Amendment AA24-ASA2-AB50

AB50-ASA2-AA24,12,5 (1) Veterinary diagnostic laboratory; compensation adjustments. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System under s. 20.285 (1) (fj), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2025-26 is increased by $217,300 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2026-27 is increased by $217,300 to provide funding for compensation adjustments to achieve compensation equity for 8 University of Wisconsin System employees assigned to the veterinary diagnostic laboratory as pathologists, specialists, or section heads.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,12,6 13. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,12,8 “Section 9202. Fiscal changes; Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,12,13 (1) Agricultural economist position authority. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 20.115 (3) (at), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2025- 26 is increased by $16,800 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2026-27 is increased by $16,800 to to support administration of the farm-to-school program.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,12,14 14. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,12,15 “Section 19. 93.425 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,12,21 93.425 (3) Of the moneys appropriated under s. 20.115 (3) (b), the center for international agribusiness marketing shall ensure that $2,500,000 is expended for the objective specified in sub. (2) (a), $1,250,000 is expended for the objective specified in sub. (2) (b), and $1,250,000 is expended for the objective specified in sub. (2) (c). The center may not expend more than $1,000,000 under the program in any fiscal year.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,12,22 15. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,13,2 “Section 9202. Fiscal changes; Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,13,9 (1) County conservation staffing — general fund. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 20.115 (7) (c), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2025- 26 is increased by $2,759,000 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2026-27 is increased by $2,990,000 for support of counties’ 3rd local land conservation personnel positions under the soil and water resource management program under s. 92.14.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,13,16 (2) County conservation staffing — environmental fund. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 20.115 (7) (qe), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2025-26 is increased by $3,372,100 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2026- 27 is increased by $3,654,400 for support of counties’ first and 2nd local land conservation personnel positions under the soil and water resource management program under s. 92.14.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,13,17 16. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,13,18 “Section 20. 20.115 (7) (qf) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,14,7 20.115 (7) (qf) Soil and water management; aids. From the environmental fund, the amounts in the schedule for cost-sharing grants and contracts under the soil and water resource management program under s. 92.14, but not for the support of local land conservation personnel, and for producer-led watershed protection grants under s. 93.59. Prior to fiscal year 2021-22, the department shall allocate funds, in an amount that does not exceed $750,000 in each fiscal year, for the producer-led watershed protection grants. Beginning in In fiscal year years 2021-22 to 2024-25, the department shall allocate funds, in an amount that does not exceed $1,000,000 in each fiscal year, for the producer-led watershed protection grants. Beginning in fiscal year 2025-26, the department shall allocate funds, in an amount that does not exceed $1,250,000 in each fiscal year, for the producer-led watershed protection grants.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,14,8 17. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,14,9 “Section 21. 20.115 (7) (tm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,14,13 20.115 (7) (tm) Farmland preservation planning grants, working lands fund. From the working lands fund, the amounts in the schedule for farmland preservation planning grants under s. 91.10 (6) and for farmland preservation implementation grants under s. 91.10 (7).

AB50-ASA2-AA24,22 Section 22. 91.10 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,14,16 91.10 (title) County plan required; planning and implementation grants.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,23 Section 23. 91.10 (7) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,14,20 91.10 (7) (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (7) (tm), the department may award implementation grants to counties for implementing a county’s certified farmland preservation plan.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,2 (b) The department shall enter into a contract with a county to which it awards an implementation grant under par. (a) before the department distributes any grant funds to the county. In the contract, the department shall identify the costs that are eligible for reimbursement through the grant.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,5 (c) The department may distribute grant funds under this subsection only after the county shows that it has incurred costs that are eligible for reimbursement under par. (b).”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,6 18. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,7 “Section 24. 91.84 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,9 91.84 (1) (b) The department may designate agricultural enterprise areas with a combined area of not more than 2,000,000 3,000,000 acres of land.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,10 19. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,11 “Section 25. 20.115 (7) (u) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,14 20.115 (7) (u) Planning grants for regional biodigesters. From the environmental fund, the amounts in the schedule for providing planning grants for establishing regional biodigesters under s. 93.74.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,26 Section 26. 93.74 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,18 93.74 Planning grants for regional biodigesters. (1) Grant program. From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (7) (u), the department shall provide planning grants for establishing regional biodigesters.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,20 (2) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of this section.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,21 20. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,15,23 “Section 9202. Fiscal changes; Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,16,8 (1) Bureau of land and water resources financial specialist position. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 20.115 (8) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2025-26 is increased by $61,800 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2026-27 is increased by $82,300 to increase the authorized FTE positions for the department by 1.0 GPR position for a financial specialist position to support the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection’s Bureau of Land and Water Resources.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,16,9 21. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,16,10 “Section 27. 20.115 (2) (jm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,16,17 20.115 (2) (jm) Veterinary examining board, dog licensing, rabies control program, and humane officers. All moneys received from issuing and renewing credentials under ch. 89 for the licensing, rule-making, and regulatory functions of the veterinary examining board and to provide dog license tags and forms under s. 174.07 (2), to perform other program responsibilities under ch. 174, to administer the rabies control program under s. 95.21, to help administer the rabies control media campaign, and to carry out activities under s. 93.07 (11) and ch. 173.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,16,18 22. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,16,20 “Section 9202. Fiscal changes; Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,17,2 (1) Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 20.115 (3) (b), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2025-26 is increased by $500,000 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2026-27 is increased by $500,000 for the purpose of Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,17,3 23. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,17,5 “Section 9202. Fiscal changes; Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,17,12 (1) Regional farmer support. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 20.115 (3) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2025-26 is increased by $150,400 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2026-27 is increased by $200,500 to increase the authorized FTE positions for the department by 2.0 GPR positions for expanding access to the department’s farm center services and support in the northwest and northeast regions of the state.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,17,13 24. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,17,15 “Section 9202. Fiscal changes; Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,17,23 (1) Funding and LTE position for the state local food purchase assistance program. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 20.115 (3) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2025-26 is increased by $366,800 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2026-27 is increased by $401,600 for the purpose of contracting with a local food procurement entity to work with food producers under the state’s local food purchase assistance program and for one or more LTE positions to provide support to the state’s local food purchase assistance program.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,18,1 25. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,18,2 “Section 28. 20.437 (1) (bc) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,18,10 20.437 (1) (bc) Grants for children’s community Youth support programs. The amounts in the schedule for grants for children’s community youth support programs under s. 48.481. Notwithstanding ss. 20.001 (3) (a) and 20.002 (1), the department may transfer funds between fiscal years under this paragraph. All moneys under this appropriation account that are distributed under s. 48.481 but are not encumbered by December 31 of each year lapse to the general fund on the next January 1 unless carried forward to the next calendar year by the joint committee on finance.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,29 Section 29. 48.481 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,18,13 48.481 (title) Grants for children’s community Youth support programs.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,30 Section 30. 48.481 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 48.481 (2) (b) and amended to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,18,20 48.481 (2) (b) The From the appropriation under s. 20.437 (1) (bc), the department shall distribute at least $231,700 in each fiscal year funds for the purpose of assisting any of the following individuals who attain, if the individual is under the age of 23, to make the transition from out-of-home care to a successful adulthood:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,19,2 1. An individual who attained the age of 18 while residing in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, or in a supervised independent living arrangement to make the transition from out-of-home care to a successful adulthood out-of-home care.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,19,6 (c) Public or private agencies or organizations are eligible for funding under this subsection. No county department or Indian tribe may use funds provided under this subsection to replace funds previously used by the county department or Indian tribe for this purpose.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,31 Section 31. 48.481 (2) (a) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,19,13 48.481 (2) (a) In this subsection, “out-of-home care” means the placement and care of a child by the department, a county department, or a tribal child welfare agency in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, in the home of like-kin, in the home of a person who is not a relative or like-kin, or in a supervised independent living arrangement.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,32 Section 32. 48.481 (2) (b) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,19,16 48.481 (2) (b) 2. An individual who resided in out-of-home care for at least 6 months after his or her 16th birthday.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,33 Section 33. 48.481 (2) (b) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,19,19 48.481 (2) (b) 3. An individual who was placed under a guardianship under s. 48.977 on or after his or her 16th birthday.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,34 Section 34. 48.481 (2) (b) 4. of the statutes is created to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,19,22 48.481 (2) (b) 4. An individual who was adopted on or after his or her 16th birthday following time spent in out-of-home care.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,9206 Section 9206. Fiscal changes; Children and Families.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,20,8 (1) Independent living supports. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of children and families under s. 20.437 (1) (bc), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2025-26 is increased by $5,251,400 for maintaining and enhancing services for individuals aged 18 to 23 who were formerly in out-of- home care. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of children and families under s. 20.437 (1) (bc), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2026-27 is increased by $5,251,400 for maintaining and enhancing services for individuals aged 18 to 23 who were formerly in out-of-home care.”.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,20,9 26. At the appropriate places, insert all of the following:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,20,15 “Section 35. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated:

- See PDF for table

AB50-ASA2-AA24,36 Section 36. 20.115 (4) (t) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,20,19 20.115 (4) (t) Transition to grass pilot program. From the environmental fund, the amounts in the schedule for the transition to grass pilot program under s. 93.60.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,37 Section 37. 93.60 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,20,22 93.60 Transition to grass pilot program. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,21,5 (a) “Managed grazing” means a grazing system alternative to continuous grazing, in which pastured fields are subdivided into smaller paddocks, livestock density is controlled, and animals are rotated through paddocks at a frequency that maintains perennial grass-based vegetative cover, ensures regular access to fresh higher quality forage, and reduces soil compaction and erosion.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,21,9 (b) “Marginal area” means land that is excluded from cultivation due to economic infeasibility or physical restriction for growing conventional crops, and includes riparian areas, low areas prone to flooding, and steep lands not conducive to conventional cultivation.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,21,13 (2) Transition to grass pilot program. From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (t), the department shall create and administer a transition to grass pilot program that awards grants to farmers for managed grazing technical assistance and implementation support.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,21,15 (3) Grazing grants. (a) Subject to par. (b), the transition to grass pilot program shall award grants to farmers for any of the following purposes:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,21,17 1. To assist a farmer with establishing perennial forages for rotational grazing of livestock raised in a grass-based managed grazing system.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,21,20 2. To provide assistance to a farmer in establishing harvestable continuous cover in marginal areas that can produce supplemental feed for livestock that is raised in a grass-based managed grazing system.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,21,22 3. To provide a farmer with incentive payments during the first 3 years of the farmer’s transition to grass-based managed grazing systems.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,22,2 4. To assist a farmer with paying for grass-based managed grazing system infrastructure needs, including fencing, watering, and other livestock management infrastructure.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,22,5 5. Technical assistance and support from a certified grazing specialist in developing grazing plans, including determining field layout, infrastructure setup, seed selection, and establishment of rotational grazing patterns.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,22,10 (b) Grants awarded under par. (a) shall be awarded only to a farmer implementing a new grass-based managed grazing system or a new managed grazing practice that improves the conservation and financial performance of existing grazing systems; grants may not be awarded to a farmer for the support of the farmer’s existing grazing practices.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,22,12 (c) The department may not award more than $40,000 in grants under par. (a) to any one grantee.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,22,17 (d) In the year following the department’s decision to grant an award under par. (a), the department shall provide 75 percent of the award to the grantee, and in each of the 2nd and 3rd years following the department’s decision to grant an award under par. (a), the department shall provide 12.5 percent of the award to the grantee.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,22,19 (4) Support for farmers. (a) The transition to grass pilot program shall provide the following for farmers and persons in agribusiness:

AB50-ASA2-AA24,22,22 1. Assistance in navigating and analyzing the economics of grass-based managed grazing and providing grass-fed livestock research, market development initiatives, and other market opportunities.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,23,2 2. Best practices for meeting consumer demand for grass-fed livestock products.

AB50-ASA2-AA24,23,5 3. Assistance in fostering innovation in and expanding farm and agribusiness strategies in grass-based managed grazing systems and grass-fed livestock practices.