Relating to: a tax credit for rail infrastructure modernization. (FE)
AB 219 creates a 50% tax credit for eligible rail infrastructure spending in Wisconsin. It directly affects Class II/III railroads operating in the state and owners/lessees of rail sidings or industrial spurs, covering both new track construction (like spurs and sidings) and track maintenance (such as rail, ties, and safety systems). The credit applies to expenditures made after December 2024, with annual limits of $5,000 per mile of track owned and $2 million per project. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years, and credits may be transferred to other businesses subject to Wisconsin taxes.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Apr 23, 2025
Signed Apr 9, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Jan 21, 2026 · Assembly Jan 13, 2026
How they voted
33–1
Passed
Total votes 34
Jan 21, 2026
D
Democratic16
100% Yea
R
Republican18
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
47
Key actions
12
Committee
10
Amendments
4
Apr 9, 2026
Signed into law
Report approved by the Governor on 4-9-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 242
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 99, Noes 0
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted
lower
Jan 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on calendar 1-13-2026 by Committee on Rules
lower
Jan 6, 2026
Introduced
Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Novak
lower
Nov 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Nov 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report passage as amended recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 14, Noes 0
lower
Nov 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 14, Noes 0
lower
Nov 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken by joint committee on Finance
lower
Nov 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to joint committee on Finance
lower
Nov 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Ways and Means, Ayes 9, Noes 0
lower
Nov 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Ways and Means, Ayes 9, Noes 0
lower
Oct 16, 2025
Introduced
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Novak
lower
Jun 16, 2025
Committee
Withdrawn from committee on Transportation and referred to committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Assembly Rule 42 (3)(c)
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Novak, Tranel, Armstrong, Donovan, Franklin, Gundrum, Melotik, Mursau, Pronschinske, Swearingen and Gustafson;
cosponsored by Senators Quinn, Feyen and Tomczyk
lower
11 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Ben Franklin
RRepublican
P
Bob Donovan
RRepublican
P
Dave Armstrong
RRepublican
P
Gus Gustafson
RRepublican
P
Jeff Mursau
RRepublican
P
Paul Melotik
RRepublican
P
Rick Gundrum
RRepublican
P
Rob Swearingen
RRepublican
P
Todd Novak
RRepublican
P
Travis Tranel
RRepublican
P
Treig Pronschinske
RRepublican
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