Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 247: Relating to: local and private regulation of accessory dwelling units. (FE)

SB 247 standardizes rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on the same lot as a primary residence - across cities, towns, and homeowners' associations in Wisconsin. It requires municipalities to allow at least one ADU per eligible parcel "by right" (without special permits), limits ADU size to 75% of the main home's square footage, and bans extra fees, discriminatory design rules, additional parking requirements, or separate utility connections for ADUs. The bill also voids private deed restrictions or HOA rules that block ADUs and prohibits associations from restricting ADUs except for public health/safety reasons. This directly affects homeowners, local governments, and community associations by removing barriers to building ADUs on single-family lots.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates ADUs by right, removes fees/discrimination, enabling more housing units to boost affordability per bill's standardization of ADU rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 142: Relating to: algorithmic software for residential housing, and providing a penalty.

AB 142 prohibits landlords and software providers from using algorithmic software to set rents or occupancy rates based on private competitor data (like unpublicized rent or occupancy details). It directly affects residential landlords, property management companies, and software vendors selling such tools. The bill bans both selling/licensing the software and using it for rent decisions, with penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per rental unit. Tenants may also sue for damages or injunctive relief, while exemptions cover aggregated rental data publications and affordable housing tools.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithms using competitor data for rent decisions, protecting tenants from potential unfair pricing and discrimination in housing markets.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits algorithmic software use in housing for rent decisions, restricting tech application to protect data privacy and prevent misuse of competitor data.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 202: Relating to: local guaranteed income programs.

SB 202 prohibits cities, towns, and counties (political subdivisions) from using public funds - such as tax revenue, shared state money, or fees - to fund guaranteed income programs. It defines a "guaranteed income program" as one providing regular cash payments to individuals with no work or training requirements. The bill explicitly blocks local governments from spending taxpayer dollars on such programs, including funds from state shared revenue or local taxes. This directly affects all municipalities and counties considering implementing cash payment programs for residents. (SB 202, Section 1, 66.0601(1)(d))

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits using public funds (tax revenue, state shared money) for guaranteed income programs, directly defunding such initiatives under budget/tax policy.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingDefunds guaranteed income programs, a tool for housing affordability, by blocking public funds for cash payments without work requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 60: Relating to: expanding the homestead income tax credit. (FE)

SB 60 expands the homestead income tax credit for homeowners in Wisconsin starting in 2026. It creates new income-based limits: households earning $8,060 or less receive an 80% credit on property taxes for their primary home, while those earning between $8,060 and $35,000 get a reduced credit based on income above the threshold. The bill repeals older provisions that restricted the credit for people without earned income or disabled claimants, and adds automatic annual inflation adjustments to the income thresholds and credit amounts. This directly affects Wisconsin homeowners with household income under $35,000 who claim the homestead tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands homestead tax credit for lower-income homeowners ($8,060 or less), providing direct tax relief and removing prior restrictions, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands homestead tax credit for low-income homeowners, reducing property tax burden and increasing housing affordability for primary residences.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 625: Relating to: pay for performance grant requirements. (FE)

AB 625 requires state agencies to withhold 10-50% of certain homelessness program grants for at least 9 months. Service providers receiving these grants must demonstrate improved outcomes - like increased housing retention, job placement, or reduced homelessness returns - compared to a base year to receive the withheld funds. The bill mandates detailed reporting on program data and client outcomes, including housing stability metrics and demographic information. It directly affects organizations funded through specific homelessness grant programs under state statutes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill ties homelessness grant funding to housing retention outcomes, requiring providers to demonstrate improved housing stability to release withheld funds.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 414: Relating to: immunity from prosecution for certain crimes based on assisting a victim of sexual assault, extending the time limit for prosecution of second-degree sexual assault, and the standard for terminating residential residency when tenant is the victim of sexual assault.

AB 414 helps sexual assault victims by creating legal protection for people who assist them (like friends or advocates) from being prosecuted for minor crimes committed while helping. It also extends the time limit for prosecuting second-degree sexual assault cases, giving victims more time to report crimes. Additionally, the bill changes rules for evictions, making it harder for landlords to remove tenants who are sexual assault victims from rental housing. These changes directly affect sexual assault victims, those who support them, and landlords in residential housing situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim protections in criminal justice by extending prosecution time for sexual assault, granting immunity to helpers, and preventing evictions of victims - aligning with reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prevents evictions of sexual assault victims, strengthening tenant protections under housing policy by making it harder for landlords to remove vulnerable tenants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Renters

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 223: Relating to: discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services.

Senate Bill 223 aims to expand anti-discrimination protections within the state. It proposes to add "gender identity," "gender expression," and "sexual orientation" to the list of characteristics protected by state law. The bill amends numerous statutes to prohibit discrimination based on these categories across various sectors, including employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and insurance coverage. It also extends these protections to areas such as the National Guard, jury duty, and adoption processes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly prohibits discrimination in insurance coverage and mental health services, expanding protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and advancing patient access to healthcare.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands housing anti-discrimination protections by adding gender identity/expression to protected categories, preventing housing discrimination per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds 'gender identity,' 'gender expression,' and 'sexual orientation' to employment discrimination protections, directly strengthening workers' rights in labor/employment sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Employment Discrimination

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 178: Relating to: changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE)

SB 178 relates to changes to the low-income housing tax credit program. The provided amendments clarify the timing and application of the qualified allocation plan, which guides how these credits are allocated by the relevant authority.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies allocation of low-income housing tax credits, directly funding affordable housing development per program purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 614: Relating to: pay for performance grant requirements. (FE)

SB 614 requires state agencies to withhold 10-50% of certain homelessness grant funds for at least 9 months before releasing them. It directly affects organizations receiving grants under statutes related to housing services (e.g., programs for homeless individuals), including shelters and service providers. Funds are only released if grantees meet specific performance goals, such as increasing housing retention, employment, or reducing homelessness recurrence compared to a base year. Grantees must also submit detailed reports including client data, program locations, and outcomes using standardized federal identifiers. The bill aims to tie funding to measurable results in homelessness services while ensuring accountability through mandatory reporting.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill conditions release of homelessness grant funds on meeting housing retention and homelessness reduction goals, directly advancing housing outcomes for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 327: Relating to: emotional support animals in housing; falsely claiming that an animal is a service animal; and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 327 ensures landlords cannot deny housing to tenants with emotional support animals based solely on the animal's presence. It requires tenants to provide a letter or prescription from a healthcare provider to verify their need for the animal. The bill also establishes penalties for individuals who falsely claim their pet is a service animal to gain housing access. This directly affects landlords, tenants, and housing providers across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare provider verification for emotional support animals, enabling housing access tied to mental health needs and protecting tenant rights under healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing discrimination against tenants with emotional support animals by requiring verification and penalizing false claims, strengthening tenant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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