Senate Bill 81
Eligibility of hydroelectric resources under the renewable portfolio standard
Topics: Cooperative associations, Electric utility, Energy conservation
Became law
The governor signed it on Jul 6, 2011. It's .
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Introduced, passed
Apr 28, 2011
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Senate vote, passed
Passed 21 to 11
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed 60 to 37
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Governor, passed
Signed
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Law, here now
2011 Wisconsin Act 34
Latest entry in the official record, Jul 7, 2011: “Published 7-19-2011”
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Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
What it does
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
Under current law, an electric utility or retail electric cooperative (electric provider) is subject to certain requirements for ensuring that, in a given year, a specified percentage of the electricity that the electric provider sells to retail customers or members is derived from renewable resources. These requirements are commonly collectively referred to as the renewable portfolio standard (RPS).
"Renewable resource" is defined to include certain resources, including a resource deriving electricity from hydroelectric power that has a capacity of less than 60 megawatts. An electric provider may count toward compliance with the RPS electricity purchased by the electric provider that is generated from such a hydroelectric resource. Subject to certain requirements, an electric provider can also count electricity generated from such a hydroelectric resource that the electric provider owns or operates.
Read the full summary Show less
Effective December 31, 2015, this bill allows, under certain circumstances, an electric provider to count toward compliance with the RPS electricity derived by a hydroelectric facility with a capacity of 60 megawatts or more, which the bill defines as a "large hydroelectric facility." The bill allows an electric provider to count electricity derived from a large hydroelectric facility only if the facility was initially placed in service on or after December 31, 2010. In addition, for a large hydroelectric facility located in Manitoba, Canada, the electricity may be counted toward compliance only if the following are satisfied: 1) the Province of Manitoba informs the Public Service Commission in writing that final licenses have replaced interim licenses for two specified hydroelectric projects located in the province; and 2) those final licenses are in effect under Canadian law. The bill does not change the requirements under current law relating to electricity derived from a hydroelectric facility with a capacity of less than 60 megawatts, except that the bill defines such a facility as a "small hydroelectric facility."
Who's behind it
8 senators are its . 4 are Democrats and 4 are Republicans.
19 more lawmakers .
See all 27 names Hide the names
Authors (8)
- Pam Galloway · Republican, Senate
- Dave Hansen · Democrat, Senate
- Jim Holperin · Democrat, Senate
- Randy Hopper · Republican, Senate
- Frank G. Lasee · Republican, Senate
- Julie M. Lassa · Democrat, Senate
- Joe Leibham · Republican, Senate
- Bob Wirch · Democrat, Senate
Signed on in support (19)
- Alvin Ott · Republican, Assembly
- Joan Ballweg · Republican, Senate
- Garey Bies · Republican, Assembly
- Mark Honadel · Republican, Assembly
- André Jacque · Republican, Senate
- John Klenke · Republican, Assembly
- Scott Krug · Republican, Assembly
- Daniel LeMahieu · Republican, Assembly
- Dan Meyer · Republican, Assembly
- John Nygren · Republican, Assembly
- Kevin Petersen · Republican, Assembly
- Jerry Petrowski · Republican, Senate
- Richard Spanbauer · Republican, Assembly
- Jim Steineke · Republican, Assembly
- Gary Tauchen · Republican, Assembly
- Thomas Tiffany · Republican, Senate
- Karl Van Roy · Republican, Assembly
- Chad Weininger · Republican, Assembly
- Bob Ziegelbauer · Independent, Assembly
How lawmakers voted
There were 4 votes on this bill. Taking a bill up right away needs two-thirds of the members, a higher bar than passing it, so that vote can draw more yeses than the final one.
Senate Committee on Judiciary vote to recommend it
Passed, 3 to 2 · May 12, 2011
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report passage recommended by committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations, Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to take it up right away
Passed, 57 to 37 · May 17, 2011 · 4 didn't vote
See how each of the 98 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, I: Independent, R: Republican
Yes (57)
- Alvin Ott (R, 3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Bill Kramer (R, 97)
- Bob Ziegelbauer (I, 25)
- Chad Weininger (R, 4)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dan Meyer (R, 34)
- Daniel LeMahieu (R, 59)
- David Craig (R, 28)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Dean Knudson (R, 30)
- Don Pridemore (R, 22)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Edward Brooks (R, 50)
- Erik Severson (R, 28)
- Evan Wynn (R, 43)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Jeff Fitzgerald (R, 39)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeffrey Stone (R, 82)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jerry Petrowski (R, 29)
- Jim Ott (R, 23)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- Joe Knilans (R, 44)
- Joel Kleefisch (R, 38)
- John Klenke (R, 88)
- John Murtha (R, 29)
- John Nygren (R, 89)
- Karl Van Roy (R, 90)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Keith Ripp (R, 42)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lee Nerison (R, 96)
- Mark Honadel (R, 21)
- Mary Williams (R, 87)
- Michelle Litjens (R, 56)
- Mike Endsley (R, 26)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Pat Strachota (R, 58)
- Paul F. Farrow (R, 33)
- Richard Spanbauer (R, 53)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Roger Rivard (R, 75)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Scott Suder (R, 69)
- Steve Kestell (R, 27)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Thomas Larson (R, 67)
- Thomas Tiffany (R, 12)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (37)
- Amy Sue Vruwink (D, 70)
- Andy Jorgensen (D, 43)
- Barbara Toles (D, 17)
- Brett Hulsey (D, 78)
- Chris Danou (D, 92)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Cory Mason (D, 66)
- David Cullen (D, 13)
- Donna Seidel (D, 85)
- Elizabeth Coggs (D, 10)
- Fred Clark (D, 81)
- Frederick Kessler (D, 12)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jennifer Shilling (D, 32)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (D, 8)
- John Steinbrink (D, 65)
- Jon Richards (D, 19)
- Josh Zepnick (D, 9)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- Leon Young (D, 16)
- Louis Molepske Jr. (D, 71)
- Margaret Krusick (D, 7)
- Mark Pocan (D, 78)
- Mark Radcliffe (D, 92)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Penny Bernard Schaber (D, 57)
- Peter Barca (D, 64)
- Robert Turner (D, 61)
- Sandy Pasch (D, 10)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Tamara Grigsby (D, 18)
- Terese Berceau (D, 77)
- Tony Staskunas (D, 15)
Didn't vote (4)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Garey Bies (R, 1)
- Jason Fields (D, 11)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
Official motion: “Refused to suspend rules to read a third time, Ayes 57, Noes 37”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Senate vote to pass it
Passed, 21 to 11 · May 17, 2011 · 1 didn't vote
See how each of the 33 senators voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, R: Republican
Yes (21)
- Alberta Darling (R, 8)
- Bob Wirch (D, 22)
- Dan Kapanke (R, 32)
- Dave Hansen (D, 30)
- Frank G. Lasee (R, 1)
- Glenn Grothman (R, 20)
- Jim Holperin (D, 12)
- Joe Leibham (R, 9)
- Leah Vukmir (R, 5)
- Luther S. Olsen (R, 14)
- Mary Lazich (R, 28)
- Michael Ellis (R, 19)
- Neal Kedzie (R, 11)
- Pam Galloway (R, 29)
- Randy Hopper (R, 18)
- Rich Zipperer (R, 33)
- Scott L. Fitzgerald (R, 13)
- Sheila Harsdorf (R, 10)
- Spencer Coggs (D, 6)
- Terry Moulton (R, 23)
- Van Wanggaard (R, 21)
No (11)
- Chris Larson (D, 7)
- Dale Schultz (R, 17)
- Fred A. Risser (D, 26)
- Jon Erpenbach (D, 27)
- Kathleen Vinehout (D, 31)
- Lena Taylor (D, 4)
- Mark Miller (D, 16)
- Rob Cowles (R, 2)
- Robert Jauch (D, 25)
- Tim Carpenter (D, 3)
- Timothy Cullen (D, 15)
Didn't vote (1)
- Julie M. Lassa (D, 24)
Official motion: “Read a third time and passed, Ayes 21, Noes 11”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to pass it
Passed, 60 to 37 · Jun 8, 2011 · 1 didn't vote
See how each of the 98 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, I: Independent, R: Republican
Yes (60)
- Alvin Ott (R, 3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Bill Kramer (R, 97)
- Bob Ziegelbauer (I, 25)
- Chad Weininger (R, 4)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dan Meyer (R, 34)
- Daniel LeMahieu (R, 59)
- David Craig (R, 28)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Dean Knudson (R, 30)
- Don Pridemore (R, 22)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Edward Brooks (R, 50)
- Erik Severson (R, 28)
- Evan Wynn (R, 43)
- Garey Bies (R, 1)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Jeff Fitzgerald (R, 39)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeffrey Stone (R, 82)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jerry Petrowski (R, 29)
- Jim Ott (R, 23)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
- Joe Knilans (R, 44)
- Joel Kleefisch (R, 38)
- John Klenke (R, 88)
- John Murtha (R, 29)
- John Nygren (R, 89)
- Karl Van Roy (R, 90)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Keith Ripp (R, 42)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lee Nerison (R, 96)
- Louis Molepske Jr. (D, 71)
- Mark Honadel (R, 21)
- Mary Williams (R, 87)
- Michelle Litjens (R, 56)
- Mike Endsley (R, 26)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Paul F. Farrow (R, 33)
- Richard Spanbauer (R, 53)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Roger Rivard (R, 75)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Scott Suder (R, 69)
- Steve Kestell (R, 27)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Thomas Larson (R, 67)
- Thomas Tiffany (R, 12)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (37)
- Amy Sue Vruwink (D, 70)
- Andy Jorgensen (D, 43)
- Barbara Toles (D, 17)
- Brett Hulsey (D, 78)
- Chris Danou (D, 92)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Cory Mason (D, 66)
- David Cullen (D, 13)
- Donna Seidel (D, 85)
- Elizabeth Coggs (D, 10)
- Fred Clark (D, 81)
- Frederick Kessler (D, 12)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jason Fields (D, 11)
- Jennifer Shilling (D, 32)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (D, 8)
- John Steinbrink (D, 65)
- Jon Richards (D, 19)
- Josh Zepnick (D, 9)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- Leon Young (D, 16)
- Margaret Krusick (D, 7)
- Mark Pocan (D, 78)
- Mark Radcliffe (D, 92)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Penny Bernard Schaber (D, 57)
- Peter Barca (D, 64)
- Robert Turner (D, 61)
- Sandy Pasch (D, 10)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Tamara Grigsby (D, 18)
- Terese Berceau (D, 77)
- Tony Staskunas (D, 15)
Didn't vote (1)
- Pat Strachota (R, 58)
Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 60, Noes 37”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Jul 7, 2011
The new law was published.
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Jul 6, 2011
The governor signed it. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 34.
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Jun 30, 2011
Sent to the governor.
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Jun 8, 2011
The Assembly passed it too, 60 to 37.
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Jun 8, 2011
1 more representative signed on in support.
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May 17, 2011
“Read” (the official wording)
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May 17, 2011
The Assembly received it.
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May 17, 2011
The Senate passed it, 21 to 11.
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May 12, 2011
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 3 to 2.
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May 3, 2011
The committee held a public hearing.
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Apr 28, 2011
Sent to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations.
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Apr 28, 2011
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Apr 28, 2011 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Lasee, Galloway, Leibham, Hopper, Wirch, Hansen, Holperin and Lassa;Cosponsored by Representatives Klenke, Weininger, Jacque, Honadel, Ziegelbauer, Nygren, Tauchen, Petersen, A. Ott, Bies, Meyer, Petrowski, Van Roy, LeMahieu, Tiffany, Steineke, Spanbauer and Ballweg
- Apr 28, 2011 · Senate
Read first time and referred to committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations
- May 3, 2011 · Senate
Public hearing held
- May 11, 2011 · Senate
Executive action taken
- May 12, 2011 · Senate
Report passage recommended by committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations, Ayes 3, Noes 2
- May 12, 2011 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- May 16, 2011 · Senate
Placed on calendar 5-17-2011 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- May 17, 2011 · Senate
Read a second time
- May 17, 2011 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- May 17, 2011 · Senate
Rules suspended
- May 17, 2011 · Senate
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 21, Noes 11
- May 17, 2011 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- May 17, 2011 · Assembly
Received from Senate
- May 17, 2011 · Assembly
Read
- May 17, 2011 · Assembly
Rules suspended and taken up
- May 17, 2011 · Assembly
Read a second time
- May 17, 2011 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- May 17, 2011 · Assembly
Refused to suspend rules to read a third time, Ayes 57, Noes 37
- Jun 8, 2011 · Assembly
Representative Krug added as a cosponsor
- Jun 8, 2011 · Assembly
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 60, Noes 37
- Jun 8, 2011 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Jun 9, 2011 · Senate
Received from Assembly concurred in
- Jun 17, 2011 · Senate
Report correctly enrolled on 6-17-2011
- Jun 30, 2011 · Senate
Presented to the Governor on 6-30-2011
- Jul 6, 2011 · Senate
Report approved by the Governor on 7-5-2011. 2011 Wisconsin Act 34
- Jul 7, 2011 · Senate
Published 7-19-2011
Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote