Patrick Testin, Wisconsin State Senator for 24th District | www.facebook.com
Patrick Testin, Wisconsin State Senator for 24th District | www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until 2030 and makes amendments to the land acquisition, property development, and local assistance subprograms. It creates a distinct major land acquisitions program for projects exceeding $1 million, which must be enumerated through legislation. The bill adjusts grant requirements by reducing amounts for nonprofit conservation organizations from $7 million to $2 million annually and prioritizes habitat development over land acquisition in NCO funding. It also introduces restrictions on the allocation of stewardship funds by mandating that such funds cannot be used for department land acquisition projects over $1 million. Additionally, the Department of Natural Resources will give priority to projects involving property development. The bill sets fiscal limits on unobligated funds from certain years and stipulates specific allocations for hatchery projects. Furthermore, it specifies contribution limits for local governmental units when matching state aid or grants. Effective upon publication following the 2025 biennial budget act.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Tony Kurtz (Republican-41st District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Mark Born (Republican-37th District), along 16 other co-sponsors.
Patrick Testin has authored or co-authored another 50 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with two of them being enacted.
Testin graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point in 2011 with a BS.
Testin, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2017 to represent the state's 24th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Howard Marklein.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB316 | 06/10/2025 | The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program. (FE) |
| SB296 | 05/30/2025 | Enumeration of projects in the Authorized State Building Program, modifications to building program project budgets, selection of project architects and engineers, single prime contracting, agency cooperation with energy conservation contractors, timeline for claims before the Claims Board, and making a transfer to the state building trust fund. (FE) |
| SB285 | 05/30/2025 | Talent recruitment grants. (FE) |
| SB284 | 05/30/2025 | A sustainable aviation fuel production tax credit. (FE) |
| SB283 | 05/29/2025 | Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE) |
| SB258 | 05/16/2025 | Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) |
| SB257 | 05/16/2025 | The electronic vaping device directory and electronic nicotine devices. (FE) |
| SB245 | 05/09/2025 | A pilot school-centered mental health program. (FE) |
| SB231 | 04/29/2025 | Creating a tax credit for expenses related to film production services and for capital investments made by a film production company, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB229 | 04/29/2025 | Transferring adjudicatory functions for worker’s compensation from the Division of Hearings and Appeals in the Department of Administration to the Department of Workforce Development. (FE) |
| SB204 | 04/16/2025 | Creating a video game production tax credit and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB190 | 04/14/2025 | Ratification of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. (FE) |
| SB173 | 04/03/2025 | Creating a rural creative economy development grant program. (FE) |
| SB164 | 03/27/2025 | Use of certified seed potatoes in planting potatoes and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB156 | 03/26/2025 | Requiring first responders to be trained to administer epinephrine delivery systems. (FE) |
| SB152 | 03/21/2025 | Financial eligibility for the Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program. (FE) |
| SB113 | 03/07/2025 | A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB96 | 03/07/2025 | Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE) |
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