2025 Wisconsin Act 15

341.14 (6r) (cr) Notwithstanding par. (c), special group plates issued under par. (f) 71. shall have a yellow background and black lettering displaying the words “America’s Dairyland” and “Wisconsin” and identifying letters or numbers or both, not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position.

15,334 Section 334. 341.14 (6r) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

341.14 (6r) (e) The department shall specify one combination of colors for special group plates for groups or organizations which are not military in nature and not special group plates under par. (f) 35. to 47., 50., and, 59., 70., and 71., for each professional football team under par. (f) 55., for each professional baseball team under par. (f) 60., and for each professional basketball team under par. (f) 65. The department shall specify one combination of colors for special group plates under par. (f) 35. to 47. Subject to par. (c), the department shall specify the word or words comprising the special group name and the symbol to be displayed upon special group plates for a group or organization which is not military in nature after consultation with the chief executive officer in this state of the group or organization. The department shall require that the word or words and symbol for a university specified under par. (f) 35. to 47. be a registration decal or tag and affixed to the special group plate and be of the colors for a university specified under par. (f) 35. to 47. that the president of the University of Wisconsin System specifies. The department shall consult the chief trademark officer of Harley-Davidson Michigan, LLC before specifying the colors for the special group plate under par. (f) 61r.

15,335 Section 335. 341.14 (6r) (f) 70. of the statutes is created to read:

341.14 (6r) (f) 70. Persons interested in obtaining blackout registration plates.

15,336 Section 336. 341.14 (6r) (f) 71. of the statutes is created to read:

341.14 (6r) (f) 71. Persons interested in obtaining retro registration plates.

15,337 Section 337. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:

341.14 (6r) (fm) 7. After October 1, 1998, additional authorized special groups may only be special groups designated by the department under this paragraph. The authorized special groups enumerated in par. (f) shall be limited solely to those special groups specified under par. (f) on October 1, 1998. This subdivision does not apply to the special groups specified under par. (f) 3m., 6m., 9g., 9m., 12g., 12m., 15m., 15n., 15o., 15p., 15q., 19m., 33m., 48m., 49d., 49h., 49s., 54., 55., 55m., 56., 57., 58., 59., 60., 61., 61m., 61r., 62., 63., 64., 65., 65m., 66., 67., 68., and 69., 70., and 71.

15,338 Section 338. 341.16 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

341.16 (1) (a) Whenever a current registration plate is lost or destroyed, the owner of the vehicle to which the plate was attached shall immediately apply to the department for replacement. Except as provided in par. (b) and sub. (2m), upon satisfactory proof of the loss or destruction of the plate and upon payment of a $6 fee of $4 for each plate, the department shall issue a replacement.

15,339 Section 339. 341.16 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

341.16 (2) Whenever a current registration plate becomes illegible, the owner of the vehicle to which the plate is attached shall apply to the department for a replacement. Except as provided in sub. (2m), upon receipt of satisfactory proof of illegibility, and upon payment of a $6 fee of $4 for each plate, the department shall issue a replacement. Upon receipt of a replacement plate, the applicant shall destroy the illegible plate.

15,340 Section 340. 341.16 (2s) of the statutes is amended to read:

341.16 (2s) When the owner of a vehicle applies to the department to renew the registration of a vehicle for which new plates are required under s. 341.135 (2), and upon payment of a $6 fee of $4 for each plate, the department shall issue new replacement plates. Upon receipt of replacement plates, the applicant shall destroy the replaced plates.

15,341m Section 341m. 341.25 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

341.25 (2m) On October 1, 2025, each annual fee in sub. (2) (c) to (q) is increased by 10 percent.

15,342 Section 342. 342.14 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

342.14 (1) For filing an application for the first certificate of title, $157 $207, by the owner of the vehicle.

15,343 Section 343. 342.14 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

342.14 (3) For a certificate of title after a transfer, $157, by the owner of the vehicle $207, except that this fee shall be waived with respect to an application for transfer of a decedent’s interest in a vehicle to his or her surviving domestic partner under ch. 770 or an immediate family member.

15,344 Section 344. 343.21 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

343.21 (1) (a) For $32.50 for the initial issuance or renewal of a license authorizing only the operation of “Class D” motor vehicles, other than a probationary license under s. 343.085, $24.

15,345 Section 345. 563.13 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

563.13 (4) A $10 license fee of $20 for each bingo occasion proposed to be conducted and $5 for an annual license fee of $10 for the designated member responsible for the proper utilization of gross receipts. All moneys received under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.505 (8) (jn).

15,346 Section 346. 563.135 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

563.135 (1) (intro.) An application for a license to conduct bingo for an organization listed under s. 563.11 (1) (b) to (d) shall be accompanied by a $5 license fee of $10 and a sworn statement by the owner or operator of the organization that all of the following rules shall apply to bingo conducted by the organization:

15,347 Section 347. 563.92 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

563.92 (2) The fee shall be $50 for a raffle license shall be $25 and shall be remitted with the application. A raffle license shall be valid for 12 months and may be renewed as provided in s. 563.98 (1g). The department shall issue the license within 30 days after the filing of a complete application if the applicant qualifies under s. 563.907 and has not exceeded the limits of s. 563.91. The department shall notify the applicant within 15 days after it is filed if the raffle license application is incomplete or the application shall be considered complete. A complete license application that is not denied within 30 days after its filing shall be considered approved. All moneys received by the department under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.505 (8) (jn).

15,348 Section 348. 601.83 (1) (hp) of the statutes is created to read:

601.83 (1) (hp) Notwithstanding pars. (h) and (hm), in 2026 and in each year thereafter, the commissioner may expend from all revenue sources $265,000,000 or less for the healthcare stability plan under this section.

15,349 Section 349. 775.01 of the statutes is renumbered 775.01 (1) and amended to read:

775.01 (1) Upon Except as provided in sub. (2), upon the refusal of the legislature to allow a claim against the state, the claimant may commence an action against the state by service as provided in s. 801.11 (3) and by filing with the clerk of court a bond, not exceeding $1,000, with 2 or more sureties, to be approved by the attorney general, to the effect that the claimant will indemnify the state against all costs that may accrue in such action and pay to the clerk of court all costs, in case the claimant fails to obtain judgment against the state.

15,350 Section 350. 775.01 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

775.01 (2) Upon the conclusion of the claims board that the facts of a claim described under s. 16.007 (2m) would be more properly adjudicated in a court of law or upon the failure of the claims board to make a final determination on a claim described under s. 16.007 (2m) within 6 months from the date that the claim was referred to the claims board, the claimant may commence an action against the state seeking judgment on the claim by service as provided in s. 801.11 (3) and by filing with the clerk of court a bond, not exceeding $1,000, with 2 or more sureties, to be approved by the attorney general, to the effect that the claimant will indemnify the state against all costs that may accrue in such action and pay to the clerk of court all costs, in case the claimant fails to obtain judgment against the state.

15,351 Section 351. 995.15 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

995.15 (2) (intro.) No Subject to sub. (2m), no later than July 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, every manufacturer of electronic vaping devices that are sold in this state, either directly by the manufacturer or through a distributor, wholesaler, retailer, or similar intermediary, shall certify to the department, on a form and in the manner prescribed by the department, that the manufacturer shall comply with this section and that either one of the following apply applies:

15,352 Section 352. 995.15 (2) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

995.15 (2) (c) The electronic vaping device contains hemp, as defined in s. 94.55 (1), and does not contain nicotine.

15,353 Section 353. 995.15 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

995.15 (2m) The requirements of sub. (2) first apply to a manufacturer of an electronic vaping device that meets the description provided under sub. (2) (c) on July 1, 2026.

15,354 Section 354. 995.15 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

995.15 (4) The submissions to the department under subs. (2) and (3) shall include a copy of the marketing authorization or similar order for the electronic vaping device issued by the U.S. food and drug administration pursuant to 21 USC 387j, as provided under sub. (2) (a), or evidence that the pre-market tobacco product application for the electronic vaping device was submitted to the U.S. food and drug administration, as provided under sub. (2) (b), and a final decision on the application has not otherwise taken effect, or a certificate of analysis from an independent laboratory showing that the electronic vaping device meets the description provided under sub. (2) (c).

15,355 Section 355. 995.15 (9) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

995.15 (9) (a) Beginning Subject to par. (d), beginning September 1, 2025, or on the date that the department first makes the directory maintained under sub. (6) available for public inspection on its website, whichever is later, the department shall impose on each retailer who sells or offers for sale an electronic vaping device in this state that is not included in the directory a forfeiture of $1,000 per day for each electronic vaping device offered for sale in violation of this section until each such device is no longer offered for sale in this state or until each such device is properly listed on the directory pursuant to this section.

15,356 Section 356. 995.15 (9) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

995.15 (9) (b) Beginning Subject to par. (d), beginning September 1, 2025, or on the date that the department first makes the directory maintained under sub. (6) available for public inspection on its website, whichever is later, the department shall impose on each manufacturer of an electronic vaping device that is sold in this state, but not included in the directory a forfeiture of $1,000 per day for each electronic vaping device offered for sale in violation of this section until each such device is no longer offered for sale in this state or until each such device is properly listed on the directory pursuant to this section.

15,357 Section 357. 995.15 (9) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

995.15 (9) (d) The department may not impose a forfeiture under par. (a) or (b) for the sale or offering for sale of an electronic vaping device that meets the description provided under sub. (2) (c) before September 1, 2026.

15,358 Section 358. 2023 Wisconsin Act 19, section 9144 (2) (a) is amended to read:

[2023 Wisconsin Act 19] Section 9144 (2) (a) In the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, from From the appropriation under s. 20.395 (2) (cq), notwithstanding the eligibility criteria under s. 85.095, the department of transportation shall award a grant of $10,000,000 under s. 85.095 (2) (a) to entities for the purpose of assisting in the construction of a fuel pipeline extension from the Mitchell International Airport to the port of Milwaukee.

15,359 Section 359. 2023 Wisconsin Act 19, section 9144 (2) (b) is amended to read:

[2023 Wisconsin Act 19] Section 9144 (2) (b) This subsection does not apply unless the department of transportation is awarded a grant under the federal Port Infrastructure Development Program federal funding for the construction of a pipeline extension from the Mitchell International Airport to the port of Milwaukee.

15,360 Section 360. 2023 Wisconsin Act 153, section 8 (1) is amended to read:

[2023 Wisconsin Act 153] Section 8 (1) The treatment of s. 20.445 (1) (bm) (by Section 5) and the repeal of ss. 20.445 (1) (bk) and 106.276 take effect July 1, 2025 2027.

15,360e Section 360e. 2023 Wisconsin Act 240, section 1m is repealed.

15,360m Section 360m. 2023 Wisconsin Act 240, section 3m (intro.) is renumbered 2023 Wisconsin Act 240, section 3m and amended to read:

[2023 Wisconsin Act 240] Section 3m Effective dates date. This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:.

15,360s Section 360s. 2023 Wisconsin Act 240, section 3m (1) is repealed.

15,361 Section 361. DCF 251.055 (table) of the administrative code is amended to read:

- See PDF for table

15,361b Section 361b. DCF 251.055 (table) of the administrative code, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

- See PDF for table

15,362 Section 362. DCF 251.055 (2) (e) of the administrative code is amended to read:

DCF 251.055 (2) (e) When the group of children is a mixed age group of children 2 years 18 months and older, the group size shall be determined by the number of children that can be cared for by 2 child care workers with the required staff-to-child ratios in Table 251.055 adjusted on a pro rata basis in accordance with the ages of the children in the group.

15,362b Section 362b. DCF 251.055 (2) (e) of the administrative code, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

DCF 251.055 (2) (e) When the group of children is a mixed age group of children 18 months 2 years and older, the group size shall be determined by the number of children that can be cared for by 2 child care workers with the required staff-to-child ratios in Table 251.055 adjusted on a pro rata basis in accordance with the ages of the children in the group.

15,363 Section 363. SPS 361.02 (3) (g) of the administrative code is amended to read:

SPS 361.02 (3) (g) A one- or 2-family dwelling in which a public or private day care center for 8 12 or fewer children is located.

15,9101 Section 9101. Nonstatutory provisions; Administration.

(1) WisconsinEye endowment fund payment. In fiscal year 2025-26, the secretary of administration shall make a payment to the WisconsinEye Public Affairs Network, Inc., under s. 16.004 (22) (b) in the amount of $250,000. The payment under this subsection is not subject to the matching requirement under s. 16.004 (22) (c).

(2) Tribal grants. From the appropriation under s. 20.505 (1) (ky), in the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, the department of administration shall award grants in equal amounts to each federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state that received a grant under 2023 Wisconsin Act 19, section 9101 (2).

(3) Grant to Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Inc. From the appropriation under s. 20.505 (1) (aj), in the 2025-26 fiscal year, the department of administration shall award a grant in the amount of $500,000 to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Inc., to assist in the restoration of the USS Cobia.

15,9102 Section 9102. Nonstatutory provisions; Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

(1) Food security and Wisconsin products grant program. In fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (3) (m), the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection may award grants to nonprofit food banks, nonprofit food pantries, and other nonprofit organizations that provide food assistance for the purpose of purchasing food products that are made or grown in this state. Notwithstanding s. 16.42 (1) (e), in submitting information under s. 16.42 for purposes of the 2027-29 biennial budget bill, the department shall submit information concerning the appropriation under s. 20.115 (3) (m) as though the total amount appropriated under s. 20.115 (3) (m) for the 2026-27 fiscal year was $5,000,000 less than the total amount that was actually appropriated under s. 20.115 (3) (m) for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

(2) Meat inspection program staff. Notwithstanding s. 230.27 (1), the termination date of 2 meat inspection project positions provided to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under 2021 Act 58 is extended by 2 years.

15,9104 Section 9104. Nonstatutory provisions; Building Commission.

(1) Authorized State Building Program. For the fiscal years beginning on July 1, 2025, and ending on June 30, 2027, the Authorized State Building Program is as follows:

- See PDF for table

(2) Programs previously authorized. In addition to the projects and financing authority enumerated in sub. (1), the building and financing authority enumerated in the previous state building program is continued in the 2025-27 fiscal biennium.

(3) Loans. During the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, the building commission may make loans from general fund supported borrowing or the building trust funds to state agencies, as defined in s. 20.001 (1) of the statutes, for projects that are to be utilized for programs not funded by general purpose revenue and that are authorized in sub. (1).

(4) 2017–19 Authorized State Building Program changes.

(a) In 2017 Wisconsin Act 59, section 9104 (1) (i) 1. b., as amended by 2021 Wisconsin Act 58, under projects financed by general fund supported borrowing, the amount authorized for the project identified as “Wisconsin Veterans Home at King — central services kitchen upgrade” is increased by $34,500,300 and the appropriate totals are adjusted accordingly.

(b) In 2017 Wisconsin Act 59, section 9104 (1) (i) 2. a., as amended by 2021 Wisconsin Act 58, under projects financed by program revenue supported borrowing, the amount authorized for the project identified as “Wisconsin Veterans Home at King — central services kitchen upgrade” is increased from $7,588,800 to $65,905,400 and the appropriate totals are adjusted accordingly.

(5) 2021–23 Authorized State Building Program changes. In 2021 Wisconsin Act 58, section 9104 (1) (b) 1. c., under projects financed by general fund supported borrowing, the amount authorized for the project identified as “Wisconsin Secure Program Facility — new health services unit — Boscobel” is increased from $7,792,000 to $16,225,000 and the appropriate totals are adjusted accordingly.

(6) Medical College of Wisconsin eye institute. Notwithstanding s. 13.48 (31m) (b), the building commission is prohibited from making a grant to the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc., for the eye institute construction project, as enumerated in sub. (1) (j), under s. 13.48 (31m), unless the department of administration has reviewed and approved plans for the project. Notwithstanding ss. 16.85 (1) and 16.855 (1m), the department of administration is prohibited from supervising any services or work or letting any contract for the project. Section 16.87 does not apply to the project.

(7) Advance planning for the department of corrections. From the appropriation under s. 20.867 (2) (r), the building commission shall allocate the following amounts to develop preliminary plans and specifications for the specified projects of the department of corrections:

(a) For construction projects contributing to a department of corrections realignment and leading to the closure of the Green Bay Correctional Institute by 2029, $15,000,000.

(b) For a new 16-bed facility at the Grow Academy in Dane County, $1,500,000.