Hamilton Political Tidbits – February 13, 2026

In this edition of Tidbits, we recap the latest Assembly and Senate floor sessions, provide updates on recent legislative retirements, highlight Bill Hanna’s departure from overseeing the state’s Medicaid program, and cover Destinations Wisconsin and Wisconsin School Bus Association's legislative days.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Hamilton Consulting team.

February Floor Days

The Assembly kicked off its February floor days on February 10 by taking up bipartisan legislation to update the statutes governing the Opportunity Attraction & Promotion program, as well as a series of remedial bills to clean up various state agency statutes. The headlining bill of the day was the WisconsinEye plan, a rare bipartisan effort to support the network. The Assembly unanimously passed AB 974 (96-0), creating an endowment using $10 million previously set aside in the state budget to provide WisconsinEye with a long-term, stable funding source through earned interest. The bill also imposes governance, transparency, and reporting requirements on WisconsinEye, though its prospects in the Senate remain uncertain.

Continue reading about the February 10 Assembly floor session

While the Assembly plans to use nearly all of its available February floor days, the Senate plans to convene for only two days this month. The first of those sessions occurred on February 11, when the upper chamber met to pass a series of administrative rules along party lines and took up several controversial transgender policy bills. The Senate also passed by voice vote legislation creating a segregated account within the insurance security fund for long-term care insurance assessments.

Continue reading about the February 11 Senate floor session

On February 12, the Assembly convened to consider a range of bills affecting policies within the state’s university system, including high-profile issues such as campus free speech, admissions policies, and faculty governance appointments. Most of these measures are divided along party lines. However, the chamber also approved several bills by voice vote, including legislation aimed at improving government service delivery and providing utility aid for energy storage. Several of the high-profile measures were Senate bills, meaning they now advance to the Governor for review.

Continue reading about the February 12 Assembly floor session

January Floor Days

On January 21, the Senate held its first floor day of 2026. The Senate took several partisan votes, including legislation prohibiting foreign adversaries from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in Wisconsin and the so-called “tax on tips” bill, which creates an income tax exemption for cash tips received by employees.

The Senate also passed several public safety bills by voice vote, including legislation creating a criminal penalty for intentionally sending false text messages to 911 and a bill that incentivizes the use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs) and establishes stricter penalties for tampering with an IID device.

Continue reading about the January 21 Senate floor session

On January 22, the Assembly continued its work to advance legislation as the number of remaining calendar days in the session grows limited. The most notable action of the day was passage of legislation to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which advanced along partisan lines amid disagreements over funding levels and proposed limitations on land acquisition. In addition, the Assembly passed a bill requiring instruction on blood and organ donation in high school grades and a bill establishing requirements for certain health insurance plans that lease their dental provider networks to third parties.

Continue reading about the January 22 Assembly floor session

Who’s Leaving and Why It Matters: Open Legislative Seats to Watch in Wisconsin

As Wisconsin heads into the 2026 election season, a growing number of state lawmakers have publicly announced they will not seek another term, setting the stage for significant turnover in both chambers of the Legislature. While retirements are not unusual in an election year, the number of open seats already confirmed could have meaningful implications for party strategy, leadership dynamics, and policy priorities in the next session.

Continue reading this article

Wisconsin Medicaid Director Bill Hanna to Step Down

Wisconsin’s top official overseeing the state’s Medicaid program, Bill Hanna, has announced he will be leaving his post as Medicaid Director for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on February 20, 2026 after more than two years in the role.  

Continue reading this article

Destinations Wisconsin and Wisconsin School Bus Association Hold Legislative Days  

Last week, members of Destinations Wisconsin and the Wisconsin School Bus Association traveled to Madison to participate in Legislative Day activities at the State Capitol, meeting with lawmakers to share priorities and advocate for their respective industries.

Continue reading this article

Members of Destinations Wisconsin gather outside the Capitol before meeting with their local legislators.

Cherie Hime from Wisconsin School Bus Association and Tina Karls from the New Holstein School District presented Rep. Tusler with the WSBA Legislative Champion Award at the Legislative Day event on January 28.

Legal

Dane County judge allows Madison absentee ballot lawsuit to proceed

WisPolitics, February 10, 2026

Employer & Consumer

Port Washington data center TIF district faces lawsuit from local group

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 13, 2026

State’s UI Trust Fund had more than $2.1B to end 2025

WisBusiness, February 12, 2026

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