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Session Snapshot from a Catholic Perspective
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| The 2025-2026 Legislature adjourned their regular session in April. Last week, the special session on funding adjourned after a deal between Governor Evers and Republican legislative leaders failed to pass the Senate.
This Capitol Update summarizes bills the Wisconsin Catholic Conference took a position on over the course of this session.
From January 2025 to May 2026, the Legislature introduced over 2,400 bills. Each legislative proposal is typically drafted as an identical Assembly and Senate version.
- Bills introduced: 2,425
- Unique proposals: around 1,239
- Bills signed into law: 247 (around 10% of all bills)
- Bills vetoed by the Governor: 99 (96 complete vetoes, 3 partial vetoes)
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| The WCC looks at every bill that is introduced. From there, the WCC actively monitors any legislation that (a) aligns with, or is opposed to, Catholic Social Teaching, or (b) impacts the Catholic Church and its institutions, including parishes, schools, charities, cemeteries, and more.
Of the more than 1,230 unique proposals, the WCC:
- Monitored: 300
- Engaged: 52
- Supported: 39
- Opposed: 10
Of the 39 proposals that the WCC supported, the following 12 were signed into law:
- Act 241 Stillbirth Tax Credit
- Act 240 Occupational Credentials for DACA Recipients
- Act 233 Medicaid Coverage for Incarcerated Individuals
- Act 226 Crypto Kiosks
- Act 202 Human Development Instruction on Adoption
- Act 189 Drone Operation Over Schools
- Act 143 Antisemitism Definition
- Act 102 Postpartum Medicaid Expansion
- Act 88 Crime of Grooming a Child
- Act 34 Prohibiting Deep Fakes
- Act 22 Pelvic Exams on Unconscious Patients
- Act 9 Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities
Of the 10 bills the WCC opposed, only one was signed into law: Act 247 Expanding Online Sports Gambling.
Check out the WCC’s separate state budget summary and review the WCC’s session priorities. |
State Budget
Executive Budget X No position taken (2025-26 WCC Session Priorities)
SB 45 / AB 50 (Joint Committee on Finance)
State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature.
Note: Read the WCC Budget Summary for appropriations of greatest interest to the WCC and Catholic groups.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 15 (Partial Veto Message). |
Human Life
Stillbirth Tax Credit ▲ Testified in support
SB 379 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 373 (Lindee Brill, R-Sheboygan Falls)
Creating a refundable individual income tax credit for the parent of a stillbirth and making an appropriation.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 241
Born Alive Survivors Protection Act ▲ Registered in support
SB 384 (Eric Wimberger, R-Oconto) / AB 382 (Joy Goeben, R-Hobart)
Requirements for children born alive following abortion or attempted abortion and providing a penalty.
Status: Failed to pass
Reporting of Sex & Fetal Anomaly Following Abortion ▲ Testified in support
SB 406 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 407 (Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego)
Reporting of sex and fetal anomaly following induced abortion.
Status: Failed to pass
Abortion Definition ▲ Testified in support
SB 553 (Romaine Quinn, R-Birchwood) / AB 546 (Joy Goeben, R-Hobart)
Limitations on the definition of abortion.
Status: Failed to pass
IVF Tax Credit ▼ Registered in opposition
SB 687 (Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green) / AB 702 (Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek)
Providing an income tax credit for in vitro fertilization medical expenses.
Status: Failed to pass
Legalizing Assisted Suicide ▼ Registered in opposition
SB 1114 (Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton) / AB 1164 (Randy Udell, D-Fitchburg)
Permitting certain qualified individuals to make a request for medication for the purpose of ending their lives and providing a penalty.
Status: Failed to pass |
Religious Liberty
Freedom to Gather in Places of Worship (Second Consideration) X No position taken
SJR 4 (Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee) / AJR 10 (Ron Tusler, R-Harrison)
Protecting the freedom to gather in places of worship during a state of emergency (second consideration).
Status: Passed consecutive legislatures and will appear as a referendum question on November 2026 ballot
Antisemitism Definition ▲ Testified in support
SB 445 (Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield) / AB 446 (Ron Tusler, R-Harrison)
Considering a certain definition of antisemitism for purposes of laws, ordinances, policies, or criminal penalty enhancers concerning discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 143
Long-Term Care Visits ▲ Testified in support (verbal only)
SB 417 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 418 (Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego)
Visiting a long-term care facility resident or hospital patient during a communicable disease outbreak.
Status: Vetoed (Veto Message)
Grants to Nonprofit Religious Organizations ▲ Testified in support
SB 789 (Jodi Habush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay) / AB 796 (Ron Tusler, R-Harrison)
Providing grants to nonprofit religious organizations for security purposes and making an appropriation.
Status: Failed to pass |
Education
Drone Operation ▲ Registered in support
SB 519 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 530 (Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay)
Operating drones over school property and providing a penalty.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 189
Grooming a Child ▲ Registered in support
SB 671 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 677 (Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie)
Creating a crime of grooming a child for sexual activity and providing a penalty.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 88
Human Development Instruction on Adoption ▲ Registered in support
SB 887 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 918 (Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer)
Requiring subjects in a human growth and development instructional program.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 202
Designating College Sports by Sex ▲ Testified in support
SB 116 (Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield) / AB 102 (Barbara Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc)
Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants.
Status: Vetoed (Veto Message)
Designating K-12 School Sports by Sex ▲ Testified in support
SB 117 (Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield) / AB 100 (Barbara Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc)
Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants.
Status: Vetoed (Veto Message)
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)
Granting pupil eligibility for parental choice programs based upon participation by a sibling or a dependent child of the pupil’s parent or guardian.
Status: Vetoed (Veto Message)
Substitute Teaching ▲ Registered in support
SB 526 (John Jagler, R-Watertown) / AB 518 (William Penterman, R-Hustisford)
Allowing individuals who hold a substitute teaching permit to substitute teach at private schools participating in a parental choice program.
Status: Vetoed (Veto Message)
Federal Tax Credits to Scholarship Granting Organizations ▲ Testified in support
SB 600 (Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk) / AB 602 (Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek)
Participating in the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations.
Status: Vetoed (Veto Message)
Cursive Writing ▼ Registered in opposition
SB 13 (Steve Nass, R-Whitewater) / AB 3 (Paul Melotik, R-Grafton)
Incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades.
Status: Failed to pass
Civics Instruction ▼ Registered in opposition
SB 30 (Van Wanggaard, R-Racine) / AB 4 (Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie)
Requiring instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, and private school educational program criteria.
Status: Failed to pass
School Safety Grants ▲ Registered in support
SB 41 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 40 (Joy Goeben, R-Hobart)
Providing school safety grants and making an appropriation.
Status: Failed to pass
State Income Tax Subtraction for School Teachers ▲ Registered in support
SB 69 (Dan Feyen, R-Fond du Lac) / AB 64 (David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake)
Providing an income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher.
Status: Failed to pass
Human Growth & Development Curriculum ▲ Registered in support
SB 371 (Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk) / AB 405 (Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie)
Explaining pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth as part of a human growth and development instructional program.
Status: Failed to pass |
Social Concerns
FoodShare X No position taken
SB 154 (Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield) / AB 180 (Clint Moses, R-Menomonie)
Requiring the Department of Health Services to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits.
Note: The WCC did not take a position on the original bill, but did support a coalition letter urging Wisconsin lawmakers to include FoodShare funding due to additional costs shifted to the state. This funding was included as an amendment to the bill and signed into law.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 116
Online Sports Gambling ▼ Registered in opposition
SB 592 (Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green) / AB 601 (Tyler August, R-Walworth)
Excluding certain event or sports wagers from the definition of “bet”.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 247 (Signing Statement)
Occupational Credentials for DACA Recipients ▲ Testified in support
SB 745 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 759 (Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay)
Allowing occupational credentials for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 240
Crypto Kiosks ▲ Registered in support
SB 975 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 968 (Patrick Snyder, R-Weston)
Regulating virtual currency kiosks.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 226
Age Verification for Minors Online ▲ Testified in support
SB 130 (Van Wanggaard, R-Racine) / AB 105 (Joy Goeben, R-Hobart)
Requiring age verification for viewing pornography online to protect minors.
Status: Vetoed (Veto Message)
Sales Tax Exemption for Gun Safes ▲ Registered in support
SB 12 (Van Wanggaard, R-Racine) / AB 10 (Adam Neylon, R-Pewaukee)
Creating a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes.
Status: Failed to pass
Homestead Tax Credit ▲ Registered in support
SB 60 (Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit) / AB 52 (Mike Bare, D-Verona)
Expanding the homestead income tax credit.
Status: Failed to pass
Birth Certificates ▲ Registered in support
SB 312 (Steve Nass, R-Whitewater) / AB 311 (Lindee Brill, R-Sheboygan Falls)
Changing an individual’s sex on a birth certificate.
Status: Failed to pass
Structured Camping Facilities for Homeless Individuals ▼ Testified in opposition
SB 621 (Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee) / AB 631 (Dave Maxey, R-New Berlin)
Prohibiting homeless encampments and permitting structured camping facilities.
Status: Failed to pass
Groundwater Standards ▲ Registered in support
SB 628 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 635 (Jill Billings, D-La Crosse)
Notifying counties and tribes of an exceedance of groundwater protection standards or standards for PFAS.
Status: Failed to pass
Home Visit Funding ▲ Registered in support
SB 701 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 711 (Pat Snyder, R-Weston)
Funding for the Family Foundations home visitation program and making an appropriation.
Status: Failed to pass
Lease-Purchase Agreements ▼ Testified in opposition
SB 737 (Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee) / AB 742 (Nate Gustafson, R-Omro)
Regulating lease-purchase agreements for personal property and creating a cause of action.
Status: Failed to pass |
Health Care
Pelvic Exams ▲ Registered in support
SB 14 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 11 (Joy Goeben, R-Hobart)
Creating an administrative rule related to hospital requirements for pelvic exams on unconscious patients.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 22
Postpartum MA Eligibility ▲ Testified in support
SB 23 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 97 (Patrick Snyder, R-Weston)
Extending eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women from 60 days to one year after the birth of their child.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 102
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities ▲ Registered in support
SB 106 / AB 111 (Study Committee on Emergency Detention and Civil Commitment of Minors)
Fostering psychiatric residential treatment facilities.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 9
Prohibiting Gender Transition for Minors ▲ Testified in support
SB 157 (Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee) / AB 104 (Scott Allen, R-Waukesha)
Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age.
Status: Vetoed (Veto Message)
Palliative Care Council ▼ Testified in opposition
SB 39 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 23 (Patrick Snyder, R-Weston)
Establishing a Palliative Care Council.
Status: Failed to pass
Pharmacists Prescribing Contraceptives ▼ Testified in opposition
SB 42 (Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton) / AB 43 (Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay)
Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives.
Status: Failed to pass
Medicaid Eligibility Determinations ▼ Testified in opposition
AB 163 (William Penterman, R-Hustisford)
Redetermining eligibility for the Medical Assistance program every six months.
Status: Failed to pass |
Criminal Justice
Deep Fakes ▲ Registered in support
SB 33 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 33 (Brent Jacobson, R-Mosinee)
Prohibiting representations depicting nudity and providing a penalty.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 34
MA Coverage for Incarcerated Individuals ▲ Registered in support
SB 598 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 604 (Clint Moses, R-Menomonie)
Providing coverage under the Medical Assistance program for incarcerated individuals.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 233
Expanding TAD Programs ▲ Registered in support
SB 153 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 178 (Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc)
Expanding TAD programs.
Status: Failed to pass
Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls ▲ Testified in support
SB 404 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 392 (Shelia Stubbs, D-Madison)
Creating a Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls and making an appropriation.
Status: Failed to pass
Wrongful Imprisonment Claims ▲ Testified in support
SB 577 (Van Wanggaard, R-Racine) / AB 583 (Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek)
Resolving claims against the state for wrongful imprisonment of innocent persons, exempting from taxation certain amounts an individual receives from the claims board or legislature, health benefits, and other assistance for wrongfully imprisoned persons.
Status: Failed to pass
Human Trafficking Hotline Poster ▲ Registered in support
AB 824 (Shelia Stubbs, D-Madison)
Displaying a human trafficking resource center hotline poster.
Status: Failed to pass
Human Trafficking Victim Services Grant ▲ Testified in support
SB 838 (André Jacque, R-New Franken) / AB 833 (Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac)
Establishing a human trafficking victim services grant program and making an appropriation.
Status: Failed to pass
Civil Causes of Action for Child Trafficking ▲ Testified in support
SB 849 (Van Wanggaard, R-Racine) / AB 861 (Jeffrey Mursau, R-Crivitz)
Allowing civil causes of action for human trafficking and trafficking a child.
Status: Failed to pass
Child Victims of Human Trafficking ▲ Registered in support
SB 864 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 834 (Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac)
Creating courtroom supports for and sealing the identifying information of child victims and child witnesses of human trafficking crimes.
Status: Failed to pass |
Updates from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
For more of the USCCB’s current federal action alerts, click here.
Note: As the legislative session has ended, the Capitol Update will pause its regular publishing schedule and will resume later this year. |
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