Jesse L. James, Wisconsin State Senator for 23rd District | Official Facebook
Jesse L. James, Wisconsin State Senator for 23rd District | Official Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "a transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes a transition to grazing pilot program managed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to assist farmers in implementing livestock forage-based managed grazing systems. It provides grants, capped at $40,000 per grantee, with 75% paid in the first year and subsequent payments of 12.5% in the second and third years. Grants cover various expenses, including rotational grazing infrastructure and technical assistance from certified specialists. The program included support for innovation, market development, and supply chain enhancement related to forage-fed livestock. Additionally, one part-time position is created to support the program's administration, funded from the environmental fund, with the bill taking effect post-publication.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Todd Novak (Republican-51st District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District), Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District), Senator Jeff Smith (Democrat-31st District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Jill Billings (Democrat-95th District), along 19 other co-sponsors.
Jesse L. James has authored or co-authored another 29 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
James graduated from Chippewa Valley Technical College in 2001.
James, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 23rd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Kathy Bernier.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB113 | 03/07/2025 | A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB83 | 02/26/2025 | Utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE) |
| SB75 | 02/26/2025 | Venue for actions in which there is a governmental party |
| SB73 | 02/26/2025 | Prosecuting or adjudicating delinquent a person under the age of 18 for committing an act of prostitution |
| SB72 | 02/26/2025 | Creating an individual income tax deduction for certain income earned by an individual from the practice of psychiatry or from providing psychiatric or mental health services. (FE) |
| SB62 | 02/21/2025 | Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE) |
| SB42 | 02/12/2025 | Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB41 | 02/12/2025 | School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB39 | 02/12/2025 | Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) |
| SB23 | 02/05/2025 | Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE) |
| SB21 | 02/05/2025 | Creating an employee ownership conversion costs tax credit, a deduction for capital gains from the transfer of a business to employee ownership, and an employee ownership education and outreach program. (FE) |
| SB17 | 02/05/2025 | Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty |
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