MADISON, WI – In its first floor session after passing the 2025-2027 state budget in July, the State Assembly approved a number of proposals today, including a $10 million grant for a new mental health facility in the Chippewa Valley.
“The sudden closures of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls and Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire last year dealt a massive blow to mental healthcare options in northwestern Wisconsin,” State Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) explained. “Fortunately, Rogers Behavioral Health has announced plans for a new facility in Chippewa Falls, and the state budget set aside $10 million for the project. The bill my Assembly colleagues and I passed today – Assembly Bill 388 – directs the Department of Health Services to release that funding to Rogers.”
AB 388 will now go to the Senate for further consideration.
Other proposals the Assembly passed today with Representative Armstrong’s support include:
- Senate Bill 33, prohibiting the sharing of sexually explicit “deepfake” images with intent to coerce, harass, or intimidate the supposed subject.
- Assembly Bill 39, requiring state employees to work at least 80% of the time from their agency offices, with limited exceptions.
- Assembly Bill 58, generally prohibiting the state and local governments from flying flags other than the US and Wisconsin flags, with certain exceptions, such as the POW/MIA flag.
- Senate Bill 184, prohibiting the state and local governments from restricting the sale or use of vehicles and other products based on their energy source.
- Assembly Bill 308, prohibiting the use of state and local government funds for healthcare services to illegal immigrants, except when required by federal law.
The next scheduled floor period will be in October, and legislative committees will continue to meet in the meantime.
Last Update: Sep 12, 2025 11:16 am CDT
