All Roll Calls
Yes: 96 • No: 34
WisconsinAB3202025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)House
An Act to repeal 814.705 (2); to amend 59.32 (1), 814.60 (1), 814.61 (1) (a), 814.61 (1) (b), 814.61 (3), 814.61 (4), 814.61 (5) (am) (intro.), 814.61 (6), 814.61 (7) (a), 814.61 (7) (b), 814.61 (8) (am) 1. and 2., 814.61 (9), 814.61 (11), 814.61 (12) (a) 1., 814.61 (12) (c), 814.61 (13), 814.61 (13m), 814.61 (14), 814.615 (1) (a) 2., 814.615 (1) (a) 3., 814.62 (1), 814.62 (2), 814.62 (3) (a), 814.62 (4), 814.63 (1) (b), 814.63 (2), 814.65 (1), 814.66 (1) (a) 2., 814.66 (1) (b) 2., 814.66 (1) (c), 814.66 (1) (e), 814.66 (1) (f), 814.66 (1) (g), 814.66 (1) (i), 814.66 (1) (j), 814.66 (1) (k), 814.66 (1) (L), 814.66 (1) (n), 814.66 (1) (o), 814.66 (3), 814.67 (1) (a) 1., 814.67 (1) (a) 2., 814.67 (1) (am), 814.67 (1) (b) 1., 814.67 (1) (bg), 814.67 (1) (c) 1. (intro.), 814.68 (1) (a), 814.68 (2), 814.70 (1), 814.70 (2), 814.70 (3) (a), 814.70 (3) (b), 814.70 (4) (a), 814.70 (4) (b), 814.70 (7), 814.70 (8), 814.70 (9) (a) (intro.), 814.70 (9) (b), 814.70 (12), 814.72, 814.85 (1) (c), 814.85 (2), 814.86 (1) and 814.86 (2); to create 814.59, 814.595, 814.85 (3) and 814.86 (1s) of the statutes; Relating to: increasing certain court fees and surcharges and indexing those amounts for inflation. (FE)
Sponsored By: Scott Allen (Republican), David Armstrong (Republican), Brent Jacobson (Republican), Elijah Behnke (Republican), Lindee Brill (Republican), Robert Brooks (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Bob Donovan (Republican), Joy Goeben (Republican), Joel Kitchens (Republican), Dave Maxey (Republican), Paul Melotik (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), David Steffen (Republican)
Became Law
Circuit courtCourt -- FeeDistrict attorneyEnglish languageInflationMilwaukee CountyReportsState CourtsDirector of
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Higher fees in civil and family cases
Starting a civil case now costs $130 (up from $75). Family cases add $38 (up from $20). Third‑party complaints are $80 (up from $45), clerk services are $14 (up from $5), and foreign judgments are $42 (up from $15). The jury fee in most civil cases is $17 per juror (up from $6); if you do not pay on time, no jury is called. Family judgment revisions are $45 (up from $30), and custody or placement show‑cause filings are $80 (up from $50). If both sides agree to change child support, family support, maintenance, or custody/placement, no fee is charged. Part of each fee goes to the state; the rest stays with the county or a county family account.
Fee‑waiver notice for low‑income filers
Clerks must post a notice that fee‑waiver applications are available for people who cannot pay. This helps low‑income people ask to avoid court fees.
Phone and video interpreters in civil court
Courts can use phone or live video interpreters in civil cases, including trials. If a party objects, the judge decides if an in‑person interpreter is needed. Some case types are excluded at trial, but judges may allow remote interpreting before trial on request.
Rules for collecting and using court fees
Counties must use any court fees they keep to support court services. Sheriffs must collect listed court fees and give them to the county treasurer. Money collected under a named statute goes to a state account to reimburse Milwaukee County for prosecution clerical costs.
Higher criminal court filing fee
The fee a defendant pays when judgment is entered in a criminal case is now $201 (up from $163). Most of the money is sent to the state; the rest stays with the county.
Inflation reports on court fees starting 2032
Starting in 2032, the state court director calculates what each court fee would be if adjusted for inflation. The report is filed every third fiscal biennium by the state budget deadline. The report itself does not change any fees.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Scott Allen
Republican • House
David Armstrong
Republican • House
Brent Jacobson
Republican • House
Elijah Behnke
Republican • House
Lindee Brill
Republican • House
Robert Brooks
Republican • House
Barbara Dittrich
Republican • House
Bob Donovan
Republican • House
Joy Goeben
Republican • House
Joel Kitchens
Republican • House
Dave Maxey
Republican • House
Paul Melotik
Republican • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
Jim Piwowarczyk
Republican • House
David Steffen
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Russell Goodwin
Democratic • House
Rick Gundrum
Republican • House
André Jacque
Republican • Senate
Jesse James
Republican • Senate
Tony Kurtz
Republican • House
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez
Democratic • House
Van Wanggaard
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 31, Noes 2
Yes: 31 • No: 2
House vote • 1/22/2026
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 65, Noes 32
Yes: 65 • No: 32
Actions Timeline
Published 4-4-2026
4/3/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-3-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 179
4/3/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 2-23-2026
2/23/2026HouseAction ordered immediately messaged
2/18/2026HouseSenate Amendment 1 concurred in
2/18/2026HouseReceived from Senate amended and concurred in as amended (Senate amendment1 adopted)
2/12/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
2/11/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 31, Noes 2
2/11/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
2/11/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
2/11/2026SenateSenate Amendment 1 adopted
2/11/2026SenateRead a second time
2/11/2026SenateSenate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Wanggaard
2/10/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 2-11-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
2/9/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
2/3/2026SenateReport concurrence recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0
2/3/2026SenateExecutive action taken
2/3/2026SenateWithdrawn from committee on Senate Organization and rereferred to joint committee on Finance pursuant to Senate Rule 46(2)(c)
2/2/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
2/2/2026SenateReport concurrence recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0
2/2/2026SenateExecutive action taken
2/2/2026SenatePublic hearing held
1/28/2026SenateSenator James added as a cosponsor
1/28/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
1/26/2026Senate
Bill Text
Senate Amendment 1
2/11/2026
Assembly Amendment 2
1/22/2026
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1
1/22/2026
Bill Text
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