Legislation aimed at strengthening Wisconsin’s response to retail theft, along with several other measures authored by Senator André Jacque, is headed to the governor’s desk after passing the State Assembly on a voice vote Tuesday.

Assembly Bill 89, authored by Jacque, who represents Wisconsin’s First Senate District, gives law enforcement and prosecutors additional tools to address repeat retail theft, a growing concern for small businesses across the state. The bill allows prosecutors to combine the value of stolen items across multiple incidents and locations, enabling stronger criminal charges for repeat offenders. Under current law, retail theft involving less than $500 is typically charged as a misdemeanor, even when thefts occur repeatedly at different locations.

“We’ve received very strong support from small businesses across the state for this bill,” Jacque said. “We are very excited about the Assembly’s action on the floor this week.”

Several other bills authored by Jacque also advanced through the Assembly. Senate Bill 259 requires county human and social service agencies to immediately notify the Department of Defense when allegations of domestic abuse or neglect involve military family members.

Also passing was Assembly Bill 19, bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen protections for adults at risk. The bill increases penalties for crimes committed against adults with physical or mental disadvantages and expands safeguards against financial exploitation. It also extends the same protections currently in place for individuals over the age of 60.

“Protection for at-risk adults is a big one, and we’ll have it on the Senate floor as well,” Jacque said.

The Assembly also approved Senate Joint Resolution 103, which condemns the abduction of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Another high-profile measure advanced shortly before Jacque’s interview, a proposal to eliminate taxes on tips. “Today, the Assembly is passing my no-tax-on-tips proposal,” Jacque said. “This bill is something that will help the service industry, certainly in Door County and all of Northeast Wisconsin, in terms of being able to keep our service industry staff in a good economic position.”

Senator Jacque represents the First Senate District, which includes Door and Kewaunee counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.