SB 188 Wisconsin Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: reduction of penalty surcharge when certain fines or forfeitures reduced. (FE)

SB 188 changes how penalty surcharges are calculated when court fines or forfeitures are reduced. It requires that if a fine is suspended or reduced (in whole or part), the 26% penalty surcharge must be reduced proportionally. This applies to most fines for state law violations or local ordinances, but excludes nonmoving traffic violations, seatbelt offenses, and certain financial responsibility violations. The bill ensures that reduced fines directly lower the surcharge amount, affecting individuals paying fines and courts collecting these fees.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Nov 2025
Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Apr 14, 2025 Signed Apr 9, 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
29
Key actions
5
Committee
2
Apr 9, 2026
Signed into law
Report approved by the Governor on 4-8-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 213
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and concurred in
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on calendar 1-20-2026 by Committee on Rules
lower
Nov 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and passed
upper
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Senator Feyen; cosponsored by Representatives Brooks, Knodl, Behnke, Moses, Mursau, Novak, Sinicki, Wichgers and O'Connor
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dan Feyen
Dan Feyen
RRepublican
WI
20