WisconsinVoters would decide whether officials may bar worship gatherings during emergencies
At the November 2026 election, voters would decide whether to bar state and local officials from closing places of worship during emergencies.
What it does
If voters approve the amendment, state and local governments could not order places of worship to close or forbid gatherings during a state of emergency, including a public health emergency.
Argument forPeople could keep gathering for worship during emergencies because state and local officials could not order places of worship to close or forbid gatherings.
Argument againstOfficials might have fewer ways to limit crowded worship gatherings during an emergency, which could make it harder to respond to a public health threat.
More detail
The proposed constitutional amendment would bar state and local governments from ordering places of worship to close or forbidding gatherings there during a state of emergency. The rule would apply to state and local emergencies, including public health emergencies, and to places of worship. Voters must ratify the amendment before it becomes part of the constitution. The resolution calls for voters to decide on the amendment at the November 2026 election.
Where do you stand?
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Tell your reps
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Published 5-26-2026. Enrolled Joint Resolution 10To Governor
- Jan 27Deposited in the office of the Secretary of State on 1-27-2026
- Jan 23Report correctly enrolled on 1-23-2026Minor
- Jan 22Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Jan 21Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 15Passed 2nd Chamber
- Jan 21Rules suspended to give joint resolution its third reading
- Jan 21Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jan 21Read a second timeMinor
- Jan 16Placed on calendar 1-21-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Vote recorded Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 16Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Jan 15Representative Ortiz-Velez added as a coauthor
- Jan 14Available for scheduling
- Jan 14Read first time and referred to committee on Senate OrganizationMinor
- Jan 14Received from AssemblyMinor
- Jan 13Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded ADOPTION. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 13Adopted, Ayes 56, Noes 43Passed 1st Chamber
- Jan 13Rules suspended
- Jan 13Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jan 13Read a second timeMinor
- Jan 8Placed on calendar 1-13-2026 by Committee on Rules
- 2025
- May 29Referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Report adoption recommended by Committee on Judiciary, Ayes 5, Noes 1. Result: pass.Lower
- May 29Report adoption recommended by Committee on Judiciary, Ayes 5, Noes 1Minor
- May 21Executive action taken
- May 20Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Ortiz-VelezMinor
- May 7Public hearing held
- Feb 24Read first time and referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 24Introduced by Representatives Tusler, Green, Allen, Armstrong, Behnke, Brill, Brooks, Callahan, Dittrich, Donovan, Franklin, Goeben, Gundrum, Gustafson, Hurd, B. Jacobson, Knodl, Kreibich, Maxey, Murphy, Nedweski, O'Connor, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Tittl and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Tomczyk, Nass, Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Felzkowski, James, Kapenga and QuinnIntroduced
- May 29Referred to committee on RulesMinor
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