Dan Feyen, Wisconsin State Senator for 20th District | Official website
Dan Feyen, Wisconsin State Senator for 20th District | Official website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes criminal penalties for inciting or participating in a riot and creates a civil cause of action for damages resulting from such activities. It categorizes incitement to riot as a Class I felony and committing violence during a riot as a Class H felony. A "riot" is defined as a public disturbance involving violence or threats thereof by at least three people, posing a danger to property or individuals. The bill allows victims of such actions to seek civil damages from those responsible, as well as those providing material support. Furthermore, it prohibits government officials from restricting law enforcement agencies' authority to manage riots or vandalism and protects employees who report violations of these provisions. The bill includes provisions for potential punitive measures against violators and mandates the repair of damaged property.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Shae A. Sortwell (Republican-2nd District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), and Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), along 10 other co-sponsors.
Dan Feyen has authored or co-authored another 26 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Feyen graduated from Fox Valley Technical College in 1988.
Feyen, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2025 to represent the state's 20th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Duey Stroebel.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB94 | 03/07/2025 | Civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty |
| SB90 | 03/07/2025 | The sales and use tax exemption for electricity and natural gas sold for residential use. (FE) |
| SB69 | 02/26/2025 | An income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE) |
| SB66 | 02/21/2025 | Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty |
| SB62 | 02/21/2025 | Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE) |
| SB55 | 02/21/2025 | Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE) |
| SB40 | 02/12/2025 | Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule |
| SB29 | 02/12/2025 | Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time |
| SB28 | 02/12/2025 | An incumbent transmission facility owner’s right to construct, own, and maintain certain transmission facilities and Public Service Commission procedures if the transmission facility is a regionally cost-shared transmission line |
| SB26 | 02/05/2025 | Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE) |
Alerts Sign-up