A new legislative proposal in Wisconsin seeks to exempt campers’ units located on licensed campgrounds from property taxation, aiming to resolve a contentious issue that industry stakeholders warn could have broader implications beyond the state.
The bill, introduced with the support of Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) and Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton), is intended to clarify tax obligations for campers after the statewide elimination of the personal property tax beginning in 2024.
Prior to that change, certain campers’ personal property had been subject to varying assessments across different jurisdictions, creating confusion and inconsistency.
“We eliminated the personal property tax, now we have to make sure we finish the job and clear up the current haphazard way that camping units are being assessed,” said Rep. Petersen. “This is a billion-dollar industry for Wisconsin and should not be singled out for unfair taxation.”
The legislation is being advanced through the collaborative efforts of OHI (formerly the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds), its lobbyists at The Welch Group, and the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO).
OHI Board of Directors Chair Jim Button, who owns Evergreen Campsites in Wild Rose, has played a central role in advocating for the bill.
“Recreational parks should not be responsible for billing and collecting taxes that are not ours. Plain and simple,” Button said. “It would be close to $62,000 in savings for our seasonal campers alone. Maybe in turn, they’ll take some of that and spend it in the local community, making this a win for many small businesses too.”
OHI leaders say the legislation is crucial not only to protecting Wisconsin’s campground operators and their guests, but also to preventing similar taxation models from spreading to other states.
“This type of thing has a history of quickly spreading to other states like a cancer,” said David Basler, OHI’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.
“The OHI team recognized early the impact this tax could have on outdoor hospitality businesses in Wisconsin and have been working diligently to get ahead of the issue in the state before it spreads.”
The proposed measure would codify the practices already adopted by some local governments, which have voluntarily exempted campers’ property from taxation. Supporters argue that formalizing this exemption will create a uniform approach and reduce administrative burdens on park owners.
To bolster support for the bill, OHI and WACO are encouraging private campground owners across the state to contact their legislative representatives.
A digital advocacy tool is available via the OHI Action Center, which streamlines the process of sending letters to state officials, including Governor Tony Evers and Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez.
No vote has been scheduled yet, but the legislation’s sponsors and advocates are urging swift action to resolve the matter before the start of the next camping season.