Wisconsin Senate Bill SB1090

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/26
• Refer: 3/4/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend 13.92 (1) (a) 5., 13.94 (1) (c), 35.84 (intro.) and (figure) column E (title), 84.02 (5) (b) and 84.02 (5) (c); to create 35.84 (figure) column F of the statutes; Relating to: the distribution of the Wisconsin Blue Book and highway maps. (FE)

Impact

The bill also modifies the distribution of highway service maps. Previously, the Department of Transportation had an obligation to provide these maps automatically to legislative members. Under the new framework, legislators may request up to 50 highway service maps and up to 500 folded highway maps at no charge. Any additional requests will incur a fee set by the department. This shift aims to streamline costs related to printing and managing physical copies of such documents, reflecting a potential move towards reducing government expenditure.

Summary

Senate Bill 1090 aims to modify the distribution requirements for the Wisconsin Blue Book and highway maps. This legislative measure stipulates that the Department of Administration is no longer required to distribute the Blue Book to various entities, including legislative service agencies, libraries, and educational institutions. Instead, the bill mandates that the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) must inquire with each legislative office regarding their desired number of printed copies before entering into a printing contract. The number of copies allocated to legislative offices is capped, with a limit of 350 copies for assembly offices and 600 for senate offices. Additionally, the LRB is required to notify offices that the Blue Book is available online.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB1090 include concerns over the potential reduction of accessibility to vital legislative resources such as the Blue Book and highway maps. Critics may argue that limiting distribution could hinder public officials and citizens from obtaining important legislative information. Supporters of the measure, however, may advocate for efficiency in state spending and transitioning more resources online, thereby updating practices in line with technological advancements. The debate centers on balancing traditional dissemination methods with modern, cost-effective approaches.