Wisconsin Senate Bill SB896

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/24
• Refer: 1/10/24
• Report Pass: 2/7/24
• Engrossed: 2/20/24
• Refer: 2/20/24
• Enrolled: 2/27/24
• Chaptered: 3/6/24
• Passed: 3/6/24

Caption

Funding related to a Minnesota-Wisconsin student reciprocity agreement and making an appropriation.

Impact

The introduction of SB896 represents a significant step in facilitating easier access to educational opportunities for students in both states. By reducing the financial burden of out-of-state tuition, the bill is expected to encourage more students to enroll in schools across the border, bolstering cross-state educational cooperation. The amendment to the statutes places a clear responsibility on the University of Wisconsin System to manage the funds effectively while ensuring that all tuition collected under the reciprocity agreement is utilized for its intended purposes.

Summary

SB896 aims to amend state statutes to establish a funding mechanism related to a Minnesota-Wisconsin student reciprocity agreement. This agreement allows students from Minnesota to attend schools in Wisconsin without having to pay the full nonresident tuition fees. Instead, a specific reimbursement process is set in place to ensure that the operational necessities of such programs are funded adequately. Under this bill, the Board of Regents is authorized to transfer up to $30,338,500 annually from this fund to help manage medical assistance trust obligations tied to the agreement.

Contention

While the bill has received support for promoting educational accessibility, there are notable concerns about the funding mechanism's sustainability. Legislators have raised questions regarding the impact of such appropriations on state budgets, especially amid discussions about overall educational funding and resource allocation. Moreover, opposition voices may argue that focusing on reciprocity agreements could divert attention from addressing deeper funding issues within state educational institutions themselves.