WisconsinMeasure would penalize foreign-directed intimidation and unapproved enforcement work
If it had taken effect, the measure would direct the Department of Justice to help identify and report foreign-directed intimidation and set penalties for certain related conduct.
What it does
The Department of Justice would train officers and help the public identify and report foreign-directed efforts to intimidate or silence people over their political views.
Crimes tied to a foreign government or terrorist group would carry a higher classification if the person acted to intimidate, silence, or punish someone for their political views.
A person doing specified enforcement work for a foreign government or terrorist group without prior federal or Wisconsin law enforcement approval would face a felony and minimum prison and fine penalties.
Argument forPeople targeted over their political views could have more ways to report intimidation, while officers could learn how to recognize and respond to it.
Argument againstPeople could face at least three years in prison and a $10,000 fine for carrying out specified enforcement work at a foreign government's direction without prior approval.
More detail
The Department of Justice would train officers, share information and prevention guidance, run a public awareness campaign, and provide an online reporting portal. The text defines transnational repression as actions taken for a foreign government or terrorist group outside its jurisdiction to impose control or punish people because of their political views. The department would report identified cases to legislative committees every year.
A court would raise the crime classification if the required foreign ties and intent are found. The increase depends on the original crime: most felonies and misdemeanors move up one classification, while a Class A misdemeanor becomes a Class I felony. The person must act as an agent of, or on behalf of, a foreign government or foreign terrorist organization, and intend to harass, intimidate, silence, punish, or impose its control, preferences, viewpoints, or laws on someone because of that person's political view. The rule covers crimes under chapters 939 to 948, as well as attempts, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit them. A jury or other fact finder must return a special verdict on the required elements.
A person would commit a Class E felony by intentionally carrying out specified enforcement work for a foreign government or terrorist group without prior approval. The rule applies to a person acting at the direction of a foreign government or foreign terrorist organization. The work includes preventing, detecting, investigating, monitoring, surveilling, or prosecuting an offense under a foreign law or rule, at the foreign government's or group's direction. Prior approval must come from the federal government or a Wisconsin law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. Upon conviction, the court must impose at least three years in prison and a fine of at least $10,000; other applicable penalties may also apply.
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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)
- Mar 20Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 3-20-2026Major
- Mar 18Presented to the Governor on 3-18-2026To Governor
- Feb 20Report correctly enrolled on 2-20-2026Minor
- Feb 18Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Vote recorded CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 18Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 19, Noes 14Passed Senate
- Feb 18Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Feb 18Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Feb 18Read a second timeMinor
- Feb 17Placed on calendar 2-18-2026 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
- Feb 17Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Feb 4Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 4Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2Minor
- Feb 4Executive action taken
- Jan 26Read first time and referred to committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal AffairsMinor
- Jan 22Received from AssemblyMinor
- Vote recorded SHALL THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR STAND. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded SHALL THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR STAND. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Ordered immediately messaged
- Jan 22Read a third time and passed, Ayes 53, Noes 44Passed Assembly
- Jan 22Rules suspended
- Jan 22Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jan 22Decision of the Chair upheld, Ayes 53, Noes 44
- Jan 22Decision of the Chair appealed
- Jan 22Point of order that Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 not germane under Assembly Rule 54 (3)(f) well taken
- Jan 22Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative SnodgrassMinor
- Jan 22Decision of the Chair upheld, Ayes 53, Noes 44
- Jan 22Decision of the Chair appealed
- Jan 22Point of order that Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 not germane under Assembly Rule 54 (3)(f) well taken
- Jan 22Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative UdellMinor
- Jan 22Read a second timeMinor
- Jan 21Fiscal estimate receivedMinor
- Jan 20Placed on calendar 1-22-2026 by Committee on Rules
- Jan 16Referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Report passage recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 10, Noes 5. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 16Report passage recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 10, Noes 5Minor
- Jan 14Executive action taken
- Jan 6Public hearing held
- 2025
- Dec 12Fiscal estimate receivedMinor
- Nov 19Read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice and Public SafetyMinor
- Nov 19Introduced by Representatives Moses, Dallman, Knodl, O'Connor, Penterman, Murphy, Kurtz, Melotik, Green, Behnke, Brill, Piwowarczyk and Callahan; cosponsored by Senators Testin, Tomczyk, Jacque, Nass and FeyenIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic SafetyNational Security