Bill

Bill > AB310


WI AB310

WI AB310
Creating a nutrient loss reduction grant program. (FE)


summary

Introduced
06/06/2025
In Committee
06/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill creates a nutrient loss reduction grant program, under which the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection may award grants to farmers for the purpose of purchasing enhanced efficiency fertilizer products, implementing variable rate technology, or preparing a nutrient management plan. Under the bill, an Xenhanced efficiency fertilizer productY is a controlled-release or slow-release fertilizer formulation or a product, added to fertilizer, that includes a urease inhibitor or a nitrification inhibitor. XVariable rate technologyY is defined under the bill as the practice of testing soil in sections of six acres or less using georeferenced data points and applying fertilizer at a prescribed rate for each section depending on the results of the soil samples. A Xnutrient management planY is a plan for using commercial fertilizer, manure, or organic byproducts in a manner that reduces nutrient loss. Under the bill, if a grant will be used for purchasing and using an enhanced efficiency fertilizer product, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $7 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of the product. If a grant will be used for implementing variable rate technology, the grant amount may not exceed the lesser of $8 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of soil sampling. If a grant will be used for preparing a nutrient management plan, the grant may not exceed the lesser of $2 per acre or 50 percent of the cost of preparing the plan. In addition, a grant recipient may not receive more than $20,000 in any given year under the grant program. The bill allows an applicant to receive a grant that covers multiple allowable activities in a single year. The bill also allows an agricultural retailer (a person that supplies resources, materials, and products to farmers) to submit an application for a grant on behalf of a farmer. Finally, the bill allows DATCP to request certain information and materials from a grant applicant or recipient, including land and field information, receipts and invoices, and an attestation that the applicant is not receiving any other funding or incentives for the activities funded by the grant. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill creates a nutrient loss reduction grant program administered by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to support farmers in reducing nutrient runoff through three specific activities: purchasing enhanced efficiency fertilizer products, implementing variable rate technology, and preparing nutrient management plans. Enhanced efficiency fertilizer products are specialized fertilizers that release nutrients more slowly or include compounds that reduce nutrient loss, while variable rate technology involves testing soil in small six-acre sections and applying fertilizer at customized rates based on soil sample results. The grant program offers financial assistance with specific funding caps: up to $7 per acre or 50% of the product cost for enhanced fertilizers, up to $8 per acre or 50% of soil sampling costs for variable rate technology, and up to $2 per acre or 50% of plan preparation costs for nutrient management plans. Importantly, no farmer can receive more than $20,000 in grants annually, and agricultural retailers can submit grant applications on behalf of farmers. The bill allows DATCP to request various information from applicants, including land details, receipts, and confirmation that the farmer is not receiving duplicate funding for the same activities. This program aims to support agricultural sustainability by incentivizing practices that reduce nutrient pollution and improve environmental stewardship.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Novak (on 01/20/2026)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...