak
RRepublican
P
Will Penterman
RRepublican
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