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WI AB959: The legal status of artificial intelligence.

Dead/Failed Wisconsin · 2025–2026 session

Last verified Oct 10, 2026 · official bill text

AB959 · where it stands

This bill did not become law (dead/failed) · last action Mar 23, 2026.

What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Wisconsin's AB 959 (2025-26) would have created s. 134.44 providing that artificial intelligence is not a person under state law and cannot be a spouse, a corporate officer or director, or own property, and that AI is not a person against which liability may be imposed. Introduced January 29, 2026, it had a public hearing February 4, 2026 and failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on March 23, 2026.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

None: the bill died and never became law. It would have attributed assets associated with AI to its developer, manufacturer or owner and barred AI from being a corporate officer or director.

Key provisions

  1. Artificial intelligence would not be a person for any purpose under Wisconsin law and could not be granted legal personhood or considered to have consciousness or sentience
  2. AI could not be a spouse or domestic partner; any action contrary to that rule would be void
  3. AI could not be designated or serve as an officer, director, partner, manager or member of an entity
  4. AI could not own, control or hold title to property, including real estate, intellectual property, financial accounts and digital assets; those interests would be attributed to the developer, manufacturer or owner
  5. AI would not be a person against which liability may be imposed; s. 990.01 (26) would be amended to exclude AI from "person"
  6. Public hearing held February 4, 2026; failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 March 23, 2026

Latest legislative action

Mar 23, 2026. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

Sponsors (showing 5 of 31)

NameRole
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI Liability

Affected industries

Technology

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

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Same topic in other states

Oregon SB 1546 Relating to artificial intelligence companions. New Hampshire HB143 Criminalizing and creating a private right of action for the facilitation, encou Arkansas HB1562 To amend the law concerning autonomous vehicles Montana HB513 Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penal North Dakota HB1361 AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 8 of section 1-01-49 of the North Dakota Idaho H0720 PERSONHOOD – Adds to existing law to provide that environmental elements, artifi