Veterans (Veteran Healthcare)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 985: Relating to: administration of the veterans at risk alert system.

SB 985 amends a statute to define "veteran at risk" for the veterans at risk alert system. The bill specifies that a "veteran at risk" includes veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard, or military reservists known to have a physical or mental health condition related to their military service, based on reports. This definition change directly affects how the alert system identifies individuals eligible for support. The bill is purely definitional and does not create new programs or alter system operations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies eligibility for veterans at risk alert system, enabling better identification of veterans needing support through defined criteria related to military service health conditions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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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 The bill focuses on correcting outdated language and improving administrative processes within the Department of Veterans Affairs.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 ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUpdates PTSD mental health services, adjusts asset calculations to improve assistance access, and mandates reporting for veterans programs per DVAs remedial suggestion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reporting requirements for PTSD mental health services, strengthening veterans' access to care under VA programs.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill modernizes veterans' laws by updating definitions, clarifying eligibility for assistance, adding PTSD mental health reporting requirements, creating an advisory council, and removing outdated provisions - all strengthening veterans' services ...92% confidence

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

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 776: Relating to: veterans mental health services and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 776 allocates $5 million in state funds to expand veterans' access to mental health services. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to promote community-based mental health care and provide grants to organizations offering these services to veterans, including emergency crisis support. The bill streamlines implementation by allowing the department to issue emergency rules without standard public notice requirements. This directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and the community organizations delivering these services. The legislation creates new statutory provisions (45.49) to formalize this program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $5M state funds for veterans' mental health services, directly increasing budgetary spending on essential programs as required by appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5M to expand veterans' mental health services, funds community care grants, and streamlines crisis support access, directly advancing mental health care funding and access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $5M for veterans' mental health services, funds community-based care expansion, and streamlines implementation for improved access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.887M and $3.132M for veterans benefits grant system, directly funding a state program through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $5M+ to fund cloud-based system for veterans' benefits administration, directly supporting program efficiency and delivery of services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 716: Relating to: considering post-traumatic stress disorder as a mitigating factor in sentencing certain criminal offenders. (FE)

SB 716 adds a new provision (973.017(8m)) to sentencing guidelines, allowing courts to consider post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed from military service as a mitigating factor during sentencing for veterans. It specifically applies to individuals who served in the U.S. armed forces and have a documented PTSD diagnosis linked to their military service. The bill does not change sentencing ranges but gives judges discretion to weigh this factor when determining penalties for eligible veterans convicted of crimes. This affects veterans with service-connected PTSD who are facing sentencing in criminal cases. The bill takes effect for offenses committed on its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows PTSD from military service as a mitigating factor in sentencing for veterans, promoting rehabilitation-focused sentencing reform within criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allows courts to consider military-service-linked PTSD as a mitigating factor for veterans in sentencing, recognizing service-related conditions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 744: Relating to: free state park admission for veterans and gold star families. (FE)

AB 744 would provide free vehicle access to Wisconsin state parks for veterans and gold star families. The bill creates a new statute allowing any vehicle (excluding motor buses) occupied by a veteran - verified using the federal definition in 38 USC 101 - or a family member meeting gold star lapel button criteria (per 10 USC 1126) to enter parks without paying admission fees. It directly affects eligible veterans and surviving family members of service members who died in combat. The policy change removes a fee requirement for these groups when entering parks by private vehicle, with proof of eligibility required at the park entrance. The bill is currently in committee review after its December 2025 introduction.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides free state park access for veterans and gold star families, directly expanding benefits as defined by federal criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 396: Relating to: the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 396 increases funding for the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program by $512,900 for fiscal year 2025-26 (adding 7 staff positions) and $602,800 for fiscal year 2026-27. This directly expands services provided to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs by authorizing additional staff to support outreach and recovery efforts. The bill makes specific appropriations to the department without creating new program requirements or altering eligibility. It affects veterans seeking outreach services and the department’s capacity to deliver them.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state appropriations ($512k + $602k) for veterans' services, directly funding essential public program expansion through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases funding and staff for veterans' healthcare outreach program, directly expanding services through additional appropriations.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases funding by $1.1M total for VA outreach staff, directly expanding veteran services without restrictions or eligibility changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 428: Relating to: the University of Wisconsin Missing-in-Action Recovery and Identification Project, funding for the veterans housing and recovery program, eligibility changes for the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 428 modifies Wisconsin's veterans property tax credit to tie the credit amount to a veteran's service-connected disability rating (for those under 100%) and caps the credit based on the first $350,000 of a property's value. It also allocates $180,000 annually for two fiscal years to fund the University of Wisconsin's Missing-in-Action Recovery Project, requiring detailed annual reports on case progress, federal collaboration, and student involvement. Additionally, the bill increases funding for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program by $900,000 for 2025-26 and $1.05 million for 2026-27 to cover facility leasing and operational costs. These changes directly affect eligible veterans, surviving spouses, and veterans' housing services in Wisconsin.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps veterans property tax credit at $350k value, reducing tax relief scope and restricting eligibility for lower disability ratings.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds MIA Recovery Project ($180k annually) and ties property tax credit to disability rating, expanding veteran benefits and services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Property Tax Tax Credits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 596: Relating to: a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 596 creates a state matching grant program that allocates $950,000 to provide state funds matching federal per diem payments received by eligible non-state entities. It directly affects organizations or programs receiving federal per diem payments (such as those supporting veterans) by allowing them to access additional state funding. The bill establishes this program under the Veterans Affairs department budget, requiring the state to match federal payments without changing eligibility criteria or adding new requirements for recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $950,000 in state funds to match federal per diem payments for veterans' programs, directly increasing state budget appropriations for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state matching grant program ($950k) for federal per diem payments to veterans' healthcare programs, expanding funding without restricting access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes state matching grants under Veterans Affairs budget, funding programs supporting veterans with $950,000 appropriation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing