August 8, 2005
Following their work on the 2005-07 budget, the full Legislature is not scheduled to return to floor session until September 20. Until then members are preparing legislation for the fall floor session, attending committee hearings in the Capitol and are spending time in their districts working. As a result, there is limited activity to report in the state relations update and updates may not be sent weekly.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 576 - resident tuition for certain undocumented citizens
Representative Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee) introduced legislation which would allow certain students who are not legal permanent residents of the United States to pay resident tuition. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities.
Assembly Bill 578 - “UW Students Bill of Rights”
Representative Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids) introduced omnibus legislation which creates a so-called UW students “bill of rights.” Included in the legislation are provisions related to parking, textbooks and meeting with students. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities.
Assembly Bill 595/Senate Bill 279 - collegiate transfer programs in certain technical college districts Representative Jeff Wood (R-Chippewa Falls) and Senator Ron Brown (R-Eau Claire) introduced legislation that directs the Wisconsin Technical College System Board to approve a liberal arts collegiate transfer program in any technical college district in which there is not located a UW two-year college campus. A collegiate transfer program is currently available only at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College and Nicolet Area Technical College. AB 595 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities; SB 279 was referred to the Senate Committee on Higher Education and Tourism.
The text and history of all legislation is available at www.legis.state.wi.us/billtext.html.
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967