SB64: Bill Text

LRB-0230/1

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2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Senate BILL 64

February 5, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Cowles, Ballweg, Felzkowski, Stroebel, Wanggaard and Wirch, cosponsored by Representatives Kitchens, Mursau, Gundrum, Knodl, Loudenbeck, Sinicki, Skowronski, Tauchen, Thiesfeldt and Wichgers. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy.

SB64,1,3 An Act to amend 23.15 (4) of the statutes; relating to: the use of proceeds from the sale of state-owned properties controlled by the Department of Natural Resources.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill expands the purposes for which proceeds from the sale of state-owned property controlled by the Department of Natural Resources may be spent.

Under current law, with limited exceptions, the Natural Resources Board may sell state-owned lands and structures under DNR jurisdiction when the board determines that those properties are no longer necessary for state conservation purposes. Upon selling such properties, the board must deposit the proceeds in the conservation fund, and the proceeds may be used only to purchase other areas of land for use as public hunting and fishing grounds, wildlife and fish refuges, or state parks or for inclusion in the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.

Under the bill, the proceeds from the sale of DNR properties may be used to acquire or develop any land or easement, with no restrictions or limitations on use or location. The bill prohibits the board from using the proceeds to pay program administration costs or fund full-time equivalent positions.

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:

SB64,1 Section 1. 23.15 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB64,2,10 23.15 (4) Said The natural resources board effecting the sale of any such lands and structures shall, upon receiving payment therefor, shall deposit the funds proceeds from any sale of lands or structures under this section in the conservation fund to be used exclusively for the purpose of purchasing other areas of land for the creating and establishing of public hunting and fishing grounds, wildlife and fish refuges and state parks and for land in the lower Wisconsin state riverway as defined in s. 30.40 (15) to acquire or develop land or easements. The proceeds from any sale of lands or structures under this section may not be used to pay program administration costs or fund full-time equivalent positions.

SB64,2,11 (End)