2021-2022

Wisconsin Legislative Session

04/15/2022 UPDATE:

SB 347 was presented to the Governor on 04/14/22,

and VETOED by the Governor on 4/15/22.

LOHV is registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission in STRONG OPPOSITION TO SB347 & AB341

SB347 & AB341: Exempt a private facility that holds a USDA exhibitor license from state license requirements relating to captive wild animals. On 5/26/21 the Senate held a public hearing on SB347. Read the written testimony submitted here. On 6/9/21, by a 19-13 vote, the Senate passed SB347. SB347 was received in the Senate concurred in by the Assembly on 2/23/22. On 3/2/22 the Senate reported SB37 correctly enrolled.

The Assembly Committee on State Affairs held a public hearing on SB347 and AB341 on 1/5/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. On 1/19/22 the Assembly Committee on State Affairs held an executive session on both bills during which it voted 8-4 to recommend passage of AB341, and on 2/22/22 voted 8-4 to recommend concurrence in SB347. On 2/23/22 the Assembly concurred in SB347, and AB341 was laid on the table. AB341 FAILED TO PASS.

These bills will make it easier to put the care of wild animals (native and non-native) into the hands of some not so caring people who are trying to make a profit off of wild animals as licensing will be easier with less oversight as well.  Additionally, bills such as these contribute to the trafficking of wild animals across the world. These bills will take us back decades with regard to animal welfare. 

"Wisconsin Sporting Freedom Package"

ON 3/15/22 PURSUANT TO SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1  THE FOLLOWING BILLS EITHER FAILED TO PASS OR FAILED TO CONCUR IN.

AB658: Relating to DNR report on partnering with the private aquaculture industry. Referred to Committee on Environment. The Assembly Committee on Environment held a public hearing on AB658 on 1/12/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. Assembly Amendment 1 offered 1/13/22. The Committee on Environment recommended adoption of Assembly Amendment 1 and passage of AB658 as amended by votes of 7 to 2 on 2/1/22. FAILED TO PASS.

AB659: Relating to report on reducing number of fishing, hunting, and trapping approvals required by the DNR. Referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage. FAILED TO PASS. 

AB660: Relating to DNR habitat work plan. Referred to Committee on Environment. The Assembly Committee on Environment held a public hearing on AB660 on 1/12/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. The Committee on Environment recommended passage of AB660 by 9 to 0 vote on 2/1/22. FAILED TO PASS.

AB661: Relating to issuance of dog training licenses. Referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage. A public hearing was held before the committee on 12/15/21. Read the written testimony submitted here. The Committee on Sporting Heritage recommended passage of AB661 by 11 to 0 vote on 2/1/22. FAILED TO PASS.

AB667: Relating to hunting of sandhill cranes, wildlife damage abatement assistance, claim payments for damage caused by sandhill cranes. Referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage. FAILED TO PASS.

AB670: Relating to satisfying the hunter education field testing requirement with a mentored hunt. Referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage. FAILED TO PASS.

AB671: Relating to administrative rules relating to hunting wild turkeys. Referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage. A public hearing was held before the committee on 12/15/21. Read the written testimony submitted here. FAILED TO PASS.

AB672: Relating to report on access to public lands owned or managed by the DNR. Referred to Committee on Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation. The Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation held a public hearing on AB672 on 2/9/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. FAILED TO PASS. 

AB673: Relating to stocking brook trout in Lake Michigan. Referred to Committee on Environment. The Assembly Committee on Environment held public hearing on AB673 on 1/12/22. Read the written testimony submitted here.

1/18/22, by a 7-2 vote, Assembly Committee on Environment recommends passage of AB 673. 1/20/22 AB673 tabled. FAILED TO PASS.

AB676: Relating to requiring the repeal of hunting, trapping, and fishing administrative rules in conjunction with promulgation of new rules. Referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage. A public hearing was held before the committee on 12/15/21. Read the written testimony submitted here. FAILED TO PASS.

AB677: Relating to stocking pheasants for hunting. Referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage. A public hearing was held before the committee on 12/15/21. Read the written testimony submitted here. 1/18/22, by a 8-3 vote, passage recommended by the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. 1/20/22 AB677 tabled. FAILED TO PASS.

LOHV-WI is registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission in opposition to the following bills:

SB563, SB609, SB620, SB611, SB613, SB618

 We remain neutral on the remaining bills in this package at this time

SB609: Relating to stocking pheasants for hunting. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 3 to 2. 10/25/21 passed by the Senate 20 to 12. 12/06/21 SB609 read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. 1/18/22, by 9-4 vote, the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage recommends concurrence in SB609. 1/20/22 Senate received SB609 concurred in by Assembly. 1/28/22 report correctly enrolled. Presented to the governor on 3/28/22.  VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR 3/31/22.

SB610: Requires DNR to modify administrative rules relating to the hunting of wild turkeys to combine hunting zones and seasons and to modify youth hunting restrictions. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 3 to 2. 10/25/21 passed by the Senate 20 to 12. 12/06/21 SB610 read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. FAILED TO CONCUR IN.

SB611: Relating to satisfying the hunter education field testing requirement with a mentored hunt. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 3 to 2. 10/25/21 passed by the Senate 19 to 13. 12/06/21 SB611 read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. FAILED TO CONCUR IN.

SB612: Requires DNR to annually stock Lake Michigan with at least 100,000 brook trout in Lake Michigan. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 3 to 2. 10/25/21 passed by the Senate 19 to 13. 12/06/21 SB612 read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Environment. The Assembly Committee on Environment held a public hearing on SB612 on 1/12/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. 1/18/22, by a 7-2 vote, concurrence recommended by Assembly Committee on Environment. 1/20/21 received from Assembly concurred in. 1/28/22 report correctly enrolled. Presented to the governor on 3/28/22. VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR 3/31/22.

SB613: Requires DNR to identify ways to consolidate or eliminate hunting, fishing, and trapping approvals to reduce the total number of types of approvals the DNR is required to issue. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 5 to 0. 10/25/21 passed by the Senate 32 to 0. 12/06/21 SB613 read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. FAILED TO CONCUR IN.

SB614: Requires DNR to report annually to NRB progress on its plan relating to habitat work on lands managed by the DNR. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 4 to 1. 10/25/21 passed by the Senate 29 to 3. 12/06/21 SB614 read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Environment. The Assembly Committee on Environment held a public hearing on SB614 on 1/12/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. The Assembly Committee on Environment recommended concurrence on SB614 by vote of 9 to 0 on 3/10/22, and the bill was referred to the Committee on Rules. FAILED TO CONCUR IN.

SB615: Requires DNR to report on public access opportunities to all lands owned or managed by DNR. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 4 to 1. 10/25/21 passed by the Senate 28 to 4. 12/06/21 SB615  read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation. The Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation held a public hearing on SB615 on 2/9/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. FAILED TO CONCUR IN.

SB616: Relating to electronic issuance of a dog training license to retrieve, point, flush, track game. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 5 to 0.

10/25/21 passed by the Senate 32 to 0. 12/06/21 SB616 read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. The Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage recommended concurrence on SB616 by vote of 13 to 0 on 3/10/22, and the bill was referred to the Committee on Rules. FAILED TO CONCUR IN.

SB617: Requires DNR to report on opportunities for partnering with the private aquaculture industry for increased stocking of sport fish in lakes and streams. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 5 to 0. 10/25/21 passed by the Senate 32 to 0.  12/06/21 SB617 read for first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Environment. The Assembly Committee on Environment held a public hearing on SB617 on 1/12/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. The Assembly Committee on Environment recommended concurrence on SB617 by vote of 7 to 2 on 3/10/22, and the bill was referred to the Committee on Rules. FAILED TO CONCUR IN.

SB618: Provides that for each new rule the DNR promulgates relating to fishing, hunting, or trapping, the DNR must repeal three existing rules relating to fishing, hunting, or trapping. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 3 to 2. FAILED TO PASS.

SB620: Requires the DNR to authorize the hunting of sandhill cranes and to establish and conduct a sandhill crane hunter education program. The bill also addresses sandhill crane damage abatement assistance & claim payments. 10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 3 to 2. FAILED TO PASS. 

SB563: Relating to farm-raised game bovids. This bill makes numerous statutory changes so that bovids raised in captivity (including bison, buffalo, sheep, goats and antelopes) are treated in the same manner as farm-raised deer.

The bill specifically allows hunting farm-raised game bovids without a license. The bill provides that farm-raised game bovids are not subject to CWD testing. The bill also provides for indemnity payments of up to $1,500 per animal to a captive-game bovid owner when an animal is found to be infected with a disease such as tuberculosis or brucellosis. 

10/19/21 public hearing held. Read the written testimony submitted here. 10/21/21 passage recommended by Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues 3 to 2. Senate Amendment 1 offered. 10/25/21 Senate Amendment 1 adopted. SB563 passed by the Senate 20 to 12. 12/06/21 SB563 read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. 1/18/22, by 9-4 vote, the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage recommends concurrence on SB563. 1/20/22 SB563 received from Assembly concurred in. 1/28/22 report SB563 correctly enrolled. Presented to the governor on 3/28/22.  VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR 3/31/22.

LOHV is registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission in support of AB368 & SB366 

SB366 (as amended) revises the definition of "cruel" and creates a definition of "grievous bodily harm". The bill further provides that sections of the law which prohibit treating any animal in a cruel manner do not apply to injuries sustained by dogs while training or hunting under specified circumstances. The bill specifies the circumstances under which a person who mistreats an animal may be found guilty of a felony. Lastly, the bill requires the court to prohibit a person convicted of felony animal mistreatment from owning, possessing, training, or residing with any animal for a specified period of time.

AB368 & SB366:  create and amend sections of Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 951: Crimes Against Animals.  In May 2021 the bills were referred to the Assembly Judiciary and the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety committees.

AB368: On 8/17/21 Assembly Amendment 1 was offered. On 8/24/21 the Assembly Judiciary Committee held a public hearing. Read the written testimony submitted here. On 9/21/21 Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 was offered. FAILED TO PASS.

SB366: On 9/9/21 the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on SB366. Read the written testimony submitted here. On 9/14/21 Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to the bill was offered. On 9/16/21 passage as amended was recommended by the committee by a vote of 4 to 2.  On 9/28/21 the Senate passed SB366 as amended by Senate Substitute Amendment 1. SB366 read first time and referred to Assembly Committee on Judiciary on 12/06/21. FAILED TO CONCUR IN.

Domestic Animal Bills

AB288 & SB307: Relate to authorizing five positions in the DATCP to inspect dog breeding or dealing establishments. Referred to Consumer Protection and Labor and Regulatory Reform Committees.  BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

AB540 & SB536: Relate to possession of dogs by certain felony offenders and provide a penalty.

SB536 referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety 8/26/21. AB540 referred to Assembly Committee on Judiciary 9/10/21. The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a public hearing on SB536 on 1/13/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. On 1/20/22, by a 5-2 vote, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety recommended passage of SB536. The Assembly Committee on Judiciary held a public hearing on AB540 on 2/2/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. The Assembly Committee on Judiciary held an executive session on AB540 on 2/8/22. By a vote of 9-0 the committee recommended passage of AB540. On 2/11/22 SB536 taken out of Committee on Senate Organization and placed on calendar for 2/15/22.

On 2/15/22 the Senate passed SB536 by a vote of 20 to 12.  On 3/10/22 SB536 was received in the Assembly, read the first time, and referred to the Committee on Rules. On 3/10/22 the Assembly Committee on Judiciary by 9 to 0 vote recommended passage of AB540 and the bill was referred to the Committee on Rules. FAILED TO PASS AB540. FAILED TO CONCUR IN SB536.

  Wildlife-related Bills

AB163 & SB191: Relate to the authority to shoot a beaver or muskrat causing damage to a highway. Referred to Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation, and Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues Committees. Public hearings held on 4/27/21 and 5/12/21. Read the written testimony submitted here and here. On 6/17/21, by 5 to 0 vote, the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues recommended passage of SB191. AB163 enacted 7/8/21 as 2021 WI Act 62. SB191 FAILED TO PASS.

AB165 & SB192: Relate to combining the archer and crossbow hunting licenses. Referred to Sporting Heritage, and Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues Committees. The Assembly Sporting Heritage Committee held a public hearing on AB165 on 6/8/21. Read the written testimony submitted here. Assembly Amendment 1 to AB165 offered 6/23/21. Adoption of Assembly Amendment 1 recommended by the Assembly Sporting Heritage Committee by 10 to 0 vote on 2/1/22. Passage of AB165 recommended by the committee by a 8 to 3 vote on 2/1/22.  BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

AB269 & SB287: Relate to waiver of fees for admission to state parks on Earth Day. Referred to Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation and Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues Committees. Public hearing held on SB287 5/12/21. Read the written testimony submitted here. On 6/17/21, by a 5 to 0 vote, the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues recommended passage of SB287. The Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation held a public hearing on AB269 on 07/07/21. The written testimony submitted is the same as that submitted on 5/12/21 for the public hearing held on SB287. BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

AB326 & SB328: Relate to the procedure for promulgating a proposed rule relating to fish or wildlife that is considered at the joint annual spring hearing of the DNR and the WI Conservation Congress. Referred to the Sporting Heritage and Labor and Regulatory Reform Committees. 10/25/21 the Senate refused to suspend the rules to withdraw SB328 from the Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform by 20 to 12. BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

AB49 & SB63: Make changes to the wildlife damage abatement program and the wildlife damage claim program. Referred to Agriculture and the Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues Committees. 

A public hearing on AB49 was held before the Assembly Committee on Agriculture on 01/05/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. Senate Amendment 1 to SB 63 offered 1/13/22. Assembly Amendment 1 to AB49 offered 1/18/22. The Assembly Committee on Agriculture held an executive session on AB49 on 2/1/22. On 2/17/22 Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Assembly Committee on Agriculture by 13 to 0 vote and passage of AB49 as amended recommended by 12 to 1 vote. On 2/23/22 Assembly Amendment 1 to AB49 was adopted by the Assembly, and AB49 was passed by the Assembly.

On 2/24/22 AB49 was received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural issues. The Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues held a public hearing on SB63 on 2/24/22. Read the written testimony submitted  here. FAILED TO CONCUR IN AB49. FAILED TO PASS SB63.

 AB151 & SB166: Relate to the disposal of deer carcasses in underserved areas affected by CWD. Referred to Sporting Heritage and Natural Resources and Energy Committees. Public hearing held on SB166 on 4/8/21. The written materials submitted for the hearing are informative and illuminating on the problem of CWD and the disposal of deer carcasses by hunters. Read them here. BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

AB598 & SB563: Relate to farm-raised bovids. (See "Sporting" bills above.) These bills make numerous statutory changes so that captive (farm-raised) game bovids are treated in the same manner as captive (farm-raised) deer. The bills define farm-raised game bovid as animals kept in captivity to be hunted, which includes bison, buffalo, sheep, goats, and antelopes.  

SB563 was referred to the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues on 9/15/21. The Senate Committee held a public hearing on SB563 on 10/19/21. Read the written testimony submitted here. Senate Amendment 1 adopted and SB563 passed by the Senate 20 to 12 on 10/25/21. On 12/6/21 SB563 was read for the first time  in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. On 1/18/22 by 9-4 vote the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage recommended concurrence in SB563. On 1/20/22 SB563 was received from the Assembly concurred in. 1/28/22 SB563 reported correctly enrolled.

AB598 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage on 10/06/21. Assembly Amendment 1 offered on 10/26/21. The committee held a public hearing on AB598 on 1/12/22. Read the written testimony submitted here. 1/18/22, by a 10-3 vote, the Committee on Sporting Heritage recommends adoption of Assembly Amendment 1. 1/18/22, by a 9-4 vote, the Committee on Sporting Heritage recommends passing AB598  as amended. On 1/20/22 AB598 was laid on the table. FAILED TO PASS.

AB690 & SB683: Relate to hunter education requirements for persons under the age of 18. 11/12/21 AB690 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. 11/11/21 SB683 was referred to the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues. BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

SB580 & AB1162: Under current law, if the wolf is not listed on the federal endangered list and is not listed on the state endangered list, the Wisconsin DNR must allow the hunting and trapping of wolves. This bill provides that the DNR may allow the hunting and trapping of wolves, but does not require it. On 9/24/21 SB580 was referred to the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues. AB1162 was introduced 3/10/22 and referred to the Committee on Rules. BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

SB748 & AB771: Relate to funding for CWD research and management and making an appropriation. SB748 was referred to the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues on 11/30/21. AB771 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage on 12/9/21. BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

SB749 & AB772: Relate to CWD sampling and making an appropriation. SB749 was referred to the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues on 11/30/21. AB772 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage on 12/09/21. BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

SB750 & AB773: Relate to deer carcass disposal sites, CWD education, and making an appropriation.  SB750 was referred to the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues on 11/30/21. AB773 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage on 12/9/21. BOTH BILLS FAILED TO PASS.

Senate Resolution 10: This resolution amends the Senate rules to provide that the president must refer a nomination to committee within 10 days after the appointment is submitted to the senate.  LOHV is registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission in SUPPORT of this resolution.  (This resolution was presented in light of the current Natural Resources Board Chair's refusal to step down following termination of his appointment.) 3/15/22 FAILED TO ADOPT PURSUANT TO SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1.

Animal-related bills signed by Governor Evers

AB29 & SB48: Regarding two certificates for bear hunting licenses issued to the Wisconsin Bear Hunters' Association, which must award one certificate as a raffle prize and one at a public auction.  Referred to Sporting Heritage and Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues Committees. SB48 was signed by the governor and published 3/27/21 as 2021 WI Act 15.

AB30 & SB45:  Modifying administrative rules relating to the use of wood to contain bear bait or feed in logs or stumps. Referred to Sporting Heritage and Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues Committees. SB45 was signed by the governor and published 3/27/21 as 2021 WI Act 14. 

AB53 & SB54:  Shot shell restrictions and the hunting of fur-bearing animals. Referred to Sporting Heritage and the Sporting Heritage, Small Business, and Rural Issues Committees. SB54 was signed by the governor and published 3/27/21 as 2021 WI Act 16.

AB276 & SB298: Relate to allowing dogs on the premises of certain retail food establishments. AB276 failed to concur in 3/15/22. SB298 published 3/5/22 as 2021 WI Act 143.