Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1119: Relating to: rent abatement and retaliatory conduct and granting rule-making authority.

This bill modifies Wisconsin's residential tenancy laws to strengthen protections for tenants facing unsafe living conditions and retaliatory actions by landlords. It requires landlords to provide a rent abatement schedule when repairs for health or safety issues cause tenants to lose full use of their homes, while also clarifying that tenants cannot withhold all rent if they stay in the property. The legislation creates a legal presumption that certain landlord actions, such as rent increases or lease nonrenewals, are retaliatory if they occur within 12 months of a tenant exercising their rights. Additionally, it grants the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection the authority to establish specific rules for calculating rent reductions based on various conditions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections against unsafe conditions and retaliatory conduct, requiring rent abatement schedules for health/safety repairs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1160: Relating to: attorney general enforcement authority for civil rights violations and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill creates new authority for the Wisconsin attorney general to investigate and sue individuals or entities for civil rights violations in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It allows the attorney general to conduct investigations requiring sworn statements, access to documents, and subpoenas when there is reasonable cause to believe a pattern of rights violations or a denial of rights with public importance has occurred. If violations are found, courts can order injunctive relief, award damages, and impose civil forfeiture penalties of up to $50,000 for first violations or $100,000 for subsequent violations within seven years. The bill also permits the attorney general to accept voluntary compliance agreements instead of pursuing litigation, though violations of such agreements remain subject to penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens civil rights enforcement by empowering attorney general to investigate and sue for violations, enhancing accountability and protecting individual rights within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by expanding attorney general authority to investigate and sue for civil rights violations in housing, preventing discrimination.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1107: Relating to: repealing the prohibition against local governments enacting or enforcing an eviction moratorium on a landlord. (FE)

This bill would remove a state law that currently prevents local governments from creating or enforcing eviction moratoriums, which are rules that temporarily stop landlords from evicting tenants. By repealing the existing prohibition, the legislation would allow cities and counties to establish their own eviction pause policies if they choose to do so. The change directly affects local governments, landlords, and tenants by potentially opening the door for neighborhood-level eviction protections. The bill is currently in the early stages of review and has not yet been passed into law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allows local governments to enact eviction moratoriums, which protects tenant rights and provides housing stability during crises.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1097: Relating to: authorizing a city, village, town, or county to establish a fair housing department to assist and educate residents and enforce local fair housing ordinances, providing a grant program, and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill authorizes cities, villages, towns, and counties to establish fair housing departments to educate residents about housing discrimination rights and enforce local fair housing ordinances. It creates a grant program that provides up to $10 million in state funding to help local governments set up these departments, with grants distributed across state regions to ensure equitable access. The legislation includes specific rules for grant applications, limits each region to receiving no more than 12.5 percent of available funds, and restricts grant usage to supporting fair housing department operations. The bill also establishes a sunset provision that prevents new grants from being awarded after June 30, 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a $10M grant program to fund local fair housing departments, directly increasing state funding for public services and local government capacity.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes fair housing departments, provides $10M in grants, and enforces anti-discrimination protections, directly advancing housing equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1133: Relating to: local regulation of landlords and tenants.

This bill would allow Wisconsin local governments to create rules requiring landlords to offer tenants a good faith renewal of their leases unless there is a valid reason not to do so. It also permits municipalities to set standards for lease renewals, limit when landlords can show properties to new tenants, and establish penalties for violations that could include relocation assistance. The bill would make these local rules mandatory and prevent landlords from waiving them in lease agreements. However, the bill failed to pass in the Senate on March 23, 2026, so it is not currently in effect.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by requiring lease renewals and limiting landlord actions, directly supporting housing stability and tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1137: Relating to: evicting tenants for failure to pay rent.

This bill modifies Iowa's eviction laws to clarify the notice requirements landlords must follow when evicting tenants for nonpayment of rent. It establishes specific timelines for notice periods, requiring at least 30 days for month-to-month and weekly tenants, and 14 days for annual or shorter-term leases when a tenant is already in default. The legislation also prevents courts from dismissing eviction cases solely because a landlord accepts rent after serving a notice of default, provided the tenant pays all past due amounts before a judgment is entered. These changes directly affect landlords, tenants, and housing courts by standardizing procedures for handling rent arrears and eviction proceedings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill clarifies eviction notice requirements to protect tenant rights and provide clearer legal protections for renters facing nonpayment evictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1208: Relating to: attorney general enforcement authority for civil rights violations and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill expands the Wisconsin attorney general's authority to file civil lawsuits on behalf of the state against individuals or entities accused of violating civil rights in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It allows the attorney general to investigate these potential violations by requiring sworn statements, accessing relevant documents, and issuing subpoenas to gather information. If a violation is found, the attorney general can seek court orders to stop the illegal conduct, recover investigation costs, and impose civil penalties of up to $50,000 for first offenses or $100,000 for subsequent violations within seven years. The bill also permits the attorney general to accept voluntary compliance agreements as an alternative to litigation, though breaking such agreements would still be treated as a violation subject to penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands attorney general authority to enforce civil rights, which protects vulnerable populations and enhances accountability in justice-related areas.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands attorney general authority to enforce civil rights violations in housing, strengthening tenant protections and preventing housing discrimination.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 1179: Relating to: a home repair program and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill establishes a home repair program that provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners and landlords for fixing habitability issues, improving energy efficiency, and making housing accessible for individuals with disabilities. The program offers grants of up to $25,000 to homeowners and interest-free loans of up to $25,000 to landlords who own no more than 15 affordable housing units. Eligibility is limited to individuals or landlords with incomes at or below 100 percent of the area median income, and assistance is restricted to homes built between 10 and 40 years ago. The state authority will administer the program, potentially contracting with counties or nonprofit organizations to distribute funds while maintaining oversight through reporting and audit requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a home repair program with appropriations for grants and loans, directly funding public services and housing assistance.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides financial assistance for improving energy efficiency in housing, directly supporting energy conservation and efficiency goals.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes home repair program with grants and loans for affordable housing improvements, directly funding housing assistance and protecting housing quality for low-income residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1134: Relating to: information contained in the Consolidated Court Automation Programs Internet site related to dismissed eviction actions. (FE)

This bill would require the Wisconsin state courts to remove defendants' names from public eviction records when an eviction case is dismissed. It creates a new rule that mandates redaction of names from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Internet site for dismissed eviction actions, while keeping names visible for cases where eviction writs are granted for at least 10 years. The change applies to eviction cases dismissed on or after the bill's effective date. This legislation directly affects tenants involved in dismissed eviction proceedings and modifies how public court records are managed for those specific cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by removing dismissed eviction records from public view, reducing stigma and potential barriers to employment for individuals with dismissed cases.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenant rights by removing names from public eviction records after dismissal, reducing stigma and potential discrimination against tenants.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects individuals' privacy by removing names from public eviction records, enhancing data privacy protections for citizens accessing court information online.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1113: Relating to: modifications to the property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that sell property to low-income persons. (FE)

This bill modifies property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations that sell homes to low-income buyers. It allows nonprofits to qualify for tax breaks only if they either offer zero-interest loans or restrict sales to households earning less than 120 percent of the area median income. The changes apply to property tax assessments starting January 1, 2026, and affect nonprofits that rehabilitate, redevelop, or construct housing for low-income residents. The legislation removes a previous provision that allowed broader exemptions without income restrictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies property tax exemptions to ensure nonprofits serving low-income households qualify for tax breaks only if they meet strict income criteria, promoting fiscal responsibility and targeted tax relief.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens affordable housing by restricting property tax exemptions to nonprofits that offer zero-interest loans or serve low-income households, ensuring continued support for affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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