All Roll Calls
Yes: 131 • No: 1
WisconsinAB2192025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET
An Act to amend 71.05 (6) (a) 15., 71.21 (4) (a), 71.26 (2) (a) 4., 71.34 (1k) (g) and 71.45 (2) (a) 10.; to create 71.07 (8t), 71.10 (4) (cu), 71.28 (8t), 71.30 (3) (cu), 71.47 (8t), 71.49 (1) (cu) and 73.03 (78) of the statutes; Relating to: a tax credit for rail infrastructure modernization. (FE)
Sponsored By: David Armstrong (Republican), Bob Donovan (Republican), Benjamin Franklin (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Nate Gustafson (Republican), Paul Melotik (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Todd Novak (Republican), Treig Pronschinske (Republican), Rob Swearingen (Republican), Travis Tranel (Republican)
Became Law
Franchise -- TaxationIncome tax -- CreditRailroadRevenueDepartment ofSunset
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Credit for short line rail upkeep
The law creates a 50% Wisconsin tax credit for short line railroad maintenance. For tax years 2026 through 2035, your yearly credit is capped at $5,000 times the miles of track you own or lease in Wisconsin on December 31. Do not claim costs paid by a federal or state grant or used for a federal tax credit, and do not double dip with the new rail buildout credit. You must be certified by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and include its verification. Partnerships and tax‑option corporations do not claim the credit; owners claim their shares. Unused credit can be carried forward up to five years, and credits can be transferred with approval. If certification is revoked, credited amounts are added back to tax and a transferee cannot use the credit.
Tax credit for new rail projects
The law creates a 50% Wisconsin tax credit for new rail infrastructure. Projects must be placed in service after December 31, 2025. For tax years 2026 through 2035, you can claim up to $2,000,000 per approved application. Costs must be in Wisconsin and not paid by federal or state grants, and you cannot also claim the maintenance credit for the same costs. You must be certified by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and include its verification with your return. Partnerships and tax‑option corporations do not claim the credit; owners claim their shares. Unused credit can be carried forward up to five years, and credits can be sold or transferred with approval. If certification is revoked, credited amounts are added back to tax and a transferee cannot use the credit.
Reporting rules for rail tax credits
Partnerships must compute the new rail credits and pass them through to owners. The passed‑through credit amounts are added to partnership income for Wisconsin tax reporting. If a partnership or tax‑option corporation does not pass a credit through and it remains at the entity level, that amount is added when computing taxable income. If a corporation keeps the credit at the entity level, it must add the amount to taxable corporate income. These rules can raise reported income amounts even when a credit is claimed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
David Armstrong
Republican • House
Bob Donovan
Republican • House
Benjamin Franklin
Republican • House
Rick Gundrum
Republican • House
Nate Gustafson
Republican • House
Paul Melotik
Republican • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Todd Novak
Republican • House
Treig Pronschinske
Republican • House
Rob Swearingen
Republican • House
Travis Tranel
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Mike Bare
Democratic • House
Karen DeSanto
Democratic • House
Dan Feyen
Republican • Senate
Joan Fitzgerald
Democratic • House
Alex Joers
Democratic • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez
Democratic • House
Romaine Quinn
Republican • Senate
Melissa Ratcliff
Democratic • Senate
Mark Spreitzer
Democratic • Senate
Patrick Testin
Republican • Senate
Cory Tomczyk
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 1/21/2026
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1
Yes: 32 • No: 1
House vote • 1/13/2026
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 99, Noes 0
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Published 4-10-2026
4/9/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-9-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 242
4/9/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 1-26-2026
1/26/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
1/22/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
1/21/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1
1/21/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
1/21/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
1/21/2026SenateRead a second time
1/21/2026SenateSenator Spreitzer added as a cosponsor
1/21/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 1-21-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
1/16/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
1/16/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
1/14/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
1/14/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
1/14/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
1/13/2026HouseRead a third time and passed, Ayes 99, Noes 0
1/13/2026HouseRules suspended
1/13/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
1/13/2026HouseAssembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted
1/13/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted
1/13/2026HouseRead a second time
1/13/2026HouseRepresentative DeSanto added as a coauthor
1/9/2026HouseRepresentative Fitzgerald added as a coauthor
1/8/2026House
Bill Text
Assembly Amendment 1
1/13/2026
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1
1/13/2026
Bill Text
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