SB55: Bill Text

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Senate BILL 55

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 An Act to amend 39.40 (1) (b), 39.40 (1) (d) and 39.40 (3) (b) 1.; and to create 39.40 (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 Section 1. 39.40 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55,2,2 39.40 (1) (b) An American Indian or Alaskan native.

SB55,2 Section 2. 39.40 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55,2,6 39.40 (1) (d) 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 of Asian or Pacific Island origin.

SB55,3 Section 3. 39.40 (1) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

SB55,2,8 39.40 (1) (e) A person whose ancestry includes 2 or more races.

SB55,4 Section 4. 39.40 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB55,2,13 39.40 (3) (b) 1. The recipient is employed as provided in subd. 1m. by a public or private elementary or secondary school in the city of Milwaukee located in a school district in this state in which minority students constitute at least 40 percent of the membership, as defined in s. 121.004 (5).

SB55,2,15 1m. The recipient is employed as a full-time teacher in a high-demand area related to the recipient's discipline under sub. (2) (bm).

SB55,5 Section 5 . Initial applicability.

SB55,2,17 (1) This act first applies to loans made after the effective date of this subsection.

SB55,6 Section 6. Effective date.

SB55,3,3 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.

SB55,3,4 (End)