This Week's Committee Activity

This week, the following committees took action on legislation of interest to UW System institutions and students.

Senate Ethics Reform & Government Operations
On Tuesday, April 6, the Senate Committee on Ethics Reform & Government Operations approved AB 698 in executive session.  This bill would add the UW-Whitewater Carlson Hall renovation to 2009-11 authorized state building program. (UW System bill position: SUPPORT.)

Assembly Ways & Means
Also on Tuesday, the Assembly Committee on Ways & Means held a public hearing on AB 908, which would create a non-refundable individual income tax credit for interest paid on student loans.  Archived video coverage of the hearing is available from Wisconsin Eye.  No action was taken on the bill during the executive session following the hearing.

Assembly Veterans & Military Affairs
On Wednesday, April 7, the Assembly Committee on Veterans & Military Affairs approved AB 702, which would make changes to the veterans tuition reimbursement program for part-time study.  SB 304, the Senate version of AB 702, was approved by the Joint Finance Committee on the same day.

Senate Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges & Consumer Protection
Also on Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges & Consumer Protection approved SB 638. This bill requires publishers to provide instructional material in electronic format within 15 days of a request from a UW System institution or Wisconsin technical college.   (UW System bill position: SUPPORT.)