Senate Bill 276
Challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE)
Topics: Administrative rules, Attorney: Fee, Court
Vetoed by the governor
Both chambers passed it, and the governor vetoed it on Mar 20, 2026. Lawmakers did not , so it stands.
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Introduced, passed
May 21, 2025
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Senate vote, passed
Passed Feb 11, 2026
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed 53 to 45
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Governor, stopped here
Vetoed Mar 20, 2026.
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Law, not reached
Latest entry in the official record, May 13, 2026: “Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82”
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The same bill was also filed in the Assembly as AB 275. That version died when the session ended.
Terms on this page
Veto override
Lawmakers can still pass a bill the governor vetoed, but it takes two-thirds of each chamber.
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
What it would have done
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
Under current law, the validity of an administrative rule may be challenged in an action for declaratory judgment or in certain other judicial proceedings when material therein. This bill requires a court, if the court declares a rule invalid, to award the party asserting the invalidity of the rule reasonable attorney fees and costs.
Who's behind it
8 senators are its . All 8 are Republicans.
25 more lawmakers .
See all 33 names Hide the names
Authors (8)
- Julian Bradley · Republican, Senate
- Rachael Cabral-Guevara · Republican, Senate
- Dan Feyen · Republican, Senate
- Rob Hutton · Republican, Senate
- Steve Nass · Republican, Senate
- Rob Stafsholt · Republican, Senate
- Cory Tomczyk · Republican, Senate
- Eric Wimberger · Republican, Senate
Signed on in support (25)
- Dave Armstrong · Republican, Assembly
- Brent Jacobson · Republican, Assembly
- Elijah Behnke · Republican, Assembly
- Rob Brooks · Republican, Assembly
- Calvin Callahan · Republican, Assembly
- Barbara Dittrich · Republican, Assembly
- Joy Goeben · Republican, Assembly
- Chanz Green · Republican, Assembly
- Rick Gundrum · Republican, Assembly
- Gus Gustafson · Republican, Assembly
- Dan Knodl · Republican, Assembly
- Dave Maxey · Republican, Assembly
- Dave Murphy · Republican, Assembly
- Jeff Mursau · Republican, Assembly
- Amanda Nedweski · Republican, Assembly
- Adam Neylon · Republican, Assembly
- Jerry O'Connor · Republican, Assembly
- Jim Piwowarczyk · Republican, Assembly
- Jessie Rodriguez · Republican, Assembly
- David Steffen · Republican, Assembly
- Paul Tittl · Republican, Assembly
- Travis Tranel · Republican, Assembly
- Ron Tusler · Republican, Assembly
- Chuck Wichgers · Republican, Assembly
- Bob Wittke · Republican, Assembly
What it would cost
State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.
- Fiscal Estimate From DATCP
- Fiscal Estimate From DCF
- Fiscal Estimate From DHS
- Fiscal Estimate From DNR
- Fiscal Estimate From DOC
- Fiscal Estimate From DOR
- Fiscal Estimate From DPI
- Fiscal Estimate From DSPS
- Fiscal Estimate From DWD
- Fiscal Estimate From LC
- Fiscal Estimate From OCI
- Fiscal Estimate From PSC
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 4 votes on this bill.
Senate Committee on Licensing vote to recommend it
Passed, 3 to 2 · Nov 7, 2025
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report passage recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Joint Committee on Finance vote to recommend it
Passed, 11 to 4 · Feb 3, 2026
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report passage recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 11, Noes 4”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Senate vote to pass it
Passed, 18 to 15 · Feb 11, 2026
See how each of the 33 senators voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, R: Republican
Yes (18)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Cory Tomczyk (R, 29)
- Dan Feyen (R, 20)
- Devin LeMahieu (R, 9)
- Eric Wimberger (R, 2)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Jesse James (R, 23)
- John Jagler (R, 13)
- Julian Bradley (R, 28)
- Mary Felzkowski (R, 12)
- Patrick Testin (R, 24)
- Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R, 19)
- Rob Hutton (R, 5)
- Rob Stafsholt (R, 10)
- Romaine Quinn (R, 25)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Van Wanggaard (R, 21)
No (15)
- Bob Wirch (D, 22)
- Brad Pfaff (D, 32)
- Chris Larson (D, 7)
- Dianne Hesselbein (D, 27)
- Dora Drake (D, 4)
- Jamie Wall (D, 30)
- Jeff Smith (D, 31)
- Jodi Habush Sinykin (D, 8)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D, 18)
- LaTonya Johnson (D, 6)
- Mark Spreitzer (D, 15)
- Melissa Ratcliff (D, 16)
- Sarah Keyeski (D, 14)
- Tim Carpenter (D, 3)
Official motion: “PASSAGE”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to pass it
Passed, 53 to 45 · Feb 12, 2026 · 1 didn't vote
See how each of the 99 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, R: Republican
Yes (53)
- Adam Neylon (R, 15)
- Alex Dallman (R, 39)
- Amanda Nedweski (R, 32)
- Barbara Dittrich (R, 99)
- Ben Franklin (R, 88)
- Bob Donovan (R, 61)
- Bob Wittke (R, 63)
- Brent Jacobson (R, 87)
- Calvin Callahan (R, 35)
- Chanz Green (R, 74)
- Chuck Wichgers (R, 84)
- Cindi Duchow (R, 97)
- Clint Moses (R, 92)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dave Armstrong (R, 67)
- Dave Maxey (R, 83)
- Dave Murphy (R, 56)
- David Steffen (R, 4)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Duke Tucker (R, 75)
- Elijah Behnke (R, 6)
- Gus Gustafson (R, 55)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jerry O'Connor (R, 60)
- Jessie Rodriguez (R, 21)
- Jim Piwowarczyk (R, 98)
- Joel Kitchens (R, 1)
- John Spiros (R, 86)
- Joy Goeben (R, 5)
- Karen Hurd (R, 69)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lindee Brill (R, 27)
- Mark Born (R, 37)
- Nancy VanderMeer (R, 70)
- Pat Snyder (R, 85)
- Paul Melotik (R, 22)
- Paul Tittl (R, 25)
- Rick Gundrum (R, 58)
- Rob Brooks (R, 59)
- Rob Kreibich (R, 28)
- Rob Summerfield (R, 68)
- Rob Swearingen (R, 34)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Ron Tusler (R, 3)
- Scott Allen (R, 82)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Shae Sortwell (R, 2)
- Todd Novak (R, 51)
- Tony Kurtz (R, 41)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Treig Pronschinske (R, 29)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Will Penterman (R, 38)
No (45)
- Alex Joers (D, 81)
- Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D, 90)
- Andrew Hysell (D, 48)
- Angela Stroud (D, 73)
- Angelina Cruz (D, 62)
- Angelito Tenorio (D, 14)
- Ann Roe (D, 44)
- Ben DeSmidt (D, 65)
- Brienne Brown (D, 43)
- Christian Phelps (D, 93)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Clint Anderson (D, 45)
- Darrin Madison (D, 10)
- Deb Andraca (D, 23)
- Francesca Hong (D, 76)
- Greta Neubauer (D, 66)
- Jenna Jacobson (D, 50)
- Jill Billings (D, 95)
- Joan Fitzgerald (D, 46)
- Jodi Emerson (D, 91)
- Joe Sheehan (D, 26)
- Kalan Haywood (D, 16)
- Karen DeSanto (D, 40)
- Karen Kirsch (D, 7)
- Lee Snodgrass (D, 52)
- Lisa Subeck (D, 79)
- Lori Palmeri (D, 54)
- Margaret Arney (D, 18)
- Maureen McCarville (D, 42)
- Mike Bare (D, 80)
- Priscilla Prado (D, 9)
- Randy Udell (D, 47)
- Renuka Mayadev (D, 77)
- Robyn Vining (D, 13)
- Russell Goodwin (D, 12)
- Ryan Clancy (D, 19)
- Ryan Spaude (D, 89)
- Sequanna Taylor (D, 11)
- Shelia Stubbs (D, 78)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Supreme Moore Omokunde (D, 17)
- Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D, 8)
- Tara Johnson (D, 96)
- Tip McGuire (D, 64)
- Vinnie Miresse (D, 71)
Didn't vote (1)
- Shannon Zimmerman (R, 30)
Official motion: “CONCURRENCE”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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May 13, 2026
The veto stood. Lawmakers didn't override it.
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Mar 20, 2026
The governor vetoed it.
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Mar 18, 2026
Sent to the governor.
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Feb 12, 2026
The Assembly passed it too, 53 to 45.
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Feb 12, 2026
“Read” (the official wording)
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Feb 12, 2026
The Assembly received it.
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Feb 11, 2026
The Senate passed it, 18 to 15.
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Feb 11, 2026
The Senate adopted it.
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Feb 3, 2026
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 11 to 4.
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Jan 30, 2026
Sent to the Joint Committee on Finance.
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Jan 14, 2026
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Dec 4, 2025
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Nov 7, 2025
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 3 to 2.
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Oct 9, 2025
The committee held a public hearing.
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Aug 4, 2025
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Jun 30, 2025
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Jun 13, 2025
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Jun 5, 2025
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Jun 4, 2025
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Jun 2, 2025
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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May 28, 2025
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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May 21, 2025
Sent to the Senate Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs.
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May 21, 2025
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- May 21, 2025 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Wimberger, Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Feyen, Hutton, Nass, Stafsholt and Tomczyk; cosponsored by Representatives Tusler, Armstrong, Behnke, Brooks, Callahan, Dittrich, Goeben, Green, Gundrum, Gustafson, B. Jacobson, Knodl, Maxey, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, Neylon, O'Connor, Piwowarczyk, Rodriguez, Steffen, Tittl, Tranel, Wichgers and Wittke
- May 21, 2025 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs
- May 28, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jun 2, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jun 4, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jun 4, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jun 5, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jun 13, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jun 13, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jun 13, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jun 30, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Aug 4, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Oct 9, 2025 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Nov 7, 2025 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Nov 7, 2025 · Senate
Report passage recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Nov 7, 2025 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Dec 4, 2025 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jan 14, 2026 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Jan 30, 2026 · Senate
Withdrawn from committee on Senate Organization and rereferred to joint committee on Finance pursuant to Senate Rule 46(2)(c)
- Feb 3, 2026 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Feb 3, 2026 · Senate
Report passage recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 11, Noes 4
- Feb 3, 2026 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Feb 6, 2026 · Senate
Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Wimberger
- Feb 9, 2026 · Senate
Placed on calendar 2-11-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Feb 11, 2026 · Senate
Read a second time
- Feb 11, 2026 · Senate
Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted
- Feb 11, 2026 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Feb 11, 2026 · Senate
Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Feb 11, 2026 · Senate
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 18, Noes 15
- Feb 11, 2026 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 12, 2026 · Assembly
Received from Senate
- Feb 12, 2026 · Assembly
Read
- Feb 12, 2026 · Assembly
Rules suspended to withdraw from Senate message and take up
- Feb 12, 2026 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Feb 12, 2026 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Feb 12, 2026 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Feb 12, 2026 · Assembly
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 53, Noes 45
- Feb 12, 2026 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 13, 2026 · Senate
Received from Assembly concurred in
- Feb 20, 2026 · Senate
Report correctly enrolled
- Mar 18, 2026 · Senate
Presented to the Governor on 3-18-2026
- Mar 20, 2026 · Senate
Report vetoed by the Governor on 3-20-2026
- May 12, 2026 · Senate
Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- May 13, 2026 · Senate
Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82
Terms on this page
Veto override
Lawmakers can still pass a bill the governor vetoed, but it takes two-thirds of each chamber.
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
Veto override
Lawmakers can still pass a bill the governor vetoed, but it takes two-thirds of each chamber.
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
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote