Wisconsin SB276: An Act to amend 20.865 (1) (a), 20.865 (1) (g), 20.865 (1) (q) and 227.40 (4) (a) of the statutes; Relating to: challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE)

What the bill says

An Act to amend 227.40 (4) (a) of the statutes; relating to: challenges to the validity of administrative rules.

From the enrolled text, February 20, 2026:

An Act to amend 227.40 (4) (a) of the statutes; relating to: challenges to the validity of administrative rules. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: SB276,1Section 1. 227.40 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: 227.40 (4) (a) In any proceeding pursuant to this section for judicial review of a rule or guidance document, the court shall declare the rule or guidance document invalid if it finds that it violates constitutional provisions or exceeds the statutory authority of the agency or was promulgated or adopted without compliance with statutory rule-making or adoption procedures and shall award the party asserting the invalidity of the rule or guidance document, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees and costs. If the proceeding is a judicial proceeding specified in sub. (2), attorney fees and costs awarded under this paragraph shall be limited to those associated with the challenge to the validity of the rule or guidance document, as the court so determines. SB276,2Section 2. Initial applicability. (1) This act first applies to an action commenced on the effective date of this subsection. Down Down /2025/related/vetoedinfull/sb276 true vetoedenrolledbills /2025/related/vetoedinfull/sb276 vetoedenrolledbills/2025/REG/SB276 vetoedenrolledbills/2025/REG/SB276 section true - Menu - »2025 - »Related Documents - »Vetoed in Full - »SB276: Text as Enrolled × Details for PDF …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Wimberger, Eric (R, SD-002) · primary sponsor
• Bradley, Julian (R, SD-028)
• Cabral-Guevara, Rachael (R, SD-019)
• Feyen, Dan (R, SD-020)
• Hutton, Rob (R, SD-005)
• Nass, Steve (R, SD-011)
• Stafsholt, Rob (R, SD-010)
• Tomczyk, Cory (R, SD-029)
• Tusler, Ron (R, HD-003)
• Armstrong, David (R, HD-067)
• Behnke, Elijah (R, HD-006)
• Brooks, Robert (R, HD-059)

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. March 20, 2026: Report vetoed by the Governor on 3-20-2026
4. March 18, 2026: Presented to the Governor on 3-18-2026
5. February 20, 2026: Report correctly enrolled
6. February 13, 2026: Received from Assembly concurred in
7. February 12, 2026: Ordered immediately messaged
8. February 12, 2026: Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 53, Noes 45
9. February 12, 2026: Rules suspended
10. February 12, 2026: Ordered to a third reading

Votes

• CONCURRENCE (February 12, 2026): 53 yea, 45 nay, passed
• PASSAGE (February 11, 2026): 18 yea, 15 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB276?

SB276 is a bill in the Wisconsin Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act to amend 20.865 (1) (a), 20.865 (1) (g), 20.865 (1) (q) and 227.40 (4) (a) of the statutes; Relating to: challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE).

What does SB276 do?

In its own words: An Act to amend 227.40 (4) (a) of the statutes; relating to: challenges to the validity of administrative rules.

What is the status of SB276?

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 SB276?

Wimberger, Eric (R, SD-002), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB276?

On the Wisconsin Legislature website: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/sb276