WI AB612

Reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program through fiscal year 2029-30, reducing annual obligation limits from $33,250,000 to $13,250,000 beginning in fiscal year 2026-27.

Reduces the land acquisition subprogram annual limit from $16,000,000 to $3,000,000 and the property development/local assistance subprogram from $14,250,000 to $7,250,000, while maintaining recreational boating aids at $3,000,000.

Creates new appropriations from the forestry account totaling $12,000,000 annually: $5,000,000 for DNR property development, $4,000,000 for nonprofit conservation organization land acquisition grants, $2,000,000 for local assistance grants, and $1,000,000 for habitat restoration grants.

Ends annual transfers from the forestry account to the capital improvement fund ($5,000,000 for DNR land acquisition and $3,000,000 for county forest grants), replacing them with smaller direct appropriations of $3,000,000 and $1,000,000 respectively from the conservation fund.

Establishes a new major land acquisitions program with both GPR and bonding authority appropriations, separate from the stewardship program funding sources.