January 2025 Legislative Update

All Hands-on Deck for Stewardship

The Governor will introduce his 2025-27 state budget on February 18th. That will officially kick off the budget process.

One important topic will be the reauthorization of the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program. The Stewardship program is on the chopping block for the 2025-27 state budget. Speaker Vos recently stated, “I would put the odds at less than 50% the program can be reauthorized.” Similarly, in a WisPolitics interview, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said the Supreme Court ruling “pretty much killed the stewardship fund.”

WPRA members need your help to defend the Stewardship Program and work for its reauthorization. Gathering Waters, the state’s land trust organization, has compiled a coalition website (https://knowlesnelson.org/)  for the effort.

WPRA encourages all members to identify the KNSP projects in your community and educate your local government leaders about this effort. We need everyone working hard to advocate for KNSP and that starts now.

Legislature Reconvenes for the 2025-26 Legislative Session

On Monday, January 6, the Wisconsin legislature officially began the 2025-26 legislative session. Assembly Republicans hold a 54-45 majority and Senate Republicans hold an 18-15 majority. Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) was re-elected Senate Majority Leader and Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) was re-elected Assembly Speaker. Speaker Vos, the longest-serving speaker in state history, has been Speaker since 2013.

Both Senate Majority LeMahieu and Assembly Speaker Vos in their session-opening floor remarks said tax cuts will be a priority, each pointing to the $4 billion budget surplus as a primary reason.

REMINDER: The Legislative website has been updated – take a moment to find your legislators this session!

2025-2026 Legislative Committees

Senate, Assembly and Joint Committees for the 2025-2026 Legislative Session have been finalized. Of note to WPRA are the following:

Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Representative Mursau (Chair)
Representative Melotik (Vice-Chair)
Representative Callahan
Representative Tittl
Representative Moses
Representative Pronschinske
Representative Swearingen
Representative Wichgers
Representative Palmeri
Representative Andraca
Representative Miresse
Representative Udell

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Veteran and Military Affairs

Senator Jacque (Chair)
Senator Nass (Vice-Chair)
Senator Tomczyk
Senator Habush Sinykin
Senator Wirch

For the full listing of legislative committees – click here.