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.

Below is a full listing of the bill actions and the link to the full calendar.

January 21 – Senate Calendar Key Bill Highlights

SB-007 Land Acquisition (Jacque, Andre) Prohibiting a foreign adversary from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in this state. Passed, 18-15. 

SB-248 Ignition Interlocks (Wanggaard, Van) License eligibility and restriction extensions relating to ignition interlock devices and granting rule- making authority. Passed, (Voice Vote).  

SB-323 Dairy Innovation Program (Stafsholt, Rob) Establishing a dairy cattle innovation program. Passed, (Voice Vote).  

SB-391 School Bus Equipment (James, Jesse) Equipment of school buses with audiovisual recording devices. Passed, (Voice Vote).  

SB-610 Controlled Substance Offenses (Hutton, Rob) Increasing the maximum penalty for certain controlled substances offenses if the violation occurs near a homeless shelter and providing a penalty. Passed, 17-15.   

SB-620 Sex Offenders (Tomczyk, Cory) Tracking a person who is registered as a sex offender but unable to provide an address. Passed, (Voice Vote). 

SB-782 False Text Messages (Wanggaard, Van) Intentionally sending false text messages to 911 and providing a penalty. Passed, (Voice Vote).