AB 1059

This bill repeals the green tier program and the environmental compliance

audit program, both administered by the Department of Natural Resources, and

limits certain activities of DNR and local governments with regard to international

programs and organizations.

Green tier program

Under current law, DNR administers the green tier program, under which

qualified participants voluntarily agree to improve their environmental

performance in return for incentives provided by DNR. There are two tiers of

participation in the program, both of which require the participant to have an

environmental management system that meets certain requirements and to conduct

internal audits of the system. In addition, a tier II participant must commit to annual

audits of its environmental management system by DNR and must demonstrate that

it has a record of superior environmental performance. Incentives for participation

in the program range from public recognition and use of a program logo by tier I

participants to negotiating reduced frequency of inspections by tier II participants.

The bill repeals this program.

Environmental compliance audit program

Under current law, DNR also administers the environmental compliance audit

program. Under the program, an entity that is subject to environmental regulations

may limit liability for certain violations by voluntarily submitting an environmental

compliance audit report to DNR that identifies corrective actions to be taken. If the

entity meets certain requirements, including remedying violations within specified

time frames, civil enforcement is deferred and criminal prosecution may be limited.

The bill repeals this program.

Governmental policies related to certain international organizations

Under the bill, no political subdivisions of this state may enter into an

agreement, provide moneys to, or receive moneys from a nongovernmental or

intergovernmental organization that is accredited or enlisted by the United Nations

to assist in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, a resolution that was adopted

on September 25, 2015, by the General Assembly of the United Nations entitled

“Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

The bill also provides that neither DNR nor any political subdivision may adopt

or implement a policy recommendation that originated in or that is traceable to the

2030 Agenda or any other international law or ancillary plan of action if the adoption

or implementation results in the infringement or restriction of private property

rights without due process or otherwise contravenes the U.S. Constitution or the

Constitution of the State of Wisconsin.