SB 753 redirects $2 million annually from the college savings program trust fund to the Department of Financial Institutions. It authorizes the department to deposit funds into college savings accounts for children born or adopted in the state, residing there, and designated as beneficiaries under existing law (s. 224.50). The bill adds one full-time position to administer these deposits and provides specific funding increases: $446,900 for 2025-26 implementation and $317,900 for 2026-27 ongoing operations. All funds must cover qualified higher education expenses for the children in these accounts.
AB 761 redirects $2 million annually from the college savings program trust fund to the Department of Financial Institutions. It directs the department to deposit funds into college savings accounts for children born or adopted in the state, residing there, and designated as beneficiaries under existing law. These deposits cover qualified higher education expenses for the children. The bill also appropriates additional funds ($446,900 for 2025-26, $317,900 for 2026-27) to administer this program and fund an additional full-time position.
AB 807 creates a new "office of board counsel" in counties that already have a corporation counsel (including jointly designated counsel) and a county executive or administrator. This office, appointed by the county board and staffed by licensed attorneys, provides independent legal advice and services specifically to the county board itself. The bill establishes this role as separate from existing corporation counsel, allows the county board to leave the position unfilled, and specifies that board counsel serves "at the pleasure of the county board." This is a procedural change affecting county governance structures, not a policy impacting residents or taxpayers.
SB 800 creates a new "office of board counsel" in counties that already have a corporation counsel (including shared counsel) and a county executive or administrator. This independent legal position, appointed by the county board and requiring a licensed attorney, provides direct legal advice and services specifically to the county board. The county board may choose not to fill this position at any time.
AJR 1 is a constitutional amendment requiring voters to present valid photo identification to cast a ballot in any election. It directly affects all voters in state elections, specifying that acceptable ID must be issued by the state, federal government, a federally recognized tribal entity, or a college/university in the state. The bill mandates the legislature to define acceptable ID types and establish exceptions, while allowing voters without ID on election day to cast a provisional ballot and submit ID later. This proposal, on second consideration after a 2023 rejection, would be submitted to voters in April 2025 if approved.
AJR 3 is a symbolic resolution that officially recognizes January 2025 as "Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about human trafficking, highlighting its prevalence across all 72 Wisconsin counties and its impact on vulnerable groups like youth and individuals with disabilities. The resolution aligns with broader state and national efforts to combat trafficking through education and community engagement. As a procedural resolution, it focuses solely on designation and awareness, with no direct policy changes or obligations for state agencies.
AB 20 allows married individuals living apart due to domestic abuse (as defined in state law) to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) when filing a separate state tax return, rather than being required to file jointly. It establishes a state tax credit equal to 4%, 11%, or 34% of the federal EITC amount they’d qualify for if unmarried, depending on having one, two, or three or more qualifying children living with them. The bill directly affects survivors of domestic abuse who cannot file jointly with their spouse and are already eligible for the federal EITC but lose state credit access under current rules. It amends state tax code to create this exception, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.
SB 20 allows married individuals who live apart from their spouse due to domestic abuse (as defined by state law) to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) when filing a separate state tax return. It provides a state tax credit equal to 4%, 11%, or 34% of the federal EITC amount - depending on whether the filer has one, two, or three or more qualifying children living with them. The bill applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and modifies existing tax code to permit this credit for eligible individuals who cannot file jointly. This policy change directly supports domestic abuse survivors facing financial barriers while filing separately.
SB 13 requires Wisconsin's public school boards, independent charter schools, and private schools participating in parental choice programs to include cursive writing in their elementary school curriculum. The bill mandates that all students must be able to write legibly in cursive by the end of fifth grade, with this standard to be implemented by July 1, 2026. This applies specifically to elementary grades (not high school districts) and affects all schools receiving state funding or participating in choice programs. The requirement will be incorporated into state academic standards and school curriculum plans, starting with the 2026-27 school year for charter and private schools.
SB 32 requires school districts to spend at least 70% of their operating funds on direct classroom expenditures (including teacher salaries, instructional supplies, and programs like athletics). If a district falls short, it must increase classroom spending by 2% annually until reaching the 70% target. Districts failing to comply face state aid deductions, with remaining shortfalls potentially requiring property tax reductions for residents. The bill also amends rules to cap annual pay increases for school administrators at the average teacher pay increase rate, not mandate them. This affects all public school districts in the state, with penalties enforced through state funding adjustments.
AB 3 requires Wisconsin schools to incorporate cursive writing into the state English language arts curriculum standards and mandates that all elementary schools teach cursive writing as a core skill. Specifically, it requires public schools, charter schools, and private schools participating in parental choice programs to ensure students can write legibly in cursive by the end of fifth grade. The law applies to all elementary grades (K-5) and takes effect by July 1, 2026, though it excludes union high school districts. This policy change directly affects elementary school curricula across Wisconsin, requiring a specific skill-based objective in language arts education.
AB 6 requires school districts to spend at least 70% of their operating funds on direct classroom expenditures (including teacher salaries, instructional supplies, athletic programs, and cocurricular activities) and annual pay increases for school administrators. School boards that fall below this threshold must increase classroom spending by 2% each year until reaching 70%. If a district violates the requirement, the state will deduct the shortfall amount from its state aid payments, and if necessary, order property tax reductions for residents. The bill applies to all school districts starting July 1, 2026, with related contract rules taking effect immediately upon publication.
