Rep. Melotik authors Wisconsin Assembly bill on higher education data reporting

Paul Melotik, Wisconsin State Representative of 22nd District | www.facebook.com

By B. E. Jewell

Apr 9, 2025

The new bill authored by State Rep. Paul Melotik in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to improve transparency on undergraduate program outcomes and costs across Wisconsin colleges, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates that higher education institutions within Wisconsin, including University of Wisconsin System schools, technical colleges, and private nonprofit colleges, report specific data on undergraduate programs to the Higher Educational Aids Board. This data includes average graduate salaries at six months and five years post-graduation, student debt levels, graduation rates, total and net attendance costs, available financial aid, and the 10 most popular degree programs. The institutions must employ consistent reporting methodologies and submit the data electronically by July 1 each year. The board will compile the collected data into a comparative electronic document, which will also include a list of the state's 50 most in-demand jobs, their average starting salaries, and required education levels. From the 2027-28 school year, this document will be distributed to school boards and provided to high school juniors and seniors as part of academic and career planning services.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Chanz J. Green (Republican-74th District), Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District).

Paul Melotik has co-authored or authored another 34 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Melotik graduated from Carroll University in 1979 with a BA.

Melotik, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 22nd Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Janel Brandtjen.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Paul Melotik in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
AB166	04/08/2025	Academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes. (FE)
AB140	03/17/2025	Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE)
AB28	02/17/2025	Special registration plates with white lettering on a black background. (FE)
AB3	02/03/2025	Incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE)