Regulatory Reform

Wisconsin’s Red Tape Reset

Wisconsin is one of the most overregulated states in the country.

Cutting Red Tape to Unleash Wisconsin’s Potential

Everyday life, work, and innovation in Wisconsin are bogged down by an outdated and bloated regulatory code. With over 165,000 restrictions on the books, Wisconsin ranks the 13th most regulated state in the country. Excessive red tape drives up costs, stifles economic growth, and limits opportunity for families, businesses, and communities.

The Wisconsin Red Tape Reset will streamline regulations, eliminate unnecessary rules, unleashing economic growth and creating a better future for Wisconsin.

Tracking Wisconsin’s Regulatory Burden Over Time

The tracker below shows the number of regulatory restrictions issued by each major state agency from 2020 to 2024.

A regulatory restriction is identified by the presence of certain terms within a regulation, including “shall,” “must,” “may not,” “required,” and “prohibited,” which are commonly used to impose legal obligations or limits.

Green cells indicate areas where the number of regulations has decreased significantly. Blue cells indicate a significant increase in regulations from year to year. If you click on an agency, you can also examine the growth in regulatory restrictions by each chapter of the administrative code.

Data source is QuantGov.org.

Latest in Regulatory Reform

Wisconsin Dentists Could Lose Their Free Speech Rights—WILL Is Stepping In
By: Pat Garrett
A new Wisconsin rule would bar many dentists from telling patients, or even implying, that they specialize in certain fields. WILL filed a public comment with the Dentistry Examining Board, asking the Board to drop the rule or make significant changes to it.
WILL Backs HUD Plan to Let Public Housing Add Work Requirements
By: Pat Garrett
WILL filed a public comment in support of a new Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule that would let public housing agencies and landlords require able-bodied adults receiving housing assistance to work up to 40 hours per week and limit assistance to two years.
The Gig Is Up for the 2024 Independent Contractor Rule
By: Pat Garrett
WILL submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor in support of a reversing a Biden-era independent contractor rule which actively threatened the independence of workers and businesses by trapping them in an unpredictable regulatory guessing game.

Key Bills to Support

Sunset Review – LRB-0565 (Neylon/Nass)

Ensures every rule is reviewed at least every 7 years or it automatically expires. Prevents outdated, irrelevant rules from lingering for decades. Promotes efficiency and continuous improvement.

Regulatory Budgeting – LRB-0566 (Gustafson/Bradley)

New rules must be offset by eliminating costly outdated ones. Ensures net-zero cost growth in our regulatory code. Based on successful reforms in Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

One Rule Per Scope – LRB-0567 (Knodl/Hutton

Agencies may only promulgate one rule per scope statement. Stops agencies from quietly issuing multiple rules under a single vague notice. Protects transparency and encourages public input.

Fee Shifting for Rule Challenges – LRB-0568 (Tusler/Wimberger)

Ensures Wisconsinites who successfully challenge unlawful rules can recover legal fees. Encourages accountability. Levels the playing field against agency overreach.

Our Regulatory Reform Work

April 2025