New Wisconsin laws taking effect April 4, 2026
29 laws take effect April 4, 2026.
Of the 247 bills enacted since 2025, 245 have an effective date and 2 don't yet (listed below). A law here takes effect that day by its main provisions; parts of a staggered act may take effect on other dates.
Updated Oct 31, 2026 at 7:42 a.m. EDT.
Traffic (5)
AB 155 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
AB 425 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
registration of trailers used for transporting manufactured housing units
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
AB 562 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
marking the Mississippi River Trail
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
SB 521 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
highway signs for the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
SB 783 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
the commercial driver training grant program
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Climate (4)
AB 605 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
retention of environmental repair fees by certain municipal solid waste facilities
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
AB 713 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
requiring battery stewardship organizations to administer battery collection and recycling programs and providing a penalty
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
AB 911 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
funding for a battery collection and recycling program and making an appropriation
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
SB 556 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
providing utility aid payments for certain energy storage facilities
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Education (4)
AB 659 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
tuition and fee remission or grants for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college, or a private nonprofit institution of higher education; and the University of Wisconsin System nonresident tuition exemption for certain veterans
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
AB 696 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
various changes to the laws governing the practice of accounting and modifying various administrative rules promulgated by the Accounting Examining Board relating to accounting
How we got this date
this act takes effect on the day after publication.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
SB 391 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
equipment of school buses with audiovisual recording devices
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
SB 501 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
creating a veterinary loan repayment grant program administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board and exempting from taxation amounts received from such a grant program
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Healthcare (4)
SB 367 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
virtual credit card payments in health insurance policies
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Parts of this act take effect on other dates.
SB 822 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
allowing discounts for prompt payment of health care fees
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
SB 832 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
remote dispensing sites under the pharmacy practice law
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
SB 898 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
the membership of the Pharmacy Examining Board
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Crime (3)
AB 19 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
increased penalties for crimes against adults at risk; restraining orders for adults at risk; freezing assets of a defendant charged with financial exploitation of an adult at risk; sexual assault of an adult at risk; and providing a penalty
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
AB 239 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
harassment of search and rescue dogs and providing a penalty
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
SB 191 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
requiring a subpoena to a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer served in official capacity to be served at the officer’s work address
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Defense (2)
AB 596 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments and making an appropriation
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
AB 597 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Taxes (2)
AB 619 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
a tax credit for aviation biofuel manufacturing, authorizing the state to contract public debt for an aviation biofuel project grant, and making an appropriation
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
AB 884 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
who may purchase certain contractual services and technical changes to tax provisions related to qualified retirement plans and the film production services credit
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Agriculture (1)
SB 474 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
fire suppression products derived from soybeans
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Civil Rights (1)
AB 238 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
prohibiting hotels, inns, and motels from discriminating against dog handlers who are accompanied by search and rescue dogs
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Government (1)
AB 813 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
the opportunity attraction and promotion program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Public Lands (1)
SB 798 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
a wetland assured delineation program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Wages (1)
AB 778 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived
eligibility for the Transform Milwaukee Jobs program and the Transitional Jobs program
How we got this date
Wis. Stat. §§991.11, 35.095(1); Wis. Const. art. IV §17(2): the text sets no date of its own, so the state's default rule applies.
Published Apr 3, 2026 → + 1 days Apr 4, 2026
Enacted, but not yet dated (2)
These laws' texts tie their dates to something outside the legislative record (Contingent), or not enough is recorded yet to give one (Unresolved). They may take effect April 4, 2026 too; the record doesn't say.
Show all 2
- AB 80Contingentratification of the Social Work Licensure CompactCompact statute is enacted into law in the 7th member state
- SB 248Contingentlicense eligibility and restriction extensions relating to ignition interlock devicesTakes effect on the first day of the 12th month beginning after the date specified in the notice published in the Wisconsin administrative register under Section 17 (2)