WisconsinSchool residents could inspect textbooks and teaching materials
If it had taken effect, the measure would have let district residents request free access to adopted textbooks and materials used in schools, starting with a later school year.
What it does
A resident could ask in writing to inspect an adopted textbook at no cost. The school board would have up to 14 days to provide access and must set procedures for making books available sooner.
Residents could ask in writing to inspect curricula and teaching materials used in district schools at no cost. Boards would have up to 14 days to provide access and must set procedures for faster access.
Argument forResidents could inspect books and materials used in local schools without paying a fee, helping them understand what students are taught.
Argument againstBoards might need extra staff time to locate and prepare different books and teaching materials within 14 days of each request.
More detail
A school district resident could request to inspect an adopted textbook in writing, at no cost. The textbook must have been adopted by the school board for use in its schools. A school board could not be required to take an action that infringes federal copyright law. The resident could still use separate public-records rights to access or copy records. The board would have to respond within 14 days after receiving the request and set procedures for faster access.
A school district resident could request to inspect a curriculum or instructional material in writing, at no cost. The curriculum or material must be used in a school in the resident’s district. A curriculum is a plan adopted to meet certain school board duties; instructional materials are course content or resources included in a curriculum. A school board could not be required to take an action that infringes federal copyright law. The resident could still use separate public-records rights to access or copy records. The board would have to respond within 14 days after receiving the request and set procedures for faster access.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82Latest
- May 12Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- 2025
- Oct 31Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 10-31-2025Major
- Oct 29Presented to the Governor on 10-29-2025To Governor
- Oct 15Report correctly enrolled on 10-15-2025Minor
- Oct 14Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Vote recorded CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15. Result: pass.Upper
- Oct 14Ordered immediately messaged
- Oct 14Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 15Passed Senate
- Oct 14Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Oct 14Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Oct 14Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15Minor
- Oct 14Read a second timeMinor
- Oct 14Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senators Larson, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Wall and WirchMinor
- Oct 13Placed on calendar 10-14-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- May 16Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- May 16Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 3, Noes 2Minor
- May 16Executive action taken
- May 6Public hearing held
- Feb 21Read first time and referred to committee on EducationMinor
- Feb 20Received from AssemblyMinor
- Feb 19Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19Read a third time and passed, Ayes 54, Noes 43Passed Assembly
- Feb 19Rules suspended
- Feb 19Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Feb 19Read a second timeMinor
- Feb 18Representative Gustafson added as a coauthor
- Feb 17Referred to calendar of 2-19-2025 pursuant to Assembly Rule 45 (1)Minor
- Vote recorded Report passage recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 9, Noes 4. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Report passage recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 9, Noes 4Minor
- Feb 17Representative O'Connor added as a coauthor
- Feb 13Executive action taken
- Feb 6Public hearing held
- Feb 3Read first time and referred to Committee on EducationMinor
- Feb 3Introduced by Representatives Dittrich, Knodl, Nedweski, Behnke, Allen, Brill, Goeben, Gundrum, B. Jacobson, Kreibich, Krug, Murphy, Piwowarczyk, Tusler and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Tomczyk, Nass and WanggaardIntroduced
Education