SB 108 creates a secure online portal to share minors' safety plans during mental health or behavioral crises. It allows minors (13+) to create written plans with a facilitator, including contact info, de-escalation strategies, and crisis guidance, which they can share only with designated safety plan partners (like schools, law enforcement, or health providers) after signing a consent form. The portal, managed by the state, requires minor consent for sharing, limits access to crisis situations or updates, and expires after one year. This directly affects minors at risk of crisis encounters with emergency services and the agencies coordinating their care. The bill standardizes how safety information is shared while requiring explicit consent and confidentiality.
SB 636 creates a sales and use tax exemption for businesses developing nuclear fusion technology. It exempts specific equipment, materials, and software listed in the bill (such as fusion reactors, diagnostic tools, and specialized materials) when used exclusively in qualified fusion projects. Qualified projects include research on energy generation, medical isotopes, plasma physics, or fusion-enabling technologies. Businesses must obtain certification from the corporation to qualify for the exemption, covering both direct purchases and contractor-transferred items used in these projects. The exemption applies to sales and use of qualifying items at the project location.
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 279 creates a grant program for Wisconsin law enforcement agencies to purchase data-sharing platforms that meet specific technical requirements. The bill requires platforms to integrate real-time data from existing systems, eliminate duplicate records, provide advanced search tools, and maintain strict security with role-based access controls. Agencies receiving grants must use funds exclusively for compliant platforms that meet all 11 specified criteria, including secure hosting, scalability, and compatibility with current identity management systems. Grants are available only until June 30, 2027, and directly affect local and state law enforcement agencies seeking to upgrade their data infrastructure.
AB 657 exempts sales and use taxes for specific equipment and materials used exclusively in qualified nuclear fusion technology projects. It covers over 70 listed items, including plasma heating systems, superconductors, diagnostic tools, specialized materials like lithium and tungsten, and safety equipment. The exemption applies to businesses conducting fusion projects focused on energy generation, medical isotope production, research, or other fusion-related applications as defined in the bill. This policy directly reduces costs for companies developing nuclear fusion technology by eliminating taxes on qualifying purchases.
AB 471 prevents cities, towns, and counties from banning residents or businesses from using digital assets (like cryptocurrency) to pay for goods/services or storing them in personal wallets (e.g., hardware or self-hosted wallets). It explicitly allows individuals to operate blockchain nodes, develop related software, transfer digital assets, and participate in staking (locking assets to support network security). The bill defines key terms like "digital asset" and "stake" to clarify these protections, ensuring local governments cannot restrict these activities. This directly affects digital asset users, service providers, and local governments across the state.
This joint resolution formally designates October 2025 and October 2026 as "Cybersecurity Awareness Month" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or programs but makes an official state proclamation to highlight the importance of cybersecurity education. The resolution cites rising online threats like phishing scams and identity theft as reasons to promote public awareness. It directly affects all Wisconsin residents by encouraging broader attention to online safety practices during those months.
SB 677 modifies Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law to improve accessibility and prevent fraud. It creates new exemptions allowing claimants to skip electronic filings if they lack internet access, have digital literacy challenges, or face communication barriers like vision disabilities or limited English proficiency. The bill also requires employers to report job applicant rejections or no-shows to the department, which could affect claimants' eligibility if not justified as "good cause." Additionally, it strengthens penalties for fraud, imposing a $5,000 fine for false statements on initial claims and requiring repayment of benefits obtained through deception. These changes directly affect unemployed workers, employers reporting job-related events, and the state's unemployment insurance administration.
Senate Bill 129 establishes a "right to repair" for motor vehicles, aiming to give owners and independent repair facilities greater access to necessary information and tools. It prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from creating technological or legal barriers that prevent owners and repairers from accessing vehicle-generated data and critical repair information, including diagnostics, software, and parts catalogs. The bill requires manufacturers to provide this data and information directly and wirelessly, and at a fair cost, while also preventing them from mandating specific brands of parts or tools for repairs. This allows owners and independent repair shops to diagnose, service, and maintain vehicles in a manner similar to manufacturers or dealerships.
SB 204 creates a 30% tax credit for video game companies in the state, allowing them to reduce their tax liability by 30% of wages paid for qualifying game development activities. The credit applies to wages paid for developing, producing, or creating video games (excluding gambling platforms, social media tools, political/religious content, or marketing sites) beginning in 2025. Companies can claim the credit against state taxes, with unused portions paid from a new appropriation fund. This directly affects video game developers operating within the state who meet the eligibility criteria.
