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Bill

AB 966

Relating to: requiring the Department of Justice to conduct a public awareness campaign. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Armstrong and 14 co-sponsors

Wisconsin DOJ must launch a public awareness campaign with no specified subject, budget, or performance measures defined in the bill.

Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
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Bill Summary · AB 966

Legislative bill overview

AB 966 requires Wisconsin's Department of Justice to conduct and fund a public awareness campaign, though the bill text does not specify the campaign's subject matter, target audience, or required budget allocation. The measure passed committee unanimously and is now available for full legislative consideration.

Why is this important

Public awareness campaigns can influence citizen behavior on matters ranging from public health to legal rights, making the DOJ's communication capacity a policy lever. However, the bill's vagueness about campaign specifics means legislators and the public cannot assess actual costs, effectiveness metrics, or whether this represents good use of departmental resources before passage.

Potential points of contention

  • Undefined scope and cost: The bill does not specify what the campaign addresses, how much it will cost, or what success looks like, making budget impact assessment impossible
  • Departmental burden: Mandating campaigns without specifying funding sources may divert DOJ resources from existing priorities or require new appropriations
  • Lack of accountability measures: No mention of performance metrics, reporting requirements, or sunset provisions means the campaign could continue indefinitely without evaluation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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