Milwaukee City Wire

A new bill authored by State Sen. Chris Larson in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to restrict how state agencies share personal data with the federal government, aiming to protect individual privacy, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill establishes a prohibition for Wisconsin state agencies and bodies, including the legislature and courts, from sharing personally identifiable information with the federal government unless the data is first masked or anonymized. Exceptions to this rule allow unmasked data to be shared when necessary for compliance with state or federal laws, or for the administration of state or federal programs. Legislators and courts may also share unmasked information for constituent relations and official duties. Violations of this prohibition may result in liability, allowing injured parties to seek actual damages, exemplary damages up to $1,000, and coverage of costs and reasonable attorney fees.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District), Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), and Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), along 37 other co-sponsors.

Chris Larson has authored or co-authored another 84 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.

Larson graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2007 with a BA.

Larson, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2011 to represent the state's 7th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jeffrey Plale.

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
SB369	07/09/2025	Prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE)
SB368	07/09/2025	Storage of a firearm in a residence if child is present and providing a penalty
SB360	06/27/2025	Limiting the release of certain balloons into the atmosphere, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty
SB355	06/27/2025	Establishing a civil cause of action for civil rights violations
SB354	06/27/2025	Pursuing liens on federal property if federal aid to the state is withheld under certain circumstances. (FE)
SB353	06/27/2025	Withholding state payments to the federal government if federal aid to the state is withheld under certain circumstances. (FE)
SB345	06/27/2025	Requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians at certain intersections and crosswalks
SB344	06/27/2025	A refundable income tax credit for bicycle purchases and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB343	06/27/2025	Requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
SB330	06/19/2025	Waiting period for purchase of handguns
SB329	06/19/2025	Extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB319	06/12/2025	Designating the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect
SB314	06/04/2025	The pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program
SB233	04/29/2025	Inducements to sign or refrain from signing nomination papers, recall petitions, and certain other petitions