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Bill > AB600

WI AB600

WI AB600
Faculty tenure and probationary appointments at University of Wisconsin System institutions and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

summary

Introduced
10/29/2025
In Committee
10/29/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill restores the tenure and probationary appointment provisions for faculty of the University of Wisconsin System that were in effect just prior to enactment of the 2015-17 biennial budget act (2015 Act 55). Prior to 2015 Act 55, the statutes specifically authorized the Board of Regents of the UW System to grant to a ranked faculty member a tenure appointment for an unlimited period if certain conditions were met, including that the chancellor of the applicable UW institution and, with an exception, the faculty member[s academic department both affirmatively recommended the tenure appointment. A tenured faculty member could be dismissed only for just cause. The statutes also specifically authorized the Board of Regents to make faculty probationary appointments for a period preceding a decision on tenure. A faculty member having a probationary appointment could be dismissed prior to the end of the contract term only for just cause. This bill restores the tenure and probationary appointment provisions for UW System faculty that existed just prior to enactment of 2015 Act 55. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill restores tenure and probationary appointment provisions for faculty at University of Wisconsin System institutions, effectively reverting to rules that existed before the 2015-17 budget act. The legislation defines key terms such as "probationary appointment" (a temporary faculty position before a tenure decision) and "tenure appointment" (a permanent faculty position). Under the bill, the Board of Regents can grant tenure only with affirmative recommendations from the chancellor and academic department, ensuring that recommendations are not based on impermissible factors. If an academic department does not recommend tenure, the Board can still grant it through a specialized review process involving a faculty committee. The bill limits probationary appointments to a maximum of 7 consecutive academic years and specifies that tenured faculty can only be dismissed for just cause and after proper notice and hearing. Importantly, tenure appointments are institution-specific, meaning they apply only to the university where they are granted. The bill also makes technical amendments to related statutes to align with these tenure provisions, reflecting a return to previous faculty employment protections in the University of Wisconsin System.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (55)

Clint Anderson (D)*,  Deb Andraca (D)*,  Margaret Arney (D)*,  Mike Bare (D)*,  Jill Billings (D)*,  Brienne Brown (D)*,  Ryan Clancy (D)*,  Karen DeSanto (D)*,  Ben DeSmidt (D)*,  Jodene Emerson (D)*,  Joan Fitzgerald (D)*,  Russell Goodwin (D)*,  Kalan Haywood (D)*,  Francesca Hong (D)*,  Andrew Hysell (D)*,  Alex Joers (D)*,  Tara Johnson (D)*,  Karen Kirsch (D)*,  Darrin Madison (D)*,  Renuka Mayadev (D)*,  Maureen McCarville (D)*,  Tip McGuire (D)*,  Vincent Miresse (D)*,  Supreme Moore Omokunde (D)*,  Greta Neubauer (D)*,  Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D)*,  Lori Palmeri (D)*,  Christian Phelps (D)*,  Pricilla Prado (D)*,  Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D)*,  Ann Roe (D)*,  Joe Sheehan (D)*,  Christine Sinicki (D)*,  Lee Snodgrass (D)*,  Ryan Spaude (D)*,  Angela Stroud (D)*,  Shelia Stubbs (D)*,  Lisa Subeck (D)*,  Sequanna Taylor (D)*,  Angelito Tenorio (D)*,  Randy Udell (D)*,  Robyn Vining (D)*,  Tim Carpenter (D),  Dora Drake (D),  Jodi Habush Sinykin (D),  Dianne Hesselbein (D),  LaTonya Johnson (D),  Sarah Keyeski (D),  Chris Larson (D),  Melissa Ratcliff (D),  Kelda Roys (D),  Jeff Smith (D),  Mark Spreitzer (D),  Jamie Wall (D),  Bob Wirch (D), 

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 11/11/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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