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Bills from the January 2018 Special Session

Assembly Bill 5

Creating a pilot and permanent program for making periodic payments to eligible recipients of the earned income tax credit and making an appropriation. (FE)

Became law

The governor signed it on Apr 11, 2018. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Jan 26, 2018

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed Feb 15, 2018

  4. Senate vote, passed

    Passed 18 to 14

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2017 Wisconsin Act 270

Latest entry in the official record, Apr 11, 2018: “Published 4-11-2018”

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 authorizes the creation of a pilot and a permanent program under which periodic payments of an eligible individual's or married couple's federal and state earned income tax credit would be made to the claimant throughout the year, instead of a single payment when the claimant files his or her income tax return.

Under the bill, the Department of Revenue must request that the Internal Revenue Service assist DOR in a two-year pilot program to make monthly payments to eligible recipients for EITC amounts such claimants would otherwise be eligible to claim on their federal income tax returns. If the IRS agrees to participate, DOR and the IRS must enter into an agreement about the operation of the program and the responsibilities of the parties. If the IRS does not agree, the statute does not apply.

Read the full summary

Under the pilot program, the IRS would determine the amount of EITC that could likely be claimed by 100 randomly selected residents of Wisconsin for taxable years 2019 and 2020 and would forward that amount to DOR, for each taxable year.

The test group of 100 claimants would receive one-eleventh of their likely federal credit amount each month, up to two-thirds of the maximum likely credit amount.

Generally, any remaining EITC for which a claimant would be eligible could be claimed on the claimant's federal or state tax return.

DOR is required to establish a second test group of 100 claimants who are likely to be eligible to claim the EITC for taxable years 2019 and 2020, who will receive their EITC after filing their individual income tax returns, and compare their financial stability to that of the other test group.

For taxable years 2021 and thereafter, if DOR can reach an agreement with the IRS on each party's responsibilities and duties and can reach an agreement on how the program will operate, DOR must make the pilot program permanent for all eligible EITC claimants, based on the parameters and specifications of the pilot program.

Who's behind it

The Committee on Assembly Organization introduced it at the governor's request.

10 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 10 names

Signed on in support (10)

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 8 votes on this bill.

Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform vote on an amendment

Passed, 5 to 3 · Feb 6, 2018

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 Public Benefit Reform, Ayes 5, Noes 3”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform vote to recommend it

Passed, 5 to 3 · Feb 6, 2018

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 Public Benefit Reform, Ayes 5, Noes 3”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Joint Committee on Finance vote on an amendment

Passed, 12 to 4 · Feb 13, 2018

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 Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 12, Noes 4”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Joint Committee on Finance vote to recommend it

Passed, 12 to 4 · Feb 13, 2018

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 Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 12, Noes 4”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 62 to 35 · Feb 15, 2018

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 62, Noes 35”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 62 to 35 · Feb 15, 2018 · 1 didn't vote

See how each of the 98 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (62)

Didn't vote (1)

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

Senate vote

Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 16, 2018

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 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 18 to 14 · Feb 20, 2018

See how each of the 32 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

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

What happened

  1. Apr 11, 2018

    The new law was published.

  2. Apr 11, 2018

    The governor signed it. It became 2017 Wisconsin Act 270.

  3. Apr 9, 2018

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Feb 20, 2018

    The Senate passed it too, 18 to 14.

  5. Feb 16, 2018

    “Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  6. Feb 16, 2018

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Senate Organization.

  7. Feb 16, 2018

    The Senate received it.

  8. Feb 15, 2018

    The Assembly passed it, 62 to 35.

  9. Feb 15, 2018

    The Assembly adopted it.

  10. Feb 13, 2018

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 12 to 4.

  11. Feb 13, 2018

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  12. Feb 6, 2018

    Sent to the Joint Committee on Finance.

  13. Feb 6, 2018

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 5 to 3.

  14. Feb 1, 2018 to Feb 2, 2018

    2 more representatives signed on in support.

  15. Jan 31, 2018

    The committee held a public hearing.

  16. Jan 31, 2018

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  17. Jan 26, 2018

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform.

  18. Jan 26, 2018

    Introduced in the Assembly.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Jan 26, 2018 · Assembly

    Introduced by Committee on Assembly Organization, Representatives Vos, Krug, Felzkowski, Jagler, Sanfelippo, Tusler, Petersen, Duchow, Petryk, Kuglitsch, Tittl, Horlacher, Knodl, Brandtjen, Murphy, Neylon, Spiros, Wichgers, Bernier, Loudenbeck, Kleefisch, Rohrkaste, Katsma, Kremer and Swearingen; cosponsored by Senators Kapenga, Craig, Cowles, Darling, LeMahieu, Stroebel and Wanggaard, by request of Governor Scott Walker

  2. Jan 26, 2018 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Benefit Reform

  3. Jan 31, 2018 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  4. Jan 31, 2018 · Assembly

    Public hearing held

  5. Feb 1, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Born added as a coauthor

  6. Feb 2, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Kulp added as a coauthor

  7. Feb 2, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Vos

  8. Feb 6, 2018 · Assembly

    Executive action taken

  9. Feb 6, 2018 · Assembly

    Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Public Benefit Reform, Ayes 5, Noes 3

  10. Feb 6, 2018 · Assembly

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Public Benefit Reform, Ayes 5, Noes 3

  11. Feb 6, 2018 · Assembly

    Referred to joint committee on Finance

  12. Feb 8, 2018 · Assembly

    LRB correction

  13. Feb 8, 2018 · Assembly

    Executive action taken

  14. Feb 13, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Edming added as a coauthor

  15. Feb 13, 2018 · Assembly

    Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 12, Noes 4

  16. Feb 13, 2018 · Assembly

    Report passage as amended recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 12, Noes 4

  17. Feb 13, 2018 · Assembly

    Referred to calendar of 2-15-2018 pursuant to Assembly Rule 93

  18. Feb 15, 2018 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  19. Feb 15, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Riemer, Hebl, Kolste, Barca, Genrich, Vruwink, Meyers, Kessler, Brostoff, Crowley and Spreitzer

  20. Feb 15, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 35

  21. Feb 15, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

  22. Feb 15, 2018 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  23. Feb 15, 2018 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  24. Feb 15, 2018 · Assembly

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 62, Noes 35

  25. Feb 15, 2018 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  26. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Received from Assembly

  27. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

  28. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  29. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

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

  30. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 2-20-2018 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  31. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Read a second time

  32. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  33. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  34. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 14

  35. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  36. Feb 20, 2018 · Assembly

    Received from Senate concurred in

  37. Mar 8, 2018 · Assembly

    Report correctly enrolled on 3-8-2018

  38. Apr 9, 2018 · Assembly

    Presented to the Governor on 4-9-2018

  39. Apr 11, 2018 · Assembly

    Report approved by the Governor on 4-10-2018. 2017 Wisconsin Act 270

  40. Apr 11, 2018 · Assembly

    Published 4-11-2018

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

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

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