Assembly Bill 612 seeks to reauthorize the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until fiscal year 2029-30, while also making significant adjustments to the funding structure of stewardship programs and establishing a major land acquisitions program. The bill reduces the annual funding cap for the stewardship program from $16 million to $3 million for land acquisition and from $14.25 million to $7.25 million for property development and local assistance, starting in fiscal year 2026-27. Additionally, it eliminates annual transfers from the forestry account to the capital improvement fund (CIF) and replaces them with direct appropriations from the conservation fund, allocating $3 million for land acquisitions and $1 million for county forest grants. New appropriations are also created for property development and local assistance grants, as well as for nonprofit conservation organizations.

The bill introduces new legal language to clarify funding sources and appropriations, including the creation of new sections for various grants and programs. It establishes a GPR appropriation and authorizes the state to contract public debt for the major land acquisitions program. The bill also specifies that certain funds cannot be used for major land acquisitions, ensuring that the financial resources are allocated appropriately for conservation efforts. Overall, Assembly Bill 612 aims to streamline funding for conservation activities while ensuring continued support for land acquisition and development initiatives in Wisconsin.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 18.08(1)(a)(intro.), 18.08, 20.370(5)(hr), 20.370, 20.370(7)(aa), 20.866(2)(ta), 20.866, 23.09(19)(cg), 23.09, 23.09(20)(am), 23.09(20m)(b), 23.0953(2)(b), 23.0953