AB 426 includes enhanced penalty for intentionally causing damage and trespassing. Governor hopes free speech rights of Tribal Nations will be honored.

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers signed Wednesday Assembly Bill 426, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 33, and released the following statement:

“Today, I signed Assembly Bill 426, which aims to ensure each energy provider is treated the same under the law while still protecting the right to exercise free speech and the right to assembly. However, I did not sign this bill without any consternation or objection.

I have said—and reaffirm today—that our Tribal Nations deserve to have a voice in the policies and legislation that affect indigenous persons and our state.

Thus, while I am signing this bill today, I expect that moving forward members of the Legislature will engage in meaningful dialogue and consultation with Wisconsin's Tribal Nations before developing and advancing policies that directly or indirectly affect our Tribal Nations and indigenous persons in Wisconsin.”

Assembly Bill 426, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 33:

• Expands the scope of the enhanced penalty for intentionally causing damage and trespassing to include property owned, leased, or operated by public water utilities, cooperative associations producing or furnishing water, and companies that operate a gas, oil, petroleum, refined petroleum product, renewable fuel, water, or chemical generation storage transportation or delivery system.