SB 562 requires recipients of economic development grants or loans exceeding $500,000 to submit detailed expenditure reports within 120 days after their fiscal year ends, including verification from an independent auditor. It mandates that these recipients provide supporting documents for inspection and includes these reporting requirements in grant contracts. The bill exempts local governments (cities, counties, tribes) and University of Wisconsin System institutions if they already include these funds in standard annual audits and submit those audits within 120 days of program completion. This change directly affects organizations receiving significant state economic development funding, adding reporting obligations unless they meet existing audit standards. The policy focuses on ensuring proper use of public funds through standardized financial reporting.
SB 399 limits annual increases to resident undergraduate tuition at the University of Wisconsin System to the previous year's consumer price index (CPI) inflation rate. This directly affects UW System resident undergraduate students, as their tuition hikes will now be tied to inflation rather than board discretion. The bill defines "resident undergraduate tuition" to include academic fees, differential tuition, and other mandatory fees beyond instructional costs. It creates a new rule requiring the Board of Regents to cap tuition increases at the CPI rate, while maintaining existing policies for non-resident tuition and special programs like summer sessions.
SB 449 updates rules for county registers of deeds regarding land record-keeping. It revises how real estate deeds, transportation project survey maps ("plats"), and related documents must be recorded, including requiring clear documentation of transfer fees and unique numbering for each record. The bill directly affects county registers of deeds, real estate professionals, and transportation project developers who file land surveys. Key changes include clarifying definitions for "legal description," standardizing record-keeping procedures, and adding penalties for noncompliance with these updated rules.
AB 495 adjusts Wisconsin's school funding system to protect districts from funding cuts between 2024 and 2025. It creates a "supplemental hold harmless aid" provision (20.255(2)(ab)) to ensure districts receiving higher state aid in 2024 retain that level in 2025-26. The bill also modifies per-pupil revenue limits, adding $325 for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, and increases state funding appropriations by $493.8 million for 2025-26 and $699.9 million for 2026-27. These changes directly affect public school districts receiving state equalization aid.
This bill modifies Wisconsin's school funding formulas by increasing state appropriations by $493.8 million for the 2025-26 school year and $699.9 million for 2026-27. It adjusts per-pupil revenue limits to add $325 for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, and establishes a new supplemental hold harmless aid provision to prevent school districts from receiving less state aid than calculated in the 2024-25 school year. These changes directly affect all public school districts in Wisconsin that receive state educational funding. The bill replaces previous funding mechanisms with updated formulas while maintaining specific financial adjustments for affected school years.
SB 218 amends how counties retain and distribute real estate transfer fees and related grants under existing programs. It clarifies that counties must account for both fees collected from property transfers and grants received under the land information program (s. 16.967(7)(c)) when calculating retained funds. The bill makes technical adjustments to fee retention language but does not change tax rates, create new fees, or alter funding amounts for counties. It directly affects local governments managing real estate transaction records and land information grants. The bill is procedural and focuses on administrative accuracy, not policy changes.
SB 382 modifies the state's historic rehabilitation tax credit program. It requires that qualified rehabilitation expenditures for a building must total at least $50,000 over a 24-month period to count toward the credit. The bill also clarifies that state certification by the historic preservation officer is needed if taxpayers do not claim the federal credit for the same rehabilitation work. This directly affects property owners and developers seeking tax credits for rehabilitating historic buildings. The changes standardize eligibility criteria and align with federal definitions for the credit.
AB 371 allows first-class cities to use automated red-light cameras at intersections with high accident rates (1.0+ annually over 5 years). It requires cities to place warning signs, capture images focused on license plates from behind, and limit camera use to no more than five intersections per city council district. Vehicle owners, not drivers, are liable for violations (like running red lights), with fines collected funding traffic safety programs - not general city budgets. Exceptions include stolen vehicles (reported within 7 days) or rentals/dealerships that provide lessee/operator details.
AB 542 requires dental insurance plans (like defined network plans or preferred provider plans) that rent their provider networks to disclose this practice to dentists. Specifically, insurers must notify dentists in writing or electronically within 45 days if their network is rented to another entity, including the name of the renting entity. The bill also mandates that any entity renting a dental network must honor the original contract terms (such as discounted rates) between the insurer and the dentist. This directly affects dentists, insurers, and third-party entities that rent dental provider networks, ensuring transparency and protecting contractual obligations.
AB 528 requires the Wisconsin Group Insurance Board to conduct a cost analysis study on whether school districts should join the state's group health insurance program, either voluntarily or mandatorily. The bill appropriates $300,000 to fund this study, which will examine potential costs and savings for school districts and current health plan participants. The study must be completed within six months, after which the Group Insurance Board will submit a written report to the governor and legislature. This bill does not change current insurance participation rules but sets the stage for future decisions based on the study's findings.
AB 507 amends state civil service laws to adjust veteran preference policies for state government hiring. It repeals outdated sections and revises provisions related to veteran eligibility, removing age restrictions for veterans applying for positions and clarifying how preference points are calculated and applied. Specifically, it modifies rules so veterans and their spouses receive preference points without age limits, and updates procedures for adding qualified veterans to certification lists after initial hiring. These changes directly affect veterans seeking state civil service jobs and state hiring boards managing employment eligibility. The bill updates statutory language to align with current veteran preference practices under sections like 230.16 (7).
AB 325 modifies Wisconsin's firearm transfer rules to require most sales or transfers to go through a licensed firearms dealer, with exceptions for direct family gifts, bequests, or inheritances (if the recipient is at least 18 and not prohibited from owning firearms). It adds a $10 fee for background checks conducted by dealers and mandates new forms requiring transferees to confirm they aren’t transferring to prohibited individuals. Violating these rules carries a misdemeanor penalty of fines ($500-$10,000) or up to 9 months in jail, plus a 2-year firearm possession ban. The bill directly affects gun sellers, buyers, and family members transferring firearms without a dealer.
