Full Press Release - 4/8/26

(Formerly AB-918) - Act 202: Required subjects in a human growth and development instructional program.

• Makes adoption a required topic instead of a recommended topic that a school district must cover as part of human growth and development instruction, if the school district provides such instruction.

(Formerly SB-134) - Act 204: Alternative open enrollment application procedures for residency change based on military orders.

• Extends the alternative open enrollment application timeframe from 30 days to 90 days for families that have moved due to military orders from any branch or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces, the state defense force, or the National Guard of any state, providing flexibility to military families, helping them choose the right school district for their children. 

(Formerly SB-136) - Act 208: School bus back-up lamps.

• Allows for two additional lamps to be mounted on a school bus that illuminate the rear wheels while backing up;  

• Allows a school bus to have an illuminated sign placed above the front windshield and an illuminated sign mounted on the rear above the window; and 

• Allows for a light-emitting diode (LED) strobe light mounted on the roof. 

(Formerly SB-392) - Act 209: Driver education instruction related to school bus safety.

• Requires all approved driver education courses to include instruction relating to student crossings, school bus lights, and when cars must stop for a stopped school bus, including how requirements are affected by highway configuration.  

(Formerly SB-366) - Act 221: Technical education equipment grants.

• Revises and expands Wisconsin’s Technical Education Equipment Training grant program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, giving school districts greater flexibility to upgrade facilities, acquire industry-relevant tools, and invest in instructor training, including:  

  • Broadening the allowable uses of grant funds to include additional specified purposes such as new construction and instructional training;  

  • Simplifying the matching fund requirement to a one-to-one match regardless of funding source; and  

  • Authorizing in-kind contributions such as software, tools, and equipment to count toward that match. enrolled in, a federally recognized, whether currently or in the past, American Indian tribe or band from wearing traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or school-sponsored event. The bill defines “traditional tribal regalia” as a tribe’s traditional dress or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance, including tribal symbols, beads, and feathers.

(Formerly SB-921) - Act 223: Personal financial literacy high school graduation requirement.

• Expands the methods through which a student may complete the 0.5 credit financial literacy graduation requirement to include completing a financial literacy program in high school grades offered by a financial institution or by completing an Advanced Placement course in business with personal finance.

(Formerly AB-098) - Act 222: Pupils wearing traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or school-sponsored event.

• Prevents a public or charter school from prohibiting a student who is a Tribal member, descendant of a Tribal member, or eligible for Tribal membership from wearing traditional Tribal regalia at a graduation or school-sponsored event. 

Vetoed

AB-998: Recommendations made by the council on early literacy curricula. Veto Message

SPECIAL SESSION STAYING OPEN

Speaker Vos and Majority Leader August released a statement today saying, “Today, Assembly Republicans decided to leave Governor Evers’ special session on nonpartisan redistricting open in an effort to continue meaningful dialogue. We view the Governor’s proposal as a first step on which to build a more comprehensive, workable solution for Wisconsin and we hope that Governor Evers will agree to meet face-to-face with us to discuss our ideas on how to accomplish this shared goal. We’re committed to a transparent and balanced solution that reflects the interest of all Wisconsinites.”

Senate President Felzkowski said, “Senate Republicans will continue to work on the delicate, complex topic that redistricting is to ensure that Wisconsinites have full confidence in the system when they vote. We cannot allow such a critical part of our governmental system to be used as a political weapon or an easy talking point.”

In response, Governor Evers released a statement saying, “There’s nothing to negotiate because there’s no room for compromise when it comes to making sure Wisconsinites’ voices matter and their votes count.”

MORE LEGISLATORS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION

Senate

• Jesse James (R) SD-23

Assembly

• Scott Allen (R) AD-82

Current list of announced individuals not seeking re-election:

• Rob Hutton (R) SD-5

• Devin LeMahieu (R) SD-9

• Steve Nass (R) SD-11

• Van Wanggaard (R) SD-21

• Jesse James (R) SD-23

• Robin Vos (R) AD-33

• Rob Brooks (R) AD-59

• Jerry O’Connor (R) AD-60

• Dave Murphy (R) AD-56

• Kevin Petersen (R) AD-57

• Rick Gundrum (R) AD-58

• Scott Allen (R) AD-82

The following people have announced they are seeking a different office:

• Robyn Vining (D) AD-13 – Running for SD-5

• Jenna Jacobson (D) AD-50 – Running for SD-17

• Francesca Hong (D) AD-76 – Running for Governor