This bill proposes creating a publicly financed health care plan for Wisconsin residents and establishes a new Office of the Ombudsman for Patient Advocacy within the Department of Health Services. The ombudsman would be appointed by the health secretary to advocate for patients, and the bill creates a separate health plan fund to manage money for the program, including federal payments and donations. The legislation defines key terms like "enrollee" and "medically necessary" care, authorizes the department to seek federal waivers to implement the plan, and sets up rules for how health care providers are classified and compensated. However, the bill failed to pass in the Senate on March 23, 2026, so these changes have not been enacted.
This bill requires prescription drug manufacturers to report price increases and new drug introductions to state health officials, affecting pharmaceutical companies selling drugs in the state. Manufacturers must notify the department and insurance office at least 30 days before raising drug prices by more than 25% over two years or introducing high-cost brand-name drugs, providing justification including cost-effectiveness data and comparisons to similar medications. The law also mandates annual reports on manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs and price concessions given to pharmacy benefit managers, with penalties of up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance. State health officials will publish the justification documents and conduct public hearings to analyze drug pricing trends.
This bill modifies court procedures for eviction cases where landlords and tenants agree to a dismissal agreement that includes conditions for compliance. It requires landlords to provide written notice to tenants before a court can cancel a dismissal agreement and reinstate an eviction if the tenant fails to meet the agreed terms. Additionally, the bill mandates that courts hold an evidentiary hearing before entering any unsatisfied portion of the agreement, ensuring both parties have a chance to present evidence. These changes directly affect landlords, tenants, and judges handling eviction cases by adding procedural safeguards to the enforcement of dismissal agreements.
This bill allows private individuals to file lawsuits against people who knowingly submit false claims for medical assistance, such as Medicaid. It establishes penalties requiring violators to pay three times the amount of damages caused to the state, plus additional fines. The law gives private citizens the right to bring these claims in the name of the state, while the attorney general decides whether to join the lawsuit or let the private individual proceed. If the attorney general chooses to intervene, they take primary responsibility for handling the case, though the private individual can remain a party to the action.
This bill modifies property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations that sell homes to low-income buyers. It allows nonprofits to qualify for tax breaks only if they either offer zero-interest loans or restrict sales to households earning less than 120 percent of the area median income. The changes apply to property tax assessments starting January 1, 2026, and affect nonprofits that rehabilitate, redevelop, or construct housing for low-income residents. The legislation removes a previous provision that allowed broader exemptions without income restrictions.
This bill establishes a grant program to help owners of mobile and manufactured home communities meet licensing standards and to assist individual homeowners with repairs and improvements. It creates a new penalty system that allows the Department of Safety and Professional Services to impose a $5,000 forfeiture annually on community owners who fail to comply with reporting or other requirements. The collected penalties are designated to fund the grant program, and unpaid forfeitures create liens on the property until resolved. The legislation defines key terms such as manufactured homes and mobile home communities to clarify who qualifies for assistance and under what rules.
This bill modifies Wisconsin's optometry laws to strengthen penalties for optometrists who fail to provide patients with their eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions at no cost. It creates a new provision requiring that all prescriptions include a measurement of the patient's pupillary distance and allows the optometry examining board to impose fines of up to $1,000 for each violation. The changes directly affect optometrists and their patients by ensuring prescription access and establishing clearer standards for disciplinary actions.
This bill congratulates the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team for winning the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. It specifically recognizes the team's achievements and highlights the contributions of Wisconsin athletes and staff who were part of the squad. The resolution expresses appreciation from the Wisconsin State Legislature to the players, coaches, and support staff for their success. As a ceremonial measure, the bill does not create new laws or policies but serves to honor the team's accomplishment.
This bill establishes statutory rights for individuals, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and manufacturers to access and provide fertility treatments without interference, while also creating a legal mechanism for enforcement through private lawsuits. It defines fertility treatment broadly to include procedures like in vitro fertilization, egg and sperm preservation, genetic testing, and related medications, requiring that services follow widely accepted medical standards. The legislation mandates that health insurance issuers cover fertility treatments and allows the state to seek federal waivers to reimburse these services through the Medical Assistance program if necessary. Additionally, it grants individuals the right to make decisions about their reproductive genetic material and establishes legal protections for providers to continue treatments they have already begun.
This Senate Joint Resolution formally recognizes the life and leadership of Bob Harlan, the former president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers. The bill highlights his contributions to the franchise, including hiring key personnel, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory, and overseeing a major stadium redevelopment. It serves as a commemorative tribute rather than enacting new policy or funding. The resolution was adopted by the Wisconsin Senate but did not receive concurrence from the Assembly.
This bill is a joint resolution that formally honors the life and public service of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a civil rights activist and politician who passed away in February 2026. The resolution recognizes his contributions to the American civil rights movement, his founding of Operation PUSH, his political campaigns, and his advocacy for racial equity and social justice. It also acknowledges his connections to Wisconsin, including his visits to lead prayers in the state assembly. The bill expresses the legislature's condolences to Jackson's family and community while commemorating his legacy of pursuing freedom and justice.
This bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios across various hospital units, requiring hospitals to submit annual staffing plans that specify the maximum number of patients each registered nurse can care for during a shift. It also grants registered nurses the right to refuse work assignments that violate these staffing standards and prohibits mandatory overtime for nurses. Hospitals must create staffing committees with a majority of frontline nurses, post their staffing plans publicly, and maintain detailed records of actual staffing levels for at least three years. The bill includes penalties for non-compliance, including fines for failing to submit plans or follow corrective actions after violations are confirmed.
