Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB1183

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/26
• Refer: 3/19/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to create 20.255 (2) (bj) and 115.374 of the statutes; Relating to: grants for emergency notification systems that are accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils and making an appropriation. (FE)

Summary

AB1183 would create a new state grant program administered by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to help school districts install or upgrade emergency notification systems so they are accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils. The bill directs DPI to award grants only for systems that improve accessibility for these students, and it caps each grant at the amount the district actually spent on the installation or upgrade. The bill also makes a direct appropriation of $1,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 from the general purpose revenue fund to support the program. In effect, it adds a new statutory funding stream and a new education-related aid category for school safety and accessibility improvements.

Impact

AB1183 would amend Wisconsin statutes by creating s. 20.255 (2) (bj) to fund emergency notification system grants and s. 115.374 to establish the grant program itself. The practical impact would be to provide school districts with state reimbursement support for accessibility upgrades to emergency alert systems, potentially affecting procurement, building safety, and disability-access compliance in public schools. The bill would primarily affect DPI and local school districts, especially those serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Sentiment

The available context suggests the bill was generally positive in purpose, focusing on student safety and accessibility, but there is no recorded committee debate or vote history to show detailed support or opposition. Because the bill failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, it did not advance to enactment despite its straightforward grant-and-appropriation structure.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or votes. Any likely concerns would have centered on the new state appropriation, the ongoing fiscal commitment, and whether the grant program should reimburse districts only up to their actual costs rather than covering broader system improvements. The bill’s supporters appear to be its authors and cosponsors, while no formal opposition is recorded in the available materials.