Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive 15 R cosponsors

AB 457 — Relating to: the conditions under which a school district may adopt a resolution to exceed its revenue limit. (FE)

Last action — Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

  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 September 26, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers (Democratic) on March 27, 2026.

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

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 18 sponsors

    1 primary, 17 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (15 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

An Act to amend 67.05 (6a) (a) 2. (intro.) and 121.91 (3) (a) 1.; to create 67.05 (6a) (a) 3. and 121.91 (3) (a) 3. of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

57 added · 98 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill AB 457 establish stricter conditions for school districts seeking to exceed their revenue limits through bond issues or referendums. Specifically, school boards must now obtain certification from the Department of Public Instruction to confirm compliance with financial information requirements before moving forward with resolutions to raise funds. This change is significant because it aims to enhance accountability and ensure that school districts are financially transparent before imposing additional taxes on their communities. If a school board fails to meet this certification requirement, their resolution and any related referendum will be deemed invalid.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-4628/1 FFK:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 457 September 26, 2025 - Introduced by RepresentativesEDWESKI , DONOVAN , LLEN , BEHNKE , D ITTRICH, D UCHOW , B.
Date of enactment:
J ACOBSON , M AXEY, M ELOTIK , M OSES, M URPHY, O'CONNOR , PENTERMAN , TEFFEN and W ICHGERS , cosponsored by Senators HUTTON , NASSand T OMCZYK .
Assembly Bill 457 Date of publication*:
Referred to Committee on Education.
WISCONSIN ACT A N A CT to amend 67.05 (6a) (a) 2.
A N A CT to amend 67.05 (6a) (a) 2.
the conditions under which a school district may adopt a resolution to exceed its revenue limit.
the conditions under which a school district may adopt a resolution to exceed its rev- enue limit.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill prohibits a school board from adopting a resolution to initiate an operating or capital referendum unless the Department of Public Instruction certifies that the school board is in compliance with all applicable requirements to submit financial information to DPI.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in sen- school district may not be held to adopt a initial resolu- ate and assembly, do enact as follows:
If a school board adopts a resolution without the required certification, the resolution and any referendum on the resolution are void.
tion to raise an amount of money by a bond issue unless the department of public instruction certifies that, as of SECTION 1.
Current law generally limits the total amount of revenue a school district may receive from general school aids and property taxes in a school year.
However, there are several exceptions to the revenue limit.
One exception is for excess revenue approved by referendum for recurring and nonrecurring purposes.
This type of referendum is often referred to as an operating referendum.
If the operating referendum is for a nonrecurring purpose, a school district’s authority to raise excess revenue is approved only for specific school years.
Another exception to a school district revenue limit is an increase for funds needed to service general - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-4628/1 FFK:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 457 SECTION 1 obligation debt issued by a school district, if the debt was approved by a referendum.
This type of referendum is often referred to as a capital referendum.
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.
67.05 (6a) (a) 2.
a date that is no earlier than 14 days before the date on 67.05 (6a) (a) 2.
(intro.) Except as provided under pars.
(intro.) Except as provided under which the school board or the electors adopt the resolu- pars.
(7) and (15), and subject to subd.
(7) and (15), and subject to tion, the school board of the school district is in compli- subd.
and the limit on the number of referendums that may be called in any calendar year under subd.
and the limit on the number of referendums that ance with all applicable requirements to submit finan- cial information to the department of public instruction may be called in any calendar year under subd.
a., if the board of any school district, or the electors at a regularly called school district meeting, by a majority vote adopt an initial resolution to raise an amount of money by a bond issue, the school district clerk shall, within 10 days, publish notice of such adoption as a class 1 notice under ch.
a., if or the state superintendent of public instruction, includ- the board of any school district, or the electors at a regu- larly called school district meeting, by a majority vote ing requirements to submit financial information under adopt an initial resolution to raise an amount of money ss.
119.44 (1), 120.14, 120.18, and 121.05.
If a school by a bond issue, the school district clerk shall, within 10 board or the electors of a school district adopt a resolu- days, publish notice of such adoption as a class 1 notice tion under subd.
2.
in violation of this subdivision, the resolution and any referendum that submits the resolu- under ch.
The notice shall state the maximum amount proposed to be borrowed, the purpose of the borrowing, that the resolution was adopted under this subdivision and the place where and the hours during which the resolution may be inspected.
The notice shall state the maximum amount pro- tion to the electors of the school district is void.
The school board shall also do one of the following:
posed to be borrowed, the purpose of the borrowing, SECTION 3.
S ECTION 2.
67.05 (6a) (a) 3.
of the statutes is created to read:
67.05 (6a) (a) 3.
Beginning on the effective date of this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date], a school board may not adopt a initial resolution to raise an amount of money by a bond issue and a vote of the electors of a school district may not be held to adopt a initial resolution to raise an amount of money by a bond issue unless the department of public instruction certifies that, as of a date that is no earlier than 14 days before the date on which the school board or the electors adopt the resolution, - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-4628/1 FFK:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 457 SECTION 2 the school board of the school district is in compliance with all applicable requirements to submit financial information to the department of public instruction or the state superintendent of public instruction, including requirements to submit financial information under ss.
119.44 (1), 120.08, 120.14, and 121.05.
If a school board or the electors of a school district adopt a resolution under subd.
2.
in violation of this subdivision, the resolution and any referendum that submits the resolution to the electors of the school district is void.
S ECTION 3.
of the statutes is amended to read:
of the statutes is that the resolution was adopted under this subdivision amended to read:
Show all 77 changed rows (37 more)
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121.91 (3) (a) 1.
and the place where and the hours during which the res- 121.91 (3) (a) 1.
3., if a school board wishes to exceed the limit under sub.
3., if a school olution may be inspected.
(2m) otherwise applicable to the school district in any school year, it shall promptly adopt a resolution supporting inclusion in the final school district budget of an amount equal to the proposed excess revenue.
The school board shall also board wishes to exceed the limit under sub.
The resolution shall specify whether the proposed excess revenue is for a recurring or nonrecurring purpose, or, if the proposed excess revenue is for both recurring and nonrecurring purposes, the amount of the proposed excess revenue for each purposeThe resolution shall be filed as provided in s.
(2m) other- do one of the following:
wise applicable to the school district in any school year, SECTION 2.
67.05 (6a) (a) 3.
of the statutes is cre- it shall promptly adopt a resolution supporting inclusion ated to read:
in the final school district budget of an amount equal to 67.05 (6a) (a) 3.
Beginning on the effective date of the proposed excess revenue.
The resolution shall spec- this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date], a school board ify whether the proposed excess revenue is for a recur- may not adopt a initial resolution to raise an amount of ring or nonrecurring purpose, or, if the proposed excess money by a bond issue and a vote of the electors of a revenue is for both recurring and nonrecurring purposes, ernor's partial veto which does not expressly prescribe the time when it takes effect shall take effect on the day after its date of publication.” Wisconsin Act - 2 - 2025 Assembly Bill 457 the amount of the proposed excess revenue for each pur- SECTION 4.
121.91 (3) (a) 3.
of the statutes is cre- pose.
The resolution shall be filed as provided in s.
ated to read:
Within 10 days after adopting the resolution, the school board shall notify the department that it will schedule a referendum for the purpose of submitting the resolution to the electors of the school district for approval or rejection and shall submit a copy of the resolution to the department.
Within 10 days after adopting the resolution, the school board shall notify the department that it will 121.91 (3) (a) 3.
Beginning on the effective date of this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date], a school board schedule a referendum for the purpose of submitting the may not adopt a resolution under subd.
1.
unless the de- resolution to the electors of the school district for ap- proval or rejection and shall submit a copy of the resolu- partment certifies that, as of a date that is no earlier than tion to the department.
2., the school board shall schedule the referendum to be held at the next regularly scheduled spring primary or election or partisan primary or general election, provided such election is to be held not sooner than 70 days after the filing of the resolution of the school board.
2., 14 days before the date on which the school board votes the school board shall schedule the referendum to be to adopt the resolution, the school board is in compli- held at the next regularly scheduled spring primary or ance with all applicable requirements to submit finan- election or partisan primary or general election, pro- cial information to the department or the state superin- vided such election is to be held not sooner than 70 days tendent, including requirements to submit financial in- after the filing of the resolution of the school board.
A school board may proceed under this subdivision and under s.
A school board may proceed under this subdivision and formation under ss.
119.44 (1), 120.14, 120.18, and under s.
no more than 2 - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-4628/1 FFK:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 457 SECTION 3 times in any calendar year.
no more than 2 times in any 121.05.
The school district clerk shall certify the results of the referendum to the department within 10 days after the referendum is held.
S ECTION 4.
121.91 (3) (a) 3.
of the statutes is created to read:
121.91 (3) (a) 3.
Beginning on the effective date of this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date], a school board may not adopt a resolution under subd.
1.
unless the department certifies that, as of a date that is no earlier than 14 days before the date on which the school board votes to adopt the resolution, the school board is in compliance with all applicable requirements to submit financial information to the department or the state superintendent, including requirements to submit financial information under ss.
119.44 (1), 120.08, 120.14, and 121.05.
in violation of this subdivision, the resolution and any referendum that submits the resolution to the electors is void.
in violation of this subdivision, the resolution calendar year.
(END)
The school district clerk shall certify the results of the referendum to the department within 10 and any referendum that submits the resolution to the days after the referendum is held.
electors is void.
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Action History

  1. Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

  2. Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)

  3. Report vetoed by the Governor on 3-27-2026

  4. Presented to the Governor on 3-26-2026

  5. Report correctly enrolled on 1-22-2026

  6. Received from Senate concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  9. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  10. Ordered to a third reading

  11. Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  12. Point of order that Senate Substitute Amendment 1 was not germane well taken

  13. Read a second time

  14. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Hesselbein, Smith, Spreitzer, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Dassler-Alfheim, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Wall, Wirch and Carpenter

  15. Placed on calendar 1-21-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

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

  17. Available for scheduling

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

  19. Received from Assembly

  20. Ordered immediately messaged

  21. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 52, Noes 44, Paired 2

  22. Rules suspended

  23. Ordered to a third reading

  24. Decision of the Chair upheld, Ayes 52, Noes 44

  25. Decision of the Chair appealed

  26. Point of order that Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 not germane under Assembly Rule 54 (3)(f) well taken

  27. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Fitzgerald

  28. Decision of the Chair upheld, Ayes 52, Noes 44

  29. Decision of the Chair appealed

  30. Point of order that Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 not germane under Assembly Rule 54 (3)(f) well taken

  31. Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative Sheehan

  32. Read a second time

  33. Placed on calendar 1-15-2026 by Committee on Rules

  34. Referred to committee on Rules

  35. Report passage recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 8, Noes 3

  36. Executive action taken

  37. Fiscal estimate received

  38. Public hearing held

  39. LRB correction

  40. Read first time and referred to Committee on Education

  41. Introduced by Representatives Nedweski, Donovan, Allen, Behnke, Dittrich, Duchow, B. Jacobson, Maxey, Melotik, Moses, Murphy, O'Connor, Penterman, Steffen and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Hutton, Nass and Tomczyk

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 17 co-sponsors · 114 not signed on · 53 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (17)

Not signed on (114)

114 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 114 →

"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate

Passed 18 Yea · 15 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 18000
Democrat 01200
Unaffiliated 0300
Total 181500
% of votes cast 55%45%0%0%
How each member voted (33)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Nay
DASSLER-ALFHEI — Nay
HABUSH SINYKIN — Nay
Carpenter, Tim Democrat Nay
Drake, Dora Democrat Nay
Hesselbein, Dianne Democrat Nay
Keyeski, Sarah Democrat Nay
Larson, Chris Democrat Nay
Pfaff, Brad Democrat Nay
Ratcliff, Melissa Democrat Nay
Roys, Kelda Democrat Nay
Smith, Jeff Democrat Nay
Spreitzer, Mark Democrat Nay
Wall, Jamie Democrat Nay
Wirch, Robert Democrat Nay
Bradley, Julian Republican Yea
Cabral-Guevara, Rachael Republican Yea
Felzkowski, Mary Republican Yea
Feyen, Dan Republican Yea
Hutton, Rob Republican Yea
Jacque, André Republican Yea
Jagler, John Republican Yea
James, Jesse Republican Yea
Kapenga, Chris Republican Yea
LeMahieu, Devin Republican Yea
Marklein, Howard Republican Yea
Nass, Steve Republican Yea
Quinn, Romaine Republican Yea
Stafsholt, Rob Republican Yea
Testin, Patrick Republican Yea
Tomczyk, Cory Republican Yea
Wanggaard, Van Republican Yea
Wimberger, Eric Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Decision of the Chair upheld

Passed 52 Yea · 44 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 51002
Unaffiliated 1300
Democrat 04101
Total 524403
% of votes cast 53%44%0%3%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
ANDERSON — Nay
JOHNSON — Nay
MOORE OMOKUNDE — Nay
SPEAKER — Yea
Andraca, Deb Democrat Nay
Arney, Margaret Democrat Nay
Bare, Mike Democrat Nay
Billings, Jill Democrat Nay
Brown, Brienne Democrat Nay
Clancy, Ryan Democrat Nay
Cruz, Angelina Democrat Nay
DeSanto, Karen Democrat Nay
DeSmidt, Ben Democrat Nay
Doyle, Steve Democrat Nay
Emerson, Jodi Democrat Nay
Fitzgerald, Joan Democrat Nay
Goodwin, Russell Democrat Nay
Haywood, Kalan Democrat Nay
Hong, Francesca Democrat Nay
Hysell, Andrew Democrat Nay
Jacobson, Jenna Democrat Nay
Joers, Alex Democrat Nay
Kirsch, Karen Democrat Nay
Madison, Darrin Democrat Nay
Mayadev, Renuka Democrat Nay
McCarville, Maureen Democrat Nay
McGuire, Tip Democrat Nay
Miresse, Vincent Democrat Nay
Neubauer, Greta Democrat Nay
Ortiz-Velez, Sylvia Democrat Nay
Palmeri, Lori Democrat Nay
Phelps, Christian Democrat Nay
Prado, Priscilla Democrat Nay
Rivera-Wagner, Amaad Democrat Not Voting
Roe, Ann Democrat Nay
Sheehan, Joe Democrat Nay
Sinicki, Christine Democrat Nay
Snodgrass, Lee Democrat Nay
Spaude, Ryan Democrat Nay
Stroud, Angela Democrat Nay
Stubbs, Shelia Democrat Nay
Subeck, Lisa Democrat Nay
Taylor, Sequanna Democrat Nay
Tenorio, Angelito Democrat Nay
Udell, Randy Democrat Nay
Vining, Robyn Democrat Nay
Allen, Scott Republican Yea
Armstrong, David Republican Yea
August, Tyler Republican Yea
Behnke, Elijah Republican Yea
Born, Mark Republican Yea
Brill, Lindee Republican Yea
Brooks, Robert Republican Yea
Callahan, Calvin Republican Yea
Dallman, Alex Republican Yea
Dittrich, Barbara Republican Yea
Donovan, Bob Republican Yea
Duchow, Cindi Republican Yea
Franklin, Benjamin Republican Yea
Goeben, Joy Republican Yea
Green, Chanz Republican Yea
Gundrum, Rick Republican Yea
Gustafson, Nate Republican Yea
Hurd, Karen Republican Yea
Jacobson, Brent Republican Yea
Kaufert, Dean Republican Yea
Kitchens, Joel Republican Yea
Knodl, Daniel Republican Yea
Kreibich, Rob Republican Yea
Krug, Scott Republican Yea
Kurtz, Tony Republican Yea
Maxey, Dave Republican Yea
Melotik, Paul Republican Yea
Moses, Clint Republican Yea
Murphy, David Republican Yea
Mursau, Jeffrey Republican Yea
Nedweski, Amanda Republican Yea
Neylon, Adam Republican Yea
Novak, Todd Republican Yea
O'Connor, Jerry Republican Yea
Penterman, William Republican Yea
Petersen, Kevin Republican Yea
Piwowarczyk, Jim Republican Yea
Pronschinske, Treig Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Jessie Republican Yea
Snyder, Patrick Republican Yea
Sortwell, Shae Republican Yea
Spiros, John Republican Yea
Steffen, David Republican Not Voting
Summerfield, Rob Republican Yea
Swearingen, Rob Republican Yea
Tittl, Paul Republican Not Voting
Tranel, Travis Republican Yea
Tucker, Duke Republican Yea
Tusler, Ron Republican Yea
VanderMeer, Nancy Republican Yea
Wichgers, Chuck Republican Yea
Wittke, Robert Republican Yea
Zimmerman, Shannon Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

finance education
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 457 do?
An Act to amend 67.05 (6a) (a) 2. (intro.) and 121.91 (3) (a) 1.; to create 67.05 (6a) (a) 3. and 121.91 (3) (a) 3. of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 457?
AB 457 is sponsored by Hutton, Nass, Tomczyk, Nedweski, Amanda (Republican), Donovan, Bob (Republican), Allen, Scott (Republican), Behnke, Elijah (Republican), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), Duchow, Cindi (Republican), Jacobson, Brent (Republican), Maxey, Dave (Republican), Melotik, Paul (Republican), Moses, Clint (Republican), Murphy, David (Republican), O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Penterman, William (Republican), Steffen, David (Republican), and Wichgers, Chuck (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 457?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced September 26, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 457?
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