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Bill

SB 762

Relating to: grants for testing privately owned wells and providing education, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Carpenter and 14 co-sponsors

Wisconsin bill creating state-funded grants for private well testing and water safety education to protect rural residents relying on unregulated groundwater sources.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · SB 762

Legislative bill overview

SB 762 would establish a grant program to help Wisconsin residents test privately owned wells for contaminants and provide related educational resources. The bill includes funding appropriations, rule-making authority for implementing the program, and exemptions from emergency rule procedures to expedite implementation.

Why is this important

Approximately 1.5 million Wisconsin residents rely on private wells for drinking water, yet these wells receive minimal regulatory oversight compared to municipal water systems. Testing grants could identify contamination risks (nitrates, bacteria, chemicals) and help protect public health, particularly in rural areas where well water quality varies significantly.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and sustainability: The bill requires state funding for testing grants; critics may question long-term program costs and whether funds should prioritize other priorities or be directed to well owners directly
  • Scope and effectiveness: Debate over whether grant funding levels are sufficient to achieve meaningful participation, or if the program creates unfunded obligations for local health departments administering it
  • Private property vs. public responsibility: Disagreement over whether contaminated private wells are individual property owners' responsibility or a public health issue warranting state investment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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