Historic Preservation Tax Credit “Repair” Bill (AB 375) Passes!

Thank You for Showing Up

The state Senate brought AB375 to the floor, after the bill was passed unanimously by the Assembly in November. We are pleased to share that AB 375, the Historic Tax Credit Repair Bill, passed in the Wisconsin Senate on March 17 and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature!

This achievement reflects the strength of our community. Members, partners, and advocates across the state stepped up—attending Historic Preservation Day at the Capitol, calling legislators, sending emails, reaching out to others, and sharing real stories about how the historic tax credit supports local economies, housing, and the continued use of historic places.

Looking Ahead

While this is meaningful progress, there is more work ahead. In future legislative sessions and budget discussions, we will continue to advocate for improvements to the credit—including returning to a one-year structure to further strengthen its impact.

Bill Recap - What We Accomplished Together

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 (AB 375)—a smart, bipartisan fix that restores clarity, accessibility, and economic value to the program.

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 AB 375 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.

  • Creates more flexibility for long-term reuse: Keeps the current $3.5 million per-parcel cap, but only within a rolling 15-year window. This allows future phases or additional rehabilitation work over time.