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: "voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and the application of the Wisconsin Consumer Act to leases. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill addresses voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and exempts residential and mobile home leases from the Wisconsin Consumer Act beginning April 2024. It specifies that if a court finds a lease contains such provisions, tenants can either void the lease, converting it into a periodic tenancy with consistent payment obligations excluding the voidable terms, or sever the problematic clause and continue under the remaining lease terms. The bill entitles those harmed by voidable provisions to sue for damages and recover twice their pecuniary loss, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs, but specifies that rent payments are not considered pecuniary losses under these provisions. Additionally, it limits available remedies for violations to those explicitly provided in the bill.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Benjamin Franklin (Republican-88th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Senator John Jagler (Republican-13th District), and Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), along 16 other co-sponsors.
Robert Brooks has co-authored or authored another 34 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB202 | 04/17/2025 | Voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and the application of the Wisconsin Consumer Act to leases. (FE) |
| 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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