AB 911 creates a new funding mechanism to support a battery collection and recycling program by directing existing environmental fund monies (from statute 287.175 (3) (b)) toward this purpose. The bill specifically allocates funds already designated for battery recycling under current law, without creating new taxes or fees. It only takes effect if two other related bills (AB 713 or SB 702) are not enacted during the 2025-26 legislative session. This funding directly supports the operational costs of the state’s battery recycling program, primarily affecting program administrators and participating recyclers.
SB 734 requires physicians prescribing abortion-inducing drugs to schedule a follow-up visit within seven days and provide a catch kit and medical waste bag for safe disposal. It holds manufacturers of these drugs responsible for proper disposal and mitigating environmental harm from chemicals that interfere with hormones (endocrine disruptors), with fines up to $20,000 per violation. The bill also mandates wastewater treatment plants to test for these chemicals. It takes effect on May 1, 2026.
AB 770 allocates $500,000 annually from the general fund for the Groundwater Coordinating Council's activities, specifically for the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin System. The bill creates a new statutory funding line (20.370 (4) (cf)) to support ongoing council operations under existing laws (ss. 15.347(13) and 160.50). This appropriation applies to both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years, directly funding the council's coordination work related to groundwater management. The bill does not change groundwater regulations but ensures dedicated funding for the council's existing responsibilities.
AB 790 creates a dedicated "Water Fund for Our Future" with an initial $250 million transfer from the general fund. The fund establishes a rapid response account to cover clean water-related costs during natural disasters or public health emergencies, including remediation and assistance for affected individuals. A new joint committee oversees fund spending, reviewing requests for funding (excluding non-clean-water uses) and recommending approvals to the finance committee. All funds must be used exclusively for clean water activities, with specific rules for disbursement and oversight.
SB 772 allocates $500,000 annually from the general fund for the Department of Natural Resources' activities related to the Groundwater Coordinating Council during fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. It also increases funding for the University of Wisconsin System by $500,000 each year for its groundwater council-related work under specific statutes. The bill creates a continuing appropriation to support existing council operations and coordination efforts. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting state environmental agencies and the University of Wisconsin System.
SB 762 creates a state grant program to fund testing and mapping of privately owned wells to assess groundwater quality and contamination. It provides up to $10,000 per grant to counties, cities, villages, or towns for well testing and geologic studies, and up to $10,000 to health departments for public education on well testing. The bill requires grant recipients to submit anonymized testing results to the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, while directing municipalities to inform residents about well testing importance. The program is funded with $2.5 million annually from the environmental fund, with rule-making authority granted to the Department of Natural Resources.
AB 703 allocates $200,000 from the environmental fund to the Town of Norway in Racine County for water pollution cleanup projects. The bill creates a new funding category (20.370 (6) (fx)) specifically for this grant, requiring the Department of Natural Resources to award it by June 30, 2026. This direct appropriation affects Norway's local water management efforts, using funds collected for nonpoint source pollution abatement. The bill repeals the prior funding mechanism for this purpose on July 1, 2027.
SB 776 repeals Wisconsin's dry cleaner environmental response program and creates the "Revitalize Wisconsin" program to support cleanup of contaminated properties. The new program provides $3 million biennially from the environmental fund to cover costs for eligible property owners (including "innocent landowners" who didn't cause pollution) and developers on brownfield sites - abandoned properties affected by environmental contamination. It allows grants, direct services, or reimbursements for cleanup activities like waste removal and sampling, with some sites prioritized for funding. The bill also adjusts related environmental funding rules and repeals outdated provisions.
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.
SB 693 creates a specific $200,000 grant from the environmental fund for the Town of Norway in Racine County to improve water quality. The bill appropriates this funding for water abatement projects and requires the Department of Natural Resources to award the grant by June 30, 2026. This is a targeted fiscal measure with no broader policy changes, directly benefiting Norway's local water management efforts. The existing statutory section for this grant is repealed effective July 1, 2027.
