Environment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 127: Relating to: exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE)

SB 127 exempts specific entities from PFAS-related enforcement actions under Wisconsin's spills law, provided they allow the state to clean up contaminated land at no cost to them. It directly affects landowners who spread permitted biosolids/wastewater containing PFAS, fire departments using PFAS in emergencies, airports, municipalities, solid waste facilities, and property owners not responsible for the contamination. The key provision requires these entities to grant permission for state-led remediation, removing liability under certain enforcement sections of the spills law. This applies to PFAS chemicals commonly found in firefighting foam and industrial products. The bill does not change PFAS contamination standards but alters enforcement responsibilities for qualifying parties.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts entities from PFAS enforcement under spills law, weakening pollution control for toxic chemicals without requiring accountability for contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Waste Management

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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

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 6, 2026

AB 130: Relating to: exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE)

AB 130 exempts specific groups from certain PFAS enforcement actions under Wisconsin's spills law if they allow the state to clean up contaminated land at no cost to them. It directly affects landowners, fire departments, airports, wastewater spreaders, and waste facilities that handled PFAS-contaminated materials legally. The bill creates exemptions for those who spread permitted biosolids, owned land where such spreading occurred, used PFAS in emergency response (per federal rules), accepted PFAS waste, or own property not responsible for the contamination origin. This applies only to enforcement sections related to PFAS contamination under the spills law, not all PFAS regulations.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts landowners/fire departments from PFAS enforcement, reducing regulatory accountability for contamination under spills law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 83: Relating to: governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device.

AB 83 prohibits state and local governments from restricting the sale or use of motor vehicles based on their energy source (e.g., gasoline, electric, or hydrogen). It also extends this rule to other energy-powered devices, such as power tools or generators, if their significant functions rely on that energy source. The law explicitly allows government agencies to prioritize electric vehicles for their own fleets when purchasing. This ensures public policies do not discriminate against specific vehicle or device types based on energy use.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill prohibits restrictions on energy-source-based vehicles/devices, explicitly allowing government EV fleet prioritization, removing barriers for renewable energy adoption.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits government restrictions on fossil fuel vehicles (e.g., bans on gasoline cars), weakening emissions regulations despite allowing EV fleet purchases. Blocks environmental policy implementation.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits restrictions on vehicle energy sources, allows EV fleet prioritization, promoting sustainable transportation adoption without direct infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 421: Relating to: prohibiting rights of nature ordinances. (FE)

AB 421 prohibits cities, towns, and counties from enacting "rights of nature" ordinances that grant legal rights to natural resources like rivers or forests. The bill defines such ordinances as those conferring rights to exist, be protected from pollution, or maintain healthy ecosystems. It creates a new state law (66.0132) banning these local measures, preventing municipalities from using this approach to legally protect natural areas. The bill was introduced in September 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits local 'rights of nature' ordinances that protect natural resources from pollution and ecosystems, weakening environmental protections.90% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 161: Relating to: governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device.

AB 161 prohibits state agencies and local governments from restricting the sale, use, or purchase of motor vehicles or other devices based on their energy source (e.g., electric, gasoline, hydrogen). It specifically allows governments to set their own purchasing policies for their own fleets but bans restrictions on consumer or commercial use. The bill directly affects state/local governments, businesses selling vehicles/devices, and residents using such products. It creates a clear rule that energy source cannot be a factor in regulatory decisions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProhibits restrictions on vehicle energy sources (e.g., electric/hydrogen), enabling consumer choice and removing barriers to renewable energy adoption in transportation.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits restrictions on non-electric vehicles, weakening potential emissions-reduction policies by preventing bans on fossil fuel vehicles and allowing continued use of polluting options.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits restrictions on vehicle energy sources (e.g., electric/hydrogen), enabling adoption of sustainable transport options and supporting infrastructure for diverse transportation technologies.95% confidence

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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

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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

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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