AB 618 creates tax credits for nuclear energy facilities in Wisconsin, directly affecting electric utilities, cooperatives, municipal companies, and qualified wholesale providers. It provides a credit against income/franchise tax for wages paid to full-time nuclear facility workers (defined as 2,080 hours/year at 150% federal minimum wage) and capital expenditures for facility construction, maintenance, or operation (excluding land purchases). The credit can be transferred to other taxpayers subject to certain taxes, though partnerships and LLCs must pass the credit amount to owners rather than claiming it directly. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2027.
SB 559 authorizes community solar programs in Wisconsin, allowing multiple households or businesses to subscribe to shared solar energy projects. It requires municipalities to approve community solar facility locations with a two-thirds vote of their governing body (with limited exceptions), while ensuring facilities comply with zoning rules. The bill defines key terms like "community solar facility" (ground-mounted or rooftop projects generating electricity for subscribers), sets size limits (max 5MW for ground sites, 20MW for rooftop sites), and requires at least 3 subscribers with 60% of capacity coming from small subscriptions (≤40 kW). Subscribers receive bill credits for the electricity their subscription generates, offsetting their energy costs through the utility.
SB 637 creates two tax credits for nuclear energy facilities in Wisconsin: an income/franchise tax credit (under §71.07) and a sales/use tax exemption (under §71.28). It directly affects electric public utilities, cooperatives, municipal electric companies, and qualified wholesale providers that operate nuclear facilities. The credits cover wages paid to full-time facility workers (requiring 2,080 annual hours at ≥150% federal minimum wage) and capital expenditures for facility construction, operation, or maintenance (excluding land purchases). The credits are transferable to other taxable entities and apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2027.
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.
SB 474 adds soybean-derived fire suppression products to the list of eligible costs for state fire grant programs. This means local fire departments and municipalities can now use state grant funds to purchase fire suppressants made from soybeans, rather than only traditional chemical-based products. The bill directly affects grant recipients by expanding their funding options for fire safety equipment under existing state grant programs. It creates a specific policy change without altering other grant requirements or imposing new costs.
AB 352 prohibits the release of certain balloons (like single-use helium balloons) into the atmosphere, directly affecting event organizers, balloon vendors, and anyone hosting public gatherings. The bill grants environmental agencies rule-making authority to define specific balloon types and exceptions (e.g., for medical or religious purposes), and establishes fines for violations. Key provisions include banning releases that could harm wildlife or contribute to litter, while allowing agencies to develop detailed implementation rules. The legislation aims to reduce environmental harm from balloon debris without specifying exact penalties or enforcement timelines.
SB 3 requires local governments to approve certain wind and solar energy projects before the Public Service Commission can review them. This directly affects renewable energy developers seeking to build projects and local municipalities responsible for granting permits. The bill creates a new step where community-level approval must be secured prior to state-level review by the Public Service Commission. This changes the current process by adding a mandatory local consent requirement before state agencies can act on these projects.
SB 284 defines key terms for a future sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit program. It specifies that "renewable biomass" includes wood waste, crop residues, dairy byproducts, and other organic agricultural waste, and defines "sustainable aviation fuel" as aviation fuel derived from this biomass and meeting U.S. Department of Energy standards. The bill replaces outdated terms like "energy crops" with "renewable biomass" throughout the tax credit framework. This definitional bill enables future tax credits for SAF producers but does not establish the credit amount or implementation details. (Note: The bill is still pending scheduling as of the latest action on 2025-11-06.)
Assembly Joint Resolution 36 (AJR 36) proposes to amend the state constitution to establish a fundamental right for all people, including future generations, to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment. This right would encompass clean water, air, healthy soils, self-sustaining ecosystems, and a safe climate. The bill specifies that these rights are self-executing, cannot be infringed, and would be subject to strict legal review. It also designates the state as a trustee responsible for protecting Wisconsin's natural resources for its citizens. As a "first consideration" bill, it represents the initial step in a multi-stage process to potentially alter the state constitution.
SB 613 grants Devil’s Lake State Park (in Baraboo, Sauk County) legal rights to exist, flourish, and maintain a healthy environment, including clean water, natural ecosystems, and biodiversity. It prohibits state agencies, businesses, and government entities from activities that infringe on these rights, requiring agencies to review all relevant policies within one year and complete full park restoration within five years. Violations carry $1,000 fines per offense and require court-ordered damages paid to a conservation fund for park restoration. The bill directly affects state agencies, businesses operating near the park, and the park itself as a legal entity, with enforcement by the attorney general or private citizens. It explicitly preserves tribal rights and does not impose liabilities on the park.
