Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Brooks bill allows Port Washington tax district exception

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Robert Brooks seeks to modify tax incremental financing rules by exempting Port Washington’s Tax Incremental District Number 5 from the usual 12% value cap, aiming to address local financing needs, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

It passed both chambers as of June 18, clearing the Assembly by a vote of 91-6 and the Senate by a vote of 29-3.

Gov. Tony Evers signed the bill into law on July 8.

The bill, introduced as AB140 on March 17, during the 2025 session, was summarized by the state legislature as follows: “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)”.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill creates an exception to the existing state law regarding tax incremental financing districts for the city of Port Washington. Typically, the combined equalized value of a new or amended tax incremental district and all existing districts within a city or village cannot exceed 12% of the total equalized value of taxable property within that municipality. However, this bill stipulates that this 12% limitation does not apply to the creation of Tax Incremental District Number 5 by the common council of the city of Port Washington, effectively allowing this district to surpass the usual value limits.

In the Assembly, 39 Democrats and 52 Republicans voted in favor while five Democrats and one Republican opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 12 Democrats and 17 Republicans voted in favor while two Democrats and one Republican voted against it.

Representatives Brooks, Melotik, Armstrong and O’Connor introduced the bill in the Wisconsin Assembly on March 17 during the 2025 legislative session. The bill was also co-authored by Sen. Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Rep. David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), and Rep. Jerry L. O’Connor (Republican-60th District).

The bill was also sponsored by Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District).

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.