Wisconsin Senate Bill SB1078

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/26
• Refer: 2/26/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend 1.10 (4); to create 1.10 (3) (w) of the statutes; Relating to: designating manoomin as the Wisconsin state native grain.

Summary

SB1078 would add a new state symbol to Wisconsin law by designating manoomin, also known as wild rice, as the Wisconsin state native grain. The bill creates a new statutory provision stating that manoomin is the state native grain and amends the section of law governing the Wisconsin Blue Book so that this designation must be included in the publication alongside the state’s other official symbols. The measure is narrow and symbolic rather than regulatory. It does not create a new program, funding mechanism, or enforcement scheme; instead, it updates the list of recognized state emblems and the informational content required in the Wisconsin Blue Book. The bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on March 23, 2026.

Impact

The bill would amend Wisconsin Statutes section 1.10 to add manoomin to the list of official state symbols as the state native grain and to require the Wisconsin Blue Book to reflect that designation. Its practical legal effect is limited to state-symbol law and official state publications, with no direct changes to private conduct, agency authority, or regulatory obligations.

Sentiment

Because no committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, there is no detailed public discussion to gauge legislative sentiment. Based on the bill’s content and sponsorship, it appears to have been a largely ceremonial or recognition-based proposal with bipartisan-style symbolic appeal, but it did not advance to enactment and was ultimately defeated by procedural failure.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. If any opposition existed, it is not reflected in the available transcripts or votes. The only identifiable issue is the bill’s symbolic nature: supporters likely viewed it as a cultural recognition of manoomin and Indigenous and Wisconsin heritage, while any skeptics may have questioned whether adding another state symbol warranted statutory action.