Summary: Assembly Bill 857 (2025 Session) – Wisconsin
Relating to: climate change scholarships and making an appropriation. (FE)
Note: The available materials provide limited text of the bill itself. This summary covers the bill’s stated purpose, potential provisions inferred from the title and context, affected parties, and procedural/timeline notes based on the bill history.
1) Purpose and Intent
- The bill is titled to establish or authorize climate change scholarships and to make an appropriation.
- Objective appears to be financially supporting students or individuals to pursue education or training related to climate change topics, mitigation, adaptation, or related fields within Wisconsin.
2) Key Provisions (Inferred)
While the exact statutory language is not provided here, the following provisions are typically included in climate-change scholarship bills of this type:
- Establishment of a climate change scholarship program or a specific scholarship fund.
- Eligibility criteria for applicants (e.g., Wisconsin residents, pursuing higher education or vocational training in climate-related fields, maintaining a minimum GPA, etc.).
- Allocation of funds and administration details (which state agency or department administers the program, how funds are distributed, eligible institutions, etc.).
- Scope of scholarship coverage (tuition, fees, books, stipends, or living expenses).
- Requirements for recipients (maintain enrollment status, progress toward degree, reporting requirements, maybe service or work obligations in Wisconsin after graduation).
- Accountability and reporting (annual or periodic reporting on program outcomes, number of scholarships awarded, diversity metrics, financial audits).
- Sunset or renewal provisions (whether the program is permanent or subject to periodic reauthorization).
3) Affected Parties
- Primary: Wisconsin residents who are students or prospective students pursuing education in climate change-related fields.
- Postsecondary institutions in Wisconsin (colleges and universities) that would administer or participate in the scholarship program.
- State government entities (likely the Department of Administration, Department of Public Instruction, or a designated state agency) responsible for program administration and funding.
- Potentially, employers or state agencies seeking a workforce trained in climate resilience, energy, environmental science, or related disciplines.
4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- Introduced in January 2026 with a broad coalition of sponsors from both House and Senate (multiple co-authors listed).
- Initial action: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Colleges and Universities (1/16/2026).
- The action history shows continued activity into March 2026, with additional coauthors added, and a Senate/House joint resolution attempted (noted as "Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1" on 2026-03-23). This indicates a procedural hurdle or a conditional passage attempt at some stage.
- Given the log notes, the bill may still be active in committee or awaiting further legislative action, depending on subsequent sessions or amendments.
5) Political and Fiscal Context
- The bill explicitly includes an appropriation, meaning it would commit state funds toward the scholarship program. The exact funding level, duration, and fiscal year appropriations are not specified in the provided materials.
- The roster of sponsors includes a broad group of representatives and senators, suggesting cross-chamber support, though no fiscal specifics are shown here.
6) Practical Implications
- If enacted and funded, Wisconsin residents pursuing climate-related studies could receive financial assistance, reducing barriers to higher education or training in this field.
- Institutions would need to implement eligibility, selection, and oversight processes consistent with state requirements.
- The program could influence workforce development in climate resilience, clean energy, environmental policy, and scientific research within Wisconsin.
If you have access to the full bill text or fiscal notes, I can provide a more precise and detailed provision-by-provision summary, including exact eligibility criteria, funding amounts, administration, and reporting requirements.
