This bill proposes to create a tuition exemption for certain nonresident students at University of Wisconsin System institutions. It would allow individuals with approved deferred action status under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to qualify for in-state tuition rates if they have lived in Wisconsin for 12 months before enrolling. The exemption would apply to students registering in semesters following the bill's effective date. This legislation directly affects eligible nonresident students and the state's higher education funding structure.
This bill would create a tuition exemption for nonresident students attending University of Wisconsin System schools if they meet specific residency and immigration status requirements. To qualify, a student must have lived in Wisconsin for 12 consecutive months before registering for classes and must have approved deferred action status under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The exemption applies to students enrolling in the semester or session following the bill's effective date. This legislation is designed to provide financial relief to certain immigrant students by allowing them to pay in-state tuition rates despite not being Wisconsin residents. The bill was introduced in March 2026 and referred to the Committee on Colleges and Universities for review.
AB 843 would require all law enforcement officers and tribal law enforcement officers in the state to be U.S. citizens. This bill directly affects individuals seeking or currently holding these law enforcement positions, including tribal officers. The key provision creates a new statutory requirement stating: "No person may be employed as a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer unless that person is a citizen of the United States." The bill does not alter existing hiring practices for other public safety roles, focusing solely on citizenship as a mandatory qualification for these specific law enforcement positions.
AB 896 requires local governments (cities, towns, counties, school districts) to coordinate with federal refugee resettlement programs. If federal authorities or a private agency contact a local official about placing refugees, the official must report this within 7 business days to their chief elected official. Within 30 days, the local government must appoint a designee to consult with federal agencies, form a county committee for discussion, and hold a public hearing before making a recommendation on refugee placement. This bill establishes a structured process for local input on federal refugee resettlement plans, affecting all local governments within a 100-mile radius of the initial contact.
SB 877 requires local governments (cities, towns, counties, school districts) to notify and consult with neighboring jurisdictions when federal refugee resettlement is proposed in their area. It mandates written reports to chief elected officials within 7 days of initial contact, followed by 10-day notifications to nearby governments, 30-day meetings to appoint local representatives, and 45-day county-level committee meetings with refugee resettlement organizations. The bill also requires public hearings with 15-day newspaper notices and written recommendations to local governing bodies about refugee placement plans. This directly affects all local governments within 100 miles of proposed refugee resettlement sites, creating a structured consultation process before final decisions are made.
AB 759 allows individuals with deferred action under the federal DACA program to obtain state occupational licenses (like nursing or cosmetology credentials) if they have valid federal work permits. It requires state licensing agencies to verify DACA recipients' federal work authorization through official systems before issuing licenses. Licenses issued under this law expire when the federal work permit expires, and recipients must renew both simultaneously. The bill explicitly states it does not grant eligibility for public benefits beyond occupational credentials.
SB 745 allows individuals with active Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status to obtain professional licenses and certifications in the state, such as for healthcare or trades, regardless of citizenship. It directly affects DACA recipients who hold unexpired federal work authorization documents. The bill requires state licensing agencies to verify this federal work authorization through official DHS systems before issuing or renewing a license, and licenses expire when the federal work authorization does. Fees may only increase to cover the cost of federal verification, and the bill explicitly states it does not grant eligibility for other public benefits.
AB 739 prohibits state and local government agencies, including law enforcement, from detaining individuals solely based on their immigration status. It specifically bans officials from aiding federal immigration enforcement efforts that target people for being undocumented, while allowing access to facilities under valid judicial warrants. The bill also prohibits state or local governments from entering into or continuing agreements with the federal government that enable local police to enforce federal immigration law (such as 8 USC 1357(g) agreements). This directly affects all state agencies, local governments, and law enforcement entities in the state by restricting their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The law creates new restrictions on state and local actions, not on federal policies.
SJR 98 proposes adding a new constitutional amendment (Section 27) to guarantee equal rights under state law, prohibiting discrimination by state or local governments based on sex, gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, or other immutable characteristics. It would allow any individual harmed by a violation to sue the state or local government entity responsible in court. The amendment would require all state and local governments to actively protect these guaranteed rights. This is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a law, and it is currently in the early stages of review after introduction in October 2025.
AJR 108 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to guarantee equality of rights under state law, prohibiting discrimination by state or local government based on characteristics like sex, gender identity, race, disability, religion, or other immutable traits. It would create a new right for individuals to directly sue the state or local government in court if their rights under this amendment are violated. This amendment, if approved, would establish a constitutional standard for equality and provide a legal path for people to seek remedies when state actors deny them equal treatment.
