Bill
Bill > AB416
summary
Introduced
09/15/2025
09/15/2025
In Committee
11/07/2025
11/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under 2025 Act 15, the biennial budget bill, the Joint Committee on Finance was appropriated $42,000,000 to supplement an appropriation to the Department of Natural Resources for providing financial assistance for the modernization of a dam on the Wisconsin River in the village of Rothschild. This bill requires DNR to provide $42,000,000 to Domtar Paper Company, LLC, (Domtar) for modernization of a dam associated with the company[s mill in the village of Rothschild. The bill provides that, if Domtar does not commence the dam modernization project by December 31, 2026, it must return to the state the full amount of the financial assistance Domtar received from the state. The bill also provides that, if Domtar sells either its mill in the village of Rothschild or its mill in the city of Nekoosa prior to the completion of the dam modernization project, Domtar must return to the state any unexpended amount of the financial assistance Domtar received from the state. The bill also provides that, if the total amount of financial assistance for the dam modernization project that Domtar receives from all sources exceeds two- thirds of the cost of the project, Domtar must return to the state the difference between two-thirds of the cost of the project and the total amount of financial assistance Domtar received for the project. Finally, the bill also provides that Domtar must agree to invest a total of $100,000,000 in north central Wisconsin via its manufacturing facilities in the village of Rothschild and the city of Nekoosa within three years and to use roundwood and wood chips only from Wisconsin producers to produce products at its facilities in the village of Rothschild. If Domtar fails to comply with either requirement, they must return to the state the full amount of financial assistance Domtar received from the state. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill provides a $42 million grant to Domtar Paper Company, LLC for modernizing a dam on the Wisconsin River in the village of Rothschild, with several specific conditions attached to the funding. The bill requires Domtar to begin the dam modernization project by December 31, 2026, or return the full grant amount to the state. If Domtar sells either its Rothschild or Nekoosa mill before completing the project, it must return any unexpended funds. The bill also stipulates that if the total financial assistance from all sources exceeds two-thirds of the project's cost, Domtar must repay the difference. Additionally, Domtar must commit to investing $100 million in north central Wisconsin manufacturing facilities within three years and agree to use only Wisconsin-sourced roundwood and wood chips for production at its Rothschild facility during the project. Failure to meet these investment or sourcing requirements will result in Domtar being required to return the full $42 million grant to the state. The bill amends existing statutes to specify the funding source and create new provisions for this specific financial assistance.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (7)
Karen Hurd (R)*,
Brent Jacobson (R)*,
Scott Krug (R)*,
Pat Snyder (R)*,
John Spiros (R)*,
Patrick Testin (R),
Cory Tomczyk (R),
Last Action
Senator Ratcliff added as a cosponsor (on 11/18/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab416 |
| AB416 ROCP for Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/forestry_parks_and_outdoor_recreation/1952239.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - AB416: Fiscal Estimate From DNR | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab416/ab416_dnr.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB416.pdf |
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