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Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB 766

Died at session end Official bill text Atom feed

Relating to: operation of drones over certain utility facilities and providing a penalty.

Aviation Electric utility Police Public utility Telecommunications Waterworks

  1. Introduced, stopped here
  2. Passes Senate, not reached
  3. Passes Assembly, not reached
  4. Governor signs, not reached
  5. Law, not reached

Unfamiliar terms? Glossary

What this bill does

Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law prohibits the unauthorized, noncommercial operation of a drone over a correctional institution. Any person who violates this prohibition may be required to forfeit not more than $5,000. This bill prohibits the unauthorized operation of a drone at an altitude of less than 300 feet over or within 500 feet of a parcel on which certain water reclamation, power, telecommunications, and water system facilities are located. The penalty for a violation of this prohibition is the same as for unauthorized operation of a drone over a correctional institution.

Sponsors

Introduced by: James (R) , Tomczyk (R)

15 cosponsors

Dittrich (R) , Donovan (R) , Goodwin (D) , Knodl (R) , Maxey (R) , McCarville (D) , Melotik (R) , Murphy (R) , Novak (R) , O'Connor (R) , Ortiz-Velez (D) , Penterman (R) , Sinicki (D) , Tittl (R) , Wichgers (R)

Registered lobbying interests · 6

Organizations that registered lobbying activity on this bill with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Registration means interest, not a position for or against. Official record

Votes

Senate: Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0

Passed 8–0 Mar 3, 2026 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0

Passed 8–0 Mar 3, 2026 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Senate: Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0

Passed 8–0 Mar 3, 2026 official source full page

No individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Full history

  1. Dec 12, 2025 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators Tomczyk and James; cosponsored by Representatives Donovan, Dittrich, Goodwin, Knodl, Maxey, Melotik, Murphy, Novak, O'Connor, Penterman, Sinicki, Tittl and Wichgers

  2. Dec 12, 2025 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

  3. Jan 6, 2026 · Senate

    LRB correction

  4. Jan 7, 2026 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  5. Jan 16, 2026 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Tomczyk

  6. Jan 30, 2026 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 offered by Senator Tomczyk

  7. Feb 11, 2026 · Senate

    Representative McCarville added as a cosponsor

  8. Feb 13, 2026 · Senate

    Representative Ortiz-Velez added as a cosponsor

  9. Mar 3, 2026 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0

  10. Mar 3, 2026 · Senate

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0

  11. Mar 3, 2026 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  12. Mar 3, 2026 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  13. Mar 3, 2026 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0

  14. Mar 23, 2026 · Senate

    Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1