AB 628 allows renters who are veterans or surviving spouses to claim the property tax credit previously only available to homeowners. It amends state law to define "rent constituting property taxes" and lets eligible renters deduct their rent payments toward this credit when filing taxes. The credit can offset income tax liability, with unused portions paid directly by the state. This change applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and directly affects qualifying renters in Wisconsin.
SB 142 bans the use of algorithmic software by landlords to set rental rates or occupancy levels in residential housing. It prohibits selling, licensing, or providing such software (defined as tools using private competitor data on rent/occupancy to inform pricing decisions) to landlords, with exceptions for aggregated rental data publications and affordable housing tools. The law imposes penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per unit, allowing tenants to sue for actual damages or $1,000 per violation, and enables state enforcement through the attorney general. It directly affects landlords, property management companies, and software providers that develop or sell such tools.
Assembly Bill 220 seeks to expand anti-discrimination protections across various aspects of life. The bill proposes to amend numerous state statutes to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. This would directly affect individuals in areas such as employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, and adoption. Key provisions include requiring government contractors not to discriminate on these grounds, while clarifying that affirmative action requirements may not apply to these new protected characteristics in certain contracts.
SB 577 provides tax exemptions for compensation paid to individuals wrongfully imprisoned, including amounts received from the claims board or legislature. It establishes health care coverage for these individuals for up to five years, with costs shared between the state and the recipient (matching state employee premium rates), and requires departments to create transition plans within five days of release to connect individuals with housing, job assistance, and health services. The bill directly affects people who were convicted of crimes they claim to be innocent of, were released after March 13, 1980, and received compensation under §775.05. Key mechanisms include exempting compensation from income tax (§71.05), creating health coverage rules (§40.516), and mandating transition planning (§301.051).
Assembly Bill 202 primarily removes residential rental agreements from the scope of the Wisconsin Consumer Act. It changes how certain problematic provisions in residential leases are handled, allowing tenants to elect to void the entire agreement or sever only the voidable clauses, rather than the agreement being automatically void. Such voidable clauses include those that authorize landlords to take action against tenants for contacting law enforcement or health services, or for being a victim of a crime. If a tenant voids the agreement, it converts to a periodic tenancy under similar terms, or if a provision is severed, the rest of the agreement remains in effect. Tenants who suffer financial loss due to these voidable provisions can sue for double damages, costs, and attorney fees, excluding rent payments.
SB 473 requires local governments to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single-family lot as a "permitted use" without special permits, directly affecting homeowners in residential and mixed-use zones. Localities may still set reasonable limits on ADU size (capped at the main house's square footage), height, and setbacks, but cannot impose additional approvals for standard ADUs. The bill also prohibits new ADUs created after its effective date from being used as short-term rentals (like Airbnb), while allowing existing ADUs to remain unaffected. This standardizes ADU access across the state while giving communities flexibility to manage development.
AB 455 establishes a grant program to reimburse owners of multifamily housing for costs incurred when converting properties to condominiums. The program covers specific expenses like attorney fees, permitting costs, and other project-related fees. Grants are limited to $50,000 per property and a total of $10 million from the existing Main Street Housing Rehabilitation Fund. The bill requires detailed reporting on each grant awarded, including recipient information, project descriptions, and location. This directly affects multifamily housing owners seeking to convert their properties to condominiums.
AB 69 amends Wisconsin law to expand the sales and use tax exemption for residential electricity and natural gas to cover the winter months of November through April. Currently, the exemption applies only to certain months, but this bill adds those six winter months to the list of qualifying periods for residential energy purchases. The change directly affects homeowners and renters who purchase electricity or natural gas for home use during these months, removing the tax on those purchases. The bill is a straightforward policy adjustment to the existing tax code, not a new program or funding measure.
AB 140 creates a specific exception in Wisconsin statute for Port Washington's Tax Incremental District Number 5, removing a standard 12% limit on the total taxable property value that can be included in such districts. This bill directly affects the city of Port Washington and its Tax Incremental District Number 5, allowing that district to exceed the usual property value cap. The key mechanism is adding a new statutory provision (66.1105 (17) (h)) that explicitly states the 12% limit does not apply to this specific district. The bill was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 16 after approval by the Governor.
Assembly Joint Resolution 33 (AJR 33) declares an "Economic Justice Bill of Rights" for the people of Wisconsin. This resolution aims to renew the state's progressive tradition and address historical disparities for various communities. It outlines ten specific rights, including the right to a job paying a living wage, adequately funded public education, affordable healthcare, a clean environment, and safe, affordable housing. The resolution also includes rights to a union, equitable access to capital, and a fair justice system, regardless of a person's background or status.
