summary
Introduced
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
In Committee
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/23/2026
03/23/2026
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, in general, the Department of Transportation must offer for sale property that DOT determines is not necessary for the state’s use for transportation purposes. Before conducting a public sale on a surplus parcel, DOT must contact the county, municipality, and the local school district where the parcel is located and the Department of Natural Resources to solicit interest in acquiring the parcel for public use. In general, if a county, municipality, or school district or DNR expresses interest in acquiring the parcel for public use, DOT must offer the parcel to the interested party at its appraised value, except that if the parcel is to be used for transportation or infrastructure purposes, DOT may offer the parcel for less than its appraised value. This bill adds federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands to the group of entities that must be informed of proposed surplus property sales by DOT when the surplus property is located within the reservation or a federal Bureau of Indian Affairs service area of the tribe or band. These American Indian tribes and LRB-6068/1 EVM:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 984 bands are also added to the group of entities that may obtain DOT surplus lands prior to public sale for the appraised value, or in some cases, below appraised value. 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 notification and acquisition rights for surplus property held by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to include federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands, specifically when the property is located within their reservation or a federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) service area. Currently, DOT must inform counties, municipalities, local school districts, and the Department of Natural Resources about surplus land and offer it to them for public use at its appraised value, or potentially less if for transportation or infrastructure purposes. This bill adds American Indian tribes and bands to this list of entities that must be notified and given the opportunity to acquire such land before it's offered for public sale, under similar terms of appraised value or a reduced price for transportation or infrastructure projects, provided they submit a plan for public use.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (7)
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
Patrick Testin (R)*,
Rob Kreibich (R),
Scott Krug (R),
Anthony Kurtz (R),
David Steffen (R),
Nancy VanderMeer (R),
Last Action
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 (on 03/23/2026)
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/sen/bill/sb984 |
| SB984 ROCP for Committee on Transportation and Local Government | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/transportation_and_local_government/1984861.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB984: Fiscal Estimate From DOT | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb984/sb984_dot.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB984.pdf |
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