Schedule

On February 24, 2025, WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers Host Lisa Pugh will sit down with Dr. Keith Poulsen, Director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Dr. Angie Maxted, State Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Darlene Konkle, State Veterinarian, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection to discuss Bird Flu (H5N1) in Wisconsin.

On February 24, 2025, UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health Population Health Sciences will host a presentation on Tribal Epidemiology Centers featuring the following speakers:

• Jeannine Nosko – RN, BSN, MBA, Program Director for Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country (GHWIC)
• Afif Showkat – GLITEC Public Health Specialist
• Helen Tesfai – GLITEC Senior Epidemiologist
• Sakshitha Mukta – GLITEC Epidemiologist

On February 25, 2025, the Wisconsin Counties Association will host their annual Legislative Conference. This coverage features events from day 1 including:

9:00 a.m. Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance

• Lance Pliml, Chair, WCA Board of Directors

9:05 a.m. Opening Remarks

• Mark D. O’Connell, President & CEO, Wisconsin Counties Association

9:10 a.m. Washington Update

• Matthew D. Chase, CEO and Executive Director, National Association of Counties
• Mark D. O’Connell, President & CEO, Wisconsin Counties Association

9:55 a.m. Coffee Talk with the Governor

• Tony Evers, Governor, State of Wisconsin (Invited)
• Mark D. O’Connell, President & CEO, Wisconsin Counties Association

10:15 a.m. The Wisconsin Idea: UW and Universities Role in our State

• Moderator: Mark D. O’Connell, President & CEO, Wisconsin Counties Association
• UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin
• Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman 

12:40 p.m. Forward Analytics

• Dale Knapp, Director, Forward Analytics
• Kevin Dospoy, Deputy Director, Forward Analytics
• Moderator: Michael Lamont, Vice President of Programs & Services, Wisconsin Counties Association

1:25 p.m. Supreme Court Candidate

• Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford

1:40 p.m. Keynote Address

• Mark D. O’Connell, President & CEO, Wisconsin Counties Association

2:15 p.m. Unfunded Mandates: Efficiencies & Strategic Solutions

• Executive David Crowley
• Executive Jon Doemel
• Executive Paul Farrow
• Moderator: Andy Phillips

3:00 p.m. Challenges & Innovations in County Government

• Todd Romenesko, Calumet County Administrator
• Samantha Kerkman, Kenosha County Executive
• Tina Tryggestad, La Crosse County Board Chair
• Marcelia Nicholson, Milwaukee County Board Chair
• Moderator: Michelle Gormican Thompson, Principal, Thompson Communications

3:45 p.m. Conclude

On February 25, 2025, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission will meet on the following agenda:

A. Call to Order      

B. Report of Appropriate Meeting Notice – Administrator     

C. Approval of Minutes for Meeting on January 7, 2025

D. Personal Appearances

E. Proposed Revisions to Guidelines 1235

F. Budget Request Update 

G. Staff Report 

H. Closed Session

1. Requests for Advice
2. Complaints and Investigations
3. Legal Advice Regarding Potential Litigation
4. Audit Matters

I. 2025 ETH 01 – Use of Campaign Funds for Mileage Reimbursement

J. Consideration of Future Agenda Items

K. Adjourn    

On February 25, 2025, the Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform will hold an informational hearing on Manufactured Home Community Licensing and Title Issues featuring the following invited speakers:

• Wisconsin Housing Alliance
• License and Permit Holders
• Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)

On February 25, 2025, WisPolitics.com will host a luncheon at The Madison Club featuring a discussion with GOP Rep. Robin Vos, the longest-serving Assembly speaker in Wisconsin history, on the state budget, the surplus and other topics.

On February 25, 2025, the Assembly Committee on Agriculture committee will hold an informational hearing featuring the following invited speakers:

• Aileen Switzer – Deputy Secretary – Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
• Dr. Darlene M. Konkle – State Veterinarian

On February 26, 2025, the Wisconsin Counties Association will host their annual Legislative Conference. This coverage features events from day 2 including:

8:30 a.m. Call to Order and Welcome

• Mark D. O’Connell, President & CEO, Wisconsin Counties Association

8:35 a.m. Legislative Leadership Roundtable

• Moderator: Kyle Christianson, Partner at Wimmer & Company
• Senator Devin LeMahieu
• Representative Greta Neubauer
• Senator Jeff Smith
• Representative Robin Vos – on Lav Mic

9:35 a.m. Supreme Court Candidate

• Waukesha County Circuit Judge Brad Schimel

On February 26, 2025, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will meet in-person for the February meeting to consider proposed rulemaking documents and other matters.

1. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

A. Calling the roll

B. Secretary’s Remarks

C. Approval of agenda for Feb. 26, 2025

2. CONSENT

A. Approval of brief of action of Jan. 22, 2024

B. Acknowledgement of Donation – Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Fund of the Natural Resources Foundation

C. Request approval of dept. recommendations for the prohibition of hunting and a limitation on types of trapping to protect the public safety on land to be purchased with Knowles-Neslon Stewardship grant assistance

D. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment. period of the Statement of Scope for Board Order WA-15-24

E. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period of the Statement of Scope for Board Order DB-02-25

3 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

4. ACTION ITEMS

ADOPTION

A. Request that the Board adopt germane modification to Board Order AM-05-22

B. Request that the Board adopt Emergency Board Order WM-11-24(E) and Board Order WM-12-24

C. Request the Board adopt Board Order FH-01-23

SCOPE STATEMENTS

D. Request that the Board approve the statement of scope for Board Order WY-09-24

E. Request that the Board approve the statement of scope for Board Order WA-14-24

OTHER APPROVALS

F. Land Donation and Project Boundary Expansion – Ahnapee State Trail – Kewaunee County

G. Land Donation and Project Boundary Expansion – Chiwaukee Prairie – Carol Beach State Natural Area – Kenosha County

5. OPEN FORUM

6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

A. Informational update on the Governor’s proposed 2025-27 budget as it relates to the DNR

B. Drinking water future issues briefing

C. Report of the 2024-2025 deer seasons

D. Update on the 2024 elk season, the population projections and the 2025 harvest quotas

E. Informational item on the proposed timeline to update the dept.’s beaver management plan

F. Wildlife Management portion of the 2025 Spring Hearings agenda

H. Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearing agenda questions

7. DEPARTMENT SECRETARY’S MATTERS

A. Acts of the Dept. Secretary

• Real Estate Transactions

8. BOARD MEMBERS’ MATTERS

A. Board Member spring hearing questions

On February 26, 2025, the Joint Committee on Employment Relations will hold a public hearing and executive session on the following:

Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreements

• 2024-25 tentative collective bargaining agreement between the State of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee on behalf of the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit
• 2024-25 tentative collective bargaining agreement between the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee on behalf of the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit
• 2024-25 tentative collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Regents of the UW System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee on behalf of the building trades crafts collective bargaining unit

On February 26, 2025, Joint Legislative Council will meet on the following:

Receiving study committee reports:

• Study Committee on Emergency Detention and Civil Commitment of Minors
• Study Committee on Recodification of Battery Statutes
• Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes
• Study Committee on the Future of the University of Wisconsin System
• Study Committee on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence in Wisconsin
• Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations

Any other business to come before the committee

On February 26, 2025, Ripon College Center for Politics and the People will host environmental activist Benji Backer to discuss his new book, “The Conservative Environmentalist.” Benji is the founder and executive chairman of the American Conservation Coalition, the largest right-of-center environmental organization in the country. In his book, Benji provides a new strategy to care for our planet through conservative principles.

On February 27, 2025, the State of Wisconsin Building Commission Administrative Affairs Subcommittee will meet to review and make recommendations on requests submitted by the state agencies.

On February 27, 2025, the Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate will hold an informational hearing on Comprehensive Planning featuring the the following invited speakers only:

• Tom Larson, Wisconsin Realtors Association 
• Brad Boycks, Wisconsin Builders Association 
• Toni Herket, League of Wisconsin Municipalities 
• Joe Ruth, Wisconsin Towns Association 
• Collin Driscoll, Wisconsin Counties Association 
• Steve DeClene, Neumann Companies 
• Chris Ehlers, Veridian Homes 
• Patrick Schloss, Economic Development Director, City of West Allis 
• Steve Schaer, Director of City Planning, City of West Allis

On February 27, 2025, the Assembly Committee on Environment will hold a public hearing on the following:

Clearinghouse Rule 23-010 Relating to updating Wisconsin’s water quality antidegradation policy and procedures and affecting small business

Clearinghouse Rule 24-051 Relating to placing structures in navigable waterways and affecting small business

On February 27, 2025, the State of Wisconsin Building Commission Higher Education Subcommittee will meet to review and make recommendations on requests submitted by the state agencies.

On February 27, 2025, the State of Wisconsin Building Commission will meet to review and act upon agency requests and other business and any matters referred by either subcommittee.

On February 28, 2025, WisconsinEye’s Rewind Host and CBS 58 Capitol Reporter Emilee Fannon and WisPolitics.com Editor JR Ross will review this week in state politics. (Brought to you by the Wisconsin Realtors Association).

On February 28, 2025, Marquette Law School’s Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education will host part two of the two-part “Get to Know” series on the candidates running for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. At this event, Susan Crawford joins Center Director Derek Mosely to discuss her experience, including her current role as a Wisconsin circuit judge in Dane County in 2018. She previously served as an assistant attorney general in the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Justice. She has worked as an administrator in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and as a partner in a law firm focused on civil litigation and regulatory proceedings.

Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, who is seeking election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, will be the guest speaker at a Newsmaker luncheon on March 4, 2025, hosted by the Milwaukee Press Club, WisPolitics.com and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. 

On March 7, 2025, WisconsinEye’s Rewind Host and CBS 58 Capitol Reporter Emilee Fannon and WisPolitics.com Editor JR Ross will review this week in state politics. (Brought to you by the Wisconsin Realtors Association).

On March 7, 2025, the State Democracy Research Initiative and the Elections Research Center at UW-Madison will host an Election Matters 2025 Panel, “Understanding State Supreme Court Elections: Wisconsin and Beyond,” to explore the impact, funding, and legal context of state supreme court races. Panelists include:

• Professor Barry Burden (UW-Madison Political Science)
• Professor Michael Kang (Northwestern Pritzker School of Law)
• Professor Quinn Yeargain (MSU College of Law)
• Moderated by Professor Miriam Seifter (UW Law School)