WI SB685

Reauthorizes the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program through fiscal year 2029-30, while reducing annual bonding authority from $33,250,000 to $13,250,000 starting in fiscal year 2026-27

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

Creates new annual appropriations from the forestry account totaling $12,000,000: $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 and $3,000,000) and replaces them with direct appropriations of $3,000,000 for DNR land acquisitions and $1,000,000 for county forest grants

Establishes a new major land acquisitions program with both GPR and bonding appropriations, and requires stewardship grant recipients who sell acquired property to reimburse proceeds toward paying down outstanding stewardship program debt