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

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Recycling

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 851: Relating to: the agricultural conservation easement purchase program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 851 authorizes $25 million from the capital improvement fund to purchase agricultural conservation easements, which are agreements that limit development on farmland to preserve agricultural use. The bill creates new funding mechanisms (20.115 (7) (br) and (tb)) to reimburse costs for these easements and specifies payment procedures for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. It directly affects landowners selling conservation easements and state agencies administering the program. The appropriation supports farmland conservation by enabling the state to acquire easements under Section 93.73. The bill repeals an outdated statute (23.197 (15)) and amends related sections to implement these funding changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $25M appropriation from capital fund for agricultural conservation easements, directly funding a state program through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds $25M for agricultural conservation easements to preserve farmland, directly advancing environmental conservation through land protection and resource preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Conservation

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 868: Relating to: Focus on Energy inclusion of programs promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

AB 868 requires Wisconsin's energy utility programs to dedicate at least 25% of annual energy efficiency funding toward initiatives specifically serving low-income households. The bill defines "low-income household" using an existing state definition and mandates programs that reduce energy costs and improve efficiency for these households. It also requires the Public Service Commission to evaluate these programs every four years, setting goals to prioritize reducing energy burdens and environmental impacts for low-income residents. The law directly affects low-income households by ensuring their energy needs are addressed through utility-funded programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 25% of energy efficiency funds for low-income programs, directing existing budget allocation toward essential energy cost reduction services.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires 25% of energy efficiency funding for low-income renewable energy/efficiency programs, directly advancing clean energy access for vulnerable households.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 25% energy efficiency funding for low-income households, promoting renewable energy measures and reducing energy burdens, directly advancing environmental protection through cleaner energy use.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 25% of energy efficiency funding for low-income households, directly reducing energy costs and improving housing affordability for vulnerable residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 844: Relating to: creating a stretch energy code. (FE)

AB 844 allows cities, counties, villages, and towns to adopt stricter energy efficiency standards for new buildings than the state's baseline code, provided they follow a state-developed "stretch energy code." Local governments can choose to implement either residential or commercial components of this code, which must exceed current state minimums. The state must create the stretch energy code by December 2026 through a working group including energy experts, climate nonprofits, and municipalities with climate plans. This directly affects local building regulations without changing the state's baseline requirements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables stricter building energy efficiency standards beyond state baseline, directly advancing energy efficiency requirements for new construction.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables stricter building energy codes beyond state minimums, promoting efficiency and reducing emissions per bill's mandate for local governments to exceed current standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 845: Relating to: creating a grant program for farmers who implement certain sustainable practices, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 845 creates a $2.5 million grant program for Wisconsin farmers to adopt sustainable practices that reduce fossil fuel use or store carbon in soil or vegetation. Eligible activities include cover cropping, solar-powered equipment, planting trees, or creating conservation plans. The program excludes land in retirement programs, commercial forests, or aquaculture, and requires applicants to first seek other available grants. The Department of Agriculture must prioritize small/medium farms, track carbon reductions, and publicly report grant details and environmental impacts annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.5M state appropriation for sustainable farming grants, directly funding a new program through budgetary action.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds solar-powered equipment and reduces fossil fuel use in agriculture, directly advancing renewable energy adoption per bill's summary.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds sustainable farming practices reducing fossil fuel use and storing carbon, directly advancing climate protection and conservation through grant program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Solar Conservation

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 893: Relating to: grants for regional biodigesters, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 893 creates a $250,000 annual grant program from the environmental fund to support planning for regional biodigesters. These facilities convert organic waste (like food scraps or farm byproducts) into energy, primarily benefiting agricultural and waste management projects. The bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administer the grants and develop rules for their use. It does not fund construction but focuses on initial planning phases for new biodigester facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250,000 annually from environmental fund for biodigester planning grants, directly funding a specific program through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds planning for biodigesters converting organic waste to renewable energy, advancing clean energy infrastructure and waste-to-energy projects.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds planning for biodigesters converting organic waste to energy, reducing landfill methane emissions and supporting renewable energy projects via environmental fund appropriation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Recycling Waste Management

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 858: Relating to: Public Service Commission consideration of the social cost of carbon emissions and the recovery of costs relating to fossil fuel energy production infrastructure and transitioning to renewable resource energy production. (FE)

AB 858 requires Wisconsin's Public Service Commission to consider a minimum "social cost of carbon" of $185 per metric ton of CO2 emissions when reviewing energy certificates. It mandates that costs for expanding fossil fuel infrastructure can only be recovered from customers who directly benefit from that infrastructure, and prohibits passing transition costs to renewable energy onto ratepayers. The bill directly affects utilities seeking infrastructure investments and residential/commercial electricity customers paying rates. Key provisions ensure fossil fuel expansion costs are tied to specific beneficiaries while shielding customers from transition expenses during the shift to renewables.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires social cost of carbon consideration, limits fossil fuel infrastructure costs to direct beneficiaries, and prohibits shifting renewable transition costs to ratepayers, advancing renewable energy adoption.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates $185 social cost of carbon, restricts fossil fuel infrastructure cost recovery, prohibits passing renewable transition costs to ratepayers90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation Climate Change

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 853: Relating to: consideration of climate change in certain local plans and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 853 requires local governments (counties, cities, towns, and regional planning commissions) to consider climate change impacts when updating specific plans, including comprehensive plans, community health plans, and hazard mitigation plans. The bill creates a new grant program to cover the full cost of climate planning for these local documents, funded by a dedicated state appropriation. Local governments must apply to the department for grants that finance all expenses related to incorporating climate change considerations into their planning processes. This policy change directly affects how communities develop and update key planning documents, with no new requirements for local funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state appropriation funding climate planning grants, directly allocating budget resources for local government climate planning compliance.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates climate change considerations in local planning, inherently advancing renewable energy infrastructure and emissions reduction through required climate action planning.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate change consideration in local planning documents and funds full implementation via state grants, directly advancing environmental protection and climate resilience efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Climate Change

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 874: Relating to: report on environmental impacts to vulnerable communities and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

SB 874 requires environmental impact reports for new or expanded facilities seeking permits in "vulnerable communities" - defined as census areas with at least 50% low-income households (200% of federal poverty level) plus either 40%+ minority residents or 40%+ households with limited English proficiency. Permit applicants must assess cumulative pollution impacts, hold public hearings, and share reports with the public and local officials before permits are issued. The department must consider community input and may deny permits if combined pollution risks pose unreasonable health or environmental harm. This applies to facilities needing permits under environmental codes 283, 285, 289, or 291.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates pollution impact assessments for facilities in vulnerable communities, requiring cumulative pollution evaluation before permits. Strengthens environmental review for marginalized areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 889: Relating to: creating the Wisconsin Climate Corps program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 889 establishes the Wisconsin Climate Corps program to create climate-focused job opportunities for workers aged 16-30, with at least 50% from underserved communities. The program funds projects like restoring natural lands, weatherizing homes for energy efficiency, and building community gardens, administered by a board overseeing contracts with nonprofit managers. Key requirements include paying workers $15/hour, providing housing stipends ($100/week), and gold-level health insurance. Sponsors (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) must submit annual reports, and completed projects require permanent plaques identifying them as Wisconsin Climate Corps initiatives. The bill appropriates state funds for grants to approved projects under this framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund the Wisconsin Climate Corps program with specific wage/benefit requirements, directly advancing state budget allocation for climate jobs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds weatherizing homes for energy efficiency, directly advancing energy efficiency policy as a key energy infrastructure measure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates climate-focused jobs including natural land restoration, energy-efficient weatherization, and community gardens - directly advancing environmental conservation and pollution reduction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates gold-level health insurance for Climate Corps workers, directly expanding coverage under the program's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides housing stipends ($100/week) and funds home weatherization, indirectly supporting housing affordability and worker housing needs.65% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $15/hr wage, housing stipends, and gold-level health insurance for climate corps workers, directly advancing employment standards and worker benefits through funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Energy Efficiency Insurance

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