Veterans (Memorials & Recognition) in Wisconsin

passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SR 6: Relating to: honoring the U.S. service members who lost their lives during the initial actions of the ongoing conflict with Iran.

This Wisconsin Senate Resolution honors U.S. service members who died during the initial phase of the conflict with Iran, specifically those killed in strikes on Kuwait and Saudi Arabia or who died in an aircraft crash in Iraq. The measure formally acknowledges the bravery of seven fallen soldiers and extends condolences to their families while expressing gratitude to the approximately 400 Wisconsin National Guard members currently deployed in the Middle East. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the sacrifices made by American troops in the region. It focuses on commemorating specific individuals and supporting those still serving in harm's way during the ongoing military operations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1006: Relating to: the definition of “veteran” for purposes of certain state veterans benefits.

AB 1006 amends Wisconsin law to create a new definition of "veteran" specifically for state veterans benefits eligibility. It defines a veteran as a current or former National Guard member who completed their initial obligated service term and received an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions. This change directly expands eligibility for state veterans benefits to include qualifying National Guard members who previously might not have met the existing definition. The bill does not alter benefit amounts or other eligibility criteria beyond this definition update.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 810: Relating to: reimbursement for the provision of military funeral honors. (FE)

SB 810 increases the state reimbursement rate for certified veteran organizations providing military funeral honors from $50 to $100 per funeral. It directly affects local veteran groups certified by the department that offer these honors to eligible individuals. The bill amends statute 45.60(2) to update the reimbursement cap while maintaining the requirement that costs must be covered by the department from a specific appropriation. This is a procedural change to the existing reimbursement policy with no new eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Memorials & Recognition

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

AB 935: Relating to: repealing expired programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs; definition, terminology, and grammatical changes for the Department of Veterans Affairs, mental health services for post-traumatic stress disorder; reporting on rules proposed by the Department of Veterans Affairs; asset calculation for determining eligibility for veterans assistance payments; and deceased veterans’ graves (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Veterans Affairs).

AB 935 updates Wisconsin's veterans affairs statutes by repealing expired programs and making administrative clarifications. It modifies definitions (like "permanently and totally disabled veteran"), updates mental health service reporting requirements for PTSD, and adjusts asset calculations for veterans' assistance payments. The bill also adds new requirements for the Council on Veterans Programs to submit annual reports and mandates the department to post information about depleted uranium exposure benefits online. These changes primarily affect veterans seeking benefits, VA staff managing programs, and the Council on Veterans Programs. The bill focuses on correcting outdated language and improving administrative processes within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 887: Relating to: identification of the Platteville Veteran’s Memorial on state highway maps. (FE)

AB 887 adds the Platteville Veteran's Memorial in Grant County to official Wisconsin state highway maps. The bill requires the memorial's location to be marked on all future highway maps published after the law takes effect. This is a procedural change that directly affects how the memorial is identified on public transportation maps, with no financial or policy impact beyond map notation.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 914: Relating to: repealing expired programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs; definition, terminology, and grammatical changes for the Department of Veterans Affairs, mental health services for post-traumatic stress disorder; reporting on rules proposed by the Department of Veterans Affairs; asset calculation for determining eligibility for veterans assistance payments; and deceased veterans’ graves (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Veterans Affairs).

SB 914 modernizes Wisconsin's veterans' affairs laws by removing outdated provisions and updating key programs. It revises definitions (like "permanently and totally disabled veteran"), adds requirements for reporting on mental health services for PTSD, and clarifies rules for determining eligibility for veterans' assistance payments. The bill also creates a new "Council" to advise on veterans' programs, updates website requirements for information on depleted uranium exposure, and adjusts subsistence payment rules. These changes directly affect Wisconsin veterans accessing VA services and the Department of Veterans Affairs staff administering benefits.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 817: Relating to: reimbursement for the provision of military funeral honors. (FE)

AB 817 increases the state reimbursement for certified veteran organizations providing military funeral honors from $50 to $100 per funeral. It directly affects local veteran groups certified by the department to perform these honors. The bill amends statute 45.60(2) to allow this higher reimbursement amount from a specific state fund, covering costs incurred by these organizations. The change applies to all military funerals in the state where honors are provided.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 721: Relating to: reimbursement for the provision of military funeral honors. (FE)

SB 721 adds a specific eligibility category for military funeral honors reimbursement: individuals naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000 who were residing in the state at the time of their death. The bill establishes that certified veterans' organizations providing military funeral honors for these individuals are eligible for reimbursement of up to $85 per funeral, adjusted annually based on the U.S. consumer price index. This directly affects Hmong veterans who gained U.S. citizenship through the 2000 federal law and their families. The reimbursement rate replaces the previous $50 limit and ensures annual updates to match inflation. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify this eligibility and funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 745: Relating to: reimbursement for the provision of military funeral honors. (FE)

AB 745 creates a new eligibility category for state reimbursement of military funeral honors costs, specifically for individuals who were naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000 and were residing in the state at the time of death. It requires the state department to reimburse certified veteran organizations for providing military funeral honors, with a maximum payment of $85 per funeral (adjusted annually for inflation based on the U.S. consumer price index). The bill directly affects families of qualifying Hmong veterans who served in the U.S. military and were naturalized under the 2000 federal law. This establishes a clear reimbursement mechanism for organizations providing these honors, replacing the previous $50 limit with an inflation-adjusted $85 cap.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 719: Relating to: funding for a grant administration system for veterans benefits programs and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 719 allocates $1.887 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and $3.132 million for 2026-27 to purchase and maintain a new cloud-based grant administration system for veterans benefits programs. This system will manage how grants are distributed and tracked for veterans' services. The bill directly affects the Department of Veterans Affairs by funding this technology upgrade to improve the administration of benefits. It does not change eligibility or benefit amounts but aims to streamline the grant process for veterans.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

All veterans bills