Relating to: creating a Civic Information Consortium Board and a grant program administered by a nonprofit corporation to support local journalism and media projects and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill creates a new Civic Information Consortium Board within the University of Wisconsin System to oversee a grant program that supports local journalism and media projects across the state. The board will consist of representatives from the university system, local media organizations covering print, online, radio, and television, and public members, with funding of $20 million initially allocated for grants and operations. The nonprofit corporation established to administer the grants must ensure recipients remain independent from state influence, direct at least 30% of funding to rural communities, and prioritize projects that address underserved populations and improve media literacy. The program aims to strengthen access to quality local news and civic engagement while requiring annual reports on how funds are spent and their impact on the public.