AB 545 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: course fees at University of Wisconsin System institutions. (FE)

AB 545 prevents University of Wisconsin System institutions from charging students supplemental fees for exclusively online courses unless the fee covers specific, verifiable online costs or applies equally to in-person versions of the same course. It directly affects students enrolled in online courses at UW institutions, particularly non-resident students who might face higher fees. The bill adds a new requirement (36.27(1)(c)) that prohibits unjustified fees for online-only courses while allowing fees tied to actual online-specific expenses or those applied consistently to in-person equivalents. This policy change targets course-related charges, not tuition rates, and applies starting 30 days after the law takes effect.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Oct 15, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on calendar 2-12-2026 by Committee on Rules
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced
Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Melotik
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 7, Noes 4
lower
Oct 15, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Melotik, Murphy, Behnke, Gundrum, Knodl, Kreibich, O'Connor, Piwowarczyk, Dittrich and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Hutton and Nass
lower
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors