The bill allows a county to incorporate department land into its comprehensive
county forest land use plan, if one exists, without DNR approval and allows the
county to use county forest administration grants and sustainable forestry grants
obtained under the county forest law for department land. The bill grants a county
board many of the powers with respect to department land that a county board
currently has with respect to county forests, such as regulating the use of the land
by the public, establishing forest plantations, and engaging in silviculture, forest
management, and timber sales. Similar to a current requirement under the county
forest law, the bill requires any timber sale from department land with an estimated
value of $3,000 or more, except for timber that has been damaged by fire, snow, hail,
ice, insects, disease, or wind, to be by sealed bid or public sale after fulfilling a
publication requirement and allows any timber sale with an estimated value below
$3,000 to be made without prior advertising.
The bill authorizes a county board to adopt a resolution stating that the county
no longer intends to manage, maintain, and improve department land and requires
the county board to notify DNR of this resolution as soon as practicable after its
adoption, at which point the county's responsibility to manage, maintain, and
improve the land ends.
Wisconsin Merit scholarships. The bill requires the Board of Regents to
award merit-based annual $5,000 scholarships to students enrolled in two-year or
four-year UW schools who have graduated from an in-state high school or been
granted a high school diploma by the administrator of an in-state home-based
private educational program. The scholarships are called “Wisconsin Merit
scholarships.” The bill requires the Board of Regents to determine student merit
based on performance on standardized college entrance examinations and, if
applicable, cumulative high school grade point averages. Under current law, income
and interest from the normal school fund is appropriated to the Board of Regents to
do the following annually: 1) make need-based grants totaling $100,000 to students
at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies who are members of
underrepresented groups; 2) provide scholarships totaling $100,000 to students
enrolled in the sustainable management degree program through the
UW-Extension; and 3) award the balance to the UW-Stevens Point for
environmental programs. Under the bill, the Board of Regents must provide
$200,000 annually to the UW-Stevens Point for environmental programs and award
the balance in the scholarships required under the bill.

For further information see the state and local 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:
AB338,1 1Section 1 . 20.285 (1) (rm) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,4,32 20.285 (1) (rm) (title) Environmental program grants and scholarships;
3Wisconsin Merit scholarships
.
AB338,2 4Section 2. 20.507 (1) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,4,155 20.507 (1) (h) Trust lands and investments — general program operations. The
6amounts in the schedule for the general program operations of the board as provided
7under ss. 24.04, 24.09 (1) (bm) (3), 24.53 and 24.62 (1). All amounts deducted from
8the gross receipts of the appropriate funds as provided under ss. 24.04, 24.09 (1) (bm)
9(3), 24.53 and 24.62 (1) shall be credited to this appropriation account.
10Notwithstanding s. 20.001 (3) (a), the unencumbered balance at the end of each fiscal
11year shall be transferred to the trust funds, as defined under s. 24.60 (5). The amount
12transferred to each trust fund, as defined under s. 24.60 (5), shall bear the same
13proportion to the total amount transferred to the trust funds that the gross receipts
14of that trust fund bears to the total gross receipts credited to this appropriation
15account during that fiscal year.
AB338,3 16Section 3. 20.866 (2) (ta) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,5,1017 20.866 (2) (ta) Natural resources; Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson
18stewardship 2000 program.
From the capital improvement fund a sum sufficient for
19the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program under s. 23.0917.
20The state may contract public debt in an amount not to exceed $1,046,250,000
21$1,116,250,000 for this program. Except as provided in s. 23.0917 (4g) (b), (4m) (k),

1(5), (5g), and (5m), the amounts obligated, as defined in s. 23.0917 (1) (e), under this
2paragraph may not exceed $46,000,000 in fiscal year 2000-01, may not exceed
3$46,000,000 in fiscal year 2001-02, may not exceed $60,000,000 in each fiscal year
4beginning with fiscal year 2002-03 and ending with fiscal year 2009-10, may not
5exceed $86,000,000 in fiscal year 2010-11, may not exceed $60,000,000 in fiscal year
62011-12, may not exceed $60,000,000 in fiscal year 2012-13, may not exceed
7$47,500,000 in fiscal year 2013-14, may not exceed $54,500,000 in fiscal year
82014-15, and may not exceed $33,250,000 in each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16
9and ending with fiscal year 2019-20, and may not exceed $10,000,000 in each fiscal
10year beginning with 2020-21 and ending with fiscal year 2026-27
.
AB338,4 11Section 4 . 23.0917 (3) (br) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,5,1312 23.0917 (3) (br) 2. For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending with
132019-20
2016-17, $7,000,000.
AB338,5 14Section 5 . 23.0917 (3) (br) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
AB338,5,1615 23.0917 (3) (br) 3. For each fiscal year beginning with 2017-18 and ending with
162019-20, $4,000,000.
AB338,6 17Section 6 . 23.0917 (3) (bt) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,5,1918 23.0917 (3) (bt) 2. For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending with
19fiscal year 2019-20 2016-17, $9,000,000.
AB338,7 20Section 7 . 23.0917 (3) (bt) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
AB338,5,2221 23.0917 (3) (bt) 3. For each fiscal year beginning with 2017-18 and ending with
22fiscal year 2019-20, $2,000,000.
AB338,8 23Section 8 . 23.0917 (3) (bu) of the statutes is created to read:
AB338,6,224 23.0917 (3) (bu) In obligating moneys under the subprogram for land
25acquisition, the department shall set aside $10,000,000 for each fiscal year

1beginning with 2017-18 and ending with 2026-27 to be obligated only for the
2department to make installment payments for the purchase of land under s. 23.1989.
AB338,9 3Section 9. 23.0917 (3) (dm) 9. of the statutes is created to read:
AB338,6,54 23.0917 (3) (dm) 9. For each fiscal year beginning with 2020-21 and ending
5with fiscal year 2026-27, $10,000,000.
AB338,10 6Section 10. 23.1989 of the statutes is created to read:
AB338,6,13 723.1989 Acquisition of certain public lands. (1) Beginning in fiscal year
82017-18 and ending in fiscal year 2026-27, from the appropriation under s. 20.866
9(2) (ta), the department shall set aside $10,000,000 in each fiscal year that may be
10obligated only to make installment payments for the purchase of land from the board
11of commissioners of public lands under s. 24.59 (1). For purposes of s. 23.0917,
12moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) shall be treated as
13moneys obligated under the subprogram under s. 23.0917 (3).
AB338,6,17 14(1m) Subject to subs. (2) to (4), if the board of commissioners of public lands
15sells land under s. 24.59 (1), the department shall purchase the land. The
16department shall pay for the land purchased under this subsection in installments,
17as provided in subs. (2) to (4).
AB338,6,22 18(2) Notwithstanding s. 24.11 (1) (b) and except as provided in sub. (4), the
19department shall make installment payments of $10,000,000 in each fiscal year
20beginning in fiscal year 2017-18 until the total amount paid under this subsection
21equals the value of the land established under s. 24.59 (2), except that payments may
22not be made after the fiscal year 2026-27.
AB338,7,2 23(3) In the fiscal year in which a final installment payment of not more than
24$10,000,000 is due, from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), the department

1shall set aside an amount that shall be obligated only to make the final payment to
2acquire land from the board of commissioners of public lands under s. 24.59 (1).
AB338,7,5 3(4) In the fiscal year described in sub. (3), the department shall make an
4installment payment equal to the amount remaining to make the final payment to
5acquire land from the board of commissioners of public lands under s. 24.59 (1).
AB338,7,12 6(5) If the department acquires land under sub. (1m), the department shall, as
7soon as practicable, notify all counties from which the department has received
8notification of a resolution adopted under s. 59.52 (6) (f). Beginning on the date that
9a county receives this notice from the department, the department shall allow the
10county to conduct all activities under s. 28.12 necessary to manage, maintain, and
11improve the land described in the county's resolution under s. 59.52 (6) (f) until the
12county board adopts a resolution under s. 28.12 (7).
AB338,11 13Section 11. 24.01 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,7,1814 24.01 (1) “Agricultural college lands" embraces all lands granted to the state
15by an act of congress entitled “An act donating public lands to the several states and
16territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic
17arts," approved July 2, 1862, as well as any land received under s. 24.09 (1) (bm) (3)
18in exchange for such land.
AB338,12 19Section 12. 24.01 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,7,2220 24.01 (4) “Marathon County lands" embraces all lands acquired by the state
21pursuant to chapter 22 of the general laws of 1867, as well as any land received under
22s. 24.09 (1) (bm) (3) in exchange for such land.
AB338,13 23Section 13. 24.01 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,8,324 24.01 (5) “Normal school lands" embraces all parcels of said “swamp lands"
25which the legislature has declared or otherwise decided, or may hereafter declare or

1otherwise decide, were not or are not needed for the drainage or reclamation of the
2same or other lands, as well as any land received under s. 24.09 (1) (bm) (3) in
3exchange for such land.
AB338,14 4Section 14. 24.01 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,8,75 24.01 (7) “School lands" embraces all lands made a part of “the school fund" by
6article X, section 2, of the constitution, as well as any land received under s. 24.09
7(1) (bm) (3) in exchange for such land.
AB338,15 8Section 15. 24.01 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,8,159 24.01 (9) “Swamp lands" embraces all lands which have been or may be
10transferred to the state pursuant to an act of congress entitled “An act to enable the
11state of Arkansas and other states to reclaim the swamp lands within their limits,"
12approved September 28, 1850, or pursuant to an act of congress entitled “ An act for
13the relief of purchasers and locators of swamp and overflowed lands," approved
14March 2, 1855, as well as any land received under s. 24.09 (1) (bm) (3) in exchange
15for such land.
AB338,16 16Section 16. 24.01 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,8,1917 24.01 (10) “University lands" embraces all lands the proceeds of which are
18denominated “the university fund" by article X, section 6, of the constitution, as well
19as any land received under s. 24.09 (1) (bm) (3) in exchange for such land.
AB338,17 20Section 17. 24.09 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,8,21 2124.09 (title) Procedure before sale or exchange; withdrawal; resale.
AB338,18 22Section 18. 24.09 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 24.09 (1) and amended
23to read:
AB338,9,224 24.09 (1) Except as provided under par. (c) sub. (4), the board may not sell or
25exchange any public lands which were not appraised or appraised under s. 24.08.

1Except as provided under pars. (b), (bm) and (c) subs. (2m), (3), and (4), the board may
2not sell or exchange any public lands except at public auction or by sealed bid.
AB338,19 3Section 19. 24.09 (1) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 24.09 (2m).
AB338,20 4Section 20. 24.09 (1) (bm) of the statutes is renumbered 24.09 (3) and amended
5to read:
AB338,9,156 24.09 (3) The board may exchange part or all of any parcel of public lands for
7any other land of approximately equal value if the board determines that the
8exchange will contribute to the consolidation or completion of a block of land,
9enhance conservation of lands or otherwise be in the public interest. Under this
10paragraph subsection, an exchange is of “approximately equal value" if the difference
11in value between the more highly valued land and the less highly valued land does
12not exceed 10 percent of the value of the more highly valued land. All expenses
13necessarily incurred in making an exchange under this paragraph subsection shall
14be deducted from the gross receipts of the fund to which the proceeds of the sale of
15the exchanged land will be added.
AB338,21 16Section 21. 24.09 (1) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 24.09 (4).
AB338,22 17Section 22. 24.09 (1) (d) of the statutes is renumbered 24.09 (5) and amended
18to read:
AB338,9,2319 24.09 (5) All sales other than sales under par. (b) or (c) sub. (2m) or (4) shall
20be made at the times and public places by sealed bid or public sale as the board
21designates. Prior to any sale, the board shall publish a class 3 notice, under ch. 985,
22specifying the time and place and describing the lands to be sold in a newspaper
23published in the county where the lands are situated.
AB338,23 24Section 23. 24.09 (2) of the statutes is repealed.
AB338,24 25Section 24. 24.10 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,10,12
124.10 (1) If the sale is to be by public auction, at the time and place specified
2in the notice under s. 24.09 (1) (d) (5), the board shall commence the sale of the lands
3described in the notice and thereafter continue the same from day to day, Sundays
4excepted, between 9 a.m. and the setting of the sun, until all lands described in the
5notice have been offered. The order of the sale shall be to begin at the lowest number
6of the sections, townships, and ranges in each county and proceed regularly to the
7highest, until all then to be sold are offered for sale. Except for lands withheld from
8sale under s. 24.09 (2), each
Each lot, tract of lands, or collection of tracts of lands to
9be sold shall be offered at the minimum price fixed by law and shall be cried at public
10auction long enough to enable every one present to bid. If the minimum price or more
11is bid, the lot or tract shall be struck off to the highest bidder, but if the minimum
12price is not bid the tract shall be set down unsold.
AB338,25 13Section 25. 24.10 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,10,1914 24.10 (2) If the sale is to be by sealed bid, the highest bid for any lot, tract of
15lands, or collection of tracts of lands shall be accepted, unless the highest bid is below
16the minimum price fixed by law. If the highest bid is below the minimum price fixed
17by law, then all bids may be rejected. If all bids are rejected or if no bid is received,
18the board may readvertise the sale, or adjourn the sale to a definite date, or withhold
19the lands from sale pursuant to s. 24.09 (2)
.
AB338,26 20Section 26. 24.11 (1) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
AB338,27 21Section 27. 24.59 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,11,322 24.59 (1) Notwithstanding ss. 24.09, 24.10, 24.15, 24.16, and 24.32, but subject
23to subs. sub. (2) and (3), if the board determines that the sale of all lands under its
24jurisdiction will not breach the board's duty as trustee
, the board may sell to the state
25all
public lands that the board identifies as available for sale to the state under its

1jurisdiction on the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date]
.
2Notwithstanding s. 24.08 (4), the public lands shall be sold at the appraised value
3determined under sub. (2).
AB338,28 4Section 28. 24.59 (3) of the statutes is repealed.
AB338,29 5Section 29. 24.605 of the statutes is repealed.
AB338,30 6Section 30. 24.61 (2) (cm) of the statutes is repealed.
AB338,31 7Section 31 . 28.12 of the statutes is created to read:
AB338,11,9 828.12 Department land managed by a county. (1) In this section,
9“department land” means land that meets all of the conditions under sub. (2).
AB338,11,15 10(2) Except as provided under sub. (6), if a county has adopted a resolution under
11s. 59.52 (6) (f) authorizing the county to manage, maintain, and improve land
12acquired by the department under s. 23.1989 and has notified the department of the
13resolution, and if the department notifies the county under s. 23.1989 (5) that it has
14acquired the land described in the resolution, then the county shall manage,
15maintain, and improve the land as provided under this section.
AB338,11,22 16(3) If a county has prepared a comprehensive county forest land use plan under
17s. 28.11 (5), the county may incorporate department land into the plan without
18approval by the department. A committee designated under s. 28.11 (3) (a) has the
19same powers, duties, procedures, and functions with respect to department land as
20it has with respect to county forests, except to the extent those powers, duties,
21procedures, or functions conflict with the state's ownership of the land. The county
22may use grant money received under s. 28.11 (5m) and (5r) on department land.
AB338,11,24 23(4) A county board of a county in which department land is located may do any
24of the following:
AB338,12,2
1(a) Establish regulations for the use of department land by the public and to
2provide penalties for their enforcement.
AB338,12,43 (b) Appropriate funds for the development, protection, and maintenance of
4department land.
AB338,12,65 (c) Enter into cooperative agreements with the department for protection of
6department land from fire.
AB338,12,77 (d) Establish aesthetic management zones along roads and waters.
AB338,12,108 (e) Establish transplant nurseries for growing seedlings, from the state forest
9nurseries, to larger size for planting in department land, but no ornamental or
10landscape stock shall be produced in such nurseries.
AB338,12,1211 (f) Establish forest plantations and engage in silviculture, forest management,
12and timber sales on department land.
AB338,12,1413 (g) Engage in other projects designed to achieve optimum development of
14forests on department land.
AB338,12,2415 (h) Establish energy conservation projects that permit individual members of
16the public to remove up to 10 standard cords of wood without charge from department
17land for individual home heating purposes. The county board shall limit removal of
18wood for energy conservation projects to wood that is unsuitable for commercial sale.
19The county board may require a permit to remove wood for energy conservation
20projects and may charge a fee for the permit to administer projects established under
21this paragraph. A county board shall restrict participation in projects established
22under this paragraph to residents, as defined in s. 29.001 (69), but may not restrict
23participation to residents of the county. No timber sale contract is required for wood
24removed under this paragraph.
AB338,13,6
1(4m) Nothing in this section may be interpreted to infringe on any authority
2the state has to enter into leases or agreements to explore and prospect for ore,
3minerals, gas, or oil on department land, except that, if an extraction cannot be
4accomplished without permanently affecting the surface of the land, extraction may
5not commence until the county adopts a resolution under sub. (7) ending its
6responsibilities under this section.
AB338,13,11 7(5) (a) Any timber sale from department land with an estimated value of $3,000
8or more shall be by sealed bid or public sale after publication of a classified
9advertisement announcing the sale in a newspaper having general circulation in the
10county in which the timber to be sold is located. Any timber sale with an estimated
11value below $3,000 may be made without prior advertising.
AB338,13,1312 (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to any sale of timber that has been damaged
13by fire, snow, hail, ice, insects, disease, or wind.
AB338,13,1514 (c) A county is not required to pay any severance share to the state or to share
15any revenue with the state from timber sold from department lands.
AB338,13,21 16(6) The department may construct and use forest fire lookout towers, telephone
17lines, and fire lanes or other forest protection structures on any lands described in
18par. (a) and the county may not interfere with any department activity on
19department land that is necessary for forest protection. The county and the
20department shall permit public access to department land for the purposes of
21hunting, fishing, hiking, sight-seeing, and cross-country skiing.
AB338,14,2 22(7) A county board may adopt a resolution stating that the county no longer
23intends to manage, maintain, and improve department land. As soon as practicable
24after adopting the resolution, the county shall provide notice of the resolution to the

1department. The county's responsibility to manage, maintain, and improve the land
2ends when this notice is provided to the department.
AB338,32 3Section 32. 36.49 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,14,5 436.49 (title) Environmental program grants and scholarships;
5Wisconsin Merit scholarships
.
AB338,33 6Section 33. 36.49 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB338,14,87 36.49 (3) Award the balance Provide $200,000 to the University of
8Wisconsin-Stevens Point for environmental programs.
AB338,34 9Section 34. 36.49 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
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