This bill is a joint resolution that designates April 2026 as Family Strengthening Month in Wisconsin. It directly affects the state legislature, which would officially proclaim the month to raise awareness about preventing child abuse and neglect. The resolution highlights the importance of building family protective factors like parental resilience and social connections to support children and communities. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's commitment to family support. The bill is procedural in nature and does not change any existing policies or programs.
SB 1182 prohibits cosmetic manufacturers from conducting or contracting for animal testing of cosmetics within the state after December 31, 2026, and bans the manufacture or import of products developed using such testing after that date. The law also prevents the sale of cosmetics containing ingredients tested on animals after the deadline, with limited exceptions for testing required by federal or state regulations, foreign jurisdictions, or specific federal laws. Penalties for violations include a $5,000 forfeiture plus $1,000 for each day the violation continues. This legislation directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, importers, and sellers operating in the state by establishing clear restrictions on animal testing practices and product sourcing.
This bill prohibits grocery retailers from using personalized algorithmic pricing for essential consumer goods like food and household products. It requires clear disclosure when prices are set by algorithms using personal data and bans displaying such prices on electronic screens within stores. The law also prevents retailers from using consumer data to set prices that vary based on protected characteristics like race, sex, or disability. Grocery retailers face penalties of up to $2,000 per violation and could be subject to investigations and civil lawsuits from affected consumers.
This bill creates a state tax credit for individuals who purchase subscriptions to qualifying local newspapers, which are defined as newspapers eligible to print legal notices. The credit allows taxpayers to claim 50 percent of their subscription costs as a credit against their state income tax, with a maximum benefit of $250 per year or $125 for married individuals filing separate returns. To use the credit, taxpayers must file a claim within the standard tax filing period for the year in which they paid for the subscriptions. The legislation applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and follows existing administrative procedures for similar tax credits.
This bill requires school boards to pay teachers for time spent on nonclassroom duties, such as grading, planning, or administrative tasks, rather than expecting this work to be done without compensation. The key provision states that no school board can require teachers to perform services outside regular classroom instruction unless they are compensated for that time. The law applies to all teachers affected by collective bargaining agreements or contracts, taking effect when their current agreements expire or are modified. This change aims to ensure teachers are paid for all professional time they spend supporting students and school operations.
SB 947 requires firearm owners to report lost or stolen guns to local law enforcement within 24 hours. Law enforcement must then forward these reports to a state database for tracking, and owners must report recovery of a firearm as soon as possible. Failure to report a lost or stolen firearm carries penalties: a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, escalating to a Class I felony for repeat violations. Additionally, sellers must provide new buyers written notice of these reporting requirements and penalties at the time of sale. The bill directly affects firearm owners, sellers, and law enforcement agencies.
SB 946 requires firearm sellers in Wisconsin to provide a specific written warning about child access risks and either a secure container or trigger lock during retail sales or transfers. The warning must state: "IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH..." The bill directly affects retail firearm sellers, mandating these provisions at the point of sale. Violations carry penalties of up to $500 fine, 30 days in jail, or both. The legislation focuses on preventing accidental firearm access by children through mandatory seller actions during transactions.
SB 1066 prohibits health insurance companies (including disability insurance and self-insured plans) from using artificial intelligence to deny prior authorization for medical treatments or experimental procedures. Instead, the bill requires a licensed healthcare provider to review these requests before a denial can be issued. It directly affects insurers that currently use AI for these decisions and healthcare providers who seek approval for patient care. The law takes effect in the fourth month after publication, with specific transition rules for plans under collective bargaining agreements.
AB 1068 modifies Wisconsin's broadband expansion grant program to better support local governments. It repeals outdated sections and updates rules to allow cities, villages, towns, and counties to apply for grants covering broadband infrastructure construction in unserved areas and related planning costs. Key changes include enabling grants for project planning (like feasibility studies) and permitting up to 50% of a broadband director's salary to be covered by grant funds. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to expand high-speed internet access in underserved communities.
SB 1039 modifies state grant programs to support broadband expansion in underserved areas. It repeals outdated sections of law and amends statutes to allow cities, villages, towns, and counties to apply for grants covering infrastructure construction, project planning (including feasibility reports), and up to 50% of costs for hiring a dedicated broadband director. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to expand high-speed internet access in areas without reliable service. Grants will be funded from specific state appropriations allocated for broadband projects. This bill focuses on streamlining funding mechanisms for local broadband development.
AB 1075 changes the age threshold for juvenile court jurisdiction by reclassifying 17-year-olds as adults for criminal prosecution purposes. It amends definitions to define "adult" as 17 years or older (instead of 18) for investigating and prosecuting criminal violations, while keeping 17-year-olds under juvenile court jurisdiction for specific cases. The bill also creates a new funding mechanism to reimburse counties for costs related to 17-year-olds accused of crimes starting in 2026. This directly affects 17-year-olds facing criminal charges and county juvenile justice systems managing their cases.
AB 953 requires retail firearm sellers to provide a clear written warning about child safety risks and a secure storage option during each sale. The warning, in block letters at least one-fourth inch tall, states that leaving a loaded firearm accessible to a child may result in fines or jail time if the child discharges it. Sellers must also provide either a lockable container designed for firearms or a trigger lock. Violating these requirements carries a penalty of up to $500 or 30 days in jail.
