Relating to: the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program, a major land acquisitions program,...
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SB 685 — Relating to: the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program, a major land acquisitions program, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Last action — Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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1Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed Assembly
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced December 02, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
LowHow often bills like it became law.
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Introduced
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 6 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.
Summary
An Act to renumber and amend 20.370 (5) (hq); to amend 18.08 (1) (a) (intro.), 20.370 (5) (hr), 20.370 (7) (aa), 20.866 (2) (ta), 23.09 (19) (cg), 23.09 (20) (am), 23.09 (20m) (b), 23.0953 (2) (b), 23.098 (2), 30.277 (1m) and 30.277 (2) (c); to create 20.370 (5) (hs), 20.370 (5) (ht), 20.370 (5) (hu), 20.370 (5) (hv), 20.370 (7) (ae), 20.370 (7) (fd), 20.866 (2) (tj) and 23.09175 (2m) of the statutes;
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
263 added · 38 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendments to Bill SB 685 primarily focus on changes to funding for conservation efforts. The bill now reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until 2030 and streamlines funding for land acquisition by nonprofit organizations. Notably, it cuts $1.5 million from the proposed budget for these grants, which means less money will be available to help nonprofits acquire land for conservation. This change could impact the effectiveness of conservation programs, as reduced funding might hinder land protection efforts.
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBa1053/1LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE AMENDMENTBILL 1,685 TODecember SENATE2, SUBSTITUTE2025 AMENDMENT- 1,Introduced TOby SENATESenator BILLESTIN, 685cosponsored Februaryby 11,Representative 2026KURTZ -. Offered by SenaESTIN.
AtReferred theto locationsCommittee indicated,on amendFinancial theInstitutions substituteand amendmentSporting asHeritage. follows:
1.A N A CT to renumber and amend 20.370 (5) (hq);
Pageto 3,amend line18.08 8:(1) (a) (intro.), 20.370 (5) (hr), 20.370 (7) (aa), 20.866 (2) (ta), 23.09 (19) (cg), 23.09 (20) (am), 23.09 (20m) (b), 23.0953 (2) (b), 23.098 (2), 30.277 (1m) and 30.277 (2) (c);
afterto thatcreate line20.370 insert:(5) (hs), 20.370 (5) (ht), 20.370 (5) (hu), 20.370 (5) (hv), 20.370 (7) (ae), 20.370 (7) (fd), 20.866 (2) (tj) and 23.09175 (2m) of the statutes;
“(ht)relating Nonprofitto: conservation organization grants — land acquisition SEG A -0- 1,500,000”.
2.the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program, a major land acquisitions program, and making an appropriation.
PageAnalysis 3,by linethe 11:Legislative Reference Bureau This bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until 2030, makes certain changes to the funding of stewardship programs, and funds a major land acquisitions program.
decreaseReauthorization and changes to the dollarstewardship amountprogram Current law authorizes the state to incur public debt for fiscalcertain yearconservation 2026-27activities under the stewardship program, which is administered by $1,500,000.the Department of Natural Resources.
3.The state may incur this debt to acquire land for the state for conservation purposes and for property development activities and may award grants or state aid to certain local governmental units and nonprofit - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 685 conservation organizations (NCOs) to acquire and develop land for these purposes.
PageCurrent 3,law lineestablishes 16: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.
deleteThe linesbill 16reauthorizes tothe 21stewardship program until fiscal year 2029-30 and substitute:reduces by $20,000,000 the amount that may be obligated under the program in each fiscal year beginning in fiscal year 2026-27, to $13,250,000.
“SECTIONThe 3m.bill reduces the amounts DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2029-30 from $16,000,000 to $3,000,000 under the land acquisition subprogram and from $14,250,000 to $7,250,000 under the property development and local assistance subprogram.
The recreational boating aids subprogram obligation limit remains the same at $3,000,000 under the bill.
Moneys obligated under the stewardship program are appropriated from the capital improvement fund (CIF) and stewardship bond proceeds are deposited into CIF.
Current law provides that, in obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, DNR must set aside certain amounts to be obligated only for DNR to acquire land and to provide grants to counties for land acquisition (county forest grants).
Specifically, the set-aside for DNR land acquisition each fiscal year is $1,000,000 plus the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from moneys received into the conservation fund for forestry activities (the forestry account) to CIF $5,000,000 in each fiscal year.
The set-aside for county forest grants is equal to the amount transferred to CIF under an appropriation that transfers from the forestry account to CIF $3,000,000 in each fiscal year.
Beginning in fiscal year 2026-27, the bill ends these annual transfers from the forestry account to CIF and replaces the corresponding set-aside requirements under the land acquisition subprogram with appropriations that directly fund those purposes from the conservation fund, not the stewardship program.
The bill appropriates a smaller amount for each purpose:
$3,000,000 each fiscal year from the conservation fund for DNR land acquisitions and $1,000,000 each fiscal year from the forestry account for county forest grants.
The bill also creates new appropriations from the forestry account to add funding for three programs currently funded only under the stewardship program.
Specifically, beginning in fiscal year 2026-27, the bill appropriates from the forestry account to DNR $5,000,000 for DNR property development and $2,000,000 for local assistance grants and, for grants to NCOs, $4,000,000 to acquire and develop property for certain conservation purposes and $1,000,000 for habitat restoration.
The bill creates an appropriation from moneys that DNR receives from NCOs and governmental units as reimbursement from the proceeds of a property sale for any stewardship grant received to acquire that property, to be used for the payment of principal on outstanding public debt incurred under the stewardship program.
Major land acquisitions program The bill creates both a GPR appropriation and an appropriation authorizing the state to contract public debt, both for the purpose of funding a major land acquisitions program.
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 685 SECTION 1 For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
18.08 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
18.08 (1) (a) (intro.) All moneys resulting from the contracting of public debt or any payment to be received with respect to any agreement or ancillary arrangement entered into under s.
18.06 (8) (a) with respect to any such public debt and any moneys transferred under s.
20.370 (5) (hq) or (hr) shall be credited to a separate and distinct fund, established in the state treasury, designated as the capital improvement fund, except that:
SECTION 2.
20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes:
at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated:
2025-26 2026-27 20.370 Natural resources, department of (5) CONSERVATION AIDS (hs) Department property developmentSEG A -0- 5,000,000 (ht) Nonprofit conservation organization grants — land acquisition SEG A -0- 4,000,000 (hu) Nonprofit conservation organization grants — habitat restoration SEG A -0- 1,000,000 (hv) Local assistance grants SEG A -0- 2,000,000 - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 685 SECTION 2 2025-26 2026-27 (7) D EBT SERVICE AND DEVELOPMENT (fd) Resource acquisition and development — major land acquisitions program GPR B -0- -0- S ECTION 3.
20.370 (7) (hs) Department minor land acquisition — conservation fund.
- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRBa1053/1 EHS:skw From Biennially, from the conservation fund, from the moneys received by the department for forestry activities, the amounts in the schedule for transfer to the capital improvement fund to acquire land for the purposes specified in s.
23.09 (2) (d)(d), subjectexcluding tomajor land acquisitions under s.
23.0923.09175. (2dr).”.
Show all 174 changed lines (134 more)
S ECTION 4.
Page20.370 4,(5) line(hr) 2:of the statutes is amended to read:
after20.370 that(5) line(hr) insert:County forest grants.From the moneys received by the department for forestry activities, the amounts in the schedule for transfer to the capital improvement fund grants to counties under s.
“SECTION23.0953. 4m.
S ECTION 5.
20.370 (5) (hs) of the statutes is created to read:
20.370 (5) (hs) Department property development.
From the moneys received by the department for forestry activities, the amounts in the schedule for the purposes under s.
23.0917 (4) (c).
S ECTION 6.
From the moneys received by the department for forestry activities, the amounts in - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 685 SECTION 6 the schedule for grants to nonprofit conservation organizations for the purposespurpose specifiedunder in s.
23.096 (2) (a) 2.”.2.
5.S ECTION 7.
Page20.370 4,(5) line(hu) 11:of the statutes is created to read:
after20.370 that(5) line(hu) insert:Nonprofit conservation organization grants — habitat restoration.
“SECTIONFrom 6m.the moneys received by the department for forestry activities, the amounts in the schedule for grants to nonprofit conservation organizations for the purpose under s.
23.096 (2) (a) 1.
S ECTION 8.
20.370 (5) (hv) of the statutes is created to read:
20.370 (5) (hv) Local assistance grants.
From the moneys received by the department for forestry activities, the amounts in the schedule for local assistance grants under ss.
23.09 (19), (20), and (20m) and 30.277.
S ECTION 9.
20.370 (7) (aa) of the statutes is amended to read:
20.370 (7) (aa) Resource acquisition and development — principal repayment and interest.
A sum sufficient to reimburse s.
20.866 (1) (u) for the payment of principal and interest costs incurred in financing the placement of structures and fill under s.
30.203, in financing the acquisition, construction, development, enlargement, or improvement of state recreation facilities under s.
20.866 (2) (tp) and (tr), in financing state aids for land acquisition and development of local parks under s.
20.866 (2) (tq), in financing land acquisition activities under s.
20.866 (2) (ts) and (tt), in financing the aid program for dams under s.
20.866 (2) (tx), in financing ice age trail development under s.
20.866 (2) (tw), in financing the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship program under s.
20.866 (2) (tz) and in financing the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program under s.
20.866 (2) (ta), in financing the major land acquisitions program under s.
20.866 (2) - 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 685 SECTION 9 (tj), and to make payments under an agreement or ancillary arrangement entered into under s.
18.06 (8) (a).
Payments may not be made from this appropriation account for principal and interest costs incurred in financing land acquisition and development of state forests under ss.
20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz) until all moneys available under par.
(au) have been expended.
S ECTION 10.
20.370 (7) (ae) Grant reimbursement —- principal repayment.repaymentAll moneys received from nonprofit conservation organizations and governmental units under s.
All23.09 moneys(18r) received(b) from5. persons under s.
23.0916 (2) (d) to reimburse s.
18.06 (8) (a).”.(a).
6.S ECTION 11.
Page20.370 5,(7) line(fd) 16:of the statutes is created to read:
delete20.370 lines(7) 16(fd) toResource 22.acquisition and development — major land acquisitions program.
(END)Biennially, the amounts in the schedule for the major land acquisitions program under s.
23.09175.
S ECTION 12.
20.866 (2) (ta) of the statutes is amended to read:
20.866 (2) (ta) Natural resources;
Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program.
From the capital improvement fund a sum sufficient for the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program under s.
23.0917.
The state may contract public debt in an amount not to exceed $1,046,250,000 for this program.
The state may contract additional public debt in an amount up to $42,600,000 for this program.
The state may contract additional public debt in an amount up to $90,000,000.
The state may contract additional - 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 685 S ECTION 12 public debt in an amount up to $53,000,000.
Except as provided in s.
23.0917 (4g) (b), (4m) (k), (5), (5g), and (5m), the amounts obligated, as defined in s.
23.0917 (1) (e), under this paragraph may not exceed $46,000,000 in fiscal year 2000-01, may not exceed $46,000,000 in fiscal year 2001-02, may not exceed $60,000,000 in each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2002-03 and ending with fiscal year 2009-10, may not exceed $86,000,000 in fiscal year 2010-11, may not exceed $60,000,000 in fiscal year 2011-12, may not exceed $60,000,000 in fiscal year 2012-13, may not exceed $47,500,000 in fiscal year 2013-14, may not exceed $54,500,000 in fiscal year 2014-15, and may not exceed $33,250,000 in each fiscal year beginning with 2015- 16 and ending with fiscal year 2021-22.
Except as provided in s.
23.0917 (4g) (b), (4m) (f) and (k), (5g), and (5m), the amounts obligated, as defined in s.
23.0917 (1) (e), under this paragraph cannot exceed $33,250,000 in each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26.
Except as provided in s.
23.0917 (4g) (b), (4m) (f) and (k), (5g), and (5m), the amounts obligated, as defined in s.
23.0917 (1) (e), under this paragraph cannot exceed $13,250,000 in each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2027 and ending with fiscal year 2030.
S ECTION 13.
20.866 (2) (tj) of the statutes is created to read:
20.866 (2) (tj) Natural resources;
major land acquisitions program.
From the capital improvement fund, a sum sufficient for the major land acquisitions program under s.
23.09175.
The state may contract public debt in an amount not to exceed $0 for this purpose.
S ECTION 14.
23.09 (19) (cg) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.09 (19) (cg) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s.
20.370 (5) (hv) or 20.866 (2) (ta) for the acquisition of land or rights in land - 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 685 S ECTION 14 for urban green space under this subsection only for the purposes of nature-based outdoor recreation.
S ECTION 15.
23.09 (20) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.09 (20) (am) Any governmental unit may apply for state aids for the acquisition and development of recreational lands and rights in lands.
State aids under this subsection that are expended from the appropriation under s.
20.370 (5) (hv) or 20.866 (2) (ta) may only be used for nature-based outdoor recreation.
State aids received by a municipality shall be used for the development of its park system in accordance with priorities based on comprehensive plans submitted with the application and consistent with the outdoor recreation program under s.
23.30.
An application under this subsection shall be made in the manner the department prescribes.
S ECTION 16.
23.09 (20m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.09 (20m) (b) The department shall establish a program to award grants from the appropriation under s.
20.370 (5) (hv) or 20.866 (2) (ta) to governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations to acquire development rights in land for nature-based outdoor recreation.
Except as provided in s.
23.096 (2m), the grants shall be limited to no more than 50 percent of the acquisition costs of the development rights.
S ECTION 17.
23.09175 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:
23.09175 (2m) APPROPRIATIONS.
The department cannot use moneys from an appropriation under s.
20.370 (5) (hr), (ht), (hu), or (hv) or (7) (hs) for major land acquisitions.
S ECTION 18.
23.0953 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
- 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 685 S ECTION 18 23.0953 (2) (b) Grants under this section shall be awarded from the appropriation under s.
20.866 (2) (ta), and, for purposes of s.
23.0917, shall be treated as moneys obligated from the subprogram under s.
23.0917 (3) 20.370 (5) (hr).
S ECTION 19.
23.098 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.098 (2) The department shall establish a program to make grants from the appropriations under s.
ss.
20.370 (5) (hs) and 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz) to friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations for projects for property development activities on department properties.The department may not encumber more than $500,000 in each fiscal year for these grants.
S ECTION 20.
30.277 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
30.277 (1m) FUNDING.
Beginning in fiscal year 1992-93, from the appropriation under s.
20.866 (2) (tz), the department shall award grants to governmental units to assist them in projects on or adjacent to rivers that flow through urban areas.
The department may award these grants from the appropriation under s.
20.866 (2) (ta) beginning on July 1, 2000.
The department may award these grants from the appropriation under s.
20.370 (5) (hv).
S ECTION 21.
30.277 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
30.277 (2) (c) Grants awarded under this section from the appropriation under s.
20.370 (5) (hv) or 20.866 (2) (ta) shall only be used for nature-based outdoor recreation.
S ECTION 22.
Fiscal changes.
(1) C OUNTY FOREST GRANTS .
In the schedule under s.
20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of natural resources under s.
20.370 (5) (hr), the - 2026 Legislature - 10 - LRB-5375/1 EHS:skw SENATE BILL 685 S ECTION 22 dollar amount for fiscal year 2027 is decreased by $2,000,000 for county forest grants.
(2) DEPARTMENT LAND ACQUISITION — CONSERVATION FUND .
In the schedule under s.
20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of natural resources under s.
20.370 (7) (hs), as renumbered by this act, the dollar amount for fiscal year 2027 is decreased by $3,000,000 for department land acquisition.
END )
Show all 174 changed rows (134 more)
View plain text versions (3)
- Bill Text View text pdf
- Amended Senate Amendment 1 pdf
- Substitute Senate Substitute Amendment 1 Current pdf
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 makes changes to funding and appropriations related to conservation programs.
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20.370 (5) (hq)
20.370 (5) (hq)→ 20.370 (7) (hs)This change renumbers the section for department land acquisition funding under the conservation fund.
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20.370 (5) (hr)
20.370 (5) (hr)→ 20.370 (5) (hu)This change creates a new line for grants to nonprofit conservation organizations for habitat restoration.
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20.370 (5) (hr)
County forest grants. From the moneys received by the department for forestry activities, the amounts in the schedule for transfer to the capital improvement fund grants to counties under s. 23.0953.→ Local assistance grants. From the moneys received by the department for forestry activities, the amounts in the schedule for local assistance grants under s. 23.0917 (4) (b).This change modifies the source of funding for local assistance grants and eliminates funding for county forest grants.
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20.866 (2) (ta)
The state may contract additional public debt in an amount up to $90,000,000.→ The state may contract additional public debt in an amount up to $26,500,000.This change reduces the maximum amount of additional public debt that can be contracted for the stewardship program.
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23.09 (20) (am)
State aids under this subsection that are expended from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (5) (hv) or 20.866 (2) (ta) may only be used for nature-based outdoor recreation.This change specifies that state aid for recreational land acquisition may only be used for nature-based outdoor recreation.
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23.098 (2)
The department shall establish a program to make grants from the appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz) to friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations for projects for property development activities on department properties.→ The department may not encumber more than $1,000,000 in each fiscal year for these grants.This change sets a limit on the amount of money the department can encumber for property development grants.
Action History
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Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Referred to committee on Senate Organization
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Placed on calendar 2-18-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
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Available for scheduling
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Report passage as amended recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 11, Noes 3
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Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 11, Noes 3
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Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 11, Noes 3
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Executive action taken
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Withdrawn from committee on Senate Organization and rereferred to joint committee on Finance pursuant to Senate Rule 46(2)(c)
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Available for scheduling
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Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage, Ayes 3, Noes 2
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Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage, Ayes 3, Noes 2
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Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage, Ayes 3, Noes 2
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Executive action taken
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Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Testin
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Public hearing held
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Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Testin
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Fiscal estimate received
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Read first time and referred to Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage
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Introduced by Senator Testin; cosponsored by Representative Kurtz
Sponsors
- Kurtz · Cosponsor
- Patrick Testin · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 130 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Testin, Patrick Republican
Co-sponsors (1)
- Kurtz
Not signed on (130)
130 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 130 →"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.
Votes
Roll call published as PDF — view source.
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Roll call published as PDF — view source.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 685 do?
- An Act to renumber and amend 20.370 (5) (hq); to amend 18.08 (1) (a) (intro.), 20.370 (5) (hr), 20.370 (7) (aa), 20.866 (2) (ta), 23.09 (19) (cg), 23.09 (20) (am), 23.09 (20m) (b), 23.0953 (2) (b), 23.098 (2), 30.277 (1m) and 30.277 (2) (c); to create 20.370 (5) (hs), 20.370 (5) (ht), 20.370 (5) (hu), 20.370 (5) (hv), 20.370 (7) (ae), 20.370 (7) (fd), 20.866 (2) (tj) and 23.09175 (2m) of the statutes;
- Who sponsors SB 685?
- SB 685 is sponsored by Kurtz and Testin, Patrick (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 685?
- This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced December 02, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track SB 685?
- Track SB 685 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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