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AB 776

Relating to: veterans mental health services and making an appropriation. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Margaret Arney and 15 co-sponsors

Creates a dedicated biennial $5 million grant program under the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to fund veterans’ mental health services and crisis care through eligible o

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · AB 776

Summary of Wisconsin Assembly Bill 776 (2025-2026)

Objective

AB 776 would establish a new state program to support veterans’ mental health through promotion of access to services and grants to organizations providing community-based and emergency crisis mental health care. It creates a dedicated biennial appropriation and grants administration framework within the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

Key Provisions

  • New program and funding (Section 1 & 2):

    • Creates a new grant program under the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund veterans’ mental health services.
    • Establishes a biennial appropriation of $5,000,000 SEG (Special Revenue/Segregated programs) to support the program, specifically for:
    • Promotion of access to mental health services for veterans.
    • Grants to organizations that provide community-based and emergency crisis mental health services to veterans.
    • The new program is codified in the schedule section as a dedicated line item for Veterans affairs (20.485(2)(qw)).

  • Program administration and rules (Section 3):

    • The DVA shall promote and assist veterans’ access to mental health services and provide grants to eligible organizations.
    • The DVA may promulgate emergency rules under Wis. Stat. § 227.24 to administer this section.
    • The bill waives the requirement for an emergency rule to show that it is necessary for the preservation of public peace, health, safety, or welfare or require an emergency finding, enabling a faster rulemaking process for grant administration.

  • Statutory additions (Section 2):

    • Adds a new statute 45.49 defining the Veterans Mental Health Services program and its administration, including the emergency rule authority.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary:
    • Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, which would run the new grant program and administer the funding.
  • Beneficiaries:
    • Veterans in Wisconsin who access community-based and emergency crisis mental health services.
    • Organizations (nonprofits, community health providers, etc.) that deliver mental health services to veterans, potentially including clinics, crisis lines, and support networks that meet program criteria.
  • Local Governments and Partners:
    • Local governments and service providers may participate by applying for grants to fund eligible veteran mental health initiatives.

Fiscal and Procedural Details

  • Funding and fiscal note:

    • The bill proposes a biennial appropriation of $5,000,000 SEG to fund grants. The fiscal estimate indicates no direct state operating cost increase beyond the new grant program, with local government costs indeterminate depending on participation.
    • The Department of Administration/Division of Executive Budget and Finance indicates the activities required to administer the grant program can be absorbed within existing resources.

  • Effective/Timeline:

    • The bill includes authority for emergency rulemaking to implement the grant program; timing for rulemaking would be determined by the DVA under emergency rule provisions.
    • The bill text indicates the program and funding would be implemented upon passage and effective date, with biennial appropriations continuing subsequently.

Notable Context

  • The fiscal note mentions that this provision was included in Governor’s 2025-27 budget proposals but was removed from the budget bill by the Legislature, yet carried forward in this standalone bill.
  • The Legislature’s analysis highlights that the emergency rule authority is intended to expedite grant program administration.

Bottom Line

AB 776 creates a dedicated, biennial $5 million program within the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to promote veterans’ access to mental health services and to fund grants to organizations delivering community-based and emergency crisis mental health support to veterans. It grants the DVA emergency-rulemaking authority to administer the program and outlines a framework for funding, administration, and eligible service delivery.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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