AB277: Bill Text

Note: Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, the owner of an income producing historic building is eligible for a federal income tax credit equal to 20% of certain specified costs of rehabilitating the historic building. The building must be listed on the national register of historic places or eligible for listing or located in certain national, state or local historic districts. The rehabilitation work must comply with standards that have been established by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

Wisconsin provides a supplement to the federal income tax credit equal to 5% of the eligible costs of rehabilitation. This Section amends s. 71.07 (9m) (c), stats., which provides the supplemental state income tax credit for historic rehabilitation.

Under the current statutes, the state income tax credit is only available if the state tax return includes evidence that the rehabilitation was approved by the secretary of the interior before the physical work of rehabilitation was commenced. As the federal program has been implemented by the secretary of the interior, the state historic preservation officer must first recommend approval of the project before the application is considered by the secretary of interior. This bill makes the state supplement available upon recommendation of the state historic preservation officer, rather than final approval by the secretary of the interior, which will allow owners to commence projects sooner. If, for any reason, the owner is determined not to be eligible for the federal tax credit, the owner will still be eligible for the 5% state supplement based on the approval by the state historic preservation officer.

AB277, s. 14 Section 14 . 71.21 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,16,12 71.21 (6) Credits computed by a partnership under s. 71.07 (9m), 71.28 (6), or 71.47 (6) may be allocated to partners either as provided under this chapter or pursuant to an agreement among the partners establishing an alternate allocation method. The partners shall notify the department of an agreement within 30 days after the agreement is executed and shall provide any additional information requested by the department regarding the agreement.

Note: This Section relates to the state supplement to the federal historic rehabilitation income tax credit. The supplement is equal to 5% of the eligible costs of historic preservation.

Under current law, each partner in a partnership is allocated a portion of any tax credit for which the partnership is eligible based on the partnership agreement. The partnership agreement must have economic substance.

This bill creates s. 71.21 (6) to provide that a tax credit for historic preservation claimed by a partnership may be allocated to the partners either as permitted under current law or pursuant to an agreement executed by the partners that establishes an alternate distribution method. This will allow partners who do not have a Wisconsin income tax liability (e.g., out-of-state investors) to transfer the credit to partners who do. The bill requires the partners to notify the department of revenue of the agreement within 30 days of executing such an agreement and also requires the partners to provide any additional information requested by the department of revenue.

AB277, s. 15 Section 15 . 71.28 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB277,17,6 71.28 (6) (c) No person may claim the credit under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant's return evidence that the rehabilitation was approved recommended by the state historic preservation officer for approval by the secretary of the interior under 36 CFR 67.6 before the physical work of construction, or destruction in preparation for construction, began.

Note: This amendment corresponds with the amendment in this bill to s. 71.07 (9m) (c), stats., which includes an explanatory note.

AB277, s. 16 Section 16 . 71.47 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB277,17,12 71.47 (6) (c) No person may claim the credit under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant's return evidence that the rehabilitation was approved recommended by the state historic preservation officer for approval by the secretary of the interior under 36 CFR 67.6 before the physical work of construction, or destruction in preparation for construction, began.

Note: This amendment corresponds with the amendment in this bill to s. 71.07 (9m) (c), stats., which includes an explanatory note.

AB277, s. 17 Section 17. 101.121 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,17,15 101.121 (3) (c) The historic building code shall be liberally interpreted to facilitate the preservation and restoration of qualified historic buildings.

Note: The department of commerce is authorized to promulgate the historic building code under s. 101.121, stats. The statute includes a statement of legislative purpose, as follows:

"101.121 (1) Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to provide alternative standards, when necessary, for the preservation or restoration of buildings or structures designated as historic buildings. The development and application of these alternative standards is a matter of statewide concern. These alternative standards are intended to facilitate the restoration of historic buildings so as to preserve their original or restored architectural elements and features, to encourage energy conservation, to permit a cost-effective approach to preservation and restoration and to provide for the health, safety and welfare of occupants and visitors in historic buildings."

The legislature incorporated additional guidance regarding the purpose of the statute into the substantive provisions of s. 101.121 (3) (a), stats., as follows:

"101.121 (3) (a) For any rule under this chapter or ch. 145 which applies to buildings, the department may provide an alternative rule which accomplishes the same general purpose and applies only to qualified historic buildings. These alternative rules shall permit, to the maximum extent possible, the use of original or duplicates of original materials, the maintenance of the original appearance of all components of a historic building and the use of original construction techniques...."

The special committee determined that some decisions regarding the implementation of the historic building code may be unnecessarily restrictive. The additional statutory language proposed in this Section creates an express statement of the legislature's intent that the statute is to be interpreted liberally to facilitate the preservation and restoration of historic buildings.

The intent is not to shift the balance in the historic building code between preservation and restoration of historic buildings on one hand, and public health, safety and welfare on the other hand. The intent is to favor the preservation and restoration of historic buildings in questions involving close judgments.

AB277, s. 18 Section 18. 101.121 (4) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 101.121 (4) (a) 1.

AB277, s. 19 Section 19. 101.121 (4) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,18,9 101.121 (4) (a) 2. Upon the request of the owner of a qualified historic building who elects under subd. 1. to be subject to the historic building code, the department shall review any decision of a city, village, town, or county that requires the owner to comply with a provision of a county or municipal building code, or of any other local ordinance or regulation, to determine if the provision concerns a matter dealt with in the historic building code. The procedures in s. 101.02 (7) apply to any review conducted by the department under this subdivision.

Note: Section 101.121 (4) (a), stats., authorizes the owner of a "qualified historic building" to elect to be subject to the historic building code. A qualified historic building is a building that is listed on the national or state register of historic places or a certified local register of historic property, or is within a historic district on one of those lists and has been determined to contribute to the historic significance of the district. Under the historic building code, the owner of the historic building may use alternative standards that allow preservation of the historic aspects of the building while still providing for the health, safety and welfare of occupants and visitors in the building.

One of the consequences of the election to use the historic building code is that the owner of the historic building is not required to comply with any provision of a county or municipal building code or other local ordinance or regulation that concerns a "matter dealt with" in the historic building code (the phrase used in the statute). In the rules creating the historic building code, the department of commerce has elaborated on this statutory provision by providing explicitly that local regulations pertaining to land use, zoning, fire districts or "other similar requirements" are not affected by the historic building code. [s. Comm 70.04 (2), Wis. adm. code.]

The statutes contain a general procedure, in s. 101.02 (7), stats., to resolve conflicts between local standards, decisions and ordinances and the statutes and rules enforced by the department of commerce. The statute provides that local units of government continue to have authority to enact and enforce regulations for the protection of public health and safety. However, rules and decisions of the department of commerce are deemed by the statute to amend or modify conflicting local regulations. Any person who is affected by a local regulation that is in conflict with a state regulation or an order of the department may petition for a hearing by the department on whether there is a conflict, and the department may nullify a local regulation that conflicts with state regulations.

The appeal process in s. 101.02 (7), stats., focuses on conflicts between state and local safety or health regulations. This provision of the bill makes it clear that the department may determine the proper scope of local regulation with respect to buildings that are subject to the historic building code, including issues related to historic preservation and restoration.

AB277, s. 20 Section 20. 101.121 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB277,19,5 101.121 (4) (b) Paragraph (a) 1. does not apply to any owner of a nursing home, as defined in s. 50.01 (3), a hospital, as defined in s. 50.33 (2) (a) and (c), or an approved public or private treatment facility for alcoholics, as defined in s. 51.45 (2) (b) and (c).

AB277, s. 21 Section 21. 101.121 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,19,11 101.121 (5) Advisory opinion of state historical society. (a) The owner of a qualified historic building may submit to the state historical society a request for an advisory opinion with respect to any decision of the department, or of a city, village, town, or county that is an agent of the department, if the decision pertains to any of the following:

AB277,19,13 1. This section or a rule promulgated under this section, except for a decision of the department under sub. (4) (a) 2.

AB277,19,14 2. A variance to a rule promulgated under this section.

AB277,19,16 3. The inspection of a qualified historic building for compliance with a rule promulgated under this section.

AB277,20,3 (b) Upon receiving a request under par. (a), the state historical society shall review all information related to the decision and shall render a written opinion on each of the following:

AB277,20,5 1. Whether the decision is consistent with this section and the rules promulgated under this section.

AB277,20,8 2. Whether the alternative decision requested by the owner of the qualified historic building, or any other alternative decision, is consistent with this section and the rules promulgated under this section.

AB277,20,14 (c) The state historical society may negotiate with the department or the city, village, town, or county and the owner of the qualified historic building to seek agreement on an alternative decision that will allow the greatest possible degree of restoration and preservation of the qualified historic building, while continuing to meet the standards for the health, safety, and welfare of occupants of and visitors to the qualified historic building.

AB277,20,16 (d) The department or a city, village, town, or county may modify any decision described under par. (a) based on negotiations with the state historical society.

AB277,20,18 (e) This subsection does not modify any procedures for appeal of a decision of the department or of a city, village, town, or county under this section.

Note: Current s. 101.02 (7) provides a formal appeals process for decisions of the department of commerce and local units of government acting as agents of the department with respect to building code issues. The review process involves a review within the department, followed by judicial review. The standards for judicial review require the court to uphold the decision of the department or the local unit of government if there is "substantial evidence" to support the decision, a difficult standard for a building owner to overcome. Also, judicial review is time-consuming and expensive.

This provision of the bill creates a new, informal process for review of a decision of the department or the local unit of government. The request for review must be submitted to the state historical society. The state historical society reviews all information related to the decision and renders an opinion on whether the decision of the department or the local unit of government is consistent with the historic building code and whether there are other ways to meet the requirements and objectives of the historic building code. The bill authorizes the historical society to negotiate with the department, the local unit of government and the historic building owner. The department or local unit of government may modify its decision based on the negotiations.

This new procedure does not change any time limits or procedures for formal review of any decisions.

AB277, s. 22 Section 22. 101.121 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,21,7 101.121 (6) Informational pamphlet. (a) In cooperation with the state historical society, the department shall develop an informational pamphlet designed to increase awareness and use of the historic building code. The department, in cooperation with the state historical society, shall update the pamphlet as statutes and rules relating to the historic building code are amended. The pamphlet shall include the following information:

AB277,21,8 1. A description of the historic building code.

AB277,21,10 2. A description of the types and qualities of buildings that are subject to the historic building code.

AB277,21,13 3. An explanation of how the owner of a qualified historic building may elect to be subject to the historic building code and a description of the consequences of that election.

AB277,21,15 4. A description of other alternative building codes that the owner of a historic building may be eligible to use.

AB277,21,17 5. A description of where a person may obtain further information regarding historic buildings and the historic building code.

AB277,21,20 (b) The department and the state historical society shall distribute the pamphlets as they consider necessary to increase awareness of the historic building code.

Note: This Section creates s. 101.121 (6), stats., which requires the department of commerce, in cooperation with the state historical society, to develop a pamphlet designed to inform owners of historic buildings of the scope and applicability of the historic building code and alternatives to using the historic building code. The pamphlet is also intended to increase awareness of the historic building code. The department of commerce must update the pamphlet as statutes and rules relating to the historic building code are amended. The provision requires the department of commerce and the state historical society to distribute the pamphlets as they consider necessary to increase awareness of the historic building code.

AB277, s. 23 Section 23. 101.122 (4) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB277,22,3 101.122 (4) (b) 1. Order Subject to s. 66.0414, order demolition of the rental unit no sooner than 90 days after the order.

Note: This provision applies the requirements of s. 66.0414, as created by this bill, to decisions of the department of commerce or a city, village or town to require demolition of a property that does not comply with the rental unit energy efficiency requirements of s. 101.122, stats.

AB277, s. 24 Section 24. 101.132 (2) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB277,22,8 101.132 (2) (b) 1. If Except as provided in subd. 3m., if more than 50% of the interior square footage of any housing with 3 or more dwelling units is to be remodeled, the entire housing shall conform to the standards in par. (a), regardless of when the housing was first intended for occupancy.

AB277, s. 25 Section 25. 101.132 (2) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB277,22,13 101.132 (2) (b) 2. If Except as provided in subd. 3m., if 25% to 50% of the interior square footage of any housing with 3 or more dwelling units is to be remodeled, that part of the housing that is to be remodeled shall conform to the standards in par. (a), regardless of when the housing was first intended for occupancy.

AB277, s. 26 Section 26. 101.132 (2) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB277,22,20 101.132 (2) (b) 3. If Except as provided in subd. 3m., if less than 25% of the interior square footage of any housing with 3 or more dwelling units is to be remodeled, the remodeling is not subject to the standards in par. (a) unless the alteration involves work on doors, entrances, exits or toilet rooms, in which case the doors, entrances, exits or toilet rooms shall conform to the standards in par. (a) regardless of when the housing was first intended for occupancy.

AB277, s. 27 Section 27 . 101.132 (2) (b) 3m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,23,3 101.132 (2) (b) 3m. The requirements under this paragraph do not apply to qualified historic buildings, as defined in s. 101.121 (2) (c).

Note: This Section provides that s. 101.132 (2) (b), stats., relating to making housing accessible to physically disabled persons when the housing is remodeled, does not apply to qualified historic buildings. Current s. 101.132 (2) (b), stats., provides as follows:

"101.132 (2) (b) Remodeling. 1. If more than 50% of the interior square footage of any housing with 3 or more dwelling units is to be remodeled, the entire housing shall conform to the standards in par. (a), regardless of when the housing was first intended for occupancy.

2. If 25% to 50% of the interior square footage of any housing with 3 or more dwelling units is to be remodeled, that part of the housing that is to be remodeled shall conform to the standards in par. (a), regardless of when the housing was first intended for occupancy.

3. If less than 25% of the interior square footage of any housing with 3 or more dwelling units is to be remodeled, the remodeling is not subject to the standards in par. (a) unless the alteration involves work on doors, entrances, exits or toilet rooms, in which case the doors, entrances, exits or toilet rooms shall conform to the standards in par. (a) regardless of when the housing was first intended for occupancy.

4. The department may grant a variance or waiver from the requirements under this paragraph relating to exterior accessibility using the standards and procedures under par. (c)."

The intent of this change is to make Wisconsin statutes relating to qualified historic buildings consistent with the federal fair housing law. The federal Fair Housing Law applies only to buildings which are first occupied after March 31, 1991.

AB277, s. 28 Section 28. 101.132 (2) (e) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,23,9 101.132 (2) (e) 3. All rules promulgated by the department under this section relating to qualified historic buildings, as defined in s. 101.121 (2) (c), shall comply with and not exceed the requirements of the Fair Housing Act under 42 USC 3601 to 3619 and the Americans with Disabilities Act under 42 USC 12181 to 12189 and regulations adopted under those acts.

Note: This Section provides that all rules promulgated by the department of commerce relating to requirements that housing be accessible to physically disabled persons, as they relate to qualified historic buildings, must comply with and not exceed the requirements of the federal Fair Housing Law and the Americans with Disabilities Act and any regulations adopted under those acts. Under this requirement, the department of commerce would be required to amend its rules so that: (1) if an existing qualified historic building with mixed occupancies is remodeled or added to and the gross interior area of the building after the remodeling or addition is greater than 20,000 square feet, interior circulation between floor levels would not be required; and (2) the state fair housing law would not be applicable to existing qualified historic buildings undergoing a change of use if the building is changed to a covered multi-family housing use and the building is remodeled or added to.

AB277, s. 29 Section 29. 101.19 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB277,24,5 101.19 (1) (intro.) The Except as provided in sub. (1m), the department, by rule promulgated under ch. 227, shall fix and collect promulgate rules establishing and providing for the collection of fees which shall, as closely as possible, equal the cost of providing the following services:

AB277, s. 30 Section 30. 101.19 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,24,10 101.19 (1m) The department shall waive the fees under sub. (1) (a), (am), (b), (d), and (i) for services relating to any preservation or restoration of a building or structure that is more than 100 years old if the state historic preservation officer certifies to the department all of the following:

AB277,24,12 (a) That the plan for the preservation or restoration of the building or structure complies with the standards promulgated under s. 44.02 (24).

AB277,24,19 (b) That the building or structure is listed on the national register of historic places in Wisconsin or the state register of historic places, is determined by the state historical society to be eligible for listing on the national register of historic places in Wisconsin or the state register of historic places, or is located in a historic district that is listed on the national register of historic places in Wisconsin or the state register of historic places and is certified by the state historic preservation officer as being of historic significance to the district.

Note: Under current s. 101.19, stats., the department of commerce is required to charge fees to recover the costs of services it provides related to plan review and inspection of construction projects that are subject to regulation by the department. The fees include fees for plan review, inspections, variances and copying.

This bill requires the department of commerce to waive those fees for a preservation or restoration project affecting a building or structure that is more than 100 years old. To qualify for the waiver of fees, the state historic preservation officer must certify to the department of commerce that the building or structure is listed on or eligible for listing on the national or state register of historic places and the plans for the preservation or restoration comply with the standards that are applicable to projects that qualify for the income tax credit for historic property renovations.

AB277, s. 31 Section 31. 101.975 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,25,4 101.975 (4) (a) A political subdivision may adopt an ordinance that permits the political subdivision to grant a variance to the uniform multifamily dwelling code if all of the following apply:

AB277,25,7 1. The ordinance permits only a variance that relates to handrails or guardrails of qualified historic buildings, as defined in s. 101.121 (2) (c), that are converted from single-family dwellings to multifamily dwellings.

AB277,25,11 2. The ordinance requires the owner of a qualified historic building who seeks a variance to provide the political subdivision with evidence that the type, height, and design of the handrail or guardrail proposed for installation is historically appropriate for the owner's building.

AB277,25,15 (b) A political subdivision may grant a variance under an ordinance adopted under par. (a) if the owner seeking the variance provides the evidence required under par. (a) 2. and if the handrail or guardrail installation is at least as protective of public safety as the handrail or guardrail that would otherwise have been required.

Note: Under current law, the uniform multifamily dwelling code [ch. Comm 66] applies to any building or portion of a building which is converted to a multifamily dwelling after April 1, 1995 unless the building is a qualified historic building and the owner elects to be subject to the historic building code. Under s. 101.971 (2), stats., a multifamily dwelling is defined as an apartment building, row house, town house, condominium or manufactured building that does not exceed 60 feet in height or 6 stories and that consists of 3 or more attached dwelling units.

This Section creates s. 101.975 (4) to permit a political subdivision to adopt an ordinance that allows it to grant a variance to the uniform multifamily dwelling code relating to handrails and guardrails of qualified historic buildings that are converted from single-family dwellings to multifamily dwellings. Under the uniform multifamily dwelling code, the top of a handrail must be mounted between 34 and 38 inches above the nosing of the treads on stairways or above the surface of ramps. Guardrails in dwelling units must extend to at least 36 inches above the upper surface of the floor. In nondwelling unit portions, the guardrails must extend at least 42 inches above the upper surface of the floor.