This bill establishes a state goal to achieve 100 percent clean electricity and net zero carbon emissions by 2050, creating a new Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy to oversee implementation. It sets specific milestones requiring the state to reach at least 50 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030, 65 percent by 2035, 80 percent by 2040, 90 percent by 2045, and full carbon-free status by 2050. The legislation also directs the state to develop a detailed decarbonization roadmap using sector-based modeling and provides funding for technology needed to meet these targets. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions for renewable and carbon-free resources and includes provisions for agencies to consider technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness when meeting these energy standards.
This bill establishes a comprehensive clean energy framework requiring Wisconsin to achieve 100 percent clean electricity production and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It creates a new Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy within the Department of Administration to develop and update an economy-wide decarbonization roadmap using sector-based modeling. The legislation sets specific interim targets for carbon-free electricity, including 50 percent by 2030, 65 percent by 2035, 80 percent by 2040, 90 percent by 2045, and full carbon-free status by 2050. State agencies must consider purchasing renewable energy from providers with long-term contracts, though the requirements do not apply if generation is not technically feasible or cost-effective. The bill also provides funding for technology implementation and defines carbon-free resources to include hydroelectric power alongside other renewable sources.
This bill establishes a state assistance program to help smaller municipalities, specifically 3rd and 4th class cities, villages, and towns, upgrade their water infrastructure to meet federal water quality standards. The program would provide up to 50 percent funding for approved construction projects and requires local governments to submit applications for consideration. The Department of Natural Resources would administer the program, set eligibility criteria, prioritize projects, and review project plans before releasing funds. The legislation also allocates $10 million in state funding for the program in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
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 requires motorboats with enclosed living spaces to be equipped with carbon monoxide detection systems and warning stickers to protect occupants from dangerous gas exposure. It mandates that the state provide free safety information and stickers when registering cabin motorboats, while also requiring dealers to ensure new boats meet these safety standards before sale. The legislation establishes specific penalties for operating or selling non-compliant boats, with fines up to $500 for first offenses and up to $300 for repeat violations. These rules apply to boats sold, registered, or operated on the bill's effective date.
This bill creates a grant program to help Wisconsin municipalities and community organizations earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications for their buildings. The Department of Administration would administer the program, awarding grants specifically for LEED certification costs. The legislation appropriates $1 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year to fund these grants. The bill also establishes the legal framework for the program within state statutes.
This bill would allow Wisconsin school districts to increase their revenue limits when they spend money on energy efficiency projects. If a school board chooses to participate, the district's spending on energy-saving measures, including debt payments for bonds or loans used to finance those projects, would count toward raising the revenue cap for that school year. To qualify, projects must reduce energy or operational costs, follow a performance contract, and have financing terms of 20 years or less. The legislation also defines eligible projects as facility upgrades, training programs, or services that lower energy use, conserve water, or improve metering accuracy.
This bill would allow Wisconsin school districts to increase their revenue limits when they spend money on energy efficiency projects. The adjustment applies to districts that adopt a resolution authorizing the increase and meet specific requirements, including using performance contracts for the project and financing it with bonds or loans of 20 years or less. Eligible projects must reduce energy or operational costs, conserve water, or improve metering accuracy, and the revenue limit increase would last for each school year the district pays debt service on the financing. The bill updates existing statutes to clarify how these adjustments are calculated and applies to resolutions adopted on the effective date of the law.
SB 1042 limits local government restrictions on routine maintenance and remodeling of structures near shorelands. It prohibits counties and the state department from requiring fees, approvals, or regulations for activities like repairs, replacements, or restorations - as long as the structure's footprint doesn't expand. The bill creates a new provision (59.692(1k)(ag)) allowing fees for these permitted activities, while repealing existing sections that previously restricted such work. This directly affects landowners with properties near shorelines and local governments enforcing shoreland zoning rules.
SB 943 amends state zoning law to update the purpose statement guiding local zoning regulations. It adds specific priorities including ensuring access to sunlight for solar energy systems, protecting groundwater resources, promoting diverse housing types, and designing "complete streets" that safely accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers. The bill directly affects local governments (cities and counties) as they develop zoning codes and land-use plans. These changes require zoning decisions to explicitly consider these new community goals while maintaining existing standards like safety, congestion reduction, and preservation of burial sites. The bill has been introduced but not yet voted on in the legislature.
