An Act to amend 20.370 (1) (mu); to create 29.063 (7) of the statutes; Relating to: chronic wasting disease sampling and making an appropriation. (FE)
Summary
SB548 would require the Department of Natural Resources to establish and administer a chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling station program for deer carcass parts, including self-service kiosks at locations chosen by the department. The bill codifies a program that the DNR already operates administratively, and it authorizes the department to contract with private entities to perform sampling and to compensate them on a per-sample basis.
The bill also makes a direct appropriation to support the program, increasing the DNR’s general program operations appropriation by $500,000 in each fiscal year of the 2025-27 biennium, for a total of $1,000,000. In addition to the new program language, the bill amends the state’s appropriations statute to specifically include funding for the chronic wasting disease sampling station program within the DNR’s general program operations account.
Impact
SB548 would change Wisconsin statutes by creating s. 29.063 (7), which formally requires the DNR to provide chronic wasting disease sampling stations and authorizes private contracting for sample collection. It also amends s. 20.370 (1) (mu) and the biennial appropriations schedule to add funding for the program, thereby making the sampling station effort a statutorily recognized and separately funded DNR activity affecting hunters, deer management, and wildlife disease monitoring.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally supportive sentiment toward the bill’s purpose, as it is sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators and assembly members and appears designed to strengthen an existing wildlife-health program. There were no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, but the bill’s framing as a public-health and natural-resources measure, along with the appropriation, indicates an intent to maintain or expand an established service rather than create a controversial new policy.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are fiscal and administrative rather than ideological: the bill commits $1 million over the biennium and allows DNR to pay private entities per sample, which could raise questions about cost, oversight, and implementation. Another possible issue is whether codifying an existing program is necessary, since the bill turns an administrative practice into a statutory mandate. No specific objections, amendments, or recorded opposition are included in the provided materials.
Crossfiled
An Act to amend 20.370 (1) (mu); to create 29.063 (7) of the statutes; Relating to: chronic wasting disease sampling and making an appropriation. (FE)