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Northwoods Reporter

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Sen. Tomczyk of Wisconsin Senate authors bill on school material access

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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

The new bill authored by State Sen. Tomczyk seeks to ensure residents can inspect school textbooks and curricula upon request, promoting transparency in educational content, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents".

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

In essence, this bill mandates that school boards must allow school district residents to inspect textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials upon written request, ensuring access within 14 days of receiving the request. The board is required to develop procedures to provide these materials for inspection and is also obligated to post adopted textbooks online. The term "curriculum" is defined as a plan adopted by a school board in compliance with state law, and "instructional material" includes any course content. The bill clarifies that these requirements should not result in violations of federal copyright law or inhibit existing rights to access records under open records law. This act applies to educational materials adopted for the school year following its effective date.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District) Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), along 11 other co-sponsors.

Cory Tomczyk has authored or co-authored another 14 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
SB2202/05/2025Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents
SB1702/05/2025Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty
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