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Everyday life, work, and innovation in Wisconsin are bogged down by an outdated and bloated regulatory code.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

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 Prevents outdated, irrelevant rules from lingering for decades.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New rules must be offset by eliminating costly outdated ones.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

The Citizen’s Guide to the Wisconsin Administrative State

The Citizen’s Guide to the Wisconsin Administrative State

The separation of powers is fundamental to American government. We all learn that the U.S Constitution divides ...
WILL Applauds Committee Action to Suspend Burdensome Red Tape on Rentals with Pools

WILL Applauds Committee Action to Suspend Burdensome Red Tape on Rentals with Pools

WILL testified in favor of the JCRAR action to suspend the burdensome regulations until the next legislative session after consulting with numerous homeowners who are caught in this regulatory catch-22.
Six Reforms to Improve Wisconsin’s Regulatory Climate

Six Reforms to Improve Wisconsin’s Regulatory Climate

A recent WILL study found that the Wisconsin Administrative Code contains more than 161,000 restrictions, making Wisconsin the most regulated state on a per-capita basis in the Great Lakes region. WILL Policy Director, Kyle Koenen, and WILL Deputy Counsel, Lucas Vebber, provide six specific reforms that policymakers can adopt to address Wisconsin’s burdensome regulatory climate.
STUDY: Wisconsin Has More Per Capita Regulations Than Neighboring States

STUDY: Wisconsin Has More Per Capita Regulations Than Neighboring States

New study finds Wisconsin has 161,000 restrictions in regulatory code. The News: A new study from the Wisconsin ...
Green New Deal would cost Wisconsin families over $40,000 per year, cripple agriculture industry

Green New Deal would cost Wisconsin families over $40,000 per year, cripple agriculture industry

WILL partners with national policy organizations to estimate impact of Green New Deal to Wisconsin The News: According to a new study, the Green New Deal would hit the average family in Wisconsin
WILL Press Release | WILL Launches New Project on Federalism

WILL Press Release | WILL Launches New Project on Federalism

Regulations have turned Sheboygan into a “No Growth” Zone July 12, 2017 – Milwaukee, WI – Today, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty’s Center for Competitive Federalism
No results found.