Establishing the Wisconsin commission for the United States semiquincentennial commission to coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. (FE)

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill creates the Wisconsin commission for the United States semiquincentennial commission and attaches the commission to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The commission is charged with planning, coordinating, and implementing a program to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, specifically highlighting the role of Wisconsin in that event. The commission must coordinate with other federal, state, and local agencies, including the Wisconsin Historical Society, to improve infrastructure and to welcome tourists and must prepare educational opportunities for public, private, and tribal elementary and secondary schools to use.

Under the bill, public elementary and secondary schools in this state must provide a semiquincentennial-related event or educational opportunity to pupils during the 2025-26 school year. In addition, the commission must report annually to the governor and the legislature on its progress, its expenditures, a timeline for events, and any recommendations for legislation to implement the commission's recommendations. Under the bill, the commission ceases to exist as of January 1, 2027, and must disburse any property of the commission to federal, state, local, and private groups.

Who's behind it

35 lawmakers are its authors⁠. 33 are Republicans and 2 are Democrats.

9 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DPI
• Fiscal Estimate From DVA
• Fiscal Estimate From WHS