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Bills from the 2017–18 session

Assembly Bill 748

Preventing the state or local governments from requiring any person to accept certain collective bargaining provisions or waive its rights under the National Labor Relations Act or state labor law; prohibiting local regulation of employee hours and overtime, employment benefits, wage claims and collections, an employer's right to solicit salary information of prospective employees, employment discrimination, and professions regulated by the state; and providing a criminal penalty. (FE)

Became law

The governor signed it on Apr 17, 2018. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Dec 19, 2017

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed Feb 22, 2018

  4. Senate vote, passed

    Passed Mar 20, 2018

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2017 Wisconsin Act 327

Latest entry in the official record, Apr 17, 2018: “Published 4-17-2018”

Read the bill

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What it does

Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill preempts local governments from enacting or enforcing ordinances related to various employment matters.

Under current constitutional and statutory home rule provisions, a city or village may determine its own local affairs subject only to the Wisconsin Constitution and to any enactment of the legislature that is of statewide concern and that affects every city or village with uniformity. This bill states that all of the following matters are matters of statewide concern requiring uniform enforcement at the state, county, and municipal levels:

Read the full summary

1. Regulations related to employment discrimination.

2. Regulations related to wage claims and collections.

3. Regulation of employee hours and overtime, including scheduling of employee work hours or shifts.

4. The employment benefits an employer may be required to provide to its employees.

5. An employer's right to solicit information regarding the salary history of prospective employees.

As such, the bill prohibits any city, village, town, or county (political subdivision) from enacting or enforcing an ordinance regarding any of those matters.

Under current law, a political subdivision generally may not enact and administer an ordinance establishing a minimum wage. Current law, however, exempts from that prohibition an ordinance that requires a different minimum wage rate for 1) an employee of a political subdivision; 2) an employee who performs work under a contract for the provision of services to a political subdivision; or 3) an employee who performs work that is funded by financial assistance from a political subdivision. The bill eliminates those exemptions.

The bill also prohibits a political subdivision from imposing an occupational licensing requirement on an individual, to whom a state government occupational licensing requirement applies, which is more stringent than the state requirement.

Under the bill, neither the state nor a local governmental unit may enact a statute or ordinance, adopt a policy or regulation, or impose a contract, zoning, permitting, or licensing requirement, or any other condition, that would require any person to accept any provision that is a subject of collective bargaining under state or federal labor laws. The bill defines federal labor laws as the National Labor Relations Act. Finally, the bill prohibits the state and local governments, and their employees, from requiring any person to waive the person's rights under state or federal labor laws as a condition of any other approval by the state or local governmental unit, and violators of that provision would be subject to the penalties that apply to a Class A misdemeanor, which is a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 9 months, or both.

Who's behind it

14 lawmakers are its ⁠. All 14 are Republicans.

7 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 21 names

Authors (14)

Signed on in support (7)

What it would cost

State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

How lawmakers voted

There were 10 votes on this bill.

Assembly Committee on Local Government vote on an amendment

Passed, 9 to 0 · Feb 20, 2018

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Local Government, Ayes 9, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly Committee on Local Government vote to recommend it

Passed, 6 to 3 · Feb 20, 2018

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Local Government, Ayes 6, Noes 3”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 59 to 34 · Feb 22, 2018

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 34”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 59 to 34 · Feb 22, 2018

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 34”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 58 to 32 · Feb 22, 2018 · 6 didn't vote

See how each of the 96 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (58)

Didn't vote (6)

Official motion: “PASSAGE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 3 to 2 · Mar 15, 2018

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 17 to 14 · Mar 20, 2018

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 2 rejected, Ayes 17, Noes 14”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 18 to 14 · Mar 20, 2018

See how each of the 32 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Official motion: “CONCURRENCE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 57 to 33 · Mar 22, 2018

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 1 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 33”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 56 to 34 · Mar 22, 2018

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 2 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 56, Noes 34”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Apr 17, 2018

    The new law was published.

  2. Apr 17, 2018

    The governor signed it. It became 2017 Wisconsin Act 327.

  3. Apr 12, 2018

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Mar 22, 2018

    “Action ordered immediately messaged” (the official wording)

  5. Mar 21, 2018

    The Assembly adopted it.

  6. Mar 20, 2018

    The Senate passed it too, 18 to 14.

  7. Mar 20, 2018

    The Senate adopted it.

  8. Mar 15, 2018

    “Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2” (the official wording)

  9. Mar 12, 2018

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Senate Organization.

  10. Feb 23, 2018

    The Senate received it.

  11. Feb 22, 2018

    The Assembly passed it, 58 to 32.

  12. Feb 22, 2018

    The Assembly adopted it.

  13. Feb 20, 2018

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  14. Feb 20, 2018

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 6 to 3.

  15. Feb 8, 2018 to Feb 15, 2018

    2 more representatives signed on in support.

  16. Feb 8, 2018

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  17. Feb 7, 2018

    The committee held a public hearing.

  18. Jan 30, 2018

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  19. Jan 23, 2018

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  20. Jan 17, 2018

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  21. Jan 11, 2018

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  22. Jan 4, 2018

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  23. Jan 3, 2018

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  24. Dec 28, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  25. Dec 19, 2017

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government.

  26. Dec 19, 2017

    Introduced in the Assembly.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Dec 19, 2017 · Assembly

    Introduced by Representatives Hutton, Rohrkaste, R. Brooks, Knodl, Kremer, Kuglitsch, Sanfelippo, Jacque, Katsma, Schraa, Brandtjen, Wichgers, Tusler and Horlacher; cosponsored by Senators Kapenga, Craig and Stroebel

  2. Dec 19, 2017 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Local Government

  3. Dec 28, 2017 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  4. Jan 3, 2018 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  5. Jan 4, 2018 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  6. Jan 11, 2018 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  7. Jan 17, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Steffen added as a coauthor

  8. Jan 23, 2018 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  9. Jan 30, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Allen added as a coauthor

  10. Feb 7, 2018 · Assembly

    Public hearing held

  11. Feb 8, 2018 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  12. Feb 8, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Gundrum added as a coauthor

  13. Feb 15, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Born added as a coauthor

  14. Feb 16, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Hutton

  15. Feb 20, 2018 · Assembly

    Executive action taken

  16. Feb 20, 2018 · Assembly

    Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Local Government, Ayes 9, Noes 0

  17. Feb 20, 2018 · Assembly

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Local Government, Ayes 6, Noes 3

  18. Feb 20, 2018 · Assembly

    Referred to committee on Rules

  19. Feb 20, 2018 · Assembly

    Made a special order of business at 1:11 PM on 2-22-2018 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 27

  20. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  21. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

  22. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representatives Subeck, Barca, Hebl, Ohnstad, Fields, Billings, Doyle, Kolste, Shankland, Zamarripa, Genrich, Kessler, Riemer, Milroy, C. Taylor, Hesselbein, Neubauer, Hintz, Pope, Spreitzer, Berceau, Wachs, Young and Meyers

  23. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 34

  24. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 offered by Representatives Subeck, C. Taylor, Hebl, Wachs, Meyers, Pope, Billings, Fields, Ohnstad, Berceau, Shankland, Doyle, Hintz, Spreitzer, Barca, Genrich and Kolste

  25. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 34

  26. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 4 offered by Representative Hutton

  27. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 4 adopted

  28. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  29. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  30. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 58, Noes 32, Paired 2

  31. Feb 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  32. Feb 23, 2018 · Senate

    Received from Assembly

  33. Mar 9, 2018 · Senate

    LRB correction (Assembly Amendment 4)

  34. Mar 12, 2018 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

  35. Mar 12, 2018 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  36. Mar 15, 2018 · Senate

    Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

  37. Mar 15, 2018 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 3-20-2018 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  38. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senators Cowles, Kapenga and Fitzgerald

  39. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 offered by Senators Ringhand, Shilling, Risser, Erpenbach, Vinehout, Johnson, L. Taylor, Schachtner, Larson, Hansen, Wirch, Bewley and Carpenter

  40. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Read a second time

  41. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 adopted

  42. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 rejected, Ayes 17, Noes 14

  43. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  44. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  45. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 18, Noes 14

  46. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  47. Mar 21, 2018 · Assembly

    Received from Senate amended and concurred in as amended (Senate Amendment 1 adopted)

  48. Mar 21, 2018 · Assembly

    Referred to calendar of 3-22-2018 pursuant to Assembly Rule 93

  49. Mar 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 to Senate Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Barca, Neubauer, Ohnstad, Fields, Shankland, Subeck, Zepnick and Genrich

  50. Mar 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 33

  51. Mar 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 to Senate Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Barca, Neubauer, Ohnstad, Fields, Shankland, Subeck, Zepnick and Genrich

  52. Mar 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 56, Noes 34

  53. Mar 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Senate Amendment 1 concurred in

  54. Mar 22, 2018 · Assembly

    Action ordered immediately messaged

  55. Mar 29, 2018 · Assembly

    Report correctly enrolled on 3-29-2018

  56. Apr 12, 2018 · Assembly

    Presented to the Governor on 4-12-2018

  57. Apr 17, 2018 · Assembly

    Report approved by the Governor on 4-16-2018. 2017 Wisconsin Act 327

  58. Apr 17, 2018 · Assembly

    Published 4-17-2018

Terms on this page

Wisconsin Act

The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.

Official term: Act. More in the glossary

Legislative Reference Bureau

The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.

Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary

Author

A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary

Signed on in support

Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.

Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary

Cost estimate

A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.

Official term: Fiscal estimate. More in the glossary

Roll call

A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.

Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary

From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source

Wisconsin Act

The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.

Official term: Act

More in the glossary

Legislative Reference Bureau

The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.

Official term: LRB analysis

More in the glossary

Author

A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Official term: Author, coauthor

More in the glossary

Signed on in support

Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.

Official term: Cosponsor

More in the glossary

Cost estimate

A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.

Official term: Fiscal estimate

More in the glossary

Roll call

A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.

Official term: Roll call vote

More in the glossary