Veterans in Wisconsin | MyRepTracker

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 78: Relating to: proclaiming June 12, 2025, as Women Veterans Day.

AJR 78 is a joint resolution that directs the Wisconsin legislature to officially proclaim June 12, 2025, as "Women Veterans Day" in the state. It recognizes the historical significance of June 12, 1948 - the date President Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act - and highlights Wisconsin’s 29,000+ women veterans, who represent about 10% of the state’s veteran population. The resolution aims to honor women veterans’ service and sacrifices, acknowledging their growing demographic presence and unique challenges like higher rates of PTSD and unemployment compared to male veterans. This is a symbolic recognition with no new policy or funding changes.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Mental Health

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 & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 608: Relating to: a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 608 creates a state matching grant program that provides $950,000 in state funds to match federal per diem payments received by eligible non-state entities (like community organizations or service providers). The program directly affects organizations that already receive federal daily living payments, allowing them to access additional state funding through a 1:1 match. Key provisions include allocating $950,000 specifically for this matching grant under the Veterans Affairs budget and defining eligible recipients as non-state entities receiving federal per diem payments. This is a procedural funding measure that establishes a new appropriation line without changing eligibility criteria or creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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 & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

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

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 411: Relating to: the University of Wisconsin Missing-in-Action Recovery and Identification Project, funding for the veterans housing and recovery program, eligibility changes for the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 411 amends Wisconsin's property tax credit for veterans and surviving spouses, requiring those with disability ratings below 100% to claim credit only up to their disability percentage or on the first $350,000 of property value. It also increases funding for the veterans housing and recovery program by $900,000 in 2025-26 and $1.05 million in 2026-27. Additionally, the bill appropriates $180,000 annually from 2025-27 for the University of Wisconsin's Missing-in-Action Recovery Project, mandating detailed annual reports on mission outcomes and expenditures. These changes directly affect eligible veterans, surviving spouses, and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Property Tax Tax Credits Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 520: Relating to: highway signs for the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial. (FE)

AB 520 requires the state department to erect and maintain two directional highway signs along USH 18 (eastbound and westbound) for the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial. This bill directly affects the memorial's visibility by mandating specific signage for drivers approaching the site. The key provision is the requirement for the department to install and upkeep these signs, with no financial or operational impact beyond this specific signage. As a commemorative procedural bill, it does not change laws or policies affecting people or programs.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 548: Relating to: special registration plates for persons awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. (FE)

AB 548 creates a new special vehicle registration plate category for Wisconsin veterans awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The bill establishes a $15 fee for issuing or reissuing these plates, with excess funds deposited into the veterans trust fund. It adds this category to Wisconsin's existing system of special plates, which require specific design elements like identifying words, symbols, or colors as outlined in state statutes. This is a procedural change that expands plate options for a specific veteran group without altering existing plate designs or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Veterans

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 175: Relating to: local building permit fees for certain improvements of residences of disabled veterans. (FE)

Senate Bill 175 requires local governments to reduce building permit fees for certain home improvements. This applies to improvements made to the primary residence of a disabled veteran, provided the changes are necessary to accommodate their disability. The fee reduction is either 75% of the fee or $500, whichever amount is smaller. Local governments can request proof that the veteran meets the definition of a disabled veteran and that the improvements are disability-related.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Housing

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 & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

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

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 37: Relating to: personalized registration plate fees for gold star family special registration plates. (FE)

AB 37 eliminates fees for Gold Star families who maintain or reissue special license plates displaying the Gold Star family symbol. It specifically removes the $15 annual or $30 biennial maintenance fees and $15 annual or $30 reissuance fees that would otherwise apply to these plates. The bill directly affects families of military members who died in service, ensuring they pay no additional costs for these plates beyond the initial application. This policy change modifies existing fee structures under Wisconsin statute 341.145(3) to provide fee-free plate maintenance and reissuance for this designated group.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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