Wisconsin Freedom Of Information Act
GOP lawmakers enforcing ban on public recording state Capitol proceedings - WPR
Republican state lawmakers are enforcing rules that ban members of the public from recording legislative hearings inside the state Capitol in the wake of Wisconsin’s version of C-SPAN going offline. A 2005 state Senate rule bars individuals who are not credentialed members of the media or legislative staff from recording audio or video of proceedings.
https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-gop-lawmakers-ban-public-recording-state-capitol-proceedings
Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council – A representative government is dependent on an informed electorate
Dear Council members and supporters: The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that works to protect access to public meetings and records, is now accepting nominations for its annual Openness in Government Awards, or Opees. Awards are given in six categories: Popee – (public openness award): Recognizes extraordinary service to the cause […] Every year in Wisconsin state government, billions of taxpayer dolla...
https://wisfoic.org/
GOP lawmakers rediscover rules banning citizens from recording committee hearings • Wisconsin Examiner
5:15 News Story After WisconsinEye, the state’s version of C-Span, went off the air in December, Republican lawmakers rediscovered rules that bar members of the public from making video and audio recordings of committee hearings and decided to start enforcing them.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/01/12/gop-lawmakers-rediscover-rules-banning-citizens-from-recording-committee-hearings/
Wisconsin Legislature: 995.50(2)
(13) Section 995.12 (3), as it applies to an agent for service of process under s. 995.12, applies to an agent for service of process under this section. (14) The department may promulgate rules to administer this section. (15) No later than July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the department shall provide a report to the legislature, as provided under s.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/995.50(2)
Wisconsin newspapers urge passage of legislation to ...
Wisconsin newspapers urge passage of legislation to protect free speech. by Amy Kimmes January 21, 2026 ...
https://wausaupilotandreview.com/2026/01/21/wisconsin-newspapers-urge-passage-of-legislation-to-protect-free-speech/Wisconsin FOIA procedures - Ballotpedia
Wisconsin FOIA procedures Each state has laws governing public access to governmental records. These laws are sometimes known as open records laws, public records laws, or FOIA laws after the federal Freedom of Information Act. These FOIA laws define the procedures that people can use to obtain access to these records.
https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_FOIA_procedures
Wisconsin newspapers urge passage of legislation to protect free speech
State Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto) and Representative Jim Piwowarczyk (R-Hubertus) have introduced Wisconsin Senate Bill 666/Assembly Bill 701, which would adopt the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA), brining long-overdue free speech protections for citizens and journalists in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Newspaper Association and this newspaper applaud Wimberger and Piwowarczyk for introducing SB 666/AB 701 and enthusiasticall...
https://wislawjournal.com/2026/01/21/wisconsin-newspapers-urge-passage-of-legislation-to-protect-free-speech/
2026 Columns – Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council
Every year in Wisconsin state government, billions of taxpayer dollars are spent on programs and policies that impact every citizen, community, school and business. While many people roll their eyes and tune out the sometimes messy, partisan, unpredictable work of state government, WisconsinEye Public Affairs Network encourages citizens to lean in. For the past 18 […]...
https://wisfoic.org/category/your-right-to-know/2026-columns/
Bill tracking in Wisconsin - SB 194 (2025-2026 legislative session) - FastDemocracy
- IntroducedApr 14, 2025 - Passed SenateMay 15, 2025 - Passed Assembly - Became Law Relating to: obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court.
https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/wi/2025-2026/bills/WIB00014259/
Wisconsin Legislature: 995.50(2)
(13) Section 995.12 (3), as it applies to an agent for service of process under s. 995.12, applies to an agent for service of process under this section. (14) The department may promulgate rules to administer this section. (15) No later than July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the department shall provide a report to the legislature, as provided under s.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/995.50(2)
Evers says he would veto Republican-led campus free speech bill - The Daily Cardinal
Gov. Tony Evers said he would veto a Republican-led bill on free speech and academic freedom on Wisconsin college campuses if it came to his desk in an interview with The Daily Cardinal Wednesday. Evers said he was cautious about “taking away freedoms” because he doesn’t “see a problem on campuses around the issue of free speech.” Republican lawmakers at the state and federal law have for years criticized free...
https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2026/01/evers-says-he-would-veto-republican-led-campus-free-speech-bill
Brevard News - Keep officials accountable - Make 2026 a... Facebook
Actually here in Florida, state and local government transparency is subject to the Florida Sunshine Law, which is comprehensive and aspires to high level transparency. Any and all politicians swing by election contributions. A regular review during election season will tell you how or what that politician supports. If we want public service instead of politicians, rewrite the election finance rules that allows all to be bought.
https://www.facebook.com/brevardmedia/posts/keep-officials-accountable-make-2026-a-foia-new-year/122178964130487284/
Prior Service Military Records, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Wisconsin Public Records Requests Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs
Prior Service Military Records To obtain Wisconsin National Guard records, your request must be processed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552) and The Privacy Act (5 USC 552a). Under the Privacy Act, all requests for military/personnel records must be submitted in writing.
https://dma.wi.gov/records-requests/
Your Right to Know: Protect Transparency, Save WisconsinEye » Urban Milwaukee
Protect Transparency, Save WisconsinEye For 18 year it has provided free, unedited coverage of Legislature. Every year in Wisconsin state government, billions of taxpayer dollars are spent on programs and policies that impact every citizen, community, school and business. While many people roll their eyes and tune out the sometimes messy, partisan, unpredictable work of state government, WisconsinEye Public Affairs Network encourages citizens ...
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2026/01/01/your-right-to-know-protect-transparency-save-wisconsineye/
Freedom of information in the United States - Wikipedia
Freedom of information in the United States relates to the public's ability to access government records, meetings, and other information. In the United States, freedom of information legislation exists at all levels of government: federal level, state level, and local level.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_information_in_the_United_States
Wisconsin Assembly advances constitutional amendments on DEI, public health orders - WPR
Two proposed changes to the state constitution could be heading to voters for a final say in November, after they passed out of the Wisconsin Assembly on Tuesday. One proposal would ban governmental bodies from “discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment” in matters of public education or employment, while the other would bar the government from closing houses of worship during times of emergency.
https://www.wpr.org/news/assembly-constitutional-amendments-covid-dugan-grooming