Madison – State Representative Amaad Rivera Wagner (Democrat, Green Bay) testified today before the Senate Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues, and Forestry in support of Senate Bill 663, bipartisan legislation he co authored to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in housing construction and help bring down costs for families across Wisconsin.
“At a time when it can be difficult to even get good ideas before the Legislature, I am proud of the bipartisan cooperation that brought this bill to a public hearing,” Rivera Wagner said. “Housing is not a partisan issue. It is a kitchen table issue. Whether you live in Green Bay, Rice Lake, or anywhere in between, working families, seniors, and young people are feeling the strain of rising housing costs.”
Senate Bill 663 and Assembly Bill 671 direct the Department of Administration to conduct a comprehensive, data driven review of overlapping federal, state, and local housing regulations. The study will examine requirements affecting single family, two family, and multifamily developments, identifying duplicative paperwork, approvals, and processes that add cost and delay without improving safety or quality.
“If we are serious about addressing Wisconsin’s housing shortage, we have to start with the facts,” Rivera Wagner said. “This bill creates a shared foundation of data so lawmakers from both parties can focus on practical solutions that actually move the needle.”
Research cited by the National Conference of State Legislatures shows that regulatory and administrative processes can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of a housing project and delay construction by months or even years.
Rep. Rivera Wagner co authored the bill with Dave Armstrong of Rice Lake, underscoring a shared commitment to addressing housing affordability through bipartisan cooperation.
“This bill is about making sure our policies match our values,” Rivera Wagner said. “Safe, quality housing should be attainable for the people who work here, raise families here, and want to stay here. Cutting red tape where it does not add value is a smart place to start.”
You will find the bill here.
