Technology (Broadband Access)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1062: Relating to: broadband line extension grants and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 1062 creates a new program to help residents in unserved broadband areas pay for connecting to existing broadband infrastructure. It allocates $1.75 million for 2025-26 and $3.5 million for 2026-27 to provide financial assistance grants of up to $4,000 per household. Applicants must participate in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, and priority is given to primary residences. The program is funded through the universal service fund and administered by the Public Service Commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.75M/$3.5M for broadband grants via universal service fund, funding essential public service (broadband access) as a budget appropriation.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllocates $5.25M for broadband grants to unserved areas, directly expanding internet access per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Broadband Access Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1039: Relating to: broadband expansion grants for cities, villages, towns, and counties and telecommunications-related construction projects of cities, villages, and towns. (FE)

SB 1039 modifies state grant programs to support broadband expansion in underserved areas. It repeals outdated sections of law and amends statutes to allow cities, villages, towns, and counties to apply for grants covering infrastructure construction, project planning (including feasibility reports), and up to 50% of costs for hiring a dedicated broadband director. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to expand high-speed internet access in areas without reliable service. Grants will be funded from specific state appropriations allocated for broadband projects. This bill focuses on streamlining funding mechanisms for local broadband development.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds broadband expansion grants for underserved areas, directly advancing internet access infrastructure and digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 176: Relating to: an income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE)

SB 176 creates tax exemptions for income received from broadband expansion grants and federal high-cost program funding. It exempts from state income and franchise taxes funds provided by the state, local governments, tribal governments, or the federal government for broadband expansion projects. This directly affects businesses, internet service providers, and organizations receiving these specific grants or federal funding. The exemption applies to both state broadband grants and federal high-cost program funds (under 47 USC 254) used for expanding broadband access in the state, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts broadband grant funds from state income/franchise taxes, providing tax relief to incentivize broadband infrastructure expansion.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts broadband expansion grants from taxes to incentivize infrastructure investment, directly expanding internet access per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Broadband Access

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 677: Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)

SB 677 modifies Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law to improve accessibility and prevent fraud. It creates new exemptions allowing claimants to skip electronic filings if they lack internet access, have digital literacy challenges, or face communication barriers like vision disabilities or limited English proficiency. The bill also requires employers to report job applicant rejections or no-shows to the department, which could affect claimants' eligibility if not justified as "good cause." Additionally, it strengthens penalties for fraud, imposing a $5,000 fine for false statements on initial claims and requiring repayment of benefits obtained through deception. These changes directly affect unemployed workers, employers reporting job-related events, and the state's unemployment insurance administration.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates exemptions for claimants facing barriers (internet, literacy, disability, language) to access unemployment benefits, improving accessibility and protecting workers' rights to benefits. Prevents fraud to maintain system integrity for l...90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates exemptions for claimants lacking internet access or digital literacy, promoting digital equity in unemployment benefits access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Broadband Access

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 208: Relating to: an income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE)

AB 208 creates tax exemptions for income and franchise taxes related to broadband expansion funding. It directly affects internet service providers, telecom companies, and community organizations receiving grants or federal high-cost program funds for building broadband infrastructure in the state. The bill exempts from taxation: (1) state/local/tribal/federal grants for broadband expansion, and (2) federal high-cost program funding under 47 USC 254. These exemptions apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and prevent double-counting with other existing tax provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax exemptions for broadband expansion grants, reducing tax burden on infrastructure projects and aligning with tax relief for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates tax exemptions for broadband expansion grants/funding, directly advancing internet access infrastructure through financial incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 399: Relating to: requirement for certain telecommunications providers to provide basic voice service.

AB 399 requires certain telecommunications providers serving residential customers to offer a basic voice service plan. This directly affects telecom companies that provide phone service in the state, mandating them to maintain an affordable, essential phone service option. The key provision is that providers must offer this service at a fixed, low cost to ensure accessibility for all residents, particularly in underserved communities. The bill aims to guarantee reliable communication for emergencies and daily needs without requiring new infrastructure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires affordable voice service for telecom providers, ensuring communication access in underserved communities and promoting digital equity through basic service availability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 652: Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)

AB 652 updates Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law to improve accessibility and prevent fraud. It creates new "good cause" exceptions for claimants who cannot use electronic systems due to limited internet access, digital literacy challenges, or disabilities. The bill also requires employers to report job declines or missed interviews by claimants, which could affect benefit eligibility unless "good cause" is proven. Additionally, it adds a $5,000 penalty for false initial claims and clarifies rules to prevent duplicate social security disability payments. These changes directly affect unemployed workers filing claims, employers reporting job-related incidents, and the unemployment department processing claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates 'good cause' exceptions for digital barriers, improving unemployment benefit access for vulnerable workers, aligning with worker protection.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates exceptions for claimants lacking internet access or digital literacy, promoting equitable access to unemployment benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Broadband Access

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 683: Relating to: prohibiting critical telecommunications infrastructure from including equipment manufactured by a foreign adversary. (FE)

AB 683 prohibits telecommunications providers from using equipment manufactured by entities designated as "foreign adversaries" in key network infrastructure (like cell towers or fiber lines). It directly affects telecom companies operating in Wisconsin, requiring them to stop purchasing or leasing such equipment and remove existing installations by following federal removal programs. Providers must annually certify compliance and publicly report locations of affected equipment, including replacement plans, while the state commission will publish a public map and annual report. The bill aligns with federal rules banning equipment from specific foreign entities, focusing on network security without specifying political outcomes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits foreign adversary telecom equipment to enhance network security, directly aligning with cybersecurity protections under the topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Cybersecurity Telecommunications

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