Wisconsin Legislative Update

By Jordan Lamb, The Welch Group

The Wisconsin State legislature is wrapping up its 2025-26 legislative session. Both the Senate and the Assembly were on the floor February. The State Assembly adjourned on February 20 and Speaker Vos has stated that he does not intend to have the Assembly meet again. The only exception would be if legislative leadership and Governor Evers reach agreement on a tax package, in which case the Assembly could reconvene to act on that proposal. The Senate plans to meet on Tuesday, March 17 for what is expected to be its final day of regular session.   

ENROLLED BILLS. The following bills of interest to WCA have passed both houses of the Legislature and are being prepared for Executive Action (Governor’s Signature or Veto). The bills can be delivered to the Governor under any of following circumstances: (1) delivered to the Governor by the Legislative Leadership; (2) requested by the Governor; or (3) delivered pursuant to the Legislative Calendar on April 2, 2026. Once the bills are delivered, the Governor can act. 

• ENROLLED – Requiring Labeling of Lab Grown Meat (AB 554 - Moses, Clint). The sale, service, and labeling of food products containing lab-grown animal cells and providing a penalty. 
• ENROLLED – Rural Veterinary Loan Repayment Grants (SB 501 - Cabral-Guevara, Rachael). Creating a rural veterinary student loan repayment grant program administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board.
• ENROLLED - CDL Training Grants (SB 783 - Wimberger, Eric). This bill expands eligibility for grants under the commercial driver grant program to applicants other than training providers.   

Animal Health License Fee Increases. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) initiated rulemaking in fall 2025 to revise livestock market and dealer fees under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 12. The department’s initial proposal included fee increases of up to 1,700 percent, levels that would have imposed unsustainable financial burdens on sale barns, livestock marketers, and ultimately producers.   

WCA opposed the proposal, and extensive public testimony during hearings last October highlighted these concerns. Following that feedback, DATCP approved a revised rule that significantly reduces the magnitude of the increases, with the highest increase now approximately 60 percent. However, the revised rule still does not address the underlying funding challenges facing DATCP’s animal health programs. The amended rule has now been submitted to the Legislature in final form and may take effect at the conclusion of the legislative review process.   

At the same time, the Legislature responded to the proposed fee increases by introducing legislation (SB 622 / AB 627) that would freeze livestock dealer and market fees at their current statutory levels.   

SB 622 passed the Senate in February but was amended by the Assembly on its final day of action. As a result, the Senate must now concur with the Assembly’s changes in order for the bill to be sent to Governor Evers for consideration. WCA supports the legislation and, if it passes both chambers, will urge the Governor to sign the bill.   

WCA continues to emphasize that Wisconsin’s animal health system cannot be funded solely through fees imposed on farmers and livestock marketers. A more balanced funding approach that combines General Purpose Revenue (GPR) support with modest fee adjustments would better align Wisconsin with funding practices in neighboring states while ensuring the long-term sustainability of critical animal health programs.