Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1066: Relating to: prioritizing certain farm projects under the broadband expansion grant program.

AB 1066 would require Wisconsin's broadband expansion grant program to prioritize projects that install fiber optic broadband lines directly to farms. It defines "farm" using existing Wisconsin agricultural definitions (from tax code) to clarify which properties qualify. The bill creates a specific grant priority for fiber projects connecting to these agricultural lands, ensuring farms receive targeted broadband infrastructure support. This policy change would directly affect farmers and agricultural businesses seeking broadband access through state grant programs. The bill is currently pending in the Energy and Utilities Committee after introduction on February 26, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects grant funding priority to farm broadband projects, allocating state resources within broadband program budget.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrioritizes fiber broadband infrastructure for farms, expanding rural internet access - a direct advancement in technology infrastructure policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1038: Relating to: a study committee on the installation of empty conduit lines for future fiber-optic internet expansion.

SB 1038 establishes a legislative study committee to examine implementation strategies for a "Dig Once Law," which would require installing empty conduit lines during infrastructure projects to support future fiber-optic internet expansion. The committee will focus on practical details like communication protocols between municipalities and contractors, ownership of conduit infrastructure, maintenance cost responsibilities, and optimal installation timing during road or utility work. It must submit recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2027, addressing how such a law could be structured. This bill does not create new law but prepares for potential future legislation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates study committee for 'Dig Once Law' to enable future fiber-optic expansion, directly advancing broadband infrastructure access and internet connectivity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 939: Relating to: artificial intelligence systems that simulate humanlike relationships with children and providing a penalty.

SB 939 prohibits operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to simulate ongoing, personalized relationships with users) from making these tools available to children under 18 without specific safety measures. It requires such chatbots to avoid encouraging self-harm, replacing professional mental health care, promoting illegal activity, sharing explicit content, prioritizing validation over safety, or optimizing engagement beyond safety features. Operators face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation per day, and affected children or their guardians may sue for damages. The law exempts customer service bots, internal business tools, and research systems, and includes a 2027 implementation deadline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from replacing professional mental health care, protecting existing services by preventing harm to patient access and safety.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI companion chatbots for children without safety measures, requiring avoidance of harmful behaviors and imposing penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence Online Safety Social Media

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 131: Relating to: the right to privacy (first consideration).

This bill proposes adding a new constitutional right to privacy. It would create Section 1m in Article I of the state constitution stating: "As a necessary part of a free society, the people have an individual and fundamental right to privacy." If approved by voters, this would establish a fundamental constitutional protection directly affecting all residents, requiring future laws to align with this privacy right. The proposal must be approved by voters in the next general election to become part of the constitution.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes constitutional privacy right, strengthening data privacy protections central to technology policy without restricting tech access or services.85% confidence

Tags Privacy

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 933: Relating to: requiring social media platforms to provide mental health warnings and providing a penalty.

SB 933 requires social media platforms serving users in this state to display a clear mental health warning each time a user accesses the platform. The warning must note potential negative mental health effects and provide access to crisis resources like the 988 suicide hotline. Platforms cannot hide the warning, make it less visible, or disable it except under specified conditions. Violations could result in fines up to $5,000 per incident or lawsuits by affected users seeking damages or injunctions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires social media platforms to display mental health warnings and provide crisis resource access (e.g., 988), directly advancing mental health service accessibility and user protection.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates mental health warnings on social media platforms to protect users from negative effects, aligning with consumer protection regulations for tech companies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Social Media

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1036: Relating to: prohibiting nondisclosure agreements intended to conceal information about a data center from the public.

AB 1036 prohibits local governments and data centers from using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to hide details about data center development or prevent public review of such facilities. It defines a "data center" as a facility primarily for storing, managing, or processing digital data, including associated infrastructure like servers and security systems. The law specifically bans agreements intended to conceal development details or block public oversight, with an exception for NDAs protecting trade secrets. This directly affects local governments approving data center projects and data center operators themselves.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits NDAs hiding data center details, promoting public oversight of data infrastructure which alignates with data privacy transparency protections.85% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1014: Relating to: expanding the Wisconsin deflection initiative and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 1014 expands Wisconsin's existing deflection initiative by providing grants to current participating sites during 2025-27. The bill allows grants for hiring staff, contracting vendors for evaluations, or acquiring care coordination technology that meets legal privacy standards. It increases annual funding by $400,000 for two years and adds $107,100 to support an additional staff position for the Department of Justice. This directly affects current deflection initiative sites, the Department of Justice, and qualified technology vendors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state appropriations by $400k/year for deflection initiative grants and adds $107k for staff, directly funding program expansion.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands deflection initiative with increased funding for staff, technology, and evaluations, promoting diversion from incarceration to treatment - aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands deflection initiative with $400k+ funding for healthcare staff, care coordination tech, and program support, directly advancing service access and infrastructure.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds care coordination technology meeting legal privacy standards, directly advancing data privacy protections in technology use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1069: Relating to: a study committee on the installation of empty conduit lines for future fiber-optic internet expansion.

AB 1069 establishes a legislative study committee to examine requirements for a "Dig Once Law," which would mandate installing empty underground pipes (conduit) during infrastructure projects to prepare for future fiber-optic internet expansion. The committee will study key details like communication protocols between municipalities and contractors, ownership of unused conduit, maintenance cost responsibilities, conduit sizing for multiple providers, and optimal installation timing (e.g., during road construction). This bill does not enact new law but prepares recommendations for potential future legislation. It directly affects municipalities, construction firms, and future internet service providers by identifying implementation challenges. The committee must submit findings by January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes study for Dig Once Law to mandate conduit installation for future fiber-optic internet expansion, directly advancing broadband infrastructure access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1067: Relating to: advertising broadband and other Internet speeds and providing a standardized broadband label.

AB 1067 requires broadband providers to advertise and sell services based on consistent, verifiable speeds - minimum 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload - matching federal standards. It mandates standardized broadband labels using FCC templates for all consumers before sale, preventing misleading speed claims. Providers violating these rules face consumer refunds if they fail to correct misrepresentations within a month of written notice. The bill directly affects broadband companies and protects consumers by ensuring accurate speed disclosures.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires standardized broadband labels to prevent misleading speed claims, ensuring consumer transparency and protection in internet service advertising.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1058: Relating to: access to prospective tenants’ credit scores and consumer credit reports.

AB 1058 limits landlords' ability to screen tenants using credit information. It prohibits landlords from requiring prospective tenants to grant access to their credit scores or credit reports, and mandates that landlords inform tenants of this right to decline. If a tenant declines, landlords must provide an alternative method to assess their ability to pay rent. The bill also caps tenant screening fees at $25 for credit reports and requires landlords to disclose charges before requesting reports. This directly affects renters seeking housing and landlords conducting tenant screenings in the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits credit-based tenant screening, mandates alternative assessments, and caps fees - protects tenants from discriminatory barriers to housing access.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts landlords' access to tenant credit data, enhancing data privacy protections per topic description's indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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