Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 344: Relating to: pursuing liens on federal property if federal aid to the state is withheld under certain circumstances. (FE)

AB 344 authorizes Wisconsin to place liens on federal properties within the state if federal aid is unlawfully withheld by a presidential executive order or in violation of a court order. The state secretary must calculate the withheld aid amount, report it to the legislature within 60 days, and identify federal properties where liens could be filed. The attorney general would then seek liens totaling no more than the withheld aid amount, and these liens would be released once the federal aid is restored. The bill directly affects state officials (secretary, attorney general) and the state's ability to recover funds from federal property. It creates a specific procedural mechanism for addressing unlawful withholding of federal funds, not new funding programs.

Alex Joers (D) Francesca Hong (D) Mike Bare (D) Joe Sheehan (D) Christine Sinicki (D)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 331: Relating to: establishing a civil cause of action for civil rights violations.

AB 331 creates a new legal right for individuals who believe their constitutional rights (such as due process or equal protection) were violated by government officials acting under color of law, including police or state employees. It allows victims to sue for damages, court orders to stop violations, and court-ordered attorney fees. The law sets a 6-year deadline to file such lawsuits and applies to both federal and state civil rights violations. It does not apply to cases already covered by existing statutes like 893.80 or 893.82.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 345: Relating to: withholding state payments to the federal government if federal aid to the state is withheld under certain circumstances. (FE)

AB 345 requires the state treasurer to withhold state payments to the federal government if federal aid to the state is unlawfully withheld (e.g., via presidential order or court violation). Specifically, the state must calculate the lost federal aid amount, submit a detailed report within 60 days, and withhold matching state payments up to that loss amount over the next year. Once federal aid is restored, the withheld state funds must be paid to the federal government. The bill directly affects state treasury operations and federal budget coordination, with no impact on federal aid recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 288: Relating to: labeling plants as beneficial to pollinators. (FE)

AB 288 prohibits retailers and plant providers from labeling plants as "beneficial to pollinators" if those plants were treated with systemic insecticides that carry pollinator warnings on their labels (such as "bee protection" statements or environmental hazard notices). The law directly affects businesses selling plants at retail or to end users, requiring them to avoid misleading claims about pollinator benefits when insecticides with specific warnings were used. Key provisions define "systemic insecticide" and require that labeling aligns with the insecticide's actual pollinator safety status. This creates a clear policy change: plants treated with pollinator-risk insecticides cannot be marketed as pollinator-friendly, aiming to prevent consumer confusion about environmental impact.

Topics ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 81: Relating to: excluding expenditures funded by referenda from shared costs for the purpose of determining equalization aid for school districts. (FE)

AB 81 modifies how school districts calculate state aid by excluding certain referendum-funded expenditures from "shared costs." Specifically, it removes from the calculation any debt service costs from referenda approved after the bill's effective date that authorized borrowing of at least $50 million (unless the district's equalized valuation exceeded a specific threshold). This means school districts using referendum funds for large capital projects will not see those costs reduce their state equalization aid. The bill directly affects districts that have approved significant referendum bonds for school improvements or construction.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 342: Relating to: coverage of treatment for mental health or substance use disorders under health insurance policies and plans.

SB 342 requires certain health insurance plans - including preferred provider plans, limited service health organizations, and government health plans (like those for state/local employees) - to cover at least 28 mental health or substance use treatment visits per year, or as many as needed to meet a patient’s treatment goals. It prohibits insurers from requiring pre-approval (prior authorization) for this coverage. If an actuarial analysis shows the policy changes would raise costs for insurers by more than 10%, the requirement may be delayed. The bill applies to policies starting in the first policy year after its effective date, with specific timelines for government plans affected by collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 338: Relating to: coverage of treatment for mental health or substance use disorders under health insurance policies and plans.

AB 338 requires most health insurance plans (including those offered by state/local governments) to cover at least 28 annual therapy visits for mental health or substance use disorders without prior authorization. It mandates that insurers provide this minimum coverage per policy year, based on the insured's treatment goals. The law includes a cost-check mechanism: if insurers' actuarial analysis shows coverage would increase plan costs by over 10%, enforcement may be paused. This directly affects health insurers, self-insured public employer plans, and individuals seeking mental health/substance use treatment. The bill takes effect for new policy years starting after its publication date.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 346: Relating to: grants for prospective school social workers, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 346 creates a state grant program to help prospective school social workers cover education costs for licensure. It specifically targets individuals from racial minority groups (including Black Americans, American Indians, Hispanic individuals, Asian/Pacific Islander individuals, or multiracial people) who are either school employees or enrolled in relevant graduate programs. The bill appropriates $5 million annually for 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund these grants, with the Department of Public Instruction administering the program and establishing necessary rules. This directly affects eligible prospective school social workers seeking licensure, not current professionals or other school staff.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 352: Relating to: grants to hire school mental health professionals who are members of a racial minority group, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 352 creates a $5 million annual grant program to help school districts hire mental health professionals who are members of racial minority groups. It directly affects school districts (which apply for grants) and mental health professionals from specified racial minority groups, including Black Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and multiracial individuals. The bill requires the state education department to administer the grants and develop rules for implementation, with funding allocated for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. The policy change focuses on increasing access to culturally representative mental health support in schools through targeted hiring.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 347: Relating to: aid for comprehensive school mental health services and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 347 creates a new state grant program to reimburse school districts and charter schools for comprehensive mental health services provided to students. It covers eligible costs like mental health literacy programs, telehealth services, parent training, mental health navigators, and equipment for telehealth, but excludes direct treatment costs or staff salaries for non-mental health roles. Reimbursement is capped at $100,000 per school or $100 per enrolled student annually, with a $83.888 million appropriation for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. The bill directly affects public schools and charter schools by providing funding for in-school and out-of-school mental health support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 340: Relating to: stipend payments for school social worker interns and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 340 creates a dedicated $2 million annual appropriation for stipend payments to school social worker interns in Wisconsin public schools. It directly affects graduate students enrolled in school social work licensure programs who are placed as interns in public schools under school board governance. The bill establishes that the Department of Public Instruction must provide these stipends starting in the 2026-27 school year, using funds allocated under the new statutory section 20.255(3)(cm). This policy change formalizes funding for intern stipends without altering eligibility requirements for the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 344: Relating to: a refundable income tax credit for bicycle purchases and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 344 creates a refundable income tax credit of up to $200 per dependent for bicycle (including electric bicycle) purchases by low-income residents. It directly affects families with dependents whose income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty line, allowing them to claim the credit against their state income tax or receive a cash payment if the credit exceeds their tax liability. Key provisions require claimants to submit purchase documentation, restrict eligibility to full-year residents, and cap the credit at $200 per dependent annually. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and is funded through a new appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Bill results