AB555: Bill Text

LRB-3206/3

RPN:wlj:jf

2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE

2007 Assembly BILL 555

October 30, 2007 - Introduced by Representatives Musser, Petrowski, Bies, Hubler, Turner, Owens, Sinicki, A. Ott, Sheridan, M. Williams, Pocan, Hahn, Gunderson, Zepnick, Nass and Albers, cosponsored by Senators Sullivan, Leibham, Lassa, Roessler, Coggs, Schultz and Vinehout. Referred to Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.

AB555,1,2 An Act to repeal 45.20 (2) (f); and to create 45.20 (2) (g) of the statutes; relating to: the veterans tuition reimbursement program.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

As a condition for receiving reimbursement for tuition from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), current law requires a veteran, within a certain time after the commencement of the academic term, to provide DVA with all of the following information:

1. The veteran's name.

2. The educational institution the veteran is attending.

3. Whether the veteran is enrolled full time or part time.

4. An estimate of the amount of tuition reimbursement the veteran will later claim.

This bill eliminates that requirement and prohibits DVA from requiring, as a condition for eligibility, any report or application by the veteran, other than the application required within 60 days after completion of the semester or course for which tuition reimbursement is requested.

The bill requires DVA to review all applications for tuition reimbursement that were denied for a semester or course that began after August 15, 2007, and before the effective date of the bill and to provide that reimbursement if the veteran was eligible, except that he or she failed to submit the information required after the commencement of the course. The bill also allows a veteran 60 days after the effective date of the bill to apply for tuition reimbursement for a semester or course that began after August 15, 2007, and before the effective date of the bill. If the veteran meets all of the eligibility criteria, except that he or she failed to submit the information required after the commencement of the course, the bill requires DVA to provide that reimbursement.

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:

AB555, s. 1 Section 1. 45.20 (2) (f) of the statutes is repealed.

AB555, s. 2 Section 2. 45.20 (2) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB555,2,6 45.20 (2) (g) Prohibited practices. The department may not require an applicant for tuition reimbursement under this section to submit any report, information, or application regarding his or her request for tuition reimbursement, other than the application required under sub. (2) (c) 2.

AB555, s. 3 Section 3. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB555,2,15 (1) Within 60 days after the effective date of this subsection, the department of veterans affairs shall review all applications for tuition reimbursement made under section 45.20, 2005 stats., that were denied for a semester or course that began after August 15, 2007, and before the effective date of this subsection. If the veteran met all of the eligibility criteria under section 45.20, 2005 stats., except that he or she did not comply with section 45.20 (2) (f), 2005 stats., the department of veterans affairs shall approve that application and provide the veteran with the tuition reimbursement within 90 days after the effective date of this subsection.

AB555,3,5 (2) Any veteran who did not apply for tuition reimbursement under section 45.20, 2005 stats., for a semester or course that began after August 15, 2007, and before the effective date of this subsection may, within 60 days of the effective date of this subsection, apply to the department of veterans affairs for that tuition reimbursement. If the veteran who applies under this subsection meets all of the eligibility criteria under section 45.20, 2005 stats., except that he or she did not comply with section 45.20 (2) (f), 2005 stats., the department of veterans affairs shall approve that application and provide the veteran with the tuition reimbursement within 90 days after the effective date of this subsection.

AB555,3,6 (End)