Bills by subject

Natural Resources, Department of: Environmental protection

173 bills and resolutions. 38 became law, 2 were vetoed, and 62 never got a public hearing. They span 3 sessions, from the 2009–10 session to the 2025–26 session.

This is the Legislature's own subject heading, not our category, so a bill is here only if the Legislature filed it under this term. Each count comes from the bill's official history.

Latest activity

The 5 bills on this subject with the newest recorded action.

AB 881 Water diversion or elevation projects in towns.
Vetoed by the governor. Last action May 13, 2026
AB 882 Town authority over the water elevation of an artificial water body created by a dam and recourse due to damage caused by an obstructed waterway.
Vetoed by the governor. Last action May 13, 2026
SB 45 State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE)
Became law. Last action May 13, 2026
AB 1070 The restrictiveness of shoreland zoning ordinances. (FE)
Stopped in committee. Last action Apr 9, 2026
AB 1124 Creating a Mississippi River erosion control revolving loan program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee. Last action Apr 9, 2026

Every bill on this subject

2025–26 session: 70

Mar 23, 2026
AB 50: State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE)
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Apr 6, 2026
AB 130: Exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE)
Became law.
Apr 6, 2026
AB 131: Programs and requirements to address PFAS.
Became law.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 181: County forest administration grant eligibility.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 209: Creating a hazard mitigation revolving loan program, creating a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 289: Ban on the use of certain insecticides by the Department of Natural Resources.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 291: Native prairie and forage plants.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 315: The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program. (FE)
Passed the Assembly, then stopped.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 416: A grant for modernization of a dam in the village of Rothschild. (FE)
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 435: The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.

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Mar 23, 2026
AB 552: Funding for chronic wasting disease research and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Apr 2, 2026
AB 605: Retention of environmental repair fees by certain municipal solid waste facilities. (FE)
Became law.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 612: The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program, a major land acquisitions program, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Passed the Assembly, then stopped.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 632: Issuance of permits for the mining of sulfide ore bodies.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 633: The rights of Devil’s Lake State Park and providing a penalty. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 635: Notifying counties and tribes of an exceedance of groundwater protection standards or standards for PFAS. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 687: Establishing a statewide wolf population goal.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 703: Town of Norway water abatement grant and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Apr 2, 2026
AB 713: Requiring battery stewardship organizations to administer battery collection and recycling programs and providing a penalty. (FE)
Became law.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 718: Prescription, use, and disposal of abortion-inducing drugs and providing a penalty.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 770: Groundwater Coordinating Council activities funding and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 772: Packaging reduction and recycling, creating a producer responsibility program, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 780: Repealing the dry cleaner environmental response program, creating the revitalize Wisconsin program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 781: Wolf monitoring and nonlethal abatement and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 797: Grants for testing privately owned wells and providing education, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 808: A wetland assured delineation program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 838: Making a grant for dredging of the Deerskin River in the town of Washington in Vilas County and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 879: Grants for planting trees to address urban heat islands, eligible recipients for urban forestry grants, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
May 13, 2026
AB 881: Water diversion or elevation projects in towns.
Vetoed by the governor.
May 13, 2026
AB 882: Town authority over the water elevation of an artificial water body created by a dam and recourse due to damage caused by an obstructed waterway.
Vetoed by the governor.
Apr 2, 2026
AB 911: Funding for a battery collection and recycling program and making an appropriation. (FE)
Became law.
Mar 23, 2026
AB 1021: Agricultural damage caused by elk.
Stopped in committee.
Apr 9, 2026
AB 1070: The restrictiveness of shoreland zoning ordinances. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Apr 9, 2026
AB 1124: Creating a Mississippi River erosion control revolving loan program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Apr 9, 2026
AB 1129: An assistance program for water infrastructure in 3rd class and 4th class cities, villages, and towns; granting rule-making authority; and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
May 13, 2026
SB 45: State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2025 legislature. (FE)
Became law.
Apr 6, 2026
SB 127: Exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE)
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Apr 6, 2026
SB 128: Programs and requirements to address PFAS.
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Dec 10, 2025
SB 158: County forest administration grant eligibility.
Became law.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 207: Creating a hazard mitigation revolving loan program, creating a Great Lakes erosion control revolving loan program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 293: Native prairie and forage plants.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 298: Ban on the use of certain insecticides by the Department of Natural Resources.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 316: The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program. (FE)
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Dec 10, 2025
SB 421: A grant for modernization of a dam in the village of Rothschild. (FE)
Became law.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 436: The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 549: Funding for chronic wasting disease research and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 599: Retention of environmental repair fees by certain municipal solid waste facilities. (FE)
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 613: The rights of Devil’s Lake State Park and providing a penalty. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 623: Issuance of permits for the mining of sulfide ore bodies.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 628: Notifying counties and tribes of an exceedance of groundwater protection standards or standards for PFAS. (FE)
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 665: Establishing a statewide wolf population goal.
Passed the Senate, then stopped.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 685: The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program, a major land acquisitions program, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 693: Town of Norway water abatement grant and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 702: Requiring battery stewardship organizations to administer battery collection and recycling programs and providing a penalty. (FE)
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 734: Prescription, use, and disposal of abortion-inducing drugs and providing a penalty.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 762: Grants for testing privately owned wells and providing education, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 772: Groundwater Coordinating Council activities funding and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 774: Wolf monitoring and nonlethal abatement and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 776: Repealing the dry cleaner environmental response program, creating the revitalize Wisconsin program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 778: Packaging reduction and recycling, creating a producer responsibility program, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty.
Stopped in committee.
Apr 6, 2026
SB 798: A wetland assured delineation program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Became law.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 816: Making a grant for dredging of the Deerskin River in the town of Washington in Vilas County and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 867: Grants for planting trees to address urban heat islands, eligible recipients for urban forestry grants, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 895: Funding for a battery collection and recycling program and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 966: Water diversion or elevation projects in towns.
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 967: Town authority over the water elevation of an artificial water body created by a dam and recourse due to damage caused by an obstructed waterway.
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 1007: Agricultural damage caused by elk.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 1042: The restrictiveness of shoreland zoning ordinances. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2026
SB 1088: An assistance program for water infrastructure in 3rd class and 4th class cities, villages, and towns; granting rule-making authority; and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.
Mar 30, 2026
SB 1089: Creating a Mississippi River erosion control revolving loan program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Stopped in committee.

2011–12 session: 53

May 27, 2011
AB 23: Disinfection of municipal water supplies.
Became law.
Aug 2, 2012
AB 40: State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2011 legislature.
Became law.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 43: Removal of abandoned dams.
Passed the Assembly, then stopped.
Dec 12, 2011
AB 48: Information about land acquired with stewardship funding.
Became law.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 159: The regulation of indirect sources of air pollution and the suspension of a rule promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 160: Ambient air quality standards established by the Department of Natural Resources and the suspension of a rule promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 195: The regulation of emissions of hazardous air contaminants associated with agricultural waste and the partial suspension of rules promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 201: Regulation of geothermal well drillers and granting rule-making authority.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 316: Financial assistance for local recycling programs and making an appropriation.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 333: The liability of certain persons for environmental contamination on property on which a cleanup has been conducted.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.

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Mar 23, 2012
AB 342: Exempting certain parcels of land withdrawn from the Managed Forest Land Program from the assessment of withdrawal taxes and fees.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 402: Creating forest enterprise areas; the creation of a managed forest land board of review; review of certain decisions of the Department of Natural Resources regarding forestry practices on managed forest land; annual allowable timber harvests; management plans for large ownerships of managed forest land and for group enrollments; designation of additional managed forest land; leasing of managed forest land; the taxation of managed forest land; granting rule-making authority; requiring the exercise of rule-making authority; and making an appropriation.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 421: The issuance of, and exemptions from, certain individual permits, contracts, and general permits for structures, deposits, and other activities in or near navigable waters; areas of significant scientific value that are areas of special natural resource interest; repair and maintenance of boathouses and fixed houseboats; information required to be published on the Department of Natural Resources Internet Web site; expedited procedures for certain plan approvals; deadlines for action on certain approval applications; and granting rule-making authority.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 426: Regulation of ferrous metallic mining and related activities, making an appropriation, and providing penalties.
Passed the Assembly, then stopped.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 463: Permits for discharges into wetlands; wetland mitigation; wetland mapping and delineation; fees for permits and other authorizations or determinations by the Department of Natural Resources relating to structures, deposits, and other activities in or near navigable waters; making appropriations; and providing penalties.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Apr 5, 2012
AB 467: Consideration of certain greenhouse gas emissions in determining requirements applicable to a stationary source of air pollution.
Became law.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 585: The waiver of requirements related to the discharge of water pollution for certain research projects.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 592: Financial assistance to towns for certain dam safety projects.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 595: A permit exemption for the placement of a pier containing a floating toilet facility in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 626: Gasoline vapor recovery requirements and granting rule-making authority.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 627: Trading of water pollution credits, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 643: Fees imposed on the disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste at licensed solid waste and hazardous waste disposal facilities.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 655: The regulation of aquaculture.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 661: Exceptions to fishing license requirements.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 728: Regulation of wastewater discharges and granting rule-making authority.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
AB 730: Certificates of public convenience and necessity and permits for certain electric generating facilities and high-voltage transmission lines.
Stopped in committee.
May 31, 2012
AB 744: The sale, collection, and recycling of mercury-added lamps and thermostats, the disposal of mercury-added products, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 12, 2012
AJR 76: Commending the Department of Natural Resources-Division of Forestry and their emergency response personnel.
Passed the Assembly, then stopped.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 19: Disinfection of municipal water supplies.
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 27: State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2011 legislature.
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 33: Removal of abandoned dams.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 36: The application of shoreland zoning ordinances to certain unincorporated areas.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 110: Ambient air quality standards established by the Department of Natural Resources and the suspension of a rule promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 8, 2012
SB 111: The regulation of indirect sources of air pollution and the suspension of a rule promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources.
Became law.
Mar 8, 2012
SB 138: The regulation of emissions of hazardous air contaminants associated with agricultural waste and the partial suspension of rules promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources.
Became law.
Mar 27, 2012
SB 156: Regulation of geothermal well drillers and granting rule-making authority.
Became law.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 161: Creating forest enterprise areas; the creation of a managed forest land board of review; review of certain decisions of the Department of Natural Resources regarding forestry practices on managed forest land; annual allowable timber harvests; management plans for large ownerships of managed forest land and for group enrollments; designation of additional managed forest land; leasing of managed forest land; the taxation of managed forest land; granting rule-making authority; requiring the exercise of rule-making authority; and making an appropriation.
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 209: Financial assistance for local recycling programs and making an appropriation.
Stopped in committee.
Dec 12, 2011
SB 253: The liability of certain persons for environmental contamination on property on which a cleanup has been conducted.
Became law.
Mar 27, 2012
SB 262: A permit exemption for the placement of a pier containing a floating toilet facility in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
Became law.
Apr 10, 2012
SB 288: Federal financial hardship assistance under the Clean Water Fund Program (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Natural Resources).
Became law.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 319: Elimination of the requirement that the governor approve a proposed rule that was considered at the joint annual spring fish and wildlife rule hearing of the Department of Natural Resources and county meeting of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and limitation of the scope of the requirement that an economic impact analysis be prepared for such a proposed rule.
Stopped in committee.
Apr 5, 2012
SB 326: The issuance of, and exemptions from, certain individual permits, contracts, and general permits for structures, deposits, and other activities in or near navigable waters; areas of significant scientific value that are areas of special natural resource interest; repair and maintenance of boathouses and fixed houseboats; information required to be published on the Department of Natural Resources Internet Web site; expedited procedures for certain plan approvals; deadlines for action on certain approval applications; and granting rule-making authority.
Became law.
Mar 1, 2012
SB 368: Permits for discharges into wetlands; wetland mitigation; wetland mapping and delineation; fees for permits and other authorizations or determinations by the Department of Natural Resources relating to structures, deposits, and other activities in or near navigable waters; making appropriations; and providing penalties.
Became law.
Apr 5, 2012
SB 402: The waiver of requirements related to the discharge of water pollution for certain research projects.
Became law.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 404: Consideration of certain greenhouse gas emissions in determining requirements applicable to a stationary source of air pollution.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 443: Financial assistance to towns for certain dam safety projects.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 488: Regulation of ferrous metallic mining and related activities, procedures for obtaining approvals from the Department of Natural Resources for the construction of utility facilities, making an appropriation, and providing penalties.
Stopped before the full Senate voted.
Apr 5, 2012
SB 518: Gasoline vapor recovery requirements and granting rule-making authority.
Became law.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 525: Exceptions to fishing license requirements.
Stopped in committee.
Apr 5, 2012
SB 537: The regulation of aquaculture.
Became law.
Mar 23, 2012
SB 542: The process for issuance of prospecting and mining permits for certain iron mining, standards for activities related to iron mining, fees related to iron mining, the net proceeds occupation tax on iron mining, and making appropriations.
Stopped in committee.
Mar 27, 2012
SB 557: Trading of water pollution credits, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.
Became law.

2009–10 session: 50

Apr 28, 2010
AB 7: Designating a portion of the Brunsweiler River as a wild river.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Jul 15, 2009
AB 43: Designating portions of the Totogatic River as a wild river.
Became law.
Apr 28, 2010
AB 52: Bottling of water provided by a local governmental unit.
Stopped in committee.
May 26, 2010
AB 75: State finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2009 legislature.
Became law.
Apr 28, 2010
AB 87: Disposal of ash resulting from the burning of a structure.
Stopped in committee.
Apr 28, 2010
AB 114: Open burning of solid waste, illegal storage or disposal of waste tires, and providing a penalty.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.
Apr 28, 2010
AB 162: Regulating the transportation of aquatic plants and aquatic animals, the administration of federal funds for the control and eradication of noxious weeds, the placement of vehicles, seaplanes, watercraft, and other objects in navigable waters, the regulation of noxious weeds by municipalities, the disposal of invasive species, providing an exemption from rule-making procedures, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
Stopped in committee.
Apr 28, 2010
AB 180: Changes to and extension of the Environmental Results Program, extension of the Environmental Improvement Program and the length of a compliance schedule under that program, and reporting requirements for certain environmental programs.
Stopped in committee.
Apr 28, 2010
AB 278: The sale, disposal, collection, and recycling of electronic devices, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing penalties.
Stopped in committee.
Apr 28, 2010
AB 299: Products containing mercury and granting rule-making authority.
Stopped before the full Assembly voted.

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Dates are each bill's latest recorded action. Every subject