Bill

Bill > AB896


WI AB896

WI AB896
Local governmental consultation related to federal refugee resettlement and assistance. (FE)


summary

Introduced
01/23/2026
In Committee
01/23/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill provides a procedure for providing notice of, and designating local consultation regarding, certain refugee resettlement and assistance. Under the bill, if an employee or officer of a city, village, town, county, or school district (local governmental unit) contacts or is contacted by the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency regarding certain proposed placements of refugees in the local governmental unit, the employee or officer must report the contact to the chief elected official (placement report). The chief elected official must then notify each local governmental unit located, entirely or partially, within a 100-mile radius. The governing body of each local governmental unit receiving one of these notifications must meet and 1) include on the meeting agenda an informational item that the notification has been received and allow for a public comment on the item, and 2) designate a representative for the local governmental unit for purposes of consultation with the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency. Under the bill, all designees in the county with regard to a particular placement report must meet as a county refugee placement committee to discuss the proposed placement of refugees. The committee must then hold a public hearing regarding the proposed placement of refugees. After the hearing, the committee must make a recommendation on whether the local governmental unit should pass a resolution regarding its position on the proposed refugee placement and provide each designee with guidance on all considerations that should be included as part of a consultation with the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency regarding the proposed placement of refugees. Designees must also report to the governing body of the local governmental unit for which the designee is a representative any plan relating to the proposed refugee placement established after consultation with the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a formal process for local governments to be consulted and involved in federal refugee resettlement efforts. If an employee or officer of a city, village, town, county, or school district (referred to as a "local governmental unit") is contacted about proposed refugee placements, they must report this to their chief elected official, who then notifies all local governmental units within a 100-mile radius. Each notified local governmental unit must hold a public meeting to discuss the notification and designate a representative for consultation. All designees within a county then form a county refugee resettlement committee, which must hold a public hearing on the proposed placement. Following the hearing, the committee will recommend whether the local governmental unit should pass a resolution on the placement and provide guidance to designees on consultation considerations, such as potential local impacts. Finally, after a resettlement plan is established, designees must report the plan to their respective local governmental units.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (13)

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 02/11/2026)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...