Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive 2 R cosponsors

SB 16 — An Act to amend 19.32 (1) and 19.82 (1); to create 19.32 (1db), 19.36 (17) and (18), 19.82 (1m) and 118.1335 of the statutes;

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

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

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 05, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers (Democratic) on March 27, 2026.

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

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 13 sponsors

    1 primary, 12 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill requires interscholastic athletic associations to comply with public records laws to gain school district membership.

This bill mandates that school districts can only join interscholastic athletic associations that choose to be governed by public records and open meetings laws. The associations can be nonprofit organizations coordinating athletic contests for high school students.

Summary

An Act to amend 19.32 (1) and 19.82 (1); to create 19.32 (1db), 19.36 (17) and (18), 19.82 (1m) and 118.1335 of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

51 added · 80 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised bill SB 16 introduces specific rules for interscholastic athletic associations in Wisconsin, stating that these associations must choose to follow public records and open meetings laws if they want school districts to join them. This means that if an athletic association does not agree to transparency requirements, schools will not be allowed to participate. Additionally, the bill clarifies that records about individual referees and students can be kept confidential. These changes are significant because they aim to enhance accountability and transparency in school sports, while also balancing the privacy of individuals involved.

→
Previous
Latest
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-1590/1 MPG:cdc SENATE BILL 16 February 5, 2025 - Introduced by Senators T OMCZYK and N ASS, cosponsored by Representatives D UCHOW , BROOKS , CALLAHAN , DITTRICH, KNODL , KREIBICH , M ELOTIK , NEDWESKI , O'CONNOR , RONSCHINSKE and W ICHGERS .
Date of enactment:
Referred to Committee on Education.
Senate Bill 16 Date of publication*:
A N A CT to amend 19.32 (1) and 19.82 (1);
WISCONSIN ACT A N A CT to amend 19.32 (1) and 19.82 (1);
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill prohibits a school district from being a member of an interscholastic athletic association unless the association elects to be governed by the state’s public records and open meetings laws.
der ch.
An interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by the public records and open meetings laws is subject to those laws.
181, that coordinates athletic events or contests The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in sen- ate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Under the bill, an interscholastic athletic association can be either a nonprofit, unincorporated association or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation if the unincorporated association or corporation coordinates athletic events or contests for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in public schools.
for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in public schools.
The bill includes exceptions for records of an interscholastic athletic association pertaining to individual referees or individual pupils.
SECTION 1.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
19.32 (1) of the statutes is amended to SECTION 3.
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-1590/1 MPG:cdc SENATE BILL 16 SECTION 1 S ECTION 1.
19.36 (17) and (18) of the statutes are read:
19.32 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
created to read:
19.32 (1) “Authority” means any of the following having custody of a record:
19.36 (17) I NTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIA- 19.32 (1) “Authority” means any of the following having custody of a record:
a state or local office, elective official, agency, board, commission, committee, council, department or public body corporate and politic created by the constitution or by any law, ordinance, rule or order;
a state or local office, elec- TION REFEREE RECORDS .
a governmental or quasi-governmental corporation except for the Bradley center sports and entertainment corporation;
An interscholastic athletic as- tive official, agency, board, commission, committee, sociation that elects to be governed by this subchapter council, department or public body corporate and may withhold access to records concerning individual politic created by the constitution or by any law, ordi- referees.
a special purpose district;
(18) INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION nance, rule or order;
a governmental or quasi-govern- PUPIL RECORDS .
Records concerning an individual mental corporation except for the Bradley center sports and entertainment corporation;
a special purpose dis- pupil maintained by an interscholastic athletic associa- trict;
a nonprofit corporation which receives more than 50 percent of its funds from a county or a municipality, as defined in s.
a non- tion that elects to be governed by this subchapter are not profit corporation which receives more than 50 percent subject to the right of inspection or copying under s.
of its funds from a county or a municipality, as defined 19.35 (1).
SECTION 4.
19.82 (1) of the statutes is amended to in s.
a university police department under s.
a read:
university police department under s.
an interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by this subchapter;
an inter- 19.82 (1) “Governmental body” means a state or lo- scholastic athletic association that elects to be governed cal agency, board, commission, committee, council, de- by this subchapter;
or a formally constituted subunit of any of the foregoing.
or a formally constituted subunit of partment or public body corporate and politic created by constitution, statute, ordinance, rule or order;
S ECTION 2.
a govern- any of the foregoing.
19.32 (1db) of the statutes is created to read:
SECTION 2.
19.32 (1db) “Interscholastic athletic association” means a nonprofit association, as defined in s.
19.32 (1db) of the statutes is created to mental or quasi-governmental corporation except for the read:
184.01 (2), or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation organized under ch.
Bradley center sports and entertainment corporation;
181, that coordinates athletic events or contests for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in public schools.
a 19.32 (1db) “Interscholastic athletic association” local exposition district under subch.
S ECTION 3.
19.36 (17) and (18) of the statutes are created to read:
19.36 (17) INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION REFEREE RECORDS.
An interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by this subchapter may withhold access to records concerning individual referees.
(18) INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PUPIL RECORDS .
Records concerning an individual pupil maintained by an interscholastic athletic - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-1590/1 MPG:cdc SENATE BILL 16 SECTION 3 association that elects to be governed by this subchapter are not subject to the right of inspection or copying under s.
19.35 (1).
S ECTION 4.
19.82 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
19.82 (1) “Governmental body” means a state or local agency, board, commission, committee, council, department or public body corporate and politic created by constitution, statute, ordinance, rule or order;
Show all 62 changed rows (22 more)
Previous
Latest
a governmental or quasi- governmental corporation except for the Bradley center sports and entertainment corporation;
a local exposition district under subch.
a long-term care district under s.
a means a nonprofit association, as defined in s.
184.01 long-term care district under s.
an interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by this subchapter;
an inter- (2), or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation organized un- scholastic athletic association that elects to be governed * Section 991.11, ISCONSINSTATUTES :
or a formally constituted subunit of any of the foregoing, but excludes any such body or committee or subunit of such body which is formed for or meeting for the purpose of collective bargaining under subch.
Effective date of acts.
“Every act and every portion of an act enacted by the legislature over the gov- 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.” Wisconsin Act - 2 - 2025 Senate Bill 16 by this subchapter;
or a formally constituted subunit of der ch.
181, that coordinates athletic events or contests any of the foregoing, but excludes any such body or for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in public schools.
committee or subunit of such body which is formed for or meeting for the purpose of collective bargaining un- SECTION 6.
118.1335 of the statutes is created to read:
der subch.
S ECTION 5.
118.1335 Interscholastic athletic association SECTION 5.
19.82 (1m) “Interscholastic athletic association” means a nonprofit association, as defined in s.
membership.
184.01 (2), or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation organized under ch.
No school district may be a member of 19.82 (1m) “Interscholastic athletic association” an interscholastic athletic association, as defined in s.
181, that coordinates athletic events or contests for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in public schools.
means a nonprofit association, as defined in s.
S ECTION 6.
184.01 19.32 (1db), unless the interscholastic athletic associa- (2), or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation organized un- tion elects to be governed by subchs.
118.1335 of the statutes is created to read:
118.1335 Interscholastic athletic association membership.
No school district may be a member of an interscholastic athletic association, as defined in s.
- 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-1590/1 MPG:cdc SENATE BILL 16 S ECTION 6 19.32 (1db), unless the interscholastic athletic association elects to be governed by subchs.
END )
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

How this bill changes current law

7 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes rules for interscholastic athletic associations regarding public records and open meetings laws.

  • 19.32 (1)

    a formally constituted subunit of any of the foregoing. → an interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by this subchapter; or a formally constituted subunit of any of the foregoing.

    This change adds interscholastic athletic associations to the definition of 'Authority' if they choose to be governed by public records laws.

  • 19.82 (1)

    a formally constituted subunit of any of the foregoing. → an interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by this subchapter; or a formally constituted subunit of any of the foregoing.

    This change includes interscholastic athletic associations in the definition of 'Governmental body', provided they opt for public records compliance.

  • 19.32 (1db)

    “Interscholastic athletic association” means a nonprofit association, as defined in s. 184.01 (2), or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation organized under ch. 181, that coordinates athletic events or contests for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in public schools.

    This creates a formal definition for interscholastic athletic associations.

  • 19.36 (17)

    INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION REFEREE RECORDS. An interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by this subchapter may withhold access to records concerning individual referees.

    This allows interscholastic athletic associations to withhold records about individual referees if they choose to follow public records laws.

  • 19.36 (18)

    INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PUPIL RECORDS. Records concerning an individual pupil maintained by an interscholastic athletic association that elects to be governed by this subchapter are not subject to the right of inspection or copying under s. 19.35 (1).

    This establishes that records regarding individual pupils held by these associations are not publicly accessible.

  • 19.82 (1m)

    “Interscholastic athletic association” means a nonprofit association, as defined in s. 184.01 (2), or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation organized under ch. 181, that coordinates athletic events or contests for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in public schools.

    This creates a specific definition for interscholastic athletic associations within the public records framework.

  • 118.1335

    No school district may be a member of an interscholastic athletic association, as defined in s. 19.32 (1db), unless the interscholastic athletic association elects to be governed by subchs. II and V of ch. 19.

    This prohibits school districts from joining associations unless they comply with specified public records laws.

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 3-27-2026

  4. Presented to the Governor on 3-26-2026

  5. Report correctly enrolled

  6. Received from Assembly concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Read a third time and concurred in

  9. Rules suspended

  10. Ordered to a third reading

  11. Read a second time

  12. Made a special order of business at 11:02 AM on 2-19-2026 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 14

  13. Read first time and referred to committee on Rules

  14. Received from Senate

  15. Ordered immediately messaged

  16. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 22, Noes 11

  17. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  18. Ordered to a third reading

  19. Read a second time

  20. Placed on calendar 11-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  21. Senator Stafsholt added as a coauthor

  22. Available for scheduling

  23. Report passage recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 4, Noes 1

  24. Executive action taken

  25. Public hearing held

  26. Representative Tusler added as a cosponsor

  27. Read first time and referred to Committee on Education

  28. Introduced by Senators Tomczyk and Nass; cosponsored by Representatives Duchow, Brooks, Callahan, Dittrich, Knodl, Kreibich, Melotik, Nedweski, O'Connor, Pronschinske and Wichgers

Sponsors

  • Duchow · Cosponsor
  • Brooks · Cosponsor
  • Callahan · Cosponsor
  • Dittrich · Cosponsor
  • Knodl · Cosponsor
  • Kreibich · Cosponsor
  • Melotik · Cosponsor
  • Nedweski · Cosponsor
  • O'Connor · Cosponsor
  • Pronschinske · Cosponsor
  • Wichgers · Cosponsor
  • Cory Tomczyk · Primary
  • Steve Nass · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 12 co-sponsors · 119 not signed on · 9 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (12)

  • Duchow
  • Brooks
  • Callahan
  • Dittrich
  • Knodl
  • Kreibich
  • Melotik
  • Nedweski
  • O'Connor
  • Pronschinske
  • Wichgers
  • Nass, Steve Republican

Not signed on (119)

119 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 119 →

"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 passed

Passed 22 Yea · 11 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 18000
Democrat 3900
Unaffiliated 1200
Total 221100
% of votes cast 67%33%0%0%
How each member voted (33)
Member Party Vote
DASSLER-ALFHEI — Yea
HABUSH SINYKIN — Nay
JOHNSON — Nay
Carpenter, Tim Democrat Yea
Drake, Dora Democrat Nay
Hesselbein, Dianne Democrat Nay
Keyeski, Sarah Democrat Nay
Larson, Chris Democrat Yea
Pfaff, Brad Democrat Nay
Ratcliff, Melissa Democrat Nay
Roys, Kelda Democrat Nay
Smith, Jeff Democrat Yea
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 →

Subjects

public-safety education health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 16 do?
An Act to amend 19.32 (1) and 19.82 (1); to create 19.32 (1db), 19.36 (17) and (18), 19.82 (1m) and 118.1335 of the statutes;
Who sponsors SB 16?
SB 16 is sponsored by Duchow, Brooks, Callahan, Dittrich, Knodl, Kreibich, Melotik, Nedweski, O'Connor, Pronschinske, Wichgers, Tomczyk, Cory (Republican), and Nass, Steve (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 16?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 05, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SB 16?
Track SB 16 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 16

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 16

Last checked for changes 3 days ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →