Sporting Heritage

This bill eliminates the $6.25 annual fishing license fee for Wisconsin resident senior citizens, making the license free for this group. To offset the lost revenue, the legislation creates a new appropriation that transfers an equal amount to the state conservation fund each fiscal year, calculated based on the number of senior fishing licenses issued multiplied by the original $7 fee amount. The changes directly affect senior citizens by removing their license cost while maintaining funding for conservation efforts through the state treasury. The bill also clarifies that there is no issuing fee for these licenses and updates related statutes to reflect the fee reduction.

This bill proposes changing the fee for the inland waters trout stamp from $9.75 to $15.75. It directly affects anglers who purchase this stamp to fish for trout in inland waters. The change is made by amending the relevant section of the state statutes. The bill was introduced in 2026 but failed to pass during the legislative session.

AB 1076 modifies rules for sharp-tailed grouse hunting permits in Wisconsin. It directs $7 from each permit fee toward managing the species and funding research (Section 1). The bill updates the permit allocation system: applicants earn preference points for past unissued permits, with random selection within categories if demand exceeds supply (Section 2), and requires the department to allocate permits between residents and nonresidents based on applicant numbers (Section 3). It also adjusts permit processing fees to $2.75 for some licenses and $9.75 for sharp-tailed grouse permits (Sections 4-5).

AB 980 requires bicyclists to have a permit to ride on state-owned trails (excluding highways and vehicle admission areas), with fees of $40 for adults, $20 for teens 12+, and free for children under 12. It allows temporary receipts for immediate access while processing permanent permits and exempts organized events and existing trail pass holders. The state Department of Natural Resources may issue permits directly or appoint agents, who can collect a 75-cent fee (with 50 cents retained for agent compensation). The bill creates new fee structures and rule-making authority for permit administration on state trails.

AB 693 allows hunters in Wisconsin's designated central and southern farmland zones to offer legally taken deer to meat processing facilities in exchange for local business gift cards. The processed meat must then be provided to food distribution services (as defined by state law) that supply food pantries. This bill creates a new legal pathway for connecting hunting harvests with food assistance programs through a specific gift-card exchange mechanism. It directly affects hunters in those zones, meat processors, and food pantries receiving donated meat. The policy change streamlines how donated venison from legal hunts can reach food pantries via this structured process.