Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session Status: To Executive 4 R cosponsors

SB 596 — Relating to: race-based higher education programs and requirements. (FE)

Last action — Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

287 added · 65 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to SB 596 adjust the focus of certain higher education programs from being specifically race-based to being aimed at all disadvantaged students. This change broadens the scope to include individuals facing various hardships, such as economic or geographical challenges, while also ensuring that factors like race and gender are not directly considered. This modification is significant because it aims to create more inclusive opportunities for a diverse range of students while avoiding any form of discrimination based on identity.

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- 2024 LEGISLATURE LRBa1360/1 ARG:skw&cdc SENATE AMENDMENT 3, TO SENATE BILL 596 March 4, 2024 - Offered by Senator IMBERGER.
- 2024 LEGISLATURE LRB-4908/1 ARG:emw&cjs SENATE BILL 596 October 30, 2023 - Introduced by SenatorsIMBERGER, WANGGAARD , ASS and T OMCZYK, cosponsored by Representatives ETTINGE, M AGNAFIC, ALLEN, B EHNKE, BRANDTJEN, CALLAHAN , DALLMAN, DITTRIC, G OEBEN, GUNDRUM , K RUG, M AXEY, MURPHY, N EDWESKI, OC ONNOR and R OZAR.
At the locations indicated, amend the bill as follows:
Referred to Committee on Universities and Revenue.
1.
A N A CT to repeal 36.34 (title) and (1) (title) and (a), 38.04 (8) (a), 38.26 (1), 39.15 (1) (c), 39.44 (1) (a) and 39.46 (2) (g);
Page 4, line 1:
to renumber and amend 36.34 (1) (b);
before that line insert:
to amend 36.25 (14), 36.25 (14m) (title), 36.25 (14m) (a), 36.25 (14m) (b), 36.25 (14m) (c) 2., 38.04 (8) (title), 38.04 (8) (b), 38.26 (title), 38.26 (2) (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e), 38.27 (1) (a), 39.40 (title), 39.40 (2) (intro.), 39.40 (3) (b) 1., 39.44 (1) (b) and 39.44 (3) (c);
“SECTION 1c.
to repeal and recreate 39.40 (1) and 39.44 (title);
36.05 (6r) of the statutes is created to read:
and to create 36.25 (14m) (d), 38.04 (8) (c) and 39.44 (1) (c) of the statutes;
36.05 (6r) 1.
relating to:
Subject to subd.
race-based higher education programs and requirements.
2., “disadvantaged," with respect to a student, means having experienced any unfavorable economic, familial, geographic, physical, or other personal hardship.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill changes certain race-based programs or requirements in higher education.
2.
In general, the bill modifies these programs and requirements so they apply to disadvantaged students rather than minority students.
The term “disadvantaged” may be further defined by the board by rule but in doing so the board may not permit, either directly or indirectly, the consideration of a student's race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, or the consideration of a student's identity as a member of a group without regard to individual qualities.”.
H IGHERE DUCATIONAL AIDSB OARD Minority teacher loan program Under current law, the Higher Educational Aids Board administers a minority teacher loan program for minority students who meet certain criteria, including being enrolled in a teaching program in a discipline with teacher shortages.
2.
A - 2024 Legislature - 2 - LRB-4908/1 ARG:emw&cjs SENATE BILL 596 “minority student” is defined as a student who is a Black American;
Page 5, line 16:
an American Indian or Alaskan native;
delete lines 16 to 20.
a Hispanic;
3.
a person of Asian or Pacific Island origin;
Page 6, line 6:
or a person whose ancestry includes two or more races.
after that line insert:
Under the program, HEAB may award to an eligible student a loan of up to $10,000 per year for not more than three years.
LRBa1360/1 - 2024 Legislature - 2 - ARG:skw&cdc “S ECTION 8m.
The loan is generally repayable, but HEAB must forgive 25 percent of the loan for each school year the loan recipient 1) is employed as a full-time teacher in a high-demand area related to the recipient's discipline;
38.01 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:
2) is employed by a public or private school located in a school district in which minority students constitute at least 40 percent of pupil enrollment;
38.01 (4m) 1.
and 3) receives an educator effectiveness rating of proficient or distinguished.
Subject to subd.
The bill changes the program so that it is available to disadvantaged students rather than minority students.
2., “disadvantaged," with respect to a student, means having experienced any unfavorable economic, familial, geographic, physical, or other personal hardship.
In determining whether a student is disadvantaged, the student's race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion may not be considered, either directly or indirectly.
2.
This prohibition applies to HEAB for all purposes for which it determines whether a student is disadvantaged.
The term “disadvantaged” may be further defined by the board by rule but in doing so the board may not permit, either directly or indirectly, the consideration of a student's race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, or the consideration of a student's identity as a member of a group without regard to individual qualities.”.
The bill also changes the criteria for loan forgiveness described in 2, above, so the recipient must be employed by a public or private school located in a school district in which “economically disadvantaged pupils,” defined as pupils eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch, constitute at least 80 percent of pupil enrollment.
4.
Minority undergraduate grants Under current law, HEAB administers a minority undergraduate retention grant program for minority undergraduates enrolled in private, nonprofit colleges and technical colleges.
Page 6, line 11:
A “minority undergraduate” is defined as an undergraduate student who is a Black American;
delete that line and substitute:
an American Indian;
“S ECTION 11m.
a Hispanic;
38.04 (8) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 38.04 (8) and amended to read:”.
or a person admitted to the United States after December 31, 1975, who is either a former citizen of Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia or whose ancestor was or is a citizen of Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia (Hmong).
5.
HEAB must evenly distribute program funds to private, nonprofit colleges and technical colleges, and these receiving colleges must award grants to eligible students on the basis of financial need.
Page 6, line 12:
The bill changes the program so that it is available to disadvantaged undergraduate students rather than minority undergraduate students.
delete “(b)".
Minority student enrollment at Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University School of Dentistry Current law provides state funding to the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc., for certain purposes, but one condition for receiving this funding is that MCW make every effort to ensure that at least 5 percent of its total enrollment consists of minority students.
6.
The bill repeals this requirement.
Page 6, line 20:
Current law requires HEAB to facilitate a contract between the state and a private, nonprofit dental school for dental education services.
delete lines 20 to 24.
The contract must incorporate certain requirements, including that the dental school make every effort to ensure that at least 5 percent of its total enrollment consists of minority students.
7.
The bill repeals this requirement.
Page 7, line 23:
LRB-4908/1 - 2024 Legislature - 3 - ARG:emw&cjs SENATE BILL 596 U NIVERSITY OF W ISCONSIN SYSTEM Minority and disadvantaged student programs Current law requires the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to fund programs for minority and disadvantaged students enrolled in the UW System and programs to recruit minority and disadvantaged students.
after that line insert:
The Board of Regents must also adopt a recruitment and retention plan for minority and disadvantaged students.
“S ECTION17g.
Current law requires the Board of Regents to establish a grant program for minority and disadvantaged graduate students enrolled in the UW System.
Show all 184 changed rows (144 more)
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39.26 of the statutes is renumbered 39.26 (intro.) and amended to read:
The bill modifies these provisions to delete reference to the minority status of students so they apply only to disadvantaged students.
39.26 Definition Definitions.
The bill also specifies that, in determining whether a student is disadvantaged, the student's race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion may not be considered, either directly or indirectly.
(intro.) In this subchapter, “board":
This prohibition applies to the UW System for all purposes for which it determines whether a student is disadvantaged.
(1) “Board” means the higher educational aids board.
Lawton grants Current law requires the Board of Regents to establish a grant program for minority undergraduates enrolled in the UW System.
S ECTION 17m.
The grants are known as Lawton grants.
39.26 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
A “minority undergraduate” is defined as an undergraduate student who is a Black American;
39.26 (2) (a) Subject to par.
an American Indian;
(b), “disadvantaged," with respect to a student, means having experienced any unfavorable economic, familial, geographic, physical, or other personal hardship.
a Hispanic;
LRBa1360/1 - 2024 Legislature - 3 - ARG:skw&cdc (b) The term “disadvantaged” may be further defined by the board by rule but in doing so the board may not permit, either directly or indirectly, the consideration of a student's race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, or the consideration of a student's identity as a member of a group without regard to individual qualities.”.
or Hmong.
8.
The bill changes the Lawton grant program so that Lawton grants are awarded to disadvantaged undergraduate students rather than minority undergraduate students.
Page 8, line 13:
TECHNICAL COLLEGES Minority student participation and retention plan Current law requires the Technical College System Board to develop a plan to increase minority group member participation and retention in the Technical College System.
delete" and substitute “60".
The plan must include certain information, including a review of the progress made by the TCS Board and technical colleges in the previous school year.
9.
A “minority group member" is defined as a Black, a Hispanic, an American Indian, an Eskimo, an Aleut, a native Hawaiian, an Asian-Indian, or a person of Asian-Pacific origin.
Page 8, line 18:
The bill modifies this requirement so that it applies with respect to disadvantaged students rather than minority group members.
delete that line and substitute:
The bill also specifies that, in determining whether a student is disadvantaged, the student's race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion may not be considered, either directly or indirectly.
“SECTION 24m.
This prohibition applies to the TCS Board and technical colleges for all purposes for which they determine whether a student is disadvantaged.
39.44 (1) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 39.44 (1) and amended to read:”.
Minority student participation and retention grants Under current law, the TCS Board, upon application by a technical college, may award a grant to the technical college to accomplish specified purposes relating to minority students, including the following:
10.
providing counseling and tutoring services for minority students;
Page 8, line 19:
pursuing innovative approaches to increasing - 2024 Legislature - 4 - LRB-4908/1 ARG:emw&cjs SENATE BILL 596 minority student placement and retention in programs that lead to a high earning potential;
delete “(b)".
providing internships to minority students preparing for transfer to UW System teacher education programs;
11.
and recruiting, training, and retaining minority students through the use of community-based organizations.
Page 8, line 23:
A “minority student" is defined as a student enrolled in a technical college who is a minority group member, as defined above.
delete the material beginning with that line and ending with page 9, line 2.
The bill changes this grant program so that grants are awarded for programs related to disadvantaged students rather than minority students.
12.
Incentive grants Under current law, the TCS Board awards incentive grants to technical colleges for specified purposes.
Page 9, line 10:
One such purpose is the creation or expansion of adult high school, adult basic education, and English as a second language courses.
delete “(c) 2., and (d)" and substitute “and (c) 2.".
The TCS Board must give priority to courses serving students with disabilities or minority, unemployed, or disadvantaged students.
13.
The bill eliminates the priority for courses serving minority students but does not affect the priority for courses serving students with disabilities or unemployed or disadvantaged students.
Page 9, line 11:
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
delete “, (a), (b), and (c)" and substitute “and (a)".
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
14.
S ECTION 1.
Page 9, line 12:
36.25 (14) of the statutes is amended to read:
delete “(b), and (c),".
36.25 (14) G RADUATE STUDENT FINANCIAL AID.
15.
The board shall establish a grant program for minority and disadvantaged graduate students enrolled in the system.
Page 9, line 13:
The board shall give preference in awarding grants under this subsection to residents of this state.
delete “and the" and substitute “, the".
The board may not make a grant under this subsection to a person whose name appears on the statewide support lien docket under s.
16.
49.854 (2) (b), unless the person provides to the board a payment agreement that has been approved by the county child support agency under s.
Page 9, line 13:
59.53 (5) and that is consistent with rules promulgated under s.
delete “s." and substitute “ss.".
49.858 (2) (a).
17.
S ECTION 2.
Page 9, line 13:
36.25 (14m) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
after “(b)" insert “, 38.04 (8) (b), 39.26, and 39.44 (1) (b), and the creation of ss.
LRB-4908/1 - 2024 Legislature - 5 - ARG:emw&cjs SECTION 2 SENATE BILL 596 36.25 (14m) (title) M INORITY AND DISADVANTAGED DISADVANTAGED STUDENT PROGRAMS.
36.05 (6r), 38.01 (4m), and 39.26 (2)".
SECTION 3.
36.25 (14m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
36.25 (14m) (a) The board shall fund programs for recruiting minority and disadvantaged students and for minority and disadvantaged students enrolled in the system.
SECTION 4.
36.25 (14m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
36.25 (14m) (b) By April 15, 1992, and annually thereafter, the board shall adopt a precollege, recruitment and retention plan for minority and disadvantaged students enrolled in the system.
SECTION 5.
36.25 (14m) (c) 2.
of the statutes is amended to read:
36.25 (14m) (c) 2.
All financial aid distributed to students, categorized by ethnic group, class level and dependency status.
The report shall include information on financial need, percentage of need satisfied by loan, percentage of need satisfied by grant, the percentage remaining unsatisfied.
SECTION 6.
36.25 (14m) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
36.25 (14m) (d) In determining whether a student is disadvantaged for purposes of this chapter, including under this subsection, sub.
(14), and s.
36.34, the race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion of the student may not be considered, either directly or indirectly.
SECTION 7.
36.34 (title) and (1) (title) and (a) of the statutes are repealed.
SECTION 8.
36.34 (1) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 36.34 and amended to read:
36.34 Ben R.
Lawton grant program.
The board shall establish a grant program for minority undergraduates disadvantaged undergraduate students - 2024 Legislature - 6 - LRB-4908/1 ARG:emw&cjs SENATE BILL 596 SECTION 8 enrolled in the system.
The board shall designate all grants under this subsection section as Lawton grants.
The board may not make a grant under this subsection section to a person whose name appears on the statewide support lien docket under s.
49.854 (2) (b), unless the person provides to the board a payment agreement that has been approved by the county child support agency under s.
59.53 (5) and that is consistent with rules promulgated under s.
49.858 (2) (a).
SECTION 9.
38.04 (8) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
38.04 (8) (titleINORITYDISADVANTAGED STUDENT PARTICIPATION AND RETENTION PLAN.
SECTION 10.
38.04 (8) (a) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 11.
38.04 (8) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
38.04 (8) (b) Annually by January 1, the board shall develop a plan to increase minority group memberparticipation and retention in the technical college system of disadvantaged studentsThe plan shall specify each district board's goals and objectives for minority group member participation and retention of disadvantaged students.
The plan shall outline activities and programs that enhance minority group member participation and retention of disadvantaged students and shall review the progress made by the board and by district boards in the previous school year.
SECTION 12.
38.04 (8) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
38.04 (8) (c) In determining whether a student is disadvantaged for purposes of this chapter, including under this subsection and ss.
38.26 and 38.27 (1) (a), the race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion of the student may not be considered, either directly or indirectly.
SECTION 13.
38.26 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
LRB-4908/1 - 2024 Legislature - 7 - ARG:emw&cjs SECTION 13 SENATE BILL 596 38.26 (title) Minority Disadvantaged student participation and retention grants.
S ECTION 14.
38.26 (1) of the statutes is repealed.
S ECTION 15.
38.26 (2) (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of the statutes are amended to read:
38.26(2) (a) The creation or expansion of programs that provide counseling and tutoring services for minority disadvantaged students.
(b) Programs that demonstrate innovative approaches to increasing minority disadvantaged student placement and retention in technical education programs that have a high earning potential for their graduates.
(c) Providing internships to minority disadvantaged students enrolled in programs that prepare their graduates for admission to a teacher education program at an institution within the University of Wisconsin System.
(d) Programs that combine basic skills and occupational training as a means of expediting basic skills remediation and increasing retention of minority disadvantaged students.
(e) Programs that use community-based organizations to assist in the recruitment, training and retention of minorityadvantaged students.
S ECTION 16.
38.27 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
38.27 (1) (a) The creation or expansion of adult high school, adult basic education,and English as a 2nd language courses.
The board shall give priority to courses serving students with disabilitiesor minority, unemployed, or disadvantaged students.
S ECTION 17.
39.15 (1) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
S ECTION 18.
39.40 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
- 2024 Legislature - 8 - LRB-4908/1 ARG:emw&cjs SENATE BILL 596 SECTION 18 39.40 (title) Minority teachereacher loan program for disadvantaged students.
SECTION 19.
39.40 (1) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
39.40 (1) In this section, “economically disadvantaged pupil" has the meaning given in s.
115.43 (1).
SECTION 20.
39.40 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
39.40 (2) (intro.)The board shall establish a loan program for minority disadvantaged students who meet all of the following requirements:
SECTION 21.
39.40 (3) (b) 1.
of the statutes is amended to read:
39.40 (3) (b) 1.
The recipient is employed as provided in subd.
1m.
by a public or private elementary or secondary school, or by a tribal school, as defined in s.
115.001 (15m), located in a school district in this state in which minority students economically disadvantaged pupils constitute at least 40 80 percent of the membership, as defined in s.
121.004 (5).
SECTION 22.
39.44 (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
39.44 (title) Grants for disadvantaged undergraduate students.
SECTION 23.
39.44 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 24.
39.44 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
39.44(1) (b) There is established, to be administered by the board, the minority undergraduate retention a grant program for minority undergraduates the retention of disadvantaged undergraduate students enrolled in private, nonprofit higher educational institutions in this state or in technical colleges in this state.
SECTION 25.
39.44 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
39.44 (1) (c) In determining whether a student is disadvantaged for purposes of this subchapter, including under this section and s.
39.40, the race, ethnicity, LRB-4908/1 - 2024 Legislature - 9 - ARG:emw&cjs S ECTION 25 SENATE BILL 596 national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion of the student may not be considered, either directly or indirectly.
SECTION 26.
39.44 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
39.44 (3) (c) Annually report to the board the number of awards made, the amount of each award, the minoritdisadvantaged status of each recipient, other financial aid awards made to each recipient, and the total amount of financial aid made available to the eligible students.
SECTION 27.
39.46 (2) (g) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 28.0Initial applicability.
(1) The treatment of ss.
36.25 (14) and (14m) (title), (a), (b), (c) 2., and (d), 36.34 (title) and (1) (title) and (a), 38.04 (8) (title), (a), (b), and (c), 38.26 (title), (1), and (2) (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), 38.27 (1) (a), 39.15 (1) (c), 39.44 (title), (1) (a), (b), and (c), and (3) (c), and 39.46 (2) (g) and the renumbering and amendment of s.
36.34 (1) (b) first apply in the 2024-25 academic year.
(2) The treatment of s.
39.40 (title), (1), (2) (intro.), and (3) (b) 1.
first applies to loans made on the effective date of this subsection.
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Action History

  1. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Available for scheduling

  3. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Universities and Revenue, Ayes 5, Noes 3

  4. Report adoption of Senate Amendment 3 recommended by Committee on Universities and Revenue, Ayes 5, Noes 3

  5. Executive action taken

  6. Senate Amendment 3 offered by Senator Wimberger

  7. Senate Amendment 2 offered by Senator Wimberger

  8. Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Wimberger

  9. Public hearing held

  10. Representative Steffen added as a cosponsor

  11. Fiscal estimate received

  12. Fiscal estimate received

  13. Fiscal estimate received

  14. Fiscal estimate received

  15. Senator Felzkowski added as a coauthor

  16. Read first time and referred to Committee on Universities and Revenue

  17. Introduced by Senators Wimberger, Wanggaard, Nass and Tomczyk; cosponsored by Representatives Rettinger, Magnafici, Allen, Behnke, Brandtjen, Callahan, Dallman, Dittrich, Goeben, Gundrum, Krug, Maxey, Murphy, Nedweski, O'Connor and Rozar

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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4 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 128 not signed on

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (128)

128 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 596?
SB 596 is sponsored by Wimberger, Eric (Republican), Wanggaard, Van (Republican), Nass, Steve (Republican), and Tomczyk, Cory (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 596?
This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 596?
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