AB 881 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: water diversion or elevation projects in towns.

AB 881 requires town boards to approve water diversion or elevation projects in towns before they can proceed. Specifically, it mandates that towns must pass a resolution approving projects that use pumps to divert water to unnatural locations or raise water levels above natural elevations (excluding emergencies). This applies to all projects located within town boundaries, giving local governments direct control over such water management activities. The bill does not change existing state authority over navigable waters but adds a new local approval step for town-based projects.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Assembly Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Vetoed

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Vetoed Apr 8, 2026

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What changed between versions

Bill Text → Text as Enrolled · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill adds a new requirement that towns must approve water diversion or elevation projects by resolution before the state Department of Natural Resources can issue permits. It also updates existing statutes to reference this new approval process, ensuring local communities have a say in projects that alter natural water levels or create artificial water bodies within town limits.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of local government oversight by adding a mandatory town board approval step for specific water projects that were previously under direct state regulation.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new statute (31.16) requiring town board approval via resolution for water diversion or elevation projects in towns, except during emergencies.

Updated existing statutes (30.18, 31.02, and 87.02) to include a condition that any project must comply with the new town approval requirement.

TIMELINE

Included a standard clause specifying that the act takes effect the day after its publication date.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 8, 2026

Vetoed

Report vetoed by the Governor on 4-8-2026

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read a third time and concurred in

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 3, Noes 2

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read a third time and passed

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adopted

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative Tucker

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Neubauer

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee on Rules

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report passage recommended by Committee on Environment, Ayes 4, Noes 2

lower

Jan 16, 2026

Introduced

Introduced by Representatives Tucker and Born; cosponsored by Senator Quinn

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors