Technology (Telecommunications)

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 It repeals outdated sections of law and amends statutes to allow cities, villages, towns, and counties to apply for grants covering infrastructure construction, project planning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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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 731: Relating to: telecommunications service access by inmates and juveniles and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 731 requires state and county correctional facilities to provide inmates and juveniles with minimum weekly telecommunications access at no cost, including 180 minutes of phone calls, 60 minutes of video calls, and 100 text messages. It directly affects individuals in state prisons, juvenile correctional facilities, and county jails by mandating these service levels, which must be maintained or improved from existing access levels. The bill establishes funding through specific appropriations ($4.46 million for adult inmates, $517,500 for juveniles) and requires counties to join a state telecommunications contract or report why they don’t, with the state reimbursing counties for costs if they opt out. It also prohibits using telecom services to replace in-person visitation and bans charging inmates for services beyond the minimums.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates free telecom access for inmates/juveniles to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates minimum telecommunications access (including video calls/texts) for inmates, expanding digital communication access and promoting digital equity for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 708: Relating to: telecommunications service access by inmates and juveniles and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 708 requires state prisons, juvenile correctional facilities, and county jails to provide inmates and juveniles with free telecommunications access, including at least 180 minutes of weekly phone calls, 60 minutes of video calls, and 100 text messages. It creates new funding lines ($4.46 million for adult facilities, $517,500 for juvenile facilities in 2025-26) to cover these services and mandates centralized contracting to reduce costs. Counties must either join the state’s contracted telecom provider or submit detailed reports and cost data to the legislature. The bill prohibits charging inmates for basic service access and ensures facilities maintain existing service levels while allowing additional access if possible.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new budget appropriations ($4.46M adult, $517.5K juvenile) to fund inmate telecommunications access, directly advancing state budget allocation for a public service program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides free telecom access to inmates/juveniles to maintain family ties, reducing recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators. Allocates $4.98M for implementation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates free telecom access including phone/video calls/texts for inmates, expanding communication services and advancing internet access policy through dedicated funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Corrections Juvenile Justice Telecommunications

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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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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

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 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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