Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Memo published: January 31, 2024 Contact: Katie Bender-Olson, Principal Attorney
2023 Assembly Bill 182
Assembly Substitute
Amendment 1
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 182
Assembly Bill 182 is a study committee bill developed by the Joint Legislative Council Study Committee
on Increasing Offender Employment Opportunities. The bill requires the Department of Corrections
(DOC) to create a Certificate of Rental Readiness and issue these certificates to individuals who
complete training on rental readiness as part of their re-entry programming prior to release from
confinement.
Assembly Bill 182 also creates two incentives for landlords who rent to individuals who hold a
Certificate of Rental Readiness. First, the bill grants immunity from civil liability to a landlord who
leases a residence to an individual who holds a Certificate of Rental Readiness for injuries or damages
caused by the individual’s intentional acts or omissions.
Second, the bill authorizes the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) to
administer a bond program to fund repairs for physical damage to rental property caused by an
individual who holds a Certificate of Rental Readiness. Under the bill, funds from the program may
cover repairs for a single 12-month lease period, within the first two years after the individual’s release
from confinement.
ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 eliminates the WHEDA bonding program covering physical damage
to property caused by an individual holding a Certificate of Rental Readiness.
The substitute amendment retains the bill provisions establishing a DOC-issued Certificate of Rental
Readiness and granting civil immunity to landlords who rent to certificate holders.
BILL HISTORY
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 was offered by Representative Schraa on January 19, 2024. The
Assembly Committee on Corrections adopted the amendment on a vote of Ayes, 11; Noes, 0, and passed
the bill, as amended, on a vote of Ayes, 9; Noes 2.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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