All Roll Calls
Yes: 167 • No: 58
WisconsinAB6592025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET
An Act to amend 36.27 (2) (b) 4., 36.27 (3n) (a) 1m. a., 36.27 (3n) (a) 1m. b., 36.27 (3n) (bd), 36.27 (3p) (a) 1r. (intro.), 38.24 (7) (a) 1m. a., 38.24 (7) (a) 1m. b., 38.24 (7) (bd), 38.24 (8) (a) 1r. (intro.) and 39.49 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes; Relating to: tuition and fee remission or grants for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college, or a private nonprofit institution of higher education; and the University of Wisconsin System nonresident tuition exemption for certain veterans. (FE)
Sponsored By: Elijah Behnke (Republican), Jill Billings (Democratic), Robert Brooks (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Bob Donovan (Republican), Benjamin Franklin (Republican), Alex Joers (Democratic), Joel Kitchens (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), Tony Kurtz (Republican), Paul Melotik (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Todd Novak (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), Lori Palmeri (Democratic), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), David Steffen (Republican), Randy Udell (Democratic), Chuck Wichgers (Republican)
Became Law
Colleges and universitiesHigher Educational Aids BoardTechnical collegeUniversity of Wisconsin -- TuitionVeteran -- Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
3-year residency for disabled vets’ families
If the veteran has a VA service‑connected disability rating of at least 30%, a spouse or child can get tuition remission at UW and technical colleges with 3 straight years of Wisconsin residency right before the term. The old rule was 5 years. The 30% rating must be from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
3-year rule when veteran wasn’t resident
When the veteran was not a Wisconsin resident at entry into service, fee remission for a spouse or child now requires 3 straight years living in Wisconsin before enrollment, not 5. This applies at UW institutions and at technical colleges. The shorter rule lets more dependents qualify for fee help.
Broader UW nonresident tuition break for vets
The law expands the University of Wisconsin nonresident tuition exemption for veterans. You qualify if you are a veteran and live in Wisconsin when you register. The law no longer requires you to have been a Wisconsin resident when you entered active duty. This lowers tuition for veterans who now meet the updated rule.
Easier to qualify as a UW veteran
The law updates who counts as a veteran for UW benefits. You can qualify if Wisconsin’s veterans agency verifies you as a resident for chapter 45 benefits, if you were a Wisconsin resident when you entered service, or if you lived in Wisconsin for 3 straight years before the term (down from 5). This makes it easier for more veterans to get in‑state help.
Faster tuition help for veteran survivors
The law lowers residency rules for spouses and children of veterans who died on active duty, from a service‑connected disability, or in the line of duty. At UW and technical colleges, you now qualify with 3 straight years of Wisconsin residency after age 18 (down from 5). For private nonprofit colleges, if the deceased veteran was not a Wisconsin resident at entry, a dependent qualifies with 3 straight years living in Wisconsin before enrolling (down from 5). These changes can reduce tuition and increase grant help for eligible families.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Elijah Behnke
Republican • House
Jill Billings
Democratic • House
Robert Brooks
Republican • House
Barbara Dittrich
Republican • House
Bob Donovan
Republican • House
Benjamin Franklin
Republican • House
Alex Joers
Democratic • House
Joel Kitchens
Republican • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Rob Kreibich
Republican • House
Tony Kurtz
Republican • House
Paul Melotik
Republican • House
David Murphy
Republican • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Todd Novak
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
Lori Palmeri
Democratic • House
Jim Piwowarczyk
Republican • House
David Steffen
Republican • House
Randy Udell
Democratic • House
Chuck Wichgers
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Jenna Jacobson
Democratic • House
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez
Democratic • House
Lisa Subeck
Democratic • House
Eric Wimberger
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15
Yes: 18 • No: 15
House vote • 2/19/2026
Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 55, Noes 41
Yes: 55 • No: 41
House vote • 2/19/2026
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 94, Noes 2
Yes: 94 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Published 4-3-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-2-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 155
4/2/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-1-2026
4/1/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 3-24-2026
3/24/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
3/18/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
3/17/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in
3/17/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
3/17/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
3/17/2026SenateSenate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15
3/17/2026SenateRead a second time
3/17/2026SenateSenators Hesselbein and Smith added as cosponsors
3/17/2026SenateSenate Amendment 1 offered by Senators Dassler-Alfheim, Larson, Carpenter, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Wall and Wirch
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
3/16/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
3/16/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
3/3/2026SenateReport concurrence recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 16, Noes 0
3/3/2026SenateExecutive action taken
3/3/2026SenateWithdrawn from committee on Senate Organization and rereferred to joint committee on Finance pursuant to Senate Rule 46(2)(c)
2/27/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
2/25/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
2/25/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
2/23/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/19/2026HouseRead a third time and passed, Ayes 94, Noes 2
2/19/2026HouseRules suspended
2/19/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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