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Yes: 31 • No: 2
WisconsinAB4542025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET
An Act to amend 234.66 (2) (a) (intro.), 234.661 (2) (a) (intro.) and 234.662 (2) (a) (intro.); to create 234.665 of the statutes; Relating to: a workforce home loan program. (FE)
Sponsored By: Robert Brooks (Republican), Joy Goeben (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Nate Gustafson (Republican), Joel Kitchens (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), Paul Melotik (Republican), Vincent Miresse (Democratic), Clint Moses (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (Democratic), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), Amaad Rivera-Wagner (Democratic), Jessie Rodriguez (Republican), Patrick Snyder (Republican), Rob Summerfield (Republican), Ron Tusler (Republican)
Became Law
AdministrationDepartment of -- Agency and general functionsHousing and Economic Development AuthorityWisconsinLaborMortgageRural planningSunset
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Zero-interest gap loans and repayment
Workforce loans are zero‑interest second mortgages to cover the gap after your first mortgage on a primary single‑family home that is new or has major rehab. Each loan is capped at the smaller of 25% of the home’s price or value, or $60,000 adjusted each year by WHEDA for statewide sale‑price changes. If your income is over 80% and up to 100% of AMI, payments start in month 2 and are spread over 30 years. If your income is over 60% and up to 80%, principal is deferred 60 months, then paid over 25 years. If your income is 60% of AMI or less, principal is deferred until the first mortgage is paid, then paid over 10 years. A 40‑year term option may be available when deferral applies. You can prepay any time with no fee. Loans are not forgivable.
Program setup and $10M launch funding
The law creates a WHEDA‑run workforce home loan fund and a revolving loan program. Repayments go back into the fund to make new loans. During the 2025–27 budget period, WHEDA may move up to $10 million from three existing revolving funds into the workforce fund. WHEDA can use fund money to run the program. Money not needed right away can be invested in U.S. government obligations, AA‑rated state or local bonds, certificates of deposit, the state investment fund, or certain money market funds. All earnings stay in the workforce fund.
Refinancing rules: second loan stays behind
You can refinance your first mortgage. WHEDA must keep your workforce loan in second position if rules are met. The home must stay your primary residence. The combined loan‑to‑value after refinancing cannot be higher than it was when you got the workforce loan. The new first mortgage must be fixed‑rate, fully amortizing, and 30 years or less. You must still meet the program’s debt, credit, savings, and other eligibility rules.
Who qualifies for workforce home loans
You can use this loan if you have not owned a home in the past 3 years and your household income is at or below 100% of your county’s area median income (set by FHFA and not adjusted for family size). The home must be new construction or a home with “substantial rehab” (rehab costs over 35% of last year’s taxable building value, or a change from nonresidential to housing). You must get a fully amortizing, fixed‑rate conventional first mortgage with a term of 30 years or less. Standard underwriting applies for debt, credit, and savings; if payments on the workforce loan are deferred at least 60 months, the workforce loan payment can be left out of DTI, the manual‑underwrite DTI cap is 45%, and the minimum credit score is 580. You must have a valid Social Security number, meet citizenship or resident‑alien rules, finish homebuyer education, and be in compliance with child support or maintenance. Approved lenders, housing authorities, or other qualified local groups can certify you and suggest a loan amount, but WHEDA must approve it.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Robert Brooks
Republican • House
Joy Goeben
Republican • House
Rick Gundrum
Republican • House
Nate Gustafson
Republican • House
Joel Kitchens
Republican • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Rob Kreibich
Republican • House
Paul Melotik
Republican • House
Vincent Miresse
Democratic • House
Clint Moses
Republican • House
David Murphy
Republican • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez
Democratic • House
Jim Piwowarczyk
Republican • House
Amaad Rivera-Wagner
Democratic • House
Jessie Rodriguez
Republican • House
Patrick Snyder
Republican • House
Rob Summerfield
Republican • House
Ron Tusler
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brienne Brown
Democratic • House
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim
Democratic • Senate
Steve Doyle
Democratic • House
Jodi Emerson
Democratic • House
Dan Feyen
Republican • Senate
Jesse James
Republican • Senate
LaTonya Johnson
Democratic • Senate
Howard Marklein
Republican • Senate
Brad Pfaff
Democratic • Senate
Melissa Ratcliff
Democratic • Senate
Shelia Stubbs
Democratic • House
Lisa Subeck
Democratic • House
Randy Udell
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 31, Noes 2
Yes: 31 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Published 4-9-2026
4/9/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-8-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 239
4/9/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 3-24-2026
3/24/2026HouseRepresentative Emerson added as a coauthor
3/19/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
3/18/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
3/17/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in, Ayes 31, Noes 2
3/17/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
3/17/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
3/17/2026SenateRead a second time
3/17/2026SenateSenator Ratcliff added as a cosponsor
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
3/16/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
3/16/2026SenateRepresentative Brown added as a coauthor
3/6/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
2/25/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
2/25/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
2/23/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/19/2026HouseRead a third time and passed
2/19/2026HouseRules suspended
2/19/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
2/19/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 4 adopted
2/19/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 3 adopted
2/19/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 1 adopted
2/19/2026House
Bill Text
Assembly Amendment 1
2/19/2026
Assembly Amendment 3
2/19/2026
Assembly Amendment 4
2/19/2026
Bill Text
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