Senate Bill 587 aims to enhance the tuition remission program for veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System and technical colleges. The bill proposes to convert the current sum certain appropriation for this program into a sum sufficient appropriation, ensuring that funds will be available to fully reimburse the Board of Regents and technical college district boards for tuition and fees remitted under the Wisconsin GI Bill. Additionally, the bill repeals provisions that refer to insufficient funds in the current appropriation, thereby eliminating the need for prorated reimbursements when funds are inadequate.

The bill includes several amendments and repeals to existing statutes, specifically targeting sections related to fee remission for veterans. Notably, it repeals specific subsections that previously limited the reimbursement process and renumbers others to streamline the language. The changes are set to take effect for eligible students starting in the fall semester of 2026, thereby providing a more robust financial support system for veterans pursuing higher education in Wisconsin.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 20.235(1)(fz), 20.235, 36.27(3n)(bm)2, 36.27, 36.27(3n)(c), 36.27(3p)(bm)2, 36.27(3p)(c), 38.24(7)(bm)2, 38.24, 38.24(7)(c), 38.24(8)(bm)2, 38.24(8)(c), 39.50(1), 39.50, 39.50(2), 39.50(3m), 39.50(4)