Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 297: Relating to: special registration plates to support protecting pollinators and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 297 creates a special "Protect Pollinators" vehicle registration plate requiring a voluntary $25 annual or $50 biennial fee for vehicle owners who choose it. Excess funds from these fees, after covering plate production costs, are deposited into the conservation fund to support pollinator protection programs. The plate must display "Protect Pollinators" and cover the entire plate, with the design approved by the Department of Natural Resources. This affects only drivers who opt for this specific plate, with no mandatory participation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates voluntary fees funding pollinator conservation programs via special plates, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated conservation funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 113: Relating to: a transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 113 creates a pilot program to help farmers transition to managed grazing systems, which rotate livestock between pasture sections to reduce soil erosion and improve forage quality. It directly affects farmers adopting new managed grazing systems or improving existing ones, excluding support for current practices. The program provides grants covering infrastructure (fencing, water systems), technical assistance from specialists, and incentive payments for the first three years of transition, with a $40,000 annual cap per farmer. Funded by $500,000 annually from the environmental fund, grants are paid as 75% in year one and 12.5% each subsequent year. The bill also defines "marginal areas" (land unsuitable for crops like floodplains) as eligible for supplemental feed development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund grants, infrastructure, and incentives for the grazing pilot program, directly allocating state budget resources.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill reduces soil erosion and improves forage quality through managed grazing, directly conserving natural resources and promoting sustainable land use per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Public Lands

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 265: Relating to: waiver of fees for admission to state parks on Earth Day. (FE)

SB 265 requires Wisconsin state parks to waive all daily admission fees and related charges on April 22 each year to honor Earth Day and its founder, Gaylord Nelson. This policy change directly affects all visitors to state parks on April 22, eliminating the cost of entry for that specific day. The bill creates a new statutory provision (27.01(9)(b)) that automatically applies the fee waiver without requiring additional action. The change affects the Department of Natural Resources, which must implement the waiver for all state parks under its management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWaives park fees on Earth Day to honor environmental founder Gaylord Nelson, promoting public access to natural spaces and environmental awareness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Dec 10, 2025

SB 158: Relating to: county forest administration grant eligibility.

SB 158 updates Wisconsin's rules for county forest administration grants by setting new qualifications for the county forest administrator position. It requires applicants to have either a forestry degree from an accredited program, a related degree with 3+ years managing county forests, or an associate forestry degree with 3+ years of experience. The bill allows counties to use grants covering up to 50% of the administrator's salary and 40% of their benefits (capped at 40% of salary). This applies to all grant applications submitted on or after January 1, 2025, directly affecting counties seeking funding for forest management programs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires forestry qualifications for county forest administrators, ensuring qualified management of forest resources (natural resource conservation), directly supporting environmental protection through administrative standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 181: Relating to: county forest administration grant eligibility.

AB 181 modifies grant eligibility for county forest programs by allowing counties to receive funding for one professional forester in a county forest administrator or assistant role. The bill specifies that grants cover up to 50% of the forester’s salary and up to 40% of fringe benefits (capped at 40% of salary), using funds from a designated appropriation. It defines a qualifying "county forest administrator" as someone with a forestry degree (or equivalent), natural resources degree with 3+ years’ experience, or an associate degree in forestry with 3+ years’ experience managing county forests - excluding department employees. The changes apply retroactively to grant applications submitted on or after the bill’s effective date (January 1, 2025). This bill directly affects counties managing forest programs seeking state funding for their designated forest administration staff.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds professional foresters for county forest management, supporting conservation through qualified staffing and grant coverage for forest administration roles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 250: Relating to: prohibiting abandonment of a boat and providing a penalty.

SB 250 prohibits abandoning boats on state waters or adjacent land without the owner's consent. It defines abandonment as leaving a boat unattended over 7 days without intent to return, or neglecting a boat that becomes a navigation, safety, or environmental hazard. Boat owners must remove abandoned vessels within 30 days of a written notice from authorities, or face immediate removal and liability for costs. Violators risk fines up to $10,000, up to 9 months in jail, or mandatory completion of a boating safety course. The bill directly affects boat owners and state agencies responsible for enforcement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents environmental hazards from abandoned boats by requiring removal, protecting waterways and reducing pollution from neglected vessels.95% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 209: Relating to: creating a hazard mitigation revolving loan program, creating a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 209 creates two revolving loan programs: one for Great Lakes shoreline erosion control and another for hazard mitigation projects. It directly affects municipalities and homeowners threatened by erosion along Lake Michigan or Lake Superior, as well as local governments seeking funds for hazard mitigation. The bill establishes a $5 million appropriation from the environmental fund for the Great Lakes program and a separate hazard mitigation revolving loan fund using federal funds, state transfers, and loan repayments. All repaid loan principal and interest are recycled into the programs, creating a self-sustaining funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M from environmental fund for erosion/hazard mitigation programs, directly funding state budget initiatives under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $5M from environmental fund for Great Lakes erosion control, directly protecting natural resources and shoreline ecosystems through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Coastal & Flood Protection

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 435: Relating to: the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 435 restructures funding and governance for Wisconsin's Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 conservation program. It establishes a new Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Board with specific member appointments (including assembly/senate representatives, environmental groups, tribal representatives, and outdoor recreation stakeholders) and creates two new grant programs: one for nonprofit conservation organizations ($5 million annually) and a tribal co-management program ($3 million annually). The bill also adjusts debt limits for the program and modifies how funds are allocated from the capital improvement fund to support state parks, local recreation, and boating facilities. This directly affects conservation organizations, tribal governments, local municipalities, and outdoor recreation businesses receiving program funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M/$3M annually for conservation grants via new appropriations, directly funding programs under budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates $5M annual grants for nonprofit conservation organizations and $3M tribal co-management program, directly funding environmental protection initiatives under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Conservation Parks & Recreation

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 128: Relating to: programs and requirements to address PFAS.

SB 128 establishes a Municipal PFAS Grant Program to help communities test for and address PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water systems. It allows water utilities to use service funds to cover up to half the cost of source reduction measures (like filtration) if cheaper than endpoint treatment, and creates an exception for utilities acting quickly on unexpected PFAS contamination (without penalties if they notify regulators within 30 days and costs stay under $2 million). The bill prioritizes projects addressing serious health risks and extends grant eligibility to disadvantaged communities affected by water contamination, regardless of their existing service area status. It also creates a referral system connecting PFAS contamination claims to the existing Innocent Landowner Grant Program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSB 128 directly addresses PFAS pollution in drinking water through funding, source reduction requirements, and emergency response protocols, advancing pollution control and environmental protection standards.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses PFAS contamination in drinking water, a public health hazard linked to serious health conditions, thereby protecting community health through environmental safety measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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