Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB385

Introduced
8/20/25  
Refer
8/20/25  
Report Pass
11/7/25  
Refer
11/7/25  
Engrossed
11/19/25  
Engrossed
11/19/25  
Refer
11/20/25  
Refer
11/20/25  
Enrolled
1/23/26  
Enrolled
1/23/26  
Vetoed
3/27/26  

Caption

Online credit card contributions and providing a penalty.

Impact

If enacted, AB385 would modify the current campaign finance laws, specifically targeting the manner in which online contributions are processed and reported. This would require candidates and political committees to keep more detailed records of online contributions, which could lead to better compliance with existing campaign finance laws. The bill intends to align state laws with the growing trend of online political fundraising, ensuring that all contributions, regardless of the platform used, are treated uniformly under the law.

Summary

AB385 focuses on regulating online credit card contributions to political campaigns by establishing clearer guidelines and penalties for violations. The bill aims to increase transparency in campaign financing by ensuring that contributions made through online platforms are properly reported and accounted for, thus enhancing the accountability of candidates and political organizations. The regulation is crucial as online contributions become more prevalent in political fundraising, and the existing laws may not adequately address the complexities involved with digital transactions.

Contention

While supporters of AB385 argue that the bill is necessary to modernize campaign finance regulations and to protect the integrity of the electoral process, critics raise concerns over the potential burden it places on smaller campaigns that may struggle to comply with the new requirements. Some opponents are worried about overly stringent regulations affecting grassroots fundraising efforts, particularly for candidates with limited resources. This tension between accountability and accessibility within campaign finance reform is likely to be a point of contention as the bill moves through the legislative process.

Companion Bills

WI SB403

Crossfiled Online credit card contributions and providing a penalty.

Previously Filed As

WI SB403

Online credit card contributions and providing a penalty.

WI HB567

Political contributions; require person making with a credit card online to provide verification code and U.S. billing address.

WI SB92

Campaign contributions; contributions made with credit card with billing address outside U.S. prohibited, exceptions provided

WI SB273

In primary and election expenses, further providing for contributions by agents, anonymous contributions and cash contributions; and imposing a penalty.

WI HB497

Providing for corporate political contributions; and imposing penalties.

WI SB584

Campaign finance; contribution limits, penalties.

WI HB1274

Crime of postal packages, keys and credit cards; authorize additional penalties.

WI HB542

In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary ofthe Commonwealth; in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions, for organization of political committees, treasurer and assistant treasurer and records of candidate and committees, for registration and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, providing for limitations on certain contributions, further providing for residual funds, for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations or unincorporated associations, for advertising and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth and providing for independent expenditures and for independent expenditure evaluation; and providing for corporate political accountability.

WI SB11

In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary ofthe Commonwealth; in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions, for organization of political committees, treasurer and assistant treasurer and records of candidate and committees, for registration and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, providing for limitations on certain contributions, further providing for residual funds, for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations or unincorporated associations, for advertising and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth and providing for independent expenditures and for independent expenditure evaluation; and providing for corporate political accountability.

WI HB3592

Relating to restrictions on political contributions by out-of-state contributors; providing a civil penalty.

Similar Bills

AZ SB1270

correctional officers; supplemental contributions

SC H4098

Employer and employee contribution rates under SCRS and PORS

SC S0297

Employer and employee contribution rates under SCRS and PORS

OH HB27

Designate Specialist Jacob A. Ashton Memorial Bridge

CA AB241

Wildfire and Vegetation Management Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund.

CA SB1073

Income taxes: voluntary contributions: Black Cultural District Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund.

AZ HB2623

Campaign finance; candidate committee transfers

OH HB310

Create the Ironton Fighting Tigers license plate