Republicans Unveil Red Tape Reset Legislative Package

Republicans Unveil Red Tape Reset Legislative Package

A Roadmap to Unlocking Billions in Growth, Innovation and Opportunity

Madison – Today a group of Republican lawmakers, including members of the State Assembly and State Senate, introduced Wisconsin’s Red Tape Reset -- a package of bills to cut red tape, strengthen oversight of agency regulations and ensure a more accountable regulatory . Currently, Wisconsin is the 13th most regulated state in the country, and the 2nd most regulated in the Midwest, with more than 160,000 regulatory restrictions in the administrative code.

LRB-0565: Regulatory Sunsetting by Representative Neylon & Senator Nass
This legislation creates a seven-year sunset for each chapter of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, unless it is reviewed and readopted by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR). JCRAR will be empowered to set a review schedule and take public input during the process, ensuring that no regulation lives on indefinitely without scrutiny. Creating more opportunities for legislative oversight and public engagement is a powerful way to fight overregulation and modernize Wisconsin’s regulatory environment.

Statement from Rep. Neylon:
"Before overregulation got hold of Wisconsin, our state used to be a strong and growing economy. Today, Wisconsin is the 13th most regulated state in the country. Wisconsin’s economic prospects are being stifled because of too many regulations. Administrative rules make it more expensive to run a business, stop new ideas from growing, and make it harder to create good jobs and higher wages. Our state needs a regulation Renaissance."

LRB-0566: Regulatory Budgeting by Representative Gustafson & Senator Bradley
This legislation creates a net-zero regulatory budgeting framework for new administrative code regulations. Under this system, any new regulation with an economic impact must be offset by the repeal or revision of existing regulations of equal or greater impact. This ensures that Wisconsin’s regulatory burden cannot grow unchecked and incentivizes agencies to prioritize clarity and efficiency when proposing new rules.

Statement from Sen. Bradley:
“We want to grow the size of Wisconsin’s economy – not its rulebook. This bill aims to reduce red tape, increase efficiency, and create a better environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.”

LRB-0567: One Rule Per Scope Statement by Representative Knodl and Senator Hutton
This bill closes a loophole that allowed agencies to use a single scope statement to create multiple regulations over time. It ensures that every emergency or permanent rule must have its own unique scope statement, improving transparency, enhancing public notice, and limiting regulatory overreach.

Statement from Rep. Knodl:
“While reform-minded states like Idaho and Ohio are slashing red tape, Wisconsin’s regulatory code has continued to grow. This bill is about good governance. It strengthens oversight and ensures our administrative process reflects the voice of the people—not just unelected regulators.”

Statement from Sen. Hutton:
“We’re restoring integrity to the rulemaking process. One rule per scope statement is a simple, common-sense reform that ensures transparency, encourages public participation, and prevents bureaucrats from stretching vague language into sweeping regulation.”

LRB-0568: Challenging the Validity of Administrative Rules by Representative Tusler and Senator Wimberger
This bill strengthens accountability by requiring courts to award attorney fees and costs to plaintiffs who successfully challenge unlawful administrative rules. By reducing the financial burden of litigation, the bill empowers more individuals and businesses to hold agencies accountable.