WisconsinSB4212025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)SenateWALLET

An Act to amend 31.385 (2) (d); to create 31.385 (2) (dr) and 31.385 (8) of the statutes; Relating to: a grant for modernization of a dam in the village of Rothschild. (FE)

Sponsored By: Patrick Testin (Republican), Cory Tomczyk (Republican)

Became Law

Sen Bill 421ForestryMarathon CountyNatural ResourcesDepartment of -- Environmental protectionWaterways and water power

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

State funds Rothschild dam upgrade

The state provides a one-time $42 million payment to Domtar to modernize the Wisconsin River dam by its Rothschild mill. The Department of Natural Resources pays this from the appropriation under s. 20.370(4)(jq). The department does not require Domtar to show actual expenses before paying.

Tough payback and sourcing rules for Domtar

Domtar must start the dam project by December 31, 2026, or repay the full $42 million. If it sells the Rothschild or Nekoosa mill before the project is done, it must return any unspent grant money. If total aid from all sources is over two-thirds of project cost, Domtar must repay the amount above two-thirds. Domtar must agree in writing to invest $100 million in north central Wisconsin, through the Rothschild and Nekoosa plants, by the first day of the month beginning 3 years after this paragraph’s effective date, or repay $42 million. During the project, Domtar must use only Wisconsin producers for roundwood and wood chips at its Rothschild facility; using non‑Wisconsin wood without approved extenuating circumstances triggers a $42 million repayment. The department sets how repayments are made.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Patrick Testin

    Republican • Senate

  • Cory Tomczyk

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Brent Jacobson

    Republican • House

  • Karen Hurd

    Republican • House

  • Scott Krug

    Republican • House

  • Vincent Miresse

    Democratic • House

  • Patrick Snyder

    Republican • House

  • John Spiros

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Published 12-10-2025

    12/10/2025Senate
  2. Report approved by the Governor on 12-9-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 63

    12/10/2025Senate
  3. Presented to the Governor on 12-4-2025

    12/4/2025Senate
  4. Report correctly enrolled

    11/24/2025Senate
  5. LRB correction

    11/24/2025Senate
  6. Received from Assembly concurred in

    11/20/2025Senate
  7. Ordered immediately messaged

    11/19/2025House
  8. Read a third time and concurred in

    11/19/2025House
  9. Rules suspended

    11/19/2025House
  10. Ordered to a third reading

    11/19/2025House
  11. Read a second time

    11/19/2025House
  12. Rules suspended to withdraw from Senate message and take up

    11/19/2025House
  13. Read

    11/19/2025House
  14. Received from Senate

    11/19/2025House
  15. Ordered immediately messaged

    11/18/2025Senate
  16. Senators Dassler-Alfheim and Ratcliff added as coauthors

    11/18/2025Senate
  17. Read a third time and passed

    11/18/2025Senate
  18. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

    11/18/2025Senate
  19. Ordered to a third reading

    11/18/2025Senate
  20. Read a second time

    11/18/2025Senate
  21. Placed on calendar 11-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    11/14/2025Senate
  22. Available for scheduling

    10/23/2025Senate
  23. Report passage recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 5, Noes 0

    10/23/2025Senate
  24. Executive action taken

    10/23/2025Senate
  25. Representative Miresse added as a cosponsor

    10/17/2025Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in