The new bill authored by State Rep. Jeffrey Mursau seeks to establish a grant program rewarding probation offices that improve employment rates among supervised individuals, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
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 establishes a performance grant program requiring the Department of Corrections (DOC) to award grants to adult probation and parole offices based on the improvement of employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. By averaging the annual employment rates from fiscal years 2021-22 to 2023-24, DOC creates a baseline employment rate for these individuals in each region. At the end of each fiscal year, DOC calculates the current employment rate, and if there is a positive difference from the baseline, the office receives a grant equal to this difference multiplied by the number of individuals served and $2,500. The funds must be used to provide employee bonuses. Additionally, DOC is tasked with developing outcome-based measures, assessing program effectiveness, and preparing annual reports for the legislature, which must include any relevant recommendations. These measures will track employment rates and other factors such as crime rates and program changes to ensure the transparency and efficacy of the grant program.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Eric Wimberger (Republican-2nd District), Representative Dean Kaufert (Republican-53rd District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District), Representative Jerry L. O’Connor (Republican-60th District), and Representative William Penterman (Republican-38th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District).
Jeffrey Mursau has co-authored or authored another 153 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Mursau, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2005 to represent the state’s 36th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Lorraine Seratti.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB297 | 05/30/2025 | Performance grants based on improving employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. (FE) |
| AB221 | 04/23/2025 | All-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles with out-of-state registrations |
| AB151 | 04/02/2025 | A presumption that equalizing physical placement to the highest degree is in the child’s best interest |
| AB131 | 03/13/2025 | Programs and requirements to address PFAS |
| AB130 | 03/13/2025 | Exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE) |
| AB129 | 03/13/2025 | Providing safe drinking water in public and private schools. (FE) |
| AB93 | 02/28/2025 | The distribution and labeling of fertilizers and soil or plant additives produced from manure. (FE) |
| AB49 | 02/17/2025 | A minor’s authority to consent to health care |
