Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive 14 R cosponsors

AB 217 — Relating to: local government competitive bidding thresholds. (FE)

Last action — Published 4-4-2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced April 23, 2025. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 15 sponsors

    1 primary, 14 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (14 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

An Act to renumber and amend 59.52 (29) (a), 60.47 (1) (a), 60.47 (5) and 62.15 (1); to amend 60.47 (2) (a), 60.47 (2) (b), 60.47 (3), 60.47 (4) and 60.47 (5) (title); to create 59.52 (29) (c) 2., 59.52 (29) (c) 3., 59.52 (29) (e), 60.47 (1) (ag), 60.47 (1) (as), 60.47 (2m), 60.47 (2s), 60.47 (5) (c), 62.15 (1) (b) and 62.15 (1) (c) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

226 added · 50 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Assembly Bill 217 make significant changes to local government bidding processes for public works projects. The threshold for providing notice before a contract is now raised from $5,000 to $10,000, and the bidding requirement is increased from $25,000 to $50,000, with future adjustments for inflation. This change aims to reduce the administrative burden on local governments, allowing them to manage smaller projects more efficiently. Additionally, the bill includes exceptions for certain types of projects, such as those related to housing for individuals on supervised release and improvements donated by private individuals.

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Previous
Latest
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBa0495/1 EVM:cdc ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 217 October 28, 2025 - Offered by RepresentatiONNORC.
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-2694/1 EVM:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 217 April 23, 2025 - Introduced by RepresentativeONNOR , BROOKS, ARMSTRONG , N OVAK, D ONOVAN , KITCHENS , FRANKLIN, V ANDERM EER, B.
At the locations indicated, amend the substitute amendment as follows:
J ACOBSON , G UNDRUM , KNODL, MURSAU , ITTRICHand M ELOTIK, cosponsored by Senator TOMCZYK .
Referred to Committee on Local Government.
A N A CT to renumber and amend 59.52 (29) (a), 60.47 (1) (a), 60.47 (5) and 62.15 (1);
to amend 60.47 (2) (a), 60.47 (2) (b), 60.47 (3), 60.47 (4) and 60.47 (5) (title);
to create 59.52 (29) (c) 2., 59.52 (29) (c) 3., 59.52 (29) (e), 60.47 (1) (ag), 60.47 (1) (as), 60.47 (2m), 60.47 (2s), 60.47 (5) (c), 62.15 (1) (b) and 62.15 (1) (c) of the statutes;
relating to:
local government competitive bidding thresholds.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Under current law, in general, if the estimated cost of a local government public works project is between $5,000 and $25,000, the local governmental unit must provide a notice before it contracts.
If the estimated cost exceeds $25,000, the local governmental unit must solicit bids and award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
This bill increases the notice threshold to $10,000 and the bidding threshold to $50,000 and adjusts these amounts quinquennially for inflation.
The bill also provides exceptions to these bidding requirements for 1) public work by a county for the purpose of providing housing for persons placed on supervised release as sexually violent persons and 2) improvements that are constructed by a private person and donated to a town or county after the completion of construction.
With - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-2694/1 EVM:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 217 SECTION 1 regard to the latter, a similar exception for donated improvements currently exists for improvements donated to a city or village.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
S ECTION 1.
59.52 (29) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 59.52 (29) (a) 1.
and amended to read:
59.52 (29) (a) 1.
All public work, including any contract for the construction, repair, remodeling, or improvement of any public work, building, or furnishing of supplies or material of any kind where the estimated cost of such work will exceed $25,000 the bidding threshold under par.
(e) 1.
a.
shall be let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
3.
Any public work, the estimated cost of which does not exceed $25,000 the bidding threshold under par.
(e) 1.
a., shall be let as the board may direct.
4.
If the estimated cost of any public work is between $5,000 the notice threshold under par.
(e) 1.
b.
and $25,000 the bidding threshold under par.
(e) 1.
a., the board shall give a class 1 notice under ch.
985 before it contracts for the work or shall contract with a person qualified as a bidder under s.
66.0901 (2).
2.
A contract, the estimated cost of which exceeds $25,000 the bidding threshold under par.
(e) 1.
a., shall be let and entered into under s.
Show all 228 changed rows (188 more)
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Latest
66.0901, except that the board may by a three-fourths vote of all the members entitled to a seat provide that any class of public work or any part thereof may be done directly by the county without submitting the same for bids.
(c) 1.
This subsection does not apply to public construction if the materials for - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-2694/1 EVM:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 217 SECTION 1 such a the project are donated or if the labor for such a the project is provided by volunteers.
(d) This subsection does not apply to highway contracts which the county highway committee or the county highway commissioner is authorized by law to let or make, which shall be let or made under s.
83.04.
S ECTION 2.
59.52 (29) (c) 2.
of the statutes is created to read:
59.52 (29) (c) 2.
This subsection does not apply to the construction by a private person of an improvement that is donated to the county after the completion of construction.
S ECTION 3.
59.52 (29) (c) 3.
of the statutes is created to read:
59.52 (29) (c) 3.
This subsection does not apply to public work for the purpose of providing housing for persons placed on supervised release under s.
980.08.
S ECTION 4.
59.52 (29) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
59.52 (29) (e) 1.
Beginning on the effective date of this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date}, the thresholds under par.
(a) are the following:
a.
For general public works contract bidding, $50,000.
b.
For general public works contract notice, $10,000.
2.
On the 5th year commencing after the effective date of this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date], and each subsequent 5th year, the thresholds under subd.
Page 2, line 2:
shall be increased by a percentage equal to the percentage change in the U.S.
delete Xa.Y.
consumer price index for the previous 5 years, as determined by the federal department of labor, rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.
S ECTION 5.
60.47 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 60.47 (1) (am) and amended to read:
- 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-2694/1 EVM:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 217 SECTION 5 60.47 (1) (am) “Public contract” means a contract for the construction, execution, repair, remodeling or improvement of any public work or building or for the furnishing of materials or supplies, with an estimated cost greater than $5,000.
S ECTION 6.
60.47 (1) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:
60.47 (1) (ag) “Highway” means a public way or thoroughfare, including any bridges on the public way or thoroughfare.
S ECTION 7.
60.47 (1) (as) of the statutes is created to read:
60.47 (1) (as) “Public highway contract” means a contract for the construction, execution, repair, remodeling, or improvement of a highway.
S ECTION 8.
60.47 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
60.47 (2) (a) No town may enter into a public contract with an estimated cost of more than $5,000 the notice threshold under sub.
(2s) (a) 2.
but not more than $25,000 the bidding threshold under sub.
(2s) (a) 1.
unless the town board, or a town official or employee designated by the town board, gives a class 1 notice under ch.
985 before execution of that public contract.
S ECTION 9.
60.47 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
60.47 (2) (b) No town may enter into a public contract with a value of more than $25,000 the bidding threshold under sub.
(2s) (a) 1.
unless the town board, or a town official or employee designated by the town board, advertises for proposals to perform the terms of the public contract by publishing a class 2 notice under ch.
985.
The town board may provide for additional means of advertising for bids.
S ECTION 10.
60.47 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:
60.47 (2m) PUBLIC HIGHWAY CONTRACTS .
Notwithstanding sub.
(2), and except as provided in subs.
(4) and (5), no town may enter into a public highway - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-2694/1 EVM:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 217 S ECTION 10 contract with an estimated cost of more than the notice threshold under sub.
(2s) (a) 4.
but not more than the bidding threshold under sub.
(2s) (a) 3.
unless the town board, or a town official or employee designated by the town board, gives a class 1 notice under ch.
985 before execution of that public highway contract.
Notwithstanding sub.
(2), and except as provided in subs.
(4) and (5), no town may enter into a public highway contract with a value of more than the bidding threshold under sub.
(2s) (a) 3., unless the town board, or a town official or employee designated by the town board, advertises for proposals to perform the terms of the public highway contract by publishing a class 2 notice under ch.
985.
The town board may provide for additional means of advertising for bids.
S ECTION 11.
60.47 (2s) of the statutes is created to read:
60.47 (2s) HRESHOLD AMOUNTS .
(a) Beginning on the effective date of this paragraph ....
[LRB inserts date}, the thresholds under subs.
(2) and (2m) are the following:
1.
For general public contract bidding, $50,000.
Page 2, line 5:
For general public contract notice, $10,000.
delete Xa.Y.
Page 2, line 7:
For public highway contract bidding, $25,000.
delete X1.
b.Y and substitute X2.Y.
Page 2, line 7:
For public highway contract notice, $5,000.
delete Xa.Y.
(b) On the 5th year commencing after the effective date of this paragraph ....
5.
[LRB inserts date], and each subsequent 5th year, the thresholds under par.
Page 2, line 11:
(a) shall be increased by a percentage equal to the percentage change in the U.S.
delete Xa.Y.
consumer price index for the previous 5 years, as determined by the federal department of labor, rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.
6.
S ECTION 12.
Page 3, line 4:
60.47 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
delete X1.Y.
- 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRB-2694/1 EVM:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 217 S ECTION 12 60.47 (3) ONTRACTS TO LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER.
7.
The town board shall let a public contract or public highway contract, for which advertising for proposals is required under sub.
Page 3, line 6:
(2) (b) or (2m) to the lowest responsible bidder.
delete Xa.Y and substitute X1.Y.
Section 66.0901 applies to public contracts or public highway contracts let under sub.
8.
subs.
Page 3, line 7:
(2) (b) and (2m).
delete Xb.Y and substitute X2.Y.
S ECTION 13.
LRBa0495/1 - 2026 Legislature - 2 - EVM:cdc 9.
60.47 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
Page 3, line 8:
60.47 (4) CONTRACTS WITH GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES .
delete lines 8 to 12.
This section does not apply to public contracts or public highway contracts entered into by a town with a municipality, as defined under s.
10.
66.0301 (1) (a).
Page 4, line 2:
S ECTION 14.
delete X(a) 2.Y and substitute X(b)Y.
60.47 (5) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
11.
60.47 (5) (titleXCEPTION FOR EMERGENCIES AND DONATED MATERIALS AND LABOR CERTAIN DONATIONS.
Page 4, line 3:
S ECTION 15.
delete X1.Y.
60.47 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 60.47 (5) (a) and amended to read:
12.
60.47 (5) (a) This section is optional with respect to public contracts and public highway contracts for the repair and construction of public facilities when damage or threatened damage to the facility creates an emergency, as declared by resolution of the town board, that endangers the public health or welfare of the town.
Page 4, line 8:
This subsection no longer applies when the town board declares that the emergency no longer exists.
delete X1.Y.
(b) This section is optional with respect to a public contract or public highway contract if the materials related to the contract are donated or if the labor that is - 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRB-2694/1 EVM:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 217 S ECTION 15 necessary to execute the public contract or public highway contract is provided by volunteers.
13.
S ECTION 16.
Page 4, line 15:
60.47 (5) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
delete X(a)Y.
60.47 (5) (c) This section does not apply to the construction by a private person of an improvement that is donated to the town after the completion of construction.
14.
S ECTION 17.
Page 4, line 16:
62.15 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 62.15 (1) (a) and amended to read:
delete X4.Y and substitute X(d)Y.
62.15 (1) (a) All public construction, the estimated cost of which exceeds $25,000 the bidding threshold under par.
15.
(c) 1.
Page 4, line 16:
a., shall be let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder;
delete X(a) 3.Y and substitute X(c)Y.
all other public construction shall be let as the council may direct.
16.
If the estimated cost of any public construction exceeds $5,000 the notice threshold under par.
Page 4, line 21:
(c) 1.
delete X(a) 3.Y and substitute X(c)Y.
b.
17.
but is not greater than $25,000 the bidding threshold under par.
Page 5, line 4:
(c) 1.
delete X(a)Y.
a., the board of public works shall give a class 1 notice, under ch.
18.
985, of the proposed construction before the contract for the construction is executed.
Page 5, line 7:
This provision paragraph does not apply to public construction if the materials for such a the project are donated or if the labor for such a the project is provided by volunteers.
delete X1.Y and substitute X(a)Y.
The council may also by a vote of three-fourths of all the members-elect provide by ordinance that any class of public construction or any part thereof may be done directly by the city without submitting the same for bids.
19.
S ECTION 18.
Page 5, line 8:
62.15 (1) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
delete X2.Y and substitute X(b)Y.
62.15 (1) (b) 1.
20.
In this paragraph:
Page 5, line 9:
- 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRB-2694/1 EVM:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 217 S ECTION 18 a.
delete X3.Y and substitute X(c)Y.
“Highway” means a public way or thoroughfare, including any bridges on the public way or thoroughfare.
21.
b.
Page 5, line 10:
“Public highway construction” means a public construction project involving the construction, improvement, repair, or maintenance of a highway.
delete X4.Y and substitute X(d)Y.
2.
22.
Notwithstanding par.
Page 5, line 11:
(a), all public highway construction, the estimated cost of which exceeds the bidding threshold under par.
delete lines 11 to 15.
(c) 1.
23.
c., shall be let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder;
Page 7, line 2:
all other public highway construction shall be let as the council may direct.
delete Xa.Y.
Notwithstanding par.
24.
(a), if the estimated cost of any public highway construction exceeds the notice threshold under par.
Page 7, line 5:
(c) 1.
delete X1.
d.
b.Y and substitute X2.Y.
but is not greater than the bidding threshold under par.
25.
(c) 1.
Page 7, line 6:
c., the board of public works shall give a class 1 notice, under ch.
delete Xa.Y.
985, of the proposed construction before the contract for the construction is executed.
26.
This subdivision does not apply to public highway construction if the materials for the project are donated or if the labor for the project is provided by volunteers.
Page 7, line 20:
The council may also by a vote of three-fourths of all the members-elect provide by ordinance that any class of public highway construction or any part thereof may be done directly by the city without submitting the same for bids.
delete X1.
S ECTION 19.
c.Y and substitute X3.Y.
62.15 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
LRBa0495/1 - 2026 Legislature - 3 - EVM:cdc 27.
62.15 (1) (c) 1.
Page 7, line 23:
Beginning on the effective date of this subdivision ....
delete X1.
[LRB inserts date}, the thresholds under pars.
d.Y and substitute X4.Y.
(a) and (b) are the following:
28.
a.
Page 8, line 1:
For general public construction contract bidding, $50,000.
delete X1.
b.
c.Y and substitute X3.Y.
For general public construction contract notice, $10,000.
29.
c.
Page 8, line 10:
For public highway construction contract bidding, $25,000.
delete X1.Y.
d.
30.
For public highway construction contract notice, $5,000.
Page 8, line 12:
- 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRB-2694/1 EVM:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 217 S ECTION 19 2.
delete Xa.Y and substitute X1.Y.
On the 5th year commencing after the effective date of this subdivision ....
31.
[LRB inserts date], and each subsequent 5th year, the thresholds under subd.
Page 8, line 13:
1.
delete Xb.Y and substitute X2.Y.
shall be increased by a percentage equal to the percentage change in the U.S.
32.
consumer price index for the previous 5 years, as determined by the federal department of labor, rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.
Page 8, line 14:
SECTION 20.
delete Xc.Y and substitute X3.Y.
Initial applicability.
33.
(1) This act first applies to bids solicited on the effective date of this subsection.
Page 8, line 15:
END )
delete Xd.Y and substitute X4.Y.
34.
Page 8, line 16:
delete lines 16 to 20.
35.
Page 9, line 8:
delete X1.Y.
36.
Page 9, line 10:
delete lines 10 to 14.
(END)
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Action History

  1. Published 4-4-2026

  2. Report approved by the Governor on 4-3-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 188

  3. Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026

  4. Report correctly enrolled on 3-26-2026

  5. LRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1)

  6. Received from Senate concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Senator Smith added as a cosponsor

  9. Read a third time and concurred in

  10. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  11. Ordered to a third reading

  12. Read a second time

  13. Placed on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  14. Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

  15. Available for scheduling

  16. Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

  17. Received from Assembly

  18. Ordered immediately messaged

  19. Read a third time and passed

  20. Rules suspended

  21. Ordered to a third reading

  22. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  23. Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  24. Read a second time

  25. Representatives Ortiz-Velez, Miresse and Anderson added as coauthors

  26. Withdrawn from Committee on Rules and referred to calendar of 2-17-2026

  27. Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative O'Connor

  28. Senator Carpenter added as a cosponsor

  29. Representative Udell added as a coauthor

  30. Referred to committee on Rules

  31. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Local Government, Ayes 10, Noes 0

  32. Report Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Local Government, Ayes 10, Noes 0

  33. Executive action taken

  34. Representative Tittl added as a coauthor

  35. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative O'Connor

  36. Public hearing held

  37. Fiscal estimate received

  38. Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representatives O'Connor, Maxey and Donovan

  39. Read first time and referred to Committee on Local Government

  40. Introduced by Representatives O'Connor, Brooks, Armstrong, Novak, Donovan, Kitchens, Franklin, VanderMeer, B. Jacobson, Gundrum, Knodl, Mursau, Dittrich and Melotik; cosponsored by Senator Tomczyk

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 14 co-sponsors · 117 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (14)

Not signed on (117)

117 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 217 do?
An Act to renumber and amend 59.52 (29) (a), 60.47 (1) (a), 60.47 (5) and 62.15 (1); to amend 60.47 (2) (a), 60.47 (2) (b), 60.47 (3), 60.47 (4) and 60.47 (5) (title); to create 59.52 (29) (c) 2., 59.52 (29) (c) 3., 59.52 (29) (e), 60.47 (1) (ag), 60.47 (1) (as), 60.47 (2m), 60.47 (2s), 60.47 (5) (c), 62.15 (1) (b) and 62.15 (1) (c) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 217?
AB 217 is sponsored by Tomczyk, O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Brooks, Robert (Republican), Armstrong, David (Republican), Novak, Todd (Republican), Donovan, Bob (Republican), Kitchens, Joel (Republican), Franklin, Benjamin (Republican), VanderMeer, Nancy (Republican), Jacobson, Brent (Republican), Gundrum, Rick (Republican), Knodl, Daniel (Republican), Mursau, Jeffrey (Republican), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), and Melotik, Paul (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 217?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced April 23, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 217?
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