By Dawn Anastasi and Tim Ballering, RPA Board Members

Here are some of the top legislative issues that RPA is working on. We went into more detail on these at tonight's general members meeting.

Want the full scoop on legislative issues? Be sure to attend the next in-person membership meeting on Monday, November 20, 2023.

Legal Action petitioned the WI Supreme Court to seal all evictions after one year

The Association, represented by Attorney Heiner Giese, opposed the proposal in oral arguments on September 7th. The grounds for our opposition are:

• The proposal directly conflicts with Wisconsin Statute 758.20 that a case cannot be removed for 10 years if a writ of restitution was granted in an eviction action and dismissed and no money judgment must remain available for at least 2 years.

• The real victims of the proposal are good renters who have never been evicted and now must compete equally for limited housing with renters who may have multiple evictions.

• Owners are increasing screening and deposit requirements because of free attorneys are slowing evictions and case sealing makes screening harder.

EPA proposed zero lead dust level

This would make most urban housing unsustainable. Zero is unattainable in new housing in urban areas.

Please make your comments at https://bit.ly/EPA-zero

Deb Heffner is returning to Community Advocates to run the Rental Housing Resource Center

This is good news. Note, however that the WERA money for Milwaukee is gone. The rest of the state, excluding Milwaukee, Waukesha, Dane, and Brown Counties, received an additional $9.4 million.

Proposed mandatory insurance disclosure

Robin Vos is considering proposing mandatory disclosure by a landlord if they have liability insurance. This was in response to the deeply flawed “Wires and Fires” article by the Journal.

We oppose the proposal as we fear it will increase fraudulent claims, thereby increasing insurance premiums for all owners. We will use this conversation to force insurers to provide reasonably priced insurance to property owners in all areas of the state. The Wall Street Journal reports that 12% of residential properties nationwide are uninsured due to costs.

The City of Milwaukee appears to be charging owners for yard clean-ups without proper notice

The legislative committee will invite Erica Roberts, head of DNS, to one of our meetings to discuss the issue and work to resolve it. There are perhaps millions of dollars of improper charges.

Elmer Moore - The head of WHEDA has agreed to speak at the October RPA Trade Show

WHEDA has some exciting new programs that may be advantageous for owners, neighborhoods, and renters

Be sure to sign up for the RPA Trade Show, being held on October 27.

Free Lead Abatement

Heiner and Tim have ongoing discussions with SDC regarding lead abatement grants that should be available to owners in Milwaukee County.

Hybrid Eviction Court

The Legislative Committee is working with the Milwaukee County Courts in an attempt to get eviction first hearing to be available either in person or online.