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Bills from the 2017–18 session

Senate Bill 76

Replacement, reconstruction, and transfer of an approved high capacity well, recommendation of special groundwater measures by the Department of Natural Resources, and metering requirements and grants for certain high capacity wells

Became law

The governor signed it on Jun 1, 2017. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Feb 21, 2017

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Senate vote, passed

    Passed 19 to 13

  4. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed 62 to 35

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2017 Wisconsin Act 10

Latest entry in the official record, Jun 1, 2017: “Published 6-2-2017”

Read the bill

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What it does

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

This bill makes changes to the laws regulating high capacity wells, which are wells that, together with certain other wells on the same property, have the capacity to withdraw more than 100,000 gallons of water per day.

Activities exempt from approval Current law requires a person to obtain approval from the Department of Natural Resources before constructing or operating a high capacity well. This bill provides that no additional approval is needed for the owner of an approved high capacity well to 1) repair or maintain the well, 2) construct a replacement high capacity well, if the replacement well's purpose is to prevent contamination or if the replacement well will be substantially the same depth as the existing well and either within a 75-foot radius of the existing well or farther from the nearest groundwater protection area than the existing well, 3) reconstruct the well to substantially the same depth and specifications as the existing well, or 4) transfer the approval at the same time as the owner transfers the land on which the well is located. No additional fee is required for any of these actions, but the owner of the well must notify DNR of any replacement, reconstruction, or transfer. The owner may not take any of these actions if they would be inconsistent with the conditions included in the approval for the high capacity well, and the conditions of the approval continue to apply after any of these actions are taken.

Read the full summary

Designated study area This bill also requires DNR to evaluate and model the hydrology of Pleasant Lake in Waushara County and the Fourteenmile Creek Watershed, the Mecan River Watershed, and the Pine River and Willow Creek Watershed, located in parts of Adams, Green Lake, Juneau, Marquette, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood counties (defined in the bill as the “designated study area”). DNR must begin its evaluation of the study area within one year after the effective date of the bill. If DNR determines that special measures relating to existing and potential groundwater withdrawal are necessary in all or part of the study area to prevent or remedy a significant reduction of a navigable stream's or navigable lake's rate of flow or water level below its average seasonal levels, DNR must issue a decision on whether it recommends that the legislature adopt, by statute, special measures relating to groundwater withdrawal in all or part of that area. DNR must hold a public hearing on its decision. Following the public hearing, the bill requires DNR to submit a report to the legislature describing what special measures, if any, it recommends that the legislature adopt in all or part of the study area. DNR must submit this report within three years after beginning its study of the study area.

The bill requires the owner of a new high capacity well located in the study area, or an owner who replaces, reconstructs, or transfers ownership of a high capacity well located in the study area, to provide, with the annual pumping report that it submits to DNR, readings from a water meter showing the well's water usage.

The bill also permits DNR to provide a qualified lake association or lake district with an approval to construct a high capacity well for the purpose of providing water to a lake located in the study area to assist DNR in evaluating and modeling the hydrology of that area, if DNR determines that the lake's water level has been significantly reduced below its average seasonal levels. Under the bill, DNR must waive the application fee and expedite the review and approval process for an application submitted by a qualified lake association or lake district, and may not issue an approval if it determines that providing water from the proposed high capacity well to a lake is likely to result in a violation of water quality standards for that lake. DNR must also develop and administer a financial assistance program to provide grants to qualified lake associations and lake districts to construct high capacity wells for this purpose.

Who's behind it

5 senators are its ⁠. All 5 are Republicans.

11 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 16 names

Authors (5)

Signed on in support (11)

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 18 votes on this bill.

Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform vote to recommend it

Passed, 3 to 2 · Mar 28, 2017

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 Labor and Regulatory Reform, Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Failed, 13 to 18 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Refused to refer to committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform, Ayes 13, Noes 18”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Failed, 13 to 19 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Refused to refer to committee on Natural Resources and Energy, Ayes 13, Noes 19”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 10 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 3 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 4 adopted, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 5 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 6 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 8 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 9 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 4, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 4, 2017 · 1 didn't vote

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Didn't vote (1)

Official motion: “ORDER TO A THIRD READING”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 19 to 13 · Apr 5, 2017 · 1 didn't vote

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Didn't vote (1)

Official motion: “PASSAGE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Failed, 13 to 19 · Apr 5, 2017 · 1 didn't vote

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Didn't vote (1)

Official motion: “RECONSIDERATION OF PASSAGE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 62 to 35 · May 2, 2017

See how each of the 97 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (62)

Official motion: “CONCURRENCE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote

Failed, 34 to 64 · May 2, 2017

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

Official motion: “Refused to refer to committee on Agriculture, Ayes 34, Noes 64”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 64 to 34 · May 2, 2017

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

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 64, Noes 34”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 65 to 33 · May 2, 2017

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

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 4 laid on table, Ayes 65, Noes 33”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Jun 1, 2017

    The new law was published.

  2. Jun 1, 2017

    The governor signed it. It became 2017 Wisconsin Act 10.

  3. May 31, 2017

    Sent to the governor.

  4. May 2, 2017

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  5. May 2, 2017

    The Assembly passed it too, 62 to 35.

  6. Apr 11, 2017

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  7. Apr 5, 2017

    The Assembly received it.

  8. Apr 5, 2017

    “Messaged” (the official wording)

  9. Apr 5, 2017

    The Senate passed it, 19 to 13.

  10. Apr 4, 2017

    The Senate adopted it, 19 to 13.

  11. Apr 4, 2017

    “Placed on the foot of the 11th order of business on the calendar of 4-4-2017” (the official wording)

  12. Mar 28, 2017

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

  13. Mar 15, 2017

    The committee held a public hearing.

  14. Feb 21, 2017

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform.

  15. Feb 21, 2017

    Introduced in the Senate.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Feb 21, 2017 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators S. Fitzgerald, Roth, Marklein, Wanggaard and Moulton; cosponsored by Representatives Tauchen, Nerison, Tittl, Vorpagel, R. Brooks, Spiros, Jacque, Jarchow, Kremer and Thiesfeldt

  2. Feb 21, 2017 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform

  3. Mar 15, 2017 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  4. Mar 27, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Ringhand

  5. Mar 27, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 offered by Senator Ringhand

  6. Mar 28, 2017 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  7. Mar 28, 2017 · Senate

    Report passage recommended by Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  8. Mar 28, 2017 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  9. Mar 31, 2017 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 4-4-2017 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  10. Mar 31, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 offered by Senator Ringhand

  11. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 4 offered by Senator Testin

  12. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Miller, Ringhand, Risser, Erpenbach, Carpenter, Vinehout, Johnson, C. Larson, L. Taylor, Hansen, Wirch, Bewley and Shilling

  13. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 5 offered by Senators Miller, Ringhand, Risser, Erpenbach, Carpenter, Vinehout, Johnson, C. Larson, L. Taylor, Hansen, Wirch, Bewley and Shilling

  14. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 6 offered by Senators Vinehout, Johnson, C. Larson, L. Taylor, Hansen, Wirch, Bewley, Shilling, Risser, Erpenbach and Carpenter

  15. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 7 offered by Senators Vinehout, Johnson, C. Larson, L. Taylor, Hansen, Wirch, Bewley, Shilling, Risser, Erpenbach and Carpenter

  16. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 8 offered by Senators Ringhand, Carpenter, L. Taylor, Erpenbach, Risser, Miller, Hansen, Vinehout and Shilling

  17. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Read a second time

  18. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Placed on the foot of the 11th order of business on the calendar of 4-4-2017

  19. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  20. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 9 offered by Senator Vinehout

  21. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Refused to refer to committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform, Ayes 13, Noes 18

  22. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 10 offered by Senator Vinehout

  23. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Refused to refer to committee on Natural Resources and Energy, Ayes 13, Noes 19

  24. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  25. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 4 adopted, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  26. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 5 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  27. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 6 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  28. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 7 withdrawn and returned to author

  29. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 8 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  30. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 9 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  31. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 10 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  32. Apr 4, 2017 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  33. Apr 5, 2017 · Senate

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 19, Noes 13

  34. Apr 5, 2017 · Senate

    Refused to reconsider vote by which Senate Bill 76 was passed, Ayes 13, Noes 19

  35. Apr 5, 2017 · Senate

    Messaged

  36. Apr 5, 2017 · Assembly

    Received from Senate

  37. Apr 5, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Mason

  38. Apr 5, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Mason

  39. Apr 5, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Mason

  40. Apr 11, 2017 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to committee on Rules

  41. Apr 27, 2017 · Assembly

    Placed on calendar 5-2-2017 by Committee on Rules

  42. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  43. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 withdrawn and returned to author

  44. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 withdrawn and returned to author

  45. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 withdrawn and returned to author

  46. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 offered by Representatives Mason, Anderson, Milroy and Hebl

  47. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 64, Noes 34

  48. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 4 offered by Representatives Shankland, Zamarripa, Vruwink, Considine and Fields

  49. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 4 laid on table, Ayes 65, Noes 33

  50. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  51. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  52. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Refused to refer to committee on Agriculture, Ayes 34, Noes 64

  53. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 62, Noes 35, Paired 2

  54. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Representative E. Brooks added as a cosponsor

  55. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  56. May 3, 2017 · Senate

    Received from Assembly concurred in

  57. May 11, 2017 · Senate

    Report correctly enrolled

  58. May 11, 2017 · Senate

    LRB correction

  59. May 11, 2017 · Senate

    LRB correction (Senate Amendment 4)

  60. May 31, 2017 · Senate

    Presented to the Governor on 5-31-2017

  61. Jun 1, 2017 · Senate

    Report approved by the Governor on 6-1-2017. 2017 Wisconsin Act 10

  62. Jun 1, 2017 · Senate

    Published 6-2-2017

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

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