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Northwoods Reporter

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Sen. Tomczyk introduces bill in Wisconsin Senate on athletic association transparency

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Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com

Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com

A new bill authored by State Sen. Cory Tomczyk in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to increase transparency and accountability in interscholastic athletic associations while protecting individual privacy, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill requires that school districts only participate in interscholastic athletic associations if those associations elect to be governed by the state's public records and open meetings laws. The bill defines an interscholastic athletic association as either a nonprofit, unincorporated association or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation that coordinates athletic events for students in grades 9 to 12 in public schools. It also establishes exceptions for the records of associations concerning individual referees or pupils, making these records exempt from public inspection or copying. This mandate aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of interscholastic athletics without compromising the privacy of individuals involved.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Cindi Duchow (Republican-97th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District), and Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), along six other co-sponsors.

Cory Tomczyk has authored or co-authored another 10 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Tomczyk, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 29th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jerry Petrowski.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Cory Tomczyk in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB1602/05/2025Participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations
SB901/24/2025Special registration plates with white lettering on a black background. (FE)
SB801/24/2025Repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty
SB301/24/2025Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval
SB201/24/2025Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War

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