summary
Introduced
04/15/2025
04/15/2025
In Committee
04/15/2025
04/15/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill makes a change, retroactive to January 1, 2025, to eligibility for a county forest administration grant. Current law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make grants to counties that have lands designated as county forest to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a professional forester in the position of county forest administrator or assistant county forest administrator (county forest administration grant program). Under the bill, the grants may be used to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a county forest administrator. The bill defines Xcounty forest administratorY as a person, excluding a person employed by the department, who is employed to manage a county forest program and who has any of the following qualifications: 1. A bachelor[s or higher degree in forestry from a school of forestry with a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters or an equivalent degree, as determined by the chief state forester. 2. A bachelor[s or higher degree in natural resources, conservation, or wildlife and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program. 3. An associate degree in forestry and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the county forest administration grant program administered by the Department of Natural Resources, focusing on grant eligibility and qualifications for county forest administrators. The bill narrows the grant's scope to fund only one county forest administrator (rather than an administrator or assistant administrator) and provides specific qualifications for who can be considered a "county forest administrator." Eligible candidates must now have either: a bachelor's degree in forestry from an accredited school, a bachelor's degree in natural resources, conservation, or wildlife with three or more years of county forest program management experience, or an associate degree in forestry with three years of county forest program management experience. The bill explicitly excludes individuals employed by the Department of Natural Resources from this definition. The grants can continue to cover up to 50% of the administrator's salary and fringe benefits (not exceeding 40% of the salary). The changes will apply retroactively to January 1, 2025, and will take effect for grant applications submitted on or after the effective date of the legislation, potentially providing more clarity and specificity to counties seeking forest administration funding.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (23)
David Armstrong (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Calvin Callahan (R)*,
Chanz Green (R)*,
Andrew Hysell (D)*,
Brent Jacobson (R)*,
Scott Krug (R)*,
Vincent Miresse (D)*,
Jeff Mursau (R)*,
Lori Palmeri (D)*,
Jim Piwowarczyk (R)*,
Angela Stroud (D)*,
Rob Summerfield (R)*,
Rob Swearingen (R)*,
Paul Tittl (R)*,
Duke Tucker (R)*,
Nancy VanderMeer (R)*,
Chuck Wichgers (R)*,
Jesse James (R),
Howard Marklein (R),
Romaine Quinn (R),
Rob Stafsholt (R),
Cory Tomczyk (R),
Last Action
Senator Ratcliff added as a cosponsor (on 05/15/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab181 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB181.pdf |
Loading...