Wisconsin SB966: An Act to amend 30.18 (8), 31.02 (1) and 87.02 (1); to create 31.16 of the statutes; Relating to: water diversion or elevation projects in towns.

What the bill says

To amend 30.18 (8), 31.02 (1) and 87.02 (1); to create 31.16 of the 2statutes; relating to: water diversion or elevation projects in towns…

From the introduced text, February 6, 2026:

to amend 30.18 (8), 31.02 (1) and 87.02 (1); to create 31.16 of the 2statutes; relating to: water diversion or elevation projects in towns. Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Under this bill, except in the case of an emergency, the Department of Natural Resources may not initiate, authorize, or issue a permit for a project located in a town that involves the use of stationary or portable pumps or other mechanisms that divert water to locations where water is not naturally occurring or that raise water elevation above what is naturally occurring unless the town board of the town in which the activity will occur approves the project by resolution. This limits DNR's general authority under current law to regulate and control the level and flow of water in navigable waters and to divert the flow of water of a body of water for the purpose of flood control and prevention, including when such a diversion creates an artificial water body. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: SB966,13Section 1. 30.18 (8) of the statutes is amended to read: SB966,2,10430.18 (8) Department may raise water elevations. If after examination 1and investigation the department determines that it is necessary to raise water 2elevations in any navigable stream or lake for conservation …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Quinn, Romaine (R, SD-025) · primary sponsor
• Tucker, Duke (R, HD-075)
• Born, Mark (R, HD-037)
• Kurtz, Tony (R, HD-041)

Latest actions

1. March 23, 2026: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
2. March 9, 2026: Available for scheduling
3. March 9, 2026: Report passage recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry , Ayes 3, Noes 2
4. March 9, 2026: Executive action taken
5. March 2, 2026: Public hearing held
6. February 13, 2026: Representative Ortiz-Velez added as a cosponsor
7. February 9, 2026: Senator Stafsholt added as a coauthor
8. February 6, 2026: Read first time and referred to Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry
9. February 6, 2026: Introduced by Senator Quinn ; cosponsored by Representatives Tucker , Born and Kurtz

Common questions

What is SB966?

SB966 is a bill in the Wisconsin Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act to amend 30.18 (8), 31.02 (1) and 87.02 (1); to create 31.16 of the statutes; Relating to: water diversion or elevation projects in towns.

What does SB966 do?

In its own words: To amend 30.18 (8), 31.02 (1) and 87.02 (1); to create 31.16 of the 2statutes; relating to: water diversion or elevation projects in towns…

What is the status of SB966?

Failed as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 (March 23, 2026).

Who sponsored SB966?

Quinn, Romaine (R, SD-025), with 3 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB966?

On the Wisconsin Legislature website: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/sb966