Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive 3 R cosponsors

SB 699 — Relating to: alternative methods of providing pupil transportation services. (FE)

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

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

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced December 02, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers (Democratic) on April 06, 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.

  • 16 sponsors

    1 primary, 15 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 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 121.555 (1) (a), 121.555 (1) (b) and 121.555 (2) (a) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

26 added · 51 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to SB 699 increase the capacity of vehicles that can be used for pupil transportation in Wisconsin. Specifically, the limit for vehicles transporting students without requiring an emergency declaration has been raised from nine to 14 passengers, and in emergency situations, the limit is increased from 10 to 15 passengers. This change allows for more flexibility in how schools can arrange transportation, especially when regular services are unavailable, ensuring that more students can be accommodated safely.

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Latest
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-5372/1 KMS:klm SENATE BILL 699 December 2, 2025 - Introduced by Senators L E MAHIEU , MARKLEIN and N ASS, cosponsored by Representatives B RILL, B EHNKE , D ITTRICH, G OEBEN , GUNDRUM , KITCHENS , KNODL, K REIBICH, MELOTIK, M URPHY , ENTERMAN , PIWOWARCZYK and W ICHGERS.
Date of enactment:
Referred to Committee on Transportation and Local Government.
Senate Bill 699 Date of publication*:
A N A CT to amend 121.555 (1) (a), 121.555 (1) (b) and 121.555 (2) (a) of the statutes;
WISCONSIN ACT A N A CT to amend 121.555 (1) (a), 121.555 (1) (b) and 121.555 (2) (a) of the statutes;
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Under current law, a school board or the governing body of a private school may provide pupil transportation services using vehicles other than school buses that fall into one of the following categories:
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in sen- ing.
1) a motor vehicle transporting nine or fewer passengers in addition to the operator;
Any authorization granted under this paragraph ate and assembly, do enact as follows:
or 2) when, at the request of the school board or governing body, the secretary of transportation determines that an emergency exists because no regular transportation is available, a motor vehicle transporting 10 or more passengers in addition to the operator.
shall specify the purpose and need for the emergency SECTION 1.
This bill increases the number of passengers who may be transported absent an emergency from nine to 14 and increases those who may be transported in an emergency from 10 or more to 15 or more.
121.555 (1) (a) of the statutes is transportation service.
For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
amended to read:
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-5372/1 KMS:klm SENATE BILL 699 SECTION 1 S ECTION 1.
121.555 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
121.555 (1) (a) A motor vehicle transporting 9 14 or less fewer passengers in addition to the operator.
S ECTION 2.
121.555 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
121.555 (1) (b) A motor vehicle transporting 10 15 or more passengers in addition to the operator and used temporarily to provide transportation for purposes specified under s.
340.01 (56) (a) when the school board or the governing body requests the secretary of transportation to determine that an emergency exists because no regular transportation is available.
The secretary of transportation shall approve or deny the request in writing.
Any authorization granted under this paragraph shall specify the purpose and need for the emergency transportation service.
121.555 (2) (a) Insurance.
121.555 (1) (a) A motor vehicle transporting 9 14 121.555 (2) (a) Insurance.
If the vehicle is owned or leased by a school or a school bus contractor, or is a vehicle authorized under sub.
If the vehicle is owned or or less fewer passengers in addition to the operator.
(1) (b), it shall comply with s.
leased by a school or a school bus contractor, or is a ve- SECTION 2.
121.555 (1) (b) of the statutes is hicle authorized under sub.
(1) (b), it shall comply with amended to read:
121.555 (1) (b) A motor vehicle transporting 10 15 s.
If the vehicle is transporting 9 14 or fewer persons in addition to the operator and is not owned or leased by a school or by a school bus contractor, it shall be insured by a policy providing property damage coverage with a limit of not less than $10,000 and bodily injury liability coverage with limits of not less than $25,000 for each person, and, subject to the limit for each person, a total limit of not less than $50,000 for each accident.
If the vehicle is transporting 9 14 or fewer persons in addition to the operator and is not owned or or more passengers in addition to the operator and used leased by a school or by a school bus contractor, it shall temporarily to provide transportation for purposes spec- be insured by a policy providing property damage cover- ified under s.
(END)
340.01 (56) (a) when the school board or age with a limit of not less than $10,000 and bodily in- the governing body requests the secretary of transporta- jury liability coverage with limits of not less than tion to determine that an emergency exists because no $25,000 for each person, and, subject to the limit for regular transportation is available.
The secretary of each person, a total limit of not less than $50,000 for transportation shall approve or deny the request in writ- each accident.
* Section 991.11, ISCONSINSTATUTES:
Effective date of acts.
“Every act and every portion of an act enacted by the legislature over the gov- 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.”
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View plain text versions (3)

How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

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

The bill increases the allowable number of passengers for pupil transportation by motor vehicles from 9 to 14 when not in an emergency, and from 10 to 15 in emergency situations.

  • 121.555(1)(a)

    9 → 14

    Increases the maximum number of passengers that can be transported without an emergency declaration.

  • 121.555(1)(b)

    10 → 15

    Increases the minimum number of passengers that a motor vehicle can transport in an emergency situation.

  • 121.555(2)(a)

    9 → 14

    Aligns the insurance requirements with the new passenger limit for vehicles not owned or leased by a school or contractor.

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 4-3-2026

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

  5. Report correctly enrolled

  6. Representative J. Jacobson added as a cosponsor

  7. Action ordered immediately messaged

  8. Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 concurred in

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

  10. Received from Assembly amended and concurred in as amended, Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 adopted

  11. Ordered immediately messaged

  12. Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 60, Noes 39

  13. Rules suspended

  14. Ordered to a third reading

  15. Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 adopted

  16. Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 offered by Representative Brill

  17. Read a second time

  18. Rules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up

  19. Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative Rivera-Wagner

  20. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Neubauer

  21. Representative Palmeri withdrawn as a cosponsor

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

  23. Read first time and referred to committee on Rules

  24. Received from Senate

  25. Ordered immediately messaged

  26. Read a third time and passed

  27. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  28. Ordered to a third reading

  29. Read a second time

  30. Placed on calendar 2-11-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  31. Available for scheduling

  32. Report passage recommended by Committee on Transportation and Local Government, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  33. Executive action taken

  34. Public hearing held

  35. Representative Ortiz-Velez added as a cosponsor

  36. Fiscal estimate received

  37. Representative Palmeri added as a cosponsor

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

  39. Introduced by Senators LeMahieu, Marklein and Nass; cosponsored by Representatives Brill, Behnke, Dittrich, Goeben, Gundrum, Kitchens, Knodl, Kreibich, Melotik, Murphy, Penterman, Piwowarczyk and Wichgers

Sponsors

  • Brill · Cosponsor
  • Howard Marklein · Cosponsor
  • Devin LeMahieu · Primary
  • Behnke · Cosponsor
  • Dittrich · Cosponsor
  • Goeben · Cosponsor
  • Gundrum · Cosponsor
  • Kitchens · Cosponsor
  • Knodl · Cosponsor
  • Kreibich · Cosponsor
  • Melotik · Cosponsor
  • Murphy · Cosponsor
  • Penterman · Cosponsor
  • Piwowarczyk · Cosponsor
  • Wichgers · Cosponsor
  • Steve Nass · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 15 co-sponsors · 116 not signed on · 37 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (15)

  • Brill
  • Marklein, Howard Republican
  • Behnke
  • Dittrich
  • Goeben
  • Gundrum
  • Kitchens
  • Knodl
  • Kreibich
  • Melotik
  • Murphy
  • Penterman
  • Piwowarczyk
  • Wichgers
  • Nass, Steve Republican

Not signed on (116)

116 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 116 →

"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

Read a third time and concurred in as amended

Passed 60 Yea · 39 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 53000
Democrat 63700
Unaffiliated 1200
Total 603900
% of votes cast 61%39%0%0%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Nay
MOORE OMOKUNDE — Nay
SPEAKER — Yea
Anderson, Clinton Democrat Nay
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 Yea
Emerson, Jodi Democrat Nay
Fitzgerald, Joan Democrat Nay
Goodwin, Russell Democrat Yea
Haywood, Kalan Democrat Nay
Hong, Francesca Democrat Nay
Hysell, Andrew Democrat Nay
Jacobson, Jenna Democrat Yea
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 Yea
Palmeri, Lori Democrat Nay
Phelps, Christian Democrat Nay
Prado, Priscilla Democrat Nay
Rivera-Wagner, Amaad Democrat Nay
Roe, Ann Democrat Nay
Sheehan, Joe Democrat Yea
Sinicki, Christine Democrat Nay
Snodgrass, Lee Democrat Nay
Spaude, Ryan Democrat Nay
Stroud, Angela Democrat Yea
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 Yea
Summerfield, Rob Republican Yea
Swearingen, Rob Republican Yea
Tittl, Paul Republican Yea
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

transportation education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 699 do?
An Act to amend 121.555 (1) (a), 121.555 (1) (b) and 121.555 (2) (a) of the statutes;
Who sponsors SB 699?
SB 699 is sponsored by Brill, Marklein, Howard (Republican), LeMahieu, Devin (Republican), Behnke, Dittrich, Goeben, Gundrum, Kitchens, Knodl, Kreibich, Melotik, Murphy, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Wichgers, and Nass, Steve (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 699?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced December 02, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SB 699?
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