AB256: Bill Text

2. Creates a segregated fund appropriation from the local government aid fund for public utility aid payments to counties and municipalities and repeals the general purpose revenue appropriation existing for those payments. Under current law, counties and municipalities where power production plants, electric substations, and general public utility structures are located receive public utility aid payments based on a statutory formula.

3. Creates a segregated fund appropriation from the local government aid fund for computer aid payments to taxing jurisdictions and repeals the general purpose revenue appropriation existing for those payments. Under current law, computers and certain computer-related equipment are exempt from local personal property taxes, and DOA makes computer aid payments to taxing jurisdictions to compensate them for the corresponding loss of property tax revenue.

4. Creates a segregated fund appropriation from the local government aid fund for exempt personal property aid payments to taxing jurisdictions and repeals the general purpose revenue appropriation existing for those payments. Under current law, machinery, tools, and patterns not used for manufacturing purposes are exempt from local personal property taxes, and DOA makes exempt personal property aid payments to taxing jurisdictions to compensate them for the corresponding loss of property tax revenue. The bill also appropriates funds from the local government aid fund to make aid payments to taxing jurisdictions during the 2024-25 fiscal year if the personal property tax is repealed during the 2023-24 legislative session.

5. Creates a segregated fund appropriation from the local government aid fund for video service provider fee aid payments to municipalities and repeals the general purpose revenue appropriation existing for those payments. Under current law, the state provides an aid payment to municipalities to compensate the municipalities for a state-mandated reduction in the amount of video service provider franchise fees that a municipality may impose and collect.

7. Repeals the appropriation from the police and fire protection fund that provides funds for county and municipal aid payments.

8. Eliminates the general purpose revenue provided to local government units through the Medical Assistance program for providing transportation for medical care.

9. Transfers, beginning in the 2024-25 fiscal year, $8,000,000 from the local government aid fund to the transportation fund in each fiscal year.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AB256,,4 The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB256,1 Section 1. 16.5185 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,6 16.5185 (3) On December 30, 2024, and on each December 30 thereafter, the secretary shall transfer from the local government aid fund to the transportation fund $8,000,000.

AB256,2 Section 2. 16.5186 of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,8 16.5186 Transfers involving the local government aid fund. (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2024-25, on the 2nd Monday in July in each fiscal year, the secretary shall transfer from the general fund to the local government aid fund 15 percent of the amount specified under s. 25.491, and on the 2nd Monday in November in each fiscal year, the secretary shall transfer from the general fund to the local government aid fund 85 percent of the amount specified under s. 25.491.

AB256,,9 (2) On June 30, 2025, and on each June 30 thereafter, the secretary shall transfer the unencumbered balance of the local government aid fund in excess of 0.1 percent of the amounts deposited under s. 25.491 during that fiscal year, from the local government aid fund to the general fund.

AB256,3 Section 3. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated:

AB256,4 Section 4. 20.835 (1) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,5 Section 5. 20.835 (1) (db) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,6 Section 6. 20.835 (1) (dm) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,7 Section 7. 20.835 (1) (e) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,8 Section 8. 20.835 (1) (f) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,9 Section 9. 20.835 (1) (fa) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,10 Section 10. 20.835 (1) (r) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,11 Section 11. 20.835 (1) (s) of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,19 20.835 (1) (s) Expenditure restraint program. From the local government aid fund, a sum sufficient to make the payments under s. 79.05 (3).

AB256,12 Section 12. 20.835 (1) (t) of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,21 20.835 (1) (t) County and municipal aid. From the local government aid fund, a sum sufficient to make the payments under s. 79.035 (9).

AB256,13 Section 13. 20.835 (1) (u) of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,23 20.835 (1) (u) Public utility distribution account. From the local government aid fund, a sum sufficient to make the payments under s. 79.04.

AB256,14 Section 14. 20.835 (1) (v) of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,25 20.835 (1) (v) State aid; computer aid payments. From the local government aid fund, a sum sufficient to make the payments under s. 79.095.

AB256,15 Section 15. 20.835 (1) (w) of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,27 20.835 (1) (w) State aid; personal property tax exemption. From the local government aid fund, a sum sufficient to make the payments under s. 79.096 and 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), section 37 (1).

AB256,16 Section 16. 20.835 (1) (x) of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,29 20.835 (1) (x) State aid; video service provider fee. From the local government aid fund, the amounts in the schedule to make the state aid payments under s. 79.097.

AB256,17 Section 17. 25.17 (1) (jf) of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,31 25.17 (1) (jf) Local government aid fund (s. 25.491);

AB256,18 Section 18. 25.491 of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,33 25.491 Local government aid fund. (1) There is established a separate nonlapsible trust fund designated as the local government aid fund, to consist of the following moneys transferred from the general fund:

AB256,,34 (a) In fiscal year 2024-25, 20 percent of the amount of revenues received from the taxes imposed under ss. 77.52 and 77.53 as specified for that fiscal year under s. 20.005 (1) by the biennial budget act.

AB256,,35 (b) In fiscal year 2025-26, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the sum of the following:

AB256,,36 1. The amount transferred from the general fund in the previous fiscal year.

AB256,,37 2. The percentage change in the amount of revenues received from the taxes imposed under ss. 77.52 and 77.53 for the current fiscal year from the previous fiscal year, as specified for that fiscal year under s. 20.005 (1) by the biennial budget act multiplied by the sum of the amounts credited to the accounts under subs. (2), (3), (4), and (5) in the previous fiscal year.

AB256,,38 (2) (a) There is established in the local government aid fund a separate account that is designated the public utility distribution account. In fiscal year 2024-25, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the sums specified in s. 79.04 shall be credited to this account.

AB256,,39 (b) Each fiscal year, the department of administration shall make payments under this subsection before any other payments under this section. If the amount remaining after making the payments under this subsection is not sufficient to make the full payments under subs. (3), (4), and (5), the department of administration shall make payments in proportion to the amount owed and the total remaining amount available for distribution.

AB256,,40 (3) There is established in the local government aid fund a separate account that is designated the county and municipal base aid account. In fiscal year 2024-25, the total amount of payments made in the previous fiscal year under s. 79.035 shall be credited to this account. In fiscal year 2025-26, and in each fiscal year thereafter, an amount equal to the amount credited to this account in the previous fiscal year, and subject to sub. (2) (b), increased by the percentage change in the amount of revenues received from the taxes imposed under ss. 77.52 and 77.53 from the previous fiscal year to the current fiscal year as determined under sub. (1), shall be credited to this account.

AB256,,41 (4) There is established in the local government aid fund a separate account that is designated the per capita deficiency aid account to make the payments under s. 79.035 (9) (b). The following amounts shall be credited to this account:

AB256,,42 (a) In fiscal year 2024-25, for distribution to towns, $65,000,000. In fiscal year 2025-26, and in each fiscal year thereafter, an amount equal to the amount credited to this account under this paragraph in the previous fiscal year, and subject to sub. (2) (b), increased by the percentage change in the amount of revenues received from the taxes imposed under ss. 77.52 and 77.53 from the previous fiscal year to the current fiscal year as determined under sub. (1), shall be credited to this account.

AB256,,43 (b) In fiscal year 2024-25, for distribution to cities and villages, $75,000,000. In fiscal year 2025-26, and in each fiscal year thereafter, an amount equal to the amount credited to this account under this paragraph in the previous fiscal year, and subject to sub. (2) (b), increased by the percentage change in the amount of revenues received from the taxes imposed under ss. 77.52 and 77.53 from the previous fiscal year to the current fiscal year as determined under sub. (1), shall be credited to this account.

AB256,,44 (c) In fiscal year 2024-25, for distribution to counties, $57,500,000. In fiscal year 2025-26, and in each fiscal year thereafter, an amount equal to the amount credited to this account under this paragraph in the previous fiscal year, and subject to sub. (2) (b), increased by the percentage change in the amount of revenues received from the taxes imposed under ss. 77.52 and 77.53 from the previous fiscal year to the current fiscal year as determined under sub. (1), shall be credited to this account.

AB256,,45 (5) There is established in the local government aid fund a separate account that is designated the additional county and municipal aid account to make the payments under s. 79.035 (9) (c). In fiscal year 2024-25, and in each fiscal year thereafter, an amount equal to 10 percent of the sum of the amounts credited to the accounts under subs. (3) and (4) shall be credited to this account.

AB256,,46 (6) There is established in the local government aid fund a separate account that is designated the expenditure restraint program account to make the payments under s. 79.05.

AB256,,47 (7) There is established in the local government aid fund a separate account that is designated “state aid; computers” to make the payments under s. 79.095.

AB256,,48 (8) There is established in the local government aid fund a separate account that is designated “state aid; personal property” to make the payments under s. 79.096.

AB256,,49 (9) There is established in the local government aid fund a separate account that is designated “state aid; video service provider fee” to make the payments under s. 79.097.

AB256,19 Section 19. 49.45 (51) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,20 Section 20. 79.01 of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,21 Section 21. 79.02 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 79.02 (3).

AB256,22 Section 22. 79.02 (3) (e) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,23 Section 23. 79.035 (1) of the statutes is repealed.

AB256,24 Section 24. 79.035 (4) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB256,,56 79.035 (4) (c) 2. Except as provided under par. (h), the reduction determined under this paragraph may not exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 15 percent of the municipality’s payment under this section in 2011, prior to any reduction under s. 79.02 (3) (e), 2021 stats., or 10 cents for each $1,000 of the municipality’s equalized value, as determined under s. 70.57.

AB256,25 Section 25. 79.035 (4) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB256,,58 79.035 (4) (d) 2. Except as provided in par. (h), the reduction determined under this paragraph may not exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 15 percent of the municipality’s payment under this section in 2011, prior to any reduction under s. 79.02 (3) (e), 2021 stats., or 15 cents for each $1,000 of the municipality’s equalized value, as determined under s. 70.57.

AB256,26 Section 26. 79.035 (4) (e) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB256,,60 79.035 (4) (e) 2. Except as provided in par. (h), the reduction determined under this paragraph may not exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 15 percent of the municipality’s payment under this section in 2011, prior to any reduction under s. 79.02 (3) (e), 2021 stats., or 25 cents for each $1,000 of the municipality’s equalized value, as determined under s. 70.57.

AB256,27 Section 27. 79.035 (4) (f) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB256,,62 79.035 (4) (f) 2. Except as provided in par. (h), the reduction determined under this paragraph may not exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 15 percent of the municipality’s payment under this section in 2011, prior to any reduction under s. 79.02 (3) (e), 2021 stats., or 30 cents for each $1,000 of the municipality’s equalized value, as determined under s. 70.57.

AB256,28 Section 28. 79.035 (4) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB256,,64 79.035 (4) (g) The reduction for a municipality that has a population greater than 110,000 is an amount equal to 30 cents for each $1,000 of the municipality’s equalized value, as determined under s. 70.57, plus an amount equal to the municipality’s population multiplied by the amount determined under par. (b) 1., except that the reduction determined under this paragraph may not exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 25 percent of the municipality’s payment under this section in 2011, prior to any reduction under s. 79.02 (3) (e), 2021 stats., or 35 cents for each $1,000 in equalized value, as determined under s. 70.57.

AB256,29 Section 29. 79.035 (4) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB256,,66 79.035 (4) (h) The reduction determined under par. (c), (d), (e), or (f) for a town or village may not exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 25 percent of the town’s or village’s payment under this section in 2011, prior to any reduction under s. 79.02 (3) (e), 2021 stats., or the amount determined under par. (c) 2., (d) 2., (e) 2., or (f) 2. based on equalized value.

AB256,30 Section 30. 79.035 (4) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB256,,68 79.035 (4) (i) The reduction for a county is the amount determined under par. (b) 2. multiplied by the county’s population, except that the reduction determined under this paragraph may not exceed the lesser of an amount equal to 25 percent of the county’s payment under this section in 2011, prior to any reduction under s. 79.02 (3) (e), 2021 stats., or 15 cents for each $1,000 of the county’s equalized value, as determined under s. 70.57.

AB256,31 Section 31. 79.035 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB256,,70 79.035 (5) Except as provided in subs. (6), (7), and (8), for the distribution in 2013 and in subsequent years ending with 2023, each county and municipality shall receive a payment under this section that is equal to the amount of the payment determined for the county or municipality under this section for 2012.

AB256,32 Section 32. 79.035 (5) of the statutes, as affected by 2019 Wisconsin Act 19 and 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB256,,72 79.035 (5) Except as provided in subs. (7) and (8), for the distribution in 2013 and in subsequent years ending with 2023, each county and municipality shall receive a payment under this section that is equal to the amount of the payment determined for the county or municipality under this section for 2012.

AB256,33 Section 33. 79.035 (9) (intro.) of the statutes, as created by 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB256,,74 79.035 (9) (intro.) Except as provided in subs. (7) and (8), for the distribution in 2024 and subsequent years, each county and municipality shall receive payments under this section as follows:

AB256,34 Section 34. 79.035 (9) of the statutes is created to read:

AB256,,76 79.035 (9) Except as provided in subs. (6), (7), and (8), for the distribution in 2024 and subsequent years, each county and municipality shall receive payments under this section as follows:

AB256,,77 (a) 1. For the distribution in 2024, each county and municipality shall receive a payment equal to the amount it received under this section in 2023.

AB256,,78 2. For the distribution in 2025 and subsequent years, each county and municipality shall receive a payment equal to the proportion of the total payments from the county and municipal base aid account under s. 25.491 (3) that the county or municipality received in 2024 multiplied by the amount for the year in the county and municipal base aid account under s. 25.491 (3).

AB256,,79 (b) 1. The department of revenue shall distribute the amount determined under s. 25.491 (4) (a) to towns to maximize across all towns the minimum per capita amount of total payments received under this subdivision and par. (a) by any town.

AB256,,80 2. The department of revenue shall distribute the amount determined under s. 25.491 (4) (b) to cities and villages to maximize across all cities and villages the minimum per capita amount of total payments received under this subdivision and par. (a) by any city or village.

AB256,,81 3. The department of revenue shall distribute the amount determined under s. 25.491 (4) (c) to counties to maximize across all counties the minimum per capita amount of total payments received under this subdivision and par. (a) by any county.

AB256,,82 (c) 1. From the appropriation account under s. 20.835 (1) (t), each county and municipality shall receive a payment that equals 10 percent of the total amount received by the municipality or county under pars. (a) and (b) to be used for hiring, training, and retaining law enforcement officers, as defined in s. 165.85 (2) (c), members of the paid fire department, as defined in s. 213.10 (1g), and emergency medical responders, as defined in s. 256.01 (4p), and for local highways.