AB915: Bill Text

LRB-4379/1

RCT:cjs:jm

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Assembly BILL 915

April 3, 2014 - Introduced by Representatives Clark, Danou, Milroy, Bewley, Ohnstad, Richards, Hesselbein, Barnes, Hintz, Shankland, Kahl, Wachs, Kolste, Sargent, Wright, Billings, Bernard Schaber, Young, Ringhand, Smith, Berceau, Genrich, Hulsey and Hebl, cosponsored by Senators Risser, Lassa and Vinehout. Referred to Committee on Environment and Forestry.

AB915,1,3 An Act to repeal 20.115 (7) (e) and 20.370 (1) (La); and to create 20.115 (7) (e), 20.370 (1) (La) and 23.09 (22g) of the statutes; relating to: pollinator habitat conservation, a pollinator report, and making appropriations.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to prepare a report on pollinators, including an overview of the status of important pollinator species in this state and threats to their viability and a legislative proposal for creating and enhancing pollinator habitat. The bill requires DATCP, in consultation with DNR, to develop, and describe in the report, best management practices for the management, creation, and restoration of pollinator habitat and for agricultural practices that enhance the health of pollinator populations. DATCP must submit the report to the legislature no later than July 1, 2016.

The bill also requires DNR to consider pollinator habitat creation and conservation in managing land under its management or control.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB915,1 Section 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: - See PDF for table

AB915,2 Section 2. 20.115 (7) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB915,2,6 20.115 (7) (e) Pollinator report. As a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for activities related to the pollinator report under 2013 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), section 7 (1).

AB915,3 Section 3. 20.115 (7) (e) of the statutes, as created by 2013 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed.

AB915,4 Section 4. 20.370 (1) (La) of the statutes is created to read:

AB915,2,12 20.370 (1) (La) Pollinator report. As a continuing appropriation, from the general fund, the amounts in the schedule for activities related to the pollinator report under 2013 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), section 7 (1 ).

AB915,5 Section 5. 20.370 (1) (La) of the statutes, as created by 2013 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed.

AB915,6 Section 6. 23.09 (22g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB915,3,3 23.09 (22g) Pollinator habitat conservation. The department shall consider pollinator habitat creation and conservation in managing, or preparing any master plan for, land under its management, supervision, or control.

AB915,7 Section 7 . Nonstatutory provisions.

AB915,3,5 (1) Pollinator report, best management practices, and proposal.

AB915,3,8 (a) Report. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, in consultation with the department of natural resources, shall prepare a report on pollinators that includes all of the following:

AB915,3,10 1. An overview of the status of important pollinator species in this state and threats to their viability.

AB915,3,12 2. A description of existing state and federal financial assistance programs that could be expanded to promote the conservation of pollinator habitat.

AB915,3,14 3. A legislative proposal for efficiently and effectively creating and enhancing pollinator nesting and foraging habitat.

AB915,3,16 4. A description of the best management practices developed under paragraph (b).

AB915,3,20 (b) Best management practices. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, in consultation with the department of natural resources, shall develop best management practices for all of the following, for both public and private lands:

AB915,3,21 1. Habitat management to increase and optimize pollinator populations.

AB915,3,22 2. The creation and restoration of pollinator habitat.

AB915,3,24 3. Agricultural practices that enhance the health of pollinator populations that are wild and those that are kept by humans.

AB915,4,3 (c) Contracting. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or the department of natural resources may contract with the University of Wisconsin for services related to any of the following:

AB915,4,5 1. Developing the knowledge necessary to develop best management practices described in paragraph (b).

AB915,4,6 2. Assisting in the development of those best management practices.

AB915,4,7 3. Reporting on the outcomes of activities under this subsection.

AB915,4,10 (d) Submittal. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall submit the report under paragraph (a ) to the legislature, in the manner provided in section 13.172 (2) of the statutes, no later than July 1, 2016.

AB915,4,11 (2) Position authorizations.

AB915,4,17 (a) Agriculture, trade and consumer protection. The authorized FTE positions for the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection are increased by 3.0 GPR project positions for the period ending on July 1, 2016, to be funded from the appropriation under section 20.115 (7) (e) of the statutes, as created by this act, for the purpose of conducting activities related to the pollinator report under subsection (1).

AB915,4,22 (b) Natural resources. The authorized FTE positions for the department of natural resources are increased by 3.0 GPR project positions for the period ending on July 1, 2016, to be funded from the appropriation under section 20.370 (1) (La) of the statutes, as created by this act, for the purpose of conducting activities related to the pollinator report under subsection (1 ).

AB915,8 Section 8. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:

AB915,5,2 (1) The repeal of sections 20.115 (7) (e) and 20.370 (1) (La) of the statutes takes effect on July 1, 2016.

AB915,5,3 (End)