AB 797 creates a $2.5 million grant program to help counties, cities, and towns test privately owned wells for water quality and map well locations. It provides up to $10,000 per grant for well testing, groundwater assessment, and geologic studies, plus separate grants for county health departments to offer well-testing education. The bill also requires municipalities with private wells to inform residents about testing importance and exempts the department from standard emergency rule procedures for implementing this program. The law appropriates funds for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to support these concrete actions.
SB 773 increases funding by $5 million for the University of Wisconsin System's freshwater collaborative for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This appropriation directly supports the collaborative's work, which focuses on freshwater research and solutions within the UW System. The bill modifies existing budget allocations to provide this specific, dedicated funding for two consecutive fiscal years. It does not change program requirements or create new policies, only adjusting the financial allocation.
AB 771 increases annual funding by $5 million for the University of Wisconsin System's freshwater collaborative for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This bill directly affects the University of Wisconsin System's freshwater collaborative research program by providing new state funding. The key mechanism is a specific budget appropriation added to existing funding under Section 20.285 (1) (ar). The bill does not change program requirements or create new regulations, only adjusting the financial allocation. The funding supports collaborative research on freshwater resources across the UW System.
SB 778 creates a mandatory producer responsibility program requiring businesses that package products sold in the state (like retailers, restaurants, and manufacturers) to fund recycling and packaging reduction efforts. It establishes fees paid by "producers" (including brands, importers, and manufacturers) to a new packaging reduction organization, which will manage recycling programs and track recycled content. The bill defines "recyclable" packaging as materials that can be consistently processed for reuse, excludes advanced recycling methods from this definition, and sets requirements for packaging reduction goals. This replaces voluntary recycling with a structured system where producers directly finance waste management, affecting all businesses selling packaged goods within the state.
SB 774 allocates $3.525 million annually for wolf monitoring and nonlethal abatement projects through the Department of Natural Resources. It directly affects wildlife management efforts by funding ongoing tracking of wolf populations and implementing nonlethal methods (like fencing or deterrents) to prevent conflicts with livestock. The bill creates a permanent funding line (20.370 (1) (js)) in state statutes to cover these activities. This is a procedural funding measure with no voting record or policy changes beyond the specified appropriations.
AB 781 allocates $3.525 million annually (for 2025-26 and 2026-27) to fund wolf monitoring and nonlethal management programs under the Department of Natural Resources. It creates a new budget line item (20.370 js) specifically for these purposes, continuing existing funding without introducing new regulations or policy changes. The bill directly affects the state's wildlife management operations and does not target specific communities or landowners. This is a procedural budget appropriation, not a substantive legislative change.
SB 741 creates a new food waste reduction grant program funded with $100,000 annually for 2025-26 and 2026-27. It directs the Department of Agriculture to provide grants for pilot projects focused on preventing food waste, redirecting surplus food to hunger relief organizations, and composting food waste. The program prioritizes projects in census tracts with below-average median income and no grocery stores. The bill also requires the department to establish administrative rules for the grant program. This directly affects organizations implementing food waste reduction initiatives, particularly in underserved communities.
AB 174 amends energy statutes to redefine "renewable resources" for reporting purposes, explicitly including nuclear energy starting in 2026. It establishes new definitions for large-scale wind/solar systems (100+ megawatts) and battery storage, while clarifying that local governments cannot restrict energy installations more strictly than state rules. The bill affects energy developers, utilities, and local governments by changing how transmission contracts are audited and how renewable/nuclear projects are categorized. It does not create new project requirements but updates existing reporting frameworks for the state legislature and governor. The bill is pending in the Energy and Utilities Committee after being introduced in April 2025.
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.
SJR 61 designates June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about the importance of pollinators like bees and butterflies to agriculture and ecosystems. It highlights Wisconsin's existing efforts, such as "No Mow May" initiatives, which have demonstrated positive impacts on bee populations. The resolution encourages community engagement in pollinator-friendly practices, such as planting native species and reducing pesticide use, without imposing new requirements on residents or organizations.
