Overview
- The Joint Committee on Legislative Organization voted 10–0 to provide $50,000 for February operations, split between the Assembly and Senate, allowing broadcasts and the online archive to resume.
- Assembly Bill 974 passed the Assembly Committee on State Affairs unanimously after a public hearing, but there is no Senate companion filed.
- The bill would direct interest from a $9.75 million fund to WisconsinEye, estimated at 4–7% per year, or roughly $390,000 to $682,000 toward an annual budget cited at about $950,000.
- Board chair Mark O’Connell said bridge support will be needed until investment earnings flow and noted donor commitments that would activate if the legislation is enacted.
- Conditions in the bill include legislative leader designees on the board, a focus on official state government business, continuous free online access to live streams and archives, annual financial reporting, and archive transfer with grant repayment if operations cease.