Senate Bill 59 aims to amend the residency requirements for the tuition and fee remission program for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System and technical colleges. Currently, veterans and their spouses and children aged 17 to 25 are eligible for full remission of tuition and fees if they meet specific residency criteria, including a five-year residency requirement prior to enrollment. The bill proposes to eliminate this five-year residency requirement for veterans who were not residents of Wisconsin when they entered military service. Instead, it allows these veterans to qualify for tuition remission if they are residents of Wisconsin immediately before registering for classes. Additionally, the spouses and children of such veterans can also qualify for remission under similar conditions.

The bill also introduces new provisions regarding the remission of nonresident tuition, academic fees, and segregated fees, ensuring that eligible veterans and their dependents can receive these benefits regardless of their prior residency status. The amendments include the removal of the term "resident" in several sections, thereby broadening eligibility for nonresident veterans and their families. The changes are designed to make it easier for veterans and their dependents to access educational opportunities without being hindered by previous residency requirements, thereby supporting their transition to civilian life and education.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 36.27(3n)(a)1m.a, 36.27, 36.27(3n)(a)1m.b, 36.27(3n)(b)(intro.), 36.27(3n)(bd), 36.27(3n)(bg), 36.27(3n)(bm), 36.27(3n)(c), 36.27(3p)(a)1r.(intro.), 38.24(7)(a)1m.a, 38.24, 38.24(7)(a)1m.b, 38.24(7)(a)1p, 38.24(7)(b)(intro.), 38.24(7)(bd), 38.24(7)(bg), 38.24(7)(bm), 38.24(8)(a)1r.(intro.)