AB 694 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: condemnation authority for recreational trails. (FE)

AB 694 amends multiple state statutes to explicitly prohibit the use of eminent domain (government power to take private land) for establishing or extending recreational trails, bicycle ways, bicycle lanes, or pedestrian paths. It directly affects state agencies, counties, and cities when acquiring land for public parks, trails, or related infrastructure. The bill adds consistent language across various land acquisition statutes, banning condemnation for these specific purposes while allowing it for traditional park or trail development under other provisions. This policy change clarifies that governments cannot use eminent domain to build or expand recreational trails or bike/pedestrian pathways, though they may still acquire land for other park-related projects.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Nov 26, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
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Nov 26, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Joers, Anderson, Arney, Brown, Clancy, DeSmidt, Emerson, Fitzgerald, Madison, McCarville, Palmeri, Rivera-Wagner, Roe, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Stubbs, Subeck, Taylor, Udell, Prado, Tenorio, Moore Omokunde and Miresse; cosponsored by Senators Ratcliff, Spreitzer, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, L. Johnson, Larson, Roys, Wall and Carpenter
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23 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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