Wisconsin AB281: An Act to amend 16.75 (1) (a) 1. and 16.855 (1m); to create 16.75 (10r), 16.856, 66.05025 and 230.144 of the statutes; Relating to: the employment eligibility verification program and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

What the bill says

An Act to amend 16.75 (1) (a) 1. and 16.855 (1m); to create 16.75 (10r), 16.856, 66.05025 and 230.144 of the statutes; relating to: the employment eligibility verification program and granting rule-making authority.

From the enrolled text, March 25, 2026:

An Act to amend 16.75 (1) (a) 1. and 16.855 (1m); to create 16.75 (10r), 16.856, 66.05025 and 230.144 of the statutes; relating to: the employment eligibility verification program and granting rule-making authority. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: AB281,1Section 1. 16.75 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read: 16.75 (1) (a) 1. All orders awarded or contracts made by the department for all materials, supplies, equipment, and contractual services to be provided to any agency, except as otherwise provided in par. (c) and subs. (2), (2g), (2m), (3m), (3t), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10e), (10m), and (10p), and (10r) and ss. 16.705 (1r), 16.73 (4) (a), 16.751, 16.754, 50.05 (7) (f), 153.05 (2m) (a), 165.987, and 287.15 (7), shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, taking into consideration life cycle cost estimates under sub. (1m), when appropriate, the location of the agency, the quantities of the articles to be supplied, their conformity with the specifications, and the purposes for which they are required and the date of delivery. AB281,2Section 2. 16.75 (10r) of the statutes is created to read: 16.75 (10r) (a) In this subsection "federal employment eligibility verification program" means the system operated by the federal department of homeland security and the federal social …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Piwowarczyk, Jim (R, HD-098) · primary sponsor
• Brill, Lindee (R, HD-027)
• Brooks, Robert (R, HD-059)
• Dittrich, Barbara (R, HD-099)
• Goeben, Joy (R, HD-005)
• Knodl, Daniel (R, HD-024)
• Kreibich, Rob (R, HD-028)
• Maxey, Dave (R, HD-083)
• Melotik, Paul (R, HD-022)
• Murphy, David (R, HD-056)
• Mursau, Jeffrey (R, HD-036)
• Steffen, David (R, HD-004)

Latest actions

1. May 13, 2026: Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82
2. May 12, 2026: Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
3. April 3, 2026: Report vetoed by the Governor on 4-3-2026
4. April 2, 2026: Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
5. March 25, 2026: Report correctly enrolled on 3-25-2026
6. March 18, 2026: Received from Senate concurred in
7. March 17, 2026: Ordered immediately messaged
8. March 17, 2026: Read a third time and concurred in
9. March 17, 2026: Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
10. March 17, 2026: Ordered to a third reading

Votes

• PASSAGE (January 13, 2026): 54 yea, 45 nay, passed

Common questions

What is AB281?

AB281 is a bill in the Wisconsin Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act to amend 16.75 (1) (a) 1. and 16.855 (1m); to create 16.75 (10r), 16.856, 66.05025 and 230.144 of the statutes; Relating to: the employment eligibility verification program and granting rule-making authority. (FE).

What does AB281 do?

In its own words: An Act to amend 16.75 (1) (a) 1. and 16.855 (1m); to create 16.75 (10r), 16.856, 66.05025 and 230.144 of the statutes; relating to: the employment eligibility verification program and granting rule-making authority.

What is the status of AB281?

Vetoed as of May 13, 2026. Latest action: Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (May 13, 2026).

Who sponsored AB281?

Piwowarczyk, Jim (R, HD-098), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for AB281?

On the Wisconsin Legislature website: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/ab281