Publications

Wisconsin’s state employee whistleblower law generally provides protections to state employees who publicly disclose certain information, provided appropriate steps are taken.

This information memorandum describes the regulation of solar generation facilities by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Additionally, it includes a flowchart outlining the project review process and highlights opportunities for public participation in project review. Finally, it discusses the authority of local governments to regulate solar facilities and provides an overview of facilities in various stages of development across the state.

This issue brief provides an overview of the responsibilities and procedures of the Joint Committee on Employment Relations (commonly referred to as “JCOER”). The committee is tasked with reviewing proposed changes to the state employee compensation plan, proposed adjustments for the University of Wisconsin (UW) System budgeted salary base, and tentative collective bargaining agreements with UW employees and employees of other state agencies.

2023 Wisconsin Act 73 make numerous changes relating to the regulation of alcohol beverages under ch. 125, Stats. The act also includes a number of provisions related to the enforcement of laws by the Department of Revenue.

Under current law, a person must be at least 18 years old to vote in a local, state, or federal election. However, Wisconsin offers opportunities for people who are younger than 18 to become engaged in the electoral process, to serve their communities, and to prepare to vote when they become of age.

The Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA), set forth in s. 1.11, Stats., requires state agencies to include a statement on environmental impacts in every recommendation, report, proposal for legislation, or other agency action, that significantly affects the quality of the human environment. WEPA is a procedural statute that requires an agency complete certain steps before reaching a final decision on any action that significantly affects the quality of the human environment, such as a permit application or proposed rulemaking. However, WEPA does not dictate an agency’s particular final decision on that action.

Wisconsin law establishes various mechanisms to preserve agricultural land. These mechanisms include land use regulations, such as local zoning, and programs that provide tax credits or other incentives to landowners. Recently, as solar energy facilities have become more prevalent across rural Wisconsin, legislators have inquired about the relationship between the state’s mechanisms for preserving farmland and solar development, including, in particular, the effect of solar development on eligibility for farmland preservation tax credits.

This information memorandum discusses the impacts of the new understanding of “adjacent” wetlands. It provides an overview of federal and state wetland permitting, presents a timeline of significant judicial and regulatory actions interpreting “adjacent,” and then summarizes the 2023 Supreme Court decision and the subsequent federal rule revision. Finally, it discusses how these developments affect Wisconsin’s regulation of wetlands.