Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Relating to: limitations on extraterritorial subdivision ordinances of incorporated municipalities.
Attorney — Fee Court — Procedure Municipality — Incorporation Ordinance Town
- Introduced, stopped here
- Passes Senate, not reached
- Passes Assembly, not reached
- Governor signs, not reached
- Law, not reached
Unfamiliar terms? Glossary
What this bill does
Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law generally authorizes cities and villages (incorporated municipalities) to exercise subdivision regulation authority in certain areas that are outside of the boundaries of the city or village (extraterritorial land regulation jurisdiction). The extraterritorial land regulation jurisdiction consists of unincorporated areas (town territory) within three miles of the corporate limits of a first, second, or third class city or within 1.5 miles of a fourth class city or a village.
This bill specifies that incorporated municipalities may not deny approval of subdivision of land in an extraterritorial land regulation jurisdiction based on 1) the proposed use of the land, 2) specifications related to public improvements on the land, 3) land division design standards, or 4) an agreement or lack of agreement related to the annexation of the land. The bill also provides that in any action brought by a town to enforce any of these provisions, if the town is the prevailing party, the town is entitled to have its reasonable attorney fees reimbursed by the incorporated municipality.
Sponsors
Registered lobbying interests · 5
Organizations that registered lobbying activity on this bill with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Registration means interest, not a position for or against. Official record
Full history
- Jan 23, 2026 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Testin, Jacque, Marklein and Stafsholt; cosponsored by Representatives Hurd, Armstrong, Dittrich, Kitchens, Kreibich, Melotik, Moses, Mursau, O'Connor, Summerfield and Swearingen
- Jan 23, 2026 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Local Government
- Mar 23, 2026 · Senate
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1