Assembly Bill 816 proposes significant changes to the administration of public affairs broadcasting in Wisconsin. The bill repeals existing provisions that authorized grants of up to $10 million to WisconsinEye for establishing an endowment fund and instead creates the Office of the Public Affairs Network, which will be overseen by a newly established Public Affairs Network Board. This board will consist of the governor, two public members appointed by the governor, and four members from the legislature. The bill mandates that the public affairs network provide unedited live coverage of state government proceedings, maintain digital archives of these broadcasts, and operate in a strictly nonpartisan manner.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $2 million annually for the office's operations and directs the Department of Administration (DOA) to consult with the Educational Communications Board in establishing the network. It also requires the DOA to attempt to acquire the complete digital archives of WisconsinEye and allows for contracting to obtain these archives. If successful, the DOA must ensure unrestricted online public access to the archives. The bill authorizes seven full-time equivalent positions for the public affairs network, with provisions to expedite hiring for former WisconsinEye employees.