2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE
February 25, 2019 - Introduced by Senators Kooyenga, L. Taylor and Darling,
cosponsored by Representatives Loudenbeck, Fields, Edming, Myers,
Ramthun, Rohrkaste, Skowronski, Steffen, Subeck, C. Taylor, Thiesfeldt,
Vruwink, Zimmerman and Brostoff. Referred to Committee on Universities,
Technical Colleges, Children and Families.
SB55,1,2 1An Act to amend 39.40 (1) (b), 39.40 (1) (d) and 39.40 (3) (b) 1.; and to create
239.40 (1) (e) of the statutes; relating to: the minority teacher loan program.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill modifies eligibility criteria under the minority teacher loan program
administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board.
Under current law, a minority student is eligible for the minority teacher loan
program if the student 1) is a Wisconsin resident enrolled at least half-time as a
sophomore, junior, or senior in an institution of higher education located in
Wisconsin; 2) is enrolled in a program of study leading to a teacher's license in a
discipline identified as a teacher shortage area; and 3) has at least a 3.0 grade point
average. A “minority student” is defined as a student who is a Black American; an
American Indian; a Hispanic; 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). Under
the program, an eligible minority student may receive up to $10,000 in loans
annually, up to a maximum total of $30,000 in loans. The loans are generally
repayable at an annual interest rate of 5 percent, but HEAB must forgive 25 percent
of loan principal and interest for each school year that the loan recipient 1) is
employed by a public or private elementary or secondary school in the city of
Milwaukee as a full-time teacher in a high-demand area related to the recipient's
discipline; and 2) receives a rating of proficient or distinguished on the educator
effectiveness system or the equivalent in a school that does not use the educator
effectiveness system.

This bill modifies the definition of “minority student” for purposes of the
program to include any student of Asian or Pacific Island origin, not just Hmong
students; Alaskan natives; and any student whose ancestry includes two or more
races.
The bill also modifies the eligibility criteria for loan forgiveness under the
program. Under the bill, a loan recipient is eligible for loan forgiveness if he or she
is employed by a public or private school located in a Wisconsin school district in
which minority students constitute at least 40 percent of the membership.
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:
SB55,1 1Section 1. 39.40 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB55,2,22 39.40 (1) (b) An American Indian or Alaskan native.
SB55,2 3Section 2. 39.40 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB55,2,64 39.40 (1) (d) A person admitted to the United States after December 31, 1975,
5who is either a former citizen of Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia or whose ancestor was
6or is a citizen of Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia
of Asian or Pacific Island origin.
SB55,3 7Section 3. 39.40 (1) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
SB55,2,88 39.40 (1) (e) A person whose ancestry includes 2 or more races.
SB55,4 9Section 4. 39.40 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB55,2,1310 39.40 (3) (b) 1. The recipient is employed as provided in subd. 1m. by a public
11or private elementary or secondary school in the city of Milwaukee located in a school
12district in this state in which minority students constitute at least 40 percent of the
13membership, as defined in s. 121.004 (5).
SB55,2,15 141m. The recipient is employed as a full-time teacher in a high-demand area
15related to the recipient's discipline under sub. (2) (bm).
SB55,5 16Section 5 . Initial applicability.
SB55,2,1717 (1) This act first applies to loans made after the effective date of this subsection.
SB55,6
1Section 6. Effective date.
SB55,3,32 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after
3publication.
SB55,3,44 (End)
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