SB908: Bill Text

ARG:amn

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Senate BILL 908

February 1, 2022 - Introduced by Senator Smith, cosponsored by Representatives Vruwink, S. Rodriguez, Ohnstad, Doyle, Sinicki, Hebl, B. Meyers, Subeck, Stubbs and Drake. Referred to Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges.

SB908,1,3 An Act to amend 36.27 (3p) (a) 1g., 38.24 (8) (a) 1g. and 39.50 (1) of the statutes; relating to: fee remission for certain veterans enrolled in University of Wisconsin System institutions or technical colleges.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill expands the fee remission program for certain veterans enrolled in University of Wisconsin System schools or technical colleges to include fee remission for nondegree courses.

Under current law, veterans who meet certain criteria are eligible for full remission of resident student academic fees or nonresident student tuition at UW System schools, and of fees at technical colleges, for up to eight semesters or 128 credits, whichever is longer. For purposes of this fee remission for UW resident students, “academic fees" means the amount charged to a resident student to enroll in a degree credit course, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison Executive MBA Program. For purposes of this fee remission for technical college students, “fees" means the amount charged to a resident student to enroll in a course leading to an associate degree, collegiate transfer, or vocational diploma.

This bill expands the definition of “academic fees” for purposes of this fee remission for UW resident students to include the amount charged to a resident student to enroll in a noncredit course or certificate program, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison Certified Public Manager Program. The bill also expands the definition of “fees” for purposes of the fee remission for technical college students to include the amount charged to a resident student to enroll in a noncredit course.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB908,1 Section 1. 36.27 (3p) (a) 1g. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB908,2,13 36.27 (3p) (a) 1g. “Academic fees" has the meaning given in sub. (3n) (a) 1g. means the amount charged to a resident student to enroll in a degree credit course or a noncredit course or certificate program, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison Executive MBA Program and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Certified Public Manager Program. In the case of a distance education, online, or other course or program for which the amount charged to enroll in the course or program equals at least 100 percent of the cost of offering the course or program, “academic fees" includes the regular fees charged to a resident student to enroll in the course or program and any additional fees charged to that student to enroll in that course or program, other than fees charged for books, supplies, meals, parking, travel, and other miscellaneous expenses incurred for attending the course or program.

SB908,2 Section 2. 38.24 (8) (a) 1g. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB908,3,2 38.24 (8) (a) 1g. “Fees" has the meaning given in sub. (7) (a) 1p. means the amount charged to a resident student under sub. (1m) (a) to (c) to enroll in a course leading to an associate degree, collegiate transfer, or vocational diploma or in a noncredit course. In the case of a distance education, online, or other course for which the amount charged to enroll in the course equals at least 100 percent of the cost of offering the course, “fees" includes the regular fees charged to a resident student under sub. (1m) (a) to (c) to enroll in the course and any additional fees charged to that student under sub. (1m) (a) to (c) to enroll in that course.

SB908,3 Section 3. 39.50 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB908,3,15 39.50 (1) University of Wisconsin System. At the end of each semester, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System shall certify to the board the number of students enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System to whom any fees or nonresident tuition has been remitted under s. 36.27 (3n) or (3p), the number of credits for which those fees or that nonresident tuition has been remitted, and the amount of fees and nonresident tuition remitted. Subject to sub. (3m), if the board approves the information certified under this subsection, the board, from the appropriation account under s. 20.235 (1) (fz), shall reimburse the board of regents for the full amount of fees and nonresident tuition remitted. The board of regents shall credit any amounts received under this subsection to the appropriation under s. 20.285 (1) (k) and shall expend those amounts received for degree credit instruction.

SB908,4 Section 4. Initial applicability.

SB908,3,18 (1) This act first applies in the first semester or session beginning after the effective date of this subsection.

SB908,3,19 (End)