All Roll Calls
Yes: 32 • No: 1
WisconsinSB7982025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)SenateWALLET
An Act to amend 15.347 (22) (b) 9., 23.321 (5) (a) and 23.321 (5) (b) 1. (intro.); to create 23.321 (2d) of the statutes; Relating to: a wetland assured delineation program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Sponsored By: Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democratic), Mary Felzkowski (Republican), Dan Feyen (Republican), André Jacque (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Sen Bill 798Administrative rulesNatural ResourcesDepartment of -- Environmental protectionWetland
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Set validity periods for wetland boundaries
An assured expert's wetland boundary report generally stays valid for 5 years from submission to Wisconsin's natural resources department. A separate 15-year period applies only to delineations covered by the exception in Wisconsin Statute 23.321(5)(b)1. That period starts when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determines federal jurisdiction based on the delineation. These periods give property owners and permit applicants a defined time to rely on wetland boundaries.
Wetland experts pay new certification fees
Applicants for Wisconsin's assured wetland delineator program pay a $500 processing fee with each application. Certified experts pay $900 each year. The Department of Natural Resources may also charge $20 for each report submitted for acceptance; that charge is optional.
Wetland experts gain authority with new requirements
Wisconsin creates a permanent program certifying wetland boundary experts, called assured delineators. Their properly submitted reports have the same legal effect as state wetland findings, without separate state confirmation. Applicants need an associate degree plus 8 years of full-time field experience, a bachelor's plus 5, or a master's or doctorate plus 3. They also need required education or equivalent experience, training, and at least 6 representative reports from the prior 2 growing seasons. Applications run September 15–November 30 for certification beginning March 15 the next year. Existing pilot-program participants carry over into the new program. Certified experts must follow the state manual, regional supplements, and applicable federal-state guidance, and work during the growing season. Each report is due to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by the following March 15. One deadline extension is available, lasting no more than 12 months; unsubmitted reports do not qualify. DNR reviews performance, can audit reports submitted in the prior 12 months, and can investigate complaints. Experts must receive notice of audits and investigations. Substantial evidence of flawed work requires corrections and pauses related permit or exemption actions until the report is corrected and resubmitted. Review findings cannot be used to change an existing permit or exemption decision. DNR can revoke certification for wetland-law violations, false or incomplete boundary reports, claiming another person's work, or failures to follow required methods. Revocation can also follow missed continuing education or fewer than 3 reports yearly, averaged over 3 years, absent extenuating circumstances. Experts have 30 days to request a hearing after revocation and can still perform delineations under other DNR authority.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim
Democratic • Senate
Mary Felzkowski
Republican • Senate
Dan Feyen
Republican • Senate
André Jacque
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Elijah Behnke
Republican • House
Steve Doyle
Democratic • House
Joy Goeben
Republican • House
Chanz Green
Republican • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Maureen McCarville
Democratic • House
Vincent Miresse
Democratic • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Lee Snodgrass
Democratic • House
David Steffen
Republican • House
Chuck Wichgers
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1
Yes: 32 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Published 4-3-2026
4/6/2026SenateReport approved by the Governor on 4-2-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 172
4/6/2026SenatePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026SenateReport correctly enrolled
3/23/2026SenateLRB correction (Assembly Substitute Amendment 2)
3/23/2026SenateAction ordered immediately messaged
3/17/2026SenateAssembly Substitute Amendment 2 concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
3/16/2026SenateLRB correction (Senate Amendment 1)
3/5/2026SenateReceived from Assembly amended and concurred in as amended, Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adopted
2/19/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/18/2026HouseRead a third time and concurred in as amended
2/18/2026HouseRules suspended
2/18/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
2/18/2026HouseAssembly Substitute Amendment 2 adopted
2/18/2026HouseAssembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative Mursau
2/18/2026HouseRead a second time
2/18/2026HouseAssembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Neubauer
2/18/2026HouseRepresentative Miresse added as a cosponsor
2/18/2026HouseMade a special order of business at 1:24 PM on 2-18-2026 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 13
2/17/2026HouseRead first time and referred to committee on Rules
2/17/2026HouseReceived from Senate
2/12/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
2/11/2026SenateRead a third time and passed
2/11/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
2/11/2026Senate
Bill Text
Assembly Substitute Amendment 2
2/18/2026
Senate Amendment 1
2/2/2026
Bill Text
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