Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive 13 R cosponsors

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

Last action — Published 11-1-2025

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 03, 2025. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 15 sponsors

    1 primary, 14 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (13 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 5 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

An Act to amend 119.04 (1); to create 120.12 (29) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

75 added · 32 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Assembly Bill 2 require school boards to establish specific policies prohibiting students from using wireless communication devices during instructional time. Notably, the bill provides clear definitions for "wireless communication devices," including cell phones and tablets, while also outlining certain exceptions for emergency use, health management, and educational purposes. Additionally, the bill mandates that school boards submit their policies to the state's office of school safety by October 2026, ensuring accountability and oversight. These changes aim to create a more focused learning environment while allowing for necessary flexibility in special circumstances.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBa0008/1 FFK:amn&skw ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 2 February 12, 2025 - Offered by RepresentatITCHENS.
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-1255/1 FFK:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 2 February 3, 2025 - Introduced by RepresentativesITCHENS , KNODL, DITTRICH, DONOVAN , GREEN , B.
At the locations indicated, amend the bill as follows:
JACOBSON , MELOTIK, M URPHY, M URSAU, N EDWESKI, O'CONNOR , TEFFEN and T USLER, cosponsored by SenatorsABRAL -GUEVARA and FEYEN.
Referred to Committee on Science, Technology, and AI.
A N A CT to amend 119.04 (1);
to create 120.12 (29) of the statutes;
relating to:
requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill requires each school board to adopt, by July 1, 2026, a policy that generally prohibits pupils from using wireless communication devices during instructional time.
For purposes of these policies, the bill requires each school board to define a “wireless communication device” as a portable wireless device that is capable of providing voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties.
The bill expressly states that this definition must include cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and gaming devices.
Finally, under the bill, each school board must include in its wireless communication device policy exceptions to the general prohibition against using wireless communication devices during instructional time 1) for emergencies and perceived threats, 2) to manage a pupil’s health care, 3) for a use included in an individualized education program or plan, and 4) for a use authorized by a teacher for educational purposes.
The bill also authorizes a school board to include other exceptions if the school board determines that doing so is beneficial for pupil education or well-being.
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-1255/1 FFK:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 2 SECTION 1 The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
S ECTION 1.
119.04 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
119.04 (1) Subchapters IV, V and VII of ch.
115, ch.
121 and ss.
66.0235 (3) (c), 66.0603 (1m) to (3), 115.01 (1) and (2), 115.28, 115.31, 115.33, 115.34, 115.343, 115.345, 115.363, 115.364, 115.365 (3), 115.366, 115.367, 115.38 (2), 115.415, 115.445, 118.001 to 118.04, 118.045, 118.06, 118.07, 118.075, 118.076, 118.10, 118.12, 118.124, 118.125 to 118.14, 118.145 (4), 118.15, 118.153, 118.16, 118.162, 118.163, 118.164, 118.18, 118.19, 118.196, 118.20, 118.223, 118.225, 118.24 (1), (2) (c) to (f), (6), (8), and (10), 118.245, 118.25, 118.255, 118.258, 118.291, 118.292, 118.293, 118.2935, 118.30 to 118.43, 118.46, 118.50, 118.51, 118.52, 118.53, 118.55, 118.56, 118.58, 120.12 (2m), (4m), (5), and (15) to (27), and (29), 120.125, 120.13 (1), (2) (b) to (g), (3), (14), (17) to (19), (26), (34), (35), (37), (37m), and (38), 120.137, 120.14, 120.20, 120.21 (3), and 120.25 are applicable to a 1st class city school district and board but not, unless explicitly provided in this chapter or in the terms of a contract, to the commissioner or to any school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program.
S ECTION 2.
120.12 (29) of the statutes is created to read:
120.12 (29) ROHIBITED USES OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES.
(a) By July 1, 2026, adopt a wireless communication device policy that prohibits pupils from using a wireless communication device during instructional time.
A school board may include in the policy under this paragraph consequences for a pupil violating the policy, including confiscating a pupil’s wireless communication device for the remainder of the school day.
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-1255/1 FFK:emw ASSEMBLY BILL 2 SECTION 2 (b) Include all of the following in a policy under par.
(a):
Page 2, line 1:
That "wireless communication device" means a portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between 2 or more parties and includes all of the following:
before that line insert:
a.
XSECTION 1c.
A cellular telephone.
118.258 (title) and (1) of the statutes are repealed.
b.
S ECTION 1e.
A tablet computer.
118.258 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 120.12 (29) (c) and amended to read:
c.
120.12 (29) (c) Annually, if the school board adopts rules under sub.
A laptop computer.
(1), it shall provide each pupil enrolled in the school district with a copy of the rules policy under par.
d.
(a).Y.
A gaming device.
Page 2, line 8:
Exceptions to the prohibition required under par.
delete X118.258,Y and substitute X118.258,Y.
(a) for all of the following:
a.
In the event of an emergency or a perceived threat.
b.
Show all 60 changed rows (20 more)
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To manage the pupil’s health care.
c.
A use included in a pupil’s individualized education program or a plan developed under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
d.
A use authorized by a teacher for educational purposes during instructional time.
Page 2, line 19:
Other exceptions to the prohibition required under par.
after XdeviceY insert X, other than a school district-issued wireless communication device,Y.
(a) if the school board determines doing so is beneficial to pupil learning or well-being.
4.
(END)
Page 3, line 16:
delete lines 16 and 17.
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRBa0008/1 FFK:amn&skw 5.
Page 3, line 17:
after that line insert:
X(d) 1.
By no later than October 1, 2026, submit a copy of the policy under par.
(a), or if applicable, a policy that is more restrictive than what is required under this subsection, to the office of school safety in the department of justice.
2.
By no later than October 1, 2027, and each October 1 thereafter, notify the office of school safety in the department of justice of whether changes were made to the policy submitted under this paragraph in the previous school year, and if changes were made, submit the updated policy to the office of school safety in the department of justice.
(e) Nothing in this subsection prohibits a school board from adopting a policy relating to the use or possession of wireless communication devices by pupils that is more restrictive than what is required under this subsection.Y.
(END )
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Action History

  1. Published 11-1-2025

  2. Report approved by the Governor on 10-31-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 42

  3. Presented to the Governor on 10-29-2025

  4. Report correctly enrolled on 10-20-2025

  5. LRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1)

  6. Received from Senate concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 29, Noes 4

  9. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  10. Ordered to a third reading

  11. Read a second time

  12. Placed on calendar 10-14-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  13. Available for scheduling

  14. Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 4, Noes 1

  15. Executive action taken

  16. Public hearing held

  17. Read first time and referred to committee on Education

  18. Received from Assembly

  19. Ordered immediately messaged

  20. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 53, Noes 45

  21. Rules suspended

  22. Ordered to a third reading

  23. Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

  24. Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

  25. Read a second time

  26. Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Kitchens

  27. Referred to calendar of 2-19-2025 pursuant to Assembly Rule 45 (1)

  28. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Science, Technology, and AI, Ayes 4, Noes 2

  29. Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Science, Technology, and AI, Ayes 4, Noes 2

  30. Executive action taken

  31. Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Kitchens

  32. Public hearing held

  33. Read first time and referred to Committee on Science, Technology, and AI

  34. Introduced by Representatives Kitchens, Knodl, Dittrich, Donovan, Green, B. Jacobson, Melotik, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, O'Connor, Steffen and Tusler; cosponsored by Senators Cabral-Guevara and Feyen

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 14 co-sponsors · 117 not signed on · 46 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (14)

Not signed on (117)

117 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 117 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Read a third time and concurred in

Passed 29 Yea · 4 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 18000
Democrat 9300
Unaffiliated 2100
Total 29400
% of votes cast 88%12%0%0%
How each member voted (33)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Yea
HABUSH SINYKIN — Yea
DASSLER-ALFHEI — Nay
Carpenter, Tim Democrat Yea
Drake, Dora Democrat Yea
Hesselbein, Dianne Democrat Nay
Keyeski, Sarah Democrat Yea
Larson, Chris Democrat Yea
Pfaff, Brad Democrat Yea
Ratcliff, Melissa Democrat Nay
Roys, Kelda Democrat Yea
Smith, Jeff Democrat Yea
Spreitzer, Mark Democrat Yea
Wall, Jamie Democrat Yea
Wirch, Robert Democrat Nay
Bradley, Julian Republican Yea
Cabral-Guevara, Rachael Republican Yea
Felzkowski, Mary Republican Yea
Feyen, Dan Republican Yea
Hutton, Rob Republican Yea
Jacque, André Republican Yea
Jagler, John Republican Yea
James, Jesse Republican Yea
Kapenga, Chris Republican Yea
LeMahieu, Devin Republican Yea
Marklein, Howard Republican Yea
Nass, Steve Republican Yea
Quinn, Romaine Republican Yea
Stafsholt, Rob Republican Yea
Testin, Patrick Republican Yea
Tomczyk, Cory Republican Yea
Wanggaard, Van Republican Yea
Wimberger, Eric Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Read a third time and passed

Passed 53 Yea · 45 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 52100
Democrat 04201
Unaffiliated 1200
Total 534501
% of votes cast 54%45%0%1%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Nay
MOORE OMOKUNDE — Nay
SPEAKER — Yea
Anderson, Clinton Democrat Nay
Andraca, Deb Democrat Nay
Arney, Margaret Democrat Nay
Bare, Mike Democrat Nay
Billings, Jill Democrat Nay
Brown, Brienne Democrat Nay
Clancy, Ryan Democrat Nay
Cruz, Angelina Democrat Nay
DeSanto, Karen Democrat Nay
DeSmidt, Ben Democrat Nay
Doyle, Steve Democrat Nay
Emerson, Jodi Democrat Nay
Fitzgerald, Joan Democrat Nay
Goodwin, Russell Democrat Nay
Haywood, Kalan Democrat Nay
Hong, Francesca Democrat Nay
Hysell, Andrew Democrat Nay
Jacobson, Jenna Democrat Nay
Joers, Alex Democrat Nay
Kirsch, Karen Democrat Nay
Madison, Darrin Democrat Nay
Mayadev, Renuka Democrat Nay
McCarville, Maureen Democrat Nay
McGuire, Tip Democrat Nay
Miresse, Vincent Democrat Nay
Neubauer, Greta Democrat Nay
Ortiz-Velez, Sylvia Democrat Nay
Palmeri, Lori Democrat Nay
Phelps, Christian Democrat Nay
Prado, Priscilla Democrat Nay
Rivera-Wagner, Amaad Democrat Nay
Roe, Ann Democrat Nay
Sheehan, Joe Democrat Nay
Sinicki, Christine Democrat Nay
Snodgrass, Lee Democrat Nay
Spaude, Ryan Democrat Nay
Stroud, Angela Democrat Nay
Stubbs, Shelia Democrat Not Voting
Subeck, Lisa Democrat Nay
Taylor, Sequanna Democrat Nay
Tenorio, Angelito Democrat Nay
Udell, Randy Democrat Nay
Vining, Robyn Democrat Nay
Allen, Scott Republican Yea
Armstrong, David Republican Yea
August, Tyler Republican Yea
Behnke, Elijah Republican Yea
Born, Mark Republican Yea
Brill, Lindee Republican Yea
Brooks, Robert Republican Yea
Callahan, Calvin Republican Yea
Dallman, Alex Republican Yea
Dittrich, Barbara Republican Yea
Donovan, Bob Republican Yea
Duchow, Cindi Republican Yea
Franklin, Benjamin Republican Yea
Goeben, Joy Republican Yea
Green, Chanz Republican Yea
Gundrum, Rick Republican Yea
Gustafson, Nate Republican Yea
Hurd, Karen Republican Yea
Jacobson, Brent Republican Yea
Kaufert, Dean Republican Yea
Kitchens, Joel Republican Yea
Knodl, Daniel Republican Yea
Kreibich, Rob Republican Yea
Krug, Scott Republican Yea
Kurtz, Tony Republican Yea
Maxey, Dave Republican Yea
Melotik, Paul Republican Yea
Moses, Clint Republican Yea
Murphy, David Republican Yea
Mursau, Jeffrey Republican Yea
Nedweski, Amanda Republican Yea
Neylon, Adam Republican Yea
Novak, Todd Republican Yea
O'Connor, Jerry Republican Yea
Penterman, William Republican Yea
Petersen, Kevin Republican Yea
Piwowarczyk, Jim Republican Yea
Pronschinske, Treig Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Jessie Republican Yea
Snyder, Patrick Republican Yea
Sortwell, Shae Republican Yea
Spiros, John Republican Yea
Steffen, David Republican Yea
Summerfield, Rob Republican Yea
Swearingen, Rob Republican Nay
Tittl, Paul Republican Yea
Tranel, Travis Republican Yea
Tucker, Duke Republican Yea
Tusler, Ron Republican Yea
VanderMeer, Nancy Republican Yea
Wichgers, Chuck Republican Yea
Wittke, Robert Republican Yea
Zimmerman, Shannon Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 2 do?
An Act to amend 119.04 (1); to create 120.12 (29) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 2?
AB 2 is sponsored by Cabral-Guevara, Feyen, Kitchens, Joel (Republican), Knodl, Daniel (Republican), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), Donovan, Bob (Republican), Green, Chanz (Republican), Jacobson, Brent (Republican), Melotik, Paul (Republican), Murphy, David (Republican), Mursau, Jeffrey (Republican), Nedweski, Amanda (Republican), O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Steffen, David (Republican), and Tusler, Ron (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 2?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 03, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 2?
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