Madison – Today, Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee) praised the Wisconsin State Assembly’s
passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 538.
“I want to thank the State Assembly for their overwhelming bipartisan support for this vital bill,”
said Rep. Fields.
AB 538 and its Senate companion bill Senate Bill (SB) 438 would bring outdated statutory
requirements of both Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Neighborhood Improvement
Districts (NIDs) up-to-date by doing three things:
Allow two or more BIDs to combine to form a single BID
Allow several technical fixes that would save costs for BIDs and NIDs by allowing those
organizations that have funds/budgets that total less than a $300,000 to submit certified
financial statements in lieu of submitting a CPA Certified Financial Audit, aimed at
getting results of greater financial savings
Allow the requirement of having one mailing go out versus sending multiple mailings to
property owners who maintain multiple properties when seeking to establish a BID or
NID and permit BIDs and NIDs to use the more cost effective first-class mail
“This bill will help update statutory requirements that will ultimately result in greater efficiencies
and cost savings as it relates to BIDs and NIBs” said Rep. Fields. “These updates will help the
City of Milwaukee and communities all across Wisconsin.”
“I truly appreciate the following Milwaukee region legislators for their leadership and support on
this legislation: Reps. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee), Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee), Kalan
Haywood (D-Milwaukee), David Bowen (D-Milwaukee), David Crowley (D-Milwaukee), Christine
Sinicki (D-Milwaukee), Ken Skowronski (R-Franklin) and JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee);
Sen. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield), the Senate author of the Assembly companion bill SB 438,
Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) and Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee). I also want to
thank the City of Milwaukee for their efforts working to make this a reality.
“This collective effort is a great example of finding common ground in bipartisan fashion that will
be beneficial to the Milwaukee region and beyond.”
Read the bill language here: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/proposals/ab538
