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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SB 957 requires Wisconsin public school districts to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal wireless communication devices (like cell phones, tablets, and laptops) during the school day, with exceptions for emergencies, health care needs, special education plans, and teacher-approved educational use. School boards must create these policies by July 1, 2027, and submit them to the Department of Justice by October 1, 2027, with annual updates thereafter. The policy must define "wireless communication device" to include cell phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices, and must include specific requirements for student notification and documentation. This bill directly affects all public school districts and students in Wisconsin, requiring implementation of device restrictions starting in the 2027-2028 school year.
