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WI SB967
WI SB967Town authority over the water elevation of an artificial water body created by a dam and recourse due to damage caused by an obstructed waterway.
summary
Introduced
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
In Committee
03/09/2026
03/09/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Current law grants the Department of Natural Resources the authority to regulate and control the level and flow of water in all navigable waters. This bill gives a town board the authority to prescribe the maximum water elevation for an artificial water body created by a dam that includes the use of a diversion pump and and that is located in the town if the town board has determined that a certain water elevation of that water body causes the road bed of a highway in the town to be saturated. Current law provides a procedure whereby the owner or occupant of any lands damaged by an obstruction in a natural watercourse due to negligent action by the owner, occupant, or person in charge of the land on which the obstruction is located may request and ultimately require removal of the obstruction. The bill specifies that the damage triggering this authority must be due to ground or surface water flooding. LRB-6246/1 EHS:skw&cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 967
AI Summary
This bill grants town boards new authority to regulate the water level of artificial bodies of water created by dams within their jurisdiction, specifically when a certain water elevation causes the roadbed of a town highway to become saturated, overriding existing state authority held by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in such cases. Additionally, it clarifies and expands the existing law that allows landowners to seek the removal of obstructions in natural waterways that cause damage due to ground or surface water flooding, ensuring that this recourse is available when flooding is the direct result of the obstruction.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Available for scheduling (on 03/09/2026)
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/sb967 |
| SB967 ROCP for Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry On 3/9/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/insurance_housing_rural_issues_and_forestry/1977673.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB967.pdf |
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