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Bill

SB 981

Relating to: review by state agencies of administrative rules and enactments; an expedited process for repealing rules an agency no longer has the authority to promulgate; and the rule-making authority of certain agencies. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by André Jacque

Wisconsin bill creates expedited process for state agencies to repeal rules they lack authority to enforce, streamlining regulatory review with potential reduced oversight mechanisms.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 981

Legislative bill overview

SB 981 establishes a streamlined process for Wisconsin state agencies to review and repeal administrative rules they no longer have legal authority to enforce. The bill creates expedited procedures for removing outdated or ultra vires rules from the regulatory code and modifies rule-making authority for certain state agencies.

Why is this important

Administrative rules accumulate over time, and rules issued without proper legal authority create compliance confusion for businesses and citizens while consuming agency resources. This bill addresses regulatory cleanup and clarifies the boundaries of agency power, which affects how Wisconsin's regulatory environment functions and evolves.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of agency self-review: The bill's definition of when an agency "no longer has authority" may be interpreted differently, potentially allowing agencies to eliminate rules through expedited processes that would normally require legislative oversight
  • Democratic accountability concerns: Accelerating rule repeal without standard procedural safeguards could reduce public comment periods and legislative review opportunities that exist in normal rule-making
  • Implementation clarity: Multiple fiscal estimates suggest ambiguity about costs and implementation details; it's unclear which agencies are affected and what "certain agencies" means regarding modified rule-making authority

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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