A high priority of the Wisconsin Stewardship Network is to return appointment control of the DNR Secretary to the Natural Resources Board, a seven-member citizen board, which would help insulate the DNR from direct political influence.  In 1995, Gov. Thompson took over this appointment power, as part of the biennial budget bill after very little public awareness of the issue.

Another high priority of Wisconsin Stewardship Network is the re-establishment of the Public Intervenor Office, which represented public rights in the natural resources of Wisconsin.  This office was also essentially eliminated by the Governor in the 1995 budget bill.

Now, the legislature is considering bills to reverse these two changes.  The status of the bills are as follows:

DNR Secretary Restoration --- The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Environmental Resources, and Campaign Finance Reform held a public hearing a few weeks ago, but has not yet approved the bill, SB27, which restores the DNR Secretary's appointment decision to the Natural Resources Board, instead of the Governor.  If it is approved it may go for a floor vote in the Senate, possibly in the Oct. 26 through Nov. 11 legislative session.  Then, if approved, it will be referred to an Assembly committee as AB82, most likely the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, where it must be approved before the Assembly vote can be held.  Ultimately, it must have the signature of the Governor before final approval.

Public Intervenor Office Restoration --- The Senate version, SB 54, of the bill to re-establish an Office of Public Intervenor in Wisconsin, was referred by the Judiciary Committee to the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance, where it has yet to be scheduled for a vote.  The Assembly version, AB 162, has been referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, where no action has been taken.

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