WisconsinWisconsin food aid rules would verify status and share enrollment data
The failed measure would have set food stamp work exemptions, checked applicants' citizenship or immigration status, and sent enrollment data to federal officials if enacted.
What it does
People age 65 or older and some households with children younger than 14 would be exempt from food stamp work requirements.
Noncitizens would need to meet federal immigration categories, and the state would verify that status during enrollment and benefit renewals.
State officials would send enrollment and recipient identity data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including records tied to applications or benefits since January 1, 2020.
Argument forFederal officials could receive more complete records, which may help them check food aid enrollment and administer the program.
Argument againstSharing recipients' identities and checking documents could create privacy concerns and add paperwork for applicants and state officials.
More detail
Certain people would be exempt from the food stamp program's work requirement. The exemptions would include people age 65 or older, parents of children younger than 14, and household members living with a child younger than 14. These provisions would apply beginning July 1, 2026, if the measure took effect.
The Department of Health Services would check citizenship or eligible immigration status when people enroll and renew eligibility for food stamps. A non-U.S. citizen or national would need to qualify as an eligible and qualified alien under federal law to receive benefits. The department would use the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements service or require acceptable proof, such as a certified birth certificate, U.S. passport, or federal immigration document. The rules would apply beginning July 1, 2026, including both enrollment and eligibility recertification.
The Department of Health Services would compile and send food stamp program data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data would include information about enrollment and the identities of people receiving benefits, along with other information required by the federal agency. The department would follow the federal agency's required schedule and format and comply with federal law. The department would compile and share data about people who received, receive, or applied for food stamp benefits since January 1, 2020. The general data-sharing rule would apply beginning July 1, 2026. The separate data compilation and sharing requirement would take effect the day after publication and would be due as soon as possible, but no later than six months afterward.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82Latest
- May 12Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- Apr 8Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 4-8-2026Major
- Apr 2Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026To Governor
- Mar 20Report correctly enrolled on 3-20-2026Minor
- Mar 20LRB correction (Assembly Substitute Amendment 1)
- Mar 18Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Mar 17Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded SHALL THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR STAND. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 17Read a third time and concurred inPassed Senate
- Mar 17Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Mar 17Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Mar 17Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate, Ayes 18, Noes 15
- Mar 17Point of order that Senate Substitute Amendment 1 was not germane well taken
- Mar 17Read a second timeMinor
- Mar 17Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Roys, Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Smith, Spreitzer, Wall and WirchMinor
- Mar 16Placed on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Mar 16Fiscal estimate receivedMinor
- Mar 12Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2Minor
- Mar 12Executive action taken
- Mar 11Public hearing held
- Feb 25Read first time and referred to committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal AffairsMinor
- Feb 23Received from AssemblyMinor
- Feb 19Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19Read a third time and passed, Ayes 54, Noes 39Passed Assembly
- Feb 19Rules suspended
- Feb 19Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Feb 19Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adoptedMajor
- Feb 19Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative KnodlMinor
- Feb 19Read a second timeMinor
- Feb 18Made a special order of business at 12:04 PM on 2-19-2026 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 14
- Feb 12Referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Report passage recommended by Committee on Health, Aging and Long-Term Care, Ayes 9, Noes 5. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Report passage recommended by Committee on Health, Aging and Long-Term Care, Ayes 9, Noes 5Minor
- Feb 11Executive action taken
- Feb 11Public hearing held
- Feb 10Representative Wichgers added as a coauthor
- Feb 6Read first time and referred to Committee on Health, Aging and Long-Term CareMinor
- Feb 6Introduced by Representatives Gustafson, O'Connor, Maxey, Gundrum, Born, Piwowarczyk, Sortwell, Penterman, B. Jacobson, Kreibich, Knodl, Goeben, Nedweski, Dittrich, Brill, Green, Behnke and Murphy; cosponsored by Senators Kapenga, Cabral-Guevara and NassIntroduced
Government & EthicsConsumer ProtectionImmigration