Final passage of legislation that would expand a number of protections for landlords, including changes to disclosure laws and making it easier to remove the property of evicted tenants, was blocked Tuesday by Democrats in the Assembly.
The delay followed over an hour of debate on the measure, with Democrats unsuccessfully offering several amendments to the bill.
State Representative Sandy Pasch (D-Milwaukee) accused Republicans of rushing the legislation through the process, calling it “half baked.”
Saukville Republican Duey Stroebel, the author of the bill, says it will remove burdensome requirements that are often placed on landlords and also allows problem tenants to be held responsible for damage.
However, Democrats argue the measure would weaken consumer protection laws, allowing landlords to evict tenants by mail or for being the victim of a crime. State Representative Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) called the bill an “attack on the little guy” and said it makes no sense to take away the rights of tenants through no fault of their own.
Democrats used a procedural move to prevent a third reading of the bill, meaning a final vote likely will not come until June.