AB 731 requires state and county correctional facilities to provide inmates and juveniles with minimum weekly telecommunications access at no cost, including 180 minutes of phone calls, 60 minutes of video calls, and 100 text messages. It directly affects individuals in state prisons, juvenile correctional facilities, and county jails by mandating these service levels, which must be maintained or improved from existing access levels. The bill establishes funding through specific appropriations ($4.46 million for adult inmates, $517,500 for juveniles) and requires counties to join a state telecommunications contract or report why they don’t, with the state reimbursing counties for costs if they opt out. It also prohibits using telecom services to replace in-person visitation and bans charging inmates for services beyond the minimums.
SB 708 requires state prisons, juvenile correctional facilities, and county jails to provide inmates and juveniles with free telecommunications access, including at least 180 minutes of weekly phone calls, 60 minutes of video calls, and 100 text messages. It creates new funding lines ($4.46 million for adult facilities, $517,500 for juvenile facilities in 2025-26) to cover these services and mandates centralized contracting to reduce costs. Counties must either join the state’s contracted telecom provider or submit detailed reports and cost data to the legislature. The bill prohibits charging inmates for basic service access and ensures facilities maintain existing service levels while allowing additional access if possible.
SB 651 prohibits telecommunications providers in Wisconsin from using critical infrastructure equipment made by "foreign adversaries" (as defined by federal law) or equipment banned by the federal government under 47 USC 1601. It directly affects telecom providers, requiring them to remove existing prohibited equipment by a specified date and cease purchasing such equipment going forward. The bill mandates annual certification of compliance, public reporting of equipment locations and replacement plans, and requires the Public Service Commission to publish a public map and annual report to the legislature. These provisions align with federal actions under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (47 USC 1601 et seq.) to address national security risks in telecommunications infrastructure.
AB 208 creates tax exemptions for income and franchise taxes related to broadband expansion funding. It directly affects internet service providers, telecom companies, and community organizations receiving grants or federal high-cost program funds for building broadband infrastructure in the state. The bill exempts from taxation: (1) state/local/tribal/federal grants for broadband expansion, and (2) federal high-cost program funding under 47 USC 254. These exemptions apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and prevent double-counting with other existing tax provisions.
AB 399 requires certain telecommunications providers serving residential customers to offer a basic voice service plan. This directly affects telecom companies that provide phone service in the state, mandating them to maintain an affordable, essential phone service option. The key provision is that providers must offer this service at a fixed, low cost to ensure accessibility for all residents, particularly in underserved communities. The bill aims to guarantee reliable communication for emergencies and daily needs without requiring new infrastructure.
AB 683 prohibits telecommunications providers from using equipment manufactured by entities designated as "foreign adversaries" in key network infrastructure (like cell towers or fiber lines). It directly affects telecom companies operating in Wisconsin, requiring them to stop purchasing or leasing such equipment and remove existing installations by following federal removal programs. Providers must annually certify compliance and publicly report locations of affected equipment, including replacement plans, while the state commission will publish a public map and annual report. The bill aligns with federal rules banning equipment from specific foreign entities, focusing on network security without specifying political outcomes.
