Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB1047

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/24
• Refer: 2/2/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Grants for the purchase of election supplies and equipment and making an appropriation. (FE)

Impact

If passed, AB1047 would allocate a biennial budget of $5,000,000 for grants aimed specifically at enhancing election-related equipment. With the different grant ceilings based on municipal population—ranging from $250,000 for the smallest municipalities up to $2,500,000 for those over 250,000—this bill is focused on ensuring that even smaller municipalities can access the necessary resources to reliably conduct elections.

Summary

Assembly Bill 1047 proposes the establishment of a grant program to assist municipalities in acquiring necessary election supplies and equipment, including electronic poll books. The measure greatly aims to improve the efficiency and modernization of election infrastructure throughout Wisconsin. The Elections Commission will be authorized to distribute these grants based on population tiers, with significant funding allocated toward cities of varying sizes to facilitate essential equipment purchases.

Contention

One notable aspect of AB1047 is the requirement for municipalities to undergo random inspections conducted by the Elections Commission regarding the purchased election supplies. This provision could lead to discussions around compliance and oversight. Critics might argue that such inspections could create additional bureaucratic burdens or raise concerns about the autonomy of local governance, while supporters may see it as an essential measure for maintaining election integrity.

Voting_history

Although specific voting history details were not disclosed in the available texts, it is expected that discussions around this bill would evoke varied responses from legislative members focusing on election security, local government authority, and fiscal responsibility.