(MADISON) Five proposals from State Rep. William Penterman are one step closer to becoming law after the Wisconsin Senate gave them the green light this week — a mix of measures focused on crime prevention, school safety, and regulatory relief.
Penterman, a Republican from Hustisford, said the bills are about solving everyday problems for Wisconsin families — from retail theft to school bus safety.
One of the bills, Assembly Bill 89, takes aim at organized retail theft. It would let prosecutors combine the value of stolen goods across multiple incidents when charging offenders, allowing penalties to better match the scale of the crime.
Another measure, Senate Bill 394, expands graffiti penalties to include damage to monuments, plaques, and other historic structures. Penterman said the goal is to “protect irreplaceable markers of our shared history for future generations”.
Two other bills focus on school safety. Senate Bill 392 would require driver’s education programs to include lessons on when motorists must stop for school buses, while Senate Bill 391 allows districts to add audio recording to school bus cameras — a move meant to help investigate safety incidents more thoroughly.
The fifth proposal, Assembly Bill 450, delays the rollout of a new commercial building code until April 2026. Supporters say the delay will help avoid confusion and extra costs caused by a date change from the state’s Department of Safety and Professional Services.
“These five bills address practical issues that Wisconsin communities face by tackling organized theft, protecting our landmarks, keeping students safe, and cutting red tape,” Penterman said in a statement.
