Wisconsin 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 6 R · 2 D cosponsors

AB 310 — Relating to: holding a referendum to increase a political subdivision's levy limit. (FE)

Last action — Published 3-4-2020

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced June 25, 2019. Enacted.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 15 sponsors

    15 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

110 added · 50 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Assembly Bill 310 update how political subdivisions can increase their property tax levies. Specifically, the changes allow these subdivisions to use their best estimates of property value growth when proposing increases, providing more flexibility in financial planning. Additionally, it clarifies the procedures for calling referendums on these levy increases, establishing when voters can weigh in based on the timing of previous elections. This matters because it empowers local governments to secure funding for necessary services while ensuring that taxpayers have a voice in these decisions.

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- 2020 LEGISLATURE LRBa0425/1 JK:kjf ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 310 August 9, 2019 - Offered by Representative OVAK.
- 2020 LEGISLATURE LRB-0120/1 JK:klm ASSEMBLY BILL 310 June 25, 2019 - Introduced by Representatives N OVAK , HANKLAND , CONSIDINE, EDMING , KITCHENS , MILROY, QUINN, ROHRKASTE , SARGENT , PIROS , PREITZER, SWEARINGEN , SNYDER , SINICKIand S KOWRONSKI , cosponsored by Senators M ARKLEIN, B EWLEY , T ESTIN and B ERNIER .
At the locations indicated, amend the bill as follows:
Referred to Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight.
A N A CT to renumber and amend 66.0602 (4) (c);
to amend 66.0602 (2m) (b) 4.
and 66.0602 (4) (a);
and to create 66.0602 (4) (c) 1.
to 4.
of the statutes;
relating to:
holding a referendum to increase a political subdivision's levy limit.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Under current law, with certain exceptions, no political subdivision may increase its property tax levy in any year by a percentage that exceeds the valuation factor.
The valuation factor is a percentage equal to the greater of either the percentage change in the political subdivision's January 1 equalized property values due to new construction (less improvements removed between the previous year and the current year) or zero percent.
One exception allows a political subdivision to increase its levy limit beyond the amount of the previous year's levy, as increased by the valuation factor, by adopting a resolution and having the increase approved at a referendum.
The increase may apply for the next fiscal year or on an ongoing basis Current law prescribes the exact wording of the ballot question.
The ballot question must include the name of the political subdivision and provide a description of the levy limit that applies to the political subdivision for the next fiscal year.
The ballot question must then ask the elector whether he or she agrees to allow the political subdivision to exceed the limit by a specified amount, which is also expressed as a percentage increase from the previous year's levy.
The question must also describe the purpose for which the increase will be used.
For any levy in an odd-numbered year, the political subdivision may call a special referendum to consider the question.
In an even-numbered year, the political subdivision must - 2020 Legislature - 2 - LRB-0120/1 JK:klm ASSEMBLY BILL 310 hold the referendum at the next spring primary or election or partisan primary or general election following adoption of the resolution.
This bill allows a political subdivision to use its best estimate of its valuation factor, based on the most current data available to it, in order to adopt a resolution and hold a referendum to increase its levy beyond the allowable limit.
The political subdivision may call a special referendum to consider the resolution.
Otherwise, the referendum would be held at the spring primary or election or partisan primary or general election.
The bill does not prescribe the exact wording for the ballot, but instead provides that the question include the following:
Page 2, line 9:
The name of the political subdivision to which the levy increase applies.
delete the material beginning with that line and ending with page 4, line 11, and substitute:
2.
“S ECTION 2d.
The purpose for which the increase will be used.
3.
If the increase is for the next fiscal year only, the percentage increase in the levy from the previous year's levy and the amount of the increase.
4.
If the increase is on an ongoing basis, the amount of the increase for each fiscal year for which the increase applies.
For further information see the local 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.
66.0602 (2m) (b) 4.
of the statutes is amended to read:
66.0602 (2m) (b) 4.
The requirement under subd.
2.
or 3.
does not apply if the governing body of the political subdivision adopts a resolution that the levy limit should not be reduced and if the resolution is approved in a referendum.
Show all 67 changed rows (27 more)
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The procedure under sub.
(4) applies to a referendum under this subdivision, except that the resolution and referendum question need not specify an amount of increase in the levy limit or the length of time for which the levy limit increase will apply and the referendum question need not follow the question format under sub.
(4) (c).
SECTION 2.
For purposes of this paragraph, the political subdivision may use its best estimate of its valuation factor, based on the most current data available to it.
For purposes of this paragraph, the political subdivision may use its best estimate of its valuation factor, based on the most LRB-0120/1 - 2020 Legislature - 3 - JK:klm SECTION 2 ASSEMBLY BILL 310 current data available to it.e resolution shall specify the proposed amount of increase in the levy beyond the amount that is allowed under sub.
The resolution shall specify the proposed amount of increase in the levy beyond the amount that is allowed under sub.
With regard to a referendum relating to the 2005 levy, or any levy in an odd-numbered year LRBa0425/1 - 2020 Legislature - 2 - JK:kjf thereafter, the political subdivision may call a special referendum for the purpose of submitting the resolution to the electors of the political subdivision for approval or rejection.
With regard to a referendum relating to the 2005 levy, or any levy in an odd-numbered year thereafter, the The political subdivision may call a special referendum for the purpose of submitting the resolution to the electors of the political subdivision for approval or rejection.
With regard to a referendum relating to the 2006 levy, or any levy in an even-numbered year thereafter, the referendum shall be held at the next succeeding spring primary or election or partisan primary or general election.
With regard to a referendum relating to the 2006 levy, or any levy in an even-numbered year thereafter, the Otherwise, a referendum shall may be held at the next succeeding spring primary or election or partisan primary or general election.
S ECTION 3d.
S ECTION 3.
66.0602 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
66.0602 (4) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 66.0602 (4) (c) (intro.) and amended to read:
66.0602 (4) (c) The referendum shall be held in accordance with chs.
66.0602 (4) (c) (intro.) The referendum shall be held in accordance with chs.
(year), is limited to ....% (based on actual data or the political subdivision's best estimate), which results in a levy of $....
(year), is limited to ....%, which results in a levy of $....
(purpose for which the increase will be used), by a total of ....% (based on actual data or the political subdivision's best estimate), which results in a levy of $....?".
(purpose for which the increase will be used), by a total of ....%, which results in a levy of $....?".
In preparing the ballot question for a referendum held at a partisan primary in 2014, as it relates to the allowable amount of levy rate increase and the total amount of a levy, a county with a population of at least 30,000, but no more than 40,000, that is adjacent to a county with a population exceeding 450,000, shall use the most recent data that it has and the most recent data that is available from the department of revenue If the increase is for the next fiscal year only, the question shall include the percentage increase in the levy from the previous year's levy and if the increase is LRBa0425/1 - 2020 Legislature - 3 - JK:kjf on an ongoing basis, the question shall include the amount of the increase for each fiscal year for which the increase applies.”.
In preparing the ballot question for a referendum held at a partisan primary in 2014, as it relates to the allowable amount of levy rate increase and the total amount of a levy, a county with a population of at least 30,000, - 2020 Legislature - 4 - LRB-0120/1 JK:klm ASSEMBLY BILL 310 SECTION 3 but no more than 40,000, that is adjacent to a county with a population exceeding 450,000, shall use the most recent data that it has and the most recent data that is available from the department of revenue.
include the following:
SECTION 4.
66.0602 (4) (c) 1.
to 4.
of the statutes are created to read:
66.0602 (4) (c) 1.
The name of the political subdivision to which the levy increase applies.
2.
The purpose for which the increase will be used.
3.
If the increase is for the next fiscal year only, the percentage increase in the levy from the previous year's levy and the amount of the increase.
4.
If the increase is on an ongoing basis, the amount of the increase for each fiscal year for which the increase applies.
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Action History

  1. Published 3-4-2020

  2. Report approved by the Governor on 3-3-2020. 2019 Wisconsin Act 126

  3. Presented to the Governor on 2-28-2020 by directive of the Speaker

  4. Report correctly enrolled on 2-25-2020

  5. LRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1)

  6. Received from Senate concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Read a third time and concurred in

  9. Rules suspended

  10. Ordered to a third reading

  11. Read a second time

  12. Senator Larson added as a cosponsor

  13. Placed on calendar 2-19-2020 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  14. Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 5, Noes 0

  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 1 adopted

  23. Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

  24. Read a second time

  25. Placed on calendar 1-21-2020 by Committee on Rules

  26. Referred to committee on Rules

  27. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight, Ayes 7, Noes 2

  28. Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight, Ayes 9, Noes 0

  29. Report Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight, Ayes 9, Noes 0

  30. Executive action taken

  31. Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Novak

  32. Public hearing held

  33. Fiscal estimate received

  34. Representative Emerson added as a coauthor

  35. Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Novak

  36. Representative Born added as a coauthor

  37. Fiscal estimate received

  38. Read first time and referred to Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight

  39. Introduced by Representatives Novak, Shankland, Considine, Edming, Kitchens, Milroy, Quinn, Rohrkaste, Sargent, Spiros, Spreitzer, Swearingen, Snyder, Sinicki and Skowronski; cosponsored by Senators Marklein, Bewley, Testin and Bernier

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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15 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 117 not signed on

Sponsors (15)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (117)

117 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 117 →

"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

Who sponsors AB 310?
AB 310 is sponsored by Novak, Todd (Republican), Shankland, Considine, Edming, Kitchens, Joel (Republican), Milroy, Quinn, Romaine (Republican), Rohrkaste, Sargent, Spiros, John (Republican), Spreitzer, Mark (Democrat), Swearingen, Rob (Republican), Snyder, Patrick (Republican), Sinicki, Christine (Democrat), and Skowronski.
What is the current status of AB 310?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced June 25, 2019. Enacted.
Where can I track AB 310?
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