January 24, 2020 - Introduced by Representatives Shankland, Krug, Felzkowski,
Pope, Hebl, Kitchens, Kurtz, Novak, Summerfield, Anderson, Ballweg,
Billings, Cabrera, Considine, Edming, Gruszynski, Horlacher, Kolste,
Kulp, B. Meyers, Milroy, Mursau, Neubauer, Ohnstad, Plumer, Sinicki,
Skowronski, Spreitzer, Stubbs, Subeck, Swearingen, Tauchen, C. Taylor,
Thiesfeldt, Tranel, Tusler, Vining, Vruwink, Zamarripa, Allen and Spiros,
cosponsored by Senators Testin and Olsen. Referred to Committee on
Colleges and Universities.

AB800,1,6 1An Act to create 20.285 (1) (ar), 20.285 (1) (em), 20.370 (6) (ca), 36.25 (6) (f), 36.25
2(8m), 281.73 and 281.74 of the statutes; relating to: supporting the Center for
3Watershed Science and Education, creating a hydrogeologist position, funding
4research on phosphorus recovery and reuse, creating grant programs for
5counties to test wells and provide public education, granting rule-making
6authority, and making an appropriation.

This bill provides funding to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin
System to support the operations of the Center for Watershed Science and Education,
which is a partnership between the UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
and the Division of Extension of the UW-Madison. The operations supported must
include expanding outreach to private well owners, developing and maintaining a
database on private well water quality, and updating the center's online mapping
tools. The bill's requirements do not apply after June 30, 2024.

This bill requires the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
to create a three-year project position for one full-time hydrogeologist for the
geological and natural history survey, which is part of the Division of Extension of

the UW-Madison. The position must focus on developing groundwater resource
information primarily at county or local scales and assisting state and local
governments, industries, and the public in interpreting and using the information.