Wisconsin 2021-2022 Regular Session Status: To Executive Bipartisan · 3 D · 2 R cosponsors

SB 677 — Relating to: creating a commercial nitrogen optimization pilot program, providing crop insurance rebates for cover crops, creating a hydrogeologist position, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

Last action — Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

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

This bill died with 2021-2022 Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

233 added · 24 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Senate Bill 677 adds specific rules regarding funding for a commercial nitrogen optimization pilot program. Notably, it sets a limit on how many acres farmers can receive funding for in a given year, but only when demand exceeds the available funding. This change is important because it aims to ensure that the program remains fair and sustainable, allowing more farmers to benefit while managing the resources effectively. Additionally, it clarifies the application process for funding, which helps to streamline how farmers can access the support they need for environmentally-friendly farming practices.

→
Previous
Latest
- 2022 LEGISLATURE LRBa0992/1 MCP:amn SENATE AMENDMENT 1, TO SENATE BILL 677 December 13, 2021 - Offered by SenatoOWLES.
- 2022 LEGISLATURE LRB-3387/1 MCP&ZDW:skw&emw SENATE BILL 677 November 8, 2021 - Introduced by Senators C OWLES , TESTI, BALLWEG , BERNIER, P ETROWSKI, PFAFF, RINGHAND , ROYS, MITH and W IMBERGER , cosponsored by Representatives K ITCHENS, NOVAK, TRANEL, HANKLAND , RUG , HONG, MILROY, M URSAU , NEUBAUER , LDENBURG , PENTERMAN , PLUMER and TAUCHEN .
At the locations indicated, amend the bill as follows:
Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Tourism.
1.
A N A CT to create 20.115 (4) (s), 20.115 (7) (u), 20.285 (1) (t), 36.25 (6) (f), 93.60 and 93.65 of the statutes;
Page 6, line 15:
relating to:
after that line insert:
creating a commercial nitrogen optimization pilot program, providing crop insurance rebates for cover crops, creating a hydrogeologist position, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.
“(c) Rules determining the maximum amount of acres for which an applicant may receive funding in a year, except that the department may impose such a maximum only in years in which the total amount of funding requested by eligible applicants exceeds the total funding available.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill creates a commercial nitrogen optimization pilot program, provides crop insurance premium rebates for planting cover crops, and creates a new hydrogeologist position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.
(d) Rules establishing the application and award process, including the application deadline and grant award schedule.”.
Commercial nitrogen optimization pilot program The bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to create a commercial nitrogen optimization pilot program, under which DATCP awards grants to farmers to implement a project, for at least two growing seasons, that optimizes the application of commercial nitrogen.
2.
The farmer must collaborate with a University of Wisconsin System institution to monitor grant projects on-site.
Page 6, line 18:
The institution may receive a grant for its monitoring requirements under the bill.
delete “available" and substitute “provided".
- 2022 Legislature - 2 - LRB-3387/1 MCP&ZDW:skw&emw SENATE BILL 677 Under the bill, a grant to a farmer and the eligible university entity collaborating with the farmer may not exceed, in total, $50,000.
3.
No more than 20 percent of this total amount may be awarded to the collaborating university entity.
Page 6, line 25:
The bill requires DATCP to attempt to provide grants to farmers in different parts of the state and to provide grants for projects in areas that have different soil types or geologic characteristics.
after that line insert:
The bill requires DATCP to prioritize projects that are innovative and that are not currently funded through existing state or federal programs and to prioritize farmers who plan to implement projects for longer periods.
“(e) A lake management planning grant under s.
The bill also requires DATCP to collaborate with the farmer and the university when awarding grants under the pilot program.
281.68.
Under the bill, a farmer and the university collaborating with the farmer are immune from civil liability and may not be subject to any remedial action or other administrative or enforcement action from DATCP or the Department of Natural Resources for any discharge of environmental pollution from the land involved in the project, if the actions were taken in good faith and conformed to the project specifications that were proposed in an application for a grant under the program.
(f) A lake management grant under s.
Cover crop insurance premium rebates In addition, the bill authorizes DATCP to cooperate with the Risk Management Agency of the U.S.
281.69.
Department of Agriculture to provide rebates in the amount of $5 per acre of a cover crop planted for crop insurance premiums paid for those acres.
(g) A river protection grant under s.
Under the bill, DATCP determines the cover crops for which crop insurance premium rebates are provided, and a person must plant cover crops before submitting an application to DATCP for a crop insurance premium rebate.
281.70.”.
Also, under the bill, a crop insurance premium rebate may not be provided for the planting of a cover crop on an acre for which funding for planting a cover crop is available from a producer-led watershed protection grant, the soil and water resource management program, the federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or the federal Conservation Stewardship Program.
LRBa0992/1 - 2022 Legislature - 2 - MCP:amn 4.
Hydrogeologist position Finally, the bill requires the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to create a three-year project position for one full-time hydrogeologist for the geological and natural history survey, which is part of the Division of Extension of UW-Madison.
Page 7, line 2:
The position must focus on developing groundwater resource information primarily at county or local scales and assisting state and local governments, industries, and the public in interpreting and using the information.
after “to the department" insert “, under the process established by the department by rule,".
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
5.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Page 7, line 4:
LRB-3387/1 - 2022 Legislature - 3 - MCP&ZDW:skw&emw SECTION 1 SENATE BILL 677 SECTION 1.
delete lines 4 to 7.
20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes:
at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated:
2021-22 2022-23 20.115 Agriculture, trade and consumer protection, department of (4) AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE (s) Crop insurance premium rebates for planting cover crops SEG C -0- 400,000 (7) AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (u) Commercial nitrogen optimiza­ tion pilot program SEG C 1,000,000 1,000,000 20.285 University of Wisconsin System (1) UNIVERSITY EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND PUBLIC SERVICE (t) Geological and natural history survey hydrogeologist SEG A 75,000 150,000 SECTION 2.
20.115 (4) (s) of the statutes is created to read:
20.115 (4) (s) Crop insurance premium rebates for planting cover crops.
From the environmental fund, as a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule to make payments under s.
93.65 for crop insurance premium rebates for the planting of cover crops.
SECTION 3.
20.115 (7) (u) of the statutes is created to read:
- 2022 Legislature - 4 - LRB-3387/1 MCP&ZDW:skw&emw SENATE BILL 677 SECTION 3 20.115 (7) (u) Commercial nitrogen optimization pilot program.
From the environmental fund, as a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for the commercial nitrogen optimization pilot program under s.
93.60.
SECTION 4.
20.285 (1) (t) of the statutes is created to read:
20.285 (1) (t) Geological and natural history survey hydrogeologist.
From the environmental fund, the amounts in the schedule for the position created under s.
Show all 117 changed rows (77 more)
Previous
Latest
36.25 (6) (f).
No moneys may be encumbered from this appropriation after June 30, 2025.
SECTION 5.
36.25 (6) (f) of the statutes is created to read:
36.25 (6) (f) The Board of Regents shall create one full-time hydrogeologist project position for 3 years for the geological and natural history survey to be funded from the appropriation under s.
20.285 (1) (t).
The position shall focus on developing groundwater resource information primarily at county or local scales and assisting state and local governments, industries, and the public in interpreting and using this information.
SECTION 6.
93.60 of the statutes is created to read:
93.60 Commercial nitrogen optimization pilot program.
(1) The department shall award grants from the appropriation under s.
20.115 (7) (u) to agricultural producers and to University of Wisconsin System institutions as provided under this section.
(2) An agricultural producer may apply for and receive a grant to implement a project, for at least 2 growing seasons, that optimizes the application of commercial nitrogen.
Any agricultural producer receiving a grant under this section shall collaborate with any University of Wisconsin System institution under sub.
(3).
LRB-3387/1 - 2022 Legislature - 5 - MCP&ZDW:skw&emw SECTION 6 SENATE BILL 677 (3) A University of Wisconsin System institution shall collaborate with an agricultural producer that applies for a grant under sub.
(2) to monitor the grant project on-site.
A collaborating institution may receive a grant to implement the monitoring under this subsection.
(4) The department may not make a grant to an agricultural producer and the University of Wisconsin System institution collaborating with the agricultural producer in an amount that totals more than $50,000.
No more than 20 percent of this total amount may be awarded to the collaborating University of Wisconsin System institution.
(5) In making a grant under this section, the department shall collaborate with the University of Wisconsin System institution and the agricultural producer.
The department shall also seek to provide grants to agricultural producers in different parts of the state and to provide grants for projects in areas that have different soil types or geologic characteristics.
The department shall prioritize projects that are innovative and that are not currently funded through existing state or federal programs and shall prioritize agricultural producers that plan to implement projects for longer periods.
(6) An agricultural producer and the University of Wisconsin System institution collaborating with the agricultural producer in implementing a project under this section may not be held civilly liable and may not be subject to any remedial action or other administrative or enforcement action from the department or the department of natural resources for any discharge of environmental pollution from the land involved in the project, if the actions were taken in good faith by the agricultural producer and the institution and conformed to the project specifications that were proposed to the department in an application for a grant under this section.
- 2022 Legislature - 6 - LRB-3387/1 MCP&ZDW:skw&emw SENATE BILL 677 SECTION 6 (7) The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section.
SECTION 7.
93.65 of the statutes is created to read:
93.65 Crop insurance premium rebates for planting cover crops.
(1) From the appropriation under s.
20.115 (4) (s), the department may provide rebates in the amount of $5 for each acre of a cover crop planted for crop insurance premiums paid on those acres.
In providing crop insurance premium rebates under this section, the department may cooperate with the risk management agency of the U.S.
department of agriculture, and may cooperate with any related federal agency, state agency, or agricultural organization.
(2) In providing crop insurance premium rebates under this section, the department may promulgate the following rules:
(a) Rules determining the cover crops for which crop insurance premium rebates are provided under this section.
(b) Rules establishing procedures for verifying that a cover crop is planted on acres for which a crop insurance premium rebate is provided under this section.
(3) The department may not provide a crop insurance premium rebate under this section for the planting of a cover crop on an acre for which funding for planting a cover crop is available from a federal or state grant or incentive program other than this section, including from any of the following:
(a) The federal environmental quality incentives program under 16 USC 3839aa to 3839-8.
(b) The federal conservation stewardship program under 16 USC 3839aa-21 to 3839aa-25.
(c) A producer-led watershed protection grant under s.
93.59.
(d) The soil and water resource management program under s.
92.14.
LRB-3387/1 - 2022 Legislature - 7 - MCP&ZDW:skw&emw SECTION 7 SENATE BILL 677 (4) To receive a crop insurance premium rebate under this section, a person shall submit an application to the department after a cover crop is planted on the acres for which the person applies for a crop insurance premium rebate.
(5) The department shall award crop insurance premium rebates in the order that applications that are approved are received, and may not limit the number of acres for which a person may receive a crop insurance premium rebate under this section.
(6) The department may conduct inspections to verify that recipients of a crop insurance premium rebate are in compliance with the provisions of this section and any rules promulgated under this section.
SECTION 8.0Nonstatutory provisions.
(1) EMERGENCY RULES;
COMMERCIAL NITROGEN OPTIMIZATION PILOT PROGR.
No later than the 90th day after the effective date of this subsection, the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall, using the procedure under s.
227.24, promulgate rules to implement s.
93.60.
Notwithstanding s.
227.24 (1) (a) and (3), the department is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated under this subsection.
Notwithstanding s.
227.24 (1) (c) and (2), emergency rules promulgated under this subsection remain in effect for 3 years, or the date on which permanent rules take effect, whichever is sooner.
Notwithstanding s.
227.24 (1) (e) 1d.
and 1g., for emergency rules promulgated under this subsection, the department is not required to prepare a statement of scope of the rules or to submit the proposed rules in final draft form to the governor for approval.
- 2022 Legislature - 8 - LRB-3387/1 MCP&ZDW:skw&emw SENATE BILL 677 S ECTION 8 (2) E MERGENCY RULES;
CROP INSURANCE PREMIUM REBATES.
The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall, using the procedure under s.
227.24, promulgate rules to implement s.
93.65.
Notwithstanding s.
227.24 (1) (a) and (3), the department is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated under this subsection.
Notwithstanding s.
227.24 (1) (c) and (2), emergency rules promulgated under this subsection remain in effect for 3 years, or the date on which permanent rules take effect, whichever is sooner.
Notwithstanding s.
227.24 (1) (e) 1d.
and 1g., for emergency rules promulgated under this subsection, the department is not required to prepare a statement of scope of the rules or to submit the proposed rules in final draft form to the governor for approval.
(3) C OMMERCIAL NITROGEN OPTIMIZATION PILOT PROGRAM;
ONETIME FUNDING.
Notwithstanding s.
16.42 (1) (e), in submitting information under s.
16.42 for the 2023-25 biennial budget bill, the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall submit information concerning the appropriation under s.
20.115 (7) (u) as though the total amount appropriated under s.
20.115 (7) (u) for the 2022-23 fiscal year was $0.
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (3)

Action History

  1. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Representative Brostoff added as a cosponsor

  3. Available for scheduling

  4. Report passage as amended recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 16, Noes 0

  5. Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 12, Noes 4

  6. Executive action taken

  7. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Cowles

  8. Withdrawn from committee on Senate Organization and rereferred to joint committee on Finance pursuant to Senate Rule 46(2)(c)

  9. Senator Stafsholt added as a coauthor

  10. Available for scheduling

  11. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Agriculture and Tourism, Ayes 9, Noes 0

  12. Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Agriculture and Tourism, Ayes 9, Noes 0

  13. Executive action taken

  14. Representative Vruwink added as a cosponsor

  15. Fiscal estimate received

  16. Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Cowles

  17. Representatives Spreitzer, Vining, Conley, Ohnstad, Emerson and Tusler added as cosponsors

  18. Representative Pope added as a cosponsor

  19. Public hearing held

  20. Senator Agard added as a coauthor

  21. Representatives Petryk and Spiros added as cosponsors

  22. Read first time and referred to Committee on Agriculture and Tourism

  23. Introduced by Senators Cowles, Testin, Ballweg, Bernier, Petrowski, Pfaff, Ringhand, Roys, Smith and Wimberger; cosponsored by Representatives Kitchens, Novak, Tranel, Shankland, Krug, Hong, Milroy, Mursau, Neubauer, Oldenburg, Penterman, Plumer and Tauchen

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

10 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 122 not signed on

Sponsors (10)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (122)

122 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 122 →

"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

agriculture
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 677?
SB 677 is sponsored by Wimberger, Eric (Republican), Smith, Jeff (Democrat), Roys, Kelda (Democrat), Ringhand, Pfaff, Brad (Democrat), Petrowski, Bernier, Ballweg, Testin, Patrick (Republican), and Cowles.
What is the current status of SB 677?
This bill died with 2021-2022 Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 677?
Track SB 677 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 677

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 677

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →