AB 983 — Relating to: surplus property held by the Department of Transportation. (FE)

Summary

An Act to amend 84.09 (5) (c) 1., 84.09 (5) (c) 2. (intro.), 84.09 (5) (c) 2. a., 84.09 (5) (c) 2m. (intro.), 84.09 (5) (c) 2m. a., 84.09 (5) (c) 2m. b. and 84.09 (5) (c) 3. of the statutes;

Bill Text

• Bill Text View text Current pdf

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

The bill expands the entities that must be notified about surplus property sales by the Department of Transportation to include federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands, and allows these entities to acquire surplus lands under specified conditions.

• Wis. Stat. § 84.09(5)(c)1

  the department shall contact the county, municipality, and the local school district where the land parcel is located and the department of natural resources → the department shall contact the county, municipality, and the local school district where the land parcel is located and the department of natural resources and, if the land parcel is located within or near a federally recognized Indian reservation or a bureau of Indian affairs service area, the federally recognized American Indian tribe or band associated with that reservation or service area

  This change ensures that American Indian tribes and bands are included in the notification process for surplus land.

• Wis. Stat. § 84.09(5)(c)2(intro)

  if a county, a municipality, a local school district, or the department of natural resources expresses interest in acquiring the land for public use → if a county, a municipality, a local school district, or the department of natural resources or a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state notified under subd. 1. expresses interest in acquiring the land for public use

  This change allows American Indian tribes and bands to express interest in acquiring surplus land similarly to local governments and agencies.

• Wis. Stat. § 84.09(5)(c)2.a

  the county, municipality, local school district, or department of natural resources provides a plan to the department identifying the proposed public use for the land parcel and the acreage involved in the public use. → the county, municipality, local school district, American Indian tribe or band, or department of natural resources provides a plan to the department identifying the proposed public use for the land parcel and the acreage involved in the public use.

  This change includes American Indian tribes and bands in the requirement to provide a plan for public use when expressing interest in the land.

• Wis. Stat. § 84.09(5)(c)2m(intro)

  if a county, municipality, or a local school district expresses interest in acquiring the land for public use related to transportation or infrastructure → if a county, municipality, or a local school district or a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band expressed interest in acquiring the land for public use related to transportation or infrastructure

  The bill allows American Indian tribes and bands to access surplus land for transportation or infrastructure purposes.

• Wis. Stat. § 84.09(5)(c)2m.a

  the county, municipality, or local school district provides a plan to the department identifying the proposed use of the property for transportation or infrastructure purposes. → the county, municipality, American Indian tribe or band, or local school district provides a plan to the department identifying the proposed use of the property for transportation or infrastructure purposes.

  This change includes American Indian tribes and bands in the planning process for transportation or infrastructure use of the land.

• Wis. Stat. § 84.09(5)(c)2m.b

  the county, municipality, or local school district agrees to a permanent restriction on the use of the land for the purpose identified. → the county, municipality, American Indian tribe or band, or local school district agrees to a permanent restriction on the use of the land for the purpose identified.

  This change includes American Indian tribes and bands in the requirement for a permanent restriction of land use.

• Wis. Stat. § 84.09(5)(c)3

  the department shall transfer ownership of the land parcel to the county, municipality, local school district, or department of natural resources upon receipt of the appraised value of the land parcel. → the department shall transfer ownership of the land parcel to the county, municipality, local school district, American Indian tribe or band, or department of natural resources upon receipt of the appraised value of the land parcel.

  This change allows for the transfer of ownership of surplus land to include American Indian tribes and bands.

Action History

1. March 23, 2026

   Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

2. February 12, 2026

   Fiscal estimate received

3. February 12, 2026

   Referred to committee on Rules

4. February 12, 2026

   Report passage recommended by Committee on Local Government, Ayes 10, Noes 0

5. February 11, 2026

   Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative VanderMeer

6. February 11, 2026

   Executive action taken

7. February 04, 2026

   Public hearing held

8. January 30, 2026

   Read first time and referred to Committee on Local Government

9. January 30, 2026

   Introduced by Representatives VanderMeer, Kreibich, Krug, Kurtz and Steffen; cosponsored by Senators Testin and Spreitzer

Sponsors

• Testin · Cosponsor
• Spreitzer · Cosponsor
• Nancy VanderMeer · Primary
• Rob Kreibich · Cosponsor
• Scott Krug · Cosponsor
• Tony Kurtz · Cosponsor
• David Steffen · Cosponsor

Votes

Subjects