Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB1188

Introduced
3/19/26  
Refer
3/19/26  

Caption

An Act to renumber and amend 5.58 (3); to amend 5.02 (21), 5.68 (2), 5.68 (3), 7.51 (3) (b), 7.51 (3) (d), 7.51 (4) (b), 7.51 (5) (a) 2., 7.51 (5) (a) 3., 9.10 (1) (a), 9.10 (2) (b), 9.10 (2) (d), 9.10 (4) (title), 9.10 (4) (a), 9.10 (4) (d), 9.10 (7), 10.04 (2) (a), 10.07 (1), 11.0102 (1), 17.13 (intro.), 17.13 (1), 17.13 (3), 25.50 (1) (d), 26.145 (2) (a), 61.65 (2) (a) 2., 66.0137 (4), 66.0137 (4m) (a), 66.0301 (1) (a), 67.01 (5), 71.26 (1) (bm), 101.573 (3) and (4), 101.575 (1), (2), (3) (intro.), (a) (intro.), 1., (b), (4), (5) and (6) (a) (intro.), 341.26 (2m) (a), 343.38 (1) (c) 2. b., 344.14 (2) (j), 344.25 (1), 345.05 (2), (4) and (5), 348.18 and 985.01 (3); to create 5.58 (1u), 5.58 (3) (intro.), 5.58 (3) (h), 5.60 (6u), 7.53 (3m), 8.10 (6) (e), 8.11 (2f), 17.01 (11m), 17.27 (1f), 40.21 (8), 60.55 (1) (a) 6., 61.65 (2) (a) 5., 62.13 (8) (c), 66.0602 (1) (ad), 66.0602 (7), 66.0608 (2m) (c) 5., 70.11 (37m), 71.05 (1) (c) 9., 77.25 (18m), 77.54 (9a) (j), 79.05 (1) (bm), subchapter VI of chapter 229 [precedes 229.86], 340.01 (15pw) and 985.05 (4) of the statutes; Relating to: authorizing the creation of an emergency services district, authorizing an emergency services district to levy a property tax, and authorizing an emergency services district to impose special charges and issue debt. (FE)

Summary

AB1188 creates a new type of special purpose local government called an emergency services district. Two or more cities, villages, or towns could form a district to provide fire protection services, emergency medical services (EMS), or both. The bill sets out detailed procedures for formation, including enabling resolutions, an agreement on board structure and veto-review issues, temporary board appointments, and the first election of district board members at the spring election. It also allows existing joint fire or EMS arrangements to convert into the new district structure. The district would be governed by an elected board with 5 to 9 members, staggered three-year terms, and authority to hire staff, use volunteers, adopt bylaws, enter contracts, and create a board of emergency services commissioners. The bill also establishes rules for expansion, withdrawal, annexation-related property transfers, and dissolution. It requires a five-year veto panel made up of the chief executives of member municipalities to review specified actions, with a veto override possible by a two-thirds vote of the district board.

Impact

The bill would add a new subchapter to chapter 229 and amend numerous statutes to treat emergency services districts as local governmental units for election administration, taxation, debt, property transfer, labor relations, retirement, liability, publication, and other legal purposes. It authorizes districts to levy a property tax subject to levy-limit style growth rules, or alternatively to impose a special fee if approved by referendums in every member municipality, and it permits the issuance of debt for capital improvements. It also adjusts municipal budgeting and levy rules so that member municipalities reduce their own fire/EMS spending and tax levies as services are transferred to the district.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive of regional consolidation and shared-service delivery for fire and EMS, with a strong emphasis on local control and transition protections. Its structure suggests an effort to make joint service arrangements more formal, stable, and financeable while preserving municipal participation through elections, board apportionment options, and the veto panel. No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no direct evidence of floor or committee opposition in the supplied materials.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are governance and taxation. Member municipalities must agree on board size, apportionment, and which actions are subject to veto review, and the veto panel can block district actions for the first five years, reflecting concern about municipal oversight. Another likely issue is fiscal authority: the district may levy property taxes, impose special charges only with unanimous municipal referendums, and issue debt, which could raise questions about taxpayer burden and accountability. Labor and asset-transfer provisions may also be sensitive, including mandatory offers of employment to municipal employees, continuation of existing collective bargaining terms, and transfer of property, vehicles, and debt obligations from municipalities to the new district.

Companion Bills

WI SB1148

Crossfiled An Act to renumber and amend 5.58 (3); to amend 5.02 (21), 5.68 (2), 5.68 (3), 7.51 (3) (b), 7.51 (3) (d), 7.51 (4) (b), 7.51 (5) (a) 2., 7.51 (5) (a) 3., 9.10 (1) (a), 9.10 (2) (b), 9.10 (2) (d), 9.10 (4) (title), 9.10 (4) (a), 9.10 (4) (d), 9.10 (7), 10.04 (2) (a), 10.07 (1), 11.0102 (1), 17.13 (intro.), 17.13 (1), 17.13 (3), 25.50 (1) (d), 26.145 (2) (a), 61.65 (2) (a) 2., 66.0137 (4), 66.0137 (4m) (a), 66.0301 (1) (a), 67.01 (5), 71.26 (1) (bm), 101.573 (3) and (4), 101.575 (1), (2), (3) (intro.), (a) (intro.), 1., (b), (4), (5) and (6) (a) (intro.), 341.26 (2m) (a), 343.38 (1) (c) 2. b., 344.14 (2) (j), 344.25 (1), 345.05 (2), (4) and (5), 348.18 and 985.01 (3); to create 5.58 (1u), 5.58 (3) (intro.), 5.58 (3) (h), 5.60 (6u), 7.53 (3m), 8.10 (6) (e), 8.11 (2f), 17.01 (11m), 17.27 (1f), 40.21 (8), 60.55 (1) (a) 6., 61.65 (2) (a) 5., 62.13 (8) (c), 66.0602 (1) (ad), 66.0602 (7), 66.0608 (2m) (c) 5., 70.11 (37m), 71.05 (1) (c) 9., 77.25 (18m), 77.54 (9a) (j), 79.05 (1) (bm), subchapter VI of chapter 229 [precedes 229.86], 340.01 (15pw) and 985.05 (4) of the statutes; Relating to: authorizing the creation of an emergency services district, authorizing an emergency services district to levy a property tax, and authorizing an emergency services district to impose special charges and issue debt. (FE)

Previously Filed As

WI H4189

DHEC Restructuring

WI HB642

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2499.8, 2.2-2818, 2.2-2905, 2.2-3114, 2.2-3711, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3802, 2.2-4024, 3.2-4112, 3.2-4113, 3.2-4116, 3.2-4126, 3.2-5145.1, 3.2-5145.2:1, 3.2-5145.4, 4.1-103, 4.1-105, 4.1-352, 4.1-600, 4.1-601, 4.1-603, 4.1-604, 4.1-606, 4.1-607, 4.1-611, 4.1-614, 4.1-621, 4.1-1100, 4.1-1101, 4.1-1121, 4.1-1402, 4.1-1500, 4.1-1501, 4.1-1502, 4.1-1600 through 4.1-1603.2, 4.1-1604, 5.1-13, 9.1-1101, 15.2-912.4, 16.1-69.40:1, 16.1-260, 16.1-273, 16.1-278.9, 18.2-46.1, 18.2-247, 18.2-248, 18.2-248.01, 18.2-251, 18.2-251.03, 18.2-251.1:1, 18.2-251.1:2, 18.2-251.1:3, 18.2-252, 18.2-254, 18.2-255, 18.2-255.1, 18.2-255.2, 18.2-258, 18.2-258.02, 18.2-258.1, 18.2-265.1, 18.2-265.2, 18.2-265.3, 18.2-287.2, 18.2-308.012, 18.2-308.4, 18.2-371.2, 18.2-460, 18.2-474.1, 19.2-66, 19.2-81, 19.2-81.1, 19.2-83.1, 19.2-188.1, 19.2-303.01, 19.2-386.22 through 19.2-386.25, 19.2-389, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-389.3, 19.2-392.02, 19.2-392.6 and 19.2-392.12:1, as they shall become effective, 22.1-206, 22.1-277.08, 23.1-1301, 46.2-105.2, 46.2-347, 48-17.1, 53.1-231.2, 54.1-2903, 54.1-3401, 54.1-3443, 58.1-301, and 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Subtitle II of Title 2.2 a part labeled D, containing a chapter numbered 61, consisting of a section numbered 2.2-6100, by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-629 and 4.1-630, by adding in Title 4.1 chapters numbered 7 through 10, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-700 through 4.1-1010, by adding sections numbered 4.1-1102 through 4.1-1105, 4.1-1106, 4.1-1106.1, 4.1-1113, 4.1-1114, 4.1-1115, 4.1-1117, 4.1-1118, and 4.1-1119, by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 12, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1200 through 4.1-1206, by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1300, 4.1-1301, and 4.1-1303 through 4.1-1309, by adding in Chapter 14 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1403 through 4.1-1407, by adding a section numbered 4.1-1602.1, by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1700 through 4.1-1705, by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 6.2 a section numbered 6.2-108, and by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-4426; and to repeal Article 4 (§§ 3.2-4122 through 3.2-4126) of Chapter 41.1 of Title 3.2 and §§ 3.2-5145.4:1, 4.1-1101.1, 4.1-1105.1, 18.2-248.1, and 18.2-251.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to cannabis control; retail market; penalties.

WI SB1445

An act to amend Sections 115.10, 802.5, 1621, 1724, 1750.1, 2564.79, 4202.6, 4826.3, 4980.36, 4980.41, 4980.43.2, 4980.72, 4980.81, 4990.26.1, 4996.17.1, 4996.17.2, 4996.23.1, 4999.32, 4999.33, 4999.46.2, 4999.60, 4999.62, 7026.12, 7057, 7071.18, 7139.3, 7511, 7582.22, 9884.9, 9884.76 9884.76, 9884.9, 17913, 19120, 19239, 19278, and 19279.2 of, and to repeal Sections 1632.6, 4840.9, 4842, 6980.82, 7519, 7581.5, and 7599.71 of, the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

WI HB271

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-203.3, 2.2-401.01, 2.2-511, 2.2-614.3, 2.2-3705.3, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3705.6, 2.2-3705.7, 2.2-3711, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3802, 2.2-4002, 2.2-4346, 3.2-102, 3.2-6201, 4.1-100, 4.1-206.3, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 4.1-226, 6.2-603.1, 8.01-216.3, 8.01-534, 11-16.1, 11-16.2, 15.2-912.2, 15.2-2825, 18.2-513, 19.2-66, 19.2-215.1, 19.2-389, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-390, 22.1-140.1, 37.2-304, 37.2-314.2, 52-53, 52-54, 58.1-3, 58.1-439, 58.1-460, 58.1-3510, 58.1-3732.1, and 59.1-542.1 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a title numbered 29.5, containing a subtitle numbered I, consisting of chapters numbered 1 through 6, containing sections numbered 29.5-100 through 29.5-650, a subtitle numbered II, consisting of chapters numbered 7 and 8, containing sections numbered 29.5-700 through 29.5-814, and a subtitle numbered III, consisting of a chapter numbered 9, containing sections numbered 29.5-900 through 29.5-913; and to repeal §§ 2.2-2455 and 2.2-2456, Article 1 (§§ 18.2-325 through 18.2-340) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2, Article 1.1:1 (§§ 18.2-340.15 through 18.2-340.37) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2, Chapter 40 (§§ 58.1-4000 through 58.1-4048) of Title 58.1, Chapter 41 (§§ 58.1-4100 through 58.1-4141) of Title 58.1, Chapter 29 (§§ 59.1-364 through 59.1-405) of Title 59.1, Chapter 29.1 (§ 59.1-405.1) of Title 59.1, and Chapter 51 (§§ 59.1-556 through 59.1-570) of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Gaming Commission established; penalties.

WI HB863

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 3.2-4212, 4.1-302, 16.1-253.2, 18.2-36.1, 18.2-36.2, 18.2-46.3:3, 18.2-51.1, 18.2-53.1, 18.2-57, 18.2-60.4, 18.2-61, 18.2-67.1, 18.2-67.2, 18.2-67.5:2, 18.2-67.5:3, 18.2-154, 18.2-186.4, 18.2-248, 18.2-248.01, 18.2-248.03, 18.2-248.1, 18.2-248.5, 18.2-255, 18.2-255.2, 18.2-270, 18.2-308.1, 18.2-308.2, 18.2-308.2:2, 18.2-308.4, 18.2-374.1, 18.2-374.1:1, 18.2-374.3, 19.2-160.1, 19.2-297.1, 46.2-341.28, 46.2-391, 53.1-116, and 53.1-203 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elimination of mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses.

WI HB434

Exempt military driver's license applicants from driver's ed

WI HB900

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 33.2-358, 33.2-371, 33.2-1524, 33.2-1524.1, 33.2-1526.1, 33.2-3401, 33.2-3402, 33.2-3403, 33.2-3502, 46.2-774, 58.1-602, 58.1-603, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, 58.1-609.5, 58.1-609.11, 58.1-612, 58.1-623, 58.1-647, and 58.1-648 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 19 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-1904.1, by adding in Article 11 of Chapter 19 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-1937, by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-2402, by adding in Chapter 7 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-775, by adding sections numbered 58.1-603.3 and 58.1-612.3, and by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 58.1 an article numbered 13, consisting of a section numbered 58.1-1749; and to amend Chapter 766 of the Acts of Assembly of 2013 by adding a nineteenth enactment, relating to sales and use tax on taxable services and digital personal property; taxes levied in certain transportation districts; funding for transportation.

WI HB591

Authorize use of natural organic reduction as form of disposition

WI HB353

Change title used by physician assistants to physician associate

WI HB1179

Transportation; changes various provisions of existing funds, etc.

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