To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
The following bills, originating in the Assembly, have been approved, signed, and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Bill Number Act Number Date Approved
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor
_____________
Pursuant to s. 35.095 (1)(b), Wisconsin Statutes, the following 2025 Acts have been published: Act Number Bill Number Publication Date
hist207891Wisconsin Act 17 Assembly Bill 257 August 9, 2025 hist207895Wisconsin Act 20 Assembly Bill 45 August 9, 2025 hist207894Wisconsin Act 28 Assembly Bill 61 August 9, 2025 hist207897Wisconsin Act 30 Assembly Bill 242 August 9, 2025 hist207899Wisconsin Act 33 Assembly Bill 232 August 9, 2025 _____________
August 11, 2025
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
The following bills, originating in the Assembly, have been vetoed in their entirety, and were returned to their house of origin, together with the objections in writing:
Bill Number Date of Veto
hist136422I am vetoing Assembly Bill 73 in its entirety. This bill would create a new chapter of the Wisconsin Statutes for specialty courts. It would statutorily recognize specialized dockets for treatment courts and for commercial cases in circuit courts. It would also create procedures for any judicial administrative districts that have established specialized dockets for commercial cases and allow the Chief Justice to add additional districts to the commercial court docket upon the recommendation of the Director of State Courts. The bill would also require that certain cases be assigned to those commercial dockets and allow other eligible cases to be assigned to them.
I support the intent of creating and investing in dockets and problem-solving courts that are designed to respond to unique needs, reduce recidivism, increase efficiency in the justice system, and bolster public safety. Investing in data-driven, evidence-based efforts like treatment courts can help improve outcomes and reduce the likelihood of reoffending while ultimately saving resources and taxpayer dollars in the long run.
However, I am vetoing this bill because I object to the Legislature encroaching upon other constitutional offices and branches of government, including attempting to micromanage the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Wisconsin Supreme Court and Wisconsin's court system are uniquely suited to determine whether and when specialized dockets and courts are appropriate and necessary. For example, after creating a pilot project in 2017 for business and commercial case dockets, the Wisconsin Supreme Court last year voted to terminate the pilot, declining to extend it for another two years–an effort the Legislature is now nevertheless attempting to resurrect and permanently codify over the Court's apparent objections. Should the Wisconsin Supreme Court decide creating additional problem-solving courts or pilots are appropriate and necessary, I am confident the Court is capable of making such a determination without being compelled by the Legislature.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor
_____________
I am vetoing Assembly Bill 85 in its entirety.
This bill would require that the Department of Corrections recommend revoking a person's extended supervision, parole, or probation if the person is charged with a crime while on extended supervision, parole, or probation.
We know we can keep our communities safe by holding offenders accountable, reform our justice system, and save money, all at the same time by using evidence-based practices to help us make better decisions throughout the justice system.
I am again vetoing this bill in its entirety because, as I stated previously in my veto message for 2019 Assembly Bill 805, I object to the unfunded mandate that such revocation would impose on the Department of Corrections, which would move Wisconsin in the wrong direction on criminal justice reform without improving public safety. This bill is estimated to have a fiscal impact of more than $330 million in just the first two years and hundreds of millions of dollars in unknown, ongoing costs to state taxpayers in the years to follow. This significant price tag does not include construction costs to build additional state correctional facilities, which would likely be needed, or take into account the fiscal impact on local governments. This fiscal impact is particularly untenable on the heels of the legislature significantly underfunding existing operations at the Department of Corrections in the most recent state budget.
Wisconsin should be investing in data-driven, evidence-based programming that addresses barriers to reentry, enhances educational and vocational opportunities for individuals who will be released after completing their sentence, and provides treatment for mental health and substance use issues, which will help to reduce recidivism and save taxpayer money while improving public safety.
I look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure Wisconsin finally starts to invest in evidence-based solutions to improve community safety, reduce the likelihood that dangerous criminals will reoffend, and, ultimately, save taxpayer dollars in the long run.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor
_____________
I am vetoing Assembly Bill 87 in its entirety.
This bill creates additional barriers to restoring an individual's constitutional right to vote based on certain previous criminal convictions. The right to vote is a fundamental core value of our democracy. In Wisconsin, when an individual completes their court-ordered sentence, their constitutional right to vote is restored without any additional barrier or process. This bill would create additional barriers to make it harder for individuals who have completed their sentences to have their right to vote restored. My promise to Wisconsinites has always been that I will not sign legislation that makes it harder for eligible Wisconsinites to cast their ballot. I will continue to keep that promise.
I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to creating new barriers that could prevent individuals who have completed their court-ordered sentence from having their right to vote restored. I am also vetoing this bill because I object to limiting the discretion of judges to address the circumstances in front of them by creating a separate restitution procedure for certain crimes. I am concerned that this provision of the bill would set a precedent that would elevate some crime victims over others.
I remain steadfast in my support for crime victims and survivors and the services, programs, and providers they need to recover, be successful, and thrive. I will continue to pursue and advocate for the necessary, significant investments they need and deserve. I look forward to working with the Legislature during this legislative session to support crime victims and survivors, reduce recidivism, and improve community safety.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor
_____________
I am vetoing Assembly Bill 269 in its entirety.
This bill would create a new legal framework for application-based drivers (defined as drivers that provide delivery or transportation services through a digital network) that exempts them from state minimum-wage, unemployment insurance, and worker's compensation laws if certain conditions are met. The bill would also authorize network companies to offer optional portable benefit accounts through approved financial service providers and to provide voluntary insurance coverage to eligible drivers.
I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to the bill's definition of independent contractor status in the absence of any guaranteed benefit for workers. App-based drivers are a growing segment of Wisconsin's workforce and changes to independent contractor definitions are a serious endeavor–one that demands substantive conversations among several parties, including with both management and workers, in order to achieve an appropriate and balanced policy that all sides can support.
As this bill was under consideration by the Legislature and was moving through the legislative process, my administration asked both stakeholders and legislators to ensure adequate time for that robust dialogue and engagement to reach consensus and compromise. Unfortunately, the Legislature declined to meaningfully provide that opportunity, choosing instead to send this bill to my desk anyway.
I am open to finding a pathway to portable benefits; however, such a solution must be thoughtful, benefit workers, and be created through a process in which workers and management have the opportunity to participate, collaborate, and reach agreement. My veto today will allow time for these important conversations to occur so Wisconsin can find a path forward.
I remain committed to ensuring that Wisconsin's workers are treated with dignity and respect and that, as our economy evolves, we pursue balanced policies that embrace innovation and new economic opportunities while upholding Wisconsin's proud tradition of supporting the workers whose labor contributes to and ensures our state's economic success.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor
_____________
Reference Bureau Corrections
11. Page 2, line 13: delete “advance” and substitute “advanced”. _____________
11. Page 2, line 13: delete “advance” and substitute “advanced”. _____________
Speaker's Communications
August 11, 2025
Representative Todd Novak
Room 310 North, State Capitol
Madison, WI 53708
Dear Representative Novak:
hist207940Pursuant to Assembly Rule 42 (3)(c), with your permission as Chair of the Local Government committee, I will remove Assembly Bill 312 from the committee, and refer the bill to the Campaigns and Elections committee. hist0Please contact my office with any questions. Sincerely,
ROBIN J. VOS
Assembly Speaker
_____________
Communications
The Chief Clerk received the following coauthor and cosponsor requests on July 30, 2025:
hist207735Representative Snodgrass added as a coauthor of Assembly Bill 158, relating to: changing the conditions of liability for worker’s compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners and coroner staff, and medical examiners and medical examiner staff. _____________
The Chief Clerk received the following coauthor and cosponsor requests on July 31, 2025:
