SB 994 Wisconsin Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: public affairs network request for proposals.

SB 994 prohibits the public affairs network from charging fees for accessing live or archived state government proceedings when the network receives state funding for its operations. This applies directly to the state's public affairs network (which broadcasts government meetings) and the public seeking access to those recordings. The bill modifies existing rules to ensure fee-free access regardless of whether state funds are used, removing a prior condition that required explicit state funding for the fee ban. The key provision guarantees public access to government proceedings without cost under state-funded operations.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
4
Committee
1
Amendments
7
Mar 23, 2026
Amended
Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and passed
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Amendment 3 adopted
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Amended
Senate Amendment 2 withdrawn and returned to author
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Amendment 1 adopted
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Senate Amendment 3 offered by Senators Spreitzer and Hesselbein
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Senate Amendment 2 offered by Senators Hesselbein, Smith, Spreitzer, Drake, Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Habush Sinykin, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Wall and Wirch
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Bradley
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Agriculture and Revenue, Ayes 5, Noes 3
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Introduced
Introduced by Senators Bradley, LeMahieu, Felzkowski, Feyen, Testin, Marklein, Cabral-Guevara, Tomczyk, Hutton, Jacque, James, Nass, Quinn, Stafsholt and Wanggaard; cosponsored by Representatives Brill, Wichgers, Gustafson and Kreibich
upper
15 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors