Relating to: repealing unconstitutional provisions related to operating while intoxicated.
AB 856 repeals and amends specific sections of state law related to operating while intoxicated (OWI) that were deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill primarily affects drivers of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles, and motorboats who face penalties for OWI or refusal to submit to chemical tests. Key changes include adjusting penalty tiers for repeat offenses (e.g., fines of $300-$1,100 for one prior conviction, up to $2,000 for four or more), clarifying when refusal constitutes a violation, and adding provisions for "additional chemical tests" for ATV/boat operators involved in accidents. The bill also revises procedures for law enforcement officers requesting tests and providing required information. These changes aim to align the statutes with constitutional standards while maintaining enforcement mechanisms for impaired operation.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Assembly Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 16, 2026
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
38
Key actions
8
Committee
5
Amendments
4
Apr 3, 2026
Signed into law
Report approved by the Governor on 4-3-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 195
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 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and passed
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adopted
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative Spiros
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Neubauer
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Judiciary, Ayes 6, Noes 0
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Judiciary, Ayes 6, Noes 0
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Introduced
Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Spiros
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Spiros, Born, Dittrich, Gundrum, Kitchens, Murphy, Mursau, O'Connor and Penterman;
cosponsored by Senators James, Jagler and Marklein
lower
9 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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