Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive Bipartisan · 10 R · 1 D cosponsors

AB 166 — Relating to: academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes. (FE)

Last action — Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

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

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced April 08, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers (Democratic) on December 05, 2025.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 90% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 12 sponsors

    1 primary, 11 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (10 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill relates to academic and career planning services and data reporting on college costs and outcomes.

This legislation aims to enhance academic and career planning services for students and requires reporting on college costs and outcomes. It includes specific amendments and recommendations from various committees.

Summary

An Act to create 39.535 and 115.28 (59) (am) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

56 added · 115 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Assembly Bill 166 requires higher education institutions in Wisconsin to report detailed information about their students' costs and outcomes. Specifically, schools must disclose metrics such as the average salaries of graduates, student debt levels, graduation rates, and financial aid availability. This change is significant because it aims to provide high school students with clearer insights into the potential financial and career outcomes of their educational choices, helping them make more informed decisions about their futures.

→
Previous
Latest
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-2612/1 FFK&ARG:ajk&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 166 April 8, 2025 - Introduced by RepresentativesELOTIK , MAXEY, BEHNKE , DITTRICH, G REEN , GUNDRUM , KNODL , K REIBICH, M URPHY , SHEEHAN and W ICHGERS , cosponsored by Senator FEYEN .
Date of enactment:
Referred to Committee on Education.
Assembly Bill 166 Date of publication*:
A N A CT to create 39.535 and 115.28 (59) (am) of the statutes;
WISCONSIN ACT A N A CT to create 39.535 and 115.28 (59) (am) of the statutes;
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill requires University of Wisconsin System institutions, technical colleges, and private nonprofit colleges in this state (higher education institutions) to report cost and student outcome data that are ultimately made available as part of the academic and career planning services provided to high school juniors and seniors.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in sen- who are employed 5 years after graduation in the field of ate and assembly, do enact as follows:
The bill requires higher education institutions to collect and annually report to the Higher Educational Aids Board all of the following information relating to their undergraduate degree programs:
their major, the average salary of these graduates em- ployed in the field of their major, and the average salary SECTION 1.
1) the average salary of the institution’s graduates six months and, every fifth year, five years after graduation, in the aggregate and broken down by major;
2) the average debt of the institution’s students upon graduation or discontinuation of studies, in the aggregate and broken down by major;
3) the institution’s graduation rate, in the aggregate and broken down by major;
4) the institution’s annual total cost of attendance and average net cost;
5) the financial aid available to students;
and 6) the 10 most popular degree programs offered by the institution.
HEAB must incorporate the data from these reports into an electronic document formatted in a manner that - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-2612/1 FFK&ARG:ajk&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 166 S ECTION 1 facilitates comparison of information among higher education institutions.
HEAB must annually provide this electronic document to the Department of Public Instruction with a list, prepared in cooperation with the Department of Workforce Development, of the 50 most in-demand jobs in this state, including the average starting salary and required education level for each job.
Under current law, the state superintendent of public instruction must ensure that each school board provides academic and career planning services to pupils enrolled in grades 6 to 12.
Beginning in the 2027–28 school year, the bill requires the superintendent to provide the electronic document described above to school boards and requires school boards to provide the electronic document to high school juniors and seniors as part of the academic and career planning services provided to the pupils.
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:
SECTION 1.
of the graduates not employed in the field of their major.
In this section, “institution of higher education” means any of the following:
In this section, “insti- 2.
(a) An institution, as defined in s.
The average debt of the institution’s students tution of higher education” means any of the following:
36.05 (9), including all branch campuses associated with the institution.
upon the student’s graduation or discontinuation of (a) An institution, as defined in s.
(b) A technical college under ch.
36.05 (9), includ- studies at the institution for reasons other than transfer, ing all branch campuses associated with the institution.
38, including all campuses governed by the same technical college district board.
stated both in the aggregate and segregated by major.
(c) A private institution, as defined in s.
39.49 (1) (e).
(2) ANNUAL REPORTING BY INSTITUTIONS .
(a) An institution of higher education shall collect and, by July 1, 2027, and each July 1 thereafter, report to the board all of the following information relating to its undergraduate degree programs:
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-2612/1 FFK&ARG:ajk&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 166 SECTION 1 1.
The average salary of the institution’s graduates 6 months after graduation, stated both in the aggregate and segregated by major.
In addition, every 5th year, beginning no later than July 1, 2032, the annual report shall include the average salary of the institution's graduates 5 years after graduation, stated both in the aggregate and segregated by major.
The institution, to the best of its ability, shall further identify every 5th year, for each major, the percentage of graduates in the major who are employed 5 years after graduation in the field of their major, the average salary of these graduates employed in the field of their major, and the average salary of the graduates not employed in the field of their major.
2.
The average debt of the institution’s students upon the student’s graduation or discontinuation of studies at the institution for reasons other than transfer, stated both in the aggregate and segregated by major.
The institution’s graduation rate, stated both in the aggregate and segregated by major.
The institution’s graduation rate, stated both in (b) A technical college under ch.
38, including all campuses governed by the same technical college dis- the aggregate and segregated by major.
trict board.
The institution’s annual total cost of attendance and average net cost.
The institution’s annual total cost of attendance (c) A private institution, as defined in s.
39.49 (1) and average net cost.
(e).
Show all 70 changed rows (30 more)
Previous
Latest
The financial aid available to the institution’s students.
The financial aid available to the institution’s (2) A NNUAL REPORTING BY INSTITUTIONS .
(a) An students.
The 10 most popular degree programs offered by the institution.
The 10 most popular degree programs offered by institution of higher education shall collect and, by July 1, 2027, and each July 1 thereafter, report to the board the institution.
(b) To the extent possible, an institution of higher education shall report information under par.
all of the following information relating to its under- (b) To the extent possible, an institution of higher graduate degree programs:
(a) using the same methodology that applies to the same or similar information provided by the institution under 20 USC 1091 (a) and 34 CFR 668.41 to 668.45, but the term “major” in par.
education shall report information under par.
(a) is not synonymous with the term “field of study.” - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-2612/1 FFK&ARG:ajk&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 166 SECTION 1 (c) To the extent information under par.
(a) using 1.
(a) is not required to be provided by an institution of higher education under 20 USC 1091 (a) and 34 CFR 668.41 to 668.45, the institution shall use reasonable methods to collect the information, including gathering the information from alumni surveys or other relevant sources.
The average salary of the institution’s graduates 6 the same methodology that applies to the same or simi- months after graduation, stated both in the aggregate lar information provided by the institution under 20 and segregated by major.
(d) If an institution of higher education does not have information available for all periods specified in par.
In addition, every 5th year, be- USC 1091 (a) and 34 CFR 668.41 to 668.45, but the ginning no later than July 1, 2032, the annual report term “major” in par.
(a) 1., the institution shall report the information required under par.
(a) is not synonymous with the shall include the average salary of the institution's grad- term “field of study.” uates 5 years after graduation, stated both in the aggre- (c) To the extent information under par.
(a) is not re- gate and segregated by major.
The institution, to the quired to be provided by an institution of higher educa- best of its ability, shall further identify every 5th year, tion under 20 USC 1091 (a) and 34 CFR 668.41 to for each major, the percentage of graduates in the major 668.45, the institution shall use reasonable methods to ernor's partial veto which does not expressly prescribe the time when it takes effect shall take effect on the day after its date of publication.” Wisconsin Act - 2 - 2025 Assembly Bill 166 collect the information, including gathering the infor- sub.
(2), the board shall incorporate the data into an mation from alumni surveys or other relevant sources.
electronic document formatted in a manner that facili- (d) If an institution of higher education does not tates comparison of information among institutions of have information available for all periods specified in higher education.
The board shall annually provide this par.
(a) 1., the institution shall report the information re- electronic document, with the list under par.
(a), to the quired under par.
for the periods for which information is available.
for the periods for which infor- department of public instruction.
(e) An institution of higher education shall submit reports under this subsection in the form and format prescribed by the board.
mation is available.
(3) B OARD DUTIES.
SECTION 2.
(a) In cooperation with the department of workforce development, the board shall prepare a list of the 50 most in-demand jobs in this state, including the average starting salary and required education level for each job.
115.28 (59) (am) of the statutes is cre- (e) An institution of higher education shall submit reports under this subsection in the form and format pre- ated to read:
The board shall make this list publicly available on the board’s website.
115.28 (59) (am) Beginning in the 2027-28 school scribed by the board.
(b) From the reports received by the board under sub.
year, annually provide the electronic document received (3) B OARD DUTIES .
(2), the board shall incorporate the data into an electronic document formatted in a manner that facilitates comparison of information among institutions of higher education.
(a) In cooperation with the de- partment of workforce development, the board shall pre- from the higher educational aids board under s.
The board shall annually provide this electronic document, with the list under par.
39.535 pare a list of the 50 most in-demand jobs in this state, in- (3) (b) to school boards and ensure that every school cluding the average starting salary and required educa- board provides the electronic document to pupils in tion level for each job.
(a), to the department of public instruction.
The board shall make this list grades 10, 11, and 12 in the school district as part of the publicly available on the board’s website.
S ECTION 2.
academic and career planning services required under (b) From the reports received by the board under par.
115.28 (59) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
115.28 (59) (am) Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, annually provide the electronic document received from the higher educational aids board under s.
39.535 (3) (b) to school boards and ensure that every school board provides the - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-2612/1 FFK&ARG:ajk&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 166 S ECTION 2 electronic document to pupils in grades 11 and 12 in the school district as part of the academic and career planning services required under par.
END )
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (3)

Action History

  1. Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

  2. Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)

  3. Report vetoed by the Governor on 12-5-2025

  4. Presented to the Governor on 12-4-2025

  5. Report correctly enrolled on 11-19-2025

  6. Received from Senate concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Read a third time and concurred in

  9. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  10. Ordered to a third reading

  11. Read a second time

  12. Placed on calendar 11-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  13. Available for scheduling

  14. Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  15. Executive action taken

  16. Public hearing held

  17. Fiscal estimate received

  18. Read first time and referred to committee on Universities and Technical Colleges

  19. Fiscal estimate received

  20. Received from Assembly

  21. Ordered immediately messaged

  22. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 56, Noes 39, Paired 2

  23. Rules suspended

  24. Ordered to a third reading

  25. Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

  26. Read a second time

  27. Representative O'Connor added as a coauthor

  28. Placed on calendar 4-22-2025 by Committee on Rules

  29. Referred to committee on Rules

  30. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 10, Noes 3

  31. Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 10, Noes 3

  32. Executive action taken

  33. Fiscal estimate received

  34. Fiscal estimate received

  35. Fiscal estimate received

  36. Public hearing held

  37. Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Melotik

  38. Read first time and referred to Committee on Education

  39. Introduced by Representatives Melotik, Maxey, Behnke, Dittrich, Green, Gundrum, Knodl, Kreibich, Murphy, Sheehan and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senator Feyen

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 11 co-sponsors · 120 not signed on · 38 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (11)

Not signed on (120)

120 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 120 →

"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Read a third time and passed

Passed 56 Yea · 39 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 52000
Democrat 33801
Unaffiliated 1101
Total 563902
% of votes cast 58%40%0%2%
How each member voted (97)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Nay
MOORE OMOKUNDE — Not Voting
SPEAKER — Yea
Anderson, Clinton Democrat Nay
Andraca, Deb Democrat Not Voting
Arney, Margaret Democrat Nay
Bare, Mike Democrat Nay
Billings, Jill Democrat Nay
Brown, Brienne Democrat Nay
Clancy, Ryan Democrat Nay
Cruz, Angelina Democrat Nay
DeSanto, Karen Democrat Nay
DeSmidt, Ben Democrat Nay
Doyle, Steve Democrat Yea
Emerson, Jodi Democrat Nay
Fitzgerald, Joan Democrat Nay
Goodwin, Russell Democrat Nay
Haywood, Kalan Democrat Nay
Hong, Francesca Democrat Nay
Hysell, Andrew Democrat Nay
Jacobson, Jenna Democrat Nay
Joers, Alex Democrat Nay
Kirsch, Karen Democrat Nay
Madison, Darrin Democrat Nay
Mayadev, Renuka Democrat Nay
McCarville, Maureen Democrat Nay
McGuire, Tip Democrat Nay
Neubauer, Greta Democrat Nay
Ortiz-Velez, Sylvia Democrat Nay
Palmeri, Lori Democrat Nay
Phelps, Christian Democrat Nay
Prado, Priscilla Democrat Nay
Rivera-Wagner, Amaad Democrat Nay
Roe, Ann Democrat Nay
Sheehan, Joe Democrat Yea
Sinicki, Christine Democrat Nay
Snodgrass, Lee Democrat Nay
Spaude, Ryan Democrat Yea
Stroud, Angela Democrat Nay
Stubbs, Shelia Democrat Nay
Subeck, Lisa Democrat Nay
Taylor, Sequanna Democrat Nay
Tenorio, Angelito Democrat Nay
Udell, Randy Democrat Nay
Vining, Robyn Democrat Nay
Allen, Scott Republican Yea
Armstrong, David Republican Yea
August, Tyler Republican Yea
Behnke, Elijah Republican Yea
Born, Mark Republican Yea
Brill, Lindee Republican Yea
Brooks, Robert Republican Yea
Callahan, Calvin Republican Yea
Dallman, Alex Republican Yea
Dittrich, Barbara Republican Yea
Donovan, Bob Republican Yea
Duchow, Cindi Republican Yea
Franklin, Benjamin Republican Yea
Goeben, Joy Republican Yea
Green, Chanz Republican Yea
Gundrum, Rick Republican Yea
Gustafson, Nate Republican Yea
Hurd, Karen Republican Yea
Jacobson, Brent Republican Yea
Kaufert, Dean Republican Yea
Kitchens, Joel Republican Yea
Knodl, Daniel Republican Yea
Kreibich, Rob Republican Yea
Krug, Scott Republican Yea
Kurtz, Tony Republican Yea
Maxey, Dave Republican Yea
Melotik, Paul Republican Yea
Moses, Clint Republican Yea
Murphy, David Republican Yea
Mursau, Jeffrey Republican Yea
Nedweski, Amanda Republican Yea
Neylon, Adam Republican Yea
Novak, Todd Republican Yea
O'Connor, Jerry Republican Yea
Penterman, William Republican Yea
Petersen, Kevin Republican Yea
Piwowarczyk, Jim Republican Yea
Pronschinske, Treig Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Jessie Republican Yea
Snyder, Patrick Republican Yea
Sortwell, Shae Republican Yea
Spiros, John Republican Yea
Steffen, David Republican Yea
Summerfield, Rob Republican Yea
Swearingen, Rob Republican Yea
Tittl, Paul Republican Yea
Tranel, Travis Republican Yea
Tucker, Duke Republican Yea
Tusler, Ron Republican Yea
VanderMeer, Nancy Republican Yea
Wichgers, Chuck Republican Yea
Wittke, Robert Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does AB 166 do?
An Act to create 39.535 and 115.28 (59) (am) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 166?
AB 166 is sponsored by Feyen, Melotik, Paul (Republican), Maxey, Dave (Republican), Behnke, Elijah (Republican), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), Green, Chanz (Republican), Gundrum, Rick (Republican), Knodl, Daniel (Republican), Kreibich, Rob (Republican), Murphy, David (Republican), Sheehan, Joe (Democrat), and Wichgers, Chuck (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 166?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced April 08, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 166?
Track AB 166 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on AB 166

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of AB 166

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →