Technology

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 519: Relating to: the operation of drones over school property and providing a penalty.

SB 519 prohibits unauthorized drone operation over school property, including public, private, and tribal schools, as defined in the bill. Exceptions allow drone use with school board authorization or for specific law enforcement purposes like search/rescue operations, locating escaped prisoners, or preventing imminent danger. Violations carry a $5,000 penalty, and law enforcement must seize drone footage related to violations for transfer to the appropriate agency. The bill directly affects drone operators near schools and clarifies enforcement procedures for such incidents.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts unauthorized drone operations over schools, a specific technology application, with penalties and seizure of footage, directly limiting tech use in defined contexts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 142: Relating to: algorithmic software for residential housing, and providing a penalty.

AB 142 prohibits landlords and software providers from using algorithmic software to set rents or occupancy rates based on private competitor data (like unpublicized rent or occupancy details). It directly affects residential landlords, property management companies, and software vendors selling such tools. The bill bans both selling/licensing the software and using it for rent decisions, with penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per rental unit. Tenants may also sue for damages or injunctive relief, while exemptions cover aggregated rental data publications and affordable housing tools.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithms using competitor data for rent decisions, protecting tenants from potential unfair pricing and discrimination in housing markets.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits algorithmic software use in housing for rent decisions, restricting tech application to protect data privacy and prevent misuse of competitor data.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 400: Relating to: use restrictions on state and local government electronic devices.

SB 400 restricts state and local government employees from using official electronic devices to access social media, apps, or AI tools owned by entities based in designated "foreign countries of concern" (as defined by federal regulations). It directly affects state agencies and local governmental units (like cities, school districts, and special districts) by prohibiting non-law enforcement personnel from downloading or using these foreign-owned technologies on government-owned devices. The bill allows for limited exceptions through written waivers granted by the secretary of administration for specific work purposes. This is a policy change focused on limiting government use of foreign-owned digital tools, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts government use of foreign-owned tech on devices to address security concerns, directly limiting access to specific technologies per bill's prohibitions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

Track

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Oct 31, 2025

AB 2: Relating to: requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time.

AB 2 requires Wisconsin school boards to adopt policies banning student use of wireless communication devices (like cell phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices) during instructional time, effective July 1, 2026. The policy must define "wireless communication device," include specific exceptions for emergencies, health needs, individualized education programs, and teacher-approved educational use, and allow boards to add other learning-focused exceptions. It directly affects school boards, which must create and implement these policies, while students are the primary group subject to the restrictions. The bill does not mandate device confiscation but permits it as a consequence for violations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school policies restricting student device use during instruction to minimize distractions, enhancing learning focus and classroom environment.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student use of wireless devices (cell phones, tablets) in classrooms during instruction, directly limiting technology access in educational settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers Telecommunications

vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 415: Relating to: use restrictions on state and local government electronic devices.

AB 415 restricts state and local government employees from using electronic devices owned by their agencies to access social media, apps, or AI tools owned by entities located in "foreign countries of concern" (as defined by federal regulations). The bill directly affects government employees and contractors who use official devices for non-law enforcement work, banning access to specific foreign-owned technology. Exceptions allow written waivers from the secretary of administration for limited job-related purposes. This policy change aims to limit government use of technology linked to designated foreign adversaries, with no impact on law enforcement activities. The bill does not create new funding or require agency budget changes.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts government access to foreign-owned tech platforms, directly limiting use of specific foreign AI/social media tools on official devices per bill's explicit ban.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 575: Relating to: prohibiting state agencies and local governmental units from using facial recognition technology or data generated from it.

AB 575 prohibits all state agencies and local governmental units (like cities, counties, or school districts) from using facial recognition technology or its data, except to identify their own employees for employment-related purposes. The bill defines facial recognition technology as an automated system that compares camera footage of faces against databases to find matches. It directly affects government entities that currently use or plan to use this technology for public services, law enforcement, or other operations. The law creates a clear ban on its use for public identification, with only the narrow exception for internal employee verification.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits facial recognition use in law enforcement, protecting civil rights and reducing biased policing risks - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits government use of facial recognition technology, directly restricting a tool raising data privacy and surveillance concerns per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Emerging Technology

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 386: Relating to: virtual currency kiosks.

SB 386 regulates virtual currency kiosks in the state, requiring operators to obtain a license and directly affecting both kiosk businesses and customers using these services. Key provisions include mandatory fraud warnings displayed physically and electronically before every transaction, strict identity verification (requiring government ID copies, photos, and personal details for each customer), and daily transaction limits of $1,000 in traditional money. The bill also caps fees at $5 or 3% of the transaction amount and mandates refunds for customers fraudulently induced into transactions within 30 days. These rules aim to enhance consumer protection while establishing clear operational standards for kiosk operators.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRegulates virtual currency kiosks with licensing, ID checks, and $1,000 daily limits, restricting user access and business operations in digital finance.90% confidence

Track