State Public Policy


  • The biennial session period of the 2013 Wisconsin Legislature began on Monday, January 7, 2013, and will end at noon on Monday, January 5, 2015.

Visit the Wisconsin State Legislature Website


LinkWISCONSIN will support state policy leaders in identifying options to advance both the deployment and use of broadband throughout Wisconsin. For example, states can accelerate broadband deployment to fill gaps by forming public and private partnerships to pursue available federal grants and loans.

It is also often beneficial to closely examine current regulatory practices and identify reforms both at the federal and state level which could expand the business incentive and broadband deployment.

To meet the needs of citizens and businesses, states may develop appealing web-based services that expand state offerings and/or add convenience for the citizen. Also, states may provide funding, incentives, or address hindrances to encourage the private sector, non-profits or state institutions (e.g., universities) to deploy applications and content that is valuable to citizens and businesses.

These are just a few among many possible options.

Examples of innovative ideas drawn from both best practices in other states and developed through the LinkWISCONSIN visioning and regional team efforts will be posted here as they become available.


The following is a partial list of previous state broadband-related public policy items.

  • Broadband-related legislation discussed during the 2011-2012 Session of the Wisconsin Legislature included Senate Bill 375 (SB375) and Assembly Bill 473 (AB473) related to delaying the restrictions on participation by the University of Wisconsin System in selling or providing telecommunications services.

    Neither bill passed prior to the Session ending. If pursued in the next Session, the bills would require reintroduction.

  • The Assembly and Senate passed legislation in the 2011 Special Session that dropped many regulations on traditional landline telephones. The legislation, signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker, is the first major revision of the state's telecom laws since 1994.
  • Letter from Bob Lang, Director, Legislative Fiscal Bureau dated January 14, 2010, regarding Public Service Commission: Governor's Section 13.10 Request for the Use of Federal Economic Funding for Broadband Availability Mapping







Home  |  High Speed Version  |  Report Stimulus Abuse  |  Wisconsin.gov