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AI Laws in Wisconsin
As of 2026-08-12, AI Laws USA tracks 26 AI rules in Wisconsin: 11 state-level rules and 15 county or city rules. Federal AI protections apply statewide on top of these — see the federal page. Each entry links to its official source.
Wisconsin state-level AI rules (11)
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Blocked / in litigation
Ostergaard v. Microsoft — data center noise class action (2026)
Wisconsin · Effective 2026-07-01 · Ostergaard v. Microsoft Corp., No. 2:26-cv-01169-JPS (E.D. Wis. filed July 1, 2026)
Three homeowners — Garret Ostergaard, David Wade and Joy Wade — filed a putative class action against Microsoft Corporation on 2026-07-01 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin over noise from Microsoft's 'Fairwater' AI data center on Braun Road in the Village of Mount Pleasant. The complaint alleges the facility, a multi-building campus of roughly 1.2 million square feet requiring hundreds of megawatts, emits unreasonable and excessive noise onto surrounding residential properties through its cooling systems and backup generators, causing loss of use and enjoyment and diminished property value. The pleaded counts are Count I private nuisance — substantial and unreasonable interference alleged to be intentional, knowing, reckless and/or negligent, recurring, ongoing and abatable with ordinary care — and Count II negligence, for negligently constructing, maintaining and operating the facility including inadequate soundproofing.
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Enacted (not yet in effect)
Wisconsin 452.136(1m) (real estate ads must disclose AI-altered property images)
Wisconsin · Effective 2027-01-01 · Wis. Stat. 452.136(1m); 2025 Wis. Act 69
Wisconsin will require licensed real estate professionals to disclose in their advertising whenever an ad has been altered or modified using technology, including AI, to add, remove, or change elements of a property in a way that creates a false or misleading impression. The rule targets AI-edited listing photos that could mislead buyers or renters. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
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In effect
We Energies Very Large Customer (VLC) Data Center Tariff Ord
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (We Energies) · Effective 2026-04-24 · We Energies Very Large Customer (VLC) Data Center Tariff Order
The Wisconsin PSC approved but overhauled We Energies' data center tariff, lowering the eligibility threshold from 500 MW to 100 MW, extending the minimum contract term to 15 years, and removing a capacity-only option so data centers pay their full share and existing customers are not subsidizing them.
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In effect
WI DOI AI Bulletin
WI · Effective 2025-03-18 · Wisconsin OCI AI Bulletin (2025-03-18) (2025-03-18)
The WI Department of Insurance adopted the NAIC Model Bulletin on Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems by Insurers. Insurers licensed in WI must maintain a written AI program with governance, risk-management, testing, third-party-AI oversight, and documentation controls. The bulletin operationalizes existing unfair-trade-practice and unfair-discrimination law as applied to insurers' AI use cases — underwriting, pricing, claims, fraud detection, and marketing.
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In effect
State of Wisconsin Acceptable Technology Use, Access, and Se
Wisconsin · Effective 2025-03-10 · State of Wisconsin Acceptable Technology Use, Access, and Security Policy (includes AI-use provisions)
The Wisconsin Department of Administration's enterprise technology policy governs acceptable use of state IT resources by executive-branch employees and incorporates guidance on the use of artificial intelligence.
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In effect
Empowering Lifelong Learning: AI Guidance for Enhancing K-12
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) · Effective 2024-07-29 · Empowering Lifelong Learning: AI Guidance for Enhancing K-12 and Library Education
Wisconsin's education department released 22-page guidance for K-12 classrooms and libraries covering core AI concepts, ethics/data policy, security, professional development, and curriculum integration.
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In effect
WI AI CSAM Law
Wisconsin · Effective 2024-03-28 · 2023 Wis. Act 224 (SB 314); Wis. Stat. § 948.12
Wisconsin criminalized AI-generated and virtual child sexual abuse material — even where no real child was involved. Possession, production, or distribution of AI imagery appearing to depict a minor in sexually explicit conduct is a Class D felony carrying up to 25 years.
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In effect
WI AI Election Disclosure Law
Wisconsin · Effective 2024-03-22 · 2023 Wis. Act 123; Wis. Stat. ch. 11
Wisconsin requires political communications paid for by campaigns, PACs, or parties to carry a clear 'Contains content generated by AI' disclosure if they include synthetic media. Violations carry up to $1,000 per offense via the Ethics Commission.
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In effect
WI EO 211
WI · Effective 2023-08-23 · Wis. Exec. Order No. 211 (Aug. 23, 2023)
Governor Evers's EO 211 created a workforce-focused AI Task Force that produced a 2024 advisory action plan on AI's labor-market impact, with recommendations for workforce development and reskilling.
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In effect
WI PDD Act 13 (2017)
Wisconsin · Effective 2017-07-01 · Wis. Stat. § 346.804; 2017 Wis. Act 13
Wisconsin authorized sidewalk delivery robots up to 80 lb at up to 10 mph, requires operators to carry $100,000 in liability insurance, and allows cities to set additional rules but not outright bans.
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In effect
WI drone-surveillance ban
Wisconsin · Effective 2014-04-10 · Wis. Stat. §§ 942.10, 175.55
Wisconsin made it a Class A misdemeanor to use a drone to observe or record any person in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, and requires police to obtain a warrant before using drones for surveillance.
County and city AI rules in Wisconsin (15)
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In effect
Monroe County WI data center + battery storage moratorium (2026)
Monroe County, WI · Effective 2026-07-21 · Monroe County, Wis. Board of Supervisors resolution (2026-07-21); packet designation 07-26-04
Acting under Wis. Stat. § 59.69(4), the Monroe County Board of Supervisors enacted a moratorium on the receipt of applications for, and the granting of, all zoning-related permits for the placement or construction of Battery Storage Facilities and Medium and Large Scale Data Centers and related land use. Medium Scale Data Centers are defined as up to 3,000 square feet with power demand of 10 MW or less, including colocation facilities and potentially bitcoin or cryptocurrency mining; Large Scale as over 3,000 square feet with more than 10 MW. Small Scale Data Centers — single-organization onsite facilities under 500 kW with no crypto mining — are defined separately and fall outside the operative scope. A Battery Storage Facility is any site housing a collection of interconnected batteries designed to accumulate electrical energy from various sources for later use, so the measure is materially broader than data centers alone.
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In effect
Ellsworth WI temporary data center ordinance (2026)
Ellsworth, WI · Effective 2026-07-21 · Village of Ellsworth, Wis. — Plan Commission action, July 21, 2026 (2-year temporary ordinance)
The village's Plan Commission unanimously approved a temporary, two-year ordinance blocking data center development, adopted July 21, 2026.
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In effect
Kaukauna WI Flock non-renewal (announced Jul. 8, 2026)
Kaukauna, WI · Effective 2026-07-08 · Kaukauna, WI Flock Safety contract non-renewal, announced July 8, 2026 (contract expired June 2026)
The city of Kaukauna, Wisconsin announced on July 8, 2026 that it will not renew its contract with Flock Safety; the contract had expired in June. The police chief gave five reasons: fiscal responsibility, the loss of regional partner agencies that had shared the network, the department's inability to audit the system, security concerns, and reported misuse of Flock systems in other jurisdictions. The decision removes Flock license plate reader surveillance from the city and is indexed as a protective decision.
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In effect
Madison Face Surveillance Ban
Madison, WI · Madison, Wis., Gen. Ordinances §§ 23.63–23.64
Madison bans city agencies, including police, from acquiring or using facial recognition technology, with narrow exceptions for identifying victims of human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and missing children. Works alongside the city's surveillance technology ordinance requiring annual compliance reports.
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In effect
Onalaska WI AI policy 7540.08 revision (2026)
School District of Onalaska, WI · Effective 2026-07-13 · School District of Onalaska Policy 7540.08 (revised 2026-07-13)
The Onalaska Board of Education approved a revision to Policy 7540.08 — Artificial Intelligence at its 2026-07-13 regular meeting; the signed minutes record 'Motion by T. Marshik, second by B. Haefs, to approve Policy 7540.08 - Artificial Intelligence. Motion carried.' The policy as currently published binds both students and staff, states that the district recognizes the potential benefits of AI, authorizes the Superintendent to support AI use aligned with district mission and goals, and requires all AI implementation to comply with state and federal law. Students who violate the policy face discipline up to suspension or expulsion, staff face discipline up to suspension or termination, and the administration will refer any illegal acts to law enforcement.
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In effect
Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year)
Superior, WI · Effective 2026-06-16 · Superior, WI City Council resolution (June 16, 2026), one-year data center moratorium
The Superior, Wisconsin City Council unanimously passed a one-year moratorium on data centers on June 16, 2026, even though no project had been proposed — councilmembers said they wanted zoning, utility-rate, and infrastructure rules in place before any 'blindside' application arrives. The pause was prompted partly by a nearly $2 billion Google data-center complex proposed across the border in Hermantown, Minnesota.
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In effect
Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium
Dane County, WI · Effective 2026-06-04 · Dane County, WI 18-month hyperscale data-center moratorium (June 4, 2026)
Dane County, Wisconsin (home to Madison) approved an 18-month moratorium on hyperscale data centers (defined as 5,000+ servers and 10,000+ sq ft) in the 26 unincorporated county towns subject to county zoning authority, while officials draft permanent regulations.
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In effect
Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium
Manitowoc County, WI · Effective 2026-04-29 · Manitowoc County, WI 18-month data-center moratorium (April 28, 2026)
The Manitowoc County, Wisconsin Board unanimously voted April 28, 2026 to impose an 18-month moratorium barring the county from accepting applications or issuing permits for data-center construction while permanent regulations are developed. The moratorium was prompted by developer interest from the towns of Two Creeks, Two Rivers, and Mishicot.
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In effect
Milwaukee Police Department self-imposed moratorium on facia
Milwaukee, WI · Effective 2026-02-06 · Milwaukee Police Department self-imposed moratorium on facial recognition technology
After sustained public opposition, the Milwaukee Police Department announced it would not use or acquire facial recognition technology pending a formal policy, a moratorium the Common Council can modify or reject.
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In effect
Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year)
Madison, WI · Effective 2026-02-01 · City of Madison, WI one-year data-center moratorium (Feb. 2026)
Madison, Wisconsin's Common Council approved a one-year moratorium on issuing zoning approvals for new data centers larger than 10,000 sq ft while city staff develop permanent land-use and zoning standards for data-center uses.
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In effect
Ordinance ORD-20-00056 prohibiting city-agency use of facial
Madison, WI · Effective 2020-12-01 · Ordinance ORD-20-00056 prohibiting city-agency use of facial recognition technology
Madison's Common Council voted 17-2 to bar city agencies from acquiring or using facial recognition technology or facial-surveillance-derived information, with narrow exceptions for human-trafficking and missing/exploited-children cases.
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In effect
Use of Surveillance Technology Ordinance (Ordinance 59300; M
Madison, WI · Effective 2020-01-01 · Use of Surveillance Technology Ordinance (Ordinance 59300; MGO 23.63)
Madison requires city agencies to notify the Mayor and Common Council and route surveillance-technology acquisitions through Council approval, plus annual public reporting on surveillance technology use.
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Proposed / pending
Milwaukee PD Facial Recognition Halt
Milwaukee, WI · Milwaukee Police Department facial-recognition use halt (Feb 2026); SOP under development
After public pushback, the Milwaukee Police Department halted its use of facial recognition technology in February 2026. A city oversight body had found that MPD was using the technology without any formal standard operating procedure, and a proposed deal with vendor Biometrica (trading 2.5 million booking photos for free access) drew strong community and council opposition. No binding facial-recognition policy has been adopted; MPD says an operating procedure is still being developed.
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Proposed / pending
Dodge County WI advisory data center resolution (29-2, mid-June 2026)
Dodge County, WI · Dodge County, WI Board of Supervisors advisory resolution (29-2), mid-June 2026, regarding a data center moratorium
The Dodge County, Wisconsin board voted 29-2 in mid-June 2026 for a resolution about a data center moratorium — but the vote was advisory only. No moratorium is actually in effect: the county administrator publicly corrected press reports that had described the vote as enacting one. The resolution signals board sentiment and could precede a binding measure.
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Proposed / pending
Wausau WI Data Center Zoning (proposed)
Wausau, WI · City of Wausau, Wis., proposed data center zoning text amendment (Plan Commission hearing June 16, 2026)
Wausau, Wisconsin's Plan Commission held its first public hearing June 16, 2026 on proactive zoning rules for data centers. The proposed amendment would define what counts as a data center and require any future applicant to disclose water use, wastewater, energy demand, and noise levels before the city would consider the project. There is no specific data center proposed in Wausau today — the city is preparing rules before one arrives.
Wisconsin city guides
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