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.
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.
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.
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.
AB 1035 expands Wisconsin's deflection initiative by providing $400,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to existing participating sites. It allows these sites to use grants for hiring staff, contracting vendors for program evaluations, or purchasing technology that meets privacy standards like HIPAA. Vendors must have at least five years of experience with similar programs and comply with legal requirements. The bill also adds $107,100 for one additional full-time position to support this expansion.
SB 924 creates a state grant program to help municipalities purchase election supplies and equipment, such as electronic poll books and accessibility tools. It provides tiered funding based on population: up to $2.5 million for cities over 250,000 residents, $1 million for 100,000-250,000, $500,000 for 50,000-100,000, and $250,000 for smaller communities. Municipalities must agree to random inspections of purchased equipment and apply before general elections, with a minimum grant of $250. The bill appropriates $5 million biennially for this program, administered by the Elections Commission.
AB 1065 establishes requirements for state broadband expansion grants to connect unserved areas. It defines "broadband infrastructure" as requiring minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload (or federal standards), and mandates grantees to report construction progress and final service speeds. If grantees fail to build the specified infrastructure or meet speed standards, they must reimburse the state. The bill also requires biennial audits of the grant program starting in 2027 to assess performance.
SB 1040 creates a new priority category in the state's broadband grant program for projects installing fiber optic lines directly to farms. It defines "farm" using existing agricultural land classifications (Wis. Adm. Code § Tax 18.05) and specifies that such projects will be prioritized under statute 196.504 (2)(c)1.i. This bill directly affects farm owners seeking broadband infrastructure funding by changing how grant applications are evaluated. The bill does not create new funding but alters the selection criteria for existing broadband expansion grants.
SB 955 allocates an additional $400,000 annually for the Department of Justice's Internet Crimes Against Children unit, covering fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This funding increase supports existing law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute online crimes targeting children. The bill does not create new laws or policies but provides specific budgetary resources for current operations.
SB 1036 requires internet service providers to accurately advertise broadband speeds and use standardized labels. It prohibits claiming a service meets certain speeds unless it consistently delivers at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload (or federal standards), and mandates that providers give consumers a federally approved label before sale. If an ISP misrepresents speeds, consumers can demand a refund and cancel their contract after a 30-day notice period. This bill directly affects internet providers and protects consumers from misleading speed claims.
