AB738: Bill Text

AB738,4 Section 4. 704.17 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB738,4,12 704.17 (3) (a) If Except as provided under sub. (3d), if a tenant under a lease for more than one year fails to pay rent when due, or commits waste, or breaches any other covenant or condition of the tenant's lease, the tenancy is terminated if the landlord gives the tenant notice requiring the tenant to pay the rent, repair the waste, or otherwise comply with the lease on or before a date at least 30 days after the giving of the notice, and if the tenant fails to comply with the notice. A tenant is deemed to be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of the notice the tenant takes reasonable steps to remedy the default and proceeds with reasonable diligence, or if damages are adequate protection for the landlord and the tenant makes a bona fide and reasonable offer to pay the landlord all damages for the tenant's breach; but in case of failure to pay rent, all rent due must be paid on or before the date specified in the notice.

AB738,5 Section 5. 704.17 (3d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB738,4,17 704.17 (3d) Notices during a public health emergency for failure to pay rent. (a) During a public health emergency, as defined in s. 799.40 (5) (a), if a residential tenant fails to pay rent when due, the tenant's tenancy is terminated if all of the following occur:

AB738,4,19 1. The landlord gives the tenant notice requiring the tenant to pay rent or vacate on or before a date at least 30 days after the giving of the notice.

AB738,4,20 2. The tenant fails to pay the rent.

AB738,4,23 3. The landlord applies for and is denied emergency rental assistance under a federal assistance program, if such a program exists, or is ineligible for such emergency rental assistance.

AB738,4,24 (b) A notice under par. (a) is valid only if it includes all of the following:

AB738,5,3 1. The name and contact information, including phone number, address, and website, of the emergency rental assistance provider serving the county where the tenant resides, if applicable.

AB738,5,5 2. The name and contact information, including phone number, address, and e-mail address, of the landlord.

AB738,5,8 3. A statement that, if the landlord is qualified to seek emergency rental assistance under a federal assistance program, the landlord is required to apply for such funds.

AB738,5,10 4. A statement as to whether the landlord is qualified to receive emergency rental assistance under a federal assistance program.

AB738,5,13 5. If the landlord is not qualified to receive emergency rental assistance under a federal assistance program, a statement that the tenant may be able to apply for emergency rental assistance.

AB738,5,16 6. A statement that the landlord may not pursue an action for eviction against the tenant based on the notice provided under par. (a) if the tenant or the landlord applies for and is approved to receive emergency rental assistance.

AB738,5,20 7. A statement that the landlord may not pursue an action for eviction against the tenant based on the notice provided under par. (a) unless the parties participate in mediation and are unable to reach a settlement or unless the tenant refuses to participate in mediation.

AB738,6 Section 6. 710.15 (5r) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB738,5,25 710.15 (5r) Notice requirements apply. The notice requirements of s. 704.17 (1p) (a), (2) (a) and, (3), and (3d) apply to a termination of tenancy under sub. (5m) (a) and the notice requirements of s. 704.17 (1p) (b), (2) (b) and, (3), and (3d) apply to a termination of tenancy under sub. (5m) (b) to (k).

AB738,7 Section 7. 799.40 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB738,6,7 799.40 (1m) Acceptance of rent or other payment. If Except as provided under sub. (5), if a landlord commences an action under this section against a tenant whose tenancy has been terminated for failure to pay rent or for any other reason, the action under this section may not be dismissed because the landlord accepts past due rent or any other payment from the tenant after serving notice of default or after commencing the action.

AB738,8 Section 8. 799.40 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

AB738,6,10 799.40 (5) Requirements during a public health emergency. (a) In this subsection:

AB738,6,11 1. “Mediation” has the meaning given in s. 802.12 (1) (e).

AB738,6,16 2. “Public health emergency” means a state of emergency related to public health declared under s. 323.10 in response to an infectious disease outbreak or a public health emergency declared under 42 USC 247d by the secretary of the federal department of health and human services in response to an infectious disease outbreak.

AB738,6,18 (b) During a public health emergency, the court shall stay the proceedings in a residential eviction action until all of the following occur:

AB738,6,24 1. The landlord files proof with the court that he or she has applied for and been denied emergency rental assistance under a federal assistance program, if such a program exists, or, if the landlord files proof with the court that he or she is ineligible for such emergency rental assistance, until the landlord or tenant files proof that the tenant has failed to apply for or has applied for and been denied such emergency rental assistance, if such a program exists.

AB738,7,3 2. The landlord and tenant notify the court that they have participated in the mediation process and are unable to reach a settlement or the landlord notifies the court that the tenant has refused to participate in mediation.

AB738,7,8 (c) During a public health emergency, the court shall stay the proceedings in a residential eviction action if the tenant or landlord files proof with the court that the tenant or landlord has been approved to receive emergency rental assistance under a federal assistance program. The stay shall remain in effect until the expiration of the public health emergency.

AB738,9 Section 9. Initial applicability.

AB738,7,11 (1) The treatment of s. 704.17 (3d) first applies to notices issued on the effective date of this subsection.

AB738,7,12 (End)