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SB 900

Relating to: terms and conditions of gift certificates, gift cards, and other gift obligations and providing a penalty.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Testin

Wisconsin SB 900 would standardize terms for gift cards and certificates, require disclosures, limit expiration/fees, and impose penalties for noncompliance.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 900

Wisconsin SB 900 (2025 Session) — Summary

Relating to: terms and conditions of gift certificates, gift cards, and other gift obligations and providing a penalty.

Note: Information below reflects the bill text history and available summary data from the provided materials, including sponsor actions and public hearing events.

1) Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to govern terms and conditions attached to gift certificates, gift cards, and other forms of gift obligations sold or issued in Wisconsin.
  • It also proposes a penalty mechanism related to violations of these provisions (i.e., penalties for noncompliance).

2) Key provisions and changes (substantive content)

  • Establishes or clarifies standards for the terms and conditions that accompany gift certificates, gift cards, and other gift obligations.
  • Aims to regulate aspects such as:
    • Expiration dates (if any) and renewal policies
    • Fees that may be charged and permissible timing
    • Disclosure requirements regarding terms, limitations, and redemption
    • Redemption rights and any limits on use
    • Handling of inactive balances or remaining values
  • Provides a penalty framework for violations of the bill’s requirements. The nature and level of penalties (e.g., fines, civil penalties) are indicated, though the exact amounts are not detailed in the provided materials.
  • Includes mechanisms that may create private enforcement avenues or penalties for noncompliance, depending on the final text (see section 4 on procedural aspects).

3) Affected parties and systems

  • Gift card and gift certificate issuers, sellers, and redeemers in Wisconsin (retailers, financial institutions, and other entities issuing or selling gift obligations).
  • Consumers who purchase, hold, or redeem gift certificates or gift cards.
  • Potential impact on point-of-sale practices, disclosure standards, and customer communications regarding gift obligations.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: January 27, 2026, by Senator Testin.
  • Co-sponsors: Multiple members of the Wisconsin Legislature (including Representatives Novak, Tranel, Behnke, Brooks, Dittrich, Doyle, Gundrum, Kreibich, O’Connor, Penterman, Wichgers).
  • First reading and referral: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Revenue (January 27, 2026).
  • Amendments: Senate Amendment 1 and Senate Amendment 2 were proposed by Senator Testin (February 11 and February 16, 2026).
  • Public hearing: March 10, 2026.
  • Action history indicates attempts to advance under Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJR 1) rules; a later update shows an unsuccessful passage on March 23, 2026.
  • Current status (as of the provided data): Not enacted; the bill did not pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 in late March 2026, based on the action history entry.

5) Policy considerations and potential impacts

  • Consumer protection: Aims to enhance transparency around gift obligations, reducing surprises related to expiration, fees, and redemption restrictions.
  • Private rights and enforcement: Several stakeholders express concern about adding new private rights of action and one-way attorney’s fee shifting, which could affect litigation risk and costs for businesses.
  • Business compliance: Retailers and issuers may need to adjust terms, disclosures, and business practices to comply with any new requirements, possibly affecting operational guidelines and customer communications.
  • Penalties: The bill’s penalty provisions could impose fines or other penalties for noncompliance, incentivizing adherence but also raising compliance costs for issuers.

If you want, I can compare SB 900 to existing Wisconsin statutes on gift certificates and provide a side-by-side outline of where the bill would diverge or add protections.

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

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