Relating to: race-based higher education programs and requirements. (FE)
AB 669 revises higher education program definitions and requirements in Wisconsin, focusing on how "disadvantaged" students are identified and supported. It prohibits the use of race, ethnicity, gender, or group identity in defining "disadvantaged" students, requiring that eligibility be based solely on economic, familial, geographic, or personal hardship. The bill updates existing programs like graduate aid grants (e.g., "Ben R. Lawton grants") and retention plans to operate without race-based considerations, while maintaining reporting requirements for financial aid distribution by student demographics. It affects public universities, technical colleges, and students applying for state-funded aid programs.
Bill status
failed
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Nov 19, 2025
Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Feb 11, 2026
Introduced
Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Piwowarczyk and Allen
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 recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 6, Noes 5
lower
Nov 19, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Piwowarczyk, Behnke, Callahan, Dittrich, Goeben, Green, B. Jacobson, Knodl, Melotik, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, O'Connor, Penterman, Tucker and Wichgers;
cosponsored by Senators Wimberger, Nass, Quinn and Tomczyk
lower
16 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Amanda Nedweski
RRepublican
P
Barbara Dittrich
RRepublican
P
Brent Jacobson
RRepublican
P
Calvin Callahan
RRepublican
P
Chanz Green
RRepublican
P
Chuck Wichgers
RRepublican
P
Dan Knodl
RRepublican
P
Dave Murphy
RRepublican
P
Duke Tucker
RRepublican
P
Elijah Behnke
RRepublican
P
Jeff Mursau
RRepublican
P
Jerry O'Connor
RRepublican
P
Jim Piwowarczyk
RRepublican
P
Joy Goeben
RRepublican
P
Paul Melotik
RRepublican
P
Will Penterman
RRepublican
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