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Thursday, September 11, 2025

Sen. Tomczyk introduces bill in Wisconsin Senate to amend fair aid requirements

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Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com

Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com

A new bill authored by State Sen. Cory Tomczyk in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to amend statutes governing state aid for fair organizations by removing specific content requirements while maintaining reporting obligations, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "a requirement for fair organizations that seek state aid".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the statutes to remove the requirement for fair organizations seeking state aid to include a statement that gambling devices, the sale of intoxicating liquors, and exhibitions of immoral character were prohibited and excluded from the fairgrounds. Under current law, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection provides state aid up to $20,000 per fair to cover the cost of prizes paid out to exhibitors. The fair's governing body must file an itemized statement, verified under oath, showing the net premiums paid and adhere to uniform premium lists and guidelines. However, with the passage of this bill, including a statement about prohibitions on gambling and alcohol at the fair is no longer required. The other reporting requirements remain unchanged, and fair organizations must still submit financial and attendance reports to receive state aid.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Rob Kreibich (Republican-28th District), Senator Howard L. Marklein (Republican-17th District), Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District), Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), and Representative Cindi Duchow (Republican-97th District), along 11 other co-sponsors.

Cory Tomczyk has authored or co-authored another 108 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.

Tomczyk, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 29th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jerry Petrowski.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Cory Tomczyk in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB32806/19/2025A requirement for fair organizations that seek state aid
SB31006/04/2025Time limits on local unit of government chief executive officer emergency power proclamations
SB22204/25/2025Extortion, sexual extortion, and providing a penalty
SB21604/16/2025Local government competitive bidding thresholds. (FE)
SB21104/16/2025Exempting tobacco bars from the public smoking ban
SB21004/16/2025Changes to amount of, and criteria for designating recipients of, academic excellence higher education scholarships. (FE)
SB20504/16/2025Information provided to voters concerning proposed constitutional amendments and other statewide referenda. (FE)
SB19604/14/2025Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)
SB18604/14/2025Training completion awards for volunteer firefighters. (FE)
SB18404/14/2025Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device
SB16704/03/2025Possession of a firearm on school grounds by school employees and fees for licenses to carry a concealed weapon. (FE)
SB15703/27/2025Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age
SB15503/21/2025Requiring periodic inspections of parking structures
SB14003/21/2025Provisional social worker certificates and licenses
SB13603/14/2025School bus back-up lamps
SB13403/14/2025Alternative open enrollment application procedures for residency change based on military orders
SB12603/14/2025The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126
SB12003/07/2025School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns
SB11403/07/2025Sales and use tax exemption for diapers and feminine hygiene products. (FE)
SB10503/07/2025Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE)
SB9703/07/2025Parental notification of alleged sexual misconduct by a school staff member. (FE)
SB8202/26/2025Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device
SB7902/26/2025A disclaimer of parental rights and payments allowed in connection with an adoption
SB6502/21/2025Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE)
SB5902/21/2025Tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college. (FE)
SB5602/21/2025The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE)
SB5302/21/2025Requiring the display of the national motto in public schools and on public buildings. (FE)
SB4002/12/2025Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule
SB3302/12/2025Representations depicting nudity and providing a penalty
SB3202/12/2025Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE)
SB2702/07/2025Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. (FE)
SB2202/05/2025Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents
SB1702/05/2025Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty
SB1602/05/2025Participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations
SB901/24/2025Special registration plates with white lettering on a black background. (FE)
SB801/24/2025Repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty
SB301/24/2025Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval
SB201/24/2025Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War

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