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WI SB1181

WI SB1181
Residency requirements for certain employees of a local governmental unit. (FE)


summary

Introduced
03/19/2026
In Committee
03/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
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. LRB-6353/1 EVM:ajk 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 1181

AI Summary

This bill modifies existing law to allow certain local governmental units to require specific employees to reside within their jurisdiction, which was generally prohibited before. Specifically, a city or village operating under a city manager system can now require the city manager to live within its limits, a school board can impose residency requirements on a school district administrator, and a police, fire, or combined protective services department can do the same for its chief. Additionally, a city or village can require its administrator to reside locally, and a county without an elected county executive can impose a residency requirement on its county administrator. These new provisions create exceptions to the general rule that local governments cannot mandate where their employees live, with the specific terms and conditions of these residency requirements to be determined by the respective governmental bodies.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (11)

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 04/08/2026)

bill text


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