Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB9

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Report Pass: 10/8/25
• Refer: 10/8/25
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend 119.04 (1); to create 118.065 of the statutes; Relating to: allowing representatives of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations to provide information to pupils on public school property.

Summary

AB9 would require public schools in Wisconsin, including charter schools, to accommodate requests from certain federally chartered youth membership organizations to present information to students on school property at the beginning of the school term. If a qualifying organization makes a request, the school principal must schedule at least one date and time for representatives to provide oral or written information to pupils during the school day, and the presentation may occur during noninstructional time as determined by the principal. The bill states that the information may explain how the organization supports students’ educational interests, civic involvement, and good citizenship, and it is aimed at encouraging student participation in the organization. The bill creates a new statute, s. 118.065, defining “youth membership organization” by reference to certain federally chartered organizations in Title 36 of the U.S. Code that have an educational purpose and promote civic involvement. The bill also amends s. 119.04(1) to incorporate the new provision into the statutory framework governing first-class city school districts. Its practical effect would be to impose a new duty on school principals to provide access for these organizations when requested, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is supportive of youth civic and educational organizations and their role in schools. The measure appears designed to facilitate outreach by familiar groups such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and there is no recorded committee testimony or vote history in the provided materials showing formal opposition or support. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1. The main point of potential contention is the use of public school property and school time for outside organizations to recruit students. Supporters would likely view the bill as a low-burden way to broaden student access to civic and leadership opportunities, while critics might question whether schools should be required to host outside groups or whether the mandate could create scheduling, access, or neutrality concerns. Because no transcripts or votes are provided, the specific arguments for or against the bill are not documented in the supplied record.

Impact

AB9 would add a new statutory requirement in Wisconsin education law, creating s. 118.065 and making related conforming changes to s. 119.04(1). Public schools, including charter schools, would have to schedule at least one opportunity at the start of the school term for qualifying federally chartered youth membership organizations to present information to students if requested. The bill would affect school administrators by imposing an affirmative scheduling obligation and would expand access for organizations such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to recruit and inform students on school property.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally favorable toward youth organizations, civic engagement, and school-based outreach. Its language frames the measure as supporting educational interests and good citizenship, suggesting a positive policy intent. No committee discussion or recorded votes are included in the provided materials, so there is no documented public debate in the record here. Despite that, the bill did not become law and failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.

Contention

The likely contention centers on whether public schools should be required to provide access and scheduling time for outside youth organizations to recruit students. Supporters would likely emphasize educational enrichment, civic participation, and longstanding youth organizations, while opponents might raise concerns about school neutrality, administrative burden, student recruitment on public property, and the use of instructional or noninstructional time for external groups. The provided materials do not include testimony or vote details identifying specific legislators or stakeholders on either side.