New Assembly Bill Introduced Friday. Public Hearing Tomorrow.

October ended with a plot twist: A new assembly bill (AB 612) was introduced for the reauthorization of the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program. Authored by Rep. Kurtz and cosponsored by Sen. Testin (both authors of the first standalone bill), this new iteration brings information that is dire to grant funding specifically for Friends groups.

The following is the specific language from the new assembly bill:

AB 612 (Specific to Friends)

       Section 19. 23.098 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

623.098 (2) The department shall establish a program to make grants from the 7 appropriations under s. ss. 20.370 (5) (hs) and 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz) to friends 8 groups and nonprofit conservation organizations for projects for property 9 development activities on department properties. The department may not  10 encumber more than $500,000 in each fiscal year for these grants.

Additional funding information regarding the reauthorization of the program: Reauthorizes the program until fiscal year 2029-30, reduces by $20,000,000 the amount that may be obligated under the program in each fiscal year beginning in 2026-27 to $13,250,000. The bill reduces the amounts DNR may obligate in each fiscal year through fiscal year 2029-30 from $16,000,000 to $3,000,000 under the land acquisition subprogram and from $14,250,000 to $7,250,000 under the property development and local assistance subprogram.

A public hearing at the Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation Committee is set for tomorrow at 1:00pm regarding AB 612. We at FWSP are concerned on the drastic reduced funding, and that our specific line means that there will be limited funding for friends each fiscal year.

We encourage you as individuals to reach out to your district representatives. Connect with your legislator and ask for a response/take on the position. Tune in to the hearing at www.wiseye.org tomorrow.

Thank you for being a friend and voice for the parks, forests, trails, and recreational areas that we love and cherish dearly. Reach out if you have any questions, comments, concerns.

Seth Taft
Executive Director
Friends of Wisconsin State Parks
E: execdir@fwsp.org
P: (608) 294-0810
www.fwsp.org