Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB357

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 7/8/25
• Refer: 7/8/25
• Report Pass: 1/6/26
• Refer: 1/6/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to repeal 106.275 (1) (c) 1. and 2.; to renumber and amend 106.275 (1) (c) (intro.); to repeal and recreate 106.275 (1) (b) of the statutes; Relating to: technical education equipment grants. (FE)

Summary

AB357 would expand Wisconsin’s technical education equipment grant program administered by the Department of Workforce Development. Under current law, grants are aimed at improving technical education facilities and buying equipment used in advanced manufacturing or construction, along with necessary software and instructional materials. This bill broadens allowable uses of grant funds to include construction of new technical education facilities, renovation or improvement of facilities for construction-related and advanced manufacturing training, acquisition of tools and equipment, and software, related materials, and instructional training for instructors and students. The bill also changes the matching-funds requirement for grant recipients. Instead of the current tiered match structure, the bill would require matching funds equal to the amount of the grant, regardless of whether the match includes school district funds. It further allows the match to come from someone other than the grant recipient and counts in-kind contributions such as software, tools, and equipment toward the match requirement.

Impact

AB357 would amend Wisconsin Statutes section 106.275, repealing and recreating the grant-use provisions and repealing the existing matching-fund subparagraphs. The practical effect would be to give school districts more flexibility in using technical education equipment grants and to broaden what can count toward the required match, potentially making it easier for districts and outside partners to participate in the program. It would affect the Department of Workforce Development, school districts applying for grants, and entities contributing equipment or other in-kind support.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally favorable support for the bill’s goal of strengthening career and technical education, especially in construction and advanced manufacturing. The bill was introduced with bipartisan cosponsorship, indicating interest across party lines in expanding training capacity and equipment access for schools. However, the bill ultimately did not become law and failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, so whatever support it had was not sufficient to advance it through the legislative process.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the expanded scope of eligible grant uses and the revised matching requirement. Supporters are likely to favor the broader uses, including new facility construction and instructional training, as well as the ability to count in-kind contributions and outside matches. Opponents or skeptics may have been concerned that the bill changes the financial structure of the program, could increase state grant obligations indirectly, or reduces the relative contribution expected from school districts under current law. No committee testimony or recorded votes were provided, so specific objections cannot be identified from the available materials.