For more than a decade, Wisconsin has led the nation in restoring accountability to the administrative state.

Today, IRG released a new report:
The Wisconsin Administrative Reform Toolbox

This report documents the durable framework Wisconsin lawmakers built to rebalance power between elected representatives and unelected agencies — strengthening oversight and protecting taxpayers from unchecked regulatory growth.

Key reforms include:

• Act 21 (2011) – Requires explicit statutory authority and economic impact analysis before agencies regulate.
• Act 39 (2017) – Imposes a 30-month deadline to prevent stalled rulemaking.
• REINS (Act 57, 2017) – Requires legislative approval for rules costing $10 million or more.
• Acts 108 & 369 (2017) – Create repeal mechanisms and end judicial deference to agencies.

Together, these reforms reshaped rulemaking in Wisconsin and reinforced the Legislature’s constitutional role.

The Toolbox not only explains how these reforms work together — it also serves as a blueprint for other states looking to replicate Wisconsin’s model. While many states debate administrative reform, Wisconsin built and sustained it.

Our work continues. Two additional reforms — a Regulatory Budget and a Sunset Review process — have passed the Legislature and await action from Governor Evers.

Administrative reform requires vigilance. Wisconsin’s framework is strong — and now it’s documented, protected, and ready to inform the national conversation.

Read the Wisconsin Administrative Reform Toolbox: [Here]

Read the 2025 REINS Report: [Here]