Green Bay Reporter

This new bill authored by State Sen. André Jacque seeks to promote outdoor experiences by waiving vehicle admission fees for families visiting Wisconsin state parks with valid Every Kid Outdoors passes, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "fee waivers for state park vehicle admission receipts to pupils with Every Kid Outdoors passes. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to waive the annual vehicle admission receipt fee for state parks for parents or guardians of children who hold a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass issued by the U.S. National Park Service. Currently, such passes grant free access to national parks for fourth graders and their families. The fee waiver applies to any vehicle, except motor buses, with Wisconsin license plates, provided the owner can prove guardianship of a child with the specified pass. The bill's provisions focus on promoting outdoor experiences for families without imposing additional entry costs at state parks.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Ron Tusler (Republican-3rd District) Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Brienne Brown (Democrat-43rd District), along five other co-sponsors.

André Jacque has authored or co-authored another eight bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Jacque graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2003 with a BS.

Jacque, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2019 to represent the state's 1st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Caleb Frostman.

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
SB19	02/05/2025	Fee waivers for state park vehicle admission receipts to pupils with Every Kid Outdoors passes. (FE)
SB15	02/05/2025	Increased penalties for crimes against adults at risk; restraining orders for adults at risk; freezing assets of a defendant charged with financial exploitation of an adult at risk; sexual assault of an adult at risk; and providing a penalty
SB14	02/03/2025	Pelvic exams on unconscious patients and creating an administrative rule related to hospital requirements for pelvic exams on unconscious patients
SB8	01/24/2025	Repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty
SB7	01/24/2025	Prohibiting a foreign adversary from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in this state
SB6	01/24/2025	Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses
SB2	01/24/2025	Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War