Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive Bipartisan · 18 R · 12 D cosponsors

AB 194 — Relating to: modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE)

Last action — Published 4-9-2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced April 15, 2025. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 90% · high confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 43 sponsors

    1 primary, 42 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (18 R · 12 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

An Act to repeal 234.66 (1) (g) 2., 234.66 (1) (g) 3., 234.661 (1) (c) 5., 234.661 (1) (c) 6., 234.662 (1) (e) 3. and 234.662 (1) (e) 4.; to renumber and amend 234.66 (1) (b), 234.66 (4) (a) 5., 234.661 (1) (e), 234.661 (3) (b) 3., 234.662 (1) (c), 234.662 (1) (f) and 234.662 (3) (b) 3.; to consolidate, renumber and amend 234.66 (1) (g) (intro.) and 1.; to amend 234.66 (4) (a) 7., 234.66 (4) (c) 2., 234.66 (5) (c), 234.66 (5m) (b), 234.661 (1) (b), 234.661 (3) (b) (intro.), 234.661 (3) (b) 4., 234.661 (3) (b) 5., 234.661 (3) (c), 234.661 (3) (d), 234.661 (3m) (b), 234.661 (5) (b) 4., 234.662 (1) (d), 234.662 (1) (e) (intro.), 234.662 (1) (g), 234.662 (3) (b) (intro.), 234.662 (3) (b) 4., 234.662 (3) (b) 5., 234.662 (3) (c), 234.662 (3) (d) 2., 234.662 (3m) (b) and 234.662 (5) (b) 4.; to create 234.66 (1) (b) 1., 234.66 (1) (b) 2., 234.66 (4) (a) 5. b., 234.661 (1) (cm), 234.661 (1) (e) 2., 234.661 (3) (b) 3. b., 234.661 (3) (em), 234.662 (1) (c) 2., 234.662 (1) (em), 234.662 (1) (f) 2., 234.662 (3) (b) 3. b. and 234.662 (3) (fm) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

479 added · 137 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Assembly Bill 194 removed specific sections that previously outlined certain requirements or provisions. Notably, it deleted phrases and clauses that may have added complexity to the legislation. These changes simplify the bill, making it easier to understand and potentially facilitating a smoother legislative process. By streamlining these sections, lawmakers aim to create clearer guidelines and enhance the effectiveness of the law.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBa0181/1 MDE:cdc ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 194 May 12, 2025 - Offered by RepresentatRMSTRONG .
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 April 15, 2025 - Introduced by RepresentativRMSTRONG , ROOKS , NDERSON , B ROWN , E SMIDT, DONOVAN , OYLE, EMERSON , RANKLIN , OODWIN , GREEN , H YSELL, B.
At the locations indicated, amend the bill as follows:
ACOBSON, JOERS, ITCHENS , REIBICH, KRUG, MELOTIK, MURPHY , M URSAU , NEUBAUER, NOVAK , O'ONNOR , RTIZ-VELEZ, ALMERI , ENTERMAN , P IWOWARCZYK , ROE, SPIROS, UDELL and G OEBEN, cosponsored by Senators Q UINN, FEYEN, JAGLER, DASSLER-ALFHEIM, HABUSH SINYKIN, AMES , FAFF , R ATCLIFF, PREITZER, WALL , WIRCH and SMITH .
Referred to Committee on Housing and Real Estate.
A N A CT to repeal 234.66 (1) (g) 2., 234.66 (1) (g) 3., 234.661 (1) (c) 5., 234.661 (1) (c) 6., 234.662 (1) (e) 3.
and 234.662 (1) (e) 4.;
to renumber and amend 234.66 (1) (b), 234.66 (4) (a) 5., 234.661 (1) (e), 234.661 (3) (b) 3., 234.662 (1) (c), 234.662 (1) (f) and 234.662 (3) (b) 3.;
to consolidate, renumber and amend 234.66 (1) (g) (intro.) and 1.;
to amend 234.66 (4) (a) 7., 234.66 (4) (c) 2., 234.66 (5) (c), 234.66 (5m) (b), 234.661 (1) (b), 234.661 (3) (b) (intro.), 234.661 (3) (b) 4., 234.661 (3) (b) 5., 234.661 (3) (c), 234.661 (3) (d), 234.661 (3m) (b), 234.661 (5) (b) 4., 234.662 (1) (d), 234.662 (1) (e) (intro.), 234.662 (1) (g), 234.662 (3) (b) (intro.), 234.662 (3) (b) 4., 234.662 (3) (b) 5., 234.662 (3) (c), 234.662 (3) (d) 2., 234.662 (3m) (b) and 234.662 (5) (b) 4.;
to create 234.66 (1) (b) 1., 234.66 (1) (b) 2., 234.66 (4) (a) 5.
b., 234.661 (1) (cm), 234.661 (1) (e) 2., 234.661 (3) (b) 3.
b., 234.661 (3) (em), 234.662 (1) (c) 2., 234.662 (1) (em), 234.662 (1) (f) 2., 234.662 (3) (b) 3.
b.
and 234.662 (3) (fm) of the statutes;
relating to:
modifications to - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill makes modifications to three housing programs administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority:
the residential housing infrastructure revolving loan program, also known as the Infrastructure Access Program;
the main street housing rehabilitation revolving loan program, also known as the Restore Main Street Program;
and the commercial-to-housing conversion revolving loan program, also known as the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program.
For the Infrastructure Access Program, the bill does all of the following:
Page 2, line 2:
Allows a loan to a developer to provide up to 33 percent of total project costs and a loan to a governmental unit to provide up to 25 percent of total project costs.
after XAuthorityY insert Xand disclosure of restrictive covenants and deed restrictionsY.
Under current law, a loan to a developer may provide up to 20 percent of total project costs and a loan to a governmental unit may provide up to 10 percent of total project costs.
Page 5, line 12:
Allows tribal housing authorities or business entities created by a tribal council to receive loans as developers of eligible projects.
delete X2023Y and substitute X2023 2020Y.
For the Restore Main Street Program, the bill does all of the following:
1.
Allows a loan to provide up to $50,000 per dwelling unit or 33 percent of total project costs, whichever is less.
Under current law, a loan may provide up to $20,000 per dwelling unit or 25 percent of total project costs, whichever is less.
2.
Requires WHEDA to divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction of each regional planning commission constituted under current law, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission constituting collectively one region.
Under the bill, of the moneys appropriated to the program’s revolving loan fund in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, WHEDA must expend any remaining unencumbered moneys in such a way that no region receives in loans more than 12.5 percent of the total amount of the moneys appropriated in the 2023- fiscal biennium.
Page 5, line 21:
Allows loans to be awarded to projects under the jurisdiction of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band.
delete X2023Y and substitute X2020Y.
For the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program, the bill does all of the following:
1.
Allows a loan to provide up to 33 percent of total project costs related to constructing residential housing and eliminates the dollar amount cap on loans.
Under current law, a loan may provide up to $1,000,000 per project or 20 percent of total project costs, whichever is less.
2.
Permits housing developments with four or more dwelling units to be eligible for a loan if the housing development is located in a governmental unit with a population of 10,000 or less.
Under current law, an eligible housing development must have 16 or more dwelling units.
3.
Allows a project converting a vacant commercial building to a mixed-use development that contains residential housing to be eligible for a loan under the - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 1 program.
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Under current law, to be eligible for a loan, a construction project must convert a vacant commercial building to residential housing.
Under the bill, a loan awarded for the conversion of a vacant commercial building to a mixed-use development must be for costs associated with constructing residential housing within the mixed-use development.
Page 6, line 9:
Requires WHEDA to divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction of each regional planning commission constituted under current law, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission constituting collectively one region.
after that line insert:
Under the bill, of the moneys appropriated to the program’s revolving loan fund in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, WHEDA must expend any remaining unencumbered moneys in such a way that no region receives in loans more than 12.5 percent of the total amount of the moneys appropriated in the 2023- fiscal biennium.
XSECTION 9m.
234.66 (4) (c) 1.
is amended to read:
234.66 (4) (c) 1.
The authority may establish an interest rate for any loan awarded under this subsection at or below the market interest rate one percent or may charge no interest.Y.
Page 6, line 13:
Allows tribal housing authorities or business entities created by a tribal council to receive loans as developers of eligible projects.
after that line insert:
For all three of the programs, the bill does all of the following:
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRBa0181/1 MDE:cdc XSECTION 10g.
1.
234.66 (4) (g) 1.
Permits eligible projects to benefit from a tax incremental district and to use historic tax credits.
Under current law, eligible projects may not benefit from a tax incremental district or use historic tax credits.
2.
Allows a loan to be awarded for projects on tribal reservation or trust lands not subject to property taxes in this state if the land is designated as tribal reservation or trust lands on the effective date of the bill.
3.
In applying for a loan, requires that, in addition to the current law requirement that a governmental unit establish that it has reduced the cost of housing in connection with the eligible project, a governmental unit establish that it has reduced the cost of housing within the governmental unit, generally.
4.
Allows a governmental unit to satisfy the loan eligibility condition that it update the housing element of the statutorily required local government comprehensive plan if, within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application, the governmental unit adopts an ordinance or resolution certifying that the housing element of the governmental unit’s current comprehensive plan provides an adequate housing supply that meets existing and forecasted housing demand in the governmental unit.
5.
Allows a loan to be secured by a corporate guarantee.
Under current law, a loan under any of the three programs must be secured by a personal guarantee.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
234.66 (1) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 234.66 (1) (b) (intro.) and amended to read:
- 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 SECTION 1 234.66 (1) (b) (intro.) “Developer” means a person other than a governmental unit that constructs or creates residential housing.
and that is any of the following:
S ECTION 2.
234.66 (1) (b) 1.
of the statutes is created to read:
234.66 (1) (b) 1.
A person other than a governmental unit.
S ECTION 3.
234.66 (1) (b) 2.
of the statutes is created to read:
234.66 (1) (b) 2.
A tribal housing authority or business entity created by a tribal council.
S ECTION 4.
234.66 (1) (g) (intro.) and 1.
of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 234.66 (1) (g) and amended to read:
234.66 (1) (g) “Residential housing” means new single-family or multifamily housing for rent or sale that satisfies all of the following:
1.
Is is subject to taxation under ch.
70 or that is not subject to taxation under ch.
70 because, on the effective date of this paragraph ....
[LRB inserts date], it is designated as reservation lands, as defined in s.
165.92 (1) (a), or trust lands, as defined in s.
165.92 (1) (d).
S ECTION 5.
234.66 (1) (g) 2.
of the statutes is repealed.
S ECTION 6.
234.66 (1) (g) 3.
of the statutes is repealed.
S ECTION 7.
234.66 (4) (a) 5.
of the statutes is renumbered 234.66 (4) (a) 5.
(intro.) and amended to read:
234.66 (4) (a) 5.
(intro.) The eligible governmental unit has reduced the cost of residential housing in connection with the eligible project by voluntarily revising zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, or other land development regulations to increase development density, expedite approvals, reduce impact, water connection, and inspection fees, or reduce parking, building, or other development costs with respect to the development of residential housing supported by the - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 SECTION 7 project.
The governmental unit’s revisions to the ordinances or regulations shall include revisions that were made in connection with the eligible project and revisions that generally apply to residential housing projects within the governmental unit.
For purposes of this subdivision, the governmental unit in cooperation with the developer shall submit to the authority a cost reduction analysis in a form prescribed by the authority and signed by the developer and the head of the governmental unit’s governing body that shows the includes the following:
a.
Information that clearly shows the estimated time or dollar amount saved by the developer and the estimated percentage reduction in housing costs for each cost reduction measures measure, including any time saving measures measure, undertaken by the governmental unit on or after January 1, 2023, that have has reduced the cost of residential housing in connection with the eligible project.
The signed analysis shall clearly show for each time saving or cost reduction measure the estimated time or dollar amount saved by the developer and the estimated percentage reduction in housing costs.
S ECTION 8.
234.66 (4) (a) 5.
is amended to read:
of the statutes is created to read:
234.66 (4) (g) 1.
234.66 (4) (a) 5.
That all residential housing constructed in connection with the loan shall remain workforce housing or senior housing, as applicable, for a period commencing on the date of the loan and concluding 10 years following initial occupancy of the residential housing constructed in connection with the loan, except that residential housing constructed in connection with the loan that is intended to be owner-occupied is not required to remain workforce housing or senior housing, as applicable, if the residential housing is sold after the sale to the initial owner-occupier.
Information that clearly shows the estimated time or dollar amount reduction and the estimated percentage reduction in housing costs for each cost reduction measure, including any time saving measure, undertaken by the governmental unit on or after January 1, 2023, that generally applies to residential housing projects within the governmental unit and that has reduced the cost of residential housing within the governmental unit.
This restriction shall be recorded against the residential property with the applicable register of deeds and shall run with the land.
These cost and time saving measures may include the cost and time saving measures of the eligible project.
SECTION 10r.
- 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 SECTION 9 S ECTION 9.
234.66 (4) (g) 1.
234.66 (4) (a) 7.
d.
of the statutes is amended to read:
is amended to read:
234.66 (4) (a) 7.
234.66 (4) (g) 1.
If applicable, the eligible governmental unit has updated the housing element of its comprehensive plan under s.
d.
66.1001 (2) (b) within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application.
With respect to each loan under this subsection for workforce housing or senior housing intended to be owner-occupied, that for the 10- year period commencing immediately after the developer closes on the sale of the housing to the initial owner-occupier for a period of 10 years beginning on the date the developer closes on the sale of the housing to the initial owner-occupier, the housing shall remain owner-occupied and may not be sold for a price that exceeds the price charged by the developer to greater than the original purchase price paid by the initial owner-occupier, adjusted annually by the average compounded annual percentage increase in the sale price of all residential housing in the county in which the housing is located, as determined by the authority increased by no more than 5 percent per year, compounded annually.
This condition may be satisfied if, within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application, the governmental unit adopts an ordinance or resolution certifying that the housing element of its current comprehensive plan provides an adequate housing supply that meets existing and forecasted housing demand in the governmental unit.
These restrictions shall be recorded against the residential property with the applicable register of deeds and shall run - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRMDE:cdc1 with the land.
S ECTION 10.
For the 10-year period, the authority shall publish on its website the acceptable sales price range for the residential property.Y.
234.66 (4) (c) 2.
6.
of the statutes is amended to read:
Page 9, line 2:
234.66 (4) (c) 2.
delete X2023Y and substitute X2023 2020Y.
No loan awarded under this subsection may exceed 20 33 percent of the total cost of development, including land purchase, of the residential housing supported by the eligible project.
7.
S ECTION 11.
Page 9, line 10:
234.66 (5) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
delete X2023Y and substitute X2020Y.
234.66 (5) (c) No loan awarded under this subsection may exceed 10 25 percent of the amount of the total cost of development of the residential housing supported by the eligible project.
8.
S ECTION 12.
Page 10, line 17:
234.66 (5m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
delete Xthe market interest rateY and substitute Xthe market interest rate one percentY.
234.66 (5m) (b) Require that the full amount of each loan awarded under sub.
9.
(4) is secured by one or more unlimited personal or corporate guarantees, unless the developer provides no personal or corporate guarantee on any first mortgage for the eligible project and the developer’s total debt associated with the project does not exceed 75 percent of the total collateral value of the project, as determined by the authority.
Page 14, line 15:
- 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 13 S ECTION 13.
delete X2023Y and substitute X2023 2020Y.
234.661 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
10.
234.661 (1) (b) “Eligible political subdivision governmental unit” means the city, village, town, or county governmental unit having jurisdiction over an eligible project, as determined by the authority.
Page 14, line 23:
S ECTION 14.
delete X2023Y and substitute X2020Y.
234.661 (1) (c) 5.
11.
of the statutes is repealed.
Page 16, line 2:
S ECTION 15.
after that line insert:
234.661 (1) (c) 6.
XSECTION 44m.
of the statutes is repealed.
234.662 (3) (d) 1.
S ECTION 16.
is amended to read:
234.661 (1) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:
234.662 (3) (d) 1.
234.661 (1) (cm) “Governmental unit” means a city, village, town, county, or federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state.
The authority may establish an interest rate for any loan awarded under this subsection at or below the market interest rate one percent or may charge no interest.Y.
S ECTION 17.
12.
234.661 (1) (e) of the statutes is renumbered 234.661 (1) (e) (intro.) and amended to read:
Page 16, line 17:
234.661 (1) (e) (intro.) “Rental housing” means single-family or multifamily housing offered or intended to be offered for rent that to which any of the following applies:
after that line insert:
1.
XSECTION 46g.
The housing is subject to taxation under ch.
234.662 (3) (g) 1.
70.
S ECTION 18.
234.661 (1) (e) 2.
of the statutes is created to read:
234.661 (1) (e) 2.
The housing is not subject to taxation under ch.
70 because, on the effective date of this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date], it is designated as reservation lands, as defined in s.
165.92 (1) (a), or as trust lands, as defined in s.
165.92 (1) (d).
S ECTION 19.
234.661 (3) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.661 (3) (b) (intro.) From the main street housing rehabilitation revolving loan fund, the authority may award loans to owners of rental housing to cover housing rehabilitation costs for an eligible project.
Any owner of rental housing, - 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 19 other than a city, village, town, or county governmental unit, may apply to the authority for a loan in accordance with the application process established by the authority under par.
(c), but the authority may not award the loan unless the owner of the rental housing and eligible political subdivision governmental unit demonstrate to the satisfaction of the authority in one or more forms prescribed by the authority that all of the following apply:
S ECTION 20.
234.661 (3) (b) 3.
of the statutes is renumbered 234.661 (3) (b) 3.
(intro.) and amended to read:
234.661 (3) (b) 3.
(intro.) The eligible political subdivision governmental unit has reduced the cost of rental housing in connection with the eligible project by voluntarily revising zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, or other land development regulations to increase development density, expedite approvals, reduce impact fees, or reduce parking, building, or other development costs with respect to the eligible project.
The governmental unit’s revisions to the ordinances or regulations shall include revisions that were made in connection with the eligible project and revisions that generally apply to residential housing projects within the governmental unit.
For purposes of this subdivision, the political subdivision governmental unit in cooperation with the owner shall submit to the authority a cost reduction analysis in a form prescribed by the authority and signed by the owner and the head of the political subdivision’s governmental unit’s governing body that shows the includes the following:
a.
Information that clearly shows the estimated time or dollar amount saved by the developer and the estimated percentage reduction in housing costs for each cost reduction measures measure, including any time saving measures measure, - 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 20 undertaken by the political subdivision governmental unit on or after January 1, 2023, that have has reduced the cost of rental housing in connection with the eligible project.
The signed analysis shall clearly show for each time saving or cost reduction measure the estimated time or dollar amount saved by the owner and the estimated percentage reduction in rental housing costs.
S ECTION 21.
234.661 (3) (b) 3.
is amended to read:
of the statutes is created to read:
234.662 (3) (g) 1.
234.661 (3) (b) 3.
That all residential housing constructed in connection with the loan shall remain workforce housing or senior housing, as applicable, for a period commencing on the date of the loan and concluding 10 years following initial occupancy of the residential housing constructed in connection with the loan, except that residential housing constructed in connection with the loan that is intended to be owner-occupied is not required to remain workforce housing or senior housing, as applicable, if the residential housing is sold after the sale to the initial - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRBa0181/1 MDE:cdc owner-occupier.
Information that clearly shows the estimated time or dollar amount reduction and the estimated percentage reduction in housing costs for each cost reduction measure, including any time saving measure, undertaken by the governmental unit on or after January 1, 2023, that generally applies to residential housing projects within the governmental unit and that has reduced the cost of residential housing within the governmental unit.
This restriction shall be recorded against the residential property with the applicable register of deeds and shall run with the land.
These cost and time saving measures may include the cost and time saving measures of the eligible project.
S ECTION 46r.
S ECTION 22.
234.662 (3) (g) 1.
234.661 (3) (b) 4.
d.
is amended to read:
234.662 (3) (g) 1.
d.
With respect to each loan under this subsection for workforce housing or senior housing intended to be owner-occupied, that for the 10- year period commencing immediately after the developer closes on the sale of the housing to the initial owner-occupier for a period of 10 years beginning on the date the developer closes on the sale of the housing to the initial owner-occupier, the housing shall remain owner-occupied and may not be sold for a price that exceeds the price charged by the developer to greater than the original purchase price paid by the initial owner-occupier, adjusted annually by the average compounded annual percentage increase in the sale price of all residential housing in the county in which the housing is located, as determined by the authority increased by no more than 5 percent per year, compounded annually.
These restrictions shall be recorded against the residential property with the applicable register of deeds and shall run with the land.
For the 10-year period, the authority shall publish on its website the acceptable sales price range for the residential property.Y.
13.
Page 17, line 3:
after that line insert:
XSECTION 49.
709.03 (form) F7.
709.03 (form) - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRBa0181/1 MDE:cdc F7.
234.661 (3) (b) 4.
Are you aware of restrictive covenants or deed ....
The eligible political subdivision governmental unit is in compliance with the requirements under ss.
....
66.1001, 66.10013, and 66.10014, to the extent those requirements apply to the political subdivision governmental unit.
....
S ECTION 23.
restrictions on the property? A restrictive covenant or deed restriction may include a provision that imposes resale price limits, occupancy requirements, or other restrictions for a specific period of time (e.g., a development that received Infrastructure Access or Vacancy-to-Vitality funds from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
234.661 (3) (b) 5.
For more information, visit https://www.wheda.com.).
SECTION 50.
709.033 (form) E7.
709.033 (form) - 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRBa0181/1 MDE:cdc E7.
234.661 (3) (b) 5.
Are you aware of restrictive covenants or deed ....
The If applicable, the eligible political subdivision governmental unit has updated the housing element of its comprehensive plan under s.
....
66.1001 (2) (b) within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application.
....
This condition may be satisfied if, within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application, the governmental unit adopts an - 2026 Legislature - 10 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 23 ordinance or resolution certifying that the housing element of its current comprehensive plan provides an adequate housing supply that meets existing and forecasted housing demand in the governmental unit.
restrictions on the property? A restrictive covenant or deed restriction may include a provision that imposes resale price limits, occupancy requirements, or other restrictions for a specific period of time (e.g., a development that received Infrastructure Access or Vacancy-to-Vitality funds from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
S ECTION 24.
For more information, visit https://www.wheda.com.).
234.661 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SECTION 51.
234.661 (3) (c) The authority shall establish a semiannual application process for the award of loans under this subsection.
Nonstatutory provisions.
If in any application cycle there are insufficient moneys available in the main street housing rehabilitation revolving loan fund to fund all applications that meet the requirements under par.
(1) Notwithstanding s.
(b) and are otherwise acceptable to the authority, the authority shall prioritize funding loans for eligible projects in eligible political subdivisions governmental units that have reduced the cost of rental housing as described in par.
709.035, the treatment of ss.
(b) 3.
709.03 (form) F7.
but with respect to the political subdivision governmental unit as a whole.
and 709.033 (form) E7.
S ECTION 25.
does not require a property owner that has furnished to a prospective buyer of the property an original or amended report before the effective date of this subsection to submit an amended report with respect to the information required by ss.
234.661 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
709.03 (form) F7.
234.661 (3) (d) No loan awarded under this subsection may exceed $20,000 $50,000 per dwelling unit or 25 33 percent of the total housing rehabilitation project costs, whichever is less, and the authority may establish an interest rate for any loan awarded under this subsection at or below the market interest rate or may charge no interest.
and 709.033 (form) E7.
S ECTION 26.
SECTION 52.
234.661 (3) (em) of the statutes is created to read:
Initial applicability.
234.661 (3) (em) The authority shall divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction as of the effective date of this paragraph ....
(1) Except as provided in subs.
[LRB inserts date], of each regional planning commission constituted under s.
(2) and (3), this act first applies to loans for which the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority accepts applications on the effective date of this subsection.
66.0309, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission as of that date constituting collectively one region.
(2) The treatment of ss.
The authority shall, to the extent feasible, expend any of the - 2026 Legislature - 11 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 26 moneys deposited into the fund under sub.
709.03 (form) F7.
(2) (a) 1.
and 709.033 (form) E7.
in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium that are unencumbered on the effective date of this paragraph ....
first applies to a report that is furnished on the effective date of this subsection.
[LRB inserts date], in such a way that no region receives more than 12.5 percent of the total moneys deposited into the fund under sub.
(3) The treatment of ss.
(2) (a) 1.
234.66 (4) (g) 1.
in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium in loans awarded under this subsection.
S ECTION 27.
234.661 (3m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.661 (3m) (b) Require that the full amount of each loan under sub.
(3) is secured by one or more unlimited personal or corporate guarantees, unless the developer provides no personal or corporate guarantee on any first mortgage for the eligible project and the developer’s total debt associated with project does not exceed 75 percent of the total collateral value of the project, as determined by the authority.
S ECTION 28.
234.661 (5) (b) 4.
of the statutes is amended to read:
234.661 (5) (b) 4.
An identification of the eligible political subdivision governmental unit with respect to which the loan was awarded.
S ECTION 29.
234.662 (1) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 234.662 (1) (c) (intro.) and amended to read:
234.662 (1) (c) (intro.) “Developer” means a person other than a city, village, town, or county, that converts a vacant commercial building to residential use.
and that is any of the following:
1.
A person other than a city, village, town, or county.
S ECTION 30.
234.662 (1) (c) 2.
of the statutes is created to read:
234.662 (1) (c) 2.
A tribal housing authority or business entity created by a tribal council.
- 2026 Legislature - 12 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 31 S ECTION 31.
234.662 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.662 (1) (d) “Eligible political subdivision governmental unit” means the city, village, town, or county governmental unit having jurisdiction over an eligible project, as determined by the authority.
S ECTION 32.
234.662 (1) (e) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.662 (1) (e) (intro.) “Eligible project” means a construction project for the conversion of a vacant commercial building to a new residential housing development, or a construction project for the conversion of a vacant commercial building to a new mixed-use development that contains a residential housing development, that consists of workforce housing or senior housing if all of the following apply:
S ECTION 33.
234.662 (1) (e) 3.
of the statutes is repealed.
S ECTION 34.
234.662 (1) (e) 4.
of the statutes is repealed.
S ECTION 35.
234.662 (1) (em) of the statutes is created to read:
234.662 (1) (em) “Governmental unit” means a city, village, town, county, or federally recognized American Indian tribe or band.
S ECTION 36.
234.662 (1) (f) of the statutes is renumbered 234.662 (1) (f) (intro.) and amended to read:
234.662 (1) (f) (intro.) “Residential housing” means single-family or multifamily housing for rent or sale that to which any of the following applies:
1.
The housing is subject to taxation under ch.
70.
S ECTION 37.
234.662 (1) (f) 2.
of the statutes is created to read:
234.662 (1) (f) 2.
The housing is not subject to taxation under ch.
70 because, on the effective date of this subdivision ....
[LRB inserts date], it is designated as - 2026 Legislature - 13 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 37 reservation lands, as defined in s.
165.92 (1) (a), or as trust lands, as defined in s.
165.92 (1) (d).
S ECTION 38.
234.662 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.662 (1) (g) “Residential housing development” means residential housing that consists of 16 or more dwelling units in a governmental unit with a population greater than 10,000 or residential housing that consists of 4 or more dwelling units in a governmental unit with a population of 10,000 or less.
S ECTION 39.
234.662 (3) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.662 (3) (b) (intro.) From the commercial-to-housing conversion revolving loan fund, the authority may award loans to developers to cover construction costs for an eligible project for a new residential housing development, including demolition, or for construction costs associated with constructing residential housing for an eligible project for a new mixed-use development, including demolition.
Any developer may apply to the authority for a loan in accordance with the application process established by the authority under par.
(c), but the authority may not award the loan unless the developer and the eligible political subdivision governmental unit demonstrate to the satisfaction of the authority in one or more forms prescribed by the authority that all of the following apply:
S ECTION 40.
234.662 (3) (b) 3.
of the statutes is renumbered 234.662 (3) (b) 3.
(intro.) and amended to read:
234.662 (3) (b) 3.
(intro.) The eligible political subdivision governmental unit has reduced the cost of residential housing in connection with the eligible project by voluntarily revising zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, or other land development regulations to increase development density, expedite approvals, - 2026 Legislature - 14 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 40 reduce impact, water connection, and inspection fees, or reduce parking, building, or other development costs with respect to the development of residential housing supported by the project.
The governmental unit’s revisions to the ordinances or regulations shall include revisions that were made in connection with the eligible project and revisions that generally apply to residential housing projects within the governmental unit.
For purposes of this subdivision, the political subdivision governmental unit in cooperation with the developer shall submit to the authority a cost reduction analysis in a form prescribed by the authority and signed by the developer and the head of the political subdivision’s governmental unit’s governing body that shows the includes the following:
a.
Information that clearly shows the estimated time or dollar amount saved by the developer and the estimated percentage reduction in housing costs for each cost reduction measures measure, including any time saving measures measure, undertaken by the political subdivision governmental unit on or after January 1, 2023, that have has reduced the cost of residential housing in connection with the eligible project.
The signed analysis shall clearly show for each time saving or cost reduction measure the estimated time or dollar amount saved by the developer and the estimated percentage reduction in housing costs.
S ECTION 41.
234.662 (3) (b) 3.
and d.
of the statutes is created to read:
and 234.662 (3) (g) 1.
234.662 (3) (b) 3.
and - 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRBa0181/1 MDE:cdc d.
Information that clearly shows the estimated time or dollar amount reduction and estimated percentage reduction in housing costs for each cost reduction measure, including any time saving measure, undertaken by the governmental unit on or after January 1, 2023, that generally applies to residential housing projects within the governmental unit and that has reduced the - 2026 Legislature - 15 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 41 cost of residential housing within the governmental unit.
first applies to a loan agreement related to the construction of owner-occupied housing that is entered into or modified on the effective date of this subsection.
These cost and time saving measures may include the cost and time saving measures of the eligible project.
SECTION 53.
S ECTION 42.
Effective dates.
234.662 (3) (b) 4.
This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:
of the statutes is amended to read:
(1) The treatment of ss.
234.662 (3) (b) 4.
709.03 (form) F7.
The eligible political subdivision governmental unit is in compliance with the requirements under ss.
and 709.033 (form) E7.
66.1001, 66.10013, and 66.10014, to the extent those requirements apply to the political subdivision governmental unit.
and SECTIONS 51 (1) and 52 (2) of this act take effect on January 1, 2026.Y.
S ECTION 43.
(END )
234.662 (3) (b) 5.
of the statutes is amended to read:
234.662 (3) (b) 5.
The If applicable, the eligible political subdivision governmental unit has updated the housing element of its comprehensive plan under s.
66.1001 (2) (b) within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application.
This condition may be satisfied if, within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the loan application, the governmental unit adopts an ordinance or resolution certifying that the housing element of its current comprehensive plan provides an adequate housing supply that meets existing and forecasted housing demand in the governmental unit.
S ECTION 44.
234.662 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.662 (3) (c) The authority shall establish a semiannual application process for the award of loans under this subsection.
If in any application cycle there are insufficient moneys available in the commercial-to-housing conversion revolving loan fund to fund all applications that meet the requirements under par.
(b) and are otherwise acceptable to the authority, the authority shall prioritize funding loans for eligible projects in eligible political subdivisions governmental units that have - 2026 Legislature - 16 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 44 reduced the cost of residential housing as described in par.
(b) 3.
but with respect to the political subdivision governmental unit as a whole.
S ECTION 45.
234.662 (3) (d) 2.
of the statutes is amended to read:
234.662 (3) (d) 2.
No loan awarded under this subsection may exceed $1,000,000 per eligible project or 20 33 percent of the total project costs related to constructing residential housing, including any land purchase, whichever is less.
S ECTION 46.
234.662 (3) (fm) of the statutes is created to read:
234.662 (3) (fm) The authority shall divide the state into regions based on the service jurisdiction as of the effective date of this paragraph ....
[LRB inserts date], of each regional planning commission constituted under s.
66.0309, with the counties not served by a regional planning commission as of that date constituting collectively one region.
The authority shall, to the extent feasible, expend any of the moneys deposited into the fund under sub.
(2) (a) 1.
in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium that are unencumbered on the effective date of this paragraph ....
[LRB inserts date], in such a way that no region receives more than 12.5 percent of the total moneys deposited into the fund under sub.
(2) (a) 1.
in the 2023-25 fiscal biennium in loans awarded under this subsection.
S ECTION 47.
234.662 (3m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.662 (3m) (b) Require that the full amount of each loan awarded under sub.
(3) is secured by one or more unlimited personal or corporate guarantees, unless the developer provides no personal or corporate guarantee on any first mortgage for the eligible project and the developer’s total debt associated with the project does not exceed 75 percent of the total collateral value of the project, as determined by the authority.
- 2026 Legislature - 17 - LRB-2643/1 MDE:klm&cjs ASSEMBLY BILL 194 S ECTION 48 SECTION 48.
234.662 (5) (b) 4.
of the statutes is amended to read:
234.662 (5) (b) 4.
An identification of the eligible political subdivision governmental unit with respect to which the loan was awarded.
END )
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Action History

  1. Published 4-9-2026

  2. Report approved by the Governor on 4-8-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 237

  3. Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026

  4. Report correctly enrolled on 3-26-2026

  5. LRB correction

  6. Received from Senate concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Read a third time and concurred in

  9. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  10. Ordered to a third reading

  11. Read a second time

  12. Placed on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  13. Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

  14. Representative Billings added as a coauthor

  15. Available for scheduling

  16. Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

  17. Received from Assembly

  18. Ordered immediately messaged

  19. Read a third time and passed

  20. Rules suspended

  21. Ordered to a third reading

  22. Assembly Amendment 2 adopted

  23. Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Brooks

  24. Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

  25. Read a second time

  26. Representative Stubbs added as a coauthor

  27. Representatives Fitzgerald, McCarville and Spaude added as coauthors

  28. Withdrawn from Committee on Rules and referred to calendar of 10-7-2025

  29. Representative Snodgrass added as a coauthor

  30. Representative Miresse added as a coauthor

  31. Referred to committee on Rules

  32. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 13, Noes 0

  33. Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 12, Noes 1

  34. Executive action taken

  35. Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Armstrong

  36. Public hearing held

  37. Representative Kirsch added as a coauthor

  38. Representative Stroud added as a coauthor

  39. Fiscal estimate received

  40. Representative J. Jacobson added as a coauthor

  41. Representative Rivera-Wagner added as a coauthor

  42. Read first time and referred to Committee on Housing and Real Estate

  43. Introduced by Representatives Armstrong, Brooks, Anderson, Brown, DeSmidt, Donovan, Doyle, Emerson, Franklin, Goodwin, Green, Hysell, B. Jacobson, Joers, Kitchens, Kreibich, Krug, Melotik, Murphy, Mursau, Neubauer, Novak, O'Connor, Ortiz-Velez, Palmeri, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Roe, Spiros, Udell and Goeben; cosponsored by Senators Quinn, Feyen, Jagler, Dassler-Alfheim, Habush Sinykin, James, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Spreitzer, Wall, Wirch and Smith

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 42 co-sponsors · 89 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (42)

Not signed on (89)

89 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 194 do?
An Act to repeal 234.66 (1) (g) 2., 234.66 (1) (g) 3., 234.661 (1) (c) 5., 234.661 (1) (c) 6., 234.662 (1) (e) 3. and 234.662 (1) (e) 4.; to renumber and amend 234.66 (1) (b), 234.66 (4) (a) 5., 234.661 (1) (e), 234.661 (3) (b) 3., 234.662 (1) (c), 234.662 (1) (f) and 234.662 (3) (b) 3.; to consolidate, renumber and amend 234.66 (1) (g) (intro.) and 1.; to amend 234.66 (4) (a) 7., 234.66 (4) (c) 2., 234.66 (5) (c), 234.66 (5m) (b), 234.661 (1) (b), 234.661 (3) (b) (intro.), 234.661 (3) (b) 4., 234.661 (3) (b) 5., 234.661 (3) (c), 234.661 (3) (d), 234.661 (3m) (b), 234.661 (5) (b) 4., 234.662 (1) (d), 234.662 (1) (e) (intro.), 234.662 (1) (g), 234.662 (3) (b) (intro.), 234.662 (3) (b) 4., 234.662 (3) (b) 5., 234.662 (3) (c), 234.662 (3) (d) 2., 234.662 (3m) (b) and 234.662 (5) (b) 4.; to create 234.66 (1) (b) 1., 234.66 (1) (b) 2., 234.66 (4) (a) 5. b., 234.661 (1) (cm), 234.661 (1) (e) 2., 234.661 (3) (b) 3. b., 234.661 (3) (em), 234.662 (1) (c) 2., 234.662 (1) (em), 234.662 (1) (f) 2., 234.662 (3) (b) 3. b. and 234.662 (3) (fm) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 194?
AB 194 is sponsored by Anderson, Quinn, Feyen, Jagler, Dassler-Alfheim, Habush Sinykin, James, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Spreitzer, Wall, Wirch, Smith, Armstrong, David (Republican), Brooks, Robert (Republican), Brown, Brienne (Democrat), DeSmidt, Ben (Democrat), Donovan, Bob (Republican), Doyle, Steve (Democrat), Emerson, Jodi (Democrat), Franklin, Benjamin (Republican), Goodwin, Russell (Democrat), Green, Chanz (Republican), Hysell, Andrew (Democrat), Jacobson, Brent (Republican), Joers, Alex (Democrat), Kitchens, Joel (Republican), Kreibich, Rob (Republican), Krug, Scott (Republican), Melotik, Paul (Republican), Murphy, David (Republican), Mursau, Jeffrey (Republican), Neubauer, Greta (Democrat), Novak, Todd (Republican), O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Ortiz-Velez, Sylvia (Democrat), Palmeri, Lori (Democrat), Penterman, William (Republican), Piwowarczyk, Jim (Republican), Roe, Ann (Democrat), Spiros, John (Republican), Udell, Randy (Democrat), and Goeben, Joy (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 194?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced April 15, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 194?
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