Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 19, 2026

AB 136: Relating to: classification of the crime of impersonating law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and certain other emergency personnel and providing a penalty.

AB 136 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally impersonate a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical services practitioner, or emergency medical responder with the intent to mislead others into believing the person is actually an emergency personnel member. The bill directly affects individuals who falsely claim these roles to deceive others, such as by wearing uniforms or using official equipment. Key provisions define specific penalties for each type of impersonation, clarifying that the offense applies when someone acts with deceptive intent. This legislation updates Wisconsin law to explicitly classify these impersonations as criminal acts with standardized misdemeanor penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new misdemeanor offense for impersonating emergency personnel, aligning with 'expands criminalization' oppose indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 332: Relating to: prohibition against undetectable firearms, possessing a frame or receiver of a firearm without a serial number, and providing a penalty.

SB 332 prohibits the possession, sale, or manufacture of undetectable firearms (those not detectable by standard metal detectors or security scanners) and unmarked firearm frames/receivers (the core components of a gun). It creates new felony penalties: Class G for possessing undetectable firearms, Class H for sharing manufacturing plans, and Class I for possessing unmarked frames/receivers. The law applies to the general public but includes exemptions for law enforcement officers, military personnel, and licensed manufacturers acting within their official duties. This directly affects individuals who own or attempt to build such firearms, aiming to enhance public safety through stricter firearm tracking and detection requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony penalties for firearm-related offenses, expanding criminalization per indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 34: Relating to: court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths.

AB 34 prevents courts from allowing criminal complaints against law enforcement officers in officer-involved deaths when a district attorney has already determined there is no basis for prosecution. The bill requires that courts and judges cannot issue complaints unless "new or unused evidence" is presented, effectively barring judicial override of a district attorney's initial decision. This directly affects law enforcement officers involved in such deaths and the legal process for pursuing criminal charges against them. The law applies to cases defined under statute 175.47 (1) (c), limiting judicial action based on a district attorney's prior assessment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts judicial review of DA decisions in officer-involved deaths, weakening oversight of law enforcement by preventing court override without new evidence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 609: Relating to: right to carry a weapon in this state, licenses to carry a concealed weapon, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 609 modifies firearm regulations in the state by reducing the restricted distance near schools and hospitals from 1,700 to 1,200 feet for hunting. It removes restrictions on loading firearms in vehicles and discharging weapons within 50 feet of roadways for certain individuals. The bill clarifies that law enforcement officers, qualified out-of-state officers, and former officers are exempt from specific firearm restrictions while acting in their official duties. These changes primarily affect law enforcement personnel and their operational procedures, not general public carry rights. The bill does not create new carry permits or alter concealed weapon licensing requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReduces firearm restrictions near schools/hospitals, removes vehicle loading limits, and expands weapon discharge allowances, weakening public safety regulations in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 25: Relating to: court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths.

SB 25 would require courts to defer to a district attorney's determination that there is no basis to prosecute a law enforcement officer involved in a death. Specifically, it prohibits judges from issuing criminal complaints against such officers unless new or unused evidence is presented, after the district attorney has already concluded there is no case to pursue. The bill directly affects officers in officer-involved death cases defined under Wisconsin law (s. 175.47 (1) (c)). This change shifts authority from courts to district attorneys in determining whether charges proceed, streamlining the process for cases where prosecutors have already declined to file.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts judicial oversight in officer-involved death cases by deferring to DA's decision without new evidence, weakening accountability for law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 88: Relating to: civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty.

AB 88 addresses civil actions and law enforcement responses related to riot and vandalism activities. The bill prohibits government officials from limiting or restricting law enforcement's authority to arrest individuals or quell such disturbances. It also creates a new civil cause of action, allowing individuals who suffer injury or property damage from riot or vandalism to sue those who committed the acts or provided material support. Victims may seek compensatory damages, an order for property repair, and legal fees, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed. The bill also defines "rioting" and "incite" for these purposes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits restrictions on law enforcement responses, weakening oversight per indicators; creates civil liability for riot/vandalism but doesn't align with reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 229: Relating to: the law enforcement officers’ bill of rights.

AB 229 repeals Section 164.05 of the statutes, which previously outlined specific protections for law enforcement officers under the "law enforcement officers’ bill of rights." This procedural bill directly affects law enforcement officers by removing an existing statutory provision governing their rights. The bill contains no new provisions or mechanisms - its sole action is the repeal of the referenced section. No additional policy changes or impacts are specified in the bill text.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill repeals statutory protections for law enforcement officers, weakening their rights under the law enforcement officers' bill of rights within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 57: Relating to: county sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE)

SB 57 reclassifies certain actions by county sheriffs who assist federal immigration authorities as a felony instead of a misdemeanor. It directly affects county sheriffs who provide support for federal immigration enforcement activities. The key provision changes the legal penalty for sheriffs participating in specific immigration-related functions, increasing the potential punishment. This bill modifies existing law to impose stricter criminal penalties for sheriffs engaging in these activities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill reclassifies sheriff assistance with federal immigration as felony (from misdemeanor), expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill reclassifies sheriff assistance with federal immigration enforcement as felony, limiting state cooperation that could harm immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Border Security Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 132: Relating to: classification of the crime of impersonating law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and certain other emergency personnel and providing a penalty.

SB 132 upgrades penalties for impersonating emergency personnel, changing the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony. It applies to anyone pretending to be a police officer, firefighter, paramedic (emergency medical services practitioner), or emergency medical responder with intent to deceive. The bill creates a new felony classification under state law, replacing current misdemeanor penalties for these specific impersonation acts. This directly affects individuals who falsely pose as these professionals, increasing potential criminal consequences.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for impersonating emergency personnel, expanding criminalization by upgrading offense to felony instead of misdemeanor.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 29: Relating to: impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses.

AB 29 allows police to seize (impound) vehicles used in specific traffic violations, such as a second speeding offense exceeding 25 mph over the limit, repeated DUI-related violations, or reckless driving. It directly affects drivers convicted of these offenses, requiring vehicles to be held for 90 days unless released earlier through owner request (if they didn’t operate the vehicle during the violation) or court order. Owners can petition a court for immediate release within 30 days if charges are dismissed or if they prove ownership and lack of consent during the violation. If convicted, courts may adjust the impound period, and drivers must cover law enforcement’s reasonable impoundment costs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates vehicle impoundment for repeat traffic offenses, increasing penalties without reform measures, aligning with indicators of expanding criminalization.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances traffic safety by mandating vehicle impoundment for severe violations like repeated speeding and reckless driving, strengthening road safety regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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