Failed bill would set aside $250 million for clean water work

The proposal would transfer $250 million from the general fund into a trust fund for clean water work. The fund would support clean water activities in Wisconsin. The transfer would be made in fiscal year 2025–26. The oversight committee could recommend, and the finance committee could approve, spending only for activities related to clean water. The proposed transfer would occur in fiscal year 2025–26.

The proposal would let the natural resources and health services departments use money in a rapid response account for emergencies. The departments could respond to natural disasters and public health emergencies. The finance committee would first need to transfer money into the account. Money could pay for cleanup and for notifying, relocating, or helping people affected by the emergency.

An oversight committee would review agency requests and recommend whether the finance committee should provide money from the fund. The process would apply to state department and agency requests for money from the water fund. A state department or agency could request funding. The finance committee could provide requested money only if the oversight committee recommended approval. The names of members who objected, and their reasons, would be made public. The oversight committee would send its written recommendation at least 14 working days before the finance committee's next regularly scheduled meeting.

The finance committee could move uncommitted fund money to the budget stabilization fund, and reimbursements for fund spending would go back into the water fund. These rules would apply to uncommitted water fund money and reimbursements for spending from that fund. The finance committee could transfer uncommitted money only if the budget stabilization fund had been fully spent. Reimbursements collected by the natural resources or justice departments for water fund spending would be deposited into the water fund.