Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1076: Relating to: rent abatement and retaliatory conduct and granting rule-making authority.

This bill creates clear rules for rent reductions when rental properties have health or safety hazards, requiring the state agency to establish a standardized schedule for how much rent can be reduced based on specific issues. It also strengthens tenant protections by making it illegal for landlords to retaliate - such as by raising rent, cutting services, or threatening eviction - after a tenant legally requests repairs or rent abatement within the past year. The law specifies that landlords cannot use these actions to punish tenants for exercising rights under the new rules. These changes apply to all residential rental properties in the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates standardized rent reductions for health/safety hazards and bans landlord retaliation, strengthening tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1058: Relating to: reporting positive rental payment information to credit bureaus.

SB 1058 requires landlords to offer tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus. Landlords must provide written offers (via mail or email) to all tenants by July 1, 2026, detailing the option, any fee (capped at $10/month or actual cost), and how to accept or opt out. Tenants may accept the offer at any time, but must wait six months to restart reporting after opting out. Landlords cannot charge fees for reporting, deduct fees from security deposits, or treat non-payment of the optional fee as lease breach. The bill directly affects renters seeking to build credit and landlords managing reporting systems.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables tenants to build credit via on-time rent payments, strengthening tenant financial standing and access to housing90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1048: Relating to: modifications to the property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that sell property to low-income persons. (FE)

SB 1048 modifies property tax exemption rules for nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status) that sell properties to low-income households. It requires nonprofits to hold property for rehabilitation, redevelopment, or new construction specifically for sale to buyers with income below 120% of the area median income (using federal standards). The bill removes a previous requirement for nonprofits to offer interest-free loans to buyers and updates the income threshold for eligibility. This exemption applies to property tax assessments starting January 1, 2026, directly affecting nonprofits developing affordable housing for qualifying buyers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies property tax exemptions for nonprofits selling to low-income buyers, providing tax relief to support affordable housing initiatives through targeted tax incentives.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires nonprofits to develop housing for low-income buyers (below 120% AMI) via tax exemption modifications, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 885: Relating to: limitations on extraterritorial subdivision ordinances of incorporated municipalities.

AB 885 limits how cities can regulate land development outside their official boundaries. It prevents municipalities from denying approval for land plats or surveys based solely on the proposed land use, unless the denial follows specific, pre-approved rules related to: (1) land use itself, (2) public improvements, (3) land division standards, or (4) annexation agreements. This directly affects developers and landowners seeking to build in areas adjacent to cities but not yet within city limits. The bill ensures cities can only block development for clearly defined reasons, not arbitrary concerns about how land might be used.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves municipal barriers to land development outside city limits, facilitating more housing construction and addressing housing development needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 917: Relating to: a first-time home buyer purchasing assistance fund and loan program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 917 creates a $150 million First-Time Home Buyer Purchasing Assistance Fund to provide interest-free loans for eligible buyers. It directly affects first-time homebuyers who have never owned a home (or lost one to foreclosure), earn at or below 100% of local median income, complete homebuyer education, and occupy the home as their primary residence. Loans cover up to $35,000 or 10% of the home’s purchase price (whichever is lower) for down payments, closing costs, and other expenses, with 12.5% forgiveness after 2.5 years and full forgiveness after 10 years. Repayment is triggered if the home is sold, stops being the primary residence, or if the borrower violates loan terms. The program is administered by Wisconsin’s Housing and Economic Development Authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a $150M appropriation for homebuyer assistance, directly funding a program through state budget spending to support first-time homebuyers.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates $150M interest-free loan fund for first-time homebuyers meeting income and education criteria, directly increasing affordable housing access through down payment/closing cost assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement Homeownership Mortgages Property Development

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 986: Relating to: levy increase limits in political subdivisions with qualifying infill housing development. (FE)

AB 986 modifies property tax valuation rules for local governments (like cities and towns) that build qualifying infill housing projects. It defines "qualifying infill housing" as projects adding 2-6 new homes on older residential parcels (with 90% of the area developed for 10+ years), using existing infrastructure, and increasing total units. The bill changes how new construction value affects annual tax levy limits by including 90% of new property value in tax incremental districts (TIDs) and excluding removed improvements from these calculations. This adjustment aims to ease tax levy constraints for municipalities developing such housing without altering tax rates themselves.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies property tax rules to include 90% of new development value in tax incremental districts (TIDs), strengthening local fiscal management by enabling revenue capture for infrastructure without raising existing tax burdens.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingModifies tax rules to incentivize infill housing development, increasing unit density on existing infrastructure, supporting affordable housing growth through tax incremental districts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget Affordable Housing Property Taxes Zoning

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 889: Relating to: creating the Wisconsin Climate Corps program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 889 establishes the Wisconsin Climate Corps program to create climate-focused job opportunities for workers aged 16-30, with at least 50% from underserved communities. The program funds projects like restoring natural lands, weatherizing homes for energy efficiency, and building community gardens, administered by a board overseeing contracts with nonprofit managers. Key requirements include paying workers $15/hour, providing housing stipends ($100/week), and gold-level health insurance. Sponsors (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) must submit annual reports, and completed projects require permanent plaques identifying them as Wisconsin Climate Corps initiatives. The bill appropriates state funds for grants to approved projects under this framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund the Wisconsin Climate Corps program with specific wage/benefit requirements, directly advancing state budget allocation for climate jobs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds weatherizing homes for energy efficiency, directly advancing energy efficiency policy as a key energy infrastructure measure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates climate-focused jobs including natural land restoration, energy-efficient weatherization, and community gardens - directly advancing environmental conservation and pollution reduction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates gold-level health insurance for Climate Corps workers, directly expanding coverage under the program's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides housing stipends ($100/week) and funds home weatherization, indirectly supporting housing affordability and worker housing needs.65% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $15/hr wage, housing stipends, and gold-level health insurance for climate corps workers, directly advancing employment standards and worker benefits through funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Energy Efficiency Insurance

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 976: Relating to: changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE)

AB 976 clarifies how tax credits for low-income housing projects are claimed by business entities. It modifies rules so partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax-option corporations cannot claim the credit directly; instead, their members or shareholders (including insurers who are part of such entities) may claim it based on the entity's eligible costs. The bill requires entities to calculate and distribute credit amounts to members/shareholders, with specific allocation rules for ownership interests or written agreements. It directly affects housing developers, investors, and insurers involved in low-income housing projects financed through tax-exempt bonds in the state. The changes standardize credit allocation across multiple tax code sections without altering eligibility or credit amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies tax credit allocation for low-income housing, enabling direct access for eligible entities/members, aligning with tax relief for affordable housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies tax credit claiming process for low-income housing projects, enabling more efficient use of funding to support affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 848: Relating to: constructing laterals and service pipes without a landowner’s permission in the City of Milwaukee. (FE)

SB 848 allows the City of Milwaukee to install utility lines (water, gas, sewer, or heat) connecting to homes without the property owner's permission under specific conditions. It applies to properties owned by non-residents where the city has made at least three reasonable contact attempts and has permission from a tenant. The bill explicitly prohibits the city from charging property owners for these installations, shifting costs away from residents. This change affects Milwaukee properties with absentee owners and tenants who consent to the work, streamlining utility infrastructure updates.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables utility connections without owner permission for non-resident properties (with tenant consent), avoiding cost burden on owners and facilitating essential housing infrastructure access.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 868: Relating to: Focus on Energy inclusion of programs promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

AB 868 requires Wisconsin's energy utility programs to dedicate at least 25% of annual energy efficiency funding toward initiatives specifically serving low-income households. The bill defines "low-income household" using an existing state definition and mandates programs that reduce energy costs and improve efficiency for these households. It also requires the Public Service Commission to evaluate these programs every four years, setting goals to prioritize reducing energy burdens and environmental impacts for low-income residents. The law directly affects low-income households by ensuring their energy needs are addressed through utility-funded programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 25% of energy efficiency funds for low-income programs, directing existing budget allocation toward essential energy cost reduction services.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires 25% of energy efficiency funding for low-income renewable energy/efficiency programs, directly advancing clean energy access for vulnerable households.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 25% energy efficiency funding for low-income households, promoting renewable energy measures and reducing energy burdens, directly advancing environmental protection through cleaner energy use.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 25% of energy efficiency funding for low-income households, directly reducing energy costs and improving housing affordability for vulnerable residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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