Housing (Tenant Rights)

This Wisconsin bill modifies small claims court procedures for eviction cases by adjusting timeframes for legal notices and service of process. It shortens the required notice period for eviction summons from 8 days to 5 days and reduces the maximum return date from 30 days to 25 days. The legislation also mandates the use of certified mail with return receipt for serving eviction-related documents and requires courts to complete possession trials within 30 days after the defendant appears. These changes apply specifically to residential eviction actions and actions seeking relief from extrajudicial evictions in Wisconsin small claims courts.

SB 1029 repeals Section 66.0104 of the statutes, which previously allowed local governments to regulate landlords. This bill directly affects cities and counties that had authority under this statute to create local rules for rental housing. The key provision is the removal of this specific legal authority, meaning local governments would no longer be able to enact ordinances under this section. The bill does not create new regulations but eliminates an existing framework for local landlord oversight.