Kenosha Reporter

A new bill authored by State Rep. Bob G. Donovan in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to establish a funding agreement between Milwaukee Public Schools and the city for school resource officers, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "the requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)".

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 Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and the City of Milwaukee must agree on the funding of school resource officers (SROs), with MPS covering 75% and the city 25% of the costs. Within 30 days of the bill becoming law, both entities must reach an agreement on implementing the SRO requirement and certify to the Joint Committee on Finance that at least 25 SROs are present. If terminated, a new agreement must be formed within 30 days, followed by certification that 25 law enforcement officers are trained and available. Non-compliance results in financial penalties, including the withholding of 10% of municipal aid to Milwaukee and 20% of per-pupil categorical aid to MPS by the Department of Administration and Department of Public Instruction, respectively. The bill sets additional steps to ensure the presence and training of school resource officers, effective from the 2025-26 school year.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District), Representative Dean Kaufert (Republican-53rd District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District) and Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), along six other co-sponsors.

Bob G. Donovan has co-authored or authored another 23 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Donovan graduated from St. Francis De Sales Seminary and again from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.

Donovan, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 61st Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Amanda Nedweski.

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.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
AB91	02/28/2025	The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)
AB85	02/28/2025	Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE)
AB78	02/28/2025	Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE)
AB77	02/28/2025	Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty
AB75	02/28/2025	Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE)