WisconsinAB6662025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET

An Act to amend 177.1104, 177.1204 (title) and 177.1205; to create 177.1201 (4) and 177.12045 of the statutes; Relating to: fraudulent claims for unclaimed property and providing a penalty. (FE)

Sponsored By: Brent Jacobson (Republican), Mike Bare (Democratic), Elijah Behnke (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), William Penterman (Republican), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), Ron Tusler (Republican)

Became Law

FraudLegislature -- Criminal PenaltiesJoint Review Committee onPersonal propertyRevenueDepartment of

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Stiff penalties for fake unclaimed property claims

Filing a claim for someone else’s property without their consent, and intending to deprive them, triggers a civil bill equal to the property’s full value. For certain claims that must include a copy of an agreement, if that copy breaks state rules, you owe the property’s value plus $1,000 when it is $15,000 or less, or plus $2,500 when it is over $15,000. Doing this is also a Class I felony, and the court can add prosecution costs. The administrator posts your name, address, penalty amount, and posting date online within 90 days after your appeal time ends, and keeps it up for at least 12 months.

Penalty rules and waivers for holders

If the unclaimed property office finds you owe money, it applies the law’s penalty rules to the amount it assesses. The administrator may reduce or cancel penalties, in whole or in part, under the penalty sections covered by this law. This mainly affects businesses that hold others’ property.

Attorney general can help prosecute fraud

The Attorney General can represent the state or help a district attorney prosecute unclaimed property fraud cases when the administrator asks. This adds state-level legal support to go after fraudulent claims.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Brent Jacobson

    Republican • House

  • Mike Bare

    Democratic • House

  • Elijah Behnke

    Republican • House

  • Barbara Dittrich

    Republican • House

  • Rick Gundrum

    Republican • House

  • Daniel Knodl

    Republican • House

  • Rob Kreibich

    Republican • House

  • David Murphy

    Republican • House

  • Jerry O'Connor

    Republican • House

  • William Penterman

    Republican • House

  • Jim Piwowarczyk

    Republican • House

  • Ron Tusler

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Howard Marklein

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Nass

    Republican • Senate

  • Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

    Democratic • House

  • Patrick Testin

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Published 3-21-2026

    3/20/2026House
  2. Report approved by the Governor on 3-20-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 112

    3/20/2026House
  3. Presented to the Governor on 3-18-2026

    3/18/2026House
  4. Report correctly enrolled on 2-20-2026

    2/20/2026House
  5. Received from Senate concurred in

    2/18/2026House
  6. Ordered immediately messaged

    2/18/2026Senate
  7. Read a third time and concurred in

    2/18/2026Senate
  8. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

    2/18/2026Senate
  9. Ordered to a third reading

    2/18/2026Senate
  10. Read a second time

    2/18/2026Senate
  11. Placed on calendar 2-18-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    2/17/2026Senate
  12. Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

    2/17/2026Senate
  13. Fiscal estimate received

    2/3/2026Senate
  14. Available for scheduling

    1/23/2026Senate
  15. Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

    1/23/2026Senate
  16. Received from Assembly

    1/20/2026Senate
  17. Ordered immediately messaged

    1/20/2026House
  18. Read a third time and passed

    1/20/2026House
  19. Rules suspended

    1/20/2026House
  20. Ordered to a third reading

    1/20/2026House
  21. Read a second time

    1/20/2026House
  22. Placed on calendar 1-20-2026 by Committee on Rules

    1/14/2026House
  23. Referred to committee on Rules

    1/14/2026House
  24. Report passage recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 13, Noes 0

    1/14/2026House
  25. Executive action taken

    1/6/2026House

Bill Text

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