Working directly with legislators in Madison and a team of lobbyists, OHI — the national association representing RV park, campground and glamping businesses in Wisconsin and across the country — announces an important step has been taken toward a legislative fix that will be a win for the seasonal camping consumer, and a win for all privately-owned campground small businesses in Wisconsin.
This action, which will be introduced in September by Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) and Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R- Appleton), to clarify existing legislation, is what the Wisconsin state legislature intended in the repeal of the personal property tax starting in 2024 and will ensure a seasonal camper’s personal property located within a licensed campground is treated the same as any other personal property that became permanently exempted from property taxation with the passage of Act 12. You can read the text of the bill here.
OHI is working closely with the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) to ask all Wisconsin campground owners/operators and their campers to take action in support of this issue.
OHI has created two letters in its Advocacy Action Center: one specifically for Wisconsin campground owners/operators (which can also be shared with staff), and a second letter customized specifically for seasonal campers; and is asking campground owners/operators to take two specific grassroots actions in support of this action:
- Submit a personal letter on behalf of your business (this link can be shared with your staff as well):https://www.votervoice.net/OHI/Campaigns/128761/Respond
- Email this link to all your seasonal campers so they can submit a personal letter as well:https://www.votervoice.net/OHI/Campaigns/128762/Respond
“OHI has been focused on this fix from the beginning when Jim Button, chair of OHI’s Board of Directors and owner of Evergreen Campsites in Wild Rose, Wisconsin, first raised it at the local level,” says David Basler, senior vice president of government affairs for OHI. “Once this action is taken, it will translate to substantial tax savings for campgrounds and seasonal campers in Wisconsin.”
This will be a two-phase grassroots campaign to flood legislative offices with letters of support now and then again when the bill is officially introduced sometime in September.
“Our highest priority is the well-being of Wisconsin campground owners and operators, and that’s why making sure this comes to fruition is so important,” says Scott Kollock, owner of Vista Royalle Campground and president of WACO. “Tackling issues together as a united front is the best way to see success. We’re looking forward to seeing this across the finish line with OHI and the state of Wisconsin. “
If you have any questions about the bill or this grassroots campaign, please email the OHI government affairs team at ohi-advocacy@ohi.org.
