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Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Sen. Cabral-Guevara authors Wisconsin Senate bill on riot penalties

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Rachael Cabral-Guevara, Wisconsin State Senator for 19th District | Official website

Rachael Cabral-Guevara, Wisconsin State Senator for 19th District | Official website

A new bill authored by State Sen. Cabral-Guevara seeks to impose criminal penalties and allow civil damages for riot-related violence and property damage, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

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.

Rachael Cabral-Guevara has authored or co-authored another 33 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Cabral-Guevara graduated from Mount Mary University in 2000 with a BS and again in 2004 from the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh with a BS.

Cabral-Guevara, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 19th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Roger Roth.

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.

Bills Introduced by Rachael Cabral-Guevara in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB9403/07/2025Civil 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
SB8302/26/2025Utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)
SB7402/26/2025Ratification of the Social Work Licensure Compact. (FE)
SB7002/26/2025A minor’s authority to consent to health care
SB5802/21/2025Referendum questions for certain referenda that affect property taxes. (FE)
SB5102/21/2025Flags flown at state and local government buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule
SB4402/12/2025Local regulation of fowl
SB4302/12/2025Allowing advanced practice nurse prescribers to pronounce the date, time, and place of a patient’s death for purposes of the preparation of death records
SB4202/12/2025Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB3102/12/2025State agency status for certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurses who provide services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. (FE)
SB3002/12/2025Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE)
SB2902/12/2025Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time
SB2702/07/2025Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. (FE)
SB1902/05/2025Fee waivers for state park vehicle admission receipts to pupils with Every Kid Outdoors passes. (FE)
SB1302/03/2025Incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE)
SB1202/03/2025A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE)
SB1102/03/2025Allowing representatives of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations to provide information to pupils on public school property
SB1002/03/2025Access to public high schools for military recruiters
SB701/24/2025Prohibiting a foreign adversary from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in this state
SB401/24/2025Agreements for direct primary care

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