December 8, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Bodden, Gustafson, Behnke, Brandtjen, Goeben, Gundrum, Murphy, Mursau, Penterman, Rettinger, Schmidt and Wichgers, cosponsored by Senators Tomczyk and Nass. Referred to Committee on Education.
AB778,,22An Act to amend 118.06 (title); and to create 118.06 (3) of the statutes; relating to: requiring the display of the national motto in public schools. AB778,,33Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, this bill requires that the national motto, “In God We Trust,” be displayed in each public school classroom, including charter school classrooms. Under the bill, the display must meet certain requirements, including that 1) the display is at least 11 inches by 14 inches, 2) the display is on a poster, in a framed document, or inscribed on a wall, and 3) the motto is presented in English.
Under current law, each school board and governing body of a private school must display the U.S. flag in the schoolroom or from a flagstaff on the school grounds during the school hours of each school day. Current law also requires each public school to offer the pledge of allegiance or the national anthem each school day in grades one to 12. However, under current law, a pupil may not be compelled to recite the pledge or to sing the anthem against the pupil’s objections or the objections of the pupil’s parents or guardian.
For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AB778,,44The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: AB778,15Section 1. 118.06 (title) of the statutes is amended to read: AB778,,66118.06 (title) Flag, pledge of allegiance, national motto, and national anthem. AB778,27Section 2. 118.06 (3) of the statutes is created to read: AB778,,88118.06 (3) (a) Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, each school board and governing board of a charter school shall cause the national motto, “In God We Trust”, to be displayed in each classroom of each school under its control. Except as provided in par. (b), the school board or governing board shall determine the nature of the display. AB778,,99(b) A school board or governing board of a charter school shall ensure that a display of the national motto under par. (a) satisfies all of the following: AB778,,10101. It is at least 11 inches by 14 inches. AB778,,11112. It is on a poster, in a framed document, or inscribed on a wall. AB778,,12123. The national motto is in English and is in a legible font.
