Bill
Bill > SB400
summary
Introduced
08/25/2025
08/25/2025
In Committee
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under this bill, no official, employee, or contractor of a state agency or local governmental unit, other than a law enforcement officer for law enforcement purposes, may use an electronic device that is owned, operated, or leased by a state agency or local governmental unit to do any of the following: 1. Download, use, or access a web-based or other social media application, channel, or platform that is owned or operated by an entity located in a foreign country of concern. 2. Use any software, software application, or artificial intelligence tool or algorithm that is owned or operated by an entity located in a foreign country of concern. Under the bill a Xforeign country of concernY is a country designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as a foreign adversary of the United States. Those countries currently include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the regime of Nicolás Maduro. In addition to law enforcement officers as noted above, the bill provides and exemption for an official, employee, or contractor of a state agency or local governmental unit who obtains a written waiver from the secretary of LRB-4131/1 MPG:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 400 administration for limited purposes related to the performance of their duties. The secretary of administration may issue such waivers at his or her discretion.
AI Summary
This bill establishes restrictions on the use of electronic devices owned or leased by state agencies and local governmental units in Wisconsin. Specifically, officials, employees, and contractors (except law enforcement officers) are prohibited from downloading, using, or accessing social media applications, platforms, or software from entities located in "foreign countries of concern" - which are countries designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as foreign adversaries, currently including China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela. The bill provides a mechanism for obtaining a written waiver from the secretary of administration for limited purposes related to job duties, which can be issued at the secretary's discretion. The legislation defines key terms such as "foreign country of concern" (based on a specific federal regulation), "local governmental unit" (including political subdivisions, special districts, and school districts), and "state agency" (any body created by the constitution or law). The primary aim appears to be preventing potential cybersecurity risks and protecting government technology infrastructure from potential foreign interference or surveillance.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (15)
Julian Bradley (R)*,
Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R)*,
Steve Nass (R)*,
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Cindi Duchow (R),
Joy Goeben (R),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Nate Gustafson (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Paul Melotik (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
William Penterman (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Paul Tittl (R),
Last Action
Available for scheduling (on 02/04/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb400 |
| Analysis - LC Amendment Memo | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/lcamendmentmemos/2025/REG/SB400.pdf |
| SB400 ROCP for Committee on Transportation and Local Government On 2/4/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/transportation_and_local_government/1970462.pdf |
| Senate Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB400-SSA1-SA1.pdf |
| Senate Substitute Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB400-SSA1.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB400.pdf |
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