Bill > AB597

This bill establishes a new state matching grant program for organizations that receive federal per diem payments, which are payments made by the federal government to help cover the costs of providing services to veterans. Specifically, the bill creates a new section of state statutes, 45.49, to outline this program. Under this new law, the state department can award grants to "eligible entities," which are defined as organizations (other than the state itself) that have already been approved to receive federal per diem payments under a specific federal law (38 USC 2012). These state grants are intended to match the federal per diem payments and can be up to $25 per day per veteran housed by the eligible entity, for a maximum of 365 days a year. The state department will accept applications annually and will pay the awarded grants quarterly, calculating the amount based on the actual costs incurred by the eligible entity per veteran per day, ensuring the state grant doesn't reduce the full federal per diem amount the organization is entitled to.

Health and Social Services, Military Affairs and Security

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab597