Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB770

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/17/25
• Refer: 12/17/25
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to create 20.370 (4) (cf) of the statutes; Relating to: Groundwater Coordinating Council activities funding and making an appropriation. (FE)

Summary

AB770 would provide ongoing state funding for activities related to Wisconsin’s Groundwater Coordinating Council. The bill creates a new statutory appropriation in the Department of Natural Resources budget and increases the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents appropriation, directing $500,000 annually to each entity for council-related work in fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. The funding is described as a continuing appropriation from the general fund for activities tied to the council’s coordination and information-sharing role on groundwater issues. The Groundwater Coordinating Council already exists under current law as an advisory body attached to the Department of Natural Resources, with members including the DNR secretary and the UW System president. AB770 does not change the council’s structure or regulatory authority; instead, it finances the DNR and UW System’s participation in the council’s nonregulatory groundwater coordination functions. The bill would amend state appropriations law and create a new line item in the state budget for groundwater-related work.

Impact

If enacted, AB770 would increase state spending by $1 million per fiscal year, split evenly between the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin System. It would amend the state’s appropriations statutes by creating s. 20.370 (4) (cf) and adjusting the schedule under s. 20.005 (3), thereby establishing a continuing general fund appropriation for groundwater coordinating council activities. The bill would affect DNR and UW System operations related to groundwater monitoring, coordination, research, and information exchange, but would not directly alter groundwater regulatory standards or enforcement provisions.

Sentiment

The available record suggests generally favorable or at least supportive treatment of the bill, as reflected by its introduction with multiple bipartisan cosponsors from both the Assembly and Senate. The bill’s purpose is narrowly focused on funding a technical, science-oriented advisory function rather than creating a new regulatory program, which often draws less partisan opposition. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating that despite support from sponsors, it did not advance through the legislative process.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely fiscal rather than policy-based: AB770 commits ongoing general fund dollars to a specific interagency and university function, which may have raised concerns about spending priorities and budget tradeoffs. Because the bill funds a nonregulatory council rather than a direct public service or mandate, opponents may have questioned whether the appropriation was necessary or whether the work should be absorbed within existing agency budgets. No committee testimony or recorded votes are available here, so the specific arguments for or against the bill are not documented in the provided materials.