All Roll Calls
Yes: 85 • No: 14
WisconsinAB7682025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)House
An Act to renumber 114.045 (1); to renumber and amend 114.045 (3); to create 114.045 (1) (b) and 114.045 (3) (b) of the statutes; Relating to: operation of drones over certain utility facilities and providing a penalty.
Sponsored By: Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Bob Donovan (Republican), Russell Goodwin (Democratic), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Dave Maxey (Republican), Paul Melotik (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Todd Novak (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), William Penterman (Republican), Christine Sinicki (Democratic), Paul Tittl (Republican), Chuck Wichgers (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AviationElectric utilityPetroleumPolicePublic utilityTelecommunicationsWaterworks
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Drone operators face new utility flight limits
The law bans drone flights below 300 feet over or within 500 feet of land containing listed utility facilities. Covered sites include water reclamation facilities, public water systems, power plants, generating stations, electric substations, and natural gas gate stations. Gas or electric storage facilities, telecommunications plants and service equipment, and buildings designed to manage these utility systems are also covered. Flights directed by facility owners or operators for official monitoring, inspection, operation, or maintenance are exempt. Local government flights for official business are exempt within that government's jurisdiction where the land is located. Commercial flights are exempt when they follow all applicable Federal Aviation Administration rules, authorizations, or exemptions. Violations carry a forfeiture of up to $5,000. Officers investigating utility-site violations must seize drone-created images and visual data and transfer them to the primary local police agency. After enforcement proceedings end, copies must go to each city, village, town, or county where the violation occurred. For correctional-institution violations, any such material officers seize must go to the corrections department or the institution's authority.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Barbara Dittrich
Republican • House
Bob Donovan
Republican • House
Russell Goodwin
Democratic • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Dave Maxey
Republican • House
Paul Melotik
Republican • House
David Murphy
Republican • House
Todd Novak
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
William Penterman
Republican • House
Christine Sinicki
Democratic • House
Paul Tittl
Republican • House
Chuck Wichgers
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Jesse James
Republican • Senate
Maureen McCarville
Democratic • House
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez
Democratic • House
Jeff Smith
Democratic • Senate
Cory Tomczyk
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/17/2026
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 85, Noes 14
Yes: 85 • No: 14
Actions Timeline
Published 4-4-2026
4/3/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-3-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 194
4/3/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 3-23-2026
3/23/2026HouseReceived 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
3/3/2026SenateReport concurrence recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0
3/3/2026SenateExecutive action taken
3/3/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
2/20/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
2/18/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/17/2026HouseRead a third time and passed, Ayes 85, Noes 14
2/17/2026HouseRules suspended
2/17/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
2/17/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 2 adopted
2/17/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 1 adopted
2/17/2026HouseRead a second time
2/17/2026House
Bill Text
Assembly Amendment 1
2/17/2026
Assembly Amendment 2
2/17/2026
Bill Text
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