All Roll Calls
Yes: 114 • No: 45
WisconsinAB1802025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET
An Act to create 49.79 (7x) of the statutes; Relating to: requiring the Department of Health Services to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. (FE)
Sponsored By: Scott Allen (Republican), Elijah Behnke (Republican), Calvin Callahan (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Joy Goeben (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Dean Kaufert (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Dave Maxey (Republican), Clint Moses (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Amanda Nedweski (Republican), Adam Neylon (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), William Penterman (Republican), Patrick Snyder (Republican), Chuck Wichgers (Republican)
Signed by Governor
BeverageCounty -- Human servicesData processingFoodFood stamp planHealth ServicesDepartment of -- HealthOrganizationMiscellaneousPublic employeeReportsRetail establishment
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
FoodShare retailers protected from checkout system errors
Participating FoodShare retailers are protected from civil liability and adverse action by Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services for platform-caused errors. The protection covers sales or refusals that break federal program rules or an approved federal waiver. It applies only when the platform incorrectly decides whether the product is eligible.
New checkout system checks FoodShare grocery purchases
Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services must hire a qualified nonprofit to build and run a FoodShare product-checking system. It must update barcode records, check eligible items at store checkouts, track errors, and protect data privacy. The nonprofit must meet statewide service, independence, and financial-control standards and partner with an experienced Wisconsin Medicaid technology firm. A performance-based contract requires an approved budget, retailer training, technical help, and outreach. The law provides $3 million for development in 2025–26, plus $250,000 for administration in each of 2025–26 and 2026–27. Required reports cover accuracy, retailer participation, system reliability, security, and spending, with annual reports due September 30. State performance audits begin in 2031 and repeat at least every four years.
FoodShare candy limits require federal approval
Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services must seek federal permission to block FoodShare purchases of candy and soft drinks. If permission is granted, the department must enforce the ban; otherwise, it must reapply annually until approved. Candy includes sugar and confectionery items, including chocolate bars. Soft drinks include nonalcoholic drinks marketed as soda, cola, or energy drinks. The definition excludes drinks with more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice, dairy drinks, coffee, and unsweetened tea. The law does not change benefit amounts.
Counties share benefit services, pay for takeovers
Counties with fewer than 750,000 people must join an approved multicounty group or Tribal partnership to run income-support programs. They must join within six months after the requirement takes effect. If a multicounty group fails state performance standards, Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services must take over its service area. The department can use state staff or hire another multicounty group. When the department takes over a county’s programs, the county must pay its prior calendar year’s program-administration spending. These changes do not directly change household benefit amounts or eligibility.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Scott Allen
Republican • House
Elijah Behnke
Republican • House
Calvin Callahan
Republican • House
Barbara Dittrich
Republican • House
Joy Goeben
Republican • House
Rick Gundrum
Republican • House
Dean Kaufert
Republican • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Dave Maxey
Republican • House
Clint Moses
Republican • House
David Murphy
Republican • House
Amanda Nedweski
Republican • House
Adam Neylon
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
William Penterman
Republican • House
Patrick Snyder
Republican • House
Chuck Wichgers
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Lindee Brill
Republican • House
Rachael Cabral-Guevara
Republican • Senate
Chris Kapenga
Republican • Senate
Joel Kitchens
Republican • House
Steve Nass
Republican • Senate
Cory Tomczyk
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 25, Noes 8
Yes: 25 • No: 8
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15
Yes: 18 • No: 15
House vote • 2/19/2026
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 71, Noes 22
Yes: 71 • No: 22
Actions Timeline
Published 3-24-2026
3/24/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 3-23-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 116
3/24/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 3-18-2026
3/18/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 3-18-2026
3/18/2026HouseLRB correction (Assembly Substitute Amendment 2)
3/18/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
3/18/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
3/17/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in, Ayes 25, Noes 8
3/17/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
3/17/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
3/17/2026SenateSenate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15
3/17/2026SenateRead a second time
3/17/2026SenateSenate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senators L. Johnson, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, Keyeski, Larson, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer and Wall
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
3/16/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
3/16/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
3/11/2026SenateReport concurrence recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 11, Noes 2
3/11/2026SenateReport introduction of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 13, Noes 0
3/11/2026SenateExecutive action taken
3/11/2026SenateWithdrawn from committee on Senate Organization and rereferred to joint committee on Finance pursuant to Senate Rule 46(2)(c)
3/10/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
2/25/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
2/25/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
2/23/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/19/2026HouseRead a third time and passed, Ayes 71, Noes 22
2/19/2026House
Bill Text
Assembly Substitute Amendment 2
2/19/2026
Bill Text
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