MWFPA President Nick George testified recently before a joint hearing of two WI legislative committees in support of measures that would modify high-capacity well regulation in the state ( SB 76/AB 105).

The companion bills would exempt from additional review by the WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR), well repairs and ownership transfers in addition to providing for groundwater studies in the central sands region of WI.

In his written testimony, George said the bills "represent a compromise that balances the protection of our natural resources while recognizing the importance of water to Wisconsin's economy."

He noted that the dairy, beef, poultry and fruit and vegetable industries are thriving in the state and "add income and profits to Wisconsin's economy and add value to . . . agricultural commodities themselves . . . they all rely on a healthy supply of water that is regulated fairly and predictably."  

MWFPA views this legislation as a means to provide certainty for farmers who need to repair, replace, reconstruct or transfer ownership of a high capacity well.

The Senate Environmental & Natural Resources Finance Comm. and the House Ag Policy Comm have passed bills modifying the state agriculture buffer law.

The law requires farmers to install 50-foot buffer strips of perennial plants between crops and state waters. Several bills that seek to improve the buffer law have been heard in committee.  One that recently passed the House - HF1466 - more clearly defines the amount of buffer needed in different circumstances.  The MN Dept. of Natural Resources estimates that the change in definition could influence thousands of miles of buffers.

The House and Senate Ag Policy Committees have assembled their agriculture omnibus policy bills.  The bills, HF1717 and SF1674, consist of many recommendations from the MN Department of Ag and other policy related bills and initiatives proposed by legislators.

The measures do not include a Department of Ag request to regulate seeds treated with neonicotinoid insecticides that are widely used on corn and soybean crops.  As part of a pollinator plan announced last fall, MN agricultural officials sought authority to regulate the seeds.  Both bills were passed and sent to the House and Senate floors.

House and Senate Republicans are expected to release their respective budget targets this week taht will allocated the $1.64 billion general fund surplus projected for FYs 2018-19.  The targets will provide parameters for the various finance and tax committees to compile omnibus bills during the next few weeks.  Both chambers have stated they will use much more of the surplus for tax relief than the Gov. has proposed.