SB 278 Wisconsin Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: sunset of the community-oriented policing-house grant program.

SB 278 prevents the automatic expiration (sunset) of Wisconsin's Community-Oriented Policing-House Grant Program by changing its funding mechanism. The bill amends state law to establish the program as a "continuing appropriation" that receives biennial funding without requiring annual legislative action to renew it. This change directly affects local law enforcement agencies and community organizations that receive these grants to fund policing initiatives focused on community engagement. The policy shift ensures stable, ongoing funding for the program starting July 1, 2025, rather than requiring renewal each biennium. The bill was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 27 and signed into law on August 11, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Assembly Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced May 22, 2025 Signed Aug 11, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Jun 18, 2025

How they voted

320
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 34
Jun 18, 2025
D Democratic16
14 Yea 2
87% Yea
R Republican18
18 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
30
Key actions
5
Committee
1
Amendments
2
Aug 11, 2025
Signed into law
Report approved by the Governor on 8-8-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 27
upper
Jun 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and concurred in
lower
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 32, Noes 0
upper
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Amendment 1 adopted
upper
Jun 13, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Wanggaard
upper
Jun 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0
upper
May 22, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Senators Wanggaard and Carpenter; cosponsored by Representatives Spiros and Stubbs
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors