Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 472: Relating to: required approvals of rezoning requests related to residential development, contents of and consistency of local ordinances with local comprehensive plans, certain tax incremental district project costs related to residential development, and tax incremental district lifespan extension. (FE)

SB 472 amends state statutes to require local governments (cities, towns, and counties) to include specific elements in their comprehensive plans for residential development. Key provisions mandate that plans detail current land uses, analyze trends, project future residential densities in 5-year increments, and include maps showing environmentally sensitive areas. The bill also clarifies that enacting a comprehensive plan does not automatically make it a regulation and requires ordinances affecting residential development to align with the plan's approved density standards. These changes apply to local governments engaging in residential development programs, aiming to standardize planning processes and ensure consistency between zoning decisions and long-term land use goals.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates local governments to plan for residential density growth via comprehensive plans, facilitating housing development without restricting approvals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 671: Relating to: a study of redundancies in legal requirements for new housing construction. (FE)

AB 671 mandates the Department of Administration to study redundant federal, state, and local requirements for constructing new housing (including single-family, duplex, and multifamily units). The study must identify overlapping or unnecessary rules and submit a report with legislative recommendations within one year of the bill's effective date. This bill does not create new laws but directs a formal review to potentially streamline housing construction regulations. It directly affects future legislative decisions on housing policy, not current construction practices.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates study to remove redundant housing construction regulations, intended to streamline development and increase housing supply.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development Zoning

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 385: Relating to: the veterans housing and recovery program and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 385 increases funding for Wisconsin's Veterans Housing and Recovery Program. It adds $900,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $1,050,000 for 2026-27 to cover program supplies, services, and leasing a new facility in Chippewa Falls. The additional funds address space limitations and facility deficiencies at the current location. This bill directly affects veterans participating in the housing program by ensuring continued support through improved resources and accommodations. The changes are purely fiscal, with no new policy requirements for veterans or service providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state budget allocation for veterans housing program through new appropriations, directly funding essential services and facility improvements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases funding for Wisconsin's Veterans Housing and Recovery Program to improve housing resources and accommodations for veterans, directly advancing housing support through program funding.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill increases funding by $900k/$1.05M for veterans housing program, addresses facility deficiencies, and ensures continued support through improved resources for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Veteran Housing

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 453: Relating to: required approvals of rezoning requests related to residential development, contents of and consistency of local ordinances with local comprehensive plans, certain tax incremental district project costs related to residential development, and tax incremental district lifespan extension. (FE)

AB 453 requires counties and cities to include specific elements in their comprehensive land-use plans, such as 20-year projections of residential development (in 5-year increments) and maps showing current/future land uses, including environmentally sensitive areas. It mandates that local ordinances related to residential development must align with these plans, though density requirements (specifying minimum/maximum residential units per acre) apply only to cities, not towns or counties. The bill affects local governments by standardizing planning processes for residential growth and ensuring consistency between zoning rules and long-term land-use goals. It does not create new taxes or funding but updates existing planning statute requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates mapping of environmentally sensitive areas in land-use plans, requiring local ordinances to align with conservation-focused planning for residential development.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates comprehensive plans with residential development projections and aligns ordinances, facilitating housing development through streamlined rezoning and planning consistency.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Dec 10, 2025

AB 280: Relating to: workforce housing and childcare awards under the business development tax credit. (FE)

AB 280 amends Wisconsin tax credit rules to allow businesses to claim up to 15% of qualifying investments in workforce housing (for employees) and childcare programs as tax credits. It directly affects businesses that build, rehab, or establish housing/childcare for their employees, including contributions made to third parties like local revolving loan funds. The bill defines "investments" to include both direct capital expenditures and third-party contributions toward these projects. The tax credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and is administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credits for business investments in workforce housing/childcare, providing tax relief to businesses through reduced tax liability.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax credits incentivize businesses to develop workforce housing for employees, directly advancing affordable housing through financial incentives.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credits for businesses to invest in employee housing/childcare, enhancing workplace benefits and supporting labor retention through improved employment conditions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Development

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 597: Relating to: a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments. (FE)

AB 597 creates a state matching grant program that provides $25 per day per veteran to eligible housing providers who receive federal per diem payments under 38 USC 2012. It directly affects organizations housing veterans who qualify for federal per diem payments, such as veteran service nonprofits or shelters. The program funds up to 365 days per year per veteran, with quarterly payments based on the previous quarter's housing. Grants are limited to $25/day and require annual applications through the state department.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds housing providers for veterans via $25/day state matching grants, directly supporting veteran housing stability and homelessness prevention.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates $25/day state grant to fund veteran housing providers receiving federal per diem, directly advancing veteran housing services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 208: Relating to: prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE)

SB 208 prohibits hedge funds (defined as entities managing $50 million+ in pooled investor funds) from acquiring or owning single-family homes in the state. It specifically targets new acquisitions after the law's effective date, requiring any violation to forfeit the property to the state, enforced by the attorney general. Existing ownership before the effective date is not affected. The bill directly impacts hedge funds meeting its financial and structural criteria, not other investors or property types. It does not alter existing ownership rights but prevents new purchases by covered hedge funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes to prevent price inflation and protect affordability, directly advancing housing accessibility for residents.85% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 247: Relating to: local and private regulation of accessory dwelling units. (FE)

SB 247 standardizes rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on the same lot as a primary residence - across cities, towns, and homeowners' associations in Wisconsin. It requires municipalities to allow at least one ADU per eligible parcel "by right" (without special permits), limits ADU size to 75% of the main home's square footage, and bans extra fees, discriminatory design rules, additional parking requirements, or separate utility connections for ADUs. The bill also voids private deed restrictions or HOA rules that block ADUs and prohibits associations from restricting ADUs except for public health/safety reasons. This directly affects homeowners, local governments, and community associations by removing barriers to building ADUs on single-family lots.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates ADUs by right, removes fees/discrimination, enabling more housing units to boost affordability per bill's standardization of ADU rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 142: Relating to: algorithmic software for residential housing, and providing a penalty.

AB 142 prohibits landlords and software providers from using algorithmic software to set rents or occupancy rates based on private competitor data (like unpublicized rent or occupancy details). It directly affects residential landlords, property management companies, and software vendors selling such tools. The bill bans both selling/licensing the software and using it for rent decisions, with penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per rental unit. Tenants may also sue for damages or injunctive relief, while exemptions cover aggregated rental data publications and affordable housing tools.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithms using competitor data for rent decisions, protecting tenants from potential unfair pricing and discrimination in housing markets.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits algorithmic software use in housing for rent decisions, restricting tech application to protect data privacy and prevent misuse of competitor data.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 60: Relating to: expanding the homestead income tax credit. (FE)

SB 60 expands the homestead income tax credit for homeowners in Wisconsin starting in 2026. It creates new income-based limits: households earning $8,060 or less receive an 80% credit on property taxes for their primary home, while those earning between $8,060 and $35,000 get a reduced credit based on income above the threshold. The bill repeals older provisions that restricted the credit for people without earned income or disabled claimants, and adds automatic annual inflation adjustments to the income thresholds and credit amounts. This directly affects Wisconsin homeowners with household income under $35,000 who claim the homestead tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands homestead tax credit for lower-income homeowners ($8,060 or less), providing direct tax relief and removing prior restrictions, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands homestead tax credit for low-income homeowners, reducing property tax burden and increasing housing affordability for primary residences.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

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