Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive 15 R cosponsors

AB 5 — Relating to: requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents.

Last action — Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

  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.

Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers (Democratic) on October 31, 2025.

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

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low 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.

  • 18 sponsors

    1 primary, 17 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (15 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 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 118.03 (1) and 118.03 (4); to create 118.03 (1m) and 118.032 of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

47 added · 100 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Assembly Bill 5 introduces new requirements for school boards in Wisconsin regarding the accessibility of textbooks and instructional materials. Notably, it mandates that school boards must respond to requests from residents to inspect these materials within 14 days, ensuring greater transparency. This change empowers parents and community members to better understand what is being taught in their schools, highlighting the importance of accessible educational resources.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-1225/1 FFK:skw ASSEMBLY BILL 5 February 3, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives D ITTRICH, K NODL , NEDWESKI , B EHNKE , ALLEN , RILL , GOEBEN , GUNDRUM , B.
Date of enactment:
ACOBSON , KREIBICH, KRUG , M URPHY , PIWOWARCZYK , T USLER and W ICHGERS , cosponsored by Senators T OMCZYK , NASS and W ANGGAARD .
Assembly Bill 5 Date of publication*:
Referred to Committee on Education.
WISCONSIN ACT A N A CT to amend 118.03 (1) and 118.03 (4);
A N A CT to amend 118.03 (1) and 118.03 (4);
requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents.
re- quiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill requires a school board to comply with a school district resident’s written request to inspect a textbook, curriculum, or instructional material within days.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in sen- stitute an infringement of copyright under the federal ate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Under the bill, a school board must comply with a school district resident’s written request to inspect curricula or instructional materials used in a school in the school district by no later than 14 days after the school board receives the written request.
Copyright Act, 17 USC 101 to 1511.
The bill also requires each school board to adopt procedures under which the school board is able to produce for inspection any curriculum or instructional material used in a school in the school district in fewer than 14 days.
The bill defines “curriculum” as a curriculum plan adopted by a school board to comply with state law and defines “instructional material” as any course content or resource included in a curriculum.
Similarly, the bill requires a school board to comply with a school district resident’s written request to inspect a textbook on the school board’s list of adopted - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-1225/1 FFK:skw ASSEMBLY BILL 5 SECTION 1 textbooks by no later than 14 days after the school board receives the written request.
Under the bill, a school board must also adopt procedures under which the school board is capable of producing for inspection any textbook included on the school board’s list of adopted textbooks in no more than 14 days.
Current law requires each school board to adopt all textbooks necessary for use in schools in the school district and file a list of adopted textbooks with the school district clerk.
Under the bill, each school board must also post the list of adopted textbooks on the school board’s website.
Finally, the bill specifies that nothing in the bill may be construed to require a school board to take an action that would violate federal copyright law and that the bill does not limit any rights a school district resident has to inspect or copy records under open records law.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
118.03 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
118.03 (1) The school board shall adopt all the textbooks necessary for use in the schools under its charge.
The school board shall file the list of the adopted books shall be filed textbooks with the school district clerk and shall post the list on the school board’s website.
SECTION 2.
118.03 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
118.03 (1m) (a) Upon written request, a resident of a school district may inspect a copy of any textbook adopted under sub.
(1) at a location designated by the school board for the public to access records under s.
19.34 and at no cost to the resident.
The school board shall comply with a written request under this paragraph by no later than 14 days after the date on which the school board receives the written request.
(b) A school board shall adopt procedures under which the school board is able to make available for inspection a copy of any textbook adopted under sub.
(1) in fewer than 14 days.
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-1225/1 FFK:skw ASSEMBLY BILL 5 SECTION 2 (c) 1.
This subsection may not be construed to require a school board to take any action that would constitute an infringement of copyright under the federal Copyright Act, 17 USC 101 to 1511.
Nothing in this subsection limits a school district resident’s rights to access or copy records, as defined in s.
Nothing in this subsection limits a school district SECTION 1.
118.03 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
resident[s rights to access or copy records, as defined in 118.03 (1) The school board shall adopt all the text- s.
S ECTION 3.
books necessary for use in the schools under its charge.
SECTION 3.
118.03 (4) Any person violating this section sub.
The school board shall file the list of the adopted books 118.03 (4) Any person violating this section sub.
(1), (2), or (3) may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $100.
shall be filed textbooks with the school district clerk and (1), (2), or (3) may be fined not less than $25 nor more shall post the list on the school board[s website.
S ECTION 4.
SECTION 2.
118.03 (1m) of the statutes is created to than $100.
read:
SECTION 4.
Show all 62 changed rows (22 more)
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118.032 Curricula and instructional materials;
118.03 (1m) (a) Upon written request, a resident of 118.032 Curricula and instructional materials;
inspection.
a school district may inspect a copy of any textbook inspection.
(a) “Curriculum” means a curriculum plan adopted by a school board to comply with a school board duty under s.
adopted under sub.
118.01 (2), 118.015, 118.017, 118.019, or 121.02 (1) (c), (h), (k), (L), or (m).
(1) at a location designated by the (a) XCurriculumY means a curriculum plan adopted school board for the public to access records under s.
(b) “Instructional material” means any course content or resource included in a curriculum.
(2) (a) Upon written request, a resident of a school district may inspect a copy of any curriculum or instructional material used in a school in the school district at a location designated by the school board for the public to access records under s.
The school board shall comply with a written request under this paragraph by no later than 14 days after the date on which the school board receives the written request.
The school board by a school board to comply with a school board duty under s.
(b) A school board shall establish procedures under which the school board is - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-1225/1 FFK:skw ASSEMBLY BILL 5 SECTION 4 able to make available for inspection a copy of any curriculum or instructional material used in a school under its charge in fewer than 14 days.
118.01 (2), 118.015, 118.017, 118.019, or shall comply with a written request under this paragraph 121.02 (1) (c), (h), (k), (L), or (m).
(c) 1.
by no later than 14 days after the date on which the (b) XInstructional materialY means any course con- school board receives the written request.
This subsection may not be construed to require a school board to take any action that would constitute an infringement of copyright under the federal Copyright Act, 17 USC 101 to 1511.
tent or resource included in a curriculum.
(b) A school board shall adopt procedures under (2) (a) Upon written request, a resident of a school which the school board is able to make available for in- district may inspect a copy of any curriculum or instruc- spection a copy of any textbook adopted under sub.
(1) tional material used in a school in the school district at a in fewer than 14 days.
location designated by the school board for the public to (c) 1.
This subsection may not be construed to re- access records under s.
19.34 and at no cost to the resi- quire a school board to take any action that would con- dent.
The school board shall comply with a written re- ernor's partial veto which does not expressly prescribe the time when it takes effect shall take effect on the day after its date of publication.Y Wisconsin Act - 2 - 2025 Assembly Bill 5 quest under this paragraph by no later than 14 days after stitute an infringement of copyright under the federal the date on which the school board receives the written Copyright Act, 17 USC 101 to 1511.
request.
Nothing in this subsection limits a school district resident’s rights to access or copy records, as defined in s.
Nothing in this subsection limits a school district (b) A school board shall establish procedures under resident[s rights to access or copy records, as defined in which the school board is able to make available for in- s.
S ECTION 5.
spection a copy of any curriculum or instructional mate- SECTION 5.
(1) This act first applies to textbooks adopted for use and curricula and instructional materials used in the school year beginning after the effective date of this subsection.
rial used in a school under its charge in fewer than 14 (1) This act first applies to textbooks adopted for days.
(END)
use and curricula and instructional materials used in the (c) 1.
This subsection may not be construed to re- school year beginning after the effective date of this quire a school board to take any action that would con- subsection.
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Action History

  1. Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

  2. Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)

  3. Report vetoed by the Governor on 10-31-2025

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

  5. Report correctly enrolled on 10-15-2025

  6. Received from Senate concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  9. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  10. Ordered to a third reading

  11. Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  12. Read a second time

  13. Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senators Larson, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Wall and Wirch

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

  15. Available for scheduling

  16. Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  17. Executive action taken

  18. Public hearing held

  19. Read first time and referred to committee on Education

  20. Received from Assembly

  21. Ordered immediately messaged

  22. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 54, Noes 43

  23. Rules suspended

  24. Ordered to a third reading

  25. Read a second time

  26. Representative Gustafson added as a coauthor

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

  28. Report passage recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 9, Noes 4

  29. Representative O'Connor added as a coauthor

  30. Executive action taken

  31. Public hearing held

  32. Read first time and referred to Committee on Education

  33. Introduced by Representatives Dittrich, Knodl, Nedweski, Behnke, Allen, Brill, Goeben, Gundrum, B. Jacobson, Kreibich, Krug, Murphy, Piwowarczyk, Tusler and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Tomczyk, Nass and Wanggaard

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 17 co-sponsors · 114 not signed on · 53 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (17)

Not signed on (114)

114 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 114 →

"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

Senate Amendment 1 rejected

Passed 18 Yea · 15 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 18000
Democrat 01200
Unaffiliated 0300
Total 181500
% of votes cast 55%45%0%0%
How each member voted (33)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Nay
DASSLER-ALFHEI — Nay
HABUSH SINYKIN — Nay
Carpenter, Tim Democrat Nay
Drake, Dora Democrat Nay
Hesselbein, Dianne Democrat Nay
Keyeski, Sarah Democrat Nay
Larson, Chris Democrat Nay
Pfaff, Brad Democrat Nay
Ratcliff, Melissa Democrat Nay
Roys, Kelda Democrat Nay
Smith, Jeff Democrat Nay
Spreitzer, Mark Democrat Nay
Wall, Jamie Democrat Nay
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 54 Yea · 43 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 53000
Democrat 04102
Unaffiliated 1200
Total 544302
% of votes cast 55%43%0%2%
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 Not Voting
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 Yea
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
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 5 do?
An Act to amend 118.03 (1) and 118.03 (4); to create 118.03 (1m) and 118.032 of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 5?
AB 5 is sponsored by Tomczyk, Nass, Wanggaard, Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), Knodl, Daniel (Republican), Nedweski, Amanda (Republican), Behnke, Elijah (Republican), Allen, Scott (Republican), Brill, Lindee (Republican), Goeben, Joy (Republican), Gundrum, Rick (Republican), Jacobson, Brent (Republican), Kreibich, Rob (Republican), Krug, Scott (Republican), Murphy, David (Republican), Piwowarczyk, Jim (Republican), Tusler, Ron (Republican), and Wichgers, Chuck (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 5?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 03, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 5?
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