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Bills from the 2017–18 session

Assembly Bill 480

Review by the Department of Safety and Professional Services of the state electrical wiring code applicable to one-family and two-family dwellings; the legal description required for recording an easement for the construction, operation, or maintenance of sewer lines or facilities; expanding the use of tax incremental financing for workforce housing development and allowing a reduction in the amount of certain impact fees; effect of changes in requirements for development-related permits or authorizations on persons who apply for the permits or authorizations; exempting certain vehicles delivering propane from class B highway weight limitations and certain special or seasonal weight limitations; elimination of the forestation state property tax; reviews of and reports on bills and proposed administrative rules that affect housing; general permits to place riprap on the bed of a navigable water; and making an appropriation. (FE)

Became law

The governor signed it on Nov 27, 2017. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Aug 24, 2017

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed Nov 7, 2017

  4. Senate vote, passed

    Passed 25 to 8

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2017 Wisconsin Act 68

Latest entry in the official record, Nov 27, 2017: “Published 11-28-2017”

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What it does

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

introduction This bill makes various changes relating to the following:

1. Review by the Department of Safety and Professional Services of the state electrical wiring code applicable to one-family and two-family dwellings.

Read the full summary

2. The legal description required for recording an easement for the construction, operation, or maintenance of sewer lines or facilities.

3. Expanding the use of tax incremental financing for workforce housing development and requiring a reduction in the amount of certain impact fees.

4. The effect of changes in requirements for development-related permits or authorizations on persons who apply for the permits or authorizations.

5. Exempting certain vehicles delivering propane from class B highway weight limitations and certain special or seasonal weight limitations.

6. Eliminating the forestation state property tax.

7. Reviews of and reports on bills and proposed administrative rules that affect housing.

8. General permits to place riprap on the bed of a navigable water.

review of state electrical wiring code This bill requires the Department of Safety and Professional Services to review, once every six years, those portions of the state electrical wiring code that apply to one-family and two-family dwellings. In reviewing the code, DSPS must consult with the Uniform Dwelling Code Council and any council or committee created by the secretary of DSPS to advise DSPS regarding the code.

formal requisites for recording sewer easements This bill provides that a document that is recorded in the real estate records does not need to contain a full legal description of an easement for the construction, operation, or maintenance of sewer lines or facilities. Under current law, with certain exceptions, a document that affects title to land in this state that is recorded in the real estate records must contain a full legal description of the property affected by the document. One exception provides that a full legal description is not required for a description of an easement for the construction, operation, or maintenance of electric, gas, railroad, water, telecommunications, or telephone lines or facilities.

The bill adds sewers to the types of easements that are not required to have a full legal description.

tax incremental financing, impact fees This bill authorizes the creation of workforce housing development tax incremental districts and changes the method of imposing certain impact fees.

Under the current tax incremental financing program, a city or village may create a TID in part of its territory to foster development under certain conditions.

Currently, towns and counties also have a limited ability to create a TID under certain limited circumstances. Before a city or village may create a TID, several steps and plans are required. These steps and plans include public hearings on the proposed TID within specified time frames, preparation and adoption by the local planning commission of a proposed project plan for the TID, approval of the proposed project plan by the common council or village board, approval of the city's or village's proposed TID by a joint review board (JRB) that consists of members who represent the overlying taxation districts, and adoption of a resolution by the common council or village board that creates the TID as of a date provided in the resolution.

Also under current law, once a TID has been created, the Department of Revenue calculates the “tax incremental base" value of the TID, which is the equalized value of all taxable property within the TID at the time of its creation. If the development in the TID increases the value of the property in the TID above the base value, a “value increment" is created. That portion of taxes collected on the value increment in excess of the base value is called a “tax increment." The tax increment is placed in a special fund that may be used only to pay back the project costs of the TID.

The project costs of a TID, which are initially incurred by the creating city or village, include public works such as sewers, streets, and lighting systems; financing costs; site preparation costs; and professional service costs. DOR authorizes the allocation of the tax increments until the TID terminates or, generally, 20 years, 23 years, or 27 years after the TID is created, depending on the type of TID and the year in which it was created. Also under current law, a city or village may not generally make expenditures for project costs later than five years before the unextended termination date of the TID. Under certain circumstances, the life of the TID, the expenditure period, and the allocation period may be extended. A TID is required to terminate, under current law and with some exceptions, once its project costs are paid back.

Generally under current law, project costs may be expended to benefit residential development but only certain TIDs for which a project plan was approved before September 30, 1995, or for a mix-use development. With regard to a mixed-use development, lands proposed for newly platted residential use may not exceed 35 percent, by area, of real property within the TID.

Under the bill, a workforce housing TID may contain only newly platted residential uses, 100 percent of which must be workforce housing. Before such a TID may be created, the JRB must approve the TID by a unanimous vote. For other TIDs, only a majority vote is required. A workforce housing TID has a maximum life of 15 years, and DOR may allocate tax increments for only 15 years.

Also under the bill, workforce housing is defined to mean housing based on the following two factors, which are subject to the five year average median costs as determined by the U.S. bureau of census:

1. Housing that costs no more than 30 percent of the household's gross median income.

2. The construction cost per housing unit, including rental housing, is no more than 80 percent of the median price for new residential construction in the county.

Under current law, if a city, village, or town imposes an impact fee on a developer to pay for certain capital costs that are necessary to accommodate land development, the ordinance may provide for an exemption from, or a reduction in the amount of, impact fees on land development that provides low-cost housing. Under this bill, the impact fee exemption or reduction provisions also apply to workforce housing. Current law prevents the shifting of an exemption from or reduction in impact fees to any other development in the land development in which the low-cost housing is located. The bill applies this provision to workforce housing as well.

development regulation Under current law, if a project requires more than one approval or approvals from more than one political subdivision and the applicant identifies the full scope of the project at the time of filing the application for the first approval required for the project, the existing requirements applicable in each political subdivision at the time of filing are applicable to all subsequent approvals required for the project.

Under this bill, for any project that requires an approval, if the applicant identifies the full scope of the project at the time of filing the application for the first approval required for the project, the existing requirements applicable in each political subdivision from which a subsequent approval is necessary at the time of filing are applicable to all subsequent approvals required for the project.

propane transport Under current law, in general, no person may operate on a highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory weight limits unless that person obtains a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local highway authority. Among the weight limitations are, generally, limitations on the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or by consecutive axles of the vehicle. In general, the maximum weight that may be imposed on the highway by one axle is 20,000 pounds and the maximum weight that may be imposed on the highway by two axles is 35,000 pounds if the axles are eight feet apart and 34,000 pounds if the axles are less than eight feet apart.

Also under current law, local highway authorities may impose special or seasonal weight limitations on highways that, because of deterioration or climatic conditions, would likely be seriously damaged or destroyed if limitations were not imposed. For vehicles carrying certain commodities or being used to perform certain services, local highway authorities may set different weight limitations or exempt the vehicles from the special or seasonal weight limitations if an exemption or limitation is in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare.

Local authorities may also designate highways under their jurisdiction as class “B” highways. With limited exceptions, the maximum gross weight and per-axle vehicle weight for vehicles on a class “B” highway is 60 percent of the weight allowed by statute if the vehicles were operating on a highway that is not designated as a class “B” highway.

This bill provides that special or seasonal weight limitations imposed by a highway authority and class “B” highway weight limitations do not apply to a motor vehicle that is being operated to deliver propane for heating purposes if the gross weight imposed on the highway by the vehicle does not exceed 30,000 pounds, for a vehicle with a single rear axle, or 40,000 pounds, for a vehicle with tandem rear axles, and, if the motor vehicle is a tank vehicle, the tank is loaded to no more than 50 percent of the capacity of the tank. The bill provides that a tank vehicle must be equipped with a gauge on the tank that shows the amount of propane in the tank as a percent of capacity of the tank and must carry documentation of the capacity of the tank either on the cargo tank or in the cab of the vehicle.

forestation state property tax This bill eliminates the forestation state property tax. Proceeds from the tax are paid into the conservation fund and used to acquire, preserve, and develop the forests of the state. The tax rate is 0.1697 mills for each dollar of the assessed value of the property of the state as determined by the Department of Revenue. The bill provides that in each fiscal year an amount equal to 0.1697 mills for each dollar of the assessed value of the property of the state is transferred from the general fund to the conservation fund to be used for the same purpose as the tax.

reports on bills and rules affecting housing Current law requires the Department of Administration to prepare a report on any bill or any proposed administrative rule that directly or substantially affects the development, construction, cost, or availability of housing in this state. A report for a bill must be completed within 30 days after the bill affecting housing is introduced, and a report for a proposed rule must be completed within 30 days after the rule is submitted to DOA and must be completed before the rule is submitted to the Legislative Council Staff for review. A report on either a bill or a proposed rule that affects housing must include information on the effect of the bill or proposed rule on the state housing strategy plan, the cost of constructing, rehabilitating, improving, or maintaining housing, the cost and availability of financing to purchase or develop housing, the purchase price of housing, and other housing costs such as rent, utilities and property taxes.

This bill does all of the following with respect to reports on bills or rules affecting housing:

1. Retitles such a report a “housing impact analysis.” 2. Requires a housing impact analysis for any bill or proposed rule that may increase or decrease, either directly or indirectly, the cost of the development, construction, financing, purchasing, sale, ownership, or availability of housing in this state.

3. Makes various changes to the information and analysis that is required to be included in a housing impact analysis and specifies how that information is expressed in the report.

4. With respect to a housing impact analysis for a proposed rule, requires the agency proposing the rule, rather than DOA, to prepare the housing impact analysis.

The bill also requires that a housing impact analysis be included in an agency's submission to the Legislative Council Staff during the rule-making process and that an agency prepare a revised housing impact analysis if the housing impact of the rule is significantly changed.

riprap general permits Down Down /2017/related/proposals/ab480 true proposaltext /2017/related/proposals/ab480 proposaltext/2017/REG/AB480 proposaltext/2017/REG/AB480 section true Menu » 2017 » Related Documents » Proposal Text » AB480: Bill Text × Details for PDF view Link (Permanent link) Bookmark this location View toggle Go to top of document Search in this chapter Search in this section Search in this agency Search in this chapter group Search in this chapter Search in this section Cross references for section Acts affecting this section References to this 1970 Statutes Annotations Appellate Court Citations Administrative Code Index Reference lines Clear highlighting $(document).ready(function () {

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Who's behind it

12 lawmakers are its ⁠. All 12 are Republicans.

4 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 16 names

Authors (12)

Signed on in support (4)

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 4 votes on this bill.

Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate vote on an amendment

Passed, 8 to 0 · Nov 1, 2017

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

Official motion: “Report Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adoption recommended by Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 8, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate vote to recommend it

Passed, 8 to 0 · Nov 1, 2017

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 Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 8, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Failed, 32 to 61 · Nov 7, 2017 · 5 didn't vote

See how each of the 98 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

No (61)

Didn't vote (5)

Official motion: “TABLE AMENDMENT”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 25 to 8 · Nov 7, 2017

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Official motion: “CONCURRENCE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Nov 27, 2017

    The new law was published.

  2. Nov 27, 2017

    The governor signed it. It became 2017 Wisconsin Act 68.

  3. Nov 22, 2017

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Nov 14, 2017

    “Department of Transportation Vehicle report received pursuant to s.13.096, Wisconsin Statutes” (the official wording)

  5. Nov 7, 2017

    The Senate passed it too, 25 to 8.

  6. Nov 7, 2017

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Senate Organization.

  7. Nov 7, 2017

    The Senate received it.

  8. Nov 7, 2017

    The Assembly passed it.

  9. Nov 7, 2017

    The Assembly adopted it.

  10. Nov 1, 2017

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  11. Nov 1, 2017

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 8 to 0.

  12. Oct 24, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  13. Oct 17, 2017

    The committee held a public hearing.

  14. Sep 12, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  15. Sep 5, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  16. Aug 24, 2017

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate.

  17. Aug 24, 2017

    Introduced in the Assembly.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Aug 24, 2017 · Assembly

    Introduced by Representatives Jarchow, Allen, R. Brooks, Felzkowski, Gannon, Horlacher, Hutton, Kremer, Krug, Quinn, Stafsholt and Tusler; cosponsored by Senators Tiffany, Darling, Lasee and Nass

  2. Aug 24, 2017 · Assembly

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

  3. Sep 5, 2017 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  4. Sep 12, 2017 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  5. Sep 12, 2017 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  6. Oct 16, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Jarchow

  7. Oct 17, 2017 · Assembly

    Public hearing held

  8. Oct 19, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative Jarchow

  9. Oct 24, 2017 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  10. Oct 26, 2017 · Assembly

    Executive action taken

  11. Nov 1, 2017 · Assembly

    Report Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adoption recommended by Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 8, Noes 0

  12. Nov 1, 2017 · Assembly

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 8, Noes 0

  13. Nov 1, 2017 · Assembly

    Referred to committee on Rules

  14. Nov 1, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative Jarchow

  15. Nov 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Placed on calendar 11-7-2017 by Committee on Rules

  16. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  17. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Refused to table Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2, Ayes 32, Noes 61

  18. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adopted

  19. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adopted

  20. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  21. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  22. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Read a third time and passed

  23. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  24. Nov 7, 2017 · Senate

    Received from Assembly

  25. Nov 7, 2017 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

  26. Nov 7, 2017 · Senate

    Rules suspended to withdraw from committee on Senate Organization and take up

  27. Nov 7, 2017 · Senate

    Read a second time

  28. Nov 7, 2017 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  29. Nov 7, 2017 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  30. Nov 7, 2017 · Senate

    Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 25, Noes 8

  31. Nov 7, 2017 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  32. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Received from Senate concurred in

  33. Nov 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Department of Transportation Vehicle report received pursuant to s.13.096, Wisconsin Statutes

  34. Nov 22, 2017 · Assembly

    LRB correction (Assembly Substitute Amendment 2)

  35. Nov 22, 2017 · Assembly

    Report correctly enrolled on 11-22-2017

  36. Nov 22, 2017 · Assembly

    Presented to the Governor on 11-22-2017

  37. Nov 27, 2017 · Assembly

    Report approved by the Governor on 11-27-2017. 2017 Wisconsin Act 68

  38. Nov 27, 2017 · Assembly

    Published 11-28-2017

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

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

Author

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

Official term: Author, coauthor

Signed on in support

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

Official term: Cosponsor

Cost estimate

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

Official term: Fiscal estimate

Roll call

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

Official term: Roll call vote