This joint resolution recognizes October 7, 2025, as National Propane Day in Wisconsin. It highlights propane as a clean-burning, low-carbon fuel that supports 278,175 Wisconsin homes, 1,360 jobs, and over $1 billion in annual economic activity. The resolution emphasizes propane’s role in meeting energy needs while improving air quality and supporting Wisconsin’s energy security. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or obligations but formally acknowledges the industry’s contributions.
AB 92 creates a Spinal Cord Injury Council in Wisconsin's Department of Health Services to oversee research funding. It allocates $2.5 million biennially for grants supporting research into new treatments for spinal cord injuries, including pharmaceutical, medical device, and rehabilitative approaches. The council - composed of researchers, patients, veterans, and family members - sets grant criteria, reviews applications, and recommends awardees. Grant recipients must present findings at department-hosted symposia (held no more than once every two years) and report annual results to the legislature. This directly affects Wisconsin-based researchers and medical institutions conducting spinal cord injury research.
AB 311 would allow transgender and intersex individuals to update their sex marker on birth certificates without requiring medical documentation. The bill directly affects people seeking to align their legal identity with their gender identity through simplified administrative changes. Key provisions would replace current requirements (like court orders or medical certifications) with a straightforward self-attestation process. The bill is currently under review in the Assembly Judiciary Committee after being introduced on June 6, 2025.
AB 421 prohibits cities, towns, and counties from enacting "rights of nature" ordinances that grant legal rights to natural resources like rivers or forests. The bill defines such ordinances as those conferring rights to exist, be protected from pollution, or maintain healthy ecosystems. It creates a new state law (66.0132) banning these local measures, preventing municipalities from using this approach to legally protect natural areas. The bill was introduced in September 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
SB 312 prohibits changing the sex marker on a birth certificate to reflect a person's gender identity. It defines "biological sex" as the sex assigned at birth based on chromosomes, and bans courts from ordering such changes - even after gender-affirming surgery. The bill affects transgender individuals seeking to update their birth certificates to match their gender identity. Key provisions include creating new statutes (69.115, 69.12 (2m)) that prevent sex marker changes and amending existing laws to remove court authority for such updates. The bill does not affect name changes on birth records.
SB 396 increases funding for the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program by $512,900 for fiscal year 2025-26 (adding 7 staff positions) and $602,800 for fiscal year 2026-27. This directly expands services provided to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs by authorizing additional staff to support outreach and recovery efforts. The bill makes specific appropriations to the department without creating new program requirements or altering eligibility. It affects veterans seeking outreach services and the department’s capacity to deliver them.
SB 385 increases funding for Wisconsin's Veterans Housing and Recovery Program. It adds $900,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $1,050,000 for 2026-27 to cover program supplies, services, and leasing a new facility in Chippewa Falls. The additional funds address space limitations and facility deficiencies at the current location. This bill directly affects veterans participating in the housing program by ensuring continued support through improved resources and accommodations. The changes are purely fiscal, with no new policy requirements for veterans or service providers.
SB 398 creates a tax credit for small businesses to install universal changing stations in certain buildings. The credit covers 50% of installation costs, up to $5,125, for businesses with annual gross receipts under $1 million or 30 or fewer full-time employees. The bill amends tax statutes to allow this credit against state income tax, with credits calculated based on entity payments and distributed to owners proportionally for partnerships and similar entities. It requires stations to meet specific standards defined in the law and includes funding through an appropriation account.
AB 403 requires certain buildings (like public facilities and commercial properties) to install universal changing stations for diaper changes or other needs. It creates a tax credit to help offset the cost of installing these stations for building owners or operators. The bill also includes state funding (an appropriation) to support the implementation of this requirement. This directly affects property owners in covered buildings by mandating new infrastructure while providing financial assistance through the tax credit.
AB 321 prohibits the possession, sale, or manufacture of undetectable firearms - those not detectable by standard metal detectors or security scanners - and requires serial numbers on firearm frames or receivers. It directly affects individuals who own or handle such firearms or unmarked firearm components, with specific exemptions for law enforcement, military personnel, and pre-1968 firearms. Violations carry penalties of Class G felony (possession of undetectable firearms), Class H felony (possession of manufacturing plans), or Class I felony (unmarked frames/receivers). The law aims to enhance public safety by making firearms more detectable during security screenings.
AB 235 establishes a state-funded grant program to support workforce literacy initiatives. It provides annual grants to nonprofit organizations located in the state that serve adult literacy programs across more than half of the state's counties. Grant funds can be used for workforce readiness training, GED exam preparation, digital literacy skills, and supporting other job-related literacy services. The bill is currently pending passage after a committee recommended approval with a 7-2 vote. This program directly affects nonprofits delivering statewide adult education services and aims to strengthen workforce skills through targeted funding.
SB 332 prohibits the possession, sale, or manufacture of undetectable firearms (those not detectable by standard metal detectors or security scanners) and unmarked firearm frames/receivers (the core components of a gun). It creates new felony penalties: Class G for possessing undetectable firearms, Class H for sharing manufacturing plans, and Class I for possessing unmarked frames/receivers. The law applies to the general public but includes exemptions for law enforcement officers, military personnel, and licensed manufacturers acting within their official duties. This directly affects individuals who own or attempt to build such firearms, aiming to enhance public safety through stricter firearm tracking and detection requirements.
