Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB1219

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/26
• Refer: 3/19/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend 11.1101 (figure), 11.1101 (1) (intro.), 11.1101 (1) (a), 11.1101 (2) (intro.), 11.1101 (2) (a), 11.1101 (3), 11.1101 (4), 11.1103 (1) (intro.) and (2) (intro.), 11.1103 (3), 11.1112 and 11.1113 (3) (b); to repeal and recreate 11.1101 (3) (k) 2., 11.1101 (4) (k) 2., 11.1101 (5) (h) 2. and 11.1104; to create 11.1101 (5) and 11.1204 (4) of the statutes; Relating to: campaign contribution limits.

Summary

AB1219 would substantially revise Wisconsin’s campaign finance contribution limits. The bill lowers the maximum amount that individuals and candidate committees may give to candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, state superintendent, and justice from $20,000 to $10,000. It also cuts in half the limits that apply to political action committee contributions to candidates, and it reduces contribution limits for legislative, judicial, and local offices as well. For local offices, the bill changes the formula from the greater of $400 or 2 cents per resident, capped at $5,000, to the greater of $200 or 1 cent per resident, capped at $2,500. The bill also adds a new rule limiting contributions from political parties and legislative campaign committees to candidate committees, generally matching the lower limits that apply to individuals. In addition, it eliminates the existing ability of political parties and legislative campaign committees to establish segregated funds for general purposes that could receive unlimited contributions from most donors and limited contributions from certain entities. The bill preserves the ability of candidates to contribute unlimited personal funds to their own candidate committees. In practical terms, AB1219 would amend multiple sections of Chapter 11 of the Wisconsin statutes governing campaign finance, including contribution limits, special election timing rules, corporate and labor organization restrictions, and related definitions. It would create a new section expressly limiting contributions to candidate committees, political parties, and legislative campaign committees to the amounts allowed under the revised contribution-limit framework. The bill’s initial applicability date is January 1, 2026, with some local-office formula changes delayed until December 1, 2027. The general sentiment reflected by the bill text is that it is a campaign-finance reform measure aimed at reducing the size of political contributions and tightening the flow of money through party and committee structures. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence in the materials of support or opposition from legislators or stakeholders. However, the bill’s broad reductions in contribution limits and elimination of segregated funds suggest it would likely be viewed as restrictive by donors, political parties, and committees that rely on larger contributions. The main point of contention is likely to be whether lowering contribution limits and eliminating segregated funds improves transparency and reduces donor influence, or instead burdens political participation and party fundraising. The bill affects individuals, candidate committees, political parties, legislative campaign committees, political action committees, corporations, labor organizations, cooperatives, tribes, and single-member LLCs, so opposition would most likely come from organizations and donors facing reduced giving capacity, while reform advocates would likely support the tighter limits.

Impact

AB1219 would amend Wisconsin’s campaign finance statutes in Chapter 11 by lowering contribution limits across multiple office categories, adding new limits on contributions involving political parties and legislative campaign committees, and repealing the authority for those committees to maintain segregated funds for general purposes. It would also revise related provisions governing special elections, corporate/labor/tribal contribution restrictions, and single-member LLC treatment, while preserving unlimited personal contributions by candidates to their own committees. The bill would apply to contributions made on or after January 1, 2026, with certain local-office formula changes taking effect later, on December 1, 2027.

Sentiment

The bill appears to reflect a reform-oriented, anti-big-money approach to campaign finance, with the stated effect of reducing contribution ceilings and limiting fundraising channels. No committee discussion or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of bipartisan support, opposition, or negotiated compromise in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the measure would likely draw support from campaign-finance reform advocates and concern from political parties, PACs, and major donors affected by the lower limits.

Contention

The most notable controversy is the bill’s broad reduction in contribution limits, especially the cut from $20,000 to $10,000 for statewide candidates and the halving of PAC-to-candidate limits. Another likely flashpoint is the elimination of segregated funds for political parties and legislative campaign committees, which removes a fundraising mechanism that can accept larger contributions from certain donors. Supporters would likely argue these changes curb donor influence and improve fairness, while opponents would likely argue they restrict political speech, make fundraising harder, and disadvantage parties and committees relative to current law.