2025-26 Wisconsin Senate Committee Info

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Cannabis Reform and the 2025-26 Legislative Committees: A Missed Opportunity for Progress?

As a political consultant deeply invested in advancing cannabis reform in Wisconsin, I’ve learned to watch the legislature’s committee assignments closely. These decisions set the stage for what issues will receive attention, what bills will move, and—most importantly—what priorities will be sidelined. With the Republican-controlled Senate releasing its 2025-26 committee assignments, one thing is clear: despite the hope for progress on cannabis reform, the deck remains stacked against meaningful change.

Senate Health Committee – High Hopes for a Good Medical Bill

The Senate Committee on Health offers a glimmer of hope for cannabis reform in the 2025-26 legislative session, should a medical cannabis bill make its way to their docket. While Senator Jesse James has previously expressed reservations about home grows and smoking products, his inclusion on this committee signals potential openness to discussions on carefully regulated reforms. More importantly, both Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara, the committee’s chair, and Vice-Chair Senator Patrick Testin have a track record of co-sponsoring more progressive cannabis-related legislation in past sessions. Their leadership could pave the way for a serious, good-faith examination of medical cannabis proposals. With Democratic members like Senators Smith and Drake providing additional pressure for reform, this committee could serve as a pivotal platform for advancing a balanced and compassionate approach to medical cannabis in Wisconsin.

Where would a recreational cannabis bill likely land?

The Senate Committee on Judiciary & Public Safety has historically been where recreational marijuana bills go to die, and the 2025-26 session promises no different. This committee remains a particularly hostile environment for the word “marijuana,” let alone a Democrat-led adult-use cannabis bill. Under the leadership of Senator Van Wanggaard, a staunch opponent of cannabis reform, the idea of a public hearing on such legislation is a nonstarter. Wanggaard’s refusal to engage with the issue reflects a deep resistance to acknowledging the shifting attitudes of Wisconsinites on cannabis legalization. However, with new legislative maps making his reelection bid in 2026 less secure, the pressure to evolve may soon mount.

Of the Republican members, Senator Eric Wimberger stands out as the only potential ally for cannabis advocates. Known for his pragmatic approach, Wimberger offers a sliver of hope for bipartisan cooperation. Still, the dominance of entrenched opposition within this committee ensures that any progress on recreational cannabis will be an uphill battle. Without significant public and political pressure, this committee is unlikely to entertain meaningful discussions, leaving the majority of Wisconsinites who support legalization waiting for the legislature to catch up to public opinion.

Decriminalization anyone?

Past attempts to advance decriminalization bills in the Republican-controlled Senate have faced a similar fate, languishing in committees led by staunch prohibitionists. Despite widespread public support for reducing penalties for minor cannabis possession, these bills have consistently been funneled into legislative black holes where progress is deliberately stifled. Committees chaired by outspoken opponents of reform have refused to give such bills a fair hearing, let alone a vote. This pattern highlights a systemic resistance within the GOP majority to even modest cannabis reforms, signaling a broader unwillingness to engage with the realities of changing public attitudes and the pressing need for updated policies. If “new” leadership continues to prioritize prohibitionist perspectives, Wisconsin will remain an outlier in cannabis policy, falling further behind its neighbors and the nation as a whole.

What about hemp?

If a hemp-related bill surfaces in the 2025-26 session, it would likely face a complicated path through the legislature, especially as “derived psychoactive cannabis products” (DPCPs) continue to dominate discussions among industry stakeholders and policymakers. With intoxicating hemp products and hemp-derived beverages now firmly on lobbying agendas, the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA) reports have only intensified the need for clear and thoughtful regulation. Recent recommendations from SCAODA highlight the urgent need for legislative clarity on DPCPs, which currently exist in a legal gray area. However, where such a bill would be assigned remains uncertain, or what the language of said bill would even be. Polar opposite views on cannabis exist in the Senate.

The Agriculture Committee could be one of the more favorable venues to handle legislation addressing derived psychoactive cannabis products (DPCPs) and intoxicating hemp. With its focus on industry and economic growth, and a history of bipartisan collaboration on agricultural matters, this committee is well-suited to advance a balanced, practical bill. If approached strategically and with input from both parties, it’s possible to pass legislation through Agriculture or even the Health Committee, which could address public health concerns related to DPCPs.

However, as with recreational and decriminalization bills, leadership has plenty of less favorable options for assignment. Committees chaired by prohibitionist members or those hostile to cannabis reform could easily become dead ends for hemp legislation. This strategic decision-making by leadership could undermine any attempt at meaningful progress, leaving the industry—and consumers—struggling with the continued lack of clarity and regulation for DPCPs and intoxicating hemp products in Wisconsin.

Cannabis reform has broad support among Wisconsinites, transcending partisan lines. Yet, with committees dominated by lawmakers who have historically opposed or ignored these reforms, the prospects for legislative progress in this session remain uncertain. The question we must ask is: Will this session’s committees be another roadblock, or can advocates find a way to push the issue to the forefront? The answer lies in how we navigate this challenging landscape.

2025-26 Senate Standing Committees:

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Revenue

Senator Patrick Testin, Chair

Senator Cory Tomczyk, Vice-chair

Senator Howard Marklein, Member

Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara, Member

Senator André Jacque, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Pfaff, Spreitzer and Keyeski

Senate Committee on Education

Senator John Jagler, Chair

Senator Romaine Quinn, Vice-chair

Senator Steve Nass, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Larson and Keyeski

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Sporting Heritage

Senator Rob Stafsholt, Chair

Senator John Jagler, Vice-chair

Senator Patrick Testin, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Alfheim and Habush Sinykin

Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor & Economic Development

Senator Dan Feyen, Chair

Senator Chris Kapenga, Vice-chair

Senator Julian Bradley, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Spreitzer and Wirch

Senate Committee on Health

Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara, Chair

Senator Patrick Testin, Vice-chair

Senator Jesse James, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Smith and Drake

Senate Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues & Forestry

Senator Romaine Quinn, Chair

Senator Rob Stafsholt, Vice-chair

Senator John Jagler, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Wall and Alfheim

Senate Committee on Judiciary & Public Safety

Senator Van Wanggaard, Chair

Senator Jesse James, Vice-chair

Senator Eric Wimberger, Member

Senator André Jacque, Member

Senator Rob Hutton, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Drake, L. Johnson and Roys

Senate Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State & Federal Affairs

Senator Chris Kapenga, Chair

Senator André Jacque, Vice-chair

Senator Steve Nass, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Carpenter and Larson

Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children & Families

Senator Jesse James, Chair

Senator Van Wanggaard, Vice-chair

Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Keyeski and L. Johnson

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Veteran & Military Affairs

Senator André Jacque, Chair

Senator Steve Nass, Vice-chair

Senator Cory Tomczyk, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Habush Sinykin and Wirch

Senate Committee on Organization

Senator Devin LeMahieu, Chair

Senator Mary Felzkowski, Vice-chair

Senator Dan Feyen, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Hesselbein and Smith

Senate Committee on Transportation & Local Government

Senator Cory Tomczyk, Chair

Senator Rob Hutton, Vice-chair

Senator Van Wanggaard, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Carpenter and Spreitzer

Senate Committee on Universities & Technical Colleges

Senator Rob Hutton, Chair

Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara, Vice-chair

Senator Dan Feyen, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Larson and Pfaff

Senate Committee on Utilities & Tourism

Senator Julian Bradley, Chair

Senator Dan Feyen, Vice-chair

Senator Jesse James, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Ratcliff and Smith

2025 26 commitee
2025-26 Wisconsin Senate Committee Assignments

2025-26 Joint Committees

Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Senator Eric Wimberger, Co-Chair

Senator Howard Marklein, Member

Senator Chris Kapenga, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Wirch and Ratcliff

Joint Legislative Council

Senator Mary Felzkowski, Co-Chair

Senator Devin LeMahieu, Member

Senator Howard Marklein, Member

Senator Dan Feyen, Member

Senator John Jagler, Member

Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara, Member

Senator Romaine Quinn, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Hesselbein, Smith, L. Johnson and Wall

Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules

Senator Steve Nass, Co-Chair

Senator Julian Bradley, Member

Senator Cory Tomczyk, Member

Democratic Senator Members: Roys and Ratcliff

Joint Committee on Employment Relations

Senator Mary Felzkowski, Co-Chair

Senator Devin LeMahieu, Member

Senator Howard Marklein, Member

Democratic Senate Member: Hesselbein

Joint Committee on Finance

Senator Howard Marklein, Co-Chair

Senator Patrick Testin, Vice Co-Chair

Senator Eric Wimberger, Member

Senator Julian Bradley, Member

Senator Romaine Quinn, Member

Senator Rob Stafsholt, Member

Democratic Senate Members: L. Johnson and Roys

Joint Committee on Information Policy & Technology

Senator Julian Bradley, Co-Chair

Senator Patrick Testin, Member

Senator Romaine Quinn, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Ratcliff and Wall

Joint Committee on Legislative Organization

Senator Mary Felzkowski, Co-Chair

Senator Devin LeMahieu, Member

Senator Dan Feyen, Member

Democratic Senate Members: Hesselbein and Smith

Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties

Senator Rob Hutton, Co-Chair

Democratic Senate Members: Drake

Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems

Senator Dan Feyen, Co-Chair

Senator Van Wanggaard, Member

Democratic Senate Member: Ratliff

Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions

Senator Patrick Testin, Co-Chair

Democratic Senate Member: Pfaff

Building Commission

Senator André Jacque, Co-Chair

Senator, Mary Felzkowski, Member

Democratic Senate Member: Pfaff

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