2025-26 Wisconsin Senate Committee Info
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 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