WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1185

Relating to: a tax credit for local newspaper subscriptions. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Pfaff and 3 co-sponsors

SB 1185 would create a state tax credit to reduce the after-tax cost of subscribing to local Wisconsin newspapers.

Senator Keyeski added as a coauthor
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1185

Bill Summary – Wisconsin Senate Bill 1185 (2025)

Overview

  • Bill: SB 1185
  • Session: 2025
  • Jurisdiction: Wisconsin
  • Headline: Relating to: a tax credit for local newspaper subscriptions
  • Current status (as of available materials): Introduced and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Revenue. Co-authored by multiple senators and Representatives. Noted co-sponsors include Senator Keyeski (added 2026-03-30) and Senators Spreitzer, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys; Representatives Brown, Emerson, Johnson, Anderson, Clancy, McCarville, Sinicki, Udell, and Stubbs.

Note: The materials provided do not include the full bill text or fiscal analysis. The following summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose, presumed mechanics of a tax credit for local newspaper subscriptions, and typical design elements of similar programs.

Purpose and Intent

  • Primary aim: Create a state tax credit to encourage residents to subscribe to local newspapers.
  • Policy goal: Support and sustain local journalism by reducing the after-tax cost of subscribing to local newspapers for Wisconsin residents.

Key Provisions (Presumed Based on Title and Context)

Because the full text is not provided, the following are the typical components such a tax credit bill would include. The actual bill may differ; consult the official bill text for precise language.

  • Tax Credit Type: A personal or income tax credit for individuals or households that maintain active subscriptions to local newspapers.
  • Credit Amount: Specific credit value (e.g., a fixed dollar amount per year, or a percentage of subscription costs) would be defined in the bill. The exact figures are not included in the provided materials.
  • Eligibility Criteria:
    • Must have an active local newspaper subscription.
    • Subscriptions likely limited to newspapers published within Wisconsin or localities within the state.
    • Possible income limitations or requirements to prevent windfall benefits (e.g., credit applies to taxpayers below a certain income level or phases out at higher incomes).
  • Verification and Documentation:
    • Taxpayers would need to provide documentation of a valid subscription (e.g., subscription receipt, account number) when claiming the credit.
    • Potential annual verification to ensure continued eligibility.
  • Interaction with Other Credits:
    • The bill would specify whether the local newspaper subscription credit is refundable, nonrefundable, or if it could be claimed in conjunction with other credits.
    • The bill might include 配 restrictions on claiming multiple credits for the same subscription.
  • Sunset or Review Provisions:
    • Many tax credit bills include sunset provisions (e.g., credit expires after a set number of years) or periodic review to assess effectiveness and fiscal impact.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Wisconsin residents who maintain local newspaper subscriptions and file state income tax returns.
  • Local newspapers: Indirectly benefit from increased readership and potential stabilization of revenue streams.
  • State treasury: Fiscal impact depends on credit amount, eligibility, and uptake; could reduce state tax revenue accordingly.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: March 19, 2026 (Introduced by Senators Spreitzer, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys; cosponsored by several representatives).
  • Committee Assignment: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Revenue.
  • Legislative Progress: Noted action in the record includes:
    • Coauthors added (e.g., Senator Keyeski, March 30, 2026).
    • A failed passage attempt noted (March 23, 2026) via Senate Joint Resolution 1 (likely a procedural action; the context is not fully clear from the excerpt).
  • Next Steps: If advanced, the bill would move through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in both chambers, followed by reconciliation with the companion Assembly bill (if applicable) and gubernatorial action.

Additional Considerations

  • Fiscal Impact: The bill would create a new tax credit; the exact cost to the state budget would depend on the credit amount, eligibility, and uptake. A fiscal note from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau would provide the detailed impact.
  • Policy Rationale and Debates: Potential debates may focus on the role of government in supporting journalism, whether a tax credit is the most effective tool, and the administrative burden of verification.

Summary (Bottom Line)

SB 1185 proposes establishing a tax credit to reduce the after-tax cost of subscribing to local Wisconsin newspapers, aiming to bolster local journalism. The bill outlines eligibility, credit amount, and administration details (to be clarified in the full text). It is currently moving through the standard legislative process in the Wisconsin Senate with co-authorship from multiple lawmakers. For a precise understanding, the full bill text and fiscal note should be reviewed once released.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.