Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Wisconsin
Votes with Republicans
96%
on 195 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 99%
Cast a vote
99%
Yea or Nay on 270 of 271 roll calls · Senate median 100%
Their bills that became law
4 of 45
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 18
Roll calls on record
271
2025-2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 6, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2025-2026 Regular Session.
How Chris Kapenga votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Chris Kapenga sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Chris Kapenga is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
7 of 195 party-line votes.
AB1034 · Name, image, and likeness rights for University of Wisconsin System student athletes; maintenance costs for University of Wisconsin–Madison intercollegiate athletic facilities; and making an appropriation. (FE)
In plain English Allows University of Wisconsin student athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, and funds athletic facility maintenance.
Senate: Read a third time and concurred in · 2026-03-17 · Passed 17–16 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB176 · An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE)
In plain English Exempts broadband expansion grants and federal high-cost program funding for broadband from state income and franchise taxes.
Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in · 2026-03-17 · Passed 20–13 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB176 · An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE)
In plain English Exempts broadband expansion grants and federal high-cost program funding for broadband from state income and franchise taxes.
Senate: Read a third time and passed · 2026-02-11 · Passed 20–13 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB45 · State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE)
Senate: Read a third time and passed · 2025-07-02 · Passed 19–14 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB45 · State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE)
Senate: Move to call the question · 2025-07-02 · Passed 22–11 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB45 · State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE)
Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted · 2025-07-02 · Passed 19–14 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB106 · Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.
Senate: Read a third time and passed · 2025-06-18 · Passed 18–14 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
AB248 · Vacancies in appointive state offices.
Senate: Read a third time and concurred in · 2026-03-17 · Passed 17–16
AB1034 · Name, image, and likeness rights for University of Wisconsin System student athletes; maintenance costs for University of Wisconsin–Madison intercollegiate athletic facilities; and making an appropriation. (FE)
In plain English Allows University of Wisconsin student athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, and funds athletic facility maintenance.
Senate: Read a third time and concurred in · 2026-03-17 · Passed 17–16
SB384 · Requirements for children born alive following abortion or attempted abortion and providing a penalty.
Senate: Read a third time and passed · 2026-02-11 · Passed 17–16
SB498 · Free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, due process in disciplinary proceedings at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, and causes of action against the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards. (FE)
In plain English Requires University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges to protect free speech and academic freedom, provide due process in disciplinary proceedings, and allows legal action against their governing boards.
Senate: Read a third time and passed · 2025-11-18 · Passed 17–16
AB39 · Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer.
In plain English Requires state employees to perform their work at their employer's offices.
Senate: Read a third time and concurred in · 2025-10-14 · Passed 17–16
Democrats they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Brad PfaffDemocrat · District 32 · 206 shared contested votes
13%
Sarah KeyeskiDemocrat · District 14 · 207 shared contested votes
12%
Jamie WallDemocrat · District 30 · 207 shared contested votes
11%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (1 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Wisconsin Delegation
YeaYeaNayYeaNayNVYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Chris Kapenga was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced45
Out of committee29
Passed one chamber16
Passed both chambers12
Became law4
Never left committee0
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 18 bills that became law this session.
Free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, due process in disciplinary proceedings at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, and causes of action against the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards. (FE)
In plain English Requires University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges to protect free speech and academic freedom, provide due process in disciplinary proceedings, and allows legal action against their governing boards.
Official synopsis: An Act to create 36.41, 36.42, 38.44 and 38.45 of the statutes; Relating to: free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, due process in disciplinary proceedings at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, and causes of…
VetoedFailed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82 · 2026-05-13
A civil cause of action for a minor injured by a gender transition procedure.
In plain English Allows minors injured by gender transition procedures to sue for damages.
Official synopsis: An Act to create 895.039 of the statutes; Relating to: a civil cause of action for a minor injured by a gender transition procedure.
VetoedFailed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82 · 2026-05-13
The per pupil adjustment for school district revenue limits. (FE)
An Act to amend 121.905 (3) (c) 6., 121.905 (3) (c) 9., 121.91 (2m) (j) (intro.) and 121.91 (2m) (t) 1. (intro.) of the statutes; Relating to: the per pupil adjustment for school district revenue limits. (FE)
VetoedFailed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82 · 2026-05-13
The minimum net worth requirement for licensed mortgage brokers.
An Act to amend 224.72 (4) (b) of the statutes; Relating to: the minimum net worth requirement for licensed mortgage brokers.
VetoedFailed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82 · 2026-05-13
Requirements for proposed administrative rules that impose any costs.
In plain English Requires state agencies to meet additional requirements when proposing administrative rules that impose costs.
Official synopsis: An Act to consolidate, renumber and amend 227.137 (3) (b) (intro.) and 1.; to amend 227.137 (3) (c), 227.137 (4m) (b) 2. a., 227.137 (4m) (b) 2. b., 227.137 (4m) (c) 1., 227.139 (1), 227.139 (2) (b), 227.19 (5) (b) 3. a. and 227.19 (5)…
VetoedFailed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82 · 2026-05-13
Statements of scope for administrative rules. (FE)
An Act to renumber and amend 227.135 (5); to amend 227.14 (6) (c) 1. a.; to create 227.135 (1) (g), 227.135 (5) (b) and 227.135 (7) of the statutes; Relating to: statements of scope for administrative rules. (FE)
VetoedFailed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82 · 2026-05-13
The expiration of administrative rules. (FE)
An Act to renumber 227.15 (3); to amend 227.114 (2) (intro.), 227.14 (6) (c) 1. (intro.), 227.15 (7) and 990.01 (30m); to create 35.93 (2) (b) 3. gn., 35.93 (2) (b) 3. gp., 35.93 (2) (b) 3. gq., 35.93 (2) (c) 2m., 35.93 (3) (g),…
VetoedFailed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82 · 2026-05-13
Agreements for direct primary care.
In plain English Allows doctors and patients to enter into direct primary care agreements where patients pay a set fee for primary care services.
Official synopsis: An Act to create 146.78 and 600.01 (1) (b) 13. of the statutes; Relating to: agreements for direct primary care.
VetoedFailed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82 · 2026-05-13
The fee for filing limited liability company articles of organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. (FE)
An Act to amend 183.0122 (2) (d) 1. a. of the statutes; Relating to: the fee for filing limited liability company articles of organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. (FE)
Became lawPublished 4-9-2026 · 2026-04-09
Prohibiting the governor from using the partial veto to create or increase any tax or fee (second consideration).
To amend section 10 (1) (c) of article V of the constitution; Relating to: prohibiting the governor from using the partial veto to create or increase any tax or fee (second consideration).
Became lawDeposited in the office of the Secretary of State on 3-30-2026 · 2026-03-30
Creating the penalty of death or life imprisonment for persons who are convicted of certain child sex offenses, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and providing a penalty. (FE)
An Act to amend 301.048 (2) (am) 2., 302.11 (1), 302.114 (1), 303.065 (1) (b) 2., 304.02 (5), 304.06 (1) (b), 304.071 (2), 939.50 (3) (a), 939.60, 939.619 (2), 939.62 (2m) (c), 939.63 (1) (b), 971.17 (1) (c), 972.03, 973.01 (3), 973.0135 (3), 973.032 (2)…
FailedFailed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 · 2026-03-23
Prohibited employment for former members of the Public Service Commission.
An Act to create 19.45 (8m) of the statutes; Relating to: prohibited employment for former members of the Public Service Commission.
FailedFailed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 · 2026-03-23
Requiring information relating to the food stamp program to be compiled and provided to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (FE)
An Act Relating to: requiring information relating to the food stamp program to be compiled and provided to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (FE)
FailedFailed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 · 2026-03-23
Onetime individual income tax rebates. (FE)
An Act Relating to: onetime individual income tax rebates. (FE)
FailedFailed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 · 2026-03-23
Funding for individual income tax rebates and making an appropriation. (FE)
An Act to create 20.835 (2) (cd) of the statutes; Relating to: funding for individual income tax rebates and making an appropriation. (FE)
FailedFailed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 · 2026-03-23
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
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SB485 · 2026-03-17
Video monitoring or recording in residential care centers for children and youth, group homes, and shelter care facilities. (Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate)
SB485 · 2026-03-17
Video monitoring or recording in residential care centers for children and youth, group homes, and shelter care facilities. (Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in)
AB373 · 2026-03-17
Creating a refundable individual income tax credit for the parent of a stillbirth and making an appropriation. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
SB622 · 2026-03-17
Fees related to animal markets, animal dealers, animal truckers, and animal transport vehicles. (FE) (Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 7 concurred in)
AB375 · 2026-03-17
Modifications to the historic rehabilitation tax credit. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB619 · 2026-03-17
A tax credit for aviation biofuel manufacturing, authorizing the state to contract public debt for an aviation biofuel project grant, and making an appropriation. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB461 · 2026-03-17
An income tax subtraction for certain overtime compensation. (FE) (Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate)
AB461 · 2026-03-17
An income tax subtraction for certain overtime compensation. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB24 · 2026-03-17
County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE) (Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected)
AB241 · 2026-03-17
Required ratio of journeyworkers to apprentices in apprenticeship programs and contracts. (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB670 · 2026-03-17
Exempting persons engaged in certain contract research services from the sales and use tax. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB598 · 2026-03-17
Consent to admissions to certain health care facilities by patient representatives without requiring a petition for guardianship or protective placement. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
SB798 · 2026-03-17
A wetland assured delineation program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) (Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 concurred in)
AB460 · 2026-03-17
Pupil eligibility for parental choice programs based upon participation by a sibling or a dependent child of the pupil's parent or guardian. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB387 · 2026-03-17
Correction bill for 2025 Wisconsin Act 15 and making an appropriation. (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
SB376 · 2026-03-17
A tax credit for employer-provided child care. (FE) (Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in)
AB454 · 2026-03-17
A workforce home loan program. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB601 · 2026-03-17
Excluding certain event or sports wagers from the definition of “bet”. (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB595 · 2026-03-17
Compliance with the federal Help America Vote Act, voter registration data sharing agreements, removing ineligible voters from the official voter registration list, and fees for obtaining the official voter registration list. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB968 · 2026-03-17
Virtual currency kiosks. (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB659 · 2026-03-17
Tuition and fee remission or grants for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college, or a private nonprofit institution of higher education; and the University of Wisconsin System nonresident tuition exemption for certain veterans. (FE) (Senate: Senate Amendment 1 rejected)
AB1027 · 2026-03-17
Requiring information relating to the food stamp program to be compiled and provided to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (FE) (Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate)
AB130 · 2026-03-17
Exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
SB179 · 2026-03-17
Applying the motor vehicle fuel tax supplier’s administrative allowance to diesel fuel, a motor vehicle fuel tax refund for evaporation losses, and making an appropriation. (FE) (Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 nonconcurred in)
AB700 · 2026-03-17
An appropriation for refundable long-term care insurance assessment credits and making an appropriation. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB676 · 2026-03-17
Creating a tax credit for insurers for certain investments in community development entities. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB913 · 2026-03-17
Subtraction for certain income of members of the National Guard and Reserves. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB182 · 2026-03-17
Changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE) (Senate: Senate Amendment 1 rejected)
AB182 · 2026-03-17
Changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB650 · 2026-03-17
Funding for identity verification under the unemployment insurance law and making an appropriation. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB759 · 2026-03-17
Eligibility to receive occupational credentials for recipients of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
SJR116 · 2026-03-17
Prohibiting the governor from using the partial veto to create or increase any tax or fee (second consideration). (Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 concurred in)
SB480 · 2026-03-17
Residential tax incremental districts. (FE) (Senate: Assembly Amendment 1 concurred in)
SR7 · 2026-03-17
Convening additional senate floor periods to address affordability for Wisconsin. (Senate: Refused to suspend rules to withdraw from committee on Senate Organization)
AB911 · 2026-03-17
Funding for a battery collection and recycling program and making an appropriation. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
SB248 · 2026-03-17
License eligibility and restriction extensions relating to ignition interlock devices. (Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in)
SB176 · 2026-03-17
An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE) (Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in)
SB799 · 2026-03-17
Parental access to health records of minors. (Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate)
SJR142 · 2026-03-17
Recognizing the life and extraordinary leadership of Bob Harlan. (Senate: Adopted)
SB225 · 2026-03-17
Regulation of amusement rides located at campgrounds. (FE) (Senate: Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in)
AB757 · 2026-03-17
The appointment of certain employees of the University of Wisconsin System and faculty governance. (Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected)
AB248 · 2026-03-17
Vacancies in appointive state offices. (Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate)
AB248 · 2026-03-17
Vacancies in appointive state offices. (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB180 · 2026-03-17
Requiring the Department of Health Services to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. (FE) (Senate: Senate Substitute Amendment 2 rejected)
AB180 · 2026-03-17
Requiring the Department of Health Services to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB685 · 2026-03-17
Individual income tax subtraction for certain theft losses. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB604 · 2026-03-17
Coverage under the Medical Assistance program for incarcerated individuals. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB657 · 2026-03-17
A sales and use tax exemption for nuclear fusion technology projects. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB1034 · 2026-03-17
Name, image, and likeness rights for University of Wisconsin System student athletes; maintenance costs for University of Wisconsin–Madison intercollegiate athletic facilities; and making an appropriation. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB884 · 2026-03-17
Who may purchase certain contractual services and technical changes to tax provisions related to qualified retirement plans and the film production services credit. (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB957 · 2026-03-17
Internet crimes against children law enforcement and making an appropriation. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and concurred in)
AB1032 · 2026-03-17
The sale of property under Department of Natural Resources jurisdiction to prevent the spread of avian flu. (Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate)
AB549 · 2026-02-18
Manufactured home sales and certificates of title and modifying administrative rules of the Department of Safety and Professional Services related to manufactured home purchase contracts. (FE) (Senate: Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate)
SB522 · 2026-02-18
The appointment of a guardian ad litem in a proceeding to grant reasonable visitation rights to a nonparent. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and passed)
SB287 · 2026-02-18
The employment eligibility verification program and granting rule-making authority. (FE) (Senate: Read a third time and passed)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 271 total roll-call votes this session).
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