Bill
Bill > AB1204
summary
Introduced
03/19/2026
03/19/2026
In Committee
03/19/2026
03/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/23/2026
03/23/2026
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, a local governmental unit (city, village, town, county, or school district) may not, generally, require as a condition of employment that any employee or prospective employee reside within any jurisdictional limit. Current law provides limited exceptions to the prohibition on residency requirements for law enforcement, fire, or emergency personnel. Under this bill, 1) a city or village that operates under the city manager system of government may impose a residency requirement on a city manager; 2) a school board may impose a residency requirement on a school district administrator; 3) a police, fire, or combined protective services department may impose a residency requirement on its chief; 4) a city or village may impose a residency requirement on a city or village administrator; and 5) a county that does not have an elected county executive may impose a residency requirement on a county administrator. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing law to allow certain local governmental units to require specific high-level employees to reside within their jurisdiction, which is a departure from the general prohibition against such residency requirements. Specifically, a city or village operating under a city manager system can now require its city manager to live within its limits, and a school board can impose a residency requirement on its school district administrator. Additionally, police, fire, or combined protective services departments can require their chief to reside within their jurisdiction, and a city or village can require its administrator to do the same. Finally, a county that does not have an elected county executive can now require its county administrator to reside within the county. These changes aim to provide local governments with more flexibility in hiring key leadership positions.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (11)
Clint Anderson (D)*,
Brienne Brown (D)*,
Ryan Clancy (D)*,
Jodene Emerson (D)*,
Lori Palmeri (D)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Randy Udell (D)*,
Tim Carpenter (D),
Chris Larson (D),
Kelda Roys (D),
Mark Spreitzer (D),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 04/08/2026)
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/asm/bill/ab1204 |
| Fiscal Note - AB1204: Fiscal Estimate From DOR | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab1204/ab1204_dor.pdf |
| AB1204 ROCP for Committee on Local Government | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/local_government/1986149.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB1204.pdf |
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