New Laws in Wisconsin (2026): Your Complete Guide
Most people have no idea how many new rules just kicked in. Seriously. Wisconsin’s 2026 laws are now in effect, and they’re changing everything from wedding parties to school classrooms. Some of these changes might surprise you. Let’s break down exactly what you need to know.
What Changed on January 1, 2026?
The new year brought a wave of new laws to Wisconsin. Some affect everyday life. Others target specific industries. All of them matter if you live, work, or do business in the state.
These aren’t small tweaks either. Some of these laws are forcing businesses to completely change how they operate. Others are putting more money in people’s pockets. And a few are sparking serious debate across the state.
Wedding Barn Alcohol Restrictions
Okay, this one’s causing drama. Wedding barn owners are facing a tough choice in 2026.
If they want guests to have alcohol at events, they need either a full liquor license or a special permit. The permit limits them to six events per year. That’s one event per month maximum.
Many wedding barn owners say this could destroy their business. Think about it. Most wedding barns host 10 to 15 events each summer. Now they can only do six all year. That’s a massive cut.
The law passed in 2023 but took effect January 1, 2026. It came from a broader update to Wisconsin’s alcohol laws. The main bill was about letting breweries make canned cocktails. Then lawmakers added the wedding barn language at the last minute.
Why the Change?
The Tavern League of Wisconsin pushed for this law. They argued wedding barns had an unfair advantage. Bars and restaurants need liquor licenses. Wedding barns didn’t. Now they do.
But barn owners say they’re just renting space. They’re not selling alcohol themselves. Licensed caterers bring it in for private events.
“We simply rent space,” said one barn owner. “This is no different than renting a city park pavilion.”
The Cost to Comply
Getting a liquor license isn’t cheap. One barn owner said it cost about $30,000 just to install the required refrigeration equipment. That doesn’t include rezoning costs or the license itself.
Some barns are choosing the six-event permit instead. But that means raising prices dramatically. One venue raised their minimum from $750 to $5,700. They have to make the same money from fewer events.
What About Beer and Wine?
Here’s the kicker. Even with the special permit, you can only serve beer and wine. No hard liquor. That means no Wisconsin Old Fashioneds at your wedding. And in Wisconsin, that’s a problem.
A bipartisan group of legislators is working on a fix. Their bill would allow wedding barns to host 36 events per year and serve all types of alcohol. But it’s unclear if the bill will pass.
For now, many wedding barn owners are considering closing. 2026 might be their last year in business.
Cell Phone Ban in Schools
By July 1, 2026, all Wisconsin public schools must restrict cell phones during class. This is a statewide requirement. No exceptions for individual districts.
Schools have some flexibility in how they enforce this. But the basic rule is clear. Students can’t use wireless devices during instructional time.
Wisconsin joins over 30 other states with similar laws. The goal? Reduce distractions. Improve focus. Support student mental health.
When Can Students Use Phones?
There are three main exceptions. Students can use phones if there’s an emergency. They can use them for medical reasons. And teachers can allow phone use for educational purposes.
Schools have until before the 2026-2027 school year to create their policies. Some districts, like Superior, already started implementing restrictions. They’re ahead of the curve.
Why This Matters
Supporters say phones are a major distraction. Students check social media. They text friends. They miss important lessons.
Educators believe the ban will help. Fewer disciplinary issues. Better grades. Healthier social interactions.
Critics worry about implementation. How do you enforce it? What happens if students don’t comply? Those details are up to each district.
Tax Changes That Affect You
Wisconsin made several tax changes for 2026. Some are federal changes that affect state taxes. Others come from the state budget.
These changes impact how much you pay and what deductions you can claim. Let’s break it down.
Retirement Income Exclusion
This is huge for seniors. If you’re 67 or older, you can now exclude up to $24,000 of retirement income from state taxes. Per person.
That means a married couple over 67 could exclude $48,000 combined. Social Security was already tax-free in Wisconsin. This adds retirement account distributions to that list.
The change took effect with tax year 2025. But you’ll really see the impact when filing in 2026.
Federal Changes That Hit Wisconsin
Several federal tax changes also affect Wisconsin residents. The state uses your federal adjusted gross income as the starting point. So federal changes flow through.
New deductions include an overtime deduction. You can deduct up to $12,500 of overtime pay if you’re single. That’s $25,000 for married couples filing jointly.
There’s also a tip income deduction. Service workers can deduct up to $25,000 of reported tips. This applies to restaurant servers, bartenders, and hospitality workers.
Honestly, these changes are pretty significant for workers in Wisconsin’s manufacturing and tourism industries.
What This Means for Your Return
Lower federal income usually means lower state taxes too. The retirement exclusion will save seniors hundreds or thousands of dollars. The overtime and tip deductions help working families.
But here’s the thing. Tax software is still being updated for these changes. Tax preparers are asking people to be patient. Forms aren’t completely finished yet.
The IRS started accepting 2025 tax returns on January 26, 2026. Wisconsin follows shortly after.
Foster Care and Kinship Care Payment Increase
Starting January 1, 2026, licensed foster parents got a raise. So did relatives caring for kids through the Kinship Care program.
The increase is 2.5 percent. That might not sound like much. But it helps cover rising costs for food, clothing, and other essentials.
Wisconsin has thousands of children in foster care. Recruiting and keeping quality caregivers is challenging. The pay increase aims to help with that.
Counties hope this makes fostering more sustainable for families. Every bit helps when you’re caring for kids who need stability.
Premier Resort Area Tax
Two Wisconsin communities started collecting a new tax in 2026. Sturgeon Bay and Minocqua can now charge a premier resort area tax.
It’s a 0.5 percent sales tax. That’s half a percent on top of the regular state and county sales taxes.
But it doesn’t apply to everything. Groceries are exempt. So is gasoline. The tax hits tourism-related purchases.
What Gets Taxed?
Department stores. Clothing shops. Sporting goods. Jewelry stores. Bookstores. Liquor stores. Restaurants and bars. Hotels and motels. Public golf courses.
Basically, things tourists buy when they visit.
The tax officially starts July 1, 2026 in both communities. Other Door County villages like Ephraim and Sister Bay already have this tax.
Why Add Another Tax?
Both cities need money for infrastructure. Roads. Water systems. Basic city services. Tourists use these but don’t directly pay for them.
The premier resort area tax shifts some of that burden to visitors. Local residents still pay it too. But the idea is tourists contribute more.
In Sturgeon Bay, 70 percent of voters approved this tax in a 2018 referendum. They’ve been waiting years to actually implement it. The 2025-2027 state budget finally gave them permission.
The cities must use this money specifically for infrastructure. They can’t spend it on just anything.
Ballot Withdrawal Law
Wisconsin candidates can now remove their names from the ballot. Previously, death was the only way off.
This law came directly from the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. situation in 2024. Kennedy wanted off the Wisconsin ballot after dropping out of the presidential race. State law wouldn’t let him.
Now candidates can withdraw. But there are rules.
How to Get Off the Ballot
You must file a sworn statement with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. You pay a small processing fee. And you do this at least seven business days before the commission certifies candidates.
The deadline is tight. Miss it and you’re stuck on the ballot.
This applies to state and federal candidates. Independent candidates can withdraw. But it doesn’t apply to major party candidates. They have different selection processes.
The law doesn’t cover February and April elections. Only the August and November races.
Why This Matters
Politics change fast. Sometimes candidates drop out. Sometimes they join another ticket. Sometimes personal reasons force a withdrawal.
Wisconsin’s old law was one of the strictest in the country. This update brings the state in line with most others.
County clerks initially opposed an earlier version. The original deadline would have disrupted ballot printing schedules. The final version fixed that concern.
Telecommunications Property Tax Exemption
Wisconsin stopped collecting local property taxes on certain telecom equipment. Radio towers, cellular towers, and telecommunication towers used solely for telecom services are now exempt.
Digital broadcasting equipment for radio, TV, and video services also qualifies.
This change came from the 2025-2027 state budget. It took effect January 1, 2026.
The goal? Encourage infrastructure investment. Make Wisconsin more attractive for telecom companies. Support rural broadband expansion.
Critics worry about lost revenue for local governments. Supporters say better infrastructure brings economic growth that offsets the tax loss.
Adoption Expense Deduction Increase
The maximum adoption expense deduction jumped from $5,000 to $15,000. That’s a big help for families going through the adoption process.
Adoption is expensive. Legal fees. Agency costs. Home studies. Travel expenses. It adds up fast.
This deduction helps offset those costs. It applies to both state and federal returns in Wisconsin.
The change is estimated to reduce state tax collections by about $80,000 per year. But lawmakers felt supporting adoptive families was worth it.
What Else Is Coming?
Several bills are pending that could become law later in 2026. Some address the wedding barn issue. Others deal with education, healthcare, or economic development.
A few to watch:
A bill to expand wedding barn permits to 36 events per year. This has bipartisan support but faces uncertain prospects.
Legislation related to autonomous vehicles on highways. Still in committee as of January 2026.
Bills addressing climate change scholarships and energy innovation grants. These are early-stage proposals.
The legislative session runs through March 2026 before election season kicks in. After that, major bills are unlikely to pass.
How to Stay Informed
Laws change constantly. New bills get introduced. Old laws get updated. Regulations shift.
Here’s how to keep up:
Check the Wisconsin Legislature’s website regularly. They post all new bills and updates. Search for topics that matter to you.
Follow your local news sources. They cover new laws that affect your area. Regional issues often matter more than statewide ones.
Sign up for updates from the Wisconsin Elections Commission if you care about voting laws. They email when rules change.
Talk to professionals when laws affect you directly. Tax changes? Ask a CPA. Business regulations? Consult a lawyer. Don’t guess on important stuff.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do wedding barns have to comply with the new alcohol rules? The law took effect January 1, 2026. Wedding barns need a liquor license or special permit now. The special permit allows only six alcoholic events per year with one per month maximum.
Can my child bring their phone to school? Yes, but they can’t use it during class unless there’s an emergency, a medical need, or the teacher allows it for educational purposes. Each school district sets specific policies by July 1, 2026.
Does the retirement income exclusion apply to me? If you’re 67 or older, you can exclude up to $24,000 of retirement income from Wisconsin state taxes. Social Security benefits were already exempt. This adds distributions from retirement accounts and pensions.
What purchases are subject to the premier resort area tax? The 0.5 percent tax applies to tourism-related sales like clothing, sporting goods, restaurants, bars, hotels, and entertainment. Groceries and gasoline are exempt. The tax starts July 1, 2026 in Sturgeon Bay and Minocqua.
Can I still remove my name from the ballot if I’m running for office? Yes, as long as you file at least seven business days before the Wisconsin Elections Commission certifies candidates for August and November elections. The process requires a sworn statement and a small fee.
Final Thoughts
Wisconsin’s 2026 laws bring real changes. Some help families save money. Others force businesses to adapt. A few spark ongoing controversy.
The wedding barn restrictions are hitting hardest right now. Small business owners are scrambling. Some might not survive the year.
The school cell phone ban will shape classroom culture. Teachers and students will adjust together.
Tax changes put money back in people’s pockets. That’s always welcome news, especially for seniors and working families.
Stay informed. Ask questions. Know your rights. And when something doesn’t make sense, reach out to experts who can help.
Now you know what’s new in Wisconsin. These laws are in effect. They’re shaping daily life across the state. Keep this guide handy as things continue to evolve throughout 2026.