Overview
The Office of Policy and Budget (OPB) reviews, monitors, and prepares fiscal estimates for legislation affecting K-12 schools, school and public libraries, and the department's operations. At the end of each state legislative session, OPB staff prepare a memorandum for School District Administrators outlining enacted legislation impacting schools. The most recent memo can be found below.
Memo to School District Administrators - Enacted Legislation Impacting K-12 Schools, 2023-24 Session (May 9,2024)
*Coming soon: Memo, Enacted Legislation Impacting K-12 Schools, 2025-26 Session
The department’s Legislative Liaison is part of the OPB and is the primary point of contact between DPI and Wisconsin lawmakers. The Legislative Liaison can answer legislative questions or concerns, and legislative inquiries should be directed to Legis.Inquiry@dpi.wi.gov.
Wisconsin Legislature
Information on the current legislative session and links to bills can be found here: 2025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature Documents. The Wisconsin State Legislature’s website also provides information regarding elected officials and their districts, legislative committees, the legislative calendar, and administrative rules. The full text of all acts and any related veto messages can also be found on the State Legislature's website:
For current session, see 2025 Acts
For prior sessions, see Wisconsin Legislative Session Archive
Information on the 2025-27 state biennial budget can be found here: 2025-27 Biennial Budget | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Legislative Fiscal Bureau Papers
The background papers below are provided as additional information on key topics. The complete list of the most recent Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) papers is available at: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lfb/informational_papers/january_2025
- School District Revenue Limits and Referenda (Informational Paper 29)
- State Aid to School Districts (Informational Paper 30)
- Private School Choice and Special Needs Scholarship Programs (Informational Paper 31)
- Open Enrollment Program (Informational Paper 32)
- Charter Schools (Informational Paper 33)
- Statutory Requirements for School Districts (Informational Paper 34)
- School District Reorganization (Informational Paper 35)
- State and Local Government Revenue and Expenditure Rankings (Informational Paper 79)
School District Boundaries
Foundational Federal Legislation for K-12 Schools
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act
- Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act
Information about the content of this webpage can be directed to Erin Fath, OPB Team Director.