Senate Bill 236 aims to enhance the legal protections surrounding telecommunication and electric infrastructure by expanding the scope of existing laws to include video service and broadband service lines. The bill amends several sections of the statutes, specifically 941.40 (1), (2), (3), and (4) (b), to apply the same prohibitions and penalties that currently exist for telegraph, telecommunications, electric light, and electric power companies to video and broadband service providers. Notably, the bill increases the penalties for certain offenses from misdemeanors to Class I felonies, which carry more severe consequences.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals who intentionally interfere with or damage the property of video service and broadband providers without prior notification or permission will face heightened legal repercussions. For instance, the bill changes the classification of offenses such as unauthorized alterations or physical connections to these services from Class B and Class A misdemeanors to Class I felonies. This legislative change reflects a commitment to safeguarding critical communication and utility infrastructure in Wisconsin.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 941.40(1), 941.40, 941.40(2), 941.40(3), 941.40(4)(b)