Governor Evers signs bipartisan bill to cap cryptocurrency transfers and expand affordable housing stock
(Madison, WI) – Yesterday afternoon, Governor Evers signed several pieces of legislation into law aimed at safeguarding financial security and housing stability of older Wisconsinites. The Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN) joined state leaders to celebrate the enactment of these critical protections, which target the rising threat of cryptocurrency scams and the state’s urgent affordable housing shortage.
Combatting Financial Exploitation
The newly enacted 2025 Wisconsin Act 226 (formerly AB 968) establishes first-of-their kind consumer protections for cryptocurrency kiosks (crypto ATMs). These machines have increasingly become tools for scammers to defraud older Wisconsinites (and adults of all ages) of their retirement savings.
“We are especially grateful to bill authors Rep. Pat Snyder (R-Weston) and Rep. Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska) for including crypto kiosk legislation in their Speaker’s Task Force on Elder Services legislative package and for bill author Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp),” said John Schnabl, the Executive Director of the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc. (GWAAR) and member of WAAN’s leadership team. “Strong bipartisan support, the bravery of people who lost thousands of dollars and were willing to share their stories for public good, passionate advocacy by aging and law enforcement advocates, and the support of Governor Evers made it possible to get this legislation signed into law before more Wisconsinites were defrauded of their retirement security. This legislation protects the hard-earned money of our neighbors.”
Key protections include:
Daily transaction limits: Caps transactions at $1,000 per day
Requiring receipts: Operators must provide both physical and electronic receipts for every transaction.
Enhanced Identification: Mandates consumer identification measures for every transaction.
Victim Refunds: Allows scam victims to receive refunds for fraudulent transactions under specific conditions.
Expanding Affordable Housing
WAAN is also celebrating the signing of 2025 Wisconsin Act 236 (formerly AB 182) which make important changes to the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) and 2025 Wisconsin Act 237 (formerly AB 194) which modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) to help increase Wisconsin’s housing stock. “A lack of affordable housing and limited available housing stock has made seniors the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness,” said Janet Zander, GWAAR’s Advocacy and Public Policy Director.” “The gap in housing forces some older Wisconsinites to live in unsuitable, non-accessible homes, impacting their ability to live independently.”
The new laws improve housing access by:
Rural Prioritization: Requiring WHEDA to set aside at least 35% of its annual LIHTC allocations for qualified projects in rural areas.
Broadening Eligibility: Removing the requirement that LIHTC projects be financed by tax- exempt bonds, allowing more future projects to qualify.
Lowering Barriers: Streamlining participation in the Infrastructure Access Program, Restore Main Street Program and Vacancy-to-Vitality Program to increase housing stock statewide.
WAAN extends its gratitude to Sen. Roman Quinn (R-Birchwood) and Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) for their leadership on this important housing legislation and to Governor Tony Evers for his support of this bipartisan legislation.
Housing is one of the basic needs for healthy, safe and vibrant communities. Addressing affordability, accessibility, and supply issues will enable more older adults to remain in their homes and communities.
