Senate Bill 807 proposes significant changes to the administration of public affairs broadcasting in Wisconsin by repealing existing provisions for grants to WisconsinEye and establishing a new Office of the Public Affairs Network under the Department of Administration (DOA). The bill eliminates the current grant authorization of up to $10,000,000 for WisconsinEye to create an endowment fund, which was contingent on the organization raising matching funds from nonstate sources. Instead, it creates a Public Affairs Network Board responsible for overseeing the new office, which will provide unedited live coverage of state government proceedings, maintain digital archives, and ensure public access without restrictions.

The bill appropriates $2,000,000 annually for the office's operations and mandates that the public affairs network operates in a strictly nonpartisan manner. It also includes provisions for DOA to attempt to acquire WisconsinEye's digital archives and allows for the hiring of former WisconsinEye employees without competitive procedures. The new structure aims to enhance transparency and accessibility of state government activities to the public while ensuring that the network's operations are governed by a board that includes both public and legislative representatives.