Environment

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 840: Relating to: certain requirements related to data centers.

AB 840 regulates data centers in the state by requiring specific operational and environmental standards. It mandates that data centers use closed-loop cooling systems (recycling water instead of using fresh water) and report annual water usage to the department. The bill also requires renewable energy facilities serving data centers to be located on-site and prohibits utility customers from paying for data center infrastructure costs. Additionally, operators must provide financial bonds for construction and restore land if projects are abandoned. These provisions directly affect all data center operators and developers in the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates on-site renewable energy facilities for data centers, directly promoting clean energy adoption and infrastructure requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates closed-loop cooling (water conservation) and on-site renewable energy for data centers, directly advancing environmental protection standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 323: Relating to: establishing a dairy cattle innovation program. (FE)

SB 323 establishes a state program providing no-interest loans to eligible dairy farms for specific upgrades. It directly affects dairy operations with 50-714 cows that meet strict criteria, including 98% in-state workforce, no recent environmental or safety violations, and legal employment compliance. Loans can fund technologies to improve milk production efficiency, animal health, milk quality, or reduce environmental impacts from manure management. The program prioritizes applicants creating new skilled jobs or reducing environmental effects per gallon of milk produced. The bill creates a formal process for applications and administration through the state corporation, with a fiscal estimate received as of July 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state funding via no-interest loans for dairy farm upgrades, directly allocating budget resources to support agricultural operations and efficiency improvements.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds technologies to reduce environmental impacts from manure management, directly advancing conservation and pollution control in dairy operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 612: Relating to: the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program, a major land acquisitions program, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 612 reauthorizes funding for the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and establishes specific funding streams for land conservation. It directs $5 million annually to department property development, $4 million for nonprofit land acquisition grants, $1 million for habitat restoration, and $2 million for local conservation assistance. The bill specifies that these funds come from the conservation fund and forestry activity revenues, with strict annual spending limits for the stewardship program (capping at $86 million in some years). It does not create new policy but reorganizes existing funding mechanisms to support state and local land conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $12M annually from conservation fund/forestry revenues to specific conservation programs, advancing fiscal management of state budget through targeted appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $12M annually to land conservation, habitat restoration, and local conservation programs via conservation fund and forestry revenues.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 315: Relating to: the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program. (FE)

AB 315 modifies grant rules for Wisconsin's Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship program and land conservation efforts. It creates new provisions requiring governmental units and nonprofits to apply for funding *before* purchasing land to qualify for up to 50% of acquisition costs (reduced to 40% if applying after purchase). The bill maintains a 30% cap on additional costs covered by grants or in-kind contributions. These changes directly affect local governments and conservation groups seeking state funds to acquire land for parks, recreation, or conservation. The bill does not create new funding but adjusts eligibility and percentage limits for existing programs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires pre-purchase funding applications for land conservation grants, ensuring 50% cost coverage under stewardship program to protect natural resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · Wisconsin · Senate Jun 25, 2025

SJR 7: Relating to: recognizing that the Wisconsin State Legislature supports nuclear power and fusion energy as clean energy sources that are critical to safely meeting Wisconsin’s growing energy demands and declaring the legislature’s commitment to the continuation and expansion of nuclear power and nuclear technologies, the development of nuclear technologies and fusion energy, and employing the leadership and resources necessary to support the development of and investment in nuclear power, fusion energy, and related technologies in the state.

SJR 7 is a non-binding legislative resolution passed by Wisconsin's legislature declaring support for nuclear power and fusion energy as critical clean energy sources. It states the legislature's commitment to advancing these technologies, citing their role in providing 66.6% of Wisconsin's carbon-free electricity, powering 1.2 million homes, and supporting 650 high-paying jobs. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally recognizes nuclear/fusion energy as essential for meeting energy demands and reducing emissions. It emphasizes Wisconsin's existing nuclear infrastructure (including two operating reactors) and academic resources as foundations for future growth in this sector.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly declares legislative support for nuclear/fusion energy as critical clean sources, cites their role in carbon-free electricity (66.6%), and commits to advancing these technologies without restrictions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly designates nuclear/fusion as critical clean energy sources reducing emissions, citing 66.6% carbon-free electricity contribution and environmental benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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