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Bills from the 2015–16 session

Assembly Bill 731

Repealing the authority to create ABLE accounts in this state and creating tax benefits for contributions to ABLE accounts in other states. (FE)

Became law

The governor signed it on Mar 31, 2016. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Jan 15, 2016

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed Feb 16, 2016

  4. Senate vote, passed

    Passed 32 to 0

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2015 Wisconsin Act 312

Latest entry in the official record, Mar 31, 2016: “Published 3-31-2016”

Read the bill

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What it does

Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill makes changes to the laws in this state related to the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014. Under federal law, an eligible resident of this state may participate in a qualified ABLE program of another state and establish an ABLE account. The proceeds of an ABLE account may be used to pay for qualified expenses, such as education, housing, and transportation costs, for a beneficiary who is an individual with disabilities, as defined under federal law.

2015 Wisconsin Act 55 , the state budget bill, authorized the creation of ABLE accounts in this state. Generally, contributions to such an account could be subtracted from the contributor's federal adjusted gross income in the calculation of the taxpayer's Wisconsin taxes. This bill repeals the provisions which authorized the creation of ABLE accounts in this state, although contributions to another state's ABLE account continue to be tax-advantaged.

Read the full summary

Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill.

Who's behind it

John Macco, a Republican, is its ⁠.

2 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 3 names

Author (1)

Signed on in support (2)

What it would cost

State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

How lawmakers voted

There were 12 votes on this bill.

Assembly vote

Passed, 9 to 0 · Feb 1, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report of joint survey committee on Tax Exemptions received, Ayes 9, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly Committee on Ways and Means vote on an amendment

Passed, 13 to 0 · Feb 5, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Ways and Means, Ayes 13, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly Committee on Ways and Means vote to recommend it

Passed, 13 to 0 · Feb 5, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Ways and Means, Ayes 13, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 63 to 35 · Feb 16, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 63, Noes 35”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 63 to 35 · Feb 16, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 63, Noes 35”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 63 to 35 · Feb 16, 2016 · 1 didn't vote

See how each of the 99 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (63)

Didn't vote (1)

Official motion: “Read a third time and passed, Ayes 63, Noes 35”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 3 to 2 · Mar 14, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Referred to joint committee on Finance by Committee on Senate Organization pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 3 to 2 · Mar 14, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Withdrawn from joint committee on Finance and made Available for Scheduling by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 3 to 2 · Mar 14, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Mar 15, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Mar 15, 2016

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 32 to 0 · Mar 15, 2016 · 1 didn't vote

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Didn't vote (1)

Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Mar 31, 2016

    The new law was published.

  2. Mar 31, 2016

    The governor signed it. It became 2015 Wisconsin Act 312.

  3. Mar 29, 2016

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Mar 15, 2016

    The Senate passed it too, 32 to 0.

  5. Mar 14, 2016

    “Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2” (the official wording)

  6. Mar 14, 2016

    “Withdrawn from joint committee on Finance and made Available for Scheduling by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 3, Noes 2” (the official wording)

  7. Mar 14, 2016

    Sent to the Joint Committee on Finance.

  8. Feb 17, 2016

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Senate Organization.

  9. Feb 17, 2016

    The Senate received it.

  10. Feb 16, 2016

    The Assembly passed it, 63 to 35.

  11. Feb 16, 2016

    The Assembly adopted it.

  12. Feb 5, 2016

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  13. Feb 5, 2016

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 13 to 0.

  14. Feb 1, 2016

    “Report of joint survey committee on Tax Exemptions received, Ayes 9, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  15. Jan 27, 2016

    The committee held a public hearing.

  16. Jan 26, 2016

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  17. Jan 19, 2016

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  18. Jan 15, 2016

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions.

  19. Jan 15, 2016

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means.

  20. Jan 15, 2016

    Introduced in the Assembly.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Jan 15, 2016 · Assembly

    Introduced by Representative Macco; cosponsored by Senator Marklein

  2. Jan 15, 2016 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Ways and Means

  3. Jan 15, 2016 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions

  4. Jan 19, 2016 · Assembly

    Representative Loudenbeck added as a coauthor

  5. Jan 26, 2016 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  6. Jan 26, 2016 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  7. Jan 27, 2016 · Assembly

    Public hearing held by committee on Ways and Means

  8. Jan 27, 2016 · Assembly

    Executive action taken by joint survey committee on Tax Exemptions

  9. Feb 1, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Macco

  10. Feb 1, 2016 · Assembly

    Report of joint survey committee on Tax Exemptions received, Ayes 9, Noes 0

  11. Feb 3, 2016 · Assembly

    Executive action taken by committee on Ways and Means

  12. Feb 5, 2016 · Assembly

    Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Ways and Means, Ayes 13, Noes 0

  13. Feb 5, 2016 · Assembly

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Ways and Means, Ayes 13, Noes 0

  14. Feb 5, 2016 · Assembly

    Referred to committee on Rules

  15. Feb 11, 2016 · Assembly

    Placed on calendar 2-16-2016 by Committee on Rules

  16. Feb 11, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Macco

  17. Feb 12, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 offered by Representative Subeck

  18. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  19. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Subeck

  20. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 63, Noes 35

  21. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

  22. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 adopted

  23. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 63, Noes 35

  24. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  25. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  26. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 63, Noes 35

  27. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  28. Feb 17, 2016 · Senate

    Received from Assembly

  29. Feb 17, 2016 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

  30. Feb 17, 2016 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  31. Mar 14, 2016 · Senate

    Referred to joint committee on Finance by Committee on Senate Organization pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 3, Noes 2

  32. Mar 14, 2016 · Senate

    Withdrawn from joint committee on Finance and made Available for Scheduling by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 3, Noes 2

  33. Mar 14, 2016 · Senate

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

  34. Mar 14, 2016 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 3-15-2016 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  35. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Lassa, C. Larson, Shilling, L. Taylor, Risser, Erpenbach, Miller, Ringhand, Wirch, Hansen and Bewley

  36. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senators Lassa, C. Larson, Shilling, Risser, Erpenbach, Miller, Ringhand, Wirch, Hansen and Bewley

  37. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Read a second time

  38. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  39. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  40. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  41. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  42. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 0

  43. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  44. Mar 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Received from Senate concurred in

  45. Mar 23, 2016 · Assembly

    Report correctly enrolled on 3-23-2016

  46. Mar 29, 2016 · Assembly

    Presented to the Governor on 3-29-2016

  47. Mar 31, 2016 · Assembly

    Report approved by the Governor on 3-30-2016. 2015 Wisconsin Act 312

  48. Mar 31, 2016 · Assembly

    Published 3-31-2016

Terms on this page

Wisconsin Act

The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.

Official term: Act. More in the glossary

Legislative Reference Bureau

The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.

Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary

Author

A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary

Signed on in support

Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.

Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary

Cost estimate

A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.

Official term: Fiscal estimate. More in the glossary

Roll call

A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.

Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary

From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source

Wisconsin Act

The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.

Official term: Act

More in the glossary

Legislative Reference Bureau

The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.

Official term: LRB analysis

More in the glossary

Author

A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Official term: Author, coauthor

More in the glossary

Signed on in support

Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.

Official term: Cosponsor

More in the glossary

Cost estimate

A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.

Official term: Fiscal estimate

More in the glossary

Roll call

A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.

Official term: Roll call vote

More in the glossary