STATE SENATE ICE cooperation requirements, cryptocurrency regulation among numerous Senate bills sent to Gov. Tony Evers From the In sprint to the finish, lawmakers send raft of bills to governor series KIMBERLY WETHAL and MITCHELL SCHMIDT Wisconsin State Journal Mar 18, 2026 Mar 18, 2026 Updated May 18, 2026 × Top stories for March 18, 2026, in the Wisconsin State Journal Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save On what was expected to effectively be the state Senate’s last regular floor session for the year, the body considered dozens of bills.kAm$@>6 @7 E96 3:==D 5C6H DEC@?8 @AA@D:E:@? 7C@> 3@E9 D:56D — ?2>6=J[ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^?6HD^DE2E6\C68:@?2=^8@G6C?>6?E\A@=:E:4D^2CE:4=60e6b`6a_6\7_4h\ccbh\22h`\2`e_5545h4he]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm2FE9@C:K:?8 @?=:?6 82>3=:?8k^2m 7@C E96 DE2E6’D 7656C2= C64@8?:K65 EC:36D 2?5 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^?6HD^DE2E6\C68:@?2=^8@G6C?>6?E\A@=:E:4D^2CE:4=60d2ddcd_a\5hf`\cg33\h67b\`h3ff4chhe43]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm8C2?E:?8 &( pE9=6E:4D >:==:@?D :? 7F?5:?8k^2m E@ 96=A :E A2J @77 563E 2?5 7C66 FA :ED @A6C2E:?8 3F586E 7@C C6G6?F6\D92C:?8 H:E9 DEF56?E\2E9=6E6D]k^Am kAm|2?J @7 E96 3:==D 4@?D:56C65 %F6D52J A2DD65 H:E9 D@>6 @C 7F== 3:A2CE:D2? 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Lake Geneva alderwoman complaints tossed: ‘Not refutable evidence’ Lake Geneva considers accessibility options for beach Council delays voting on whether to pursue land purchase for public safety building College academy set to open charter school in Elkhorn Wisconsin State Senate rejects bipartisan deal on school funding, tax rebates 'A lot of bigger issues': Big Ten coach rips Wisconsin in preview magazine Fontana student receives first-place award in art contest Lake Geneva considers property for police and fire station 3 takeaways from Wisconsin flipping a standout in-state linebacker Geneva Lakes Family YMCA eyeing Townline Road site for new campus Support Ukraine dinner to be held at Simple Cafe, May 20 k9amxrt 4@@A6C2E:@?k^9amkAm(:D4@?D:?’D 4@F?EJ D96C:77D H@F=5 36 C6BF:C65 E@ 4@>A=J H:E9 7656C2= H2CC2?ED 2?5 :>>:8C2E:@? 56E2:?6CD 7@C 2?J@?6 36:?8 96=5 :? ;2:= @? 2 76=@?J @776?D6 F?56C 2 #6AF3=:42?\2FE9@C65 3:== 9625:?8 E@ tG6CD[ H9@ 92D k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^?6HD^DE2E6\C68:@?2=^8@G6C?>6?E\A@=:E:4D^2CE:4=603dgd3e3g\543h\``67\h4h`\37he67754423]9E>=REC24<:?8\D@FC46l:?\2CE:4=6Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmG@H65 E@ G6E@ :k^2mE H96? :E C62496D 9:D 56D<]k^Am kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^5@4D]=68:D]H:D4@?D:?]8@G^a_ad^AC@A@D2=D^23acQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmpDD6>3=J q:== ack^2m[ H9:49 4=62C65 E96 pDD6>3=J =2DE |2C49[ A2DD65 E96 $6?2E6 @? %F6D52J] &?56C E96 3:==[ D96C:77D H9@ C67FD6 E@ 4@>A=J H:E9 E96 =2H H@F=5 D66 E96:C 4@F?E:6D =@D6 `dT @7 E96:C D92C65 C6G6?F6 — DE2E6 7F?5D AC@G:565 E@ =@42= 8@G6C?>6?ED — :? 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C646?E J62CD[ $E2E6 $FA6C:?E6?56?E y:== &?56C=J k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^5A:]H:]8@G^D:E6D^5672F=E^7:=6D^:>46^25>:?:DEC2E@CD^6\>2:=^%C:32=0C682=:2]A57Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm92D FC865 D49@@= 5:DEC:4EDk^2m E@ ?@E AC@9:3:E E96:C 8C25F2E6D 7C@> H62C:?8 EC:32= C682=:2 2E 46C6>@?:6D[ 4:E:?8 DE2E6 =2HD E92E AC@E64E DEF56?ED 7C@> 5:D4C:>:?2E:@? @? C6=:8:@FD @C ?2E:@?2= @C:8:? 8C@F?5D]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^d_dahh7d\`_h2\cdg5\266g\7hh3ggc76_g7Qmq:== =:>:E:?8 DF82CJ 7@@5 DE2>A AFC492D6D :? C6EFC? 7@C 25565 $}p! 7F?5:?8 962565 E@ v@G] tG6CDk^2mk^Am In this Series In sprint to the finish, lawmakers send raft of bills to governor Updated Mar 19, 2026 Low-income mothers and babies will soon have a full year of Medicaid coverage in Wisconsin Updated Mar 19, 2026 Divisive online sports betting bill heads to Gov. Tony Evers with bipartisan backing Updated Apr 15, 2026 Senate approves NIL policy, debt relief for UW Athletics by single vote 16 updates Previous Next Locations Madison Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Top stories for March 18, 2026 Top stories for March 18, 2026, in the Wisconsin State Journal Surplus deal, other bills in limbo as Wisconsin legislative session winds down The Assembly wrapped up it’s final regularly-scheduled session last month, while the Senate’s presumed final session concluded Tuesday. Senate approves NIL policy, debt relief for UW Athletics by single vote It was a surprising turn of events for a bill that otherwise breezed through the Assembly last month on a near-unanimous vote. Bill limiting sugary food stamp purchases in return for added SNAP funding headed to Gov. Evers Wisconsinites will be required to spend up to 20% of their food assistance dollars differently as a result. New Wisconsin laws expand bingo definition, enhance theft penalties In addition to signing a dozen measures into law, the Democratic governor also vetoed another 15 bills, including a collection of GOP-authored… Gov. Tony Evers signs bills limiting crypto machines, expanding sextortion crimes against children The cryptocurrency bill also would require kiosk operators to give people a full refund if they notify authorities their transactions were par… Lawsuit over ICE detainers in county jails must stay with Wisconsin Supreme Court, federal judge rules The ruling comes after the five sheriffs named as defendants attempted to move the case to federal court, claiming the liberal-controlled Supr… Lawsuit over ICE detainers in county jails must stay with Wisconsin Supreme Court, federal judge rules The ruling comes after the five sheriffs named as defendants attempted to move the case to federal court, claiming the liberal-controlled Supr… Watch Now: Related Video WisEye Morning Minute: 2026 WisGOP State Convention Trump shares AI-generated image beside shackled alien Trump shares AI-generated image beside shackled alien Top stories for May 19, 2026 Top stories for May 19, 2026 Top stories for May 19, 2026 Top stories for May 19, 2026 Watch Now: Related Video WisEye Morning Minute: 2026 WisGOP State Convention Trump shares AI-generated image beside shackled alien Trump shares AI-generated image beside shackled alien Top stories for May 19, 2026 Top stories for May 19, 2026 Top stories for May 19, 2026 Top stories for May 19, 2026
Surplus deal, other bills in limbo as Wisconsin legislative session winds down The Assembly wrapped up it’s final regularly-scheduled session last month, while the Senate’s presumed final session concluded Tuesday.
Senate approves NIL policy, debt relief for UW Athletics by single vote It was a surprising turn of events for a bill that otherwise breezed through the Assembly last month on a near-unanimous vote.
Bill limiting sugary food stamp purchases in return for added SNAP funding headed to Gov. Evers Wisconsinites will be required to spend up to 20% of their food assistance dollars differently as a result.
New Wisconsin laws expand bingo definition, enhance theft penalties In addition to signing a dozen measures into law, the Democratic governor also vetoed another 15 bills, including a collection of GOP-authored…
Gov. Tony Evers signs bills limiting crypto machines, expanding sextortion crimes against children The cryptocurrency bill also would require kiosk operators to give people a full refund if they notify authorities their transactions were par…
Lawsuit over ICE detainers in county jails must stay with Wisconsin Supreme Court, federal judge rules The ruling comes after the five sheriffs named as defendants attempted to move the case to federal court, claiming the liberal-controlled Supr…
Lawsuit over ICE detainers in county jails must stay with Wisconsin Supreme Court, federal judge rules The ruling comes after the five sheriffs named as defendants attempted to move the case to federal court, claiming the liberal-controlled Supr…