Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB1148

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

SB1148 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 issues, temporary appointments, and then election of district board members at the spring election. It also requires a district to establish a board of emergency services commissioners and allows the district to employ staff, use volunteers, and assume or transfer relevant property, equipment, and debt from participating municipalities or existing joint departments. The bill gives the district broad operational and fiscal authority. A district could levy a property tax on taxable property within its boundaries, subject to levy-limit style growth rules, or instead impose a service fee if approved by referendum in every member municipality. It may also charge fees to member or contracting municipalities and issue debt for capital improvements. The bill integrates districts into numerous state statutes so they are treated like local governments for purposes of elections, recall, publication notices, ethics and campaign filing, retirement, tort claims, vehicle rules, tax exemptions, and state aid programs. It also provides that municipalities joining a district generally stop levying for the transferred services and may receive adjustments to budgets, levy authority, and debt obligations. Overall sentiment in the bill materials appears functional and supportive of a new local governance tool for shared fire and EMS delivery. The bill is framed as a way to let municipalities consolidate services, stabilize funding, and create a more formal governance structure than current joint-service agreements. The legislative text and fiscal-estimate note suggest the proposal is being treated as a significant local government and tax measure, but the available record does not include committee debate or votes showing opposition or support beyond the bill’s introduction and referral. The main points of contention likely involve local control, taxation, and the transfer of assets and liabilities. The bill requires participating municipalities to move real property, vehicles, specialized equipment, and associated debt into the district, and it limits a municipality to membership in only one district. It also creates a five-year veto panel made up of municipal chief executives, allowing member municipalities to block certain district actions by majority objection, which indicates concern about preserving municipal oversight during the district’s early years. Another potential issue is the choice between a property tax and a referendum-approved fee, since both affect how residents pay for fire and EMS services and how much authority the new district board would have over local finances.

Impact

SB1148 would add subchapter VI to chapter 229 and create emergency services districts as new political subdivisions with independent governing boards, taxing authority, debt authority, and service-delivery powers. It would amend a wide range of statutes to incorporate these districts into election law, recall procedures, campaign registration, public notices, municipal finance, tax law, tort claims, vehicle regulation, and state aid provisions. Participating municipalities would generally transfer service-related assets and debt to the district and reduce or eliminate their own levies for the transferred fire or EMS services.

Sentiment

The bill’s overall tone is constructive and administrative, aimed at giving municipalities a formal mechanism to jointly provide fire protection and EMS. The available materials do not show recorded committee testimony or votes, so there is no documented floor-level controversy in the record provided. Based on the text alone, the proposal appears designed to be flexible and locally negotiated, with multiple safeguards for municipal participation and oversight.

Contention

Likely points of contention are the new district’s taxing and fee authority, the mandatory transfer of property and debt, and the extent to which municipalities surrender control once they join. The five-year veto panel is a clear sign that sponsors anticipated concerns about local autonomy and wanted a transitional check on district board decisions. Another possible dispute is whether service fees, which require unanimous referendum approval in each member municipality, are an appropriate substitute for property taxes and whether the district board should have broad authority to issue debt and manage collective bargaining transitions.

Companion Bills

WI AB1188

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 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 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 HB353

Change title used by physician assistants to physician associate

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 HB368

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-234, 2.2-401.01, 2.2-1149, 2.2-1604, 2.2-2699.10, 2.2-4310, 10.1-104.02, 10.1-659, 10.1-1003, 10.1-1018, 10.1-1020, 10.1-1186.3:1, 10.1-1188, 10.1-2202.5, 10.1-2205.1, 10.1-2206.1, 10.1-2214, 10.1-2305, 15.2-4202, 15.2-4203, 18.2-423.1, 20-88.32, 20-146.1, 22.1-254, 24.2-128, 28.2-104.01, 28.2-302.5, 29.1-301, 29.1-401, 29.1-521, 32.1-272, 36-105.5, 51.1-700, 56-46.1, 56-576, 58.1-2201, 58.1-2403, 59.1-480, 62.1-266, 64.2-701, 64.2-2100, and 64.2-2600 of the Code of Virginia and 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 sections numbered 2.2-6100 and 2.2-6101, relating to definitions; American Indians; Virginia recognized tribes; federally recognized tribes; sovereignty.

WI HB591

Authorize use of natural organic reduction as form of disposition

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