Skip to content
Bills from the 2013–14 session

Senate Bill 278

Public access to managed forest land that is located in a proposed mining site. (FE)

Became law

The governor signed it on Dec 12, 2013. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Aug 30, 2013

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Senate vote, passed

    Passed 18 to 15

  4. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed 54 to 39

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2013 Wisconsin Act 81

Latest entry in the official record, Dec 12, 2013: “Published 12-13-2013”

Read the bill

Following saves it on this device. New actions show on your Following page. You can also get updates in a feed reader.

What it does

Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under the Managed Forest Land (MFL) Program administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the owner of a parcel of land designated as MFL makes an annual acreage share payment that is lower than, and in lieu of, the property taxes that normally would be payable on the land. In exchange, the owner must comply with certain forestry practices. Under the program, MFL is designated as either "open" or "closed" to public access. MFL that is designated as "open" must be kept open for hunting, fishing, hiking, sight-seeing, and cross-country skiing (recreational activities). For MFL that is designated as "closed" the owner must make an additional payment per acre (closed acreage payment).

This bill exempts from the requirement that recreational activities be allowed on MFL that is designated as open if the MFL is within a site for which a mining company has notified DNR that it intends to file an application for an iron mining permit (proposed mining site). Instead, under the bill, the mining company and DNR may enter into an agreement to allow any or all of the recreational activities on all or part of the MFL during the entire year or during certain times of the year.

Read the full summary

However, the owner must make the closed acreage payment for each acre that is located within the proposed mining site and that is closed to any of the recreational activities during any time during the previous calendar year.

The bill also requires DNR to post on its website information regarding recreational activities that are allowed under agreements that are entered into between a mining company and DNR.

Who's behind it

2 senators are its ⁠. All 2 are Republicans.

1 more lawmaker ⁠.

See all 3 names

Authors (2)

Signed on in support (1)

What it would cost

State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

How lawmakers voted

There were 19 votes on this bill.

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 5 to 0 · Sep 5, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report introduction of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 by Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate Committee on Workforce Development vote to recommend it

Passed, 3 to 2 · Sep 5, 2013

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 Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue, Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 18 to 15 · Nov 5, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 15”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 18 to 15 · Nov 5, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 15”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 18 to 15 · Nov 5, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 15”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 18 to 15 · Nov 5, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 15”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 18 to 15 · Nov 5, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted, Ayes 18, Noes 15”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 18 to 15 · Nov 5, 2013

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Official motion: “Read a third time and passed, Ayes 18, Noes 15”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry vote to recommend it

Passed, 5 to 3 · Nov 12, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Environment and Forestry, Ayes 5, Noes 3”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 54 to 39 · Nov 14, 2013 · 3 didn't vote

See how each of the 96 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (54)

No (39)

Didn't vote (3)

Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 54, Noes 39”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 57 to 36 · Nov 14, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 10 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 36”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 56 to 37 · Nov 14, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 11 laid on table, Ayes 56, Noes 37”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 57 to 36 · Nov 14, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 12 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 36”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 54 to 39 · Nov 14, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 13 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 54 to 39 · Nov 14, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 6 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 54 to 39 · Nov 14, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 7 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 54 to 39 · Nov 14, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 8 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 54 to 39 · Nov 14, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 9 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 54 to 39 · Nov 14, 2013

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Dec 12, 2013

    The new law was published.

  2. Dec 12, 2013

    The governor signed it. It became 2013 Wisconsin Act 81.

  3. Dec 10, 2013

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Nov 14, 2013

    The Assembly passed it too, 54 to 39.

  5. Nov 12, 2013

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  6. Nov 12, 2013

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 5 to 3.

  7. Nov 7, 2013

    The committee held a public hearing.

  8. Nov 6, 2013

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  9. Nov 5, 2013

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry.

  10. Nov 5, 2013

    The Assembly received it.

  11. Nov 5, 2013

    The Senate passed it, 18 to 15.

  12. Nov 5, 2013

    The Senate adopted it, 18 to 15.

  13. Sep 5, 2013

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 3 to 2.

  14. Sep 5, 2013

    “Report introduction of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 by Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue, Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  15. Sep 5, 2013

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  16. Sep 4, 2013

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  17. Sep 4, 2013

    The committee held a public hearing.

  18. Aug 30, 2013

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue.

  19. Aug 30, 2013

    Introduced in the Senate.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Aug 30, 2013 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators Tiffany and Grothman

  2. Aug 30, 2013 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue

  3. Sep 4, 2013 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  4. Sep 4, 2013 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  5. Sep 5, 2013 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  6. Sep 5, 2013 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  7. Sep 5, 2013 · Senate

    Report introduction of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 by Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  8. Sep 5, 2013 · Senate

    Report passage recommended by Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  9. Sep 5, 2013 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  10. Oct 25, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senator Cowles

  11. Nov 4, 2013 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 11-5-2013 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  12. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senators T. Cullen, Jauch, Miller, Lehman, Shilling, L. Taylor, Carpenter, Erpenbach, Hansen, Lassa, C. Larson, Risser, Wirch, Vinehout and Harris

  13. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senators Jauch, Erpenbach, Carpenter, L. Taylor, Vinehout, Harris, Lehman, Miller, T. Cullen, Wirch, Risser, C. Larson, Lassa and Hansen

  14. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senators T. Cullen, L. Taylor, Jauch, Erpenbach, C. Larson, Hansen, Shilling, Vinehout and Miller

  15. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Read a second time

  16. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  17. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  18. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  19. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senator Erpenbach

  20. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  21. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  22. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  23. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  24. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  25. Nov 5, 2013 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  26. Nov 5, 2013 · Assembly

    Received from Senate

  27. Nov 5, 2013 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to committee on Environment and Forestry

  28. Nov 6, 2013 · Assembly

    Representative Schraa added as a cosponsor

  29. Nov 7, 2013 · Assembly

    Public hearing held

  30. Nov 11, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Danou and Milroy

  31. Nov 11, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representatives Danou, Milroy and Clark

  32. Nov 11, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 offered by Representatives Danou, Milroy and Clark

  33. Nov 11, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 4 offered by Representatives Danou, Milroy and Clark

  34. Nov 11, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 5 offered by Representatives Danou, Milroy and Clark

  35. Nov 12, 2013 · Assembly

    Executive action taken

  36. Nov 12, 2013 · Assembly

    Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Environment and Forestry, Ayes 5, Noes 3

  37. Nov 12, 2013 · Assembly

    Referred to Committee on Rules

  38. Nov 12, 2013 · Assembly

    Made a special order of business at 1:13 PM on 11-14-2013 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 21

  39. Nov 13, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Bewley

  40. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  41. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39

  42. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 6 offered by Representatives Vruwink, Danou, Barca, Bewley and Milroy

  43. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 6 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39

  44. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 7 offered by Representatives Vruwink, Barca, Danou, Bewley and Milroy

  45. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 7 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39

  46. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 8 offered by Representatives Vruwink, Barca, Danou, Bewley and Milroy

  47. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 8 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39

  48. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 9 offered by Representatives Vruwink, Danou, Barca, Bewley and Milroy

  49. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 9 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39

  50. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 10 offered by Representatives Vruwink, Danou, Barca and Milroy

  51. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 10 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 36

  52. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 11 offered by Representatives Vruwink, Danou, Barca, Bewley and Milroy

  53. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 11 laid on table, Ayes 56, Noes 37

  54. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 12 offered by Representatives Vruwink, Danou, Barca, Bewley and Milroy

  55. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 12 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 36

  56. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 13 offered by Representatives Danou, Bewley, Milroy, Clark and Wachs

  57. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 13 laid on table, Ayes 54, Noes 39

  58. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  59. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  60. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 54, Noes 39

  61. Nov 14, 2013 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  62. Nov 15, 2013 · Senate

    Received from Assembly concurred in

  63. Dec 4, 2013 · Senate

    Report correctly enrolled

  64. Dec 10, 2013 · Senate

    Presented to the Governor on 12-10-2013

  65. Dec 12, 2013 · Senate

    Report approved by the Governor on 12-12-2013. 2013 Wisconsin Act 81

  66. Dec 12, 2013 · Senate

    Published 12-13-2013

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

Cost estimate

A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.

Official term: Fiscal estimate. 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

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

Cost estimate

A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.

Official term: Fiscal estimate

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