Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com
Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "transmission facilities; installation of large wind energy, large solar energy, and battery energy storage systems; installation of light-mitigating technology systems; and prioritizing nuclear energy resources. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill mandates competitive bidding for certain transmission facility contracts, establishes audit processes, and prioritizes nuclear energy as a state power source. It sets regulations for the construction of large wind and solar energy systems, including requirements for purchase of agricultural conservation easements when using prime farmland. The use of light-mitigating technology on wind turbines and transmission towers is required. Additionally, the bill grants rights to incumbent transmission facility owners to construct and maintain facilities connected to their existing systems. It redefines renewable sources to include nuclear power in state policy and expands oversight on transmission facility contracts and energy projects. Effective July 1, 2026, certain reporting and bidding requirements will apply to new facilities and contracts.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Chanz J. Green (Republican-74th District), Representative Clint P. Moses (Republican-92nd District), Representative Jeffrey Mursau (Republican-36th District), Representative Travis Tranel (Republican-49th District), and Representative Robin Vos (Republican-33rd District).
Jerry L. O'Connor has co-authored or authored another 94 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
O'Conner graduated from Minnesota Bible College in 1973.
O'Conner, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 60th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Robert Brooks.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB174 | 04/14/2025 | Transmission facilities; installation of large wind energy, large solar energy, and battery energy storage systems; installation of light-mitigating technology systems; and prioritizing nuclear energy resources. (FE) |
| AB171 | 04/09/2025 | Privacy protections for judicial officers |
| AB170 | 04/09/2025 | Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE) |
| AB168 | 04/08/2025 | Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE) |
| AB162 | 04/08/2025 | Workforce metrics. (FE) |
| AB152 | 04/02/2025 | Bid requirement for publication and printing of county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements in counties having a population of 250,000 or more and at least two English newspapers published daily |
| AB90 | 02/28/2025 | Copies of and inspection or disclosure of information contained in certain vital records. (FE) |
| AB58 | 02/24/2025 | Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule |
| AB21 | 02/06/2025 | Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE) |
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