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)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Water-power operators owe full-period tolls
A water power subject to tolls owes the full 6-month toll when it operates for at least 2 months. Operating for less than 2 months keeps it exempt from that period’s toll.
Reservoir company can collect broader tolls
The Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company can use tolls to buy and improve its reservoir system. Tolls apply to benefited water-power owners, lessees, and operators downstream on the Chippewa and Flambeau rivers and their tributaries. Reservoirs must store and release at least 1.5 billion cubic feet of water beyond natural storage. Tolls are capped at reasonable operating costs, including taxes, depreciation, rent, engineer costs, working capital, and an allowed annual return. The Public Service Commission determines that return and oversees tolls. Invested capital includes paid-in capital and the face value of company bonds and other obligations. Uniform tolls are divided according to benefits received, with commission-chosen hydraulic engineers helping set them. Unpaid tolls create claims against water-power property, dams, franchises, and flooding rights; the company can sue to force payment or sale.
Wisconsin gets revised reservoir takeover terms
Wisconsin can take over company reservoirs, works, or property within constitutional limits, but must pay the company. Payment can use total invested capital or the actual value of physical property. Invested capital includes paid-in capital and the face value of lawfully issued, outstanding bonds and other obligations. The Public Service Commission sets the physical-property value, excluding franchises and goodwill.
Reservoir company gains financing and dividend flexibility
The company can issue approved, tradable, interest-bearing bonds to buy dams, reservoirs, and related rights, secured by company property. The law removes the former bond limit of half the total improvement cost. Stock and bond issues require Public Service Commission approval, and proceeds must pay original reservoir purchase, construction, or improvement costs. The company can pay dividends while bonds remain unpaid. It no longer must set aside stock earnings in a separate fund to repay those bonds.
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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