Environment

vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 420: Relating to: prohibiting rights of nature ordinances. (FE)

SB 420 prohibits cities, towns, villages, and counties from enacting "rights of nature ordinances," which are local laws granting legal rights to natural resources (like rivers or forests) to exist, be protected from pollution, or maintain healthy ecosystems. The bill directly affects local governments that might consider such ordinances. It creates a new statute (66.0132) explicitly banning these ordinances without providing exceptions. The law is purely procedural, preventing local governments from passing this specific type of ordinance.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits local 'rights of nature' ordinances that protect ecosystems from pollution, directly restricting environmental safeguards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 184: Relating to: governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device.

SB 184 would prevent Wisconsin state agencies and local governments from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles or other devices based on their energy source (such as gasoline, electricity, or hydrogen). It specifically prohibits rules that ban or limit vehicles/devices due to their power source, though government fleets may still select energy types for their own purchases. The law would apply to all state and local regulations, including those governing vehicle access, sales, or device usage. This bill aimed to remove barriers for alternative-energy vehicles in public policy contexts.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents restrictions on vehicles by energy source, blocking emissions-reducing policies like banning gas vehicles, thus weakening environmental protections.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill prohibits restrictions on vehicles based on energy source (e.g., banning electric/hydrogen cars), promoting sustainable transportation adoption by removing regulatory barriers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 289: Relating to: requirements for proposed administrative rules that impose any costs.

SB 289 requires state agencies to provide detailed economic impact analyses for proposed rules that impose costs on businesses, local governments, or individuals. Agencies must quantify expected implementation and compliance costs (and potential savings) for each affected group, attribute all costs directly to the rule (not other laws or federal requirements), and include this in their analysis. If an independent analysis shows costs exceed $10 million over two years, the rule must be paused until costs are addressed or offset. This bill directly affects state agencies creating new rules and the businesses, local governments, and individuals who would bear the financial impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires cost analyses for agency rules, promoting fiscal responsibility and transparency in budget management.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRequires cost analyses for rules, potentially delaying environmental regulations by pausing rules exceeding $10M in costs over two years, weakening implementation of environmental protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 96: Relating to: exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE)

This bill exempts electricity used for charging electric vehicles at home from the state tax, specifically for Level 1 and Level 2 chargers installed at residences on or after March 22, 2024. The exemption applies retroactively to electricity delivered starting January 1, 2025. It does not apply to Level 3 chargers or commercial charging stations. The policy directly affects residential homeowners who install qualifying EV chargers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts residential EV charging from state tax, providing direct tax relief to homeowners for qualifying chargers, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income households.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts home EV charging tax to encourage electric vehicle adoption, reducing fossil fuel dependence and supporting clean energy infrastructure per bill's intent.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts home EV charging electricity tax, promoting residential EV adoption and reducing emissions from transportation, aligning with clean energy goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 911: Relating to: funding for a battery collection and recycling program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 911 creates a new funding mechanism to support a battery collection and recycling program by directing existing environmental fund monies (from statute 287.175 (3) (b)) toward this purpose. The bill specifically allocates funds already designated for battery recycling under current law, without creating new taxes or fees. It only takes effect if two other related bills (AB 713 or SB 702) are not enacted during the 2025-26 legislative session. This funding directly supports the operational costs of the state’s battery recycling program, primarily affecting program administrators and participating recyclers.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds battery recycling program, supporting clean energy infrastructure lifecycle and sustainable energy storage systems.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates existing environmental funds to battery recycling program, directly supporting pollution control and resource conservation per statute 287.175(3)(b).92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 453: Relating to: required approvals of rezoning requests related to residential development, contents of and consistency of local ordinances with local comprehensive plans, certain tax incremental district project costs related to residential development, and tax incremental district lifespan extension. (FE)

AB 453 requires counties and cities to include specific elements in their comprehensive land-use plans, such as 20-year projections of residential development (in 5-year increments) and maps showing current/future land uses, including environmentally sensitive areas. It mandates that local ordinances related to residential development must align with these plans, though density requirements (specifying minimum/maximum residential units per acre) apply only to cities, not towns or counties. The bill affects local governments by standardizing planning processes for residential growth and ensuring consistency between zoning rules and long-term land-use goals. It does not create new taxes or funding but updates existing planning statute requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates mapping of environmentally sensitive areas in land-use plans, requiring local ordinances to align with conservation-focused planning for residential development.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates comprehensive plans with residential development projections and aligns ordinances, facilitating housing development through streamlined rezoning and planning consistency.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 619: Relating to: a tax credit for aviation biofuel manufacturing, authorizing the state to contract public debt for an aviation biofuel project grant, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 619 creates a $150 million grant program to fund aviation biofuel manufacturing projects in Wisconsin, funded through state public debt issuance. The bill requires grantees to use facilities exclusively for aviation biofuel production (with limited exceptions for other biofuels if 80% of output is aviation fuel), source 80% of biomass locally, and invest at least $1.5 billion in aviation biofuel manufacturing within five years. It directly affects companies building such facilities and the Department of Natural Resources, which administers the grants. The program aims to support the state's forest products industry and create jobs, with strict repayment terms if grantees fail to meet requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $150M grant appropriation via state debt for aviation biofuel manufacturing, directly funding a specific program through state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds $150M for aviation biofuel manufacturing, requiring 80% local biomass and exclusive renewable production, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds aviation biofuel manufacturing (clean energy) with 80% local biomass sourcing, promoting reduced emissions and sustainable resource use per bill requirements.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds $150M aviation biofuel manufacturing grant, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure through renewable fuel production for aviation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 665: Relating to: establishing a statewide wolf population goal.

SB 665 requires the state wildlife department to establish a specific statewide population goal for wolves when they are not listed as endangered under federal or state law. This goal would guide the department's management plan, which must allow regulated hunting and trapping of wolves. The bill mandates that the department issue licenses to limit the number of hunters, trappers, and wolves taken. It directly affects the department's authority to manage wolf populations and hunting regulations. The bill does not set a specific numerical target but requires the department to define and implement a population goal as part of its management plan.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates regulated hunting/trapping of wolves to manage population, allowing human intervention that weakens conservation efforts for a protected species.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 825: Relating to: environmental review prerequisites for certain major highway project actions.

SB 825 streamlines environmental review processes for major highway projects by establishing clearer timelines and requirements. It defines "categorical exclusion" (avoiding full environmental reviews for standard projects) and requires the transportation department to submit a report to the commission before construction begins, including proof that financing is secured to start work within 6 years of project approval. The bill directly affects highway projects listed under Section 84.013(3) and those described in Section 84.013(1)(a)2m., requiring project reports to include approved environmental documentation and a financing plan. These changes aim to accelerate project timelines while ensuring compliance with federal environmental review standards.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentStreamlines environmental reviews via categorical exclusions, reducing regulatory hurdles for highway projects, indicating weakened environmental protections.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines environmental reviews for highway projects, accelerating infrastructure development without reducing funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment