June 2025 Legislative Update

Stewardship Reauthorization Faces a Hard Path              
The top legislative priority for WPRA this legislative session is the reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (KNSP). The program has been facing an uncertain future following last summer’s Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that deemed the JFC’s practice of anonymously blocking projects unconstitutional. This decision has led to concerns among some Republican legislators about the program's oversight.

Legislative Republicans removed Governor’s Evers’ Stewardship proposal from the 2025-27 state budget in May. Governor Tony Evers proposed a significant increase in funding, advocating for $100 million annually over the next decade, a substantial rise from the current $33 million per year.

At the beginning of June, Rep. Tony Kurtz (R–Wonewoc) and Sen. Patrick Testin (R–Stevens introduced a bill to reauthorize KNSP for four more years until June 2030. The proposal reduces annual funding to $28.25 million, about $5 million less than current levels—and imposes a $1 million cap on grants per project, requiring separate legislative approval for larger land acquisitions. However, the proposal maintains funding for the Local Government (LUG) and the Boating Aids subprograms.

WPRA submitted testimony in support of AB 315/SB 316 at a public hearing on June 11 in the Assembly Committee on Outdoor Recreation. Unfortunately, the bill is facing a difficult path advancing in the Senate. WPRA and other stakeholder groups are working to advocate for the Senate to advance the legislation. The impasse on the KNSP bill is occurring while the overall state budget process has stalled.

On June 19, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) abruptly announced a pause in deliberations after postponing a key vote on the University of Wisconsin System earlier in the week. The committee had been scheduled to take up other high-profile issues such as child care and the Capital Budget.

The delay comes amid ongoing negotiations between legislative Republicans and Governor Evers, with Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu suggesting the talks were heading “in a direction taxpayers cannot afford.” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and JFC Co-Chair Rep. Mark Born indicated they remain focused on tax relief and encouraged Senate Republicans to rejoin the discussions. Governor Evers’ office responded by urging lawmakers to return to governing.

The state’s current fiscal year ends June 30; if no budget is passed by then, current funding levels will remain in place in place into the next fiscal year. The KNSP is reauthorized through June 30, 2026.