New Laws Support Homeless Veterans Across Wisconsin, Increase Eligibility for Wisconsin GI Bill Benefits
MADISON – Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Gillett) issued the following statements after Governor Tony Evers signed a series of bills into law today, including his legislation to help more nonprofits and other organizations serve homeless veterans through Wisconsin’s Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP), as well as another bill lowering in-state residency requirements for veterans to access their Wisconsin GI Bill benefits.
Regarding Assembly Bill 596 and Assembly Bill 597, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 153 and 2025 Wisconsin Act 154, Wimberger said, “Today is an important day for veterans across Wisconsin. I’m glad that the funding the Legislature provided to house and support Wisconsin’s military heroes will soon be going to organizations helping veterans across our state. I hope the bills encourage even more groups to answer the call and step up to provide vital services to our veterans in need.”
Acts 153 and 154 redirect $1.9 million in funding to a new grant program for nonprofits and other organizations providing housing and other support to homeless Wisconsin veterans. The funding was originally appropriated to administer two VHRP facilities located in Chippewa Falls and Green Bay, but Governor Evers abruptly closed them last September, despite having the funds available to keep them open. Acts 153 and 154 will spend those funds to help Wisconsin’s homeless veterans.
Regarding Assembly Bill 659, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 155, Wimberger continued, “Reducing the time veterans need to wait to use their GI Bill in Wisconsin will help more veterans and their families attend college, and makes Wisconsin a more attractive place for veterans looking to move and work. Those are both major wins.”
Act 155 reduces the number of years Wisconsin veterans must wait to claim their state GI Bill benefits and enroll at a UW System school or technical college from five to three. Act 155 also removes the provision that a student must be a Wisconsin resident at the time of their entry into active duty as a condition for the nonresident tuition exemption for veterans.
