Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB705

Introduced
12/2/25  
Refer
12/2/25  

Caption

An Act to amend 138.04; to create 100.56 and 757.43 of the statutes; Relating to: nonrecourse civil litigation advances, prohibiting certain foreign persons from financing civil litigation, and providing a penalty.

Impact

The introduction of SB705 could reshape the landscape of civil litigation in the state. By restricting the ability of foreign parties to finance civil cases, the bill aims to promote transparency and accountability in litigation funding. However, critics argue that such restrictions may discourage legitimate funding options for plaintiffs, particularly those who may not have the resources to pursue lengthy legal battles. This limitation could hinder access to justice for individuals and small businesses that rely heavily on nonrecourse financing to manage their legal expenses.

Summary

SB705 is a bill focused on regulating civil litigation financing, specifically targeting nonrecourse advances. It seeks to prohibit certain foreign entities from providing financial support for civil litigation cases. The primary goal of this legislation is to safeguard the integrity of the judicial process by limiting the influence of foreign persons in domestic legal disputes, thereby preventing potential conflicts of interest and ensuring that cases are funded by more accountable domestic sources. This move has been met with varying opinions among lawmakers and legal experts regarding its necessity and implications.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB705 include debates about the balance between regulating foreign influence in domestic cases and ensuring access to funding for litigants. Proponents argue that the bill is a necessary measure to protect the legal system from foreign interference, while opponents caution that it could unintentionally disadvantage plaintiffs who require financial resources to litigate their claims. The discourse reveals a deeper concern about whether the proposed regulation is overly restrictive or pragmatically beneficial for the state's judicial and economic environment.

Companion Bills

WI AB715

Crossfiled An Act to amend 138.04; to create 100.56 and 757.43 of the statutes; Relating to: nonrecourse civil litigation advances, prohibiting certain foreign persons from financing civil litigation, and providing a penalty.

Previously Filed As

WI AB715

Nonrecourse civil litigation advances, prohibiting certain foreign persons from financing civil litigation, and providing a penalty.

WI LB199

Change the statute of limitations for personal injury actions, include administrative proceedings within the Nonrecourse Civil Litigation Act, require disclosures by consumers under such act, and provide for discipline against civil litigation funding companies

WI HB1329

Foreign Third-Party Litigation Financing

WI HB1372

Litigation financing; to provide a penalty; and to provide for application.

WI H1182

Relative to litigation financing

WI H1861

Providing transparency in third party litigation financing

WI HB5244

LITIGATION FINANCING ACT

WI HB2619

Discovery; creating the Foreign Litigation Funding Prevention Act; commercial litigation funding agreements; prohibiting admissibility of certain information as evidence; effective date.

WI HB2619

Discovery; creating the Foreign Litigation Funding Prevention Act; commercial litigation funding agreements; prohibiting admissibility of certain information as evidence; effective date.

WI HB1384

(Second New Title) relative to prohibiting foreign adversary persons or foreign entities of concern from financing lawsuits, prohibiting foreign principals from registering as lobbyists, and requires certain disclosures for persons acting on behalf of foreign principals.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.