AB 1005 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: admission to University of Wisconsin System institutions.

AB 1005 requires University of Wisconsin System institutions to base undergraduate admission decisions "predominantly" on standardized test scores like the ACT or SAT, rather than other factors. It applies to all applicants except those admitted through the guaranteed admission program. The bill amends statutes to mandate that objective test performance become the primary factor in admission decisions, effective for the 2027-28 academic year. This change directly affects prospective undergraduate students applying to UW System campuses.

Issues: ✗ Education

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Assembly Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Vetoed

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 3, 2026 Vetoed Apr 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Text → Text as Enrolled · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill narrows the scope of a previous law that required all University of Wisconsin System institutions to use standardized test scores for admissions. The change limits the requirement for using objective testing measures specifically to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, exempting other system institutions. Additionally, the bill adds a new section defining the effective date for the new requirement.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced from applying to the entire University of Wisconsin System to applying only to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

SCOPE

The requirement for undergraduate admission decisions to be based on college entrance examination performance was changed from applying to all UW System institutions to applying only to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

TIMELINE

A new section was added specifying that the act first applies to applications for admission for the 2027-28 academic year.

TECHNICAL

New header information regarding the date of enactment and publication was added to the enrolled text.

Floor votes · Assembly Feb 12, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 3, 2026

Vetoed

Report vetoed by the Governor on 4-3-2026

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read a third time and concurred in

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, Ayes 3, Noes 2

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read a third time and passed, Ayes 52, Noes 45

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Introduced

Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Gustafson

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Introduced

Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Subeck

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Introduced

Assembly Amendment 3 offered by Representative Subeck

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Placed on calendar 2-12-2026 by Committee on Rules

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee on Rules

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 7, Noes 4

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 7, Noes 4

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Introduced

Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Gustafson

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Introduced

Introduced by Representatives Gustafson, Murphy, O'Connor, Brill and Dittrich; cosponsored by Senator Testin

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors