WisconsinAB1942025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET

An Act to repeal 234.66 (1) (g) 2., 234.66 (1) (g) 3., 234.661 (1) (c) 5., 234.661 (1) (c) 6., 234.662 (1) (e) 3. and 234.662 (1) (e) 4.; to renumber and amend 234.66 (1) (b), 234.66 (4) (a) 5., 234.661 (1) (e), 234.661 (3) (b) 3., 234.662 (1) (c), 234.662 (1) (f) and 234.662 (3) (b) 3.; to consolidate, renumber and amend 234.66 (1) (g) (intro.) and 1.; to amend 234.66 (4) (a) 7., 234.66 (4) (c) 2., 234.66 (5) (c), 234.66 (5m) (b), 234.661 (1) (b), 234.661 (3) (b) (intro.), 234.661 (3) (b) 4., 234.661 (3) (b) 5., 234.661 (3) (c), 234.661 (3) (d), 234.661 (3m) (b), 234.661 (5) (b) 4., 234.662 (1) (d), 234.662 (1) (e) (intro.), 234.662 (1) (g), 234.662 (3) (b) (intro.), 234.662 (3) (b) 4., 234.662 (3) (b) 5., 234.662 (3) (c), 234.662 (3) (d) 2., 234.662 (3m) (b) and 234.662 (5) (b) 4.; to create 234.66 (1) (b) 1., 234.66 (1) (b) 2., 234.66 (4) (a) 5. b., 234.661 (1) (cm), 234.661 (1) (e) 2., 234.661 (3) (b) 3. b., 234.661 (3) (em), 234.662 (1) (c) 2., 234.662 (1) (em), 234.662 (1) (f) 2., 234.662 (3) (b) 3. b. and 234.662 (3) (fm) of the statutes; Relating to: modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE)

Sponsored By: Clinton Anderson (Democratic), David Armstrong (Republican), Brent Jacobson (Republican), Robert Brooks (Republican), Brienne Brown (Democratic), Ben DeSmidt (Democratic), Bob Donovan (Republican), Steve Doyle (Democratic), Jodi Emerson (Democratic), Benjamin Franklin (Republican), Joy Goeben (Republican), Russell Goodwin (Democratic), Chanz Green (Republican), Andrew Hysell (Democratic), Alex Joers (Democratic), Joel Kitchens (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), Scott Krug (Republican), Paul Melotik (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Greta Neubauer (Democratic), Todd Novak (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (Democratic), Lori Palmeri (Democratic), William Penterman (Republican), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), Ann Roe (Democratic), John Spiros (Republican), Randy Udell (Democratic)

Became Law

HousingHousing and Economic Development AuthorityWisconsinIndians and tribal issuesLoanMunicipality -- PlanningReal property

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Bigger infrastructure loans, stricter guarantees

The state housing authority lets infrastructure loans cover more of a project. Developer-backed loans can cover up to 33% of total development cost, including land; loans to cities, villages, towns, or counties can cover up to 25%. Loans must be backed by unlimited personal or corporate guarantees, unless there is no guarantee on any first mortgage and total project debt is 75% or less of the project’s collateral value. Local governments and developers must submit a signed cost‑reduction analysis that lists each step taken, the dollars or time saved, and the percent cut in housing costs, including measures since January 1, 2023. More groups qualify: tribal housing authorities and tribal‑council business entities count as developers, and housing on reservation or trust lands designated on the law’s effective date qualifies. The law also removes two outdated clauses in this section. If a local government seeks a loan, it must have updated its housing plan within the past five years or passed a recent ordinance saying the plan provides enough housing.

More conversion loans, stricter guarantees

Commercial‑to‑housing loans can be up to $1,000,000 per project or 33% of residential construction costs, including land, whichever is less. The authority runs applications twice a year; when funds are short, projects in places that have reduced housing costs get priority. Loans must be backed by unlimited personal or corporate guarantees unless there is no guarantee on any first mortgage and total project debt is 75% or less of collateral value. More projects qualify: developers include tribal housing authorities and tribal‑council business entities; projects on reservation or trust lands designated on the law’s effective date are eligible; and projects count with 16+ units in areas over 10,000 people or 4+ units in smaller places. Developers and local governments must show eligibility on authority forms and submit a signed cost‑reduction analysis listing each measure, the time or dollars saved, and the percent cut in housing costs, including steps after January 1, 2023 and measures that generally apply. For unencumbered 2023–25 deposits, no region receives more than 12.5% of those funds. The authority must name the local government for each loan award and clarify which local government has jurisdiction; “governmental unit” includes tribes. Local governments must follow applicable state planning laws and must have updated the housing element within five years or adopted a recent ordinance certifying it is adequate. The law updates what counts as an eligible conversion and removes two old clauses.

More rehab funds, stricter local rules

Main Street rehab loans are larger: up to $50,000 per unit or 33% of total project cost, including land, whichever is less. Any owner of rental housing (not a city, village, town, or county) can apply, but the owner and the local government must prove eligibility on authority forms. Loans must be backed by unlimited personal or corporate guarantees unless there is no guarantee on any first mortgage and total project debt is 75% or less of collateral value. The owner and local government must file a signed cost‑reduction analysis showing time or dollar savings and percent reductions for each measure, including steps taken on or after January 1, 2023 and measures that generally apply. The authority takes applications twice a year and, if money is short, prioritizes places that have reduced rental housing costs. For unencumbered 2023–25 deposits, no region gets more than 12.5% of those funds; regions follow regional planning commission areas. Local governments must follow applicable state planning laws and must have updated the housing element within five years or adopted a recent ordinance certifying it is adequate. Tribal governments count as governmental units, and rental housing on reservation or trust lands designated on the law’s effective date is eligible. The law clarifies which local government has jurisdiction and deletes two old clauses in this section.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Clinton Anderson

    Democratic • House

  • David Armstrong

    Republican • House

  • Brent Jacobson

    Republican • House

  • Robert Brooks

    Republican • House

  • Brienne Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Ben DeSmidt

    Democratic • House

  • Bob Donovan

    Republican • House

  • Steve Doyle

    Democratic • House

  • Jodi Emerson

    Democratic • House

  • Benjamin Franklin

    Republican • House

  • Joy Goeben

    Republican • House

  • Russell Goodwin

    Democratic • House

  • Chanz Green

    Republican • House

  • Andrew Hysell

    Democratic • House

  • Alex Joers

    Democratic • House

  • Joel Kitchens

    Republican • House

  • Rob Kreibich

    Republican • House

  • Scott Krug

    Republican • House

  • Paul Melotik

    Republican • House

  • David Murphy

    Republican • House

  • Jeffrey Mursau

    Republican • House

  • Greta Neubauer

    Democratic • House

  • Todd Novak

    Republican • House

  • Jerry O'Connor

    Republican • House

  • Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Palmeri

    Democratic • House

  • William Penterman

    Republican • House

  • Jim Piwowarczyk

    Republican • House

  • Ann Roe

    Democratic • House

  • John Spiros

    Republican • House

  • Randy Udell

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Jill Billings

    Democratic • House

  • Kristin Dassler-Alfheim

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dan Feyen

    Republican • Senate

  • Jodi Habush Sinykin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jenna Jacobson

    Democratic • House

  • John Jagler

    Republican • Senate

  • Jesse James

    Republican • Senate

  • Karen Kirsch

    Democratic • House

  • Vincent Miresse

    Democratic • House

  • Brad Pfaff

    Democratic • Senate

  • Romaine Quinn

    Republican • Senate

  • Melissa Ratcliff

    Democratic • Senate

  • Amaad Rivera-Wagner

    Democratic • House

  • Jeff Smith

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lee Snodgrass

    Democratic • House

  • Mark Spreitzer

    Democratic • Senate

  • Angela Stroud

    Democratic • House

  • Shelia Stubbs

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Wall

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Wirch

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Published 4-9-2026

    4/9/2026House
  2. Report approved by the Governor on 4-8-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 237

    4/9/2026House
  3. Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026

    4/2/2026House
  4. Report correctly enrolled on 3-26-2026

    3/26/2026House
  5. LRB correction

    3/26/2026House
  6. Received from Senate concurred in

    3/18/2026House
  7. Ordered immediately messaged

    3/17/2026Senate
  8. Read a third time and concurred in

    3/17/2026Senate
  9. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

    3/17/2026Senate
  10. Ordered to a third reading

    3/17/2026Senate
  11. Read a second time

    3/17/2026Senate
  12. Placed on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    3/16/2026Senate
  13. Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

    3/16/2026Senate
  14. Representative Billings added as a coauthor

    3/10/2026Senate
  15. Available for scheduling

    10/8/2025Senate
  16. Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

    10/8/2025Senate
  17. Received from Assembly

    10/7/2025Senate
  18. Ordered immediately messaged

    10/7/2025House
  19. Read a third time and passed

    10/7/2025House
  20. Rules suspended

    10/7/2025House
  21. Ordered to a third reading

    10/7/2025House
  22. Assembly Amendment 2 adopted

    10/7/2025House
  23. Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Brooks

    10/7/2025House
  24. Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

    10/7/2025House
  25. Read a second time

    10/7/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in