Support the Historic Preservation Tax Credit “Repair” Bill (LRB 2879/3841)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2025

Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation Applauds Introduction of Assembly Bill 375 and Senate Bill 382 to Strengthen State’s Historic Tax Credit Program

OSHKOSH, Wis. — The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation today applauded the introduction of Assembly Bill 375 and its Senate companion, Senate Bill 382, bipartisan legislation designed to modernize and strengthen Wisconsin’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit (HTC) program.

Help move the bill to a floor vote!

Committee hearings on this legislation will be scheduled for late August or early September.
Contact us if you’d like to testify or attend the next committee meeting.

The bills, authored by Representative Dave Armstrong and Senator Dan Feyen, and co-sponsored by a broad coalition of lawmakers, have been referred to key committees: AB 375 to the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, and SB 382 to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Revenue.

“This legislation is an important and timely fix that will restore the effectiveness of a vital preservation and economic development tool,” said Kathryn Berger, Interim CEO of the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation. “We commend the bill’s authors, Rep. Armstrong and Sen. Feyen, and thank all lawmakers who have signed on in support. This bill will help protect Wisconsin’s historic places while supporting economic revitalization in communities of all sizes.”

Assembly Bill 375 and Senate Bill 382 address barriers created by recent reinterpretations of state law and changes to federal tax policy that have restricted access to the HTC program. The proposed updates will:

  • Expand eligibility for smaller and rural projects

  • Allow credits to be claimed more quickly

  • Provide flexibility for future rehabilitation phases of historic properties

The Wisconsin Trust worked closely with key legislators and partners such as the Wisconsin Economic Development Association to identify these challenges and propose meaningful, practical solutions.

The Trust urges swift passage of AB 375 and SB 382 to ensure that Wisconsin’s historic buildings remain viable, vibrant assets for generations to come.

Media Contact:
Kathryn Berger
Interim CEO
kathryn@wipreservation.org
414.865.9431
www.wipreservation.org

 

Repair in the Works for Wisconsin’s Historic Tax Credit Program

Wisconsin’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit (HTC) program is a vital tool for protecting our state’s architectural and historical heritage. By encouraging the rehabilitation of historic buildings—from downtown storefronts to factories and former schools—the program helps safeguard the unique character of Wisconsin’s communities. At the same time, these preservation projects generate significant economic returns by attracting private investment, creating jobs, and revitalizing main streets across the state.

But in recent years, unintended changes to both the state and federal HTC programs have made it harder—especially for smaller projects—to benefit from this critical incentive. The result: worthwhile rehabilitation efforts are delayed or abandoned entirely due to technical red tape.

That’s why the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation has taken a leadership role in shaping the Historic Preservation Tax Credit “Repair” Bill (LRB 2879/3841)—a smart, bipartisan fix that restores clarity, accessibility, and economic value to the program.

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Our Role, Your Impact

The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation has been on the front lines of this reform effort, working with lawmakers, state agencies, policy experts, and preservation professionals to ensure the bill truly meets the needs of communities statewide.

What the “Repair” Bill Does

Working closely with our partners—especially the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA)—the Wisconsin Trust helped identify key obstacles and propose language to repair the state’s HTC program.

Key fixes in LRB 2879/3841 include:

  • Expands eligibility for small projects: Removes a federal adjusted basis requirement for projects seeking only the state credit, while maintaining the $50,000 minimum. This change opens the door for smaller-scale rehabs in rural and urban communities.

  • Accelerates return on investment: Allows the entire credit to be claimed in one year, instead of over five years—helping projects get off the ground faster and making the credit more attractive to investors.

  • Creates more flexibility for long-term reuse: Keeps the current $3.5 million per-parcel cap, but only within a rolling 10-year window. This allows future phases or additional rehabilitation work over time.