Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 10 R · 2 D cosponsors

SB 247 — Relating to: an agricultural roads improvement grant program and making an appropriation. (FE)

Last action — Published 6-22-2023

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 20, 2023. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Tony Evers (Democratic) on June 22, 2023.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 14 sponsors

    14 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (10 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

149 added · 57 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to SB 247 change the criteria for the agricultural road improvement grant program. Originally, projects needed to provide access to agricultural lands used by more than one producer but have been revised to include projects that serve at least one agricultural producer. Additionally, the amendments clarify that reimbursable costs can cover a wider range of expenses, including planning and engineering. These changes matter because they potentially broaden the scope of financial support to more agricultural projects, encouraging wider participation and improving infrastructure in various regions.

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- 2024 LEGISLATURE LRBa0237/1 EVM:wlj&cjs SENATE AMENDMENT 1, TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO SENATE BILL 247 May 31, 2023 - Offered by SenatorARKLEI.
- 2024 LEGISLATURE LRB-2631/1 EVM:amn SENATE BILL 247 April 20, 2023 - Introduced by Senators M ARKLEIN , TOMCZYK , BALLWEG , CABRAL-G UEVARA, C OWLES , FELZKOWSKI , FEYEN , JAMES, P FAFF, Q UINN, SPREITZER, ESTIN, WANGGAARD and BRADLEY, cosponsored by Representatives TRANEL , ANDER MEER , OVAK , .A NDERSON , RMSTRONG , BEHNKE, BINSFELD, CALLAHAN , ONLEY , ITTRICH, DMING, GOEBEN, GREEN, GUNDRUM , USTAFSON , H URD, KITCHENS, KRUG , KURTZ, M AGNAFIC, M URPHY, M URSAU, O'CONNOR , O LDENBURG, PENTERMAN , ETRYK, PLUMER, RETTINGER, OZAR, SAPI, SCHMIDT, SCHRAA , HANKLAND , SNYDER, ORTWELL , SPIRO, SUMMERFIELD , WEARINGEN , W ITTKE and T ITT.
At the locations indicated, amend the substitute amendment as follows:
Referred to Committee on Transportation and Local Government.
A N A CT to renumber 86.31 (1) (a);
to amend 86.31 (2) (a);
and to create 20.395 (2) (fc), 59.58 (6), 86.31 (1) (ac) and 86.31 (3o) of the statutes;
relating to:
an agricultural roads improvement grant program and making an appropriation.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill requires the Department of Transportation to establish an agricultural road improvement grant program.
Under the program, projects are eligible for reimbursement of up to 100 percent of the costs of a project under the program if all of the following apply:
Page 3, line 5:
The project is for the improvement of a local road, minor collector, bridge, or culvert (agricultural road facility) that is maintained by a political subdivision.
delete “and" and substitute “or".
Page 3, line 6:
The agricultural road facility provides access to agricultural lands used for the production of agricultural goods and is used by more than one agricultural producer.
delete “more than" and substitute “at least".
Page 3, line 10:
Due to structural deficiencies, the agricultural road facility is subject to weight limitations at least annually.
after “project," insert “except as provided under par.
(h),".
Page 3, line 18:
After completion of the project, the agricultural road facility will not be subject to weight limitations other than under extraordinary or emergency circumstances.
delete “and" and substitute “or".
The bill also requires DOT to prioritize projects that improve access by the largest number of agricultural producers, projects that make improvements to agricultural road facilities that are the oldest, projects that will result in the largest reduction in deferred or repeated trips by vehicles of agricultural producers, projects - 2024 Legislature - 2 - LRB-2631/1 EVM:amn SENATE BILL 247 that will result in the greatest positive economic impact, projects making improvements to agricultural road facilities that provide the only feasible route of access, and projects that are the subject of a grant application by a political subdivision that faces demonstrable fiscal or administrative difficulties in completing highway projects.
5.
The bill also requires that for a project under this program, upon request by a grantee, DOT must be designated as a fiscal agent of a grantee that is a political subdivision and that, upon agreement by the grantee and the county, a county may be designated as a fiscal agent of a grantee if the grantee is a town located within the county.
Page 4, line 2:
If acting as a fiscal agent under this program, DOT or a county must, upon request, pay reimbursable costs for a project when incurred and retain or receive grant moneys in reimbursement of these payments.
after “349.15" insert “or being subject to a posted weight limit under other than extraordinary or emergency circumstances".
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
6.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Page 4, line 10:
SECTION 1.
after that line insert:
20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes:
“7.
at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated:
Projects that improve access to agricultural lands or facilities used for the production of agricultural goods, including forest products, for more than one agricultural producer.
2023-24 2024-25 20.395 Transportation, department of (2) LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE (fc) Agricultural roads GPR C 150,000,000 -0- SECTION 2.
LRBa0237/1 - 2024 Legislature - 2 - EVM:wlj&cjs (cd) The department shall attempt to award grants under this subsection to political subdivisions in all geographic areas of the state.
20.395 (2) (fc) of the statutes is created to read:
(cg) Reimbursable costs under this subsection include any costs related to an eligible agricultural road project, including costs of initial plan design and engineering, planning, designing, engineering, and construction of an eligible agricultural road project.
20.395 (2) (fc) Agricultural roads.
(cr) 1.
As a continuing appropriation, from the general fund, the amounts in the schedule for agricultural road improvement grants under s.
The department may make grants under this subsection of up to the following percentage of reimbursable costs:
86.31 (3o).
SECTION 3.
59.58 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
59.58(6) A GRICULTURAL ROADS AGENCY.
Subject to s.
86.31 (3o) (f), the board may authorize the county to act as a fiscal agent for a town located within the county with regard to a project under s.
86.31 (3o).
LRB-2631/1 - 2024 Legislature - 3 - EVM:amn SECTION 4 SENATE BILL 247 SECTION 4.
86.31 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 86.31 (1) (ak).
SECTION 5.
86.31 (1) (ac) of the statutes is created to read:
Show all 99 changed rows (59 more)
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86.31 (1) (ac) “Agricultural road facility” means a highway functionally classified by the department as a local road or minor collector or a bridge or culvert on a highway functionally classified by the department as a local road or minor collector.
SECTION 6.
86.31 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
86.31 (2) (a) The department shall administer a local roads improvement program to accelerate the improvement of seriously deteriorating local roads or, for grants under sub.
(3o), agricultural road facilities, by reimbursing political subdivisions for improvements.
The selection of improvements that may be funded under the program shall be performed by officials of each political subdivision, consistent with par.
(h) and the requirements of subs.
(3), (3g), (3m), (3o), and (3r).
The department shall notify each county highway commissioner of any deadline that affects eligibility for reimbursement under the program no later than 15 days before such deadline.
SECTION 7.
86.31 (3o) of the statutes is created to read:
86.31 (3o) AGRICULTURAL ROADS.(a) 1.
From the appropriation under s.
20.395 (2) (fc), subject to par.
(c), the department shall award grants to political subdivisions for eligible projects under par.
(b).
2.
The department shall prescribe the form, nature, and extent of information that shall be contained in applications for grants under this subsection.
To the extent feasible, the department shall do all of the following:
For political subdivisions under subd.
Develop an application that does not exceed 2 pages in length.
- 2024 Legislature - 4 - LRB-2631/1 EVM:amn SENATE BILL 247 SECTION 7 b.
Prescribe a simple and clear application process that is reasonably accessible to political subdivisions with limited staffing resources.
(b) A project to improve an agricultural road facility is eligible for funding under this subsection if all of the following apply:
1.
The agricultural road facility is maintained by a political subdivision.
a., 90 percent.
The agricultural road facility provides access to agricultural lands used for the production of agricultural goods and is used by more than one agricultural producer.
b.
3.
For political subdivisions under subd.
Due to structural deficiencies, the agricultural road facility is designated as a class “B” highway under s.
349.15 or is subject to a posted weight limitation at least annually.
4.
After completion of the project, the agricultural road facility will not be designated as a class “B” highway under s.
349.15 and will not be subject to a posted weight limitation other than under extraordinary or emergency circumstances.
(c) In awarding grants under this subsection, the department shall prioritize the following:
1.
Projects that improve access by the largest number of agricultural producers to agricultural lands used for the production of agricultural goods.
b., 95 percent.
Projects that make improvements to agricultural road facilities that are the oldest based on date of initial construction.
c.
3.
For political subdivisions under subd.
Projects that will result in the largest reduction in deferred or repeated trips by vehicles of agricultural producers.
2.
4.
c., 100 percent.
Projects that will result in the greatest positive economic impact.
2.
5.
The department of transportation shall calculate for each political subdivision the equalized value of the political subdivision, as determined by the department of revenue for the most recent year for which the information is available, divided by the jurisdictional mileage of the political subdivision, as determined by the department of transportation for the most recent year for which the information is available.
Projects for which the access provided under par.
For each type of political subdivision, the department of transportation shall divide the constituent political subdivisions into fourths based on greater to lesser equalized values per mile.
(b) 2.
The department of transportation shall categorize each political subdivision into one of the following:
is the only feasible access to these lands or facilities.
a.
LRB-2631/1 - 2024 Legislature - 5 - EVM:amn SECTION 7 SENATE BILL 247 6.
Highest-value quarter.
Projects that are the subject of a grant application by a political subdivision that faces demonstrable fiscal or administrative difficulties in completing highway projects.
b.
(d) Notwithstanding sub.
Second highest-value quarter.
(4), a political subdivision may apply to the department under this subsection for reimbursement of not more than 100 percent of eligible costs of an improvement to an agricultural road facility.
c.
Amounts awarded in a grant under this subsection may include any costs related to a project under par.
Lowest-value half.”.
(b), including costs of planning, designing, engineering, and constructing an agricultural road facility.
LRBa0237/1 - 2024 Legislature - 3 - EVM:wlj&cjs 7.
(e) A political subdivision may pay for or otherwise obtain engineering and design work for a project funded by a grant under this subsection from the department or from another source.
Page 4, line 14:
(f) Upon request by the grantee, the department shall be designated as a fiscal agent of a grantee that is a political subdivision or, upon agreement by the grantee and the county, a county may be designated as a fiscal agent of a grantee that is a town located within the county for the purposes of a project funded by a grant under this subsection.
delete the material beginning with “Not" and ending with “project.” on line 18.
If acting as a fiscal agent under this paragraph, the department or county shall, upon request, pay reimbursable costs for a project when incurred and retain or receive grant moneys in reimbursement of these payments.
8.
Page 5, line 20:
after that line insert:
“(i) By July 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the department in consultation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall submit a report on the program under this subsection to the joint committee on finance and the standing committee of each house of the legislature having jurisdiction over transportation.
The report shall provide the number and total amount of grants awarded, and an estimate of the economic impact of projects funded, under this subsection during the previous year and over the lifetime of the program.
The department of transportation is not required to submit a report under this paragraph if no expenditures were made under this subsection in the previous year.”.
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How this bill changes current law

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Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill creates an agricultural roads improvement grant program and modifies existing local roads improvement program definitions and administration.

  • 86.31(1)

    “Eligible agricultural road project” means a project that is eligible for a grant under sub. (3o) (b).

    Defines 'Eligible agricultural road project' for the local roads improvement program.

  • 86.31(2)(a)

    improvement of seriously deteriorating local roads and, → improvement of seriously deteriorating local roads and, under sub. (3o), of agricultural roads improvements by reimbursing political subdivisions for improvements.

    Includes agricultural roads improvements in the administration of the local roads improvement program.

  • 86.31(3o)

    AGRICULTURAL ROADS IMPROVEMENTS. (a) 1. Any funds directed for agricultural roads improvements under this subsection shall be distributed as grants to reimburse political subdivisions for eligible agricultural road projects or expended for reimbursable costs by the department acting as a fiscal agent under par. (i).

    Establishes an agricultural roads improvement grant program with specific funding guidelines.

  • 86.31(3o)

    2. The department shall prescribe the form, nature, and extent of information that shall be contained in applications for grants under this subsection.

    Requires the department to define the application process for agricultural road project grants.

  • 86.31(3o)(b)(4)

    The highway under subd. 1. or the highway upon which the bridge or culvert under subd. 1. is located is designated as a class “B” highway under s. 349.15 due to structural deficiencies or has been subject to a posted weight limitation for at least one month during the previous year.

    Clarifies eligibility criteria regarding highway classification for agricultural road projects.

  • 86.31(3o)(b)(5)

    After completion of the project, except as provided under par. (k), the highway under subd. 4. will not be designated as a class “B” highway under s. 349.15 and will not be subject to a posted weight limitation other than under extraordinary or emergency circumstances.

    Conditions the post-improvement classification of the highway on project completion.

  • 86.31(3o)(k)

    Notwithstanding ss. 349.15 (2) and 349.16 (1), no highway, bridge, or culvert improved under this subsection may be designated as a class “B” highway under s. 349.15 or be subject to a posted weight limitation other than under extraordinary or emergency circumstances unless the political subdivision having jurisdiction of the highway, bridge, or culvert obtains a pavement or structural analysis performed by a professional engineer.

    Imposes restrictions on the designation of improved roads regarding weight limitations.

Action History

  1. Published 6-22-2023

  2. Report approved by the Governor on 6-21-2023. 2023 Wisconsin Act 13

  3. Presented to the Governor on 6-16-2023 by directive of the Majority Leader

  4. Report correctly enrolled

  5. Action ordered immediately messaged

  6. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in

  7. Taken off the Assembly message, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1b)

  8. Received from Assembly amended and concurred in as amended, Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  9. Ordered immediately messaged

  10. Read a third time and concurred in as amended

  11. Rules suspended

  12. Ordered to a third reading

  13. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  14. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Tranel

  15. Read a second time

  16. Rules suspended to withdraw from Senate message and take up

  17. Read

  18. Representative Steffen added as a cosponsor

  19. Received from Senate

  20. Ordered immediately messaged

  21. Read a third time and passed

  22. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  23. Ordered to a third reading

  24. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  25. Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  26. Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  27. Read a second time

  28. Representatives Nedweski and Wichgers added as cosponsors

  29. Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Marklein

  30. Placed on calendar 6-7-2023 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  31. Available for scheduling

  32. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Transportation and Local Government, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  33. Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Transportation and Local Government, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  34. Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Transportation and Local Government, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  35. Executive action taken

  36. Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Marklein

  37. Fiscal estimate received

  38. LRB correction (Senate Substitute Amendment 1)

  39. Public hearing held

  40. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Marklein

  41. Representative Jacobson added as a cosponsor

  42. Read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Local Government

  43. Introduced by Senators Marklein, Tomczyk, Ballweg, Cabral-Guevara, Cowles, Felzkowski, Feyen, James, Pfaff, Quinn, Spreitzer, Testin, Wanggaard and Bradley; cosponsored by Representatives Tranel, VanderMeer, Novak, C. Anderson, Armstrong, Behnke, Binsfeld, Callahan, Conley, Dittrich, Edming, Goeben, Green, Gundrum, Gustafson, Hurd, Kitchens, Krug, Kurtz, Magnafici, Murphy, Mursau, O'Connor, Oldenburg, Penterman, Petryk, Plumer, Rettinger, Rozar, Sapik, Schmidt, Schraa, Shankland, Snyder, Sortwell, Spiros, Summerfield, Swearingen, Wittke and Tittl

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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14 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 118 not signed on

Sponsors (14)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (118)

118 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 118 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

transportation agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 247?
SB 247 is sponsored by Marklein, Howard (Republican), Tomczyk, Cory (Republican), Ballweg, Cabral-Guevara, Rachael (Republican), Cowles, Felzkowski, Mary (Republican), Feyen, Dan (Republican), James, Jesse (Republican), Pfaff, Brad (Democrat), Quinn, Romaine (Republican), Spreitzer, Mark (Democrat), Testin, Patrick (Republican), Wanggaard, Van (Republican), and Bradley, Julian (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 247?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 20, 2023. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 247?
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