Robert G. Donovan, Wisconsin State Representative for 81st District | Official Website
Robert G. Donovan, Wisconsin State Representative for 81st District | Official Website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "price transparency in hospitals, restricting certain debt collection actions against patients, and providing a penalty. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that hospitals provide detailed price transparency for services and restricts debt collection actions if they fail to comply. Hospitals must publicly share standard charges in a machine-readable digital format, including gross charges, payer-specific negotiated charges, and discounted cash prices. They must also offer a consumer-friendly list of charges for at least 300 shoppable services. Compliance is enforced by the Department of Health Services (DHS), which has the authority to impose penalties on violators. DHS will maintain a public list of non-compliant hospitals and verify compliance through audits and complaints. Any party pursuing a debt judgment for hospital services must certify that the hospital is compliance-certified by DHS before a judgment can be enforced. This act is effective on the first day of the fourth month following its publication.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Julian Bradley (Republican-28th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Representative Nate L. Gustafson (Republican-55th District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Mary Felzkowski (Republican-12th District), Senator Rob Hutton (Republican-5th District), and Senator Chris Larson (Democrat-7th District), along eight other co-sponsors.
Bob G. Donovan has co-authored or authored another 71 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Donovan graduated from St. Francis De Sales Seminary and again from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.
Donovan, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 61st Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Amanda Nedweski.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB353 | 07/08/2025 | Price transparency in hospitals, restricting certain debt collection actions against patients, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB300 | 06/06/2025 | A grant program for the purchase of automated registration plate reader systems. (FE) |
| AB278 | 05/30/2025 | Grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms |
| AB250 | 05/08/2025 | Funding for the War Memorial Center and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB175 | 04/15/2025 | Requiring periodic inspections of parking structures |
| AB143 | 03/17/2025 | Allowing an unlicensed person to use a motor vehicle and providing a penalty |
| AB138 | 03/17/2025 | Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE) |
| AB91 | 02/28/2025 | The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE) |
| AB85 | 02/28/2025 | Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE) |
| AB78 | 02/28/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE) |
| AB77 | 02/28/2025 | Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty |
| AB75 | 02/28/2025 | Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE) |
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