Technology (Broadband Access)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 24, 2026

AB 1108: Relating to: broadband line extension grants and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill establishes a new grant program to help residents of unserved areas pay for the costs of extending broadband service lines to their properties, with each grant capped at $4,000. It appropriates $1.75 million for 2025-26 and $3.5 million for 2026-27 to fund these grants through the Public Service Commission. The program prioritizes applications for primary residences and requires applicants to participate in federal affordable connectivity programs, while prohibiting grants that subsidize telecommunications provider expenses or customer monthly bills. Additionally, the bill amends existing broadband expansion grant criteria to ensure projects focus on designated unserved areas and require applicants to explain how their proposed projects will increase broadband access.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $5.25M for broadband infrastructure grants, funding essential public service expansion and digital equity programs.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands broadband access by funding grants for unserved areas, directly advancing internet access and digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Broadband Access Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1037: Relating to: requirements for broadband expansion grants, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 1037 establishes requirements for state broadband expansion grants to improve internet access in underserved areas. It defines "broadband infrastructure" as requiring minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload (or federal standards), and mandates that grant recipients report construction progress and service speeds after completion. If projects fail to meet these speed standards or aren’t completed, recipients must reimburse the state. The bill also requires biennial performance audits of the grant program starting in 2027 to ensure accountability. This directly affects grant applicants (like internet providers or local governments) and residents in areas designated as lacking adequate broadband service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation for broadband expansion grants, allocating state funds to improve infrastructure in underserved areas, advancing fiscal responsibility in public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBroadband expansion in underserved areas improves educational access and infrastructure, aligning with education topic indicators like enhanced student programs and access.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes broadband grant requirements with minimum speed standards (100/20 Mbps) to expand internet access in underserved areas, aligning with 'expands internet access' support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Broadband Access Telecommunications

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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 · 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 1065: Relating to: requirements for broadband expansion grants, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation for broadband expansion grants, directly funding infrastructure development as part of state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds broadband expansion to unserved areas with speed standards (100/20 Mbps), directly advancing internet access - a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Broadband Access Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1040: Relating to: prioritizing certain farm projects under the broadband expansion grant program.

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrioritizes farm broadband infrastructure expansion under existing grant program, directly advancing internet access for agricultural areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1036: Relating to: advertising broadband and other Internet speeds and providing a standardized broadband label.

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires accurate broadband speed claims and standardized labels, protecting consumers from misleading ISP advertising - directly supports consumer protection in tech services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

AB 1068: Relating to: broadband expansion grants for cities, villages, towns, and counties and telecommunications-related construction projects of cities, villages, and towns. (FE)

AB 1068 modifies Wisconsin's broadband expansion grant program to better support local governments. It repeals outdated sections and updates rules to allow cities, villages, towns, and counties to apply for grants covering broadband infrastructure construction in unserved areas and related planning costs. Key changes include enabling grants for project planning (like feasibility studies) and permitting up to 50% of a broadband director's salary to be covered by grant funds. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to expand high-speed internet access in underserved communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state grant funds for broadband infrastructure and planning, expanding public service funding through government spending.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds broadband infrastructure expansion in unserved areas, directly advancing internet access as a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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