WLWCA Legislative Update – 2025-26 Session Adjourns with Bipartisan Accomplishments
Earlier this Spring, the 2025-26 regular legislative session concluded. While approximately 10% of the legislation proposed actually became law, there were some noteworthy bipartisan bills that passed this session. As state legislators head back to their districts for the upcoming 2026 elections, let’s take a look at some of the legislation that became law this session as a result of Republicans and Democrats working together.
Major Legislation Approved With Bipartisan Support
PFAS Management & Remediation – Wisconsin lawmakers came together to pass comprehensive PFAS legislation that provides limited exemptions from responsibility and requirements under Wisconsin’s remediation law. Two exemptions were created for innocent landowners and WPDES permittees.
On April 6, the Governor signed two bipartisan bills, known as the “PFAS Package” AB 130, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 200, and AB 131, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 201. These two bills conclude years of negotiations on the PFAS Trust Fund and provides protections for innocent landowners.
Expansion of Gaming in Wisconsin – In early April, Governor Evers signed Assembly Bill 602 into law creating 2025 Wisconsin Act 247. This bipartisan legislation legalized mobile sports betting through Native American tribe’s servers. The new law allows bettors to place wagers anywhere in the state via apps linked to tribal servers, expanding on current in-person, on-land tribal sports betting. This legislation creates only a framework and now all eleven tribes in Wisconsin must renegotiate their gaming compacts with the state to allow for statewide mobile wagering.
Expansion of Commercial Driver License Training Program - Finally, the Governor signed Bill 783 into law, creating 2025 Wisconsin Act 159. This legislation will expand the Commercial driver training grant program. Under the current program, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development provides grants to entities that provide training that leads to individuals receiving their CDLs. Part of the current law requires that the training must be listed with the FMCSA and provide training “inside” Wisconsin. Wisconsin Act 159 expands the eligibility, by eliminating the requirement that the training MUST be provided at a facility in Wisconsin.
Additional Legislation Passed With Bipartisan Support
Hospital Pricing Transparency - AB 598, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 115: Creates a state hospital price transparency provision to ensure continued transparency for patients in the event the existing federal transparency provision is repealed.
FoodShare/SNAP Benefits Reform - On March 23, the Governor signed AB 180, as 2025 Wisconsin Act 116. The FoodShare (SNAP) bill funds DHS implementation and quality control efforts, requires a waiver request to prohibit certain junk food purchases under FoodShare, and creates new electronic platform and reporting requirements.
Workers Compensation Reform/PTSD Coverage for Volunteer Firefighters & EMS Personnel - On March 30, the Governor signed (AB) 651, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 145, which makes several improvements to Wisconsin’s worker’s compensation system. According to the Wisconsin Legislative Council, the bill generally makes changes to the workers’ compensation benefits and covers dispute resolution procedures, medical care, fraud, and the uninsured penalty. The act also expands PTSD coverage to volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel.
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