Patrick Testin, Wisconsin State Senator for 24th District | Official Linkedin
Patrick Testin, Wisconsin State Senator for 24th District | Official Linkedin
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes a new licensure system for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Wisconsin, delineating specific requirements for obtaining such a license. APRN candidates must hold or apply for a registered nurse license, complete an accredited education program, maintain malpractice liability insurance, and meet additional criteria. The bill recognizes four APRN roles: certified nurse-midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse practitioner. It allows APRNs to practice collaboratively with physicians or independently after meeting certain experience requirements, except those with a nurse-midwife designation, who must file a care plan for delivering babies outside hospitals. Additionally, APRNs gain authority to issue prescription orders without needing separate certification, and former nurse-midwives or RNs with existing practice are seamlessly transitioned into the new system. The legislation also mandates continuing education in pharmacology. Effective for the 2025-26 legislature, the bill seeks to modernize and enhance the regulatory structure for nursing professionals in the state, potentially impacting healthcare delivery and scope of practice for these roles.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Tony Kurtz (Republican-41st District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), and Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Brienne Brown (Democrat-43rd District), along with 38 other co-sponsors.
Patrick Testin has authored or co-authored another 41 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with two of them being enacted.
Testin graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point in 2011 with a BS.
Testin, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2017 to represent the state's 24th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Howard Marklein.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB258 | 05/16/2025 | Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) |
| SB257 | 05/16/2025 | The electronic vaping device directory and electronic nicotine devices. (FE) |
| SB245 | 05/09/2025 | A pilot school-centered mental health program. (FE) |
| SB231 | 04/29/2025 | Creating a tax credit for expenses related to film production services and for capital investments made by a film production company, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB229 | 04/29/2025 | Transferring adjudicatory functions for worker’s compensation from the Division of Hearings and Appeals in the Department of Administration to the Department of Workforce Development. (FE) |
| SB204 | 04/16/2025 | Creating a video game production tax credit and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB190 | 04/14/2025 | Ratification of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. (FE) |
| SB173 | 04/03/2025 | Creating a rural creative economy development grant program. (FE) |
| SB164 | 03/27/2025 | Use of certified seed potatoes in planting potatoes and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB156 | 03/26/2025 | Requiring first responders to be trained to administer epinephrine delivery systems. (FE) |
| SB152 | 03/21/2025 | Financial eligibility for the Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program. (FE) |
| SB113 | 03/07/2025 | A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB96 | 03/07/2025 | Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE) |
| SB71 | 02/26/2025 | Ratification of the Dietitian Licensure Compact. (FE) |
| SB68 | 02/24/2025 | The prescription drug monitoring program. (FE) |
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