Wisconsin Senate Bill SB297

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/30/25
• Refer: 5/30/25
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend 20.370 (1) (fs), 20.395 (5) (cj), 25.29 (1) (f), 341.14 (6r) (c), 341.14 (6r) (e) and 341.14 (6r) (fm) 7.; to create 25.40 (1) (a) 38., 341.14 (6r) (b) 23. and 341.14 (6r) (f) 70. of the statutes; Relating to: special registration plates to support protecting pollinators and making an appropriation. (FE)

Summary

SB297 creates a new Wisconsin special group vehicle registration plate for people who want to show support for protecting pollinators. The plate must display the words “Protect Pollinators,” and the design must cover the entire plate. The bill adds this new plate category to the statutes governing special group plates and authorizes the Department of Transportation to issue the plates to eligible vehicle owners who pay the normal registration fees plus a required voluntary payment tied to the special plate. The bill also directs how the money from the special plate program is handled. DOT may retain up to $23,700, or the actual initial production cost if lower, to cover the start-up costs of producing the new plates. Any remaining voluntary payment revenue is deposited into the conservation fund and credited to the endangered resources program at the Department of Natural Resources. The bill also includes a $23,700 general fund appropriation and transfer to DOT for initial production costs, and it makes the voluntary payment potentially deductible as a charitable contribution to the extent allowed under state tax law.

Impact

SB297 amends Wisconsin’s special registration plate statutes to add a new authorized special group for supporters of pollinator protection and to require DOT to create and issue the new plate design. It also updates the state’s fee and revenue provisions so that payments associated with the plate are split between DOT’s initial production costs and the conservation fund for endangered resources purposes. In practical terms, the bill affects vehicle owners who choose the plate, DOT’s plate-design and issuance responsibilities, and DNR’s endangered resources funding stream.

Sentiment

The bill appears broadly positive and noncontroversial in concept, based on its environmental conservation purpose and the bipartisan-looking list of introductory cosponsors. No committee transcripts or votes are available in the provided record, so there is no documented debate or recorded opposition to assess. The overall framing suggests support for pollinator conservation and a fundraising mechanism tied to a specialty license plate.

Contention

The main policy issue embedded in the bill is not whether pollinator protection is desirable, but how the special plate program should be structured and funded. Potential points of discussion include the required voluntary payment, the use of a general fund appropriation to cover initial production costs, and whether the plate revenue should be treated as charitable for tax purposes. Because no hearing transcript or vote history is provided, no specific legislator, agency, or stakeholder opposition is identified in the record.