The Weekly Update

senate session recap

The Senate was in session on November 14, 2023, and confirmed the following Board of Regents appointments:

• EA-Adams, Angela Congressional District 6 Representative on the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System To serve for the term ending May 1, 2029 Floor Action: confirm, 31-1.  
• EA-Brenkus, Evan Traditional Student Representative on the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System To serve for the term ending May 1, 2025. Floor Action: confirm, 26-6.  
• EA-Colon, Hector Congressional District 5 Representative on the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System To serve for the term ending May 1, 2025 Floor Action: confirm, 31-2.  
• EA-Kreuser, Jim Congressional District 1 Representative on the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System To serve for the term ending May 1, 2030. Floor Action: confirm, 31-2.  
• EA-Prince, Joan Congressional District 4 Representative on the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System To serve for the term ending May 1, 2030. Floor Action: confirm, 31-2.  
• EA-Staton, Jennifer Non-Traditional Student Representative on the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System To serve for the term ending May 1, 2024 Floor Action: confirm, 31-2.  
• EA-Weatherly, Kyle Congressional District 4 Representative on the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System To serve for the term ending May 1, 2027

In addition, the following bills impacting the Universities of Wisconsin were passed.

• SB 380, relating to Wisconsin grants and other financial aid for higher education. This bill was concurred in as amended and now goes to the Governor for executive action.
• SB 241, relating to a school psychologist loan program and making an appropriation. This bill passed the Senate floor unanimously on a voice vote. The Assembly now needs to vote on this legislation.

The next possible floor period for the Legislature is the week of January 15, 2024.

speaker's task force on artificial intelligence

The Speaker’s Task Force on Artificial Intelligence met at UW-Stout on Wednesday, November 15. Invited testimony included representatives of UW-Stout and UW-River Falls (Dean Olson, Associate Dean - College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences, and Patrick Woolcock, Assistant Professor – Agricultural Engineering Technology.)

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continuing resolution

Last week, the House and Senate passed,  H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, which President Biden signed into law on Thursday, November 16^th, avoiding a shutdown of the government on November 17^th. As can be seen in the linked bill summary, the bill funds four appropriations bills (Agriculture, Energy and Water, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Transportation and Housing and Urban Development) through January 19, 2024. The remaining appropriations bills, including the Labor-HHS-Education bill, are now funded through February 2, 2024. Work will continue on the various funding bills when Congress returns following the Thanksgiving holiday. 

fafsa updates

Last week, the Department of Education released data related to the 2024-2025 FAFSA. Importantly, as you can see in the release, the updated form will be available by December 31, 2023. For more on the improvements and details on utilization, you can read the linked release. 

2024 SENATE CALENDAR

Last week, the Senate released the tentative 2024 floor schedule. You can read more about the schedule and see the combined House and Senate calendar in this Roll Call article. 

HOUSE AND SENATE SChedule

The House of Representatives and Senate are in scheduled district and state work periods over the Thanksgiving holiday recess. Both chambers are scheduled to return to Washington the week of November 27^th for a busy legislative period in advance of the end of the year.