Senate Bill 825 proposes amendments to the environmental review prerequisites for major highway projects in Wisconsin. The bill modifies the current requirement that the Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) must be notified of an approved final environmental impact statement or environmental assessment before approving a project. Instead, it allows for the approval of a draft environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, or draft categorical exclusion. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be responsible for approving the draft environmental documents unless federal approval is necessary for funding.

Furthermore, the bill changes the conditions under which DOT can begin construction on major highway projects exceeding $75 million. Previously, construction could not commence until a report was submitted to the TPC following the completion of a draft environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. The new language allows the report to be submitted after the completion of a draft categorical exclusion as well. The bill also includes the renumbering of certain sections and the creation of a definition for "categorical exclusion" in the statutes.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 13.489(4)(a)1.a, 13.489, 13.489(4)(a)1.b, 13.489(4m)(a)