An Act to renumber 182.71 (1) (a); to amend 182.71 (5) (b), 182.71 (5) (c), 182.71 (5) (f), 182.71 (6) (intro.), 182.71 (6) (a), 182.71 (6) (f), 182.71 (7) (c), 182.71 (7) (d) and 182.71 (8); to create 182.71 (1) (ag) of the statutes; Relating to: regulation of the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company.
Sponsored By: Jesse James (Republican), Brad Pfaff (Democratic), Romaine Quinn (Republican), Jeff Smith (Democratic)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
New reservoir toll rules for river power users
The law sets how the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company charges tolls if it runs reservoirs that can store at least 1.5 billion cubic feet of water. The commission sets tolls twice a year and splits them by the benefits each water power receives. Tolls can cover maintenance and operation (including taxes, depreciation, and rent), a reasonable working capital amount, and a commission-set net return on “capital invested” (paid-in capital plus the par value of bonds). If a power runs two months or more in a six‑month period, it is treated as running the whole period for tolls; if it runs less than two months, it owes no toll for that period. The company’s filing must recommend tolls using a 6% yearly net return benchmark and include six‑month expense details; toll money cannot pay original purchase or original improvements, unpaid tolls become a lien the company can enforce, and engineers chosen by the commission help set tolls. Reports are due to the commission by June 15 and December 15 each year.
Stock and bond rules for reservoir company
After commission certification, the company can sell stock or issue negotiable bonds to fund buying, building, or improving the reservoirs. Bond issues cannot exceed one‑half of a project’s total cost and may be secured by mortgage. While any bonds are outstanding, all stock earnings go into a sinking fund and no dividends are paid. Tolls must go only to maintenance, operation, and the allowed net return so stock and bonds stay at par.
State can take over reservoir assets
Wisconsin keeps the right to take ownership of the company’s reservoirs and related property. If the state does this, it must pay either the cash capital actually paid or the physical property’s value as set by the commission. The payment does not include any value for franchises or goodwill. This adds a public control option and limits what investors receive in a takeover.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Jesse James
Republican • Senate
Brad Pfaff
Democratic • Senate
Romaine Quinn
Republican • Senate
Jeff Smith
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Steve Doyle
Democratic • House
Chanz Green
Republican • House
Clint Moses
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
Jim Piwowarczyk
Republican • House
Melissa Ratcliff
Democratic • Senate
Angela Stroud
Democratic • House
Rob Summerfield
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Published 8-9-2025
8/11/2025SenateReport approved by the Governor on 8-8-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 31
8/11/2025SenatePresented to the Governor on 8-7-2025
8/7/2025SenateReport correctly enrolled
6/26/2025SenateReceived from Assembly concurred in
6/24/2025SenateOrdered immediately messaged
6/24/2025HouseRead a third time and concurred in
6/24/2025HouseRules suspended
6/24/2025HouseOrdered to a third reading
6/24/2025HouseRead a second time
6/24/2025HouseRules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up
6/24/2025HouseRepresentatives Emerson and Stubbs added as cosponsors
6/24/2025HouseRead first time and referred to calendar of 6-24-2025
6/20/2025HouseReceived from Senate
6/19/2025HouseOrdered immediately messaged
6/18/2025SenateRead a third time and passed
6/18/2025SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
6/18/2025SenateOrdered to a third reading
6/18/2025SenateRead a second time
6/18/2025SenateSenator Ratcliff added as a coauthor
6/18/2025SenatePlaced on calendar 6-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
6/17/2025SenateAvailable for scheduling
6/3/2025SenateReport passage recommended by Committee on Utilities, Technology and Tourism, Ayes 5, Noes 0
6/3/2025SenateExecutive action taken
6/3/2025SenatePublic hearing held
5/20/2025Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
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