By Blake Jackson
The Wisconsin State Assembly concluded its legislative session Friday after advancing a series of proposals affecting farmers, agribusinesses and rural communities across the state. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation worked alongside lawmakers and members of the Wisconsin Ag Coalition to help move the measures forward.
The organization said it will continue collaborating with legislators and Gov. Tony Evers to secure final approval on key priorities before the session officially ends.
Several bills passed in both chambers and are now headed to the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 474 allows soy-based firefighting foam to qualify for Department of Natural Resources fire suppression grants, creating new market opportunities for soybean growers while offering firefighters a PFAS-free alternative.
Senate Bill 443 updates eligibility for Agricultural Road Improvement Program grants, enabling local governments to use engineering assessments to improve important rural routes without negatively affecting farm operations.
Lawmakers also approved Senate Bill 501, which establishes a veterinary loan repayment program aimed at encouraging new veterinarians to enter large animal practice in rural areas. Senate Bill 783 creates commercial driver’s license training grants to help employers offset workforce training expenses.
Additional proposals cleared by the Assembly and now await Senate consideration. These include funding for PFAS cleanup and drinking water grants, new weight permits for transporting grain, feed and fertilizer, and maintaining current fee levels for Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection programs.
Other measures would exempt certain agricultural warehouses from sprinkler requirements, prohibit the substitution of margarine for butter in schools, and create a Farmland Link program to support farm succession planning.
Both chambers also approved legislation requiring clear labeling of lab-grown meat products to promote transparency for consumers and fair competition for livestock producers.
However, proposals establishing a Dairy Cattle Innovation Loan Program and creating a tax credit for Sustainable Aviation Fuel production were not brought to a vote. Supporters say those initiatives will remain priorities when lawmakers return in January.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-stockseller_ukr
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy