Senate Bill 690 proposes significant changes to the condemnation authority for establishing and extending recreational trails, bicycle ways, and pedestrian ways in Wisconsin. The bill allows entities such as county boards, village boards, and the Department of Transportation to utilize condemnation powers to acquire land for these purposes, which is currently prohibited under existing law. Key provisions of the bill include the repeal of specific statutes that restrict condemnation for recreational trails and the amendment of various sections to permit such actions after obtaining necessary approvals from legislative committees.

The bill also includes several deletions of language that previously limited the use of condemnation for recreational purposes, thereby broadening the scope of land acquisition for public use. Notably, it repeals section 32.015 and modifies sections related to land acquisition for parks and recreational purposes, allowing for condemnation in these contexts. The changes aim to facilitate the development of recreational infrastructure across the state, enhancing public access to trails and outdoor activities.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 23.09(2)(d)(intro.), 23.09, 27.01(2)(a), 27.01, 27.019(10), 27.019, 27.05(3), 27.05, 27.065(1)(a), 27.065, 27.08(2)(b), 27.08, 27.08(2)(c), 32.015, 32.51(1)(intro.), 32.51, 59.52(6)(a), 59.52, 60.782(2)(d), 60.782, 61.34(3)(b), 61.34, 62.22(1)(b), 62.22, 62.23(17)(a)(intro.), 62.23, 62.23(17)(am), 85.09(2)(a), 85.09, 990.01(2), 990.01