Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 490: Relating to: prevailing wage, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 490 amends Wisconsin's prevailing wage laws to establish a statewide standard for construction projects funded by public entities. It creates new privacy protections (Section 1), prohibiting authorities from sharing employee names or personally identifiable information without consent on projects subject to prevailing wage rules. The bill also defines key terms like "prevailing wage rate" (Section 6), clarifies that local governments cannot impose stricter wage requirements than the state standard (Section 8), and specifies which projects qualify for prevailing wage coverage (Sections 2-9). These changes directly affect contractors bidding on public works projects and local governments administering construction contracts.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 466: Relating to: project labor agreements and public contracts. (FE)

AB 466 repeals specific statutes that previously required municipalities to include project labor agreements (PLAs) in public construction contracts for buildings and structures (excluding highways). The bill removes legal provisions allowing cities to mandate PLAs - agreements between contractors and unions covering wages, hours, and working conditions - and eliminates related requirements for contractor classification. This directly affects public contractors and municipalities when awarding bids for non-highway construction projects, as they can no longer legally require PLAs. The amendment to Section 66.0901(6) clarifies that municipalities may set reasonable labor conditions but no longer must include PLAs in contracts. The bill is currently pending in the Workforce Development Committee with fiscal estimates received.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 560: Relating to: prohibiting the use of absentee ballot drop boxes for any election.

AB 560 prohibits municipalities from using physical drop boxes or other physical receptacles to collect voted absentee ballots in any election. Instead, the bill requires all absentee ballots to be returned exclusively by mail. This directly affects local governments that currently operate drop boxes for voter convenience. The law would eliminate a common method for returning absentee ballots, requiring voters to mail their completed ballots instead.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 643: Relating to: the establishment of November 11 as a day on which the offices of the agencies of state government are closed. (FE)

AB 643 establishes November 11 (Veterans Day) as a state holiday when all state government offices must close. It directly affects state government employees (excluding limited-term staff) by adding Veterans Day as a recognized paid personal holiday, in addition to their existing 9-10 annual paid holidays. The bill amends statutes to include November 11 in the list of holidays requiring office closures and creates a new provision specifying that employees earn one additional paid personal holiday each year specifically for Veterans Day. This change clarifies the holiday schedule and ensures Veterans Day is treated as a standard paid holiday for state employees.

Topics ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 617: Relating to: the establishment of November 11 as a day on which the offices of the agencies of state government are closed. (FE)

SB 617 designates November 11 (Veterans Day) as an official state holiday when offices of Wisconsin state government must close. It adds November 11 to the list of required closing days in state statute (230.35(4)(a)5m) and amends existing provisions to include Veterans Day as a paid holiday for state employees. The bill specifies that all state employees (except limited-term hires) will receive 9-10 paid holidays annually, with Veterans Day now counting toward that total. This change takes effect January 1 following publication, aligning Wisconsin state government operations with Veterans Day observance.

Topics ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 602: Relating to: prohibiting a virtual school from participating in a parental choice program.

SB 602 prohibits virtual schools (online-only schools) from participating in Wisconsin's parental choice programs, such as school voucher initiatives. It adds new requirements to statutes governing these programs, stating that participating private schools must not be classified as "virtual schools" under state law. This rule applies to the 2026-27 school year, directly affecting private schools seeking to join choice programs by excluding those that operate entirely online. The bill changes eligibility rules without altering funding amounts or creating new financial mechanisms.

Topics ✗ Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 630: Relating to: tracking a person who is registered as a sex offender but unable to provide an address.

AB 630 requires sex offenders on parole or extended supervision who cannot provide a stable address to notify the state department within 24 hours of losing that ability. If they cannot provide an address, the state department must use passive positioning tracking (like GPS) to monitor their location. This applies specifically to individuals under supervision who are unable to meet standard address reporting requirements under existing law. The bill updates registration rules to ensure continuous oversight when address information is unavailable.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 623: Relating to: various changes to insurance laws.

AB 623 updates insurance licensing and fee requirements for intermediaries and navigators. It requires these professionals to provide Social Security numbers or federal employer identification numbers when paying annual fees, with special forms for those without SSNs. The bill also adds new grounds for license revocation, including failure to pay child support, delinquent taxes, or unemployment insurance contributions. These changes directly affect insurance agents, brokers, and navigators who interact with the state's insurance commissioner. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify administrative procedures and licensing consequences.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 561: Relating to: allowing chiropractors to perform school employee health examinations.

SB 561 amends Wisconsin statute 118.25(1)(a) to explicitly allow licensed chiropractors to perform health examinations required for school employees (such as teachers and staff). The bill adds chiropractors to the list of authorized health professionals - alongside physicians, naturopathic doctors, and physician assistants - who can conduct these exams. This change directly affects school employees needing medical clearances for employment and school district hiring processes. The provision clarifies existing law without altering exam requirements or costs. (118.25(1)(a) amended per bill text, introduced Oct. 24, 2025).

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 107: Relating to: recognizing the inherent rights of nature and Wisconsin’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

This Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 107) is a symbolic resolution recognizing that nature possesses inherent rights - such as the right to exist, flourish, and regenerate - and affirming Wisconsin’s duty to protect these rights as part of its conservation legacy. It does not create new legal obligations but calls for future exploration of policies that align with rights-of-nature principles, including collaboration with Indigenous communities, scientists, and the public. The resolution specifically urges local governments and state agencies to consider adopting rights-of-nature approaches in land use, conservation, and planning, while affirming that local governments may independently adopt such measures. It directly affects Wisconsin’s environmental governance framework and future legislative efforts, though it has no binding legal effect.

Topics ✓ Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 456: Relating to: a tax credit for aviation biofuel manufacturing, authorizing the state to contract public debt for an aviation biofuel project grant, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 456 provides a $150 million grant to support aviation biofuel manufacturing in Wisconsin, funded through state public debt. It directly affects manufacturers who build facilities in designated zones, requiring them to use 80% in-state biomass (measured over 5 years), make $1.5 billion in state investments within 5 years, and maintain facilities exclusively for aviation biofuel production. The bill also creates a tax credit for such manufacturing and includes repayment penalties if grant conditions aren't met. This policy aims to support the state's forest products industry and create jobs through aviation biofuel development.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 633: Relating to: the rights of Devil’s Lake State Park and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 633 grants Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin, specific legal rights, including the right to clean water, natural ecosystems, and freedom from harmful activities. The bill prohibits state agencies, businesses, and government entities from infringing these rights, requiring agencies to review and adjust policies within one year and complete full park restoration within five years. Violations carry $1,000 fines per offense, and damages must fund park restoration via the conservation fund. It also allows individuals to sue to enforce these rights, with courts prioritizing ecological restoration over scientific uncertainty.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results