AB 310 creates a state-funded grant program to help agricultural businesses reduce nutrient runoff into waterways. It provides financial assistance for farmers and ranchers to implement practices like cover cropping, precision fertilization, or manure management systems. The program aims to improve water quality by directly supporting on-farm changes that limit excess nutrients from entering rivers and lakes. (Note: As introduced, specific eligibility details and funding levels remain under review by the Agriculture Committee.)
AB 504 requires property tax bills to include specific information about state aid reductions for school districts. It mandates disclosing the dollar amount and percentage change in state aid reductions from the previous year to the current year, and explicitly identifies if reductions resulted from enrollment in choice programs (like Milwaukee or Racine Choice) or special needs scholarships. School districts receiving reduced aid must also note that they could raise property taxes to offset the loss. This applies only when an actual aid reduction occurs, not every year. The bill aims to provide property owners with clear, transparent details about how state funding changes affect their local schools.
AB 30 prohibits foreign adversaries (defined as foreign governments or entities deemed a threat to U.S. security by the federal Commerce Secretary) from acquiring, owning, or holding any agricultural or forestry land in the state. It also imposes a 640-acre ownership limit for non-resident aliens, foreign corporations, and certain entities with foreign ownership. Owners exceeding these limits must divest the excess land within four years or forfeit it to the state. The bill directly affects foreign governments/entities designated as adversaries and current landowners who violate the ownership limits. It creates new enforcement mechanisms but does not apply to land acquired before July 1, 1982.
SB 411 amends Wisconsin's property tax credit for veterans and surviving spouses, requiring those with disability ratings below 100% to claim credit only up to their disability percentage or on the first $350,000 of property value. It also increases funding for the veterans housing and recovery program by $900,000 in 2025-26 and $1.05 million in 2026-27. Additionally, the bill appropriates $180,000 annually from 2025-27 for the University of Wisconsin's Missing-in-Action Recovery Project, mandating detailed annual reports on mission outcomes and expenditures. These changes directly affect eligible veterans, surviving spouses, and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.
AB 204 creates a 30% tax credit for video game developers in the state, directly affecting companies producing qualifying video games within the state. The credit applies to 30% of eligible wages paid to workers directly developing games or eligible expenditures (like software licenses), excluding wages, marketing costs, capital expenses, or content violating specific laws. Developers must certify claims with an independent CPA audit and comply with strict definitions, such as excluding political, educational, or social media-focused games. The credit is funded through a new appropriation account and cannot exceed the state’s tax liability for the year.
SB 370 would create a property tax exemption for nonprofit health education and fitness organizations that meet specific criteria. To qualify, an organization must be IRS 501(c)(3) exempt (with IRS confirmation by March 2009), operate only one facility for community health/fitness services, offer financial assistance to all community members, and provide free services to households with a deployed U.S. military member. The exemption applies to all property used for these purposes and takes effect for tax assessments starting January 1, 2026. This bill directly affects qualifying nonprofits serving community health needs and military families through tax relief on their facilities.
AB 533 requires all public K-12 schools in the state to incorporate at least one hour of voter education annually into the social studies curriculum, effective July 1, 2026. It mandates age-appropriate content: elementary students learn election basics, voting importance, and mock elections, while high school students receive instruction on voter registration, absentee ballots, military/student voting procedures, and accessing official election resources. The bill updates state social studies standards to include these requirements and applies to all public schools, including charter schools, through curriculum adjustments. This policy directly affects students, educators, and school districts by embedding civic education into standard coursework.
SB 8 creates a "lemon law" for new farm machinery (like tractors or harvesters) sold with an express warranty. It directly affects farmers who purchase or lease new equipment, requiring manufacturers or dealers to repair defects covered by warranty. If the same defect isn't fixed after four repair attempts or the equipment is unusable for 30+ days total due to warranty issues, the buyer is entitled to a replacement or full refund. The law applies within the warranty period or one year after first delivery, whichever comes first.
AB 363 creates a no-interest loan program for dairy farms operating 50-714 cows that meet strict criteria, including 98% in-state payroll, no recent environmental or safety violations, and legal workforce compliance. Funds can be used to adopt technology improving milk production efficiency, animal health, milk quality, or reducing environmental impacts from manure management. Priority is given to projects creating jobs, enhancing manure management practices, or lowering environmental effects per gallon of milk produced. The program aims to support sustainable dairy operations while ensuring local economic benefits through targeted financial assistance.
SB 12 creates a sales and use tax exemption for gun safes and firearm safety devices. The bill defines qualifying items as locked containers (using combinations, keys, or biometrics) designed solely for secure storage - not display cases - and safety devices preventing unauthorized firearm access. It clarifies that firearms sold with safety devices already installed are taxed as firearms, not as safety devices. This exemption applies directly to consumers purchasing these specific storage or safety products.
AB 575 prohibits all state agencies and local governmental units (like cities, counties, or school districts) from using facial recognition technology or its data, except to identify their own employees for employment-related purposes. The bill defines facial recognition technology as an automated system that compares camera footage of faces against databases to find matches. It directly affects government entities that currently use or plan to use this technology for public services, law enforcement, or other operations. The law creates a clear ban on its use for public identification, with only the narrow exception for internal employee verification.
AB 576 limits most uses of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), allowing them only for parking enforcement, secured private areas with restricted access, or weigh stations. It requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing ALPR or private security camera data, with exceptions only during emergencies involving immediate danger. The bill also restricts data retention to 90 days and imposes fines up to $10,000 for violations of these rules.
