July 2024 Legislative Update 

WI Supreme Court Rules 6-1 Against JCF Blocking Stewardship Purchases.
The Wisconsin State Supreme Court ruled 6-1 in a much-anticipated decision that will change the Joint Finance Committee’s (JFC) oversight of the Stewardship program.

The court ruled the Wisconsin Legislature unconstitutionally intruded upon executive branch authority to make Stewardship Program expenditures by authorizing the JFC to block expenditures after the legislature had already appropriated the money via the state budget process. Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote the majority opinion. Chief Justice Annette Ziegler dissented. The legal question the court reviewed was:

Wisconsin Stat. § 23.0917 charges the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with administering the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, through which the DNR awards already-appropriated funds to expand public access to the State’s natural resources. Wisconsin Stat. § 23.0917(6m) and (8)(g)3. authorize the Joint Committee on Finance, a 16-member legislative committee, to veto the DNR’s choices. Do those veto provisions facially violate the separation of powers?

Short answer: the Court said “yes.”

The reauthorization of the Stewardship Program is up in the 2025-27 budget next cycle, and there have been comments made that should the legislature lose this case, a backlash against the program may ensure and legislative Republicans (who appear likely to maintain majorities in both houses) may attempt to gut the program and reauthorize expenditures only for certain Stewardship Program expenditures, e.g., those which benefit hunting and fishing.

All Hands-on Deck for Stewardship.
While a victory in this case is significant, reauthorization will require a group effort across all KNSP coalition partners. WPRA members will need to help defend the Stewardship Program and work for its reauthorization. Gathering Water, 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. WPRA will be rolling out additional education and advocacy opportunities – so stay engaged and tuned!

• Elections 2024 Resources. Bookmark the 2024 Elections page right now! This is a helpful resource for finding out who is running where and against whom. The next step in the 2024 elections process is the state primary which will take place on August 13.