Wisconsin Senate Bill SB218

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/25/25
• Refer: 4/25/25

Caption

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)

Impact

The bill significantly impacts county-level administration concerning real estate transactions. The increase in the base amount of grants provided to counties from $100,000 to $175,000 for land information system development suggests a stronger focus on modernizing local land records. Additionally, the proposed increase of training grant amounts from $1,000 to $5,000 reflects a commitment to enhancing county employees' skills in managing land information systems. This shift indicates a substantial financial assistance boost to counties, fostering better local governance in land management.

Summary

Senate Bill 218 introduces changes to the real estate transfer fee and the administration of grants under the land information program in Wisconsin. The bill reduces the real estate transfer fee from 30 cents to 20 cents for every $100 of the property's value. The fee structure will also be altered such that 30% of the collected fees will go to the general fund, 20% to the land information fund, and the county will retain 50%. These adjustments aim to support counties by allowing them to keep a larger portion of the fees collected for local land administration expenses.

Contention

Among the notable points of contention is the potential impact on local autonomy regarding property management and the allocation of funds derived from real estate transactions. By mandating that counties establish a real property recording notification system, the bill places additional responsibilities on local governments without establishing a fee structure for its operation, which raises concerns about funding these new obligations. Some opponents may argue that while the bill aims to modernize systems and reduce costs for property transactions, it could inadvertently grow the bureaucracy at the county level, complicating local governance.