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Bill > SB867


WI SB867

WI SB867
Grants for planting trees to address urban heat islands, eligible recipients for urban forestry grants, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation. (FE)


summary

Introduced
01/23/2026
In Committee
01/23/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources administers an urban forestry grants program to provide grants to municipalities and nonprofit organizations to undertake various tree projects in urban areas. This bill requires DNR, under the urban forestry grants program, to also award grants of up to $100,000 to municipalities, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands located in this state, and nonprofit organizations to plant trees to reduce the effects of urban heat islands. The bill defines an “urban heat island” as an urban or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than the surrounding natural land cover. The bill increases funding for the urban forestry grant program by $500,000 in the 2025-26 fiscal year from the conservation fund to provide these new grants and allows DNR to promulgate emergency rules to administer the grant program. The bill also clarifies that federally recognized LRB-5831/1 ZDW:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 867 American Indian tribes or bands located in this state are also eligible for the other types of grants under the existing program. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill expands the existing urban forestry grants program, administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to specifically address "urban heat islands," which are defined as urban or metropolitan areas significantly warmer than their surroundings. The bill allows for grants of up to $100,000 to municipalities, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands in the state, and nonprofit organizations for planting trees to combat these heat islands. Additionally, it clarifies that these same entities are eligible for other types of grants under the existing program, such as those for tree management plans and storm damage recovery, and appropriates an additional $500,000 from the conservation fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year to support these new grants. The bill also permits the DNR to use emergency rule procedures to quickly implement the new grant program without the usual requirements for demonstrating public necessity or submitting a scope statement to the governor.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (26)

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 02/04/2026)

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