Joy Goeben, Wisconsin State Representative for 5th District | www.facebook.com
Joy Goeben, Wisconsin State Representative for 5th District | www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "requiring the display of the national motto in public schools and on public buildings. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates the display of the national motto, "In God We Trust," in public buildings and schools in Wisconsin. Within six months of the bill's effective date, all public state and local government buildings must have the motto visibly displayed. By the 2026-27 school year, each public school and charter school must also display the motto in every classroom. The displays must be at least 11 inches by 14 inches, in English, and presented on a poster, framed document, or inscribed on a wall in a legible font. Public displays should be visible to visitors, and non-public ones should be placed where employee notices are posted.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), along three other co-sponsors.
Joy L. Goeben has co-authored or authored another 17 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Goeben graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1997 with a BS.
Goeben, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2023 to represent the state's 5th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Jim Steineke.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB56 | 02/24/2025 | Requiring the display of the national motto in public schools and on public buildings. (FE) |
| AB53 | 02/24/2025 | Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty |
| AB40 | 02/17/2025 | School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB11 | 02/06/2025 | Pelvic exams on unconscious patients and creating an administrative rule related to hospital requirements for pelvic exams on unconscious patients |
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