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Bill > SB658
WI SB658
WI SB658Creating a tax credit for insurers for certain investments in community development entities. (FE)
summary
Introduced
11/14/2025
11/14/2025
In Committee
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under this bill, an insurer that makes a qualified equity investment in a qualified community development entity may receive a credit against the state taxes imposed on insurers. In order for the insurer to claim the credit, a qualified community development entity must use the capital raised from the insurer’s qualified equity investment to make investments in or loans to qualified active low- income community businesses that have their principal business operations in this state. The credit is equal to zero percent of the insurer’s qualified equity investment for the first and second year after the issuance of the investment, and 10 percent of the qualified equity investment for the next five years. The bill defines “qualified community development entity” as generally an entity that has the primary mission of serving or providing investment capital for low-income communities or low-income persons and that has low-income persons represented on a governing or advisory board of the entity. The bill defines a “qualified active low-income community business” as generally an entity that 1) receives at least 50 percent of its gross income from certain business conducted within a low-income community; 2) uses a substantial portion of its tangible property within a low- income community; 3) performs a substantial portion of its services within a low- LRB-1425/1 KP:amn&klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 658 income community; 4) has less than 5 percent of its property attributable to debt collection; and 5) receives less than 15 percent of its revenue from the rental or sale of real estate. Under the bill, qualified community development entities must apply to the Department of Revenue for authority to issue qualified equity investments to insurers. DOR may approve up to a total of $125,000,000 in qualified equity investment authority for investment in qualified active low-income community businesses in rural counties and up to a total of $125,000,000 in such authority for investments in such businesses in metro counties. Also, DOR may approve an amount of qualified equity investment that generates no more than $25,000,000 in total credits per tax year. Under the bill, DOR may recapture credits from insurers if 1) the qualified community development entity receiving capital from qualified equity investments fails to use all of the capital to make investments in or loans to qualified active low-income community businesses; 2) if the qualified community development entity redeems or makes principal payment with respect to the qualified equity investment before the seventh anniversary of issuance of the investment; or 3) if any amount of the federal new markets tax credit that is available for a qualified equity investment is rescinded. Each qualified community development entity that is authorized to issue qualified equity investments under the bill must submit an annual report to DOR containing various information regarding the qualified low-income community investments made, including employment information for the qualified active low-income community businesses invested in the entity. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill creates a tax credit for insurers who make qualified equity investments in community development entities (CDEs) that support low-income communities. Insurers can claim a tax credit against state insurance fees, with the credit equal to 0% in the first two years and 10% in the next five years after the investment. To qualify, the CDE must use the investment to fund businesses primarily operating in low-income areas within Wisconsin, with specific requirements about business income, property use, and service locations. The Department of Revenue will allocate $125 million each for rural and metro county investments, with a total credit limit of $25 million per tax year. Qualified community development entities must apply to the department, provide detailed information about their investments, and submit annual reports detailing the businesses funded, job creation, and employment statistics. The bill includes provisions for credit recapture if the CDE fails to invest the funds as required or redeems the investment before seven years. Importantly, these credits cannot be sold on the open market but can be transferred between affiliated insurance companies. The goal is to incentivize private investment in economically disadvantaged communities by offering tax benefits to insurers who support local business development.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (7)
Jesse James (R)*,
Howard Marklein (R)*,
David Armstrong (R),
Elijah Behnke (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Shannon Zimmerman (R),
Last Action
Available for scheduling (on 02/03/2026)
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/sb658 |
| SB658 ROCP for Joint Committee on Finance On 2/3/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/joint/finance/1970271.pdf |
| Senate Amendment 2 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB658-SA2.pdf |
| Analysis - LC Amendment Memo | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/lcamendmentmemos/2025/REG/SB658.pdf |
| SB658 ROCP for Committee on Agriculture and Revenue On 1/14/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/agriculture_and_revenue/1964037.pdf |
| Senate Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB658-SA1.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB658: Fiscal Estimate From OCI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb658/sb658_oci.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB658.pdf |
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