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March WPRA Legislative Update
- Wisconsin’s Legislative Session. This week, the Wisconsin legislature adjourned the 2023-24 legislative session. The Assembly adjourned several weeks ago in February and the Senate’s last day was Tuesday, March 12. Barring any extraordinary circumstances, the legislature is not expected to reconvene until January 2025.
- New maps. On February 19, Gov. Evers signed into law his own redistricting proposal (now 2023 Wisconsin Act 94) after the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature adopted it. Under Gov. Evers’ maps, Senate Republicans appear likely to maintain a majority after the 2024 elections, though their margin is certain to shrink (currently, it is 22-10, with one vacancy in a strongly Democratic district) and Democrats will have the advantage in the 2026 election. Assembly Republicans will also see their lead reduced (currently, it is 64-35) and control of the Assembly could be in play if Democrats have a good election cycle.
- Heading to the Governor’s desk. WPRA has been monitoring several bills closely this session that have now passed both houses and are headed to the Governor for his review. The Governor can decide to veto or sign the legislation into law. This includes:
- Wetland Access and In Lieu Fee Subprogram (Senate Bill 255): eliminates the requirement that wetlands that benefit from the in lieu fee subprogram administered by the Department of Natural Resources be open to the public.
- State Park Annual Vehicle Admission Validity Period (Senate Bill 415):provides that vehicle admission receipts issued by DNR are valid for approximately one year, rather than only during the calendar year in which they were issued.
- CDL Training Grant Program (Senate Bill 271):requires the Department of Workforce Development to establish a commercial driver training grant program.
- Healthy Food Incentive Program (Assembly Bill 1013): requires the Department of Health Services, through a competitive selection process, to contract with one or more nonprofit organizations to administer a healthy food incentive program statewide.
- Sex Designation in School Sports (Senate Bill 378):requires each school board, independent charter school, and private school participating in a parental choice program (educational institution) that operates or sponsors an interscholastic, intramural, or club athletic team or sport to designate the athletic team or sport as falling into one of three categories based on the sex of the participating pupils. The three designations are 1) males, 2) females, and 3) males and females. The Governor has already publicly stated he will veto this bill.
- Local Government Competitive Bidding Threshold (Senate Bill 688):Raises the bidding threshold for local governments to $50,000 continues to advance & also requires Milwaukee Public Schools to competitively bid. This bill is expected to be vetoed due to Democratic opposition in the legislature.
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Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association