An Act to renumber and amend 59.52 (29) (a), 60.47 (1) (a), 60.47 (5) and 62.15 (1); to amend 60.47 (2) (a), 60.47 (2) (b), 60.47 (3), 60.47 (4) and 60.47 (5) (title); to create 59.52 (29) (c) 2., 59.52 (29) (c) 3., 59.52 (29) (e), 60.47 (1) (ag), 60.47 (1) (as), 60.47 (2m), 60.47 (2s), 60.47 (5) (c), 62.15 (1) (b) and 62.15 (1) (c) of the statutes; Relating to: local government competitive bidding thresholds. (FE)
Sponsored By: David Armstrong (Republican), Brent Jacobson (Republican), Robert Brooks (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Bob Donovan (Republican), Benjamin Franklin (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Joel Kitchens (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Paul Melotik (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Todd Novak (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), Nancy VanderMeer (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Higher bidding limits for towns and counties
The law raises local contracting limits. For counties, general public works must be bid at $50,000 or more and noticed at $10,000 or more. For towns, general contracts must be bid at $50,000 or more and noticed at $10,000 or more. Town highway work must be bid at $25,000 or more and noticed at $5,000 or more. Every 5 years, all these amounts rise by the 5‑year change in the U.S. Consumer Price Index and then round to the nearest $1,000.
Faster repairs and donations: bidding exceptions
When a town board declares an emergency that risks public health or safety, the town can skip bidding and advertising until the board ends the emergency. Towns can also skip those rules when materials are donated or volunteers provide labor. For both towns and counties, if a private party builds an improvement and donates it after completion, the bidding subsection does not apply.
City construction bids and notice rules
City public construction over $25,000 must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Jobs over $5,000 and up to $25,000 need a class 1 notice before the contract is signed. Donated materials or volunteer labor are exceptions. By a three‑fourths vote, the council can let the city do certain classes of work directly without bids.
Clear definitions for highways and contracts
The law defines a town “public contract” as work or supplies over $5,000. It defines “highway” to include public ways and bridges, and a “public highway contract” as work to build, repair, remodel, or improve a highway. For cities, “highway” and “public highway construction” have the same meanings and cover building, improving, repairing, or maintaining a highway. These definitions clarify which projects must follow highway or public works rules.
How towns must advertise and award contracts
For town contracts over the notice threshold and up to the bidding threshold, the town must publish a class 1 notice before signing. For contracts over the bidding threshold, the town must publish a class 2 notice to advertise for proposals and may use extra ad methods. The contract must go to the lowest responsible bidder, and state bidding rules apply. These steps add process but help firms compete on price and qualifications.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
David Armstrong
Republican • House
Brent Jacobson
Republican • House
Robert Brooks
Republican • House
Barbara Dittrich
Republican • House
Bob Donovan
Republican • House
Benjamin Franklin
Republican • House
Rick Gundrum
Republican • House
Joel Kitchens
Republican • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Paul Melotik
Republican • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Todd Novak
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
Nancy VanderMeer
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Tim Carpenter
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Smith
Democratic • Senate
Paul Tittl
Republican • House
Cory Tomczyk
Republican • Senate
Randy Udell
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Published 4-4-2026
4/3/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-3-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 188
4/3/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 3-26-2026
3/26/2026HouseLRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1)
3/26/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
3/18/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
3/17/2026SenateSenator Smith added as a cosponsor
3/17/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in
3/17/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
3/17/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
3/17/2026SenateRead a second time
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
2/20/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
2/20/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
2/18/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/17/2026HouseRead a third time and passed
2/17/2026HouseRules suspended
2/17/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
2/17/2026HouseAssembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted
2/17/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted
2/17/2026HouseRead a second time
2/17/2026HouseRepresentatives Ortiz-Velez, Miresse and Anderson added as coauthors
2/16/2026House
Bill Text
Assembly Amendment 1
2/17/2026
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1
2/17/2026
Bill Text
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