SB377: Bill Text

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Senate BILL 377

May 25, 2021 - Introduced by Senator Jacque, cosponsored by Representatives Murphy, Cabral-Guevara, Brandtjen, Brooks, Edming, Horlacher, Moses, Mursau, Schraa, Tauchen and Thiesfeldt. Referred to Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges.

SB377,1,3 An Act to amend 36.11 (57) (c) and 36.27 (1) (a); and to create 36.27 (1m) of the statutes; relating to: University of Wisconsin System resident undergraduate tuition and fees.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill prohibits the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System from increasing resident undergraduate student tuition by more than the increase in the consumer price index (CPI) for the previous year. The bill defines CPI as the consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor. Also, for purposes of the bill, “resident undergraduate tuition” is defined to include any differential tuition and mandatory fees charged to a resident undergraduate student.

For further information see the state 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:

SB377,1 Section 1. 36.11 (57) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB377,2,2 36.11 (57) (c) Notwithstanding s. 36.27 (1), and subject to s. 36.27 (1m), the board may not approve an increase in the allocable portion of segregated fees at any institution until the joint committee on finance has approved the board's revised policies in the manner provided in par. (b).

SB377,2 Section 2. 36.27 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB377,2,10 36.27 (1) (a) Subject to par. (b) and sub. (1m), the board may establish for different classes of students differing tuition and fees incidental to enrollment in educational programs or use of facilities in the system. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the board may charge any student who is not exempted by this section a nonresident tuition. The board may establish special rates of tuition and fees for the extension and summer sessions and such other studies or courses of instruction as the board deems advisable.

SB377,3 Section 3. 36.27 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB377,2,12 36.27 (1m) Resident undergraduate tuition. (a) In this subsection:

SB377,2,14 1. “Consumer price index” means the consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the U.S. department of labor.

SB377,2,15 2. “Resident undergraduate tuition” includes:

SB377,2,16 a. Academic fees charged to a resident undergraduate student.

SB377,2,17 b. Any differential tuition charged to a resident undergraduate student.

SB377,2,19 c. Any other mandatory fees charged to a resident undergraduate student that are in addition to instructional fees.

SB377,2,21 (b) The Board of Regents may not increase resident undergraduate tuition by more than the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the previous year.

SB377,4 Section 4. Initial applicability.

SB377,2,24 (1) This act first applies to the tuition and fees charged for the first semester or session beginning at least 30 days after the effective date of this subsection.

SB377,2,25 (End)