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)
Signed by Governor
Colleges and universitiesHigher Educational Aids BoardTechnical collegeUniversity of Wisconsin -- TuitionVeteran -- Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More veterans avoid nonresident university tuition
Veterans no longer need Wisconsin residency at entry into active duty to qualify for the university’s nonresident tuition exemption. They must be Wisconsin residents and live in Wisconsin when registering at a University of Wisconsin System school. They must also meet the legal definition of a veteran. The exemption lowers tuition for eligible veterans who otherwise face nonresident charges; it does not eliminate all tuition. Changes first apply to the first semester or session beginning after the law’s effective date.
Shorter private college aid wait for dependents
The law cuts an applicable Wisconsin residency requirement for private nonprofit college tuition grants from 5 consecutive years to 3. This rule covers qualifying dependents of deceased veterans who were not Wisconsin residents when entering service. The dependent must complete those 3 consecutive years immediately before enrollment. Students must also qualify for veteran or family tuition relief at a University of Wisconsin System school or technical college. Changes first apply to the first semester or session beginning after the law’s effective date.
Shorter tuition aid wait for veteran families
The law cuts applicable Wisconsin residency requirements from 5 consecutive years to 3 for tuition and fee relief. This helps qualifying veterans, spouses, and children at University of Wisconsin System schools and technical colleges. For veterans who died in service, eligibility includes Wisconsin residency at service entry or 3 consecutive years after age 18. The disability-based family category keeps the 30% service-connected disability threshold and requires 3 consecutive residency years immediately before the semester. When the veteran was not a Wisconsin resident at service entry, the spouse or child needs 3 consecutive Wisconsin years before enrollment. Updated veteran definitions also require state-verified eligibility for Wisconsin veterans benefits and 3 consecutive residency years before enrollment. Qualifying honorable service requirements remain, and changes first apply to the first semester or session beginning after the law’s effective date.
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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