Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Introduced Bipartisan · 10 D · 6 R cosponsors

AB 820 — Relating to: the practice of audiology, licensure of audiologists, the composition of the Hearing and Speech Examining Board, and repealing an administrative rule related to the practical examination of audiologists. (FE)

Last action — Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

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

This bill has been introduced in the Assembly. Introduced January 06, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 18 sponsors

    1 primary, 17 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (10 D · 6 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote 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 repeal 459.24 (3) (em), 459.26 (2) (b), 459.26 (2) (c) and 459.26 (3); to renumber and amend 459.20 (2); to amend 15.405 (6m) (a), 15.405 (6m) (e), 459.24 (6) (b) 1. and (c) and 459.28 (1) (b) 1.; to create 459.20 (3o) (a) 2. a., b. and c. and 459.20 (3o) (b) and (c) of the statutes;

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies the qualifications for audiologist licensure and the definition of audiology, while changing the composition of the Hearing and Speech Examining Board and eliminating certain examination requirements.

  • 459.20 (2)

    “Audiology” means all of the following: Applying principles, methods or procedures of prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, intervention, instruction or research related to hearing, vestibular function, or any abnormal condition related to tinnitus, auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing, speech, language or other aberrant behavior resulting from hearing loss. Engaging in the practice of ordering, fitting, and dealing in hearing aids. → “Practice of audiology” means all of the following: 1. Applying principles, methods, or procedures of prevention, identification, evaluation, diagnosis, management, and treatment of auditory or vestibular conditions, including consultation, intervention, instruction or research related to hearing, vestibular function, or any abnormal condition related to tinnitus, auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing, speech, language or other aberrant behavior resulting from hearing loss of the human auditory system. 2. Engaging in the practice of prescribing, ordering, selling, dispensing, or externally fitting, and dealing in hearing aids.

    The definition of audiology has been expanded to include diagnosis and treatment, as well as prescribing and dispensing hearing aids.

  • 459.24 (3) (em)

    Passes an examination under s. 459.26 (2) (b).

    Removal of the requirement to pass a practical examination specific to audiologist licensure.

  • 459.26 (2) (b)

    An applicant for an audiologist license shall also complete an examination administered by the examining board that consists of practical tests of proficiency in techniques that pertain to the fitting of hearing aids, including the following: ...

    Elimination of the practical examination requirement for audiologists.

  • 459.26 (2) (c)

    The examining board may waive the requirement to complete the examination specified in par. (b) if it determines that an applicant for an audiologist license has completed education or training that is substantially equivalent to completing the examination.

    Removal of the waiver provision for the practical examination requirement.

  • 459.26 (3)

    An individual is not eligible for examination unless he or she, at least 30 days before the date of examination, submits an application for examination to the department on a form provided by the department and pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

    Removal of the application requirement for examination eligibility.

  • 15.405 (6m) (a)

    Three hearing instrument specialists licensed under subch. I of ch. 459. → Two hearing instrument specialists licensed under subch. I of ch. 459.

    Reduction of the number of hearing instrument specialists on the board from three to two.

  • 15.405 (6m) (e)

    Two public members. → Two public members. One of the public members shall be a hearing aid user, an osseo-integrated device user, or a cochlear implant user.

    Specification added that one public member must be a user of hearing aids, osseo-integrated devices, or cochlear implants.

  • 459.24 (6) (b) 1.

    No license may be issued under this paragraph after December 31, 2009.

    Continues the restriction on issuing licenses under temporary provisions post-2009.

  • 459.28 (1) (b) 1.

    the requirements under s. 459.24 (3) (c), and (e), and (em) → the requirements under s. 459.24 (3) (c) and (e)

    Eliminates reference to the repealed practical examination requirement for other state licensure equivalency.

Action History

  1. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Representative J. Jacobson added as a coauthor

  3. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Duchow

  4. Representative Anderson added as a coauthor

  5. Referred to committee on Rules

  6. Report passage recommended by Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform, Ayes 6, Noes 1

  7. Executive action taken

  8. Public hearing held

  9. Read first time and referred to Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform

  10. Introduced by Representatives Duchow, Subeck, Billings, DeSmidt, Dittrich, Donovan, Doyle, Goeben, Goodwin, Kirsch, Knodl, O'Connor, Palmeri, Sinicki, Stubbs and Udell; cosponsored by Senators Cabral-Guevara and Ratcliff

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 17 co-sponsors · 114 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (17)

Not signed on (114)

114 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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Votes

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 820 do?
An Act to repeal 459.24 (3) (em), 459.26 (2) (b), 459.26 (2) (c) and 459.26 (3); to renumber and amend 459.20 (2); to amend 15.405 (6m) (a), 15.405 (6m) (e), 459.24 (6) (b) 1. and (c) and 459.28 (1) (b) 1.; to create 459.20 (3o) (a) 2. a., b. and c. and 459.20 (3o) (b) and (c) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 820?
AB 820 is sponsored by Cabral-Guevara, Ratcliff, Duchow, Cindi (Republican), Subeck, Lisa (Democrat), Billings, Jill (Democrat), DeSmidt, Ben (Democrat), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), Donovan, Bob (Republican), Doyle, Steve (Democrat), Goeben, Joy (Republican), Goodwin, Russell (Democrat), Kirsch, Karen (Democrat), Knodl, Daniel (Republican), O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Palmeri, Lori (Democrat), Sinicki, Christine (Democrat), Stubbs, Shelia (Democrat), and Udell, Randy (Democrat).
What is the current status of AB 820?
This bill has been introduced in the Assembly. Introduced January 06, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track AB 820?
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