Wisconsin Senate Bill SB1145

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

Caption

An Act to amend 119.04 (1); to create 20.255 (2) (dx) and 115.369 of the statutes; Relating to: grants to school districts for safe transportation for school-sponsored events and making an appropriation. (FE)

Summary

SB1145 creates a new state grant program administered by the Department of Public Instruction to help school districts provide safe transportation for high school students attending school-sponsored events. The bill appropriates $500,000 in each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 for these grants, and DPI would be prohibited from awarding grants after June 30, 2027. The measure is targeted at transportation safety for extracurricular or school-sponsored activities, rather than general pupil transportation. The bill also makes a conforming change to the statutes governing first-class city school districts by adding the new grant-related statute to the list of provisions applicable to those districts. In practical terms, the bill would add a temporary, state-funded aid stream for school districts that can be used to improve transportation options for students traveling to school events, likely including buses, vans, or other safe transport arrangements approved by DPI.

Impact

SB1145 would amend Wisconsin statutes by creating s. 115.369 and a corresponding appropriation line in the state budget for DPI to distribute grants to school districts. It would temporarily expand state education aid by directing $500,000 annually for two fiscal years to transportation safety for high school pupils at school-sponsored events, with the program ending after the 2026-27 school year. The bill also updates s. 119.04(1) to incorporate the new provision into the statutory framework applicable to first-class city school districts.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no direct evidence of debate or partisan division. Based on the bill text, the proposal appears straightforward and supportive of student safety, suggesting a generally favorable or low-conflict policy posture. The absence of opposition in the provided materials indicates the bill may have been treated as a targeted education funding measure rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of discussion, if raised, would likely concern the adequacy of the $500,000 annual appropriation, which districts would qualify for grants, what counts as a school-sponsored event, and whether the temporary sunset provides enough time to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Because no transcripts or votes are included, it is not possible to attribute any objections or support to particular legislators, districts, or stakeholder groups.