2nd Assembly District Update: April 29, 2026

Environmental Bills

This update looks at agriculture, environment, and recreation bills. The Assembly passed 9 environmental bills in January and February.

AB315 and AB612 reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson stewardship program through fiscal year 2027-28 with various changes. Frustratingly the Leftist majority State Supreme Court killed the Knowles-Nelson program as it has existed for decades and we need to make changes if we can save it at all from the actions of the Court. The bill directs DNR to conduct a study and submit a report to the Legislature regarding past and proposed land acquisitions through the program; requires grant recipients to submit a report to DNR about how the money was spent and requires DNR to publish the reports; and modifies and removes various provisions related to specific uses for the grant money. It refocuses the program to look primarily at maintenance and restoration of currently owned public land rather than significant additional land acquisition, though it does allow for some of that to still occur through a process still allowed by the Court.

SB474 was signed into law by the governor as 2025 Wisconsin Act 178. This law provides that purchasing fire suppression material derived from soybeans is eligible for grants awarded by the DNR for covering 50 percent of the cost of acquiring supplies, equipment, and training related to suppressing forest fires.

To hear my thoughts on SB474, click here and yeah, you can see I was getting tired and frustrated with the silly games the Democrats were playing instead of actually debating the issues.

AB713 was signed into law by the governor as 2025 Wisconsin Act 170. This law requires producers of covered batteries to establish battery collection and recycling programs.

AB911 was signed into law by the governor as 2025 Wisconsin Act 171. This law creates an appropriation for the DNR to receive payments from the battery recycling programs.

SB798 was signed into law by the governor as 2025 Wisconsin Act 172. This law establishes a wetland assured delineation program where individuals may apply to be certified as assured delineators.

AB881 modifies current statutes to prevent the DNR from initiating, authorizing, or issuing a permit for a project located in a town that involves the use of stationary or portable pumps or other mechanisms that divert water to locations where water is not naturally occurring or that raise water elevation above what is naturally occurring unless the town board of the town in which the activity will occur approves the project by resolution. Unfortunately, the governor vetoed this bill.

AB882 authorizes a town board to regulate the maximum water elevation for an artificial body of water created by a dam if the water level causes the road bed of a highway in the town to become saturated. I was disappointed that the governor vetoed this bill that would have encouraged local control.

AB131 and AB130 were signed into law by the governor as 2025 Wisconsin Act 201 and 2025 Wisconsin Act 200. These laws create various programs to help landowners and municipalities with costs related to PFAS. Modifies and creates guidelines for how the DNR should address PFAS and programs related to PFAS.

AB1032 authorizes the Natural Resources Board to sell state-owned lands within one mile of a commercial egg farm to prevent the spread of avian flu. This bill was vetoed by the Governor.

SB825 was signed into law by the governor as 2025 Wisconsin Act 110. This law requires the Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) receive a draft environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, or categorical exclusion for a project by the DOT before approving a highway project.

Agriculture Bills

The Assembly passed 6 agriculture bills in January and February.

SB7 prevents certain individuals and entities connected to a foreign adversary from owning property in the state. The bill also prohibits the government from taking land for the purpose of operating wind or solar energy facilities. Governor Evers let down our state and vetoed this bill.

AB31 creates a duty to repair specific types of farming equipment when the problem does not specifically relate to the warranty. The problem must be reported before the warranty expires or one year after the equipment was delivered.

SB78 was signed into law by the governor as 2025 Wisconsin Act 121. This law modifies requirements for distributing and labeling fertilizers and soil or plant additives produced from manure.

AB411 requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to create a system to connect property owners with individuals seeking land for agricultural purposes.

AB956 prohibits DSPS or any municipality from requiring the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system in specified agricultural warehouses. The governor vetoed this bill.

Recreation Bills

The Assembly passed 6 recreation bills in January and February.

AB562 was signed into law by the governor as 2025 Wisconsin Act 158. This law requires the DOT to place signs marking the Mississippi River Trail once they have received an agreement from all the municipalities on the route of the trail.

AB331 was signed into law by the governor as 2025 Wisconsin Act 114. This law makes changes to laws regarding ATVs and UTVs, including: creating definitions for clarity of what different vehicles fit what classifications, requiring ATVs and UTVs to be equipped with break lights, and making changes to laws regarding careless driving.

AB682 adjusts various hunting and licenses fees for nonresidents.

AB1033 authorizes the hunting of sandhill cranes. It also increases requirements for boats who participate in wakesurfing. Under the bill, boats would need to operate more than 300 feet from a shoreline or a dock, pier, boathouse, or other structure located completely or partly on the body of water or from any person in the water or boats in the water instead of the 100 foot standard under current law.

In-District Events

Sunday, May 3, Pancake & Porkie Breakfast at Larrabee Sportsman’s Club, Mishicot from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Friday, May 8, Mishicot FFA Plant Sale at 660 Washington Street, Mishicot from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. More information can be found here.

Saturday, May 9, Kellnersville First Responders Spring Raffle and Brat Fry at 807 Main St, Kellnersville from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. More information can be found here.

Saturday, May 9, Riverside Rally Car Show at Riverside Park, Kaukauna from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. More information can be found here.

Friday, May 15, Trivia Nigh Benefiting Mishicot Agriscience and FFA at K-City Pub and Grill, Kellnersville from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. More information can be found here.

Saturday, May 23, Memorial Day Celebration at 18424 Tisch Mills Rd, Denmark from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. More information can be found here.

Sunday, May 24, Memorial Day Celebration at 18424 Tisch Mills Rd, Denmark from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. More information can be found here.

Saturday, May 30, Mishicot FFA Alumni Tractor Pull at Mishicot Community Athletic Complex, Mishicot from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. More information can be found here.

Sunday, May 31, Tractor Pull at Larrabee Sportsman’s Club, Mishicot from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.