Wisconsin Senate Bill SB1146

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/26
• Refer: 3/19/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to create 20.115 (4) (ds) and 93.54 of the statutes; Relating to: a dairy agriculture resilience investment now grant pilot program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

Summary

SB1146 would direct the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to create a new Dairy Agriculture Resilience Investment Now grant pilot program. The program would provide grants to dairy producers with fewer than 1,000 milking cows to support projects intended to improve operational efficiency and resilience. The bill also authorizes DATCP to adopt rules to administer the program. The bill includes a state appropriation of $1.5 million GPR in fiscal year 2026-27 for grants and program administration. It creates a new statutory section, s. 93.54, and adds a corresponding appropriation line in the agriculture, trade and consumer protection budget schedule. In practical terms, the bill would expand state support for smaller dairy operations by creating a targeted grant program within DATCP.

Impact

SB1146 would amend Wisconsin statutes by creating s. 93.54 and adding a new appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (ds) for DATCP’s agricultural assistance budget. It would require the department to establish and administer a pilot grant program for dairy producers with fewer than 1,000 milking cows, and it would give DATCP rulemaking authority to implement the program. The bill’s direct effect would be to channel state funds toward dairy farm projects aimed at improving efficiency and resilience, with the primary beneficiaries being smaller dairy operations in Wisconsin.

Sentiment

The available record shows limited formal debate or recorded votes, so there is no detailed committee sentiment to summarize. Based on the bill’s structure and sponsorship, the measure appears to have been framed as a supportive agricultural assistance initiative for the dairy sector. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating that it did not secure the necessary legislative approval.

Contention

The main points of contention likely centered on whether the state should create a new grant program and dedicate $1.5 million in general purpose revenue to it, especially as a pilot program. Another possible issue is the program’s eligibility cutoff of fewer than 1,000 milking cows, which favors smaller dairy producers and may exclude larger operations. Because there were no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, the specific objections or supporters are not documented in the available materials.