Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 135: Relating to: the right to repair motor vehicles and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 135 requires vehicle manufacturers to provide owners and repair shops with free, unrestricted access to vehicle data (like diagnostics) and critical repair information (tools, manuals, parts specs) needed to fix cars. It prohibits manufacturers from using technological barriers (like encrypted data) or legal barriers (such as forcing owners to use dealer-approved parts) to limit repair choices. The bill directly affects car owners, independent repair shops, and aftermarket parts companies by ensuring they can access necessary information without fees or manufacturer-imposed restrictions. Manufacturers must also stop mandating specific brands of parts or tools in repair guides, though they can still recommend options with clear disclaimers. This law aims to make vehicle repairs more accessible and affordable by removing artificial barriers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrevents manufacturers from using tech barriers (encrypted data) to restrict repair data access, aligning with consumer data privacy protections.90% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 651: Relating to: prohibiting critical telecommunications infrastructure from including equipment manufactured by a foreign adversary. (FE)

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits foreign adversary telecom equipment to enhance cybersecurity, directly strengthening critical infrastructure security per federal standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 113: Relating to: sharing minors’ safety plans. (FE)

AB 113 creates a secure online portal for sharing minors' crisis safety plans between authorized organizations. It allows minors (12+ years old) to create written plans with a facilitator, including details like emergency contacts, de-escalation strategies, and what to tell first responders during mental health or behavioral crises. Minors must sign a release form agreeing to share their plan only with designated safety partners (like schools, hospitals, or police) via the portal, which expires after one year. The portal will enable real-time access for crisis response while requiring strict confidentiality and minor consent, directly affecting minors with behavioral health needs and the agencies supporting them.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates secure portal for minors' mental health crisis plans, enabling coordination with hospitals/schools to improve access to mental health support during crises.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates a secure online portal for sharing minors' safety plans with privacy protections (release forms, designated partners), directly enhancing data privacy and cybersecurity through technology use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Digital Government

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 244: Relating to: modifying the sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers. (FE)

SB 244 modifies the state's sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers. It redefines "qualified data center" to require buildings housing server computers for processing, storing, or managing data, and explicitly allows centers to provide space, utilities, and infrastructure services to tenants. The bill specifically excludes cryptocurrency-related operations (like blockchain verification) from qualifying for the tax exemption. This change directly affects data center operators and businesses that rent space or services within these facilities by altering which facilities qualify for tax savings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes cryptocurrency operations from tax exemption, closing a loophole to increase state revenue while redefining qualified data centers.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides tax exemption for data centers (core tech infrastructure), supporting digital infrastructure development. Exclusion of crypto is a minor carve-out but doesn't negate overall pro-data-center stance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Emerging Technology

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 278: Relating to: grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms.

AB 278 creates a grant program for law enforcement agencies to purchase data-sharing platforms that integrate real-time data from multiple systems, eliminate duplicate records, and provide secure, customizable search and analytics tools. The bill specifies that platforms must meet 11 detailed requirements, including secure access controls, compatibility with existing systems, compliance with data security standards, and retention of agency data ownership. The Department of Justice will award grants using up to $2 million annually from state funds to support this initiative. This bill directly affects local and state law enforcement agencies seeking to upgrade their data-sharing capabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant program funding law enforcement data platforms, directly increasing government spending on public safety technology per bill's grant allocation structure.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement data-sharing platforms through grants, directly supporting operational efficiency in criminal justice systems per bill's grant program.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates data security standards and secure access controls for law enforcement data platforms, directly enhancing cybersecurity and data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 447: Relating to: the use of videoconferencing technology in certain civil actions.

AB 447 amends Wisconsin law to clarify when courts must address objections to video testimony in certain civil cases. It removes a specific exception that previously required courts to sustain objections about expert witness testimony via video in cases under Chapters 51 or 55 of the statutes. For all such proceedings - including expert testimony objections - the bill requires courts to apply their discretion under existing rules (s. 885.56) rather than automatically sustaining objections. This change directly affects defendants and respondents in civil matters listed under the statute who may object to remote testimony.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves automatic rejection of video testimony, enabling courts to use discretion and facilitating adoption of videoconferencing tech in civil proceedings.95% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 292: Relating to: the use of artificial intelligence or other machine assisted translation in court proceedings and of telephone or live audiovisual interpretation in criminal trials. (FE)

AB 292 allows courts to use artificial intelligence or machine-assisted translation services instead of or alongside human interpreters in both civil and criminal court proceedings. It also updates rules to permit telephone or live audiovisual interpretation in criminal trials (beyond just non-trial stages) and clarifies that using AI translation does not require a waiver that would normally be needed for alternative interpretation methods. This bill directly affects court proceedings involving language barriers, expanding options for language assistance without mandating AI use. The law amends specific statutes to implement these changes, focusing on procedural flexibility for courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands access to interpretation in criminal trials via AI/audiovisual methods, enhancing fair proceedings and protecting defendant rights, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly permits AI translation in courts without waivers, advancing technology adoption in public services and clarifying legal pathways for machine-assisted interpretation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Artificial Intelligence

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 369: Relating to: prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE)

SB 369 prohibits state agencies from sharing personally identifiable information (PII) with the federal government unless the data is first masked or made anonymous. It directly affects state agencies (like departments, courts, and commissions), requiring them to anonymize PII before federal data sharing, except for limited exceptions like complying with other laws or carrying out official duties. The bill also creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals harmed by negligent violations, allowing claims for actual damages, up to $1,000 in punitive damages, and attorney fees. This law aims to strengthen data privacy protections for residents by limiting how state data can be shared federally.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRestricts state-federal data sharing that could aid immigration enforcement, limiting cooperation with federal authorities. Creates civil remedy for violations.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires anonymization of PII before federal data sharing, directly strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 535: Relating to: the regulation of digital assets.

SB 535 prevents local governments and state agencies from blocking digital asset use. It allows people to pay for legal goods/services with digital assets (like crypto) and store them using personal digital wallets (self-hosted or hardware devices). The bill defines key terms like "blockchain" and "staking" but focuses on prohibiting government restrictions on these activities. It directly affects cities, counties, state departments, and residents using digital assets for payments or custody.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits government restrictions on digital asset use, enabling crypto payments/storage and directly advancing technology adoption in financial services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 679: Relating to: prohibiting a law enforcement agency from accessing personal data in exchange for payment without a warrant.

SB 679 prohibits law enforcement agencies from obtaining personal data from third parties (like tech companies or data brokers) in exchange for payment without a court warrant. It covers data such as location history, health records, financial details, browsing habits, and biometric information. Exceptions allow access if police have a warrant, face an emergency involving immediate danger, the data is publicly available, or the individual consented. This directly affects how police can legally acquire personal information from private entities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for law enforcement data access, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits warrantless law enforcement access to personal data from tech companies, strengthening data privacy protections as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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