All Roll Calls
Yes: 36 • No: 30
WisconsinSB2102025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)SenateWALLET
An Act to repeal 39.41 (1m) (b), 39.41 (1m) (c) 3., 39.41 (1m) (c) 5., 39.41 (1m) (e) and 39.41 (8); to amend 39.41 (1) (bm), 39.41 (1m) (a) 1., 39.41 (1m) (c) 4., 39.41 (1m) (d), 39.41 (1m) (g), 39.41 (1m) (h), 39.41 (1m) (j) and 39.41 (1m) (m) of the statutes; Relating to: changes to amount of, and criteria for designating recipients of, academic excellence higher education scholarships. (FE)
Sponsored By: Jesse James (Republican), Howard Marklein (Republican), Romaine Quinn (Republican), Cory Tomczyk (Republican)
Became Law
Sen Bill 210Scholarships and loansSchool -- Administration
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Scholarship rights after school closures
If a high school with at least 80 students closes or merges, the board must name the same number of scholars for two years after the closure, from students who were enrolled at that time. Tie rules still apply. For schools that closed after the 1989–90 year, if a receiving district named a scholar in either of the next two years, it must also name the next‑highest‑GPA senior as a scholar, who stays eligible for the related higher education scholarships.
How schools pick top seniors for scholarships
For high schools with 80–499 students, the senior with the highest GPA in all subjects is named a scholar. If seniors tie, faculty must choose the scholar and list alternates by February 25. Alternates can move up if a scholar later does not qualify, and they must have at least a 3.800 GPA. The school board must adopt the faculty’s list. If a school ranks by academic‑subject GPAs, it can request a waiver to use that method. The state also tells each eligible high school how many scholars to name.
Old scholarship selection rules removed
The law removes several older clauses that governed how scholars were designated. This cleans up the statute and ends some past methods and transitional rules. It does not change how much money the scholarship pays.
Who counts as a scholarship senior
A “Senior” now means a 12th grader in a public, private, or tribal high school, or the state schools for the deaf or the blind. Students in home‑based private education programs do not count as seniors for this scholarship.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Jesse James
Republican • Senate
Howard Marklein
Republican • Senate
Romaine Quinn
Republican • Senate
Cory Tomczyk
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Brent Jacobson
Republican • House
Lindee Brill
Republican • House
Chanz Green
Republican • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Rob Kreibich
Republican • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
Patrick Snyder
Republican • House
John Spiros
Republican • House
Rob Swearingen
Republican • House
Robert Wittke
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 11/18/2025
Senate Amendment 2 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15
Yes: 18 • No: 15
Senate vote • 11/18/2025
Senate Amendment 1 adopted, Ayes 18, Noes 15
Yes: 18 • No: 15
Actions Timeline
Published 12-10-2025
12/10/2025SenateReport approved by the Governor on 12-9-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 80
12/10/2025SenatePresented to the Governor on 12-4-2025
12/4/2025SenateReport correctly enrolled
11/24/2025SenateReceived from Assembly concurred in
11/20/2025SenateOrdered immediately messaged
11/19/2025HouseRead a third time and concurred in
11/19/2025HouseRules suspended
11/19/2025HouseOrdered to a third reading
11/19/2025HouseRead a second time
11/19/2025HouseRules suspended to withdraw from Senate message and take up
11/19/2025HouseRead
11/19/2025HouseReceived from Senate
11/19/2025HouseOrdered immediately messaged
11/18/2025SenateRead a third time and passed
11/18/2025SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
11/18/2025SenateOrdered to a third reading
11/18/2025SenateWithdrawn from joint committee on Finance and taken up
11/18/2025SenateReferred to joint committee on Finance
11/18/2025SenateSenate Amendment 2 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15
11/18/2025SenateSenate Amendment 1 adopted, Ayes 18, Noes 15
11/18/2025SenateRead a second time
11/18/2025SenateSenate Amendment 2 offered by Senators Smith, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys and Spreitzer
11/18/2025SenatePlaced on calendar 11-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
11/14/2025SenateSenate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Tomczyk
10/16/2025Senate
Bill Text
Senate Amendment 1
11/18/2025
Bill Text
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