Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Introduced 4 R cosponsors

SB 651 — Relating to: prohibiting critical telecommunications infrastructure from including equipment manufactured by a foreign adversary. (FE)

Last action — Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

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

This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced November 14, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

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

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 17 sponsors

    1 primary, 16 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (4 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 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 create 196.95 of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

128 added · 265 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes to Senate Bill 651 clarify and broaden the scope of regulations regarding critical telecommunications infrastructure. The updated version strengthens prohibitions by not only banning equipment from foreign adversaries but also related technology that could allow these entities access or control over critical infrastructure, specifically mentioning both telecommunications and energy. This is important because it enhances the state's security measures against potential foreign exploitation of key communication and energy systems, ensuring that both public safety and national security are better protected. Additionally, it now includes penalties for violations, which reinforces compliance among telecommunications providers.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO SENATE BILL 651 February 12, 2026 - Offered by SenaESTIN.
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-5273/1 KP:emw&cdc SENATE BILL 651 November 14, 2025 - Introduced by SenatorsESTIN, ACQUE , ASS and TOMCZYK , cosponsored by Representatives K NODL, C ALLAHAN , M URPHY , K URTZ, PENTERMAN , PIWOWARCZYK , M URSAU, M OSES, MELOTIK , GREEN, DALLMAN , BRILLand B EHNKE .
A N A CT to create 1.12 (5) (c), 16.14, 134.13 and 196.95 of the statutes;
Referred to Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs.
A N A CT to create 196.95 of the statutes;
prohibiting critical telecommunications infrastructure from including equipment manufactured by certain entities, prohibiting certain contracts and uses of technology related to critical infrastructure, and providing a penalty.
prohibiting critical telecommunications infrastructure from including equipment manufactured by a foreign adversary.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill prohibits telecommunications providers from purchasing, renting, leasing, obtaining, or maintaining critical telecommunications infrastructure that includes equipment manufactured by a foreign principal of a foreign adversary or prohibited by the federal government on a list published by the Federal Communications Commission under federal law.
SECTION 1.
The bill also requires telecommunications providers to remove from critical telecommunications infrastructure any existing equipment manufactured by a foreign principal or prohibited by the FCC.
1.12 (5) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
In addition, telecommunications providers must annually certify to the Public Service Commission whether they are in compliance with the bill’s requirements.
1.12 (5) (c) It is the policy of this state that any network-connected information and communication technology that would allow a foreign principal, as defined in s.
Telecommunications providers who maintain critical telecommunications infrastructure that contains equipment prohibited by the bill must provide to PSC the geographic coordinates of the equipment, the telecommunications service coverage area serviced by the equipment, and a plan for replacing the equipment.
16.14 (1) (d), to directly or remotely access or control critical - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc SECTION 1 infrastructure, as defined in s.
PSC must use the reported information to produce a map of this state showing the locations of the prohibited equipment and the telecommunications service coverage areas serviced by the prohibited equipment and must make the map available to the public.
16.14 (1) (a), related to energy in this state should not be used in that critical infrastructure.
PSC must also prepare a report - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-5273/1 KP:emw&cdc SENATE BILL 651 SECTION 1 containing the map and submit the report to the governor, speaker of the assembly, president of the senate, and appropriate standing committees of the legislature.
SECTION 2.
Under the bill, “foreign adversary” means a person determined by the U.S.
16.14 of the statutes is created to read:
Department of Commerce to be a foreign adversary of the United States.
16.14 Contracts and uses of technology related to critical infrastructure.
Those countries currently include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
(1) DEFINITIONS.
The bill defines “foreign principal” to mean any of the following:
In this section:
(a) “Critical infrastructure” means systems and assets, whether physical or virtual or publicly or privately held, so vital to this state or to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating effect on state or national security, state or national economic security, state or national public health, or any combination of the foregoing.
“Critical infrastructure” includes all of the following:
Gas and oil production, storage, and delivery systems.
The government or an official of the government of a foreign adversary.
Water supply, refinement, storage, and delivery systems.
An individual who is a citizen of a foreign adversary, is not a lawful permanent resident of the United States, and does not hold a valid, unexpired visa issued by the U.S.
Department of State that authorizes the individual to be legally present in this state.
Telecommunications networks.
A business entity that is organized under the laws of a foreign adversary and that does not have its principal place of business in the United States.
Electrical power delivery systems.
An investment fund that is owned or controlled by a foreign adversary or agent of a foreign adversary.
Emergency services.
An entity that has 50 percent or more of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a person or combination of persons described in items 1 to 4.
Transportation systems and services.
An agent of a person described in items 1 to 5.
(b) “Entity” means a person other than an individual.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
(c) 1.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Except as provided under subd.
SECTION 1.
2., “foreign adversary” means any of the following:
196.95 of the statutes is created to read:
a.
196.95 Critical telecommunications infrastructure requirements.
The People’s Republic of China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region.
(1) DEFINITIONS .
b.
In this section:
The Republic of Cuba.
(a) “Critical telecommunications infrastructure” means physical telecommunications infrastructure and equipment that supports the transmission of information, regardless of the transmission medium or technology employed, and that connects to a telecommunications network that permits the user to engage in the use of telecommunications service.
c.
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-5273/1 KP:emw&cdc SENATE BILL 651 S ECTION 1 (b) “Entity” means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, or other organization or enterprise.
The Islamic Republic of Iran.
(c) “Foreign adversary” means a person determined to be a foreign adversary under 15 CFR 791.4.
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc SECTION 2 d.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
e.
The Russian Federation.
f.
The Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro.
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2.
“Foreign adversary” does not include any country, government, regime, or person specified under subd.
1.
if the country, government, regime, or person is not included in the list of foreign adversaries under 15 CFR 791.4, as amended from time to time.
A foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary.
The government or an official of the government of a foreign adversary.
An individual who is a citizen of a country controlled by a foreign adversary.
An individual who is a citizen of a foreign adversary, is not a lawful permanent resident of the United States, and does not hold a valid, unexpired visa issued by the federal department of state that authorizes the individual to be legally present in this state.
A business entity that is organized under the laws of a country controlled by a foreign adversary and whose principal place of business is located within territory controlled by that foreign adversary.
A business entity that is organized under the laws of a foreign adversary that does not have its principal place of business in the United States.
An entity that has 50 percent or more of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a foreign adversary or other person or combination of persons described in subds.
An entity that has 50 percent or more of its stock, securities, or other indicia of ownership owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a person or combination of persons described in subds.
An entity whose governance structure or internal monitoring or human resources decision-making is consistent with the objectives set forth in the Opinion on Strengthening the United Front Work of the Private Economy in the New Era issued on September 15, 2020, by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party or a successor or similar document issued by the Chinese Communist Party by an agent of the Chinese Communist Party.
- 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc S ECTION 2 7.
An entity that is controlled by the government of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese military, or an instrumentality of any of the foregoing, including the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and the National Council for Social Security Fund of the People’s Republic of China.
8.
to 7.
to 5.
(e) “State agency” means an association, authority, board, department, commission, independent agency, institution, system, office, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law.
(e) “Telecommunications service” has the meaning given in s.
(2) PROHIBITED CONTRACTS AND USES OF TECHNOLOGY .
182.017 (1g) (cq).
(a) Except as provided under par.
(b), no state agency may do any of the following:
1.
Enter into a contract with a foreign principal that allows the foreign principal to directly or remotely access or control critical infrastructure in this state.
2.
Put into use in critical infrastructure any network-connected information and communication technology that allows a foreign principal to directly or remotely access or control critical infrastructure in this state and that appears on the list maintained by the department under sub.
(3) (b).
(b) If a state agency is unable to source an alternative to a technology or entity on the list under sub.
(3) (b), the state agency shall certify to the department each contract or use of a technology described in par.
(a) 1.
or 2.
related to critical infrastructure within this state.
(3) DEPARTMENT DUTIES .
The department shall do all of the following:
- 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc SECTION 2 (a) Review contracts and uses of technology for approval under sub.
(2) (b) and s.
134.13 (2) (b).
(b) Establish and maintain a list of network-connected information and communication technologies and entities prohibited under sub.
(2) (a) and s.
134.13 (2) (a).
The department shall include on the list under this paragraph all entries on the list under section 1260H of P.L.
116-283, the entity list published by the bureau of industry and security of the U.S.
department of commerce as described in 15 CFR 744.16, and the covered list published by the federal communications commission’s public safety and homeland security bureau as described in 47 CFR 1.50002.
If the department adds any new network-connected information and communication technology or entity to the list under this paragraph, the department shall establish the effective date upon which use of the new network-connected information and communication technology is prohibited, and, upon such effective date, no use of the new network-connected information and communication technology may be put into service for critical infrastructure.
The effective date may not be more than 90 days after the date the department adds the network- connected information and communication technology to the list.
SECTION 3.
134.13 of the statutes is created to read:
134.13 Critical infrastructure regulation.
(1) D EFINITIONS.
In this section:
(a) “Covered entity” means an entity other than a state agency that constructs, repairs, operates, or otherwise has significant access to critical infrastructure.
- 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc SECTION 3 (b) “Critical infrastructure” has the meaning given in s.
16.14 (1) (a).
(c) “Department” means the department of administration.
(d) “Entity” has the meaning given in s.
16.14 (1) (b).
(e) “Foreign principal” has the meaning given in s.
16.14 (1) (d).
(f) “Public utility” has the meaning given in s.
196.01 (5).
(g) “State agency” has the meaning given in s.
16.14 (1) (e).
(2) PROHIBITED CONTRACTS AND USES OF TECHNOLOGY .
(a) Except as provided under par.
(b), no covered entity may do any of the following:
1.
Knowingly enter into a contract with a foreign principal that allows the foreign principal to directly or remotely access or control critical infrastructure in this state.
2.
Knowingly put into use in critical infrastructure any network-connected information and communication technology that allows a foreign principal to directly or remotely access or control critical infrastructure in this state and that appears on the list maintained by the department under s.
16.14 (3) (b).
(b) 1.
Except as provided in subd.
2., if a covered entity is unable to source an alternative to a technology or entity on the list maintained by the department under s.
16.14 (3) (b), the covered entity shall certify to the department each contract or use of a technology described in par.
(a) 1.
or 2.
related to critical infrastructure within this state.
2.
For a covered entity that is a public utility, if the covered entity is unable to source an alternative to a technology or entity on the list maintained by the department under s.
16.14 (3) (b), the covered entity shall certify to the public - 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc SECTION 3 service commission each contract or use of a technology described in par.
(a) 1.
or 2.
related to critical infrastructure within this state.
SECTION 4.
196.95 of the statutes is created to read:
196.95 Critical telecommunications infrastructure requirements.
(1) DEFINITIONS.
In this section:
(a) Critical telecommunications infrastructure” means any equipment located in this state used in fixed and mobile networks that provides high-speed, switched, broadband telecommunications capability, provided the equipment includes or uses electronic components.
(b) “Federally banned equipment” means any equipment deemed to pose a threat to national security as identified on the Covered List published by the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau as described in 47 CFR 1.50002.
(c) “Telecommunications provider” means a person that offers telecommunications service for a fee directly to the public or to such classes of users as to effectively be available to the public.
(c) “Telecommunications service” has the meaning given in 47 USC 153 (53).
(5) (a) 2., no critical telecommunications infrastructure constructed on or after the effective date of this subsection ....
(3), beginning on the effective date of this subsection ....
[LRB inserts date] may contain federally banned equipment (3) REMOVAL OF EXISTING EQUIPMENT .
[LRB inserts date], no provider of telecommunications service may purchase, rent, lease, obtain, or maintain critical telecommunications infrastructure that includes - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-5273/1 KP:emw&cdc SENATE BILL 651 S ECTION 1 equipment manufactured by a foreign principal or equipment that is prohibited by the federal government on the list published by the federal communications commission under 47 USC 1601.
A telecommunications provider that, on the effective date of this subsection ....
(3) R EMOVAL OF EXISTING EQUIPMENT .
[LRB inserts date], operates and uses federally banned equipment in critical telecommunications infrastructure shall - 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc SECTION 4 remove the federally banned equipment from the critical telecommunications infrastructure.
A provider of telecommunications service who, on the effective date of this subsection ....
(4) PERMIT NOT REQUIRED .
[LRB inserts date], maintains critical telecommunications infrastructure that includes equipment manufactured by a foreign principal or equipment that is prohibited by the federal government on the list published by the federal communications commission under 47 USC 1601 shall remove that equipment from the critical telecommunications infrastructure in accordance with the federal program established under 47 USC 1601 et seq.
(a) A telecommunications provider that removes, discontinues, or replaces any federally banned equipment is not required to obtain any permit from any agency, as defined in s.
(4) C ERTIFICATION;REPORTING PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT .
13.172 (1), or a city, village, town, or county for the removal, discontinuance, or replacement of the federally banned equipment if all of the following apply:
(a) Annually, no later than January 15, each provider of telecommunications service shall certify to the commission whether the provider is in compliance with the requirements in subs.
(2) and (3).
(b) Except as provided in sub.
(3), a provider of telecommunications service who maintains critical telecommunications infrastructure that includes equipment manufactured by a foreign principal or equipment that is prohibited by the federal government on the list published by the federal communications commission under 47 USC 1601 shall provide to the public service commission all of the following:
The telecommunications provider notifies the commission or the appropriate agency, as defined in s.
The geographic coordinates of the equipment 2.
13.172 (1), or city, village, town, or county of the necessary removal, discontinuance, or replacement of the federally banned equipment.
The telecommunications service coverage area serviced by the equipment.
2.
The replacement equipment is substantially similar to the existing federally banned equipment that is being replaced.
(b) If the removal, discontinuance, or replacement of federally banned equipment requires any work to be completed in a public right-of-way or any property controlled by an agency, as defined in s.
13.172 (1), or a city, village, town, or county, the telecommunications provider shall do all of the following:
1.
Satisfy the requirements described in par.
(a) 1.
and 2.
2.
Provide notice to the agency, as defined in s.
13.172 (1), or city, village, town, or county at least 7 days before beginning any work.
Coordinate with the agency, as defined in s.
A plan for replacing the equipment in accordance with the federal program established under 47 USC 1601 et seq.
13.172 (1), or city, village, town, or county for completion of the work.
- 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-5273/1 KP:emw&cdc SENATE BILL 651 S ECTION 1 (c) 1.
(5) CERTIFICATION.
The commission shall use the information provided under par.
(a) Annually, no later than January 15, each telecommunications provider shall certify to the commission that all critical - 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc SECTION 4 telecommunications infrastructure maintained by the telecommunications provider satisfies one of the following:
(b) to produce a map of this state showing the locations of the equipment described in par.
1.
(b) and the telecommunications service coverage areas described in par.
The critical telecommunications infrastructure does not use any federally banned equipment.
(b) and shall make the map available to the public.
The critical telecommunications infrastructure uses federally banned equipment and the telecommunications provider is a participant in the federal Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program established by 47 USC 1601 et seq.
Annually, no later than February 15, the commission shall prepare a written report containing the map described in subd.
and is in compliance with the program.
1.
(b) Following the certification under par.
and submit the report to the governor and to the speaker of the assembly, the president of the senate, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s.
(a), if a telecommunications provider uses federally banned equipment in critical telecommunications infrastructure, the telecommunications provider shall update its certification with the commission within 90 days of such federally banned equipment coming into use.
(6) R EPORTING.
(a) Except as provided in par.
(b), a telecommunications provider that maintains critical telecommunications infrastructure that includes federally banned equipment shall report to the commission the information required in annual reports under 47 USC 1604.
(b) A telecommunications provider that has timely filed all reports required under 47 USC 1604 is not required to provide information to the commission under par.
(a).
(c) The commission may not require a telecommunications provider that certifies that it is a participant in the federal Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program under 47 USC 1601 et seq to provide more information that what the telecommunications provider is required to provide the federal government under its participation in the federal program.
- 2026 Legislature - 10 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc SECTION 4 (d) A telecommunications provider that submits a report under par.
(a) may request confidential treatment of reported information under subch.
II of ch.
19 and may also request confidential treatment of reported information if disclosure may pose security risks to critical telecommunications infrastructure.
(e) Annually, no later than February 15, the commission shall prepare a written report containing the information received under this subsection and submit the report to the governor and to the speaker of the assembly, the president of the senate, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s.
(7) P ENALTIES.
END )
(a) In this subsection, “agent” means an authorized person who acts on behalf of or at the direction of a telecommunications provider.
“Agent” does not include a director, officer or employee of a telecommunications provider.
(b) An officer of a telecommunications provider shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $2,500, an agent of a telecommunications provider shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $25,000 or an employee of a telecommunications provider shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each offense if the officer, agent or employee violates this section.
(c) A telecommunications provider shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $25,000 for each violation under par.
(b) if the officer, agent or employee of the telecommunications provider acted under the direction or request of the telecommunications provider or any general officer of the telecommunications provider.
S ECTION 5.
Initial applicability.
(1) PROHIBITED CONTRACTS AND USES OF TECHNOLOGY .
The treatment of ss.
- 2026 Legislature - 11 - LRBs0354/1 KP:cjs&cdc S ECTION 5 16.14 and 134.13 first applies to a contract that is executed or a network-connected information and communication technology that is put into use on the effective date of this subsection.
(END )
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Action History

  1. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Available for scheduling

  3. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  4. Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  5. Executive action taken

  6. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Testin

  7. Fiscal estimate received

  8. Public hearing held

  9. Representative O'Connor added as a cosponsor

  10. Representative Steffen added as a cosponsor

  11. Representative Gustafson added as a cosponsor

  12. Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Testin

  13. Read first time and referred to Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs

  14. Introduced by Senators Testin, Jacque, Nass and Tomczyk; cosponsored by Representatives Knodl, Callahan, Murphy, Kurtz, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Mursau, Moses, Melotik, Green, Dallman, Brill and Behnke

Sponsors

  • Patrick Testin · Primary
  • André Jacque · Cosponsor
  • Steve Nass · Cosponsor
  • Cory Tomczyk · Cosponsor
  • Knodl · Cosponsor
  • Callahan · Cosponsor
  • Murphy · Cosponsor
  • Kurtz · Cosponsor
  • Penterman · Cosponsor
  • Piwowarczyk · Cosponsor
  • Mursau · Cosponsor
  • Moses · Cosponsor
  • Melotik · Cosponsor
  • Green · Cosponsor
  • Dallman · Cosponsor
  • Brill · Cosponsor
  • Behnke · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 16 co-sponsors · 115 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (16)

Not signed on (115)

115 members have not signed on to this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 651 do?
An Act to create 196.95 of the statutes;
Who sponsors SB 651?
SB 651 is sponsored by Testin, Patrick (Republican), Jacque, André (Republican), Nass, Steve (Republican), Tomczyk, Cory (Republican), Knodl, Callahan, Murphy, Kurtz, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Mursau, Moses, Melotik, Green, Dallman, Brill, and Behnke.
What is the current status of SB 651?
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced November 14, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 651?
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