Action Alert: Oppose Rent-to-Own and Online Sports Gambling Bills
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| The WCC encourages all citizens to contact their state senator to oppose SB 737 and AB 742, which weaken consumer protections for rent-to-own transactions, and SB 592 and AB 601, which begin the process of legalizing online sports gambling. Even as amended, both bills will ultimately hurt consumers and make Wisconsinites less prosperous. Both have passed the Assembly and may receive a floor vote in the Senate next week before it adjourns.
For both the online sports gambling and rent-to-own industries to make money, the vast majority of their customers must fail. Help stop predatory industries from expanding in Wisconsin.
Join the WCC in urging your state senator to vote NO on these bills: |
Spread the Word about Faithful Citizenship
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| The Wisconsin Catholic bishops are sharing resources to help Catholics engage as faithful citizens in elections, public policy, and civic life. The next election is Tuesday, April 7 and includes a race for Wisconsin Supreme Court and various local officials.
As in years past, the WCC resources are based on the U.S. Bishops’ statement, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States. Resources include:
All WCC Faithful Citizenship resources, including Spanish versions, can be found at wisconsincatholic.org/fc.
Help spread the word and share with your community! |
WCC Hiring an Associate Director
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| The WCC is currently hiring an Associate Director. The role will aid the WCC’s work in offering a specifically Catholic contribution to state and federal policy debates, rooted in the Gospel and social teachings of the Church. The Conference also offers a statewide response to issues common to its five dioceses.
The application deadline is March 16. To learn more and apply, click the button below for the full job description and application instructions. |
WCC Action at the Capitol
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Eligibility for Parental Choice Programs Based on Sibling Participation ▲ Testified in support
SB 452 (John Jagler, R-Watertown) / AB 460 (Cindi Duchow, R-Town of Delafield)
Under this bill, a student is eligible to participate in one of the three parental choice programs if the student’s sibling (or a dependent child of the parents) participated in the program the previous school year. The parental choice programs already have a so-called “once in, always in” provision meaning that students keep the voucher even if family income rises above the threshold, so long as the student does not voluntarily leave the program. This bill extends this provision to siblings or other children in the family.
Status: The bill passed the Assembly and awaits a floor vote in the Senate.
Occupational Credentials for DACA Recipients ▲ Testified in support
SB 745 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 759 (Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay)
The bill allows recipients of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to obtain occupational licenses in Wisconsin. The Catholic Church has long advocated for the legal protection, full inclusion, and wellbeing of children brought to the U.S. DACA recipients are some of the most thoroughly vetted individuals in the state and this bill will allow recipients to enter into licensed careers benefiting them, employers, and the state of Wisconsin.
Status: The bill passed the Assembly. Since the public hearing, the Senate committee has taken no further action.
Crypto Kiosks ▲ Registered in support
SB 975 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 968 (Patrick Snyder, R-Weston)
Crypto kiosks, also known as Bitcoin ATMs, crypto ATMs, and Bitcoin teller machines (BTMs), are devices that turn dollars into cryptocurrencies. Scammers will often pretend to be government officials, technical support, or bankers and direct an individual to withdraw thousands of dollars and insert them into crypto kiosks where dollars are immediately converted into cryptocurrency that is delivered to scammers (often overseas). The companies that operate these crypto kiosks will collect a large fee for executing the transfer. The bill adds new requirements for crypto kiosks, including requiring the operator to be licensed as a money transmitter in Wisconsin, capping user deposits at $1,000 per day, requiring the prominent display of fraud warnings, and more.
Status: The bill passed the Assembly. Since the public hearing, the Senate committee has taken no further action.
Human Development Instruction on Adoption ▲ Registered in support
SB 887 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 918 (Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer)
This bill adds adoption as a required topic to be covered by public schools that opt to use human growth and development curriculum. However, a school district is not required to offer human growth and development instruction.
Status: The bill passed the Assembly and awaits a floor vote in the Senate. |
Action on Previously Reported Bills
Grooming a Child ▲ Registered in support
SB 671 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 677 (Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie)
The bill creates a crime of grooming a child for sexual activity. That crime prohibits any person from engaging in a course of conduct, pattern of behavior, or series of acts with the intention to condition, seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child for the purpose of doing either of the following: (1) engaging in sexual intercourse or sexual contact; or (2) producing, distributing, or possessing depictions of the child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The Church supports efforts to advance the protection of children from all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 88. |
Updates from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
To take action on the USCCB’s current federal action alerts, click here. |
Legislative Resources
Find the WCC’s session priorities, legislative committees, contact info for your legislators, and more.
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