The Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities held an executive session and public hearing on Thursday, January 23.

During the executive session, the committee considered the following bills relating to the UW System:

  • AB 444– Free expression: free expression within the University of Wisconsin System, providing an exemption from rule-making procedures, and granting rule-making authority.

The Committee voted to pass the bill, including Amendment Substitute 1, in a 8-6 vote.

  • AB 536– Career Advancement Scholarship: establishing a career advancement scholarship program and making an appropriation

The Committee voted to pass the bill, including Amendment 1, in a 14-0 vote.

Following the executive session, the committee held a public hearing and heard the following bills relating to the UW System:

  • AB 230– Military Transcripts: transferring academic credits from military transcripts to University of Wisconsin System schools and technical colleges.

See below for written testimony provided by President Ray Cross for information only. 

  • AB 556– Teaching Hours: recognizing teaching hours for providing certain extension services of the University of Wisconsin System.

Ben Van Pelt, UW-Madison Assistant Director for State Relations, and Heidi Zoerb, Associate Dean for External Relations for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, provided verbal testimony on AB 566 (see below).

  • AB 663– Veteran Application Fees: exempting veterans and members of the armed forces from admissions application fees at University of Wisconsin System schools and technical colleges.