2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
LRB-4170/1
JAM:cdc
August 25, 2025 - Introduced by Senators Jacque, Bradley and Wanggaard, cosponsored by Representatives Murphy, Allen, Behnke, Dittrich, Goeben, B. Jacobson, Knodl, Kreibich, Maxey, O'Connor, Tusler and Wichgers. Referred to Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges.
SB399,1,3
1An Act to amend 36.11 (57) (c) and 36.27 (1) (a); to create 36.27 (1m) of the 2statutes; relating to: University of Wisconsin System resident undergraduate
3tuition and fees. Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill prohibits the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System from increasing resident undergraduate student tuition by more than the increase in the consumer price index (CPI) for the previous year. The bill defines CPI as the consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor. Also, for purposes of the bill, “resident undergraduate tuition” is defined to include any differential tuition and mandatory fees charged to a resident undergraduate student.
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:
SB399,14Section 1. 36.11 (57) (c) of the statutes is amended to read: SB399,2,3536.11 (57) (c) Notwithstanding s. 36.27 (1), and subject to s. 36.27 (1m), the
1board may not approve an increase in the allocable portion of segregated fees at any 2institution until the joint committee on finance has approved the board’s revised 3policies in the manner provided in par. (b). SB399,24Section 2. 36.27 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: SB399,2,11536.27 (1) (a) Subject to par. (b) and sub. (1m), the board may establish for 6different classes of students differing tuition and fees incidental to enrollment in 7educational programs or use of facilities in the system. Except as otherwise 8provided in this section, the board may charge any student who is not exempted by 9this section a nonresident tuition. The board may establish special rates of tuition 10and fees for the extension and summer sessions and such other studies or courses of 11instruction as the board deems advisable. SB399,312Section 3. 36.27 (1m) of the statutes is created to read: SB399,2,131336.27 (1m) Resident undergraduate tuition. (a) In this subsection: SB399,2,15141. “Consumer price index” means the consumer price index for all urban 15consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the U.S. department of labor. SB399,2,16162. “Resident undergraduate tuition” includes: SB399,2,1717a. Academic fees charged to a resident undergraduate student. SB399,2,1818b. Any differential tuition charged to a resident undergraduate student. SB399,2,2019c. Any other mandatory fees charged to a resident undergraduate student that 20are in addition to instructional fees. SB399,2,2321(b) The Board of Regents may not increase resident undergraduate tuition by 22more than the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the previous 23year. SB399,4
1Section 4. Initial applicability. SB399,3,32(1) This act first applies to the tuition and fees charged for the first semester 3or session beginning at least 30 days after the effective date of this subsection.
