All Roll Calls
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)
Signed by Governor
AdministrationDepartment of -- Agency and general functionsHousing and Economic Development AuthorityWisconsinLaborMortgageRural planningSunset
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Interest-free home loans with repayment limits
The law creates interest-free second mortgages through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). They help eligible buyers purchase a Wisconsin single-family home as their main home. Buyers must have owned no residential property during the three years before applying. Household income cannot exceed 100% of county area median family income, without adjustment for family size. This includes expected income from all intended occupants age 18 or older. The home must be newly built or substantially rehabilitated. Rehabilitation qualifies when work costs more than 35% of the building’s prior-year property-tax value, or zoning changes from nonresidential to residential. The loan cap is the lesser of an annually adjusted $60,000 or 25% of the lower purchase price or market value. WHEDA adjusts the dollar cap annually for statewide residential housing price increases. Buyers also need a conventional, fixed-rate qualified first mortgage that fully repays within 30 years. WHEDA-approved organizations certify eligibility, subject to WHEDA approval. Buyers must meet debt, credit, savings, immigration-status, Social Security number, homebuyer education, and support-payment requirements. WHEDA’s debt calculations also account for deferred workforce-loan payments. Above 80% through 100% of median income, payments start the second month and are spread over 30 years. Above 60% through 80%, payments wait 60 months, then are spread over 25 years. At 60% or less, payments wait until the first mortgage is paid, then are spread over 10 years. The law also lists initial terms of 15 years above 80% income and 30 years at or below 80%. It allows extensions to 40 years for borrowers qualifying for limited deferral. Loans cannot be forgiven; the unpaid balance is due upon sale or when the home stops being the borrower’s main home. Early repayment carries no penalty. WHEDA sets preapproval policies, with purchase deadlines of up to 90 days for rehabilitated homes and 180 days for new construction. Repayments support future loans through a dedicated revolving fund. WHEDA can invest fund money in specified permitted investments and use it for administration, marketing, and operations. During 2025–27, WHEDA may transfer up to $10 million total from its housing infrastructure, Main Street rehabilitation, and commercial-to-housing conversion revolving funds. The transfer is authorized, not guaranteed.
Refinancing help with limits and fees
WHEDA must keep an outstanding workforce home loan behind a qualifying new first mortgage, allowing borrowers to refinance. The home must remain the borrower’s main home. The combined mortgage debt-to-home-value ratio cannot exceed the ratio when the workforce loan was issued. The new first mortgage must be fixed-rate, fully repay over its term, and last no more than 30 years. It must also meet federal qualified-mortgage standards, and borrowers must continue meeting the specified WHEDA eligibility requirements. WHEDA uses its usual second-mortgage documents and subordination review fee; the law does not state the fee amount.
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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