WisconsinTown boards would approve some nonemergency water diversion projects
The failed bill proposed giving town boards a say before state regulators could start or approve certain water projects, except in emergencies.
What it does
The failed bill would require town board approval before state regulators start, approve, or permit certain water projects in a town. Emergency projects are exempt.
Argument forTown boards could give local residents a say before state officials approve certain projects that redirect water or raise its level.
Argument againstTown approval could make it harder for state officials to move ahead with covered water projects, even when they serve conservation goals.
More detail
State regulators could not start, approve, or permit a covered project without town board approval. It applies to covered projects in a town that divert water to places where it does not naturally occur or raise a body of water above its natural level. The town board must approve the project by resolution, a formal vote. The approval requirement does not apply in an emergency.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82Latest
- May 12Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- Apr 8Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 4-8-2026Major
- Apr 2Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026To Governor
- Mar 20Report correctly enrolled on 3-20-2026Minor
- Mar 18Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Mar 17Ordered immediately messaged
- Mar 17Read a third time and concurred inPassed Senate
- Mar 17Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Mar 17Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Mar 17Read a second timeMinor
- Mar 16Placed on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Mar 9Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 3, Noes 2Minor
- Mar 9Executive action taken
- Mar 2Public hearing held
- Feb 20Read first time and referred to committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and ForestryMinor
- Feb 19Received from AssemblyMinor
- Feb 18Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 18Read a third time and passedPassed Assembly
- Feb 18Rules suspended
- Feb 18Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Feb 18Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adoptedMajor
- Feb 18Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative TuckerMinor
- Feb 18Read a second timeMinor
- Feb 18Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative NeubauerMinor
- Feb 17Made a special order of business at 1:28 PM on 2-18-2026 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 13
- Feb 9Senator Stafsholt added as a cosponsor
- Feb 2Representative Moses added as a coauthor
- Jan 30Referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Report passage recommended by Committee on Environment, Ayes 4, Noes 2. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 30Report passage recommended by Committee on Environment, Ayes 4, Noes 2Minor
- Jan 29Executive action taken
- Jan 21Public hearing held
- Jan 20Representative Kurtz added as a coauthor
- Jan 16Read first time and referred to Committee on EnvironmentMinor
- Jan 16Introduced by Representatives Tucker and Born; cosponsored by Senator QuinnIntroduced
Environment & Energy