Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Introduced 1 R cosponsors

SB 216 — Relating to: local government competitive bidding thresholds. (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 Senate
  4. 4
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced April 16, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · 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.

  • 15 sponsors

    1 primary, 14 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 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

222 added · 216 removed

Plain-language change summary

The bill SB 216 has changed by raising the threshold for when local governments must provide notice before contracting from $5,000 to $10,000, and increasing the bidding threshold from $25,000 to $50,000. This adjustment means that smaller projects will face less regulatory burden, allowing local governments to operate more efficiently. Additionally, the bill includes exceptions for specific housing projects and donations of improvements, ensuring that certain community needs can be met without the formal bidding process. This could streamline local projects and potentially lead to more timely developments in communities.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBs0060/1 EVM:emw&wlj SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO SENATE BILL 216 May 27, 2025 - Offered by SenatOMCZYK .
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-2701/1 EVM:emw SENATE BILL 216 April 16, 2025 - Introduced by SenatOMCZYK , cosponsored by Representatives O'CONNOR , BROOKS , RMSTRONG , NOVAK, DITTRICH, DONOVAN , RANKLIN , G UNDRUM , B.
J ACOBSON , KITCHENS , KNODL , M ELOTIK, M URSAU and VANDER M EER.
Referred to Committee on Transportation and Local Government.
to amend 60.47 (2) (a), 60.47 (2) (b), 60.47 (3), 60.47 (4), 60.47 (5) (title) and 200.47 (2) (a);
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) (e), 60.47 (1) (ag), 60.47 (1) (as), 60.47 (2m), 60.47 (2s), 60.47 (5) (c), 62.15 (1) (b), 62.15 (1) (c) and 200.47 (2) (f) of the statutes;
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;
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-2701/1 EVM:emw SENATE BILL 216 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.
All public work, including any contract for the construction, repair, remodeling, or improvement of any public work, building, or furnishing of - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRBs0060/1 EVM:emw&wlj SECTION 1 supplies or material of any kind where the estimated cost of such work will exceed $25,000 the bidding threshold under par.
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.
This subsection 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.
This subsection does not apply to public construction if the materials for - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-2701/1 EVM:emw SENATE BILL 216 SECTION 1 such a the project are donated or if the labor for such a the project is provided by volunteers.
This subsection does not apply to the construction by a private - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRBs0060/1 EVM:emw&wlj SECTION 2 person of an improvement that is donated to the county after the completion of construction.
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.
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.
[LRB inserts date], the thresholds under par.
[LRB inserts date}, the thresholds under par.
S ECTION 4.
60.47 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 60.47 (1) (am) and amended to read:
60.47 (1) (am) XPublic contractY 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.
60.47 (1) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:
60.47 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 60.47 (1) (am) and amended to read:
60.47 (1) (ag) XHighwayY means a public way or thoroughfare, including any bridges on the public way or thoroughfare.
- 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-2701/1 EVM:emw SENATE BILL 216 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.
60.47 (1) (as) of the statutes is created to read:
60.47 (1) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:
60.47 (1) (as) XPublic highway contractY means a contract for the construction, execution, repair, remodeling, or improvement of a highway.
60.47 (1) (ag) “Highway” means a public way or thoroughfare, including any bridges on the public way or thoroughfare.
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.
- 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRBs0060/1 EVM:emw&wlj SECTION 7 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.
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.
S ECTION 8.
S ECTION 9.
S ECTION 9.
S ECTION 10.
(4) and (5), no town may enter into a public highway contract with an estimated cost of more than the notice threshold under sub.
(4) and (5), no town may enter into a public highway - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-2701/1 EVM:emw SENATE BILL 216 S ECTION 10 contract with an estimated cost of more than the notice 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 - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRBs0060/1 EVM:emw&wlj SECTION 9 public highway contract by publishing a class 2 notice under ch.
(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.
S ECTION 10.
S ECTION 11.
[LRB inserts date], the thresholds under subs.
[LRB inserts date}, the thresholds under subs.
S ECTION 11.
S ECTION 12.
60.47 (3) ONTRACTS TO LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER.
- 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRB-2701/1 EVM:emw SENATE BILL 216 S ECTION 12 60.47 (3) ONTRACTS TO LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER.
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S ECTION 12.
S ECTION 13.
This section does not - 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRBs0060/1 EVM:emw&wlj S ECTION 12 apply to public contracts or public highway contracts entered into by a town with a municipality, as defined under s.
This section does not apply to public contracts or public highway contracts entered into by a town with a municipality, as defined under s.
S ECTION 13.
S ECTION 14.
S ECTION 14.
S ECTION 15.
(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 necessary to execute the public contract or public highway contract is provided by volunteers.
(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-2701/1 EVM:emw SENATE BILL 216 S ECTION 15 necessary to execute the public contract or public highway contract is provided by volunteers.
S ECTION 15.
S ECTION 16.
S ECTION 16.
S ECTION 17.
- 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRBs0060/1 EVM:emw&wlj S ECTION 16 62.15 (1) (a) All public construction, the estimated cost of which exceeds $25,000 the bidding threshold under par.
62.15 (1) (a) All public construction, the estimated cost of which exceeds $25,000 the bidding threshold under par.
S ECTION 17.
S ECTION 18.
a.
- 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRB-2701/1 EVM:emw SENATE BILL 216 S ECTION 18 a.
XHighwayY means a public way or thoroughfare, including any bridges on the public way or thoroughfare.
“Highway” means a public way or thoroughfare, including any bridges on the public way or thoroughfare.
XPublic highway constructionY means a public construction project involving the construction, improvement, repair, or maintenance of a highway.
“Public highway construction” means a public construction project involving the construction, improvement, repair, or maintenance of a highway.
- 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRBs0060/1 EVM:emw&wlj S ECTION 17 but is not greater than the bidding threshold under par.
but is not greater than the bidding threshold under par.
S ECTION 18.
S ECTION 19.
[LRB inserts date], the thresholds under pars.
[LRB inserts date}, the thresholds under pars.
2.
- 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRB-2701/1 EVM:emw SENATE BILL 216 S ECTION 19 2.
S ECTION 19.
SECTION 20.
200.47 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
200.47 (2) (a) Except as provided in par.
(b), all work done and all purchases of supplies and materials by the commission shall be by contract awarded to the lowest responsible bidder complying with the invitation to bid, if the work or - 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRBs0060/1 EVM:emw&wlj S ECTION 19 purchase involves an expenditure of $20,000 the bidding threshold under par.
(f) or more.
If the commission decides to proceed with construction of any sewer after plans and specifications for the sewer are completed and approved by the commission and by the department of natural resources under ch.
281, the commission shall advertise by a class 2 notice under ch.
985 for construction bids.
All contracts and the awarding of contracts are subject to s.
66.0901.
S ECTION 20.
200.47 (2) (f) of the statutes is created to read:
200.47 (2) (f) 1.
Beginning on the effective date of this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date], the threshold under par.
(a) is $50,000.
2.
On the 5th year commencing after the effective date of this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date], and each subsequent 5th year, the threshold under subd.
1.
shall be increased by a percentage equal to the percentage change in the U.S.
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 21.
(END)
END )
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Action History

  1. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Representative Anderson added as a cosponsor

  3. Representative Miresse added as a cosponsor

  4. Representative Ortiz-Velez added as a cosponsor

  5. Referred to committee on Senate Organization

  6. Read a second time

  7. Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Smith, Hesselbein, Spreitzer, Drake, L. Johnson, Pfaff, Keyeski, Dassler-Alfheim, Ratcliff, Larson, Habush Sinykin, Carpenter, Roys, Wall and Wirch

  8. Placed on calendar 11-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  9. Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Tomczyk

  10. Available for scheduling

  11. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Transportation and Local Government, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  12. Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Transportation and Local Government, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  13. Executive action taken

  14. Senator Carpenter added as a coauthor

  15. Public hearing held

  16. Representative Udell added as a cosponsor

  17. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Tomczyk

  18. Fiscal estimate received

  19. Read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Local Government

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

Sponsors

  • O'Connor · Cosponsor
  • Brooks · Cosponsor
  • Armstrong · Cosponsor
  • Novak · Cosponsor
  • Dittrich · Cosponsor
  • Donovan · Cosponsor
  • Franklin · Cosponsor
  • Gundrum · Cosponsor
  • B. Jacobson · Cosponsor
  • Kitchens · Cosponsor
  • Knodl · Cosponsor
  • Melotik · Cosponsor
  • Mursau · Cosponsor
  • VanderMeer · Cosponsor
  • Cory Tomczyk · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (14)

  • O'Connor
  • Brooks
  • Armstrong
  • Novak
  • Dittrich
  • Donovan
  • Franklin
  • Gundrum
  • B. Jacobson
  • Kitchens
  • Knodl
  • Melotik
  • Mursau
  • VanderMeer

Not signed on (117)

117 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 117 →

"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

Subjects

public-safety housing labor transportation
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 216 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 SB 216?
SB 216 is sponsored by O'Connor, Brooks, Armstrong, Novak, Dittrich, Donovan, Franklin, Gundrum, B. Jacobson, Kitchens, Knodl, Melotik, Mursau, VanderMeer, and Tomczyk, Cory (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 216?
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced April 16, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 216?
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