AB50: Bill Text

AB50,605,17 (11) Liability and penalties. (a) 1. A contractor, subcontractor, or contractor’s or subcontractor’s agent who fails to pay the prevailing wage rate determined by the department under sub. (3) or who pays less than 1.5 times the hourly basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor is liable to any affected employee in the amount of his or her unpaid wages or his or her unpaid overtime compensation and in an additional amount as liquidated damages as provided under subd. 2. or 3., whichever is applicable.

AB50,606,3 2. If the department determines upon inspection under sub. (10) (b) or (c) that a contractor, subcontractor, or contractor’s or subcontractor’s agent has failed to pay the prevailing wage rate determined by the department under sub. (3) or has paid less than 1.5 times the hourly basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor, the department shall order the contractor to pay to any affected employee the amount of his or her unpaid wages or his or her unpaid overtime compensation and an additional amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of those unpaid wages or that unpaid overtime compensation as liquidated damages within a period specified by the department in the order.

AB50,606,15 3. In addition to or in lieu of recovering the liability specified in subd. 1. as provided in subd. 2., any employee for and on behalf of that employee and other employees similarly situated may commence an action to recover that liability in any court of competent jurisdiction. If the court finds that a contractor, subcontractor, or contractor’s or subcontractor’s agent has failed to pay the prevailing wage rate determined by the department under sub. (3) or has paid less than 1.5 times the hourly basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor, the court shall order the contractor, subcontractor, or agent to pay to any affected employee the amount of his or her unpaid wages or his or her unpaid overtime compensation and an additional amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of those unpaid wages or that unpaid overtime compensation as liquidated damages.

AB50,606,20 5. No employee may be a party plaintiff to an action under subd. 3. unless the employee consents in writing to become a party and the consent is filed in the court in which the action is brought. Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), the court shall, in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff, allow reasonable attorney fees and costs to be paid by the defendant.

AB50,607,2 (b) 1. Except as provided in subds. 2., 4., and 6., any contractor, subcontractor, or contractor’s or subcontractor’s agent who violates this section may be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both. Each day that any violation continues is a separate offense.

AB50,607,11 2. Whoever induces any individual who seeks to be or is employed on any project of public works that is subject to this section to give up, waive, or return any part of the wages to which the individual is entitled under the contract governing the project, or who reduces the hourly basic rate of pay normally paid to an individual for work on a project that is not subject to this section during a week in which the individual works both on a project of public works that is subject to this section and on a project that is not subject to this section, by threat not to employ, by threat of dismissal from employment, or by any other means is guilty of an offense under s. 946.15 (1).

AB50,607,21 3. Any individual employed on a project of public works that is subject to this section who knowingly allows a contractor, subcontractor, or contractor’s or subcontractor’s agent to pay him or her less than the prevailing wage rate set forth in the contract governing the project, who gives up, waives, or returns any part of the compensation to which he or she is entitled under the contract, or who gives up, waives, or returns any part of the compensation to which he or she is normally entitled for work on a project that is not subject to this section during a week in which the individual works both on a project of public works that is subject to this section and on a project that is not subject to this section, is guilty of an offense under s. 946.15 (2).

AB50,608,4 4. Whoever induces any individual who seeks to be or is employed on any project of public works that is subject to this section to allow any part of the wages to which the individual is entitled under the contract governing the project to be deducted from the individual’s pay is guilty of an offense under s. 946.15 (3), unless the deduction would be allowed under 29 CFR 3.5 or 3.6 from an individual who is working on a project that is subject to 40 USC 3142.

AB50,608,10 5. Any individual who is employed on a project of public works that is subject to this section who knowingly allows any part of the wages to which he or she is entitled under the contract governing the project to be deducted from his or her pay is guilty of an offense under s. 946.15 (4), unless the deduction would be allowed under 29 CFR 3.5 or 3.6 from an individual who is working on a project that is subject to 40 USC 3142.

AB50,608,13 6. Subdivision 1. does not apply to any person who fails to provide any information to the department to assist the department in determining prevailing wage rates under sub. (3) (am) or (ar).

AB50,609,3 (12) Debarment. (a) Except as provided under pars. (b) and (c), the department shall notify any local governmental unit applying for a determination under sub. (3) of the names of all persons that the department has found to have failed to pay the prevailing wage rate determined under sub. (3) or has found to have paid less than 1.5 times the hourly basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor at any time in the preceding 3 years. The department shall include with each name the address of the person and shall specify when the person failed to pay the prevailing wage rate and when the person paid less than 1.5 times the hourly basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor. A local governmental unit may not award any contract to the person unless otherwise recommended by the department or unless 3 years have elapsed from the date the department issued its findings or the date of final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction, whichever is later.

AB50,609,9 (b) The department may not include in a notification under par. (a) the name of any person on the basis of having subcontracted a contract for a project of public works to a person that the department has found to have failed to pay the prevailing wage rate determined under sub. (3) or has found to have paid less than 1.5 times the hourly basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor.

AB50,609,13 (c) This subsection does not apply to any contractor, subcontractor, or agent who in good faith commits a minor violation of this section, as determined on a case- by-case basis through administrative hearings with all rights to due process afforded to all parties or who has not exhausted or waived all appeals.

AB50,609,23 (d) Any person submitting a bid or negotiating a contract on a project of public works that is subject to this section shall, on the date the person submits the bid or negotiates the contract, identify any construction business in which the person, or a shareholder, officer, or partner of the person, if the person is a business, owns, or has owned at least a 25 percent interest on the date the person submits the bid or negotiates the contract or at any other time within 3 years preceding the date the person submits the bid or negotiates the contract, if the business has been found to have failed to pay the prevailing wage rate determined under sub. (3) or to have paid less than 1.5 times the hourly basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of the prevailing hours of labor.

AB50,610,1 (e) The department shall promulgate rules to administer this subsection.

AB50,1164 Section 1164. 66.10012 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,610,3 66.10012 Workforce housing. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB50,610,4 (a) “Housing agency” means the department of administration.

AB50,610,6 (b) “Housing grant” means any grant administered by the department of administration under s. 16.303 or 16.309.

AB50,610,7 (c) “Political subdivision” means any city, village, town, or county.

AB50,610,11 (d) “Workforce housing” means housing to which all of the following apply, as adjusted for family size and the county in which the household is located, based on the county’s 5-year average median income and housing costs as calculated by the U.S. bureau of the census in its American community survey:

AB50,610,13 1. The housing costs a household no more than 30 percent of the household’s gross median income.

AB50,610,16 2. The residential units of the housing are for initial occupancy by individuals whose household median income is no more than 120 percent of the county’s gross median income.

AB50,610,19 (2) Housing initiatives. (a) Subject to par. (b), to implement a workforce housing initiative, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance, adopt a resolution, or put into effect a policy to accomplish any of the following:

AB50,610,21 1. Reduce by at least 10 percent the processing time for all permits related to workforce housing.

AB50,610,23 2. Reduce by at least 10 percent the cost of impact fees that a political subdivision may impose on developments that include workforce housing units.

AB50,611,2 3. Reduce by at least 10 percent the parking requirements for developments that include workforce housing units.

AB50,611,4 4. Increase by at least 10 percent the allowable zoning density for developments that include workforce housing units.

AB50,611,6 5. Establish a mixed-use tax incremental district with at least 20 percent of the housing units to be used for workforce housing.

AB50,611,8 6. Demonstrate compliance with a housing affordability report under s. 66.10013.

AB50,611,10 7. Rehabilitate at least 5 dwelling units of existing, uninhabitable housing stock into habitable workforce housing.

AB50,611,13 8. Modify existing zoning ordinances to allow for the development of workforce housing in areas zoned for commercial or mixed-use development or in areas near employment centers or major transit corridors.

AB50,611,14 9. Extend the life of a tax incremental district under s. 66.1105 (6) (g) 1.

AB50,611,16 10. Reduce by at least 10 percent the cost of roads for developments that include workforce housing units.

AB50,611,18 11. Implement any other initiative to address the workforce housing needs of the political subdivision.

AB50,611,23 (b) After a political subdivision completes one of the actions specified in par. (a), the workforce housing initiative shall be considered in effect once the political subdivision submits to the department of administration a written explanation of how the action complies with the workforce housing initiative and posts the explanation on the political subdivision’s website.

AB50,612,10 (c) Once a political subdivision’s action takes effect under par. (b), its workforce housing initiative remains in effect for 5 years. A political subdivision may put into effect more than one of the workforce housing initiatives under par. (a). After June 30, 2026, if a political subdivision has in effect at the same time at least 3 of the workforce housing initiatives under par. (a), the housing agency shall give priority to housing grant applications from, or that relate to a project in, the political subdivision. The department of administration shall promulgate rules establishing how and based on what information the department will give priority to housing grant applications under this paragraph and prescribing the form of application for receiving priority.

AB50,1165 Section 1165. 66.1010 of the statutes is repealed.

AB50,1166 Section 1166. 66.1011 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,613,3 66.1011 (1) Declaration of policy. The right of all persons to have equal opportunities for housing regardless of their sex, race, color, disability, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (g), sexual orientation, as defined in s. 111.32 (13m), religion, national origin, marital status, family status, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (k), status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (u), lawful source of income, receipt of rental or housing assistance, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (rm), age, or ancestry is a matter both of statewide concern under ss. 101.132 and 106.50 and also of local interest under this section and s. 66.0125. The enactment of ss. 101.132 and 106.50 by the legislature does not preempt the subject matter of equal opportunities in housing from consideration by political subdivisions, and does not exempt political subdivisions from their duty, nor deprive them of their right, to enact ordinances that prohibit discrimination in any type of housing solely on the basis of an individual being a member of a protected class.

AB50,1167 Section 1167. 66.1011 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

AB50,613,20 66.1011 (1) Declaration of policy. The right of all persons to have equal opportunities for housing regardless of their sex, race, color, disability, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (g), sexual orientation, as defined in s. 111.32 (13m), religion, national origin, marital status, family status, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (k), status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (u), status as a holder or nonholder of a license under s. 343.03 (3r), lawful source of income, receipt of rental or housing assistance, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (rm), age, or ancestry is a matter both of statewide concern under ss. 101.132 and 106.50 and also of local interest under this section and s. 66.0125. The enactment of ss. 101.132 and 106.50 by the legislature does not preempt the subject matter of equal opportunities in housing from consideration by political subdivisions, and does not exempt political subdivisions from their duty, nor deprive them of their right, to enact ordinances that prohibit discrimination in any type of housing solely on the basis of an individual being a member of a protected class.

AB50,1168 Section 1168. 66.1039 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,613,22 66.1039 Transit authorities. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB50,613,23 (a) “Authority” means a transit authority created under this section.

AB50,614,2 (b) “Bonds” means any bonds, interim certificates, notes, debentures, or other obligations of an authority issued under this section.

AB50,614,3 (c) “Common carrier” means any of the following:

AB50,614,4 1. A common motor carrier, as defined in s. 194.01 (1).

AB50,614,5 2. A contract motor carrier, as defined in s. 194.01 (2).

AB50,614,6 3. A railroad subject to ch. 195, as described in s. 195.02 (1) and (3).

AB50,614,7 4. A water carrier, as defined in s. 195.02 (5).

AB50,614,12 (d) “Comprehensive unified local transportation system” means a transportation system that is comprised of motor bus lines and any other local public transportation facilities, the major portion of which is located within, or the major portion of the service of which is supplied to the inhabitants of, the jurisdictional area of the authority.

AB50,614,14 (em) “Metropolitan area” means a metropolitan statistical area as designated by the U.S. office of management and budget.

AB50,614,15 (f) “Municipality” means any city, village, or town.

AB50,614,18 (g) “Participating political subdivision” means a political subdivision that is a member of an authority, either from the time of creation of the authority or by later joining the authority.

AB50,614,19 (h) “Political subdivision” means a municipality or county.

AB50,615,6 (i) “Transportation system” means all land, shops, structures, equipment, property, franchises, and rights of whatever nature required for transportation of passengers within the jurisdictional area of the authority and, only to the extent specifically authorized under this section, outside the jurisdictional area of the authority. “Transportation system” includes elevated railroads, subways, underground railroads, motor vehicles, motor buses, and any combination thereof, and any other form of mass transportation, but does not include transportation excluded from the definition of “common motor carrier” under s. 194.01 (1) or charter or contract operations to, from, or between points that are outside the jurisdictional area of the authority.

AB50,615,17 (2) Creation of transit authorities. (f) Statewide regional transit authorities. 1. Any 2 or more political subdivisions located within the same metropolitan area may jointly create a transit authority that is a public body corporate and politic and a separate governmental entity and that is known by a name that includes the words “regional transit authority,” if the governing body of each political subdivision adopts a resolution authorizing the political subdivision to become a member of the authority and all the resolutions are identical to each other. Except as provided in subd. 2. and sub. (13), once created, the members of the authority shall consist of all political subdivisions that adopt resolutions, as provided in this subdivision. Once created, the authority may transact business and exercise any powers granted to it under this section.

AB50,615,23 2. After an authority is created under subd. 1., any political subdivision located in whole or in part within a metropolitan area located in whole or in part within an authority’s jurisdiction may join the authority if the governing body of the political subdivision adopts a resolution identical to the existing resolutions of the authority’s participating political subdivisions and the authority’s board of directors approves the political subdivision’s joinder.

AB50,616,3 3. The jurisdictional area of an authority created under this paragraph is the geographic area formed by the combined territorial boundaries of all participating political subdivisions of the authority.

AB50,616,10 (3) Transit authority governance. (a) The powers of an authority shall be vested in its board of directors. Directors shall be appointed for 4-year terms. A majority of the board of directors’ full authorized membership constitutes a quorum for the purpose of conducting the authority’s business and exercising its powers. Action may be taken by the board of directors upon a vote of a majority of the directors present and voting, unless the bylaws of the authority require a larger number.

AB50,616,12 (fm) The board of directors of an authority created under sub. (2) (f) consists of the following members:

AB50,616,17 1. One member from each participating political subdivision that is a county, appointed by the county executive of each county and approved by the county board except that, if the county does not have an elected county executive, the member shall be appointed by the county board chairperson and approved by the county board.

AB50,616,22 2. One member from each of the two participating political subdivisions that are municipalities, if any, having the highest population, appointed by the mayor and approved by the common council or appointed by the village president and approved by the village board or appointed by the town board chairperson and approved by the town board, as applicable.

AB50,616,23 3. One member appointed by the governor.

AB50,617,9 4. Not more than 2 members from participating political subdivisions that are municipalities other than those identified under subd. 2., appointed by the mayor and approved by the common council or appointed by the village president and approved by the village board or appointed by the town board chairperson and approved by the town board, as applicable. If the authority opts to include members under this subdivision on the board of directors, the bylaws of the authority shall include a provision specifying a method by which the members appointed under this subdivision shall rotate among the participating political subdivisions not entitled to make an appointment under subd. 2.

AB50,617,12 (g) The bylaws of an authority shall govern its management, operations, and administration, consistent with the provisions of this section, and shall include provisions specifying all of the following:

AB50,617,13 1. The functions or services to be provided by the authority.

AB50,617,14 2. The powers, duties, and limitations of the authority.

AB50,617,16 3. The maximum rate of the taxes that may be imposed by the authority under sub. (4) (s), not to exceed the maximum rate specified in s. 77.708 (1).

AB50,617,19 (4) Powers. Notwithstanding s. 59.84 (2) and any other provision of this chapter or ch. 59 or 85, an authority may do all of the following, to the extent authorized in the authority’s bylaws:

AB50,617,21 (a) Establish, maintain, and operate a comprehensive unified local transportation system primarily for the transportation of persons.

AB50,618,2 (b) Acquire a comprehensive unified local transportation system and provide funds for the operation and maintenance of the system. Upon the acquisition of a comprehensive unified local transportation system, the authority may:

AB50,618,4 1. Operate and maintain it or lease it to an operator or contract for its use by an operator.

AB50,618,6 2. Contract for superintendence of the system with an organization that has personnel with the requisite experience and skill.

AB50,618,9 3. Delegate responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the system to an appropriate administrative officer, board, or commission of a participating political subdivision.

AB50,618,11 4. Maintain and improve railroad rights-of-way and improvements on these rights-of-way for future use.

AB50,618,13 (c) Contract with a public or private organization to provide transportation services in lieu of directly providing these services.

AB50,618,15 (d) Purchase and lease transportation facilities to public or private transit companies that operate within and outside the jurisdictional area.

AB50,618,17 (e) Apply for federal aids to purchase transportation facilities considered essential for the authority’s operation.

AB50,619,3 (f) Coordinate specialized transportation services, as defined in s. 85.21 (2) (g), for residents who reside within the jurisdictional area and who are disabled or aged 60 or older, including services funded under 42 USC 3001 to 3057o, 42 USC 5001, and 42 USC 5011 (b), under ss. 49.43 to 49.499 and 85.21, and under other public funds administered by the county. An authority may contract with a county that is a participating political subdivision for the authority to provide specialized transportation services, but an authority is not an eligible applicant under s. 85.21 (2) (e) and may not receive payments directly from the department of transportation under s. 85.21.

AB50,619,6 (g) Acquire, own, hold, use, lease as lessor or lessee, sell or otherwise dispose of, mortgage, pledge, or grant a security interest in any real or personal property or service.

AB50,619,8 (h) Acquire property by condemnation using the procedure under s. 32.05 for the purposes set forth in this section.

AB50,619,15 (i) Enter upon any state, county, or municipal street, road, or alley, or any public highway for the purpose of installing, maintaining, and operating the authority’s facilities. Whenever the work is to be done in a state, county, or municipal highway, street, road, or alley, the public authority having control thereof shall be duly notified, and the highway, street, road, or alley shall be restored to as good a condition as existed before the commencement of the work with all costs incident to the work to be borne by the authority.

AB50,619,17 (j) Fix, maintain, and revise fees, rates, rents, and charges for functions, facilities, and services provided by the authority.

AB50,619,19 (k) Make, and from time to time amend and repeal, bylaws, rules, and regulations to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the authority.

AB50,619,20 (L) Sue and be sued in its own name.

AB50,619,21 (m) Have and use a corporate seal.

AB50,620,2 (n) Employ agents, consultants, and employees, engage professional services, and purchase such furniture, stationery, and other supplies and materials as are reasonably necessary to perform its duties and exercise its powers.