SB 840 creates new funding streams to support Wisconsin's Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program, which helps farmers protect working land by restricting development. The bill allocates funds from the "working lands fund" and "capital improvement fund" to cover costs for purchasing conservation easements, with a maximum $25 million public debt limit for these purchases. It directly affects farmers who participate in the program and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, which administers the easement acquisitions. The legislation modifies existing statutes to establish these funding mechanisms and streamline payments related to easement agreements.
SB 685 allocates specific annual funds for conservation programs under Wisconsin's Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and major land acquisitions initiative. The bill creates four new funding streams: $5 million for department property development, $4 million for nonprofit land acquisition grants, $1 million for habitat restoration grants, and $2 million for local conservation assistance. These funds will be drawn from forestry activity revenues to support land conservation, habitat restoration, and local park development. The bill also specifies debt limits for the stewardship program, including a $1.046 billion cap for the program's funding.
AB 707 modifies fees for land designated as "managed forest land" in Wisconsin. It requires new owners of such land to pay a $100 fee within 30 days of transfer (to certify continued compliance with management plans and obtain department approval), and sets a $300 withdrawal fee if land is removed from the program. The fees are deposited into the conservation fund, with $20 allocated to forestry recording under statute 20.370. This directly affects landowners transferring or withdrawing managed forest land, updating existing fee structures under statutes 77.82 and 77.88.
SB 698 modifies fees for managed forest land transactions. It requires new owners of land designated as managed forest land to pay a $100 fee within 30 days of transfer to maintain the designation, with $20 of that fee credited to forest land management. The bill also sets a $300 withdrawal fee for land exiting the program, both fees deposited into the conservation fund. This directly affects landowners transferring or withdrawing managed forest land. The changes update existing statutes governing these recording fees without altering the land designation requirements.
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.
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.
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.
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.
AB 118 creates a state-funded pilot program to help farmers transition to managed grazing systems, allocating $500,000 annually from the environmental fund. The program provides grants covering technical assistance, infrastructure (like fencing and water systems), and incentives during the first three years of implementing new or improved grazing practices on marginal lands (e.g., flood-prone or steep areas). Grants are limited to $40,000 per farmer, with payments phased over three years (75% upfront, then 12.5% each subsequent year). The bill directly affects farmers adopting forage-based managed grazing and requires the Department of Agriculture to support this transition through a new staff position. It does not fund existing grazing systems, focusing only on new implementations or enhancements that improve conservation and financial outcomes.
