The new bill authored by State Rep. Allen in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to revise the real estate transfer fee and how its proceeds are distributed among counties and state funds, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “the amount and distribution of the real estate transfer fee, grants under the land information program, real property recording notification systems, and making an appropriation. (FE)”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill modifies the structure of the real estate transfer fee and the allocation of its proceeds. It decreases the transfer fee to 20 cents per $100 of property value and adjusts the distribution, with counties retaining 50%, 30% going to the general fund, and 20% to the land information fund. The bill also increases the base and education grant amounts to counties from the land information program and mandates that 46% of land information fund receipts be distributed as grants based on the proportion of fees collected by each county. Furthermore, counties retaining transfer fees must establish a notification system monitored by the register of deeds to alert applicants of changes in property records, free of charge. The new provisions take effect 30 days after publication.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Rob Stafsholt (Republican-10th District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), and Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), along 15 other co-sponsors.
Scott Allen has co-authored or authored another 48 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Allen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1989 with a BA.
Allen, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state’s 82nd Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Chuck Wichgers.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB216 | 04/23/2025 | The amount and distribution of the real estate transfer fee, grants under the land information program, real property recording notification systems, and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB183 | 04/15/2025 | Standard industrial classification codes for linen supply and industrial launderers and modifying the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit. (FE) |
| AB148 | 03/17/2025 | Interpreter action by telephone or live audiovisual means in civil or criminal proceedings |
| AB104 | 03/05/2025 | Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age |
| AB89 | 02/28/2025 | Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB86 | 02/28/2025 | Imposing the penalty of life imprisonment for the crime of child trafficking and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB84 | 02/28/2025 | Prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB81 | 02/28/2025 | Excluding expenditures funded by referenda from shared costs for the purpose of determining equalization aid for school districts. (FE) |
| AB69 | 02/24/2025 | The sales and use tax exemption for electricity and natural gas sold for residential use. (FE) |
| AB67 | 02/24/2025 | Venue for actions in which there is a governmental party |
| AB65 | 02/24/2025 | Entering certain places with intent to commit battery and providing a penalty |
| AB60 | 02/24/2025 | Referendum questions for certain referenda that affect property taxes. (FE) |
| AB55 | 02/24/2025 | Possession of a firearm on school grounds by school employees and fees for licenses to carry a concealed weapon. (FE) |
| AB40 | 02/17/2025 | School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB39 | 02/17/2025 | Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer |
| AB37 | 02/17/2025 | Personalized registration plate fees for gold star family special registration plates. (FE) |
| AB20 | 02/06/2025 | Allowing certain married persons to claim the earned income tax credit when filing a separate return. (FE) |
| AB19 | 02/06/2025 | Increased penalties for crimes against adults at risk; restraining orders for adults at risk; freezing assets of a defendant charged with financial exploitation of an adult at risk; sexual assault of an adult at risk; and providing a penalty |
