summary
Introduced
10/24/2025
10/24/2025
In Committee
01/29/2026
01/29/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation may certify certain businesses as Xqualified new business ventures" for purposes of receiving investments that qualify the investors for tax credits under the angel and early stage seed investment tax credit program. WEDC may certify a business as a qualified new business venture if, among other requirements, the business has its headquarters in this state and at least 51 percent of the business[s employees are employed in this state. This bill eliminates the 51 percent in-state employment requirement for certification. Also under current law, a business must agree not to relocate outside of this state within three years after the business receives an investment under the program. Currently, relocation generally is defined as locating more than 51 percent any of the following outside of this state: 1) the business[s employees; 2) the business[s total payroll; or 3) the activities of the business[s headquarters. Under the bill, a business is considered to have relocated outside of this state if the business locates its headquarters outside of this state. LRB-4913/1 JK:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 564 Under current law, WEDC may certify a business as a qualified new business venture if, among other requirements, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the business has not received more than $12,000,000 in investments that qualified for tax credits under the program. The bill raises that threshold to $20,000,000 for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the criteria for qualifying as a new business venture in Wisconsin, making several key changes to the state's economic development rules. The bill eliminates the requirement that a business must have 51 percent of its employees located in Wisconsin to be certified as a qualified new business venture by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). It also changes the definition of business relocation, now considering a business to have relocated only if it moves its headquarters outside the state, instead of the previous more complex criteria involving employee and payroll location. Additionally, the bill increases the investment threshold for tax credit eligibility from $12 million to $20 million for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. These modifications are designed to provide more flexibility for businesses seeking to qualify for angel and early-stage seed investment tax credits, potentially making Wisconsin a more attractive environment for new and growing businesses by reducing restrictive geographic and investment constraints.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Business and Industry
Sponsors (12)
Dan Feyen (R)*,
Brad Pfaff (D)*,
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
David Armstrong (R),
Russell Goodwin (D),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Clint Moses (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
Randy Udell (D),
Robert Wittke (R),
Shannon Zimmerman (R),
Last Action
Representative Anderson added as a cosponsor (on 02/10/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb564 |
| SB564 ROCP for Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development On 1/27/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/government_operations_labor_and_economic_development/1967901.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB564: Fiscal Estimate From WEDC | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb564/sb564_wedc.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB564.pdf |
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