Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 365: Relating to: local and private regulation of accessory dwelling units. (FE)

AB 365 requires cities, towns, and homeowners' associations to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - small secondary homes on existing properties - as a "permitted use" without special permits on eligible parcels. It prohibits local governments and HOAs from charging extra fees (beyond standard building permits), imposing stricter design rules than for main homes, requiring separate utilities or parking, or banning ADUs via deed restrictions. The bill permits size limits (capping ADUs at 75% of the main home's square footage on single-family parcels) but bans all other restrictive rules. It directly affects local zoning authorities, municipal ordinances, and HOA covenants governing residential properties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly removes barriers to ADU construction, increasing housing supply and affordability. Requires local governments to permit ADUs without extra fees or restrictions, directly advancing housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 454: Relating to: a workforce home loan program. (FE)

AB 454 establishes a statewide "workforce home loan" revolving loan program to help low-to-moderate income workers purchase homes. It creates a new fund that will provide loans to first-time homebuyers whose household income is at or below 100% of the local area median income, with requirements including no prior residential property ownership in the past three years and meeting specific debt-to-income and credit score standards (minimum 580 FICO score for deferred payment options). The program uses repayments from existing loans to replenish the fund, allowing it to serve more borrowers over time. This directly affects eligible workforce households in housing markets across the state who qualify under the defined income and underwriting criteria.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes statewide loan program for low-income first-time homebuyers, directly funding affordable housing access through income-based home purchase assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Mortgages

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 52: Relating to: expanding the homestead income tax credit. (FE)

AB 52 expands the homestead income tax credit for homeowners with low to moderate income. It establishes new income-based limits: households earning $8,060 or less get credit covering 80% of property taxes, while higher earners get credit on taxes exceeding 5.614% of income over $8,060. The credit is unavailable if household income exceeds $35,000. The law also adds automatic inflation adjustments to these thresholds starting in 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit for low-income homeowners, reducing property tax burden - direct tax relief for target group per bill's income-based thresholds.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credit for low-income homeowners, reducing property tax burden to improve housing affordability for targeted households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 404: Relating to: the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 404 establishes and funds the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program, which provides direct support services to veterans in need. The bill appropriates state funds to cover outreach, counseling, and recovery resources for veterans facing challenges like homelessness, mental health issues, or unemployment. It directly affects veterans seeking these services and the state agencies or community organizations delivering them. The program’s implementation is contingent on the approved budget allocation, with no policy changes beyond the funding mechanism. As a fiscal bill, it focuses on resource allocation rather than new legal requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for veterans' program, directly funding essential services through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds counseling and recovery resources for veterans' mental health issues, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare topic.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses veteran homelessness through state-funded outreach and recovery services, directly supporting housing stability for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAddresses veteran unemployment through state-funded outreach and recovery services, directly aiding employment recovery for a specific workforce group.65% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program for homelessness, mental health, and unemployment support services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health Substance Abuse Homelessness Unemployment Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 631: Relating to: use of public lands to provide temporary residence for the homeless and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 631 creates "structured camping facilities" on designated public lands (excluding parks and fairgrounds) to provide temporary housing for homeless individuals and families. Local governments or the state department can designate these facilities, requiring residents to complete mental health or substance use evaluations, with a waiting list system when capacity is reached. The bill also establishes penalties for unauthorized camping on public property, classifying second or subsequent violations as Class C misdemeanors. It mandates data collection on facility usage, including occupancy and referrals for services, while ensuring safety and sanitation at all sites.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health/substance use evaluations for residents of structured camping facilities, linking housing access to healthcare services and improving access to mental health support.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates structured camping facilities on public lands for homeless temporary housing, directly addressing homelessness through new housing solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 383: Relating to: the veterans housing and recovery program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 383 increases funding for Wisconsin's Veterans Housing and Recovery Program. It allocates an additional $900,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $1,050,000 for 2026-27 to cover program supplies, services, and leasing costs for the Chippewa Falls-based program. This adjustment addresses space and facility deficiencies at the current location by enabling a facility move. The bill directly affects veterans utilizing this housing program in Chippewa Falls. The changes are purely fiscal, with no new program requirements or policy shifts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates additional state funds ($900k/$1.05M) for veterans housing program, directly increasing fiscal support for a state program per budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases funding for veterans' housing program, directly advancing housing services and facility needs through fiscal allocation.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases funding for veterans housing program, addressing facility deficiencies to improve services and program accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Veteran Housing

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 451: Relating to: residential tax incremental districts. (FE)

AB 451 creates new rules for "residential tax incremental districts" (RTIDs) in cities, limiting these districts to 3% of a city's total taxable property value (down from a 12% cap for other districts). It requires RTIDs to fund only infrastructure for residential developments meeting strict size limits: single-family homes under 7,500 sq ft lots, two-family homes under 15,000 sq ft lots, and strict setbacks/sizes for homes (e.g., max 1,500 sq ft for single-story). Project costs are restricted to district-wide infrastructure (like stormwater systems), not individual lots, and must be paid from tax increments or developer financing. The bill directly affects cities creating RTIDs and developers building qualifying residential projects.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces RTID cap from 12% to 3% and restricts eligible projects, limiting tax tool expansion for residential development funding.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill imposes strict size limits (max 1,500 sq ft) and caps RTIDs at 3% of taxable value, restricting housing development options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 609: Relating to: a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments. (FE)

SB 609 creates a state matching grant program for organizations that receive federal per diem payments to house veterans. It directly affects eligible veterans' housing providers (like nonprofits or care facilities) that already qualify for federal per diem payments under 38 USC 2012. The bill provides state matching funds of $25 per day per veteran, up to 365 days yearly, paid quarterly based on the previous quarter's housing. Applications are accepted annually, and grants are awarded in the order received.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds housing for veterans via state matching grants, directly advancing affordable housing for a vulnerable population through targeted financial support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates state matching funds ($25/day) for veteran housing providers already receiving federal per diem, directly funding veteran housing services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Housing

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 375: Relating to: modifications to the historic rehabilitation tax credit. (FE)

AB 375 modifies Wisconsin's historic rehabilitation tax credit program. It extends the credit to cover rehabilitation work completed after 2025, maintaining a 20% credit on qualified rehabilitation costs (minimum $50,000) for certified historic structures and qualified rehabilitated buildings. The bill adds new certification requirements through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and allows taxpayers to transfer unused credits to other entities subject to state taxes. This directly affects property owners and developers who rehabilitate historic buildings in Wisconsin, providing them with a tax incentive for such projects. The changes align Wisconsin's credit with federal rules while updating eligibility and claim procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends historic rehabilitation tax credit program, maintains 20% credit for qualified work, and allows credit transfers - providing tax relief and incentivizing rehabilitation projects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill extends tax credit for historic rehabilitation, incentivizing preservation and development of existing housing stock, directly supporting housing development as defined in the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Historic Preservation Property Development

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 213: Relating to: prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE)

AB 213 prohibits hedge funds managing $50 million or more in assets from acquiring or owning single-family homes in the state. It defines "hedge fund" as investment entities meeting specific criteria (not tax-exempt organizations, managing pooled investor funds). Violations require forfeiting the home to the state, enforced by the attorney general, but only apply to ownership acquired after a future effective date - existing holdings are unaffected. The bill directly affects large hedge funds meeting its financial and structural definition, not all real estate investors.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits large hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes, directly protecting affordable housing access by limiting investor-driven price inflation and displacement risks.95% confidence

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