AB 663 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: imposing certain prohibitions on foreign influence at University of Wisconsin System institutions. (FE)

AB 663 prohibits University of Wisconsin System institutions from accepting foreign grants, entering academic partnerships, or engaging in research collaborations with entities from countries designated as security threats (like China or Russia) without board approval. Exceptions require security reviews, approval that benefits students, and confirmation the partnership won’t compromise U.S. security or academic freedom. The bill also bans accepting gifts or cultural exchange payments from such entities. Institutions must submit annual reports detailing all foreign partnerships to state officials.

Issues: ✗ Education

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Nov 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Assembly Passage

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Vetoed

Mar 2026

Introduced Nov 19, 2025 Vetoed Mar 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Text → Text as Enrolled · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a draft proposal to its final enacted text, replacing the original 2025-2026 legislative session header with the official 2025 Wisconsin Act format. The substantive policy content regarding foreign influence prohibitions remains consistent, but the final text clarifies definitions, adds a specific section on initial applicability dates, and updates the reporting deadline to December 1, 2026.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's applicability was clarified by adding a new section specifying exactly when the prohibitions on grants and partnerships begin versus when the general restrictions take effect.

TECHNICAL

The document header was changed from a draft 'Assembly Bill' introduction to the official 'Wisconsin Act' format, indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages and become law.

TIMELINE

A new section was added to specify that the prohibitions on accepting grants and gifts apply immediately upon the effective date, while restrictions on new partnerships apply from that same date forward.

REQUIREMENT

The annual reporting requirement deadline was updated to December 1, 2026, and the report must now be submitted to the chief clerk of each legislative house for distribution.

DEFINITION

Definitions for 'foreign adversary' and 'prohibited business entity' were expanded and clarified to explicitly include specific countries, regimes, and Chinese state-controlled assets.

Floor votes · Assembly Jan 22, 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

Mar 27, 2026

Vetoed

Report vetoed by the Governor on 3-27-2026

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 19, Noes 14

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Amended

Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Smith

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read a third time and passed, Ayes 53, Noes 44

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

Assembly Amendment 2 adopted

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Dallman

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Placed on calendar 1-22-2026 by Committee on Rules

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee on Rules

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 6, Noes 4

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 8, Noes 2

lower

Dec 3, 2025

Introduced

Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Dallman

lower

Nov 19, 2025

Introduced

Introduced by Representatives Dallman, Behnke, Brill, Callahan, Dittrich, Goeben, Green, Knodl, Kurtz, Melotik, Moses, Murphy, Mursau, O'Connor and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Tomczyk, Jacque, Nass and Testin

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors