Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Passed Assembly 21 R cosponsors

AB 315 — Relating to: the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program. (FE)

Last action — Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

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

This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced June 09, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Assembly

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 25 sponsors

    1 primary, 24 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (21 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    2 passed, 1 failed in 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.

In plain language

The bill extends a conservation program and modifies its funding and grant requirements.

This bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until 2028, reducing funding limits and changing grant obligations. It aims to support conservation efforts and requires reporting on land acquisition grants.

What this means for you
  • Environment: This bill means more structured funding and management for conservation efforts in your region.

Summary

An Act to renumber and amend 23.096 (2) (a) and 30.277 (5); to amend 23.09 (19) (d), 23.09 (20) (b), 23.09 (20m) (b), 23.0915 (2p), 23.0917 (1) (e), 23.0917 (3) (a), 23.0917 (3) (bt) 3., 23.0917 (3) (bw) 2., 23.0917 (4) (a), 23.0917 (4) (e) (intro.), 23.0917 (4j) (b), 23.0917 (5g) (a), 23.0917 (5g) (b), 23.0917 (5g) (L), 23.0917 (8) (e), 23.0917 (8) (f) 2., 23.0917 (12), 23.0953 (2) (a) (intro.) and 23.096 (2m) (intro.); to create 23.09 (19) (dm), 23.09 (20) (bm), 23.09 (20m) (c), 23.0917 (3) (br) 3., 23.0917 (3) (bu), 23.0917 (3) (dm) 9., 23.0917 (4) (d) 1m. g., 23.0917 (4) (d) 2m. c., 23.0917 (8) (h), 23.0917 (8) (i), 23.09175, 23.096 (2) (a) 1. and 30.277 (5) (b) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

378 added · 320 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Assembly Bill 315 reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until 2030, extending it by two years compared to the previous version, which extended it only until 2028. Additionally, it introduces a new major land acquisitions program and modifies funding limits, allowing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to allocate different amounts for land acquisitions and property developments. These changes are significant because they aim to ensure more sustainable funding for land conservation efforts and to enhance the state's capacity for major land acquisitions, which can help preserve natural resources.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 2, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 315 January 16, 2026 - Offered by RepresentatURTZ.
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 June 9, 2025 - Introduced by RepresentatiURTZ, NOVAK, RANKLIN , AUFERT , A RMSTRONG , EHNKE , ORN , ITTRICH, UCHOW , KITCHENS, REIBICH, RUG , M URSAU , O'ONNOR, PIWOWARCZYK , ORTWELL , ITTL, RANEL, ANDER M EER, T USLER and STEFFEN , cosponsored by SenatorsESTIN, CABRAL-GUEVARA , JAMES and QUINN.
Referred to Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
to amend 23.09 (19) (d), 23.09 (20) (b), 23.09 (20m) (b), 23.0915 (2p), 23.0917 (1) (e), 23.0917 (3) (a), 23.0917 (3) (br) (intro.), 23.0917 (3) (bt) 3., 23.0917 (3) (bw) 2., 23.0917 (4) (a), 23.0917 (4j) (b), 23.0917 (5g) (a), 23.0917 (5g) (b), 23.0917 (5g) (L) 1., 23.0917 (12) and 23.096 (2m) (intro.);
to amend 23.09 (19) (d), 23.09 (20) (b), 23.09 (20m) (b), 23.0915 (2p), 23.0917 (1) (e), 23.0917 (3) (a), 23.0917 (3) (bt) 3., 23.0917 (3) (bw) 2., 23.0917 (4) (a), 23.0917 (4) (e) (intro.), 23.0917 (4j) (b), 23.0917 (5g) (a), 23.0917 (5g) (b), 23.0917 (5g) (L), 23.0917 (8) (e), 23.0917 (8) (f) 2., 23.0917 (12), 23.0953 (2) (a) (intro.) and 23.096 (2m) (intro.);
to create 23.09 (19) (dm), 23.09 (20) (bm), 23.09 (20m) (c), 23.0917 (3) (bu), 23.0917 (3) (dm) 9., 23.0917 (4) (b) 5., 23.0917 (4) (d) 1m.
to create 23.09 (19) (dm), 23.09 (20) (bm), 23.09 (20m) (c), 23.0917 (3) (br) 3., 23.0917 (3) (bu), 23.0917 (3) (dm) 9., 23.0917 (4) (d) 1m.
c., 23.0917 (4) (d) 2r., 23.0917 (9), 23.096 (1) (ad), 23.096 (2) (a) 1.
c., 23.0917 (8) (h), 23.0917 (8) (i), 23.09175, 23.096 (2) (a) 1.
the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program.
the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill reauthorizes until 2028, and makes certain changes to, the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until 2030, makes changes to the land acquisition and property - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 development and local assistance subprograms, and creates a separate major land acquisitions program.
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj Current law authorizes the state to incur public debt for certain conservation activities under the stewardship program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources.
Reauthorization and changes to the stewardship program Current law authorizes the state to incur public debt for certain conservation activities under the stewardship program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources.
Current law establishes the amounts that DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2025-26 for expenditure under each of three active subprograms of the stewardship program.
Current law establishes the amounts that DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2025-26 for expenditure under each of five subprograms of the stewardship program.
The bill reauthorizes the stewardship program until fiscal year 2027-28.
The bill reauthorizes the stewardship program until fiscal year 2029-30.
The bill reduces the amounts DNR may obligate in fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 from $16,000,000 to $1,000,000 under the land acquisition subprogram and from $14,250,000 to $9,250,000 under the property development and local assistance subprogram.
Under the stewardship subprogram for land acquisition, the bill continues to require that $1,000,000 be set aside to be obligated only for DNR land acquisition in each fiscal year.
The recreational boating aids subprogram obligation limit remains the same at $3,000,000 under the bill.
This equals the amount that current law requires to be set aside to be obligated only for DNR to acquire land for the Ice Age Trail.
The $1,000,000 that the bill authorizes DNR to obligate under the land acquisition subprogram equals the amount that current law requires to be set aside to be obligated only for DNR to acquire land for the Ice Age Trail.
The bill reduces from $7,000,000 to $2,000,000 the amount to be set aside to be obligated for grants to NCOs to acquire and develop property for certain conservation purposes.
Under current law, in the stewardship program, the term “obligate” means to encumber or otherwise commit or to expend without having previously encumbered or otherwise committed, and the term is used with respect to limits on obligating or requirements to obligate certain amounts in the stewardship program.
Under current law, in the stewardship program the term “obligate” means to encumber or otherwise commit or to expend without having previously encumbered or otherwise committed, and is used with respect to limits on obligating or requirements to obligate certain amounts in the stewardship program.
The bill specifies that “obligate” refers only to encumbering, otherwise committing, or expending public debt that the state is authorized to contract.
The bill specifies that “obligate” only refers to encumbering, otherwise committing, or expending public debt that the state is authorized to contract.
Current law requires that such a grant may be for only up to 50 percent of the costs of a project.
Current law requires that such a grant may only be for up to 50 percent of the acquisition costs or development costs of a project.
Under the bill, no more than 30 percent of the remaining costs may be paid with funding provided from grants or in-kind contributions.
Under the bill, for such grants awarded to a governmental unit, no more than 30 percent of the remaining costs may be paid with funding provided from grants or in-kind contributions.
The bill also provides that if a grant is applied for after closing on the acquisition of the land in question, the grant may be for only up to 40 percent of the acquisition costs.
Under current law, these grant programs define “governmental unit” to include a city, village, town, county, or the Kickapoo reserve management board and, for urban green space grants, to also include a lake sanitary district or public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district.
The bill adds to the subprogram for property development and local assistance that DNR may obligate moneys to provide grants to NCOs to develop, manage, preserve, restore, and maintain wildlife habitat on public land to benefit game species and other wildlife, including easements that provide public access for hunting and fishing.
The bill also provides that if a governmental unit applies for such a grant after closing on the acquisition of the land in question, the grant may only be for up to 40 percent of the acquisition costs.
Under current law, if DNR does not obligate an amount authorized for a subprogram in a fiscal year, DNR may not raise the annual bonding authority for that subprogram in the next fiscal year.
The bill requires DNR to prioritize projects under any subprogram that involves property development over those that involve land acquisition.
Under current law, portions of the unobligated amounts for the land acquisition, property development and local assistance, and recreational boating aids subprograms from various fiscal years beginning in 2011-12 are obligated for specific purposes.
The bill eliminates a current law restriction providing that, of the amount set aside for DNR land acquisition and county forest grants under the stewardship program in a given fiscal year, not more than one-third may be obligated for the purpose of DNR land acquisition.
One such provision - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj SECTION 1 requires DNR to obligate all unobligated amounts from those subprograms in any fiscal year, including for drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades and renovations, and construction of new buildings.
The bill also eliminates a current law restriction - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 providing that, of all of the available stewardship program bonding authority in a fiscal year, not more than 20 percent may be obligated for the acquisition of parcels of lands that are less than 10 acres in size.
The bill limits this obligation to only those unobligated amounts for those subprograms in fiscal years ending with fiscal year 2025-26.
The bill adds a restriction that DNR may not obligate stewardship moneys for a land acquisition project that exceeds $1,000,000.
The bill requires DNR, in coordination with counties and NCOs that have at any time received a grant for land acquisition under the stewardship program or the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program, which was in place from fiscal year 1990-91 to fiscal year 1999-2000 (original stewardship program), to conduct a study and to submit within two years a report to the legislature that includes an inventory of all land acquired with money under the stewardship program or the original stewardship program, proposed project boundaries and land acquisition priorities for the next two to five years, and proposed changes, if any, to the managed forest land program, the forest crop law, and the aids in lieu of taxes program.
For such projects, the bill creates a new, separate major land acquisitions program.
Under the bill, DNR may submit a request for supplemental funding from the Joint Committee on Finance for the study and report.
Under the bill, in addition to obligating stewardship moneys to provide grants to NCOs for the acquisition of land for certain conservation purposes, DNR may obligate moneys to provide grants to NCOs to develop, manage, preserve, restore, and maintain wildlife habitat on public lands to benefit game species and other wildlife.
The bill requires each recipient of a grant under the stewardship program to submit to DNR a report on how the grant was spent.
The bill requires DNR to prioritize wildlife habitat grants over land acquisition grants under the NCO grant program.
The bill requires DNR to publish, in a manner accessible to the public, each recipient of a grant under the stewardship program and each such report submitted by a grant recipient.
Under current law, if in a given fiscal year the amount DNR obligates to provide land acquisition grants to NCOs is less than the amount set aside for that purpose in that fiscal year, DNR may obligate the unobligated amount in the next fiscal year but only for the purpose of awarding a grant to a county for the acquisition of land for a county forest.
Under this bill, such unobligated amounts may only be obligated for local assistance grants.
Under current law, if DNR does not obligate an amount authorized to be obligated for a subprogram in a fiscal year, DNR may not adjust the annual bonding authority for that subprogram by raising the annual bonding authority for the next fiscal year.
Under current law, portions of the unobligated amounts for the land acquisition, property development and local assistance, and recreational boating aids subprograms from various fiscal years from 2011-12 to 2025-26 are obligated for specific purposes.
One such provision under current law requires DNR to obligate all unobligated amounts from those subprograms from any fiscal year, including for drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades, and renovations, and construction of new buildings.
The bill limits this obligation to only those unobligated amounts for those subprograms from the fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23, and specifies that $2,500,000 of that unobligated amount must be obligated for projects at the Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery and the Brule State Fish Hatchery, including drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades and renovations, and construction of new buildings.
Major land acquisitions program The bill creates a new major land acquisitions program, under which the bill authorizes DNR to use or obligate moneys to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes or to award grants to NCOs or local governments to acquire land for those purposes if two conditions are met:
1) the project or grant exceeds $1,000,000;
and 2) the project or grant is enumerated through legislation.
To request enumeration of such projects, the bill requires DNR annually to, no later than January 15, submit to the joint committee on finance and to the appropriate legislative standing committees a list of all proposed major land acquisitions for the subsequent fiscal biennium, including estimated purchase prices, requested state funding sources, and nonstate sources of funding, such as federal grants or donations.
The bill authorizes DNR to submit a list of proposed major land - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 S ECTION 1 acquisitions not listed under the prior proposed list at any time during a fiscal biennium.
Under the bill, the legislature may enumerate projects from either list through legislation.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
SECTION 1.
S ECTION 1.
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The governmental unit is responsible for the remainder of the acquisition costs, and no more than 30 percent of that remainder may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
The governmental unit is responsible for the remainder of the acquisition costs and no more than 30 percent of that remainder may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
SECTION 2.
S ECTION 2.
23.09 (19) (dm) If an applicant applies for a grant under this subsection after closing on the acquisition of the land or rights in land in question, the grant under this subsection shall be for no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs, and - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj SECTION 2 no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those acquisition costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
23.09 (19) (dm) If a governmental unit applies for a grant under this subsection after closing on the acquisition of the land or rights in land in question, the grant under this subsection shall be for no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those acquisition costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
23.096 (2m), state aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 50 percent of the acquisition costs and the development costs of recreation lands and other outdoor recreation facilities, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
23.096 (2m), state aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 50 percent of the acquisition costs and the development costs of recreation lands and other outdoor recreation facilities.
If a recipient of state aid under this subsection is a governmental unit, no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 SECTION 3 provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
23.09 (20) (bm) If an applicant applies for state aid under this subsection after closing on the acquisition of the land or rights in land in question, the state aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
23.09 (20) (bm) If a governmental unit applies for state aid under this subsection after closing on the acquisition of the land or rights in land in question, the state aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
- 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj SECTION 5 23.09 (20m) (b) The department shall establish a program to award grants from the appropriation under s.
23.09 (20m) (b) The department shall establish a program to award grants from the appropriation under s.
20.866 (2) (ta) to governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations to acquire development rights in land for nature-based outdoor recreation.
20.370 (5) (hu) or 20.866 (2) (ta) to governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations to acquire development rights in land for nature-based outdoor recreation.
23.096 (2m), the grants shall be limited to no more than 50 percent of the acquisition costs of the development rights, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
23.096 (2m), the grants shall be limited to no more than 50 percent of the acquisition costs of the development rights, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those acquisition costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
S ECTION 6.
- 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 SECTION 6 S ECTION 6.
23.09 (20m) (c) If an applicant applies for a grant under this subsection after closing on the acquisition of the development rights in question, the grant under this subsection is limited to no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those acquisition costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
23.09 (20m) (c) If a governmental unit applies for a grant under this subsection after closing on the acquisition of the development rights in question, the grant under this subsection is limited to no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those acquisition costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
23.0917 (1) (e) “Obligate” means to encumber or otherwise commit public debt that the state is authorized to contract or to expend public debt that the state is - 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj SECTION 8 authorized to contract without having previously encumbered or otherwise committed that public debt.
23.0917 (1) (e) “Obligate” means to encumber or otherwise commit public debt that the state is authorized to contract or to expend public debt that the state is authorized to contract without having previously encumbered or otherwise committed that public debt.
23.0917 (3) (a) Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2027-28, the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition to acquire land for the purposes specified in s.
23.0917 (3) (a) Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2029-30, the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition to acquire land for the purposes specified in s.
S ECTION 10.
- 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 S ECTION 10 S ECTION 10.
23.0917 (3) (br) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.0917 (3) (br) 3.
23.0917 (3) (br) (intro.) In obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, the department shall set aside the following amounts that may be obligated only to provide for grants awarded to nonprofit conservation organizations under s.
of the statutes is created to read:
23.096 (2) (a) 2.:
23.0917 (3) (br) 3.
For each fiscal year beginning with 2026-27 and ending with 2029-30, $2,000,000.
23.0917 (3) (bu) During the period beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2027-28, in obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, the department shall set aside $1,000,000 in each fiscal year to be obligated only for the department to acquire land.
23.0917 (3) (bu) During the period beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2029-30, in obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, the department shall set aside $1,000,000 in each fiscal year to be obligated only for the department to acquire land.
- 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj S ECTION 13 23.0917 (3) (bw) 2.
23.0917 (3) (bw) 2.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2027-28, $1,000,000.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2029-30, $3,000,000.
23.0917 (4) (a) Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2027-28, the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for property development and local assistance.
- 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 S ECTION 15 23.0917 (4) (a) Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2029-30, the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for property development and local assistance.
23.0917 (4) (b) 5.
of the statutes is created to read:
23.0917 (4) (b) 5.
Wildlife habitat grants under s.
23.096 (2) (a) 1.
S ECTION 17.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2027-28, $9,250,000.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2029-30, $7,250,000.
S ECTION 18.
S ECTION 17.
Beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2027-28, the department shall obligate $9,250,000 in each fiscal year for local assistance.
Beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2029-30, the department shall obligate $7,250,000 in each fiscal year for local assistance.
- 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj S ECTION 19 S ECTION 19.
S ECTION 18.
23.0917 (4) (d) 2r.
23.0917 (4) (e) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
of the statutes is created to read:
23.0917 (4) (e) (intro.) Beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2029-30, of the amounts obligated for property development, the department shall set aside the following amounts for the following purposes:
23.0917 (4) (d) 2r.
S ECTION 19.
Beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2027-28, of the amounts obligated for local assistance, the department shall set aside $2,000,000 for wildlife habitat grants under s.
23.096 (2) (a) 1.
S ECTION 20.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2027-28, the department cannot obligate more than $3,000,000 for cost-sharing with local governmental units for recreational boating projects under s.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2029-30, the department - 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 S ECTION 19 cannot obligate more than $3,000,000 for cost-sharing with local governmental units for recreational boating projects under s.
S ECTION 21.
S ECTION 20.
(b) to (j) (L), if for a given fiscal year, the department obligates an amount from the moneys appropriated under s.
(b) to (j), if for a given fiscal year, the department obligates an amount from the moneys appropriated under s.
(3) or (4) that is less than the annual bonding authority under that subprogram for that given fiscal year, the department may not obligate the unobligated amount in subsequent fiscal years.
(3) or (4) that is less than the annual bonding authority under that subprogram for that given fiscal year, the department may not obligate the unobligated amount in subsequent fiscal yearThis subsection applies beginning with fiscal year 2011-12 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2029-30.
This subsection applies beginning with fiscal year 2011-12 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2027-28.
S ECTION 21.
S ECTION 22.
- 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj S ECTION 22 23.0917 (5g) (b) If in a given fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2013-14 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 the amount that the department obligates from the moneys appropriated under s.
23.0917 (5g) (b) If in a given fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2013-14 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 the amount that the department obligates from the moneys appropriated under s.
S ECTION 23.
If in a given fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2026-27 and ending with fiscal year 2029-30 the amount that the department obligates from the moneys appropriated under s.
20.866 (2) (ta) to provide grants to nonprofit conservation organizations under s.
23.096 is less than the amount set aside for that purpose under sub.
(3) (br) in that fiscal year, the department may obligate the - 2026 Legislature - 10 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 S ECTION 21 unobligated amount in the next fiscal year but only for local assistance programs described under sub.
(4) (b).
S ECTION 22.
23.0917 (5g) (L) of the statutes is amended to read:
of the statutes is amended to read:
23.0917 (5g) (L) 1.
(3), (4), and (4j) in fiscal years ending with fiscal year 2025-26 exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s.
(3), (4), and (4j) in fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23 exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s.
20.866 (2) (ta) for those subprograms in fiscal years ending with fiscal year 2025-26.
20.866 (2) (ta).
2.
The Of the unobligated amount, the department shall obligate.
This includes $2,500,000 for projects at the Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery and the Brule State Fish Hatchery, including drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades and renovations, and construction of new buildings.
S ECTION 23.
23.0917 (8) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.0917 (8) (e) Beginning with fiscal year 2007-08 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, the department may not obligate from the appropriation under s.
20.866 (2) (ta) more than 20 percent of the available bonding authority in a fiscal year for the acquisition of parcels of lands that are less than 10 acres in size.
23.0917 (9) of the statutes is created to read:
23.0917 (8) (f) 2.
23.0917 (9) PUBLICATION OF GRANT INFORMATION .
of the statutes is amended to read:
(a) Each recipient of a grant under this section shall, at a time and in a manner prescribed by the department, submit to the department a report on how the grant was spent.
23.0917 (8) (f) 2.
(b) The department shall publish in a manner accessible to the public each recipient of a grant under this section and each report submitted under par.
Beginning with fiscal year 2013-14 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, of the amount set aside for a given fiscal year under sub.
(a).
(3) (bt), not more than one-third of that amount may be obligated for the purpose of the acquisition of land by the department.
23.0917 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.0917 (8) (h) of the statutes is created to read:
23.0917 (12) EXPENDITURES AFTER 2026 2028.
- 2026 Legislature - 11 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 S ECTION 25 23.0917 (8) (h) Beginning with fiscal year 2026-27, the department may not obligate moneys from the appropriation under s.
No moneys may be obligated from the appropriation under s.
20.866 (2) (ta) for a department land acquisition project that exceeds $1,000,000.
20.866 (2) (ta) after June 30, 2026 2028.
23.096 (1) (ad) of the statutes is created to read:
23.0917 (8) (i) of the statutes is created to read:
- 2026 Legislature - 10 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj S ECTION 26 23.096 (1) (ad) “Nature-based outdoor activities” means activities that have as the primary focus the appreciation or enjoyment of nature, such as hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, or cross-country skiing.
23.0917 (8) (i) In obligating amounts from the moneys appropriated under s.
20.866 (2) (ta) for any subprogram, the department shall prioritize projects that involve property development over projects that involve land acquisition.
23.0917 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.0917 (12) EXPENDITURES AFTER 2026 2030.
No moneys may be obligated from the appropriation under s.
20.866 (2) (ta) after June 30, 2026 2030.
S ECTION 28.
23.09175 of the statutes is created to read:
23.09175 Major land acquisitions program.
(1) D EFINITION.
In this section:
(a) “Land” means land in fee simple, conservation easements and other easements in land, and development rights in land.
(b) “Obligate” has the meaning given in s.
23.0917 (1) (e).
(2) M AJOR LAND ACQUISITIONS.
Beginning in fiscal year 2026-27, the department may use moneys from the appropriation under s.
20.370 (7) (fd) and may obligate moneys from the appropriation under s.
20.866 (2) (tj) to acquire land for the purposes specified in s.
23.09 (2) (d) and to award grants for land acquisition for the purposes specified in s.
23.09 (2) (d) under s.
23.09 (19), (20), or (20m), 23.096, or 30.277 if all of the following requirements are met:
(a) The land acquisition project or grant exceeds $1,000,000.
- 2026 Legislature - 12 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 S ECTION 28 (b) The land acquisition project or grant is enumerated through legislation as provided under sub.
(3).
(3) ENUMERATION OF PROJECTS .
(a) Annually, no later than January 15, the department shall submit to the joint committee on finance and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s.
13.172 (3) a list of all proposed major land acquisitions under this section for the subsequent fiscal biennium, including estimated purchase prices, requested state funding sources, and nonstate sources of funding, such as federal grants or donations.
(b) At any time during a fiscal biennium, the department may submit to the joint committee on finance and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s.
13.172 (3) a list of proposed major land acquisitions that were not listed under par.
(a), including estimated purchase prices, requested state funding sources, and nonstate sources of funding, such as federal grants or donations.
(c) The legislature may enumerate projects from a list under par.
(a) or (b) through legislation.
S ECTION 29.
23.0953 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.0953 (2) (a) (intro.) Beginning with fiscal year 2010-11 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2029-30, the department shall establish a grant program under which the department may award a grant to a county for any of the following:
S ECTION 30.
20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) to nonprofit conservation organizations to do all of the following, in the following order of priority:
20.370 (5) (ht) or 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) to nonprofit - 2026 Legislature - 13 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 S ECTION 30 conservation organizations to do all of the following, in the following order of priority:
to 7., 9., 11., 12., and 15., (19), (20), and (20m), 23.092, 23.094, 23.17, 23.175, 23.27, 23.29, 23.293, 30.24, and 30.277.
to 7., 9., 11., 12.
S ECTION 28.
and 15., (19), (20) and (20m), 23.092, 23.094, 23.17, 23.175, 23.27, 23.29, 23.293, 30.24, and 30.277.
S ECTION 31.
To develop, manage, preserve, restore, and maintain wildlife habitat on any of the following owned by the state or a governmental unit, as defined in s.
To develop, manage, preserve, restore, and maintain wildlife habitat on public lands to benefit game species and other wildlife.
23.09 (19) (a) 2., that is open to the public for nature-based outdoor activities to benefit fish, wildlife, and other game species:
S ECTION 32.
a.
Land in fee simple.
b.
An easement that provides public access for fishing or hunting.
S ECTION 29.
(2) (b), in each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2010-11 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2027-28, the department may award grants under this section that equal up to 75 percent of the acquisition costs of the property if the natural resources board determines that all of the following apply:
(2) (b), in each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2010-11 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2029-30, the department may award grants under this section that equal up to 75 percent of the acquisition costs of the property if the natural resources board determines that all of the following apply:
- 2026 Legislature - 11 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj S ECTION 30 S ECTION 30.
S ECTION 33.
23.096 (2m), to be eligible for a grant under this section, at least 50 percent of the acquisition costs for land or of the project costs shall be funded by private, local, or federal funding, by in-kind contributions, or by state funding, and no more than 30 percent of the matching amount may be funded from grants or in-kind contributions.
23.096 (2m), to be eligible for a grant under this section, at least 50 percent of the acquisition costs for land or of the project costs shall be funded by private, local, or federal funding, by in-kind contributions, or by state funding.
For purposes of this subsection, state funding may not include grants under this section, moneys appropriated to the department under s.
If a grant recipient under this section is a governmental unit, no more than 30 percent of the matching amount may be funded from grants or in-kind contributions.
For purposes of this subsection, state funding may not include grants under this section, moneys appropriated to the department - 2026 Legislature - 14 - LRB-0036/1 EHS:skw&emw ASSEMBLY BILL 315 S ECTION 33 under s.
S ECTION 31.
S ECTION 34.
30.277 (5) (b) If an applicant applies for a grant under this section after closing on the acquisition of the land in question, the state aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those acquisition costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
30.277 (5) (b) If a governmental unit applies for a grant under this section after closing on the acquisition of the land in question, the state aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those acquisition costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.
S ECTION 32.
S ECTION 35.
(1) STUDY AND REPORT REQUIRED.
(1) If LRB-3507/1 is not enacted in the 2025-26 legislative session, then this act is void.
(a) The department of natural resources shall, in coordination with counties and nonprofit conservation organizations, as defined in s.
S ECTION 36.
23.0917 (1) (dm), that have at any time received a grant for land acquisition under s.
Effective date.
23.0915 or 23.0917, conduct a study and, no later than 2 years after the effective date of this paragraph, submit a report to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the legislature under s.
(1) This act takes effect on the day after publication, or on the 2nd day after publication of the 2025 biennial budget act, whichever is later.
13.172 (2) on all of the following:
(END)
- 2026 Legislature - 12 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj SECTION 32 1.
An inventory of all land, as defined in s.
23.0917 (1) (d), acquired with money obligated from the appropriation under s.
20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz).
2.
Proposed project boundaries and land acquisition priorities for the next 2 to 5 years, including proposed land usage and an explanation of the necessity of these project boundaries and land acquisition priorities.
3.
Proposed changes, if any, to the managed forest land program under subch.
VI of ch.
77, the forest crop law under s.
77.02, and the aids in lieu of taxes program under s.
70.114.
(b) The department of natural resources may submit a request under s.
13.10 to the joint committee on finance to supplement the appropriation under s.
20.370 (8) (mu) for the study and report required under par.
(a).
Notwithstanding s.
13.101 (3), the committee is not required to find that an emergency exists prior to supplementing the appropriation under s.
20.370 (8) (mu) for this purpose.
(2) RECONCILIATION PROVISION.
(a) If 2025 Assembly Substitute Amendment ....
(LRBs0216/1) to 2025 Assembly Bill 612, or any other 2025 bill whose content is identical to the content of 2025 Assembly Substitute Amendment ....
(LRBs0216/1) to 2025 Assembly Bill 612, is enacted into law, then this act takes effect on the effective date of the first of those bills that is enacted into law or on the effective date of this paragraph, whichever is later.
(b) If par.
(a) does not apply, then this act is void.
SECTION 33.
Initial applicability.
- 2026 Legislature - 13 - LRBs0214/1 EHS:wlj S ECTION 33 (1) PUBLICATION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS .
The treatment of s.
23.0917 (9) first applies to a grant awarded under s.
23.0917 on the effective date of this subsection.
END )
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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 reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until 2028 and modifies grant funding percentages and definitions related to land acquisition and property development.

  • 23.09 (19) (d)

    grants under this subsection shall be for up to 50 percent of the acquisition costs of the land or the rights in land for the urban green space. → grants under this subsection shall be for up to 50 percent of the acquisition costs of the land or the rights in land for the urban green space. The governmental unit is responsible for the remainder of the acquisition costs, and no more than 30 percent of that remainder may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.

    This change specifies that governmental units must cover a greater portion of the acquisition costs and limits the contribution from grants.

  • 23.09 (20) (b)

    state aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 50 percent of the acquisition costs and the development costs of recreation lands and other outdoor recreation facilities, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions. → state aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 50 percent of the acquisition costs and the development costs of recreation lands and other outdoor recreation facilities, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions. Costs associated with operation and maintenance of parks and other outdoor recreational facilities established under this subsection are not eligible for state aid.

    This change adds clarity by specifying the ineligibility of operational costs for state aid.

  • 23.09 (20) (bm)

    If an applicant applies for state aid under this subsection after closing on the acquisition of the land or rights in land in question, the state aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions.

    This addition introduces a lower limit on state aid for applicants who apply after acquiring land.

  • 23.09 (20m) (b)

    the grants shall be limited to no more than 50 percent of the acquisition costs of the development rights, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions. → the grants shall be limited to no more than 50 percent of the acquisition costs of the development rights, and no more than 30 percent of the remainder of those costs may be paid from funding provided by grants or in-kind contributions. For applicants applying for a grant after closing on the acquisition of the development rights in question, the grant under this subsection is limited to no more than 40 percent of those acquisition costs.

    This change sets a new rule on grant percentage limits depending on the timing of the application.

  • 23.0917 (1) (e)

    means to encumber or otherwise commit or to expend without having previously encumbered or otherwise committed, → means to encumber or otherwise commit public debt that the state is authorized to contract or to expend public debt that the state is authorized to contract without having previously encumbered or otherwise committed that public debt.

    This change clarifies the definition of 'obligate' to strictly refer to public debt.

  • 23.0917 (3) (a)

    Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 → Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26 2027-28

    This change extends the timeframe for which the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition.

Action History

  1. Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Senator Wanggaard added as a cosponsor

  3. Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Testin

  4. Read first time and referred to committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage

  5. Received from Assembly

  6. Ordered immediately messaged

  7. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 53, Noes 44

  8. Rules suspended

  9. Ordered to a third reading

  10. Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adopted

  11. Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 53, Noes 44

  12. Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 offered by Representative Miresse

  13. Read a second time

  14. Placed on calendar 1-22-2026 by Committee on Rules

  15. Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative Kurtz

  16. Representative Tucker added as a coauthor

  17. Referred to committee on Rules

  18. Report without recommendation (Assembly Rule 19) by Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Ayes 6, Noes 6

  19. Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Ayes 7, Noes 5

  20. Executive action taken

  21. LRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1)

  22. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Miresse

  23. Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Kurtz

  24. Fiscal estimate received

  25. Representative Wichgers added as a coauthor

  26. LRB correction

  27. Representative Melotik added as a coauthor

  28. Public hearing held

  29. Read first time and referred to Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation

  30. Introduced by Representatives Kurtz, Novak, Franklin, Kaufert, Armstrong, Behnke, Born, Dittrich, Duchow, Kitchens, Kreibich, Krug, Mursau, O'Connor, Piwowarczyk, Sortwell, Tittl, Tranel, VanderMeer, Tusler and Steffen; cosponsored by Senators Testin, Cabral-Guevara, James and Quinn

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 24 co-sponsors · 107 not signed on · 41 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (24)

Not signed on (107)

107 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 107 →

"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

Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 laid on table

Passed 53 Yea · 44 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 52001
Unaffiliated 1300
Democrat 04101
Total 534402
% of votes cast 54%44%0%2%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
ANDERSON — Nay
JOHNSON — Nay
MOORE OMOKUNDE — Nay
SPEAKER — Yea
Andraca, Deb Democrat Nay
Arney, Margaret Democrat Nay
Bare, Mike Democrat Nay
Billings, Jill Democrat Nay
Brown, Brienne Democrat Nay
Clancy, Ryan Democrat Nay
Cruz, Angelina Democrat Nay
DeSanto, Karen Democrat Nay
DeSmidt, Ben Democrat Nay
Doyle, Steve Democrat Nay
Emerson, Jodi Democrat Nay
Fitzgerald, Joan Democrat Nay
Goodwin, Russell Democrat Nay
Haywood, Kalan Democrat Nay
Hong, Francesca Democrat Nay
Hysell, Andrew Democrat Nay
Jacobson, Jenna Democrat Nay
Joers, Alex Democrat Nay
Kirsch, Karen Democrat Nay
Madison, Darrin Democrat Nay
Mayadev, Renuka Democrat Nay
McCarville, Maureen Democrat Nay
McGuire, Tip Democrat Nay
Miresse, Vincent Democrat Nay
Neubauer, Greta Democrat Nay
Ortiz-Velez, Sylvia Democrat Not Voting
Palmeri, Lori Democrat Nay
Phelps, Christian Democrat Nay
Prado, Priscilla Democrat Nay
Rivera-Wagner, Amaad Democrat Nay
Roe, Ann Democrat Nay
Sheehan, Joe Democrat Nay
Sinicki, Christine Democrat Nay
Snodgrass, Lee Democrat Nay
Spaude, Ryan Democrat Nay
Stroud, Angela Democrat Nay
Stubbs, Shelia Democrat Nay
Subeck, Lisa Democrat Nay
Taylor, Sequanna Democrat Nay
Tenorio, Angelito Democrat Nay
Udell, Randy Democrat Nay
Vining, Robyn Democrat Nay
Allen, Scott Republican Yea
Armstrong, David Republican Yea
August, Tyler Republican Yea
Behnke, Elijah Republican Yea
Born, Mark Republican Yea
Brill, Lindee Republican Yea
Brooks, Robert Republican Yea
Callahan, Calvin Republican Yea
Dallman, Alex Republican Yea
Dittrich, Barbara Republican Yea
Donovan, Bob Republican Yea
Duchow, Cindi Republican Yea
Franklin, Benjamin Republican Yea
Goeben, Joy Republican Yea
Green, Chanz Republican Yea
Gundrum, Rick Republican Yea
Gustafson, Nate Republican Yea
Hurd, Karen Republican Yea
Jacobson, Brent Republican Yea
Kaufert, Dean Republican Yea
Kitchens, Joel Republican Yea
Knodl, Daniel Republican Yea
Kreibich, Rob Republican Yea
Krug, Scott Republican Yea
Kurtz, Tony Republican Yea
Maxey, Dave Republican Yea
Melotik, Paul Republican Yea
Moses, Clint Republican Yea
Murphy, David Republican Yea
Mursau, Jeffrey Republican Yea
Nedweski, Amanda Republican Yea
Neylon, Adam Republican Yea
Novak, Todd Republican Yea
O'Connor, Jerry Republican Yea
Penterman, William Republican Yea
Petersen, Kevin Republican Yea
Piwowarczyk, Jim Republican Yea
Pronschinske, Treig Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Jessie Republican Yea
Snyder, Patrick Republican Yea
Sortwell, Shae Republican Yea
Spiros, John Republican Yea
Steffen, David Republican Yea
Summerfield, Rob Republican Yea
Swearingen, Rob Republican Yea
Tittl, Paul Republican Not Voting
Tranel, Travis Republican Yea
Tucker, Duke Republican Yea
Tusler, Ron Republican Yea
VanderMeer, Nancy Republican Yea
Wichgers, Chuck Republican Yea
Wittke, Robert Republican Yea
Zimmerman, Shannon Republican Yea

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 315 do?
An Act to renumber and amend 23.096 (2) (a) and 30.277 (5); to amend 23.09 (19) (d), 23.09 (20) (b), 23.09 (20m) (b), 23.0915 (2p), 23.0917 (1) (e), 23.0917 (3) (a), 23.0917 (3) (bt) 3., 23.0917 (3) (bw) 2., 23.0917 (4) (a), 23.0917 (4) (e) (intro.), 23.0917 (4j) (b), 23.0917 (5g) (a), 23.0917 (5g) (b), 23.0917 (5g) (L), 23.0917 (8) (e), 23.0917 (8) (f) 2., 23.0917 (12), 23.0953 (2) (a) (intro.) and 23.096 (2m) (intro.); to create 23.09 (19) (dm), 23.09 (20) (bm), 23.09 (20m) (c), 23.0917 (3) (br) 3., 23.0917 (3) (bu), 23.0917 (3) (dm) 9., 23.0917 (4) (d) 1m. g., 23.0917 (4) (d) 2m. c., 23.0917 (8) (h), 23.0917 (8) (i), 23.09175, 23.096 (2) (a) 1. and 30.277 (5) (b) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 315?
AB 315 is sponsored by Testin, Cabral-Guevara, James, Quinn, Kurtz, Tony (Republican), Novak, Todd (Republican), Franklin, Benjamin (Republican), Kaufert, Dean (Republican), Armstrong, David (Republican), Behnke, Elijah (Republican), Born, Mark (Republican), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), Duchow, Cindi (Republican), Kitchens, Joel (Republican), Kreibich, Rob (Republican), Krug, Scott (Republican), Mursau, Jeffrey (Republican), O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Piwowarczyk, Jim (Republican), Sortwell, Shae (Republican), Tittl, Paul (Republican), Tranel, Travis (Republican), VanderMeer, Nancy (Republican), Tusler, Ron (Republican), and Steffen, David (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 315?
This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced June 09, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track AB 315?
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