Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 774: Relating to: wolf monitoring and nonlethal abatement and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 774 allocates $3.525 million annually for wolf monitoring and nonlethal abatement projects through the Department of Natural Resources. It directly affects wildlife management efforts by funding ongoing tracking of wolf populations and implementing nonlethal methods (like fencing or deterrents) to prevent conflicts with livestock. The bill creates a permanent funding line (20.370 (1) (js)) in state statutes to cover these activities. This is a procedural funding measure with no voting record or policy changes beyond the specified appropriations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wolf monitoring and nonlethal conflict prevention, directly supporting wildlife conservation and ecosystem management per environmental protection criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 781: Relating to: wolf monitoring and nonlethal abatement and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 781 allocates $3.525 million annually (for 2025-26 and 2026-27) to fund wolf monitoring and nonlethal management programs under the Department of Natural Resources. It creates a new budget line item (20.370 js) specifically for these purposes, continuing existing funding without introducing new regulations or policy changes. The bill directly affects the state's wildlife management operations and does not target specific communities or landowners. This is a procedural budget appropriation, not a substantive legislative change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3.525M annually for wolf monitoring program via new budget line item, directly funding state wildlife management operations under fiscal management.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wolf monitoring and nonlethal management programs, advancing wildlife conservation and natural resource protection without new regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Wildlife

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 741: Relating to: food waste reduction grants, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 741 creates a new food waste reduction grant program funded with $100,000 annually for 2025-26 and 2026-27. It directs the Department of Agriculture to provide grants for pilot projects focused on preventing food waste, redirecting surplus food to hunger relief organizations, and composting food waste. The program prioritizes projects in census tracts with below-average median income and no grocery stores. The bill also requires the department to establish administrative rules for the grant program. This directly affects organizations implementing food waste reduction initiatives, particularly in underserved communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100k annually for food waste grants via state appropriation, funding public service programs under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds food waste reduction grants including composting, directly reducing landfill waste and associated emissions per bill's focus on preventing waste and redirecting surplus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 78: Relating to: the distribution and labeling of fertilizers and soil or plant additives produced from manure. (FE)

SB 78 modifies labeling and testing rules for fertilizers and soil additives made from manure compost or vermicompost. It allows producers to use "typical analysis" (an average nutrient analysis) instead of the standard "guaranteed analysis" for claims about plant nutrients and beneficial substances on labels. The bill also exempts these compost-based products from a requirement that mixed fertilizers must contain at least 24% combined nitrogen, phosphate, and potash. This simplifies regulatory compliance for producers of compost-derived soil and plant products.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts compost fertilizers from nutrient content requirements, reducing regulatory oversight that could prevent over-fertilization and water pollution.85% confidence

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 82: Relating to: governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device.

SB 82 prohibits state and local governments from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on their energy source (like gasoline, electric, or hydrogen power). It also bans similar restrictions on other devices that rely on specific energy sources for key functions. The law applies broadly to all government agencies and units, preventing them from enacting policies that target vehicles or devices solely by their power source. The only exception allows governments to maintain their own vehicle purchase policies for their own fleets.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents restrictions on vehicles/devices by energy source, enabling adoption of renewable energy options like electric/hydrogen power.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents governments from restricting fossil fuel vehicles (e.g., banning gasoline cars), weakening emission reduction efforts and environmental regulations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits restrictions on vehicle energy sources (electric/hydrogen), enabling broader adoption of sustainable transportation options without government barriers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 174: Relating to: transmission facilities; installation of large wind energy, large solar energy, and battery energy storage systems; installation of light-mitigating technology systems; and prioritizing nuclear energy resources. (FE)

AB 174 amends energy statutes to redefine "renewable resources" for reporting purposes, explicitly including nuclear energy starting in 2026. It establishes new definitions for large-scale wind/solar systems (100+ megawatts) and battery storage, while clarifying that local governments cannot restrict energy installations more strictly than state rules. The bill affects energy developers, utilities, and local governments by changing how transmission contracts are audited and how renewable/nuclear projects are categorized. It does not create new project requirements but updates existing reporting frameworks for the state legislature and governor. The bill is pending in the Energy and Utilities Committee after being introduced in April 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExplicitly includes nuclear in renewable definitions (2026), prioritizes nuclear energy, and removes local barriers for large-scale wind/solar/battery projects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncludes nuclear in renewable definitions, promotes large-scale wind/solar/battery storage, and prevents local restrictions on clean energy projects, advancing environmental goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Nuclear Solar

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 633: Relating to: the rights of Devil’s Lake State Park and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 633 grants Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin, specific legal rights, including the right to clean water, natural ecosystems, and freedom from harmful activities. The bill prohibits state agencies, businesses, and government entities from infringing these rights, requiring agencies to review and adjust policies within one year and complete full park restoration within five years. Violations carry $1,000 fines per offense, and damages must fund park restoration via the conservation fund. It also allows individuals to sue to enforce these rights, with courts prioritizing ecological restoration over scientific uncertainty.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentGrants Devil's Lake State Park legal rights to clean water, ecosystems, and prohibits harmful activities, mandating restoration and fines for violations - directly protecting environmental resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Water Quality

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 61: Relating to: designating June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin.

SJR 61 designates June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about the importance of pollinators like bees and butterflies to agriculture and ecosystems. It highlights Wisconsin's existing efforts, such as "No Mow May" initiatives, which have demonstrated positive impacts on bee populations. The resolution encourages community engagement in pollinator-friendly practices, such as planting native species and reducing pesticide use, without imposing new requirements on residents or organizations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates Pollinator Awareness Month to promote conservation practices supporting ecosystems and agriculture, aligning with environmental protection goals through public engagement.90% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 363: Relating to: establishing a dairy cattle innovation program. (FE)

AB 363 creates a no-interest loan program for dairy farms operating 50-714 cows that meet strict criteria, including 98% in-state payroll, no recent environmental or safety violations, and legal workforce compliance. Funds can be used to adopt technology improving milk production efficiency, animal health, milk quality, or reducing environmental impacts from manure management. Priority is given to projects creating jobs, enhancing manure management practices, or lowering environmental effects per gallon of milk produced. The program aims to support sustainable dairy operations while ensuring local economic benefits through targeted financial assistance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds technology to reduce environmental impacts from manure management and prioritizes projects lowering environmental effects, directly advancing conservation goals.95% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 106: Relating to: exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE)

AB 106 exempts electricity delivered to Level 3 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed at residences from the existing EV charging tax. This directly affects homeowners who own or operate Level 3 chargers at their primary residence. The bill removes the tax on electricity used for charging EVs at these residential stations, effective retroactively from January 1, 2025. The exemption applies specifically to Level 3 chargers at homes, not to commercial or public charging locations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts residential EV charging tax, providing direct tax relief to homeowners using Level 3 chargers at residences.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts residential EV charging from tax, reducing costs for homeowners and promoting EV adoption - a clean energy transportation method that advances renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempting residential EV charging from tax reduces costs for homeowners, encouraging EV adoption which lowers transportation emissions and aligns with clean energy promotion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Electric Vehicles

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