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Wisconsin · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 498: Relating to: free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, due process in disciplinary proceedings at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, and causes of action against the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards. (FE)

Vetoed Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted
  6. Vetoed

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 498 is a bill introduced in the Wisconsin Senate on October 2, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Relating to: free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, due process in disciplinary proceedings at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges, and causes of action against the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards. (FE). Primary sponsor: Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican), Cory Tomczyk (Republican), Chris Kapenga (Republican), Van Wanggaard (Republican). It lists 28 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (May 13, 2026): Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 32

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Rachael Cabral-GuevaraPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate19
Cory TomczykPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate29
Chris KapengaPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate33
Van WanggaardPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate21
Scott AllenCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse82
Dave ArmstrongCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse67
Elijah BehnkeCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse6
Lindee BrillCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse27
Alex DallmanCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse39
Barbara DittrichCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse99
Bob DonovanCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse61
Cindi DuchowCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse97
Rick GundrumCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse58
Gus GustafsonCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse55
Dan KnodlCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse24
Rob KreibichCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse28
Scott KrugCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse72
Dave MaxeyCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse83
Paul MelotikCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse22
Clint MosesCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse92
Dave MurphyCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse56
Jeff MursauCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse36
Amanda NedweskiCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse32
Jerry O'ConnorCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse60
Will PentermanCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse38
Jim PiwowarczykCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse98
Shae SortwellCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse2
David SteffenCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse4
Rob SummerfieldCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse68
Rob SwearingenCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse34
Ron TuslerCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse3
Chuck WichgersCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse84

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82
  2. Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
  3. Report vetoed by the Governor on 3-20-2026
  4. Presented to the Governor on 3-18-2026
  5. Report correctly enrolled
  6. Received from Assembly concurred in
  7. Ordered immediately messaged
  8. Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 53, Noes 45
  9. Rules suspended
  10. Ordered to a third reading
  11. Decision of the Chair upheld, Ayes 53, Noes 45
  12. Decision of the Chair appealed

Showing 12 most recent of 37 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source