Joel Kitchens, Wisconsin State Representative for 1st District | Official Website
Joel Kitchens, Wisconsin State Representative for 1st District | Official Website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "talent recruitment grants. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes an economic development program by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to provide grants for talent recruitment initiatives aimed at encouraging households from outside the state to relocate to Wisconsin municipalities. Eligible applicants, which include cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes, or nonprofits with an economic or workforce development mission, must submit a detailed plan demonstrating the economic impacts and household goals of their recruitment programs. Applicants must fund at least 20% of the program costs, potentially through local investments or in-kind donations, and prior grant recipients must meet previous goals to qualify again. Households seeking incentives must earn at least $55,000 annually and reside outside the state when applying. Grants are capped at $500,000 per municipality annually and disbursed in two phases, contingent on meeting household relocation goals. Recipients are required to submit semiannual reports detailing program outcomes.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Patrick Testin (Republican-24th District), Representative Rob Kreibich (Republican-28th District), Representative Jeffrey Mursau (Republican-36th District), Representative Todd Novak (Republican-51st District), and Representative Rob Swearingen (Republican-34th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District) and Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District).
Joel Kitchens has co-authored or authored another 44 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Kitches graduated from Ohio State University in 1979 with a BS.
Kitchens, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2015 to represent the state's 1st Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Garey Bies.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB279 | 05/30/2025 | Talent recruitment grants. (FE) |
| AB196 | 04/15/2025 | Rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE) |
| AB185 | 04/15/2025 | Property tax exemption for nonprofit theaters. (FE) |
| AB159 | 04/02/2025 | Creating a rural creative economy development grant program. (FE) |
| AB119 | 03/11/2025 | Transfer of nursing home beds |
| AB90 | 02/28/2025 | Copies of and inspection or disclosure of information contained in certain vital records. (FE) |
| AB79 | 02/28/2025 | Prosecuting or adjudicating delinquent a person under the age of 18 for committing an act of prostitution |
| AB43 | 02/17/2025 | Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB2 | 02/03/2025 | Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time |
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