Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Memo published: February 8, 2024 Contact: Emily Hicks, Staff Attorney
2023 Senate Bill 549 Senate Amendment 1
2023 SENATE BILL 549
Senate Bill 549 requires traditional public schools and independent charter schools to allow federally
chartered youth membership organizations
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to provide information to students at school during the
school day at the beginning of the school year. If a youth membership organization submits a request to
the school principal, the principal must schedule at least one date and time for the organization to
provide students with oral information, written information, or both about how the organization
furthers the educational interests and civic involvement of students consistent with good citizenship.
SENATE AMENDMENT 1
Senate Amendment 1 specifies that the information a youth membership organization provides to
students is for the purpose of encouraging students to join the organization. The amendment also
clarifies that the time a principal schedules for a youth membership organization to provide
information to students may be non-instructional time, as determined by the principal.
BILL HISTORY
Senator Cabral-Guevara offered Senate Amendment 1 on January 23, 2024. On February 5, 2024, the
Senate Committee on Education recommended adoption of the amendment on a vote of Ayes, 7; Noes,
0. The committee then recommended passage of Senate Bill 549, as amended, on a vote of Ayes, 5;
Noes, 2.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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The bill defines “youth membership organization” as an organization identified in chs. 301, 309, 311, 709, or 803 of
Title 36 of the U.S. Code that has an educational purpose and promotes civic involvement. These organizations are: (1)
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America; (2) Boy Scouts of America; (3) Boys and Girls Clubs of America; (4) Future
Farmers of America; and (5) Girl Scouts of the United States.