summary
Introduced
11/10/2025
11/10/2025
In Committee
11/20/2025
11/20/2025
Crossed Over
11/19/2025
11/19/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill creates a new aid program for certain consolidated school districts. To be eligible for this aid, the consolidation that created the consolidated school district must take effect on or after July 1, 2026, and the consolidated school district’s maximum allowable levy rate must be greater than the lowest levy rate of the school districts that were consolidated to create the school district (underlying school districts). In general, the levy rate of a school district is the total amount of property taxes levied by the school district divided by the school district’s equalized value. The bill does not provide funding for the new aid program. An eligible consolidated school district is entitled in the first school year following the consolidation to aid in an amount equal to the consolidated school district’s equalized value multiplied by the difference between the maximum allowable levy rate of the consolidated school district and the lowest levy rate of the underlying school districts (base aid amount). In the second school year following the consolidation, the consolidated school district is entitled to aid in an amount equal to 80 percent of the base aid amount. In the third school year following the consolidation, the consolidated school district is entitled to aid in an amount equal to 60 percent of the base aid amount. The amount of the aid continues to be reduced by 20 percent each school year so that in the sixth school year following the consolidation, the consolidated school district no longer receives this aid. Current law limits the total amount of revenue a school district may receive from general state aids and property taxes in a school year. This limitation is known as a school district’s revenue limit. The new aid provided under the bill is a general state aid for purposes of school district revenue limits. As a result, the new aid reduces the amount of property taxes that the consolidated school district is allowed to levy. Additionally, under current law, a consolidated school district is eligible for state aid in the amount of $150 per pupil for the five school years following the consolidation and a percentage of that amount in the sixth and seventh school years following the consolidation. The bill makes no changes to this consolidation state aid. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new supplemental state aid program for school districts that consolidate on or after July 1, 2026, designed to help offset potential financial challenges during the consolidation process. To qualify, the consolidated school district's property tax levy rate must be higher than the lowest levy rate of the underlying districts that were merged. The aid is calculated by multiplying the consolidated district's total property value by the difference in levy rates, with a declining payment schedule: in the first year after consolidation, the district receives 100% of the calculated aid amount, which then reduces by 20% each subsequent year until the sixth year, when the aid stops completely. The bill specifies that this new aid is considered a general state aid, which means it will reduce the amount of property taxes the consolidated school district can levy. Importantly, the bill does not provide specific funding for this new aid program and includes a provision that if the appropriated funds are insufficient, payments will be prorated among eligible districts. This legislation aims to provide financial support and incentives for school district consolidations while gradually transitioning the districts to financial self-sufficiency.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (10)
David Armstrong (R)*,
Cindi Duchow (R)*,
Nate Gustafson (R)*,
Joel Kitchens (R)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Amanda Nedweski (R)*,
Jerry O'Connor (R)*,
David Steffen (R)*,
Shannon Zimmerman (R)*,
Mary Felzkowski (R),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 12/03/2025)
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/asm/bill/ab648 |
| Fiscal Note - AB648: Fiscal Estimate From DPI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab648/ab648_dpi.pdf |
| Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/AB648-ASA2.pdf |
| Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/AB648-ASA1.pdf |
| AB648 ROCP for Committee on Education | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/education/1953834.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB648.pdf |
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