Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 412: Relating to: mandatory reporting requirements and referring cases of threatened or suspected child abuse to law enforcement. (FE)

AB 412 would require certain professionals, such as teachers and healthcare workers, to directly report suspected child abuse cases to law enforcement instead of child protective services. This changes the current reporting process by mandating immediate referrals to police for safety concerns. The bill applies to individuals already designated as mandated reporters under existing law. It was introduced in August 2025 and referred to the Criminal Justice Committee for review.

Barbara Dittrich (R) Dan Knodl (R) Karen Hurd (R) Cindi Duchow (R) Dave Murphy (R)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 430: Relating to: discrimination based on arrest record under the fair employment law.

AB 430 amends Wisconsin's fair employment law to clarify when employers and licensing agencies can consider an applicant's pending criminal charge. It prohibits refusing employment or licensing solely because an applicant has a pending charge, unless the charge is directly related to the job or licensed activity. The bill specifically allows decisions based on the charge's relevance to the position (e.g., denying a security job for a theft charge) but blocks blanket denials for unrelated pending cases. This directly affects job seekers and license applicants with pending criminal charges who face hiring or licensing barriers. The law aims to reduce discrimination based on arrest records while permitting relevant, job-related considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 436: Relating to: the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill updates the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship program by creating a governing board with specific membership requirements, including representatives from environmental groups, hunting/fishing organizations, tribal nations, and local government. It establishes annual funding for grants to nonprofit conservation organizations and a tribal co-management program, with set spending limits for the program through 2031. The bill also adjusts debt authorization and funding mechanisms for the program's capital improvement fund. These changes directly affect the program's operations and the organizations receiving financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 209: Relating to: creating a hazard mitigation revolving loan program, creating a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 209 creates two revolving loan programs: one for Great Lakes shoreline erosion control and another for hazard mitigation projects. It directly affects municipalities and homeowners threatened by erosion along Lake Michigan or Lake Superior, as well as local governments seeking funds for hazard mitigation. The bill establishes a $5 million appropriation from the environmental fund for the Great Lakes program and a separate hazard mitigation revolving loan fund using federal funds, state transfers, and loan repayments. All repaid loan principal and interest are recycled into the programs, creating a self-sustaining funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 450: Relating to: nonprofit agricultural organization health benefit coverage.

SB 450 allows specific member-owned agricultural cooperatives (defined as pre-1922 organizations with 501(c)(5) status) to provide health benefit coverage exclusively for their members and families. The bill requires these organizations to offer coverage in all state counties, file insurance commissioner attestations, and provide annual actuarial reviews to ensure financial stability. It mandates clear written notice that this coverage is not health insurance and cannot satisfy federal insurance requirements, while prohibiting exclusions for preexisting conditions beyond six months or denying coverage based on provider type. Organizations must also reinsure risks with state-authorized companies and establish complaint resolution processes similar to standard health insurance.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 178: Relating to: expanding the treatment alternatives and diversion programs. (FE)

AB 178 creates a new state grant program to fund county and tribal programs that offer treatment alternatives to jail for people facing criminal charges related to substance use or mental health issues. It requires these programs to use evidence-based treatment, integrate mental health services, and include graduated incentives for participants. The bill directly affects criminal defendants with substance use disorders or mental illness who qualify for these programs, as well as counties and tribes receiving grants. Key provisions include mandating collaboration between courts, prosecutors, public defenders, and health agencies to develop and oversee the programs, while exempting participants in approved programs from losing good time credit in jail.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 145: Relating to: the procedure for adding federal newborn screening recommendations to the state-required newborn screenings, granting rule-making authority, and providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures. (FE)

SB 145 establishes a process for Wisconsin to add federal newborn screening recommendations to its state-required list. It requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to evaluate new federal disorders within 18 months, conduct annual reviews of excluded disorders, and begin rule-making to include them if appropriate. The bill grants DHS authority to create new screening rules and exempts these rules from standard emergency rule procedures. It directly affects newborns in Wisconsin by potentially expanding screening tests for certain disorders, with testing for newly added disorders required to begin within six months of rule publication. The law applies to federal recommendations approved after January 1, 2025, and includes specific timelines for evaluation and implementation.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 401: Relating to: damage or graffiti to certain historical property and providing a penalty.

AB 401 creates penalties for damaging or defacing designated historical properties in Wisconsin. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage such properties, including vandalism or graffiti on sites with historical significance. The bill establishes specific fines or penalties for these offenses, targeting property owners or vandals who harm protected historical landmarks. This legislation focuses on safeguarding culturally significant sites through new enforcement mechanisms.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 57: Relating to: urging support for a constitutional amendment to provide states with authority to regulate campaign financing.

AJR 57 is a Wisconsin legislative resolution urging support for a constitutional amendment that would allow states and Congress to regulate campaign spending in elections. It specifically seeks to clarify that such regulations can distinguish between individual citizens and organizations (like corporations or unions). The resolution does not create new laws but formally declares Wisconsin's position in favor of this amendment to restore state authority over campaign finance rules. It directs Wisconsin's congressional delegation to forward this resolution to federal leaders.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 58: Relating to: urging support for a constitutional amendment to provide states with authority to regulate campaign financing.

SJR 58 is a Wisconsin resolution urging support for a constitutional amendment that would allow states and Congress to regulate money spent to influence elections. The amendment would enable states to create rules distinguishing between individual voters and organizations (like corporations or unions) when regulating campaign spending. This resolution does not change current law but formally asks Wisconsin to advocate for this amendment in federal discussions. It directly affects state legislative efforts to shape campaign finance regulations.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 266: Relating to: the fee for filing limited liability company articles of organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. (FE)

The bill title claims to address LLC filing fees, but the provided text actually amends a statute about student enrollment requirements (183.0122), not business fees. The bill text specifies that a student must be enrolled in a postsecondary institution, public/private/tribal high school, or home-based private program to qualify for certain benefits. It does not change LLC filing fees or affect business entities. The mismatch between the title and the actual content in the bill text makes it impossible to summarize the LLC fee aspect as described. This appears to be an error in the provided bill text.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 484: Relating to: prohibitions concerning use of state and local facilities to detain individuals on the basis of immigration status.

SB 484 prohibits state and local governments from using public facilities (like jails or detention centers) to detain people solely based on their immigration status. It also bans state or local funding from being used to establish or operate immigrant detention facilities. This directly affects cities, counties, sheriffs' offices, and state agencies that manage public facilities or funds. The bill prevents local governments from participating in immigration enforcement through detention or funding, while allowing detention for other legal reasons.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Immigration

Bill results