Housing

This bill modifies how landlords handle personal property left behind by tenants who move out or are evicted. It allows landlords to presume abandoned property is abandoned unless the tenant provides written notice or agreement stating otherwise, giving landlords discretion to dispose of such items. The bill also limits fees landlords can charge tenants for storage, removal, or disposal of abandoned property, requiring these costs to be set at reasonable rates by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

This bill creates a state income tax credit for property taxes paid by senior citizens aged 65 and older who own and live in their principal dwelling. The credit allows eligible claimants to offset 75% of their annual property taxes against their state income tax liability, with any unused portion potentially refunded through a state appropriation. To qualify, a household's income must be under $24,500 and the home's assessed value must be below $300,000, while also excluding those who already receive other property tax credits or live in leased properties. The legislation also establishes administrative procedures for claiming the credit through state tax forms and limits eligibility to Wisconsin residents who file by the standard deadline.

This bill establishes new funding and administrative provisions for Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program, including grants for community primary care and outreach services. It allocates $41.75 million for 2025-26 and $66.75 million for 2026-27 to support community health centers in hiring health workers, nurses, and social workers to provide care coordination services, particularly for individuals facing barriers like mental illness or homelessness. The legislation also creates a stabilization fund of $20 million for the BadgerCare Direct program, which pays providers directly for services rather than through insurance intermediaries. Additionally, the bill adds requirements for the state to maintain a 24/7 nurse consultation helpline, improve provider recruitment, and explore ways to reduce healthcare costs while ensuring timely access to medically necessary services.

This bill modifies court procedures for eviction cases where landlords and tenants agree to a dismissal agreement that includes conditions for compliance. It requires landlords to provide written notice to tenants before a court can cancel a dismissal agreement and reinstate an eviction if the tenant fails to meet the agreed terms. Additionally, the bill mandates that courts hold an evidentiary hearing before entering any unsatisfied portion of the agreement, ensuring both parties have a chance to present evidence. These changes directly affect landlords, tenants, and judges handling eviction cases by adding procedural safeguards to the enforcement of dismissal agreements.

This bill creates a new Office of Civil Legal Aid overseen by a nine-member Civil Legal Aid Board, which would be appointed by the state supreme court and include at least five attorneys. The legislation guarantees that residential tenants facing eviction have the right to be represented by a state-appointed lawyer, unless they voluntarily give up that right. Landlords would be required to include a notice in their rental agreements and eviction notices informing tenants of this right and explaining how to request legal representation. The bill also establishes procedures for the board to manage attorney appointments, handle budget approvals, and enter into agreements with legal organizations to support the program.

This bill proposes to amend the legal definition of a "tenant at will" in the state's statutes. It would clarify that a tenant at will is someone who occupies a property with the landlord's permission but does not have a valid lease and does not make periodic rent payments. The bill also specifies that individuals holding property under a purchase contract or employment agreement are excluded from this definition. This change would affect how landlords and tenants are classified in housing situations without formal leases.

This bill establishes a grant program to help owners of mobile and manufactured home communities meet licensing standards and to assist individual homeowners with repairs and improvements. It creates a new penalty system that allows the Department of Safety and Professional Services to impose a $5,000 forfeiture annually on community owners who fail to comply with reporting or other requirements. The collected penalties are designated to fund the grant program, and unpaid forfeitures create liens on the property until resolved. The legislation defines key terms such as manufactured homes and mobile home communities to clarify who qualifies for assistance and under what rules.

This bill amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify and expand protections against housing discrimination based on various characteristics including sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital and family status, victim status of domestic abuse or stalking, lawful source of income, receipt of rental assistance, age, and ancestry. It explicitly extends state anti-discrimination laws to cover owner-occupied single-family residences, requiring local governments to assist in preventing discrimination in housing sales and rentals. The bill also defines key terms such as "rental or housing assistance" and "small landlord" to ensure consistent application of these protections across different housing situations.

This bill requires landlords and utility providers to give tenants clear information about utility charges in residential rental agreements. It mandates that landlords disclose whether utilities are included in rent before a lease begins and explains how any separate utility costs will be calculated and allocated. The law also establishes a process for tenants to request detailed accounting of variable utility charges within 14 days and prohibits landlords from charging separate fees for processing utility payments. Additionally, the bill requires public utilities and housing cooperatives to provide tenants with copies of property utility charges upon request.

This bill would remove a specific legal provision that currently allows landlords to use a tenant's waiver of their right to a jury trial as a defense in eviction cases. By repealing this section of the statutes, the legislation would eliminate that particular defense strategy available to property owners. The change directly affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings where such waivers might have been signed. This policy adjustment aims to alter how eviction defenses are structured in court proceedings.