WISCONSIN - As Wisconsin rings in 2026, several significant legislative changes are set to impact everything from your paycheck and tax filings to how you interact with local government. Following a series of bipartisan negotiations in Madison throughout 2025, these new laws aim to address the State workforce needs, provide tax relief, and modernize consumer protections.
1. The Occupational Credentialing Reform Act
Wisconsin is taking a significant step toward solving its labor shortage by making it easier for professionals to get to work.
- The Change: This law requires the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to process professional license applications within a strictly defined window (typically 30 days) if the applicant holds a valid, in-good-standing license from another state.
- Who it Impacts: Healthcare workers, electricians, plumbers, and accountants moving to Wisconsin will see significantly reduced wait times, allowing them to start their jobs almost immediately upon arrival.
2. Expanded Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
To make the state more affordable for working families, Wisconsin is significantly increasing its state-level tax credit for childcare expenses.
- The Boost: Starting with the 2026 tax year, the state credit is being expanded to match 100% of the federal credit (up from 50% previously).
- The Savings: For many Wisconsin families, this could mean an additional $1,000 to $2,000 in tax savings per year, specifically targeted at those paying for daycare, after-school programs, or elder care.
3. The "Right to Shop" Healthcare Transparency Law
Wisconsin is joining a growing number of states in a move to lower healthcare costs through transparency and "shared savings."
- The Incentive: Under this law, health insurance providers must provide a "shopping tool" that allows patients to compare the costs of elective procedures (such as MRIs or joint replacements) across different facilities.
- Cash Back: If a patient chooses a high-quality, lower-cost provider, the insurance company is now required to share a portion of the savings directly with the patient as a cash rebate or a credit toward their deductible.
4. Mandatory "Kill Switch" for Stolen Equipment
To combat a spike in the theft of high-value construction and agricultural machinery across the state, a new "anti-theft" mandate is taking effect for manufacturers.
- The Rule: All new heavy machinery (valued over $50,000) sold in Wisconsin after January one must be equipped with kill switch technology.
- Law Enforcement Access: The law provides a legal framework for owners to authorize law enforcement to remotely turn off the equipment if it is reported stolen, making it significantly harder for thieves to resell or use stolen tractors and excavators.
5. The EV "Fair Share" Registration Fee
As more Wisconsin drivers switch to electric vehicles (EVs), the state is adjusting how it funds road repairs, which are traditionally paid for through gas taxes.
- Starting January 1, the surcharge for all-electricvehicles increases to $2000 (up from $175), while hybrid vehicles will see a new flat surcharge of $100.
- The Goal: State officials argue this ensures that EV owners, who do not pay the State gas tax, contribute a "fair share" to the maintenance of Wisconsin's highways and local roads.
Honorable Mention: Digital Driver's Licenses
While not mandatory, the Wisconsin DOT will officially launch the mobile Driver's License (mDL) platform on JaJanuary 1ReJanuary 1. Residents can download a secure, digital version of their ID to their smartphones, which will be legally accepted for age verification and at TSA checkpoints at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.