This bill establishes new funding and administrative provisions for Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program, including grants for community primary care and outreach services. It allocates $41.75 million for 2025-26 and $66.75 million for 2026-27 to support community health centers in hiring health workers, nurses, and social workers to provide care coordination services, particularly for individuals facing barriers like mental illness or homelessness. The legislation also creates a stabilization fund of $20 million for the BadgerCare Direct program, which pays providers directly for services rather than through insurance intermediaries. Additionally, the bill adds requirements for the state to maintain a 24/7 nurse consultation helpline, improve provider recruitment, and explore ways to reduce healthcare costs while ensuring timely access to medically necessary services.
AB 1090 establishes a statewide policy to prevent and end homelessness, requiring specific strategies for older adults. It creates a property tax credit for Wisconsin seniors aged 65 or older who own their primary home, allowing them to claim a credit equal to the increase in their annual property taxes compared to the previous year. The credit is funded through a state appropriation, with eligibility limited to full-time homeowners who file tax claims, excluding part-year residents and nonresidents. The bill also amends statutes to integrate this credit into the state’s tax code under section 71.07(8d).
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.
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.
AB 607 creates new programs and modifies existing ones to address housing, homelessness, and related services in Wisconsin. It establishes a lead service line replacement program for water systems, creates an annual review process for homelessness services, and funds emergency rental assistance for households earning under 80% of county median income. The bill allocates $43 million for indigent civil legal services, $5 million for emergency rental assistance (2026-27), and $2.5 million for housing grants. These provisions directly affect low-income residents, homeless individuals, and service providers by expanding access to housing support, legal aid, and water infrastructure improvements.
SB 621 creates designated "structured camping facilities" on public lands (excluding parks and fairgrounds) for temporary homeless housing, directly affecting homeless individuals and local governments managing public property. It requires state or local approval to designate sites, mandates mental health/substance use evaluations for residency, and establishes waiting lists when facilities are full. Unauthorized camping on public lands not designated as such becomes a Class C misdemeanor (with a warning for first offenses), while those on waiting lists or using approved facilities cannot be penalized. The bill also requires tracking occupancy and service referrals at each facility.
SB 605 restructures funding for multiple social services programs. It creates a new lead service line replacement program for public water systems, establishes an emergency rental assistance program for households earning ≤80% of county median income (with $5 million allocated for 2026-27), and expands indigent civil legal services funding by $43 million annually. The bill also mandates annual reports on improving homeless services access and creates new grants for housing support, workforce development, and internet assistance programs. These changes directly affect low-income residents, homeless individuals, and legal aid clients through specific funding allocations and program requirements.
AB 404 establishes and funds the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program, which provides direct support services to veterans in need. The bill appropriates state funds to cover outreach, counseling, and recovery resources for veterans facing challenges like homelessness, mental health issues, or unemployment. It directly affects veterans seeking these services and the state agencies or community organizations delivering them. The program’s implementation is contingent on the approved budget allocation, with no policy changes beyond the funding mechanism. As a fiscal bill, it focuses on resource allocation rather than new legal requirements.
AB 631 creates "structured camping facilities" on designated public lands (excluding parks and fairgrounds) to provide temporary housing for homeless individuals and families. Local governments or the state department can designate these facilities, requiring residents to complete mental health or substance use evaluations, with a waiting list system when capacity is reached. The bill also establishes penalties for unauthorized camping on public property, classifying second or subsequent violations as Class C misdemeanors. It mandates data collection on facility usage, including occupancy and referrals for services, while ensuring safety and sanitation at all sites.
