Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB596

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/27/25
• Refer: 10/27/25
• Report Pass: 11/13/25
• Refer: 11/13/25
• Engrossed: 11/19/25
• Refer: 11/20/25
• Refer: 1/29/26
• Enrolled: 2/13/26
• Chaptered: 4/2/26
• Passed: 4/2/26

Caption

An Act to create 20.485 (2) (vv) of the statutes; Relating to: a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments and making an appropriation. (FE)

Summary

AB596 creates a new state matching grant program within the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible nonstate entities that receive federal per diem payments. The bill appropriates $950,000 in each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to support these matching grants. In practical terms, the program is designed to leverage federal per diem funding by providing state dollars to qualifying organizations that serve veterans and receive those federal payments. The bill amends the state budget statutes to add a new appropriation line under the Department of Veterans Affairs and establishes section 20.485 (2) (vv) to authorize the grants. Because it is a fiscal measure, it directly affects state spending and the administration of veterans’ services funding, but it does not appear to change eligibility rules for veterans themselves. Its legal effect is to create a dedicated funding mechanism for outside entities that already participate in federal per diem programs.

Impact

AB596 adds a new appropriation and grant authority to Wisconsin statutes governing the Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically creating s. 20.485 (2) (vv) for state matching grants. The bill increases state obligations by $950,000 per year for two fiscal years and directs those funds to eligible nonstate recipients of federal per diem payments, likely including veterans service providers or related care organizations. It therefore expands the state’s role in supplementing federal veteran-support funding and establishes a new budget item within the veterans affairs appropriations schedule.

Sentiment

The voting history suggests the bill was generally supported, especially in final passage. The Assembly passed the bill overwhelmingly on third reading, and the Senate also concurred by a wide margin. There was, however, some resistance earlier in the process, as shown by the narrower vote rejecting Senate Amendment 1 and the Assembly vote upholding the chair’s decision, indicating some procedural or substantive disagreement before final approval.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to have been the Senate amendment, which was rejected on a 18-15 vote, suggesting disagreement over the scope, structure, or conditions of the grant program. The Assembly’s earlier 55-43 vote to uphold the chair also indicates that the bill faced some partisan or procedural pushback during consideration. No committee transcript is available, so the specific objections are not documented here, but the recorded votes show that while the bill ultimately had broad support, there was notable opposition to at least one amendment and some earlier procedural challenges.