The Weekly Update

Senate Floor Session

The Senate convened last week for their last regularly scheduled session day for the 2025-26 legislative session. You can view all Senate actions here. Below are some bills of note that the Senate took action on:

• AB-582 - Dual enrollment programs, creating the Council on Dual Enrollment, and transfer of postsecondary course credits, was concurred in via a voice vote. Previously, it had passed the Assembly 55-43.
• AB-659 - 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, was concurred in via a voice vote. Previously, it had passed the Assembly 94-2.
• AB-757 - The appointment of certain employees of the University of Wisconsin System and faculty governance, was concurred in via a voice vote with the adoption of Assembly Substitute Amendment 4. Previously, it had passed the Assembly 53-45.
• AB-1005 - Admission to University of Wisconsin System institutions, was concurred in via a voice vote with the adoption of Assembly Substitute Amendment 1. Previously, it had passed the Assembly 52-45.
• AB-1034 - Name, image, and likeness rights for University of Wisconsin System student athletes; maintenance costs for University of Wisconsin–Madison intercollegiate athletic facilities; and making an appropriation, was concurred in with a 17-16 vote with the adoption of Assembly Amendment 1. Previously, it had passed the Assembly 95-1.
• AB-446 - Consideration of a certain definition of antisemitism for purposes of laws, ordinances, policies, or criminal penalty enhancers concerning discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin, was concurred in via a voice vote with the adoption of Assembly Substitute Amendment 1. Previously, this bill had passed the Assembly with a 66-33 vote.
• AB-387 - Correction bill for 2025 Wisconsin Act 15 (the 2025-27 biennial budget) and making an appropriation, was concurred in with a 29-4 vote with the adoption of Assembly Substitute Amendment 1. Previously, it had passed the Assembly 89-4.

All of these bills are ready to be sent to the Governor’s desk.

Governor Takes Action on 27 Bills

Last week, the Governor took action on 27 bills. Below are some bills of note that were all vetoed in their entirety.

• Senate Bill 532 /AB 545 Relating to: course fees at University of Wisconsin System institutions.
  • Vetoed in its entirety Veto Message

• Senate Bill 652 /AB 669 Relating to: race-based higher education programs and requirements.
  • Vetoed in its entirety Veto Message

• Senate Bill 498 /AB 501 Relating to: free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, due process in disciplinary proceedings at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, and causes of action against the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards.
  • Vetoed in its entirety Veto Message

• Assembly Bill 415 /SB 400 Relating to: use restrictions on state and local government electronic devices.
  • Vetoed in its entirety Veto Message

• Assembly Bill 672 /SB 650 Relating to: penalty enhancer for crimes committed by a person acting as an agent of a foreign government or terrorist organization with the intent to silence or punish persons for their political view, criminalizing the enforcement of foreign laws without federal or state approval, and providing a penalty.
  • Vetoed in its entirety Veto Message

You can view the Governor’s full press release here.

Please check back for future updates.

Department of Education Update

Last week, the U.S. Departments of Education and Treasury "announced the Federal Student Assistance Partnership to enhance the administration of Federal student aid programs."

At the time of the announcement, Secretary McMahon said, “The Federal Student Assistance Partnership marks an intentional and historic step toward breaking up the Federal education bureaucracy and dramatically improving the administration of Federal student aid programs that millions of American students, families, and borrowers rely on to access higher education. As the Federal student aid portfolio soars to nearly $1.7 trillion and with nearly a quarter of student loan borrowers in default, Americans know that the Department of Education has failed to effectively manage and deliver these critical programs. By leveraging Treasury’s world-renowned expertise in finance and economic policy, we are confident that American students, borrowers, and taxpayers will finally have functioning programs after decades of mismanagement.”

If interested in learning more, you can review the Federal Student Assistance Partnership fact sheet here.

Committee on Education and Workforce Hearing

The House Committee on Education and Workforce will hold a hearing titled, “U.S. Universities Under Siege: Foreign Espionage, Stolen Innovation, and the National Security Threat” on March 26, beginning at 9:15AM Central Time. As witnesses are announced, you will be able to find them here, and if interested in tuning in, you can watch via the Committee’s YouTube page.

Full House and Senate Hearing Schedule

If interested, you can see a full list of upcoming hearings on the Senate Hearings & Meetings Page. A review of the committee hearings in the House of Representatives is available via the Committee Schedule within the House of Representatives Legislative Activity section on the Chamber’s main page.  

House and Senate Floor Schedules

As the House of Representatives and Senate return to Washington, the anticipated schedule for the House of Representatives and the Senate can be found on the preceding websites.