Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Relating to: participating in the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations.
Administration department of — Agency and general functions Colleges and universities Federal_state relations Governor Income tax — Credit Organization miscellaneous Scholarships and loans United states — Treasury department of
- Introduced, stopped here
- Passes Senate, not reached
- Passes Assembly, not reached
- Governor signs, not reached
- Law, not reached
Unfamiliar terms? Glossary
What this bill does
Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau
The federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, P.L.
119-106
, created a federal tax credit for qualifying contributions to scholarship granting organizations. For purposes of this tax credit, federal law defines a “qualifying contribution” as a charitable contribution of cash to a scholarship granting organization that uses the contribution to fund scholarships for eligible students solely within the state that includes the scholarship granting organization on a list submitted by the state to the U.S. secretary of the treasury. Under federal law, participation in this tax credit program is optional for states. The tax credit applies to a state only if the governor of the state or another individual, agency, or entity designated under state law to make such election with respect to federal tax benefits voluntarily elects to participate in the program.
This bill requires the governor to make the necessary election for this state to participate in the federal tax credit program described above beginning with the taxable year beginning after December 31, 2026. The bill also requires the Department of Administration to annually submit to the U.S. secretary of the treasury a list of scholarship granting organizations located in this state to which qualifying contributions may be made and to comply with federal law, including any regulations or guidance issued by the U.S. secretary of the treasury related to the tax credit program, to ensure the state is eligible to participate in the tax credit program in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
Sponsors
Introduced by: Felzkowski (R) , Hutton (R) , Jagler (R) , James (R) , Kapenga (R) , Nass (R) , Quinn (R) , Tomczyk (R) , Wanggaard (R) , Wimberger (R)
22 cosponsors
B. Jacobson (R) , Behnke (R) , Dittrich (R) , Donovan (R) , Franklin (R) , Goeben (R) , Green (R) , Gundrum (R) , Gustafson (R) , Knodl (R) , Kreibich (R) , Melotik (R) , Murphy (R) , Nedweski (R) , O'Connor (R) , Penterman (R) , Rodriguez (R) , Spiros (R) , Steffen (R) , Tusler (R) , Wichgers (R) , Wittke (R)
Registered lobbying interests · 12
Organizations that registered lobbying activity on this bill with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Registration means interest, not a position for or against. Official record
- FGA Action Inc
- League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Inc
- Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
- School Choice Wisconsin Action
- Wisconsin Catholic Conference
- Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools
- Wisconsin Education Association Council
- Wisconsin Family Action Inc
- Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
- Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
- Wisconsin Public Education Action Fund Inc.
- yes. every kid.
Votes
Senate: Report passage recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 3, Noes 2
Passed 3–2 Jan 9, 2026 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Full history
- Oct 30, 2025 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Felzkowski, Hutton, Wanggaard, Jagler, James, Kapenga, Nass, Quinn, Tomczyk and Wimberger; cosponsored by Representatives Rodriguez, Franklin, Behnke, Dittrich, Donovan, Goeben, Green, Gundrum, Gustafson, B. Jacobson, Knodl, Kreibich, Murphy, Nedweski, O'Connor, Penterman, Spiros, Steffen, Tusler, Wichgers, Wittke and Melotik
- Oct 30, 2025 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Education
- Jan 6, 2026 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Jan 9, 2026 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Jan 9, 2026 · Senate
Report passage recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Jan 9, 2026 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Mar 23, 2026 · Senate
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1