February 24, 2006
VETERANS TUITION REMISSION, RE-ENROLLMENT BILLS ADVANCE
Committees in both the Assembly and the Senate advanced legislation this week that would expand the tuition remission for certain veterans and would give college enrollment and registration priority to persons called into active military service.
The Senate Veterans, Homeland Security, Military Affairs, Small Business and Government Reform Committee unanimously passed:
- Senate Bill 613, which expands the current UW/technical college tuition remission for veterans established in the 2005-07 biennial budget from 50 percent to 100 percent. It also allows the family of a veteran who dies as a result of a service-connected disability to be eligible for tuition remission. At the University’s request, the bill was amended to delay the remission expansion until the 2007-08 academic year, allowing the University time to seek state tax funding (GPR) in the 2007-09 budget. The bill now goes to the Joint Finance Committee, where it is expected to be taken up next Monday.
The Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee had a hearing on the following:
- Assembly Bill 1034, which is companion legislation to Senate Bill 613. The Committee did not act on this bill, instead waiting for the Joint Finance Committee to take action on the companion legislation (above).
- Senate Bill 436, which gives college enrollment and registration priority to persons called into active military service. The Committee unanimously passed this legislation, which now goes to the full Assembly for consideration.
In other committee action, the Assembly Committee on Military Affairs earlier this month voted 6-2 to pass Assembly Bill 879, which adds eligibility to spouses, surviving spouses, or children of veterans if the veteran was a resident of the state for at least ten continuous years before the student registers and the veteran had incurred a service-connected disability that was 30 percent or more. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Finance.
WALSH, MASH RESPOND TO LEGISLATIVE CONCERNS ABOUT NON-RESIDENT TUITION ADJUSTMETNS
UW Regent President David Walsh and UW System Senior Vice President Don Mash addressed the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee about the Regent decision to lower non-resident tuition rates at all UW campuses besides UW-Madison. While some legislators were critical of the decision, other legislators were supportive of the decision as a way for the UW System to both make up the revenue that was lost the past few years when non-resident enrollment declined and to generate additional revenue which can ultimately be used to assist resident students.
At the same hearing, the Committee also heard testimony on:
- Assembly Bill 701, which requires the appointment to the Board of Regents at least one citizen member who resides in each of Wisconsin’s congressional districts.
- Assembly Bill 819, which directs the UW Law School to require students to complete a clinical practicum. UW-Madison Assistant Clinical Professor Mary Prosser testified on behalf of the campus in opposition to the bill, citing the cost and the need to ensure quality experiences.
The committee did not act on either of these bills, but have scheduled a vote for Tuesday, March 7, at 10:00 a.m. in room 225-Northwest of the State Capitol. In addition to voting on these two bills, the Committee is scheduled to take testimony and possibly act on the following legislation:
- Assembly Bill 1002, which removes the enrollment cap at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.
- Assembly Bill 578, which, among other things, the bill requires the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System to guarantee certain rights to students and to regulate the academic conduct of instructors.
- Assembly Bill 1035, which would make students convicted of certain drug- related crimes ineligible for state financial aid.
The committee is also expected to act on Assembly Bills 701 and 819 in addition to Senate Bill 338, which streamlines the process to get start-up technology to the marketplace.
Last week the Committee unanimously passed Assembly Bill 835, which grants tuition remission for children and surviving spouses of ambulance drivers, corrections officers, EMTs, firefighters and law enforcement officers.
LOAN PROGRAM FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS ADVANCES
Earlier this week the Assembly Public Health Committee unanimously passed Assembly Bill 976, which creates a loan forgiveness program for medical students who agree to practice medicine in rural areas in Wisconsin.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 976 - loan forgiveness program
Representative Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz) introduced legislation that creates a loan forgiveness program for medical students who agree to practice medicine in rural areas in Wisconsin. See above for legislative action on this bill.
Senate Bill 549/Assembly Bill 1002 - medical school enrollment cap
Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) and Representative Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) introduced legislation that removes the enrollment cap at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Assembly Bill 1002 is scheduled for a public hearing on March 7 (see above).
Senate Bill 603 - stem cell research
Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona) introduced legislation that would provide for a new state policy that would permit research involving the derivation and use of human stem cells. The bill also requires the research be approved by an institutional review board and a national oversight committee if state funds or resources are used to support the research. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care.
Senate Bill 608 - state procurement
Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) introduced legislation that would allow the state to purchase materials, supplies, equipment and contractual services from a vendor who is not the contract vendor if the alternative vendor offers lower costs. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security, Military Affairs, Small Business and Government.
Senate Bill 613/Assembly Bill 1034 - Veterans tuition remissions
Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Representative Gabe Loeffelholz (R-Platteville) introduced legislation which changes some eligibility requirements for the veterans tuition remission program established in the 2005-07 budget. See above for legislative action on the bills.
Assembly Bill 1035 - controlled substances
Representative Eugene Hahn (R-Cambria) introduced legislation that makes a postsecondary student who has been convicted of certain controlled substance crimes ineligible for state financial aid. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee.
For the complete text of all bills and their current status, please visit
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/ab_list.html (Assembly bills) or
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/sb_list.html (Senate bills).
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson,
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967