Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 487: Relating to: training requirements for a license to carry a concealed weapon.

SB 487 modifies training requirements for concealed carry license applicants and renewers in this state. It expands acceptable proof of training to include out-of-state licenses that document required training, and adds new mandatory training components like suicide prevention, de-escalation techniques, and firearm safety storage practices. The bill requires applicants to submit proof of continuing training (including specific topics like live-fire practice and de-escalation) when renewing licenses. These changes apply to all new applications or renewals submitted on the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds de-escalation and suicide prevention training, promoting safer firearm handling and reducing use-of-force incidents in concealed carry licensing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 672: Relating to: penalty enhancer for crimes committed by a person acting as an agent of a foreign government or terrorist organization with the intent to silence or punish persons for their political view, criminalizing the enforcement of foreign laws without federal or state approval, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 672 creates new Wisconsin statutes to address "transnational repression," defined as actions by foreign government or terrorist organization agents targeting dissidents (like activists, journalists, or minority group members) to silence them over political views. It establishes a state training program for law enforcement, a public awareness campaign, and a digital reporting portal to identify such cases. The bill increases penalties for crimes committed as part of this repression (e.g., elevating a Class B felony to a Class A felony) and criminalizes enforcing foreign laws without federal or state approval, punishable by a minimum 3-year prison term. These provisions directly affect foreign agents operating within Wisconsin and target actions intended to suppress political dissent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets transnational repression against dissidents, creates law enforcement training/reporting, and enhances penalties for silencing political views - aligning with civil rights protection and accountability in criminal justice.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 626: Relating to: police authority to disable drones threatening public safety and providing a penalty.

This bill prohibits drone operation over correctional facilities (prisons and jails) without specific authorization from facility leadership. It imposes a $5,000 fine for unauthorized flights and creates a Class H felony charge for using weaponized drones (equipped with tasers, firearms, or explosives) that threaten public safety. Law enforcement officers are authorized to detect, disable, or destroy such drones using lawful methods (like jamming or physical capture) if they reasonably believe immediate action is needed to prevent harm. The law also requires officers to seize drone-recorded footage during violations and shields them from liability for damaging intercepted drones.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances security at correctional facilities (a criminal justice component) by penalizing unauthorized drone flights and authorizing law enforcement to disable threats, protecting public safety and facility integrity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 667: Relating to: prohibiting a law enforcement agency from accessing personal data in exchange for payment without a warrant.

AB 667 prohibits law enforcement agencies from paying third parties or government entities for access to an individual's personal data without a warrant. The bill defines "personal data" broadly to include names, location, financial records, health information, browsing history, and device identifiers. It allows exceptions only when a warrant is obtained, during emergencies involving immediate danger, if data is already public, or with the individual's explicit consent. This law directly affects law enforcement agencies and data-sharing companies by restricting how personal information can be acquired for investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits warrantless law enforcement data access, enhancing privacy protections and police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits warrantless law enforcement access to personal data including browsing history and device identifiers, strengthening digital privacy protections per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 441: Relating to: identity requirements for officers who arrest or detain individuals and providing a penalty.

AB 441 requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves during arrests or detentions. Specifically, officers must state their name, display their badge number and agency insignia (with specified visibility standards), and state the legal authority for the action. The bill prohibits concealing identity except for medical masks, tactical gear, or during imminent danger. Violating these rules is a Class D felony, though courts cannot impose jail time. This directly affects officers employed by state or local law enforcement agencies during enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to identify themselves during arrests, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement interactions, a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 278: Relating to: grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms.

AB 278 creates a grant program for law enforcement agencies to purchase data-sharing platforms that integrate real-time data from multiple systems, eliminate duplicate records, and provide secure, customizable search and analytics tools. The bill specifies that platforms must meet 11 detailed requirements, including secure access controls, compatibility with existing systems, compliance with data security standards, and retention of agency data ownership. The Department of Justice will award grants using up to $2 million annually from state funds to support this initiative. This bill directly affects local and state law enforcement agencies seeking to upgrade their data-sharing capabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant program funding law enforcement data platforms, directly increasing government spending on public safety technology per bill's grant allocation structure.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement data-sharing platforms through grants, directly supporting operational efficiency in criminal justice systems per bill's grant program.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates data security standards and secure access controls for law enforcement data platforms, directly enhancing cybersecurity and data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 17: Relating to: special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty.

SB 17 amends Wisconsin law to make intentionally causing physical injury or threatening injury to a community service officer (or their family) a Class H felony under specific conditions. It directly affects community service officers by expanding protections to include them alongside judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers. The key provisions require that the perpetrator knew the victim's status as an officer or family member and that the act was in response to the officer's official duties. This bill creates a clearer legal standard for prosecuting threats or violence against community service officers during their work. The measure is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands felony penalties for harming community service officers, strengthening law enforcement protections within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Aug 11, 2025

SB 278: Relating to: sunset of the community-oriented policing-house grant program.

SB 278 prevents the automatic expiration (sunset) of Wisconsin's Community-Oriented Policing-House Grant Program by changing its funding mechanism. The bill amends state law to establish the program as a "continuing appropriation" that receives biennial funding without requiring annual legislative action to renew it. This change directly affects local law enforcement agencies and community organizations that receive these grants to fund policing initiatives focused on community engagement. The policy shift ensures stable, ongoing funding for the program starting July 1, 2025, rather than requiring renewal each biennium. The bill was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 27 and signed into law on August 11, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes continuing appropriation for community policing grants, ensuring stable biennial funding and preventing defunding of essential program.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents automatic expiration of community policing grants, ensuring ongoing funding for community engagement initiatives central to criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Law Enforcement

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 236: Relating to: the rights of sexual assault crime victims.

AB 236 ensures sexual assault victims who provide a forensic kit receive clear, timely updates about their case. It requires law enforcement to notify victims about kit testing timelines, DNA analysis results, and the kit's destruction date upon request. Victims also get updates if their case status changes (e.g., closed or reopened). The bill directly affects individuals who submit sexual assault kits, improving transparency in how their evidence is handled. It does not change criminal penalties or create new programs, but mandates specific communication protocols for law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates law enforcement transparency for sexual assault victims regarding forensic kits, directly enhancing victim rights and system accountability within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 84: Relating to: prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE)

Assembly Bill 84 establishes a new "prostitution crime surcharge" for individuals convicted of or placed on probation for certain prostitution-related offenses. If passed, courts would be required to impose a $5,000 surcharge in these cases. Funds collected from this surcharge would be divided equally: half would support treatment and services for sex-trafficking victims, and the other half would fund criminal investigative operations and law enforcement efforts against Internet crimes against children.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new $5,000 surcharge (tax) to fund victim services and law enforcement, directly allocating funds through fiscal mechanism.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds sex-trafficking victim services and law enforcement operations, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like victim support and targeted enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Fees & Licensing Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

Track