Relating to: replacing the expenditure restraint incentive program with a municipality payment program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 719 replaces Wisconsin's existing "expenditure restraint incentive program" with a new "municipality payment program" that guarantees annual payments to eligible municipalities. The bill directly affects municipalities that received payments under the old program in 2024, 2025, or 2026, ensuring they receive each year a payment equal to their highest historical amount from those three years. Key provisions include creating a new payment account in the local government fund, setting payment schedules for July and November, and phasing out the old program after 2026 (effective July 2027). This change provides long-term budget certainty for municipalities while modifying the state's funding mechanism.