Calvin Callahan, Wisconsin State Representative of 35th District | Facebook
Calvin Callahan, Wisconsin State Representative of 35th District | Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "use of certified seed potatoes in planting potatoes and providing a penalty. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends existing statutes related to planting potatoes in Wisconsin, mandating that anyone planting five or more acres of potatoes in a year must use seed potatoes certified by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison or an equivalent program elsewhere. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) can waive the certification requirement if certified seeds are unavailable, provided the uncertified seeds pose no serious disease threat. The bill empowers DATCP to enforce compliance by ordering the removal and destruction of non-compliant seed potatoes and allows for DATCP or local governments to enforce destruction. Violators face a fine of up to $5,000 per acre for non-compliance with planting or record-keeping prerequisites. The department can waive penalties if violations are rectified by destruction of the seeds as ordered by DATCP. Orders are subject to a hearing if requested within 10 days. The bill takes effect upon its passage and publication.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Patrick Testin (Republican-24th District), Representative Jill Billings (Democrat-95th District), Representative Jenna Jacobson (Democrat-50th District), Representative Jeffrey Mursau (Republican-36th District), and Representative Jerry L. O'Connor (Republican-60th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Mary Felzkowski (Republican-12th District), and Senator Howard L. Marklein (Republican-17th District), along with six other co-sponsors.
Calvin T. Callahan has co-authored or authored another 23 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Callahan, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2021 to represent the state's 35th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Mary Felzkowski.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB154 | 04/02/2025 | Use of certified seed potatoes in planting potatoes and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB107 | 03/11/2025 | Conversion of cooperative associations organized to establish and operate nonprofit plans or programs for health care into service insurance corporations |
| AB45 | 02/17/2025 | Ratification of the Dietitian Licensure Compact. (FE) |
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