Veterans (Veteran Benefits) in Wisconsin

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 387: Relating to: indication of veteran status of certain service members on operators’ licenses or identification cards. (FE)

SB 387 amends state license and ID laws to allow veterans to indicate their service status on driver's licenses or state ID cards. It defines eligible veterans as former U.S. armed forces members discharged honorably, or reserve/guard members who completed their service with honorable conditions. This change directly affects veterans applying for or renewing licenses/ID cards in this state. The bill updates specific sections of the law (343.14 and 343.17) to implement this requirement, with no new benefits or costs specified.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 664: Relating to: reducing the eligibility threshold to claim the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit. (FE)

SB 664 lowers the disability rating requirement for veterans and surviving spouses to qualify for the state property tax credit. Previously, claimants needed a 100% service-connected disability rating; this bill reduces that threshold to 70% or higher. It also creates a new provision allowing the credit amount to be calculated as a percentage of the full credit based on the veteran's actual disability rating (e.g., a 70% rating would yield 70% of the full credit). The bill directly affects veterans and surviving spouses with service-connected disabilities rated between 70% and 99%, who now qualify for a proportional tax credit. The change applies to taxable years beginning in the year the bill takes effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 27: Relating to: expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War.

AB 27 expands eligibility for state veterans' benefits to include individuals who served in Laos supporting U.S. forces during the Vietnam War and were naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000. The bill updates state statutes to define these veterans as qualifying for property tax exemptions (under 36.27) and other benefit programs (under 38.24 and 45.01). It specifically adds them to eligibility criteria for benefits previously limited to other veteran categories. This change directly affects Hmong veterans residing in the state who meet the federal naturalization requirements. The bill passed committee unanimously and is now pending in the Rules committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 507: Relating to: the state civil service system. (FE)

AB 507 amends state civil service laws to adjust veteran preference policies for state government hiring. It repeals outdated sections and revises provisions related to veteran eligibility, removing age restrictions for veterans applying for positions and clarifying how preference points are calculated and applied. Specifically, it modifies rules so veterans and their spouses receive preference points without age limits, and updates procedures for adding qualified veterans to certification lists after initial hiring. These changes directly affect veterans seeking state civil service jobs and state hiring boards managing employment eligibility. The bill updates statutory language to align with current veteran preference practices under sections like 230.16 (7).

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2: Relating to: expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War.

SB 2 expands veterans' burial benefits to cover individuals who served in Laos supporting U.S. efforts during the Vietnam War. It directly affects eligible veterans (including those covered by the federal Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000) who previously did not qualify for national cemetery burial under existing rules. The bill adds a new provision (45.61 (2) (e)) to state law, linking eligibility for burial benefits to the federal naturalization act for these veterans. This change creates a concrete policy update to include a specific group of veterans in existing burial benefit programs. The bill is currently referred to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 247: Relating to: local building permit fees for certain improvements of residences of disabled veterans. (FE)

AB 247 requires local governments to reduce building permit fees for certain home improvements benefiting disabled veterans. Political subdivisions must lower these fees by 75% or $500, whichever is less. This reduction applies when the permit is for improvements to a disabled veteran's primary residence that are necessary to accommodate their disability. The residence must be owned by the veteran or their caretaker, and local governments may request proof of eligibility.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 506: Relating to: the state civil service system. (FE)

SB 506 modifies state civil service rules to clarify and streamline veteran hiring preferences. It removes age restrictions for veterans applying for civil service positions and updates how preference points are applied to veterans and their spouses during hiring processes. Key changes include revising sections to ensure veterans and spouses receive preference points without adding them to certification lists prematurely, while maintaining that their grades plus points must equal or exceed the lowest grade on the list. The bill directly affects veterans seeking state civil service jobs and state hiring boards managing eligibility lists. These revisions aim to simplify compliance with existing veteran preference laws under statutes like 230.16 (7).

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Public Employees Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 505: Relating to: authorizing resident disabled veterans to hunt deer of either sex in any open firearm season. (FE)

SB 505 allows resident disabled veterans with a 50% or greater disability rating to hunt deer of either sex during any open firearm deer hunting season in the state. To qualify, veterans must provide proof of their veteran status (per 38 U.S.C. § 101) and receive disability compensation at the required rating level (under 38 U.S.C. §§ 1114, 1134, or 38 C.F.R. § 4.16). The bill amends hunting regulations to remove restrictions on deer sex during firearm seasons for this specific group. It directly affects disabled veterans meeting these documented criteria, expanding their hunting opportunities under existing seasons.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 686: Relating to: reducing the eligibility threshold to claim the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit. (FE)

This bill reduces the required disability rating for veterans to qualify for the property tax credit from 100% to 70% or higher. It allows veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at least 70% to claim a credit proportional to their disability percentage (e.g., a 70% rating would yield 70% of the full credit amount). Surviving spouses of eligible veterans also qualify under these updated terms. The change directly affects veterans and surviving spouses with service-connected disabilities below 100% but at or above 70%.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 659: Relating to: tuition and fee remission or grants for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college, or a private nonprofit institution of higher education; and the University of Wisconsin System nonresident tuition exemption for certain veterans. (FE)

AB 659 modifies Wisconsin's tuition benefit policies for veterans and their families. It reduces the required residency period from 5 to 3 consecutive years in the state before enrollment for veterans themselves and their dependents (spouses or children) to qualify for tuition exemptions or grants at University of Wisconsin System schools, technical colleges, or private nonprofit institutions. The bill applies to veterans who served honorably, died on duty or from service-connected disabilities, or have a 30% service-connected disability rating, and to dependents who meet the revised residency requirement. It does not change eligibility for veterans who were Wisconsin residents at the time of military entry. The policy change takes effect for the first semester or session beginning after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

All veterans bills