Robert Brooks, Wisconsin State Representative for 59th District | Official website
Robert Brooks, Wisconsin State Representative for 59th District | Official website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill revises three housing programs administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority: the Infrastructure Access Program, Restore Main Street Program, and Vacancy-to-Vitality Program. Key changes include increasing the percentage of project costs covered by loans, raising caps on loan amounts, and extending eligibility to tribal housing authorities. For infrastructure projects, loans for developers can now cover up to 33% of total project costs, and loans for government units up to 25%. The main street rehabilitation program now allows loans up to $50,000 per dwelling or 33% of costs, whichever is less. For commercial-to-housing conversions, the cap is lifted, and loans can cover 33% of residential construction costs. The bill mandates regional distribution of loan funds, limits one region's loan to 12.5% of total appropriations, and permits mixed-use developments to qualify for loans. It also allows loans for projects on tribal lands not subject to state property taxes on the effective date and introduces provisions for tax incremental districts and historical tax credits. The bill also requires better cost and time-saving measures reporting by local governments to improve housing affordability. These changes take effect immediately upon passing.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District), Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Brienne Brown (Democrat-43rd District), Representative Ben DeSmidt (Democrat-65th District), Representative Bob G. Donovan (Republican-61st District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), and Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), along 37 other co-sponsors.
Robert Brooks has co-authored or authored another 32 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Brooks, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 59th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Ty Bodden.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB194 | 04/15/2025 | Modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE) |
| AB188 | 04/15/2025 | Reduction of penalty surcharge when certain fines or forfeitures reduced. (FE) |
| AB174 | 04/14/2025 | Transmission facilities; installation of large wind energy, large solar energy, and battery energy storage systems; installation of light-mitigating technology systems; and prioritizing nuclear energy resources. (FE) |
| AB163 | 04/08/2025 | Redeterminations of eligibility for the Medical Assistance program and database confirmation for public assistance program eligibility. (FE) |
| AB140 | 03/17/2025 | Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE) |
| AB51 | 02/20/2025 | Participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations |
| AB45 | 02/17/2025 | Ratification of the Dietitian Licensure Compact. (FE) |
| AB8 | 02/06/2025 | Agreements for direct primary care |
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