Veterans (Veteran Education)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 983: Relating to: the definition of “veteran” for purposes of certain state veterans benefits.

SB 983 clarifies the definition of "veteran" for Wisconsin state veterans benefits. It creates a new statutory definition (45.01(12)(jm)) specifically including National Guard members who completed their initial service obligation and received an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions. This change ensures these individuals qualify for state benefits under the new category, while removing them from the general "veteran" definition in 45.51(2)(a)1. The bill directly affects eligible National Guard members seeking state-level veterans' benefits.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies veteran definition to include National Guard members with honorable discharge, expanding eligibility for state benefits under new category while removing from general definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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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 ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands state veterans benefits eligibility to include qualifying National Guard members with honorable discharge, directly advancing access to benefits per bill's purpose.95% confidence

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

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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 · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 777: Relating to: Veterans Benefits Education Week.

AB 777 designates the week containing November 11 (Veterans Day) as "Veterans Benefits Education Week" each year. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation highlighting veterans' entitlements during this week. This procedural measure directly informs veterans about available benefits and establishes an annual observance, with no changes to actual benefit programs. (AB 777, introduced December 17, 2025)

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Veterans Benefits Education Week to inform veterans about existing entitlements, strengthening access to current benefits without altering programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 717: Relating to: Veterans Benefits Education Week.

SB 717 designates the week of November containing November 11 (Veterans Day) as "Veterans Benefits Education Week" in state law. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation during this week highlighting veterans' entitled benefits. It directly affects veterans by providing a dedicated period to learn about available benefits through state-led awareness efforts. The measure creates no new benefits or programs, only establishing a recurring observance to improve information access for veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Veterans Benefits Education Week to highlight existing benefits through state proclamation, promoting awareness and recognition of veterans' entitlements without creating new programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 47: Relating to: tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college. (FE)

AB 47 creates a tuition and fee remission program for veterans and their dependents in Wisconsin's University of Wisconsin System and technical colleges. It provides full remission of nonresident tuition, academic fees, and segregated fees for up to 128 credits or 8 semesters, covering eligible veterans who served honorably and met specific residency requirements (either at service entry or for 5+ years after age 18), as well as dependents of veterans who died in service or from service-connected disabilities. The bill requires applicants to first use all available VA education benefits (like 38 USC 3319) before applying for remission, and it specifies how partial coverage from VA benefits affects the 128-credit limit. It also establishes a reimbursement process for veterans eligible for multiple benefit programs, ensuring they receive the full educational benefit they're entitled to.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition remission for veterans and dependents in higher education, expanding access and reducing financial barriers to postsecondary education.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates full tuition/fee remission for veterans and dependents in Wisconsin's education system, expanding access to higher education benefits through direct funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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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

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 587: Relating to: remission of fees for veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or in a technical college and making an appropriation. (FE)

Senate Bill 587 modifies the process for remitting educational fees for veterans and their dependents attending University of Wisconsin System institutions or technical colleges. It establishes a "sum sufficient" appropriation, ensuring that the state provides the necessary funds to fully reimburse these educational institutions for all remitted fees. The bill removes previous limitations on the amount the state's Higher Educational Aids Board can reimburse the universities and

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates full state reimbursement for veteran tuition fees via 'sum sufficient' appropriation, increasing state funding for public education without tax impact.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves reimbursement limits for veterans' fees, ensuring full state funding for higher education access at UW System and technical colleges.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill removes reimbursement limits for veterans' tuition remission, ensuring full state funding for educational fees at UW System and technical colleges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 618: Relating to: allowing renters to claim the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit. (FE)

SB 618 allows renters who are veterans or surviving spouses to claim the property tax credit based on their rent payments instead of property taxes. The bill amends tax statutes to define "rent constituting property taxes" and permits eligible renters to file for this credit against their income taxes, with unused portions paid via state funds. It specifically applies to renters in veterans' principal dwellings, and couples filing separately can claim 50% of total rent paid. The law takes effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026. This expands an existing homeowner-focused credit to include qualifying renters without creating new funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows veterans/surviving spouses renting to claim property tax credit via rent payments, providing targeted tax relief for lower-income renters under tax statutes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credit access to renters (veterans/surviving spouses), reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for vulnerable groups.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax credit access to veteran renters, enabling them to claim benefits previously unavailable to non-property owners through rent-based credit filing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 643: Relating to: the establishment of November 11 as a day on which the offices of the agencies of state government are closed. (FE)

AB 643 establishes November 11 (Veterans Day) as a state holiday when all state government offices must close. It directly affects state government employees (excluding limited-term staff) by adding Veterans Day as a recognized paid personal holiday, in addition to their existing 9-10 annual paid holidays. The bill amends statutes to include November 11 in the list of holidays requiring office closures and creates a new provision specifying that employees earn one additional paid personal holiday each year specifically for Veterans Day. This change clarifies the holiday schedule and ensures Veterans Day is treated as a standard paid holiday for state employees.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes Veterans Day as a state holiday with office closures and paid leave, directly recognizing veteran service per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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