November 2025 Legislative Update

Stewardship Bill Advances Out of Committee but No Floor Action

The Wisconsin legislature convened this past week for the last time in 2025. The next scheduled floor session is not until January 2026. While numerous bills were taken up by the chambers there was one major issue that was not taken up – the reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

The current proposal (AB 315 & AB 612), authored by Rep. Tony Kurtz (R–Wonewoc) and Sen. Patrick Testin (R–Stevens Point), would extend the program through June 2030 with reduced annual funding of $28.25 million (down roughly $5 million) and impose a $1 million cap per project, requiring separate legislative approval for larger acquisitions. It does, however, preserve crucial funding for the Local Government (LUG) and Boating Aids subprograms. WPRA submitted testimony in support of this bill.

On November 12, the Assembly Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Committee deadlocked on extending the program. The tie vote reflected two different political pressures: some northern Wisconsin Republicans arguing too much land in their districts is already in conservation, and Democrats arguing the bill does not go far enough to meet statewide needs. Despite the tie, the committee’s vote still allows AB 315 — which includes the new policy framework — and AB 612 — containing part of the funding — to advance to the Assembly floor.

However, the committee stalemate underscored a significant challenge for the bill’s GOP co-authors. Reps. Calvin Callahan (R–Tomahawk) and Rob Swearingen (R–Rhinelander) opposed the bills, citing constituent concerns about the more than 66,500 acres already in the program within Swearingen’s district and over 56,100 acres in Callahan’s. Both members indicated they want additional changes before they can support the bills on the floor, creating little room for error in a 54-45 Republican majority where leadership prefers to pass bills without relying on Democratic votes.

WPRA submitted testimony in support of the Stewardship reauthorization and continues to advocate for a bipartisan path forward. Yet with committee divisions now public and floor votes far from assured, the program’s future hangs in the balance. The Senate companion bills have not even received a public hearing the Senate – just underscoring the impossible path it must take to advance in that house. 

 As the 2025-26 session advances, renewed urgency from legislators and the public will be essential to preserve the parks, trails, forests, and waterways that generations of Wisconsinites have relied on — and to ensure the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program remains a cornerstone of Wisconsin conservation for decades to come.