An Act to create 20.255 (2) (bk) and 115.375 of the statutes; Relating to: grants for school district construction of or upgrades to accessible playgrounds and making an appropriation. (FE)
Summary
AB1184 would create a new grant program within the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to help school districts build new playgrounds or upgrade existing playgrounds so they are accessible to pupils with disabilities. The bill creates a new statutory section, 115.375, directing DPI to administer the program and award grants from a new appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (bk).
The grants would be limited to school districts that construct or improve playgrounds for accessibility, and a district could not receive more than the amount it actually spent on the construction or upgrade. The bill also adds $1,000,000 in general purpose revenue for the program in each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, for a total of $2,000,000 over the biennium.
Impact
AB1184 would amend Wisconsin’s education finance statutes by creating a dedicated DPI grant appropriation and a new program specifically for accessible playground projects in school districts. It would not broadly change special education law, but it would add a targeted funding mechanism to support physical accessibility improvements on school property and would affect school districts seeking reimbursement for playground construction or retrofits.
Sentiment
The available record suggests generally favorable, noncontroversial support for the bill’s purpose, as it is framed as a disability-access and school infrastructure measure. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, so there is no evidence of formal opposition or debate in the available history.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential issues implied by the bill’s structure could include the size of the appropriation, whether the reimbursement cap is sufficient to incentivize projects, and how DPI would prioritize or administer grants if requests exceed available funding, but no stakeholder objections are recorded here.
Crossfiled
An Act to create 20.255 (2) (bk) and 115.375 of the statutes; Relating to: grants for school district construction of or upgrades to accessible playgrounds and making an appropriation. (FE)
An Act Making Appropriations For Certain Grants-in-aid For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2026; Specifying Certain Procedures, Conditions And Limitations For The Expenditure Of Such Funds; Amending The Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Act; Amending The Fiscal Year 2026 One-time Supplemental Appropriations Act; And Amending Certain Statutory Provisions.
Urging The Counties Of The State To Install A Minimum Set Of Accessible Recreational Playground Equipment In Each Playground Located In A County Park And To Establish Comprehensive Maintenance Plans That Ensure The Long-term Safety, Cleanliness, And Functionality Of Each Playground.
Urging The Counties Of The State To Install A Minimum Set Of Accessible Recreational Playground Equipment In Each Playground Located In A County Park And To Establish Comprehensive Maintenance Plans That Ensure The Long-term Safety, Cleanliness, And Functionality Of Each Playground.