The new bill authored by State Sen. Rob Hutton in the Wisconsin Senate aims to expand the definition of student entrepreneurs to increase access to filing fee exemptions for business formation, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “the fee for filing limited liability company articles of organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. (FE)”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends the definition of a “student entrepreneur” to expand eligibility for an exception to the $130 filing fee for limited liability company (LLC) articles of organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. Currently, student entrepreneurs, defined as individuals at least 18 years old and enrolled in postsecondary institutions within the state, are exempt from this fee. The bill expands this definition to include students enrolled in public, private, or tribal high schools, as well as those in home-based educational programs in Wisconsin. The act will be applicable to articles of organization filed from the first day of the second month after the bill’s publication.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Benjamin Franklin (Republican-88th District), Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Chris Kapenga (Republican-33rd District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District). It was co-sponsored by Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), and Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), along 19 other co-sponsors.
Rob Hutton has authored or co-authored another 33 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Hutton graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1990 with a BA.
Hutton, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 5th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dale Kooyenga.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB267 | 05/20/2025 | The fee for filing limited liability company articles of organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. (FE) |
| SB243 | 05/09/2025 | The age at which an infant is covered under the safe haven law |
| SB177 | 04/03/2025 | Standard industrial classification codes for linen supply and industrial launderers and modifying the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit. (FE) |
| SB151 | 03/21/2025 | Requests for information from employers about unemployment insurance claims |
| SB117 | 03/07/2025 | Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants |
| SB116 | 03/07/2025 | Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants |
| SB115 | 03/07/2025 | Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE) |
| SB105 | 03/07/2025 | Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE) |
| SB98 | 03/07/2025 | Conversion of cooperative associations organized to establish and operate nonprofit plans or programs for health care into service insurance corporations |
| SB93 | 03/07/2025 | Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) |
| SB92 | 03/07/2025 | Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB76 | 02/26/2025 | Dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes |
| SB38 | 02/12/2025 | Personalized registration plate fees for gold star family special registration plates. (FE) |
