Eric Wimberger, Wisconsin State Senator for 2nd District | Official Facebook
Eric Wimberger, Wisconsin State Senator for 2nd District | Official Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "performance grants based on improving employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) to issue performance grants to adult probation and parole offices to boost employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. The grant eligibility hinges on surpassing a calculated baseline employment rate averaged from the fiscal years 2021-24. Offices are awarded grants if employment rates increase, calculated by multiplying the positive difference from the baseline by individuals in the region, further multiplied by $2,500. Grants must fund bonuses for regional office employees. Additionally, the bill requires DOC to devise and publish annual outcome-based measures and fiscal reports detailing employment trends, crime rates, and correctional savings. DOC must ensure transparency by compiling public reports every July 1, starting 19 months post-enactment. In instances where funds are insufficient, the grants will be prorated. An effective date is not specified.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Benjamin Franklin (Republican-88th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Dean Kaufert (Republican-53rd District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District), and Representative Jeffrey Mursau (Republican-36th District), along one other co-sponsor.
Eric Wimberger has authored or co-authored another 40 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Wimberger graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2001 with a BS and again in 2005 from Marquette Law School with a JD.
Wimberger, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2025 to represent the state's 2nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Robert Cowles.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB302 | 06/02/2025 | Performance grants based on improving employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. (FE) |
| SB287 | 05/30/2025 | The employment eligibility verification program and granting rule-making authority. (FE) |
| SB280 | 05/23/2025 | Interest earned on coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds. (FE) |
| SB276 | 05/21/2025 | Challenges to the validity of administrative rules and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB273 | 05/21/2025 | Camera monitor systems as an alternative to mirrors for commercial motor vehicles |
| SB263 | 05/20/2025 | Findings of fact when the court grants less than equal physical placement of a child |
| SB254 | 05/09/2025 | Funding for the War Memorial Center and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB198 | 04/14/2025 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE) |
| SB189 | 04/14/2025 | An optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage |
| SB162 | 03/27/2025 | Bid requirement for publication and printing of county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements in counties having a population of 250,000 or more and at least two English newspapers published daily |
| SB161 | 03/27/2025 | A presumption that equalizing physical placement to the highest degree is in the child’s best interest |
| SB144 | 03/21/2025 | Eliminating a judgeship from district IV of the court of appeals and establishing an additional judgeship for district III of the court of appeals |
| SB128 | 03/14/2025 | Programs and requirements to address PFAS |
| SB127 | 03/14/2025 | Exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE) |
| SB84 | 02/26/2025 | Exempting certain conveyances between grandparents and grandchildren from the real estate transfer fee. (FE) |
| SB80 | 02/26/2025 | Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets |
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