AB50: Bill Text

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.

AB50,620,4 (o) Incur debts, liabilities, or obligations including the borrowing of money and the issuance of bonds under subs. (7) and (10).

AB50,620,8 (p) Invest any funds held in reserve or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, including the proceeds from the sale of any bonds, in such obligations, securities, and other investments as the authority deems proper in accordance with s. 66.0603 (1m).

AB50,620,10 (q) Do and perform any acts and things authorized by this section under, through, or by means of an agent or by contracts with any person.

AB50,620,13 (r) Exercise any other powers that the board of directors considers necessary and convenient to effectuate the purposes of the authority, including providing for passenger safety.

AB50,620,21 (s) Impose, by the adoption of a resolution by the board of directors, the taxes under subch. V of ch. 77 in the authority’s jurisdictional area. If an authority adopts a resolution to impose the taxes, it shall deliver a certified copy of the resolution to the department of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date. The authority may, by adoption of a resolution by the board of directors, repeal the imposition of taxes under subch. V of ch. 77 and shall deliver a certified copy of the repeal resolution to the department of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date.

AB50,621,5 (5) Limitations on authority powers. (a) Notwithstanding sub. (4) (a), (b), (c), (d), (q), and (r), no authority, and no public or private organization with which an authority has contracted for service, may provide service outside the jurisdictional area of the authority unless the authority receives financial support for the service under a contract with a public or other private organization for the service or unless it is necessary in order to provide service to connect residents within the authority’s jurisdictional area to transit systems in adjacent counties.

AB50,621,14 (b) Whenever the proposed operations of an authority would be competitive with the operations of a common carrier in existence prior to the time the authority commences operations, the authority shall coordinate proposed operations with the common carrier to eliminate adverse financial impact for the carrier. This coordination may include route overlapping, transfers, transfer points, schedule coordination, joint use of facilities, lease of route service, and acquisition of route and corollary equipment. If this coordination does not result in mutual agreement, the proposals of the authority and the common carrier shall be submitted to the department of transportation for arbitration.

AB50,621,17 (c) In exercising its powers under sub. (4), an authority shall consider any plan of a metropolitan planning organization under 23 USC 134 that covers any portion of the authority’s jurisdictional area.

AB50,621,22 (6) Authority obligations to employees of mass transportation systems. (a) An authority acquiring a comprehensive unified local transportation system for the purpose of the authority’s operation of the system shall assume all of the employer’s obligations under any contract between the employees and management of the system to the extent allowed by law.

AB50,622,10 (b) An authority acquiring, constructing, controlling, or operating a comprehensive unified local transportation system shall negotiate an agreement with the representative of the labor organization that covers the employees affected by the acquisition, construction, control, or operation to protect the interests of employees affected. This agreement shall include all of the provisions identified in s. 59.58 (4) (b) 1. to 8. and may include provisions identified in s. 59.58 (4) (c). An affected employee has all the rights and the same status under subch. IV of ch. 111 that he or she enjoyed immediately before the acquisition, construction, control, or operation and may not be required to serve a probationary period if he or she attained permanent status before the acquisition, construction, control, or operation.

AB50,622,12 (c) In all negotiations under this subsection, a senior executive officer of the authority shall be a member of the authority’s negotiating body.

AB50,622,17 (7) Bonds; generally. (a) An authority may issue bonds, the principal and interest on which are payable exclusively from all or a portion of any revenues received by the authority. The authority may secure its bonds by a pledge of any income or revenues from any operations, rent, aids, grants, subsidies, contributions, or other source of moneys whatsoever.

AB50,622,19 (b) An authority may issue bonds in such principal amounts as the authority deems necessary.

AB50,622,22 (c) 1. Neither the members of the board of directors of an authority nor any person executing the bonds is personally liable on the bonds by reason of the issuance of the bonds.

AB50,623,4 2. The bonds of an authority are not a debt of the participating political subdivisions. Neither the participating political subdivisions nor the state are liable for the payment of the bonds. The bonds of any authority shall be payable only out of funds or properties of the authority. The bonds of the authority shall state the restrictions contained in this paragraph on the face of the bonds.

AB50,623,15 (8) Issuance of bonds. (a) Bonds of an authority shall be authorized by resolution of the board of directors. The bonds may be issued under such a resolution or under a trust indenture or other security instrument. The bonds may be issued in one or more series and may be in the form of coupon bonds or registered bonds under s. 67.09. The bonds shall bear the dates, mature at the times, bear interest at the rates, be in the denominations, have the rank or priority, be executed in the manner, be payable in the medium of payment and at the places, and be subject to the terms of redemption, with or without premium, as the resolution, trust indenture, or other security instrument provides. Bonds of an authority are issued for an essential public and governmental purpose and are public instrumentalities and, together with interest and income, are exempt from taxes.