Veterans in Wisconsin | MyRepTracker

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 389: Relating to: indication of veteran status of certain service members on operators’ licenses or identification cards. (FE)

AB 389 would require California's Department of Motor Vehicles to add a visible symbol or notation on driver's licenses and identification cards to indicate veteran status for certain service members. It directly affects veterans who have received an honorable discharge or have a service-connected disability, allowing them to visibly identify their military service. The key provision mandates that the DMV create and implement this indicator on state-issued IDs, with the specific symbol to be determined by the agency. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly, having recently received a fiscal estimate and added co-authors.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 542: Relating to: special registration plates for persons awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. (FE)

SB 542 creates a new special vehicle registration plate category for individuals awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, adding it to existing plate designations under statute 341.14(6r)(f)19g. The bill establishes a $15 fee for these plates, with excess funds above $23,700 (or production costs) directed to the Veterans Trust Fund. It specifies that these plates must display the required design elements and wording under existing statute rules for special group plates, without altering current plate design standards or other categories. This is a procedural change to expand eligible special plates for veterans, not a substantive policy shift.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 591: 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)

AB 591 modifies Wisconsin's fee remission program for veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or technical colleges. It removes outdated provisions (like sections 36.27 (3n) (bm) 2. and 39.50 (3m)) and clarifies that the state will reimburse institutions for waived tuition and fees, with proration if funds are insufficient. This directly affects veterans and dependents who qualify for fee waivers, ensuring they receive proportional reimbursement when state funds fall short. The changes take effect for students enrolled in Fall 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

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

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 640: Relating to: tuition and fee remission or grants for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college, or a private nonprofit institution of higher education; and the University of Wisconsin System nonresident tuition exemption for certain veterans. (FE)

SB 640 modifies Wisconsin's tuition and fee exemption policies for veterans and their families. It reduces the required residency period from five to three consecutive years for veterans' spouses or children to qualify for tuition remission at University of Wisconsin System schools, technical colleges, or private nonprofit institutions. The bill also adjusts residency requirements for veterans themselves seeking nonresident tuition exemptions. These changes apply to veterans who served honorably, or whose families meet specific residency and service-connected disability criteria. The policy aims to make existing benefits more accessible by lowering residency barriers.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 250: Relating to: funding for the War Memorial Center and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 250 allocates $9 million annually from the Veterans Affairs budget to fund war memorials in populous counties. Memorial boards must provide a full matching contribution to request funds, which can cover operations, maintenance, construction, or facility improvements. Boards must report annually to the legislature on fund usage and remaining balances. The bill creates a formal process for memorial boards to access state funding while requiring transparency in how funds are spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Memorials & Recognition

passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 70: Relating to: proclaiming June 12, 2025, as Women Veterans Day.

SJR 70 is a ceremonial resolution designating June 12, 2025, as "Women Veterans Day" in Wisconsin. It directly recognizes Wisconsin's over 29,000 women veterans, who currently make up about 10% of the state's veteran population. The resolution commemorates the anniversary of President Truman signing the Women's Armed Services Integration Act (June 12, 1948) and acknowledges women veterans' service and unique challenges like higher rates of PTSD and unemployment. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new programs or alter existing laws - it simply urges the state legislature to formally honor women veterans on this date.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Mental Health

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 617: Relating to: the establishment of November 11 as a day on which the offices of the agencies of state government are closed. (FE)

SB 617 designates November 11 (Veterans Day) as an official state holiday when offices of Wisconsin state government must close. It adds November 11 to the list of required closing days in state statute (230.35(4)(a)5m) and amends existing provisions to include Veterans Day as a paid holiday for state employees. The bill specifies that all state employees (except limited-term hires) will receive 9-10 paid holidays annually, with Veterans Day now counting toward that total. This change takes effect January 1 following publication, aligning Wisconsin state government operations with Veterans Day observance.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 101: Relating to: declaring November as Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Month in Wisconsin.

SJR 101 is a symbolic resolution declaring November 2025 as Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It highlights Wisconsin's veteran suicide statistics (134 deaths in 2023, accounting for 15% of state adult suicides) and aims to raise awareness about mental health challenges veterans face during civilian transitions. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but encourages the state to recognize veterans' service and promote existing resources like the Veterans Crisis Line. It directly affects Wisconsin veterans by drawing attention to their mental health needs through official state recognition.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Mental Health

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 615: Relating to: the University of Wisconsin Missing-in-Action Recovery and Identification Project and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 615 appropriates $500,000 annually for the University of Wisconsin Missing-in-Action Recovery and Identification Project during the 2025-27 fiscal biennium. The project, managed by the University of Wisconsin System's Board of Regents, directly supports Wisconsin veterans missing in action by funding recovery and identification efforts. The bill requires the project to submit annual reports to state legislative committees, the governor, and veterans' agencies detailing mission outcomes and how funds were used. This funding provides concrete support for resolving cases of Wisconsin veterans who went missing during military service.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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