Welcome to the Universities of Wisconsin Government Relations Newsletter. The Office of Government Relations provides legislative and political updates that impact the Universities of Wisconsin at the state and federal level.
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State Relations
Assembly Committee on State Affairs
Last week, the Assembly Committee on State Affairs held a public hearing on AB 408, relating to: designating the bacterium Lactococcus lactis as the Wisconsin state microbe. The Universities of Wisconsin registered students and faculty from UW-Green Bay and UW-La Crosse in favor of this legislation, and UW-Madison had students testify and submit written testimony in favor.
Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges
The Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges held an executive session last week on the following UW related bills:
- AB-166 Data Reporting (Melotik, Paul) Academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes. Passage recommended, 3-2 (Larson, Pfaff). The UWs testified and submitted written testimony for information only.
- SB-199 Data Reporting (Feyen, Daniel) Academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes. 1 adopted, 3-2 (Larson, Pfaff). Passage as amended recommended, 3-2 (Larson, Pfaff). The UWs testified and submitted written testimony for information only.
- SB-059 Tuition Remission (Jacque, Andre) Tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college.1 adopted, 5-0. Passage as amended recommended, 5-0. The UWs submitted written testimony for information only.
- SB-399 UW Tuition (Jacque, Andre) University of Wisconsin System resident undergraduate tuition and fees. Passage recommended, 3-2 (Larson, Pfaff). The UWs testified and submitted written testimony in opposition to this legislation. UW-Madison also submitted written testimony in opposition.
- SB-269 Loan Program (Jacque, Andre) A school psychologist loan program. Passage recommended, 5-0.
- SB-532 UW Fees (Hutton, Rob) Course fees at University of Wisconsin System institutions. Passage recommended, 3-2 (Larson, Pfaff). The UWs testified and submitted written testimony in opposition to this legislation. UW-Madison also submitted written testimony in opposition.
- SB-498 UW Free Speech (Cabral-Guevara, Rachael) Free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, due process in disciplinary proceedings at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, and causes of action against the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards. Passage recommended, 3-2 (Larson, Pfaff). The UWs testified and submitted written testimony for information only. UW-Madison also submitted written testimony for information only.
- SB-501 Loan Repayment Grants (Cabral-Guevara, Rachael) Creating a veterinary loan repayment grant program administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board and exempting from taxation amounts received from such a grant program. Passage recommended, 5-0. UW-Madison submitted written testimony in support of this legislation.
State Building Commission
The next meeting of the State Building Commission will be on Tuesday, October 28. See below for the schedule:
- Administrative Affairs Subcommittee will meet at 10am
- Higher Education Subcommittee will meet at 11am
- Full Commission will meet at 2pm
The agenda includes 4 major UW projects that were enumerated in the 2025-27 biennial budget:
- UW-La Crosse Prairie Springs Science Center
- UW-Milwaukee Health Sciences Renovation
- UW-Stevens Point Sentry Hall Addition and Modernization
- UW-Stout Recreation Complex Addition and Renovation
You will be able to watch the Full Commission live on WisconsinEye.
Federal Relations
Government Funding Updates
At present, conversations surrounding government funding remain stalled.
The Senate is scheduled to be in session this week where additional votes are anticipated; the House of Representatives remains in a recess period wherein members can be called back to DC for votes if events warrant.
As Congress continues to work toward a funding solution, updates will be shared as appropriate.
Full House and Senate Hearing Schedule
If interested, you can see a full list of upcoming hearings on the Senate Hearings & Meetings Page. A review of the committee hearings in the House of Representatives is available via the Committee Schedule within the House of Representatives Legislative Activity section on the Chamber’s main page.
House and Senate Floor Schedules
When the House of Representatives and Senate return to Washington, a full list of votes will be found on the respective websites for the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Note: Links to external sites are provided for informational purposes and not meant to convey an endorsement of the Universities of Wisconsin.