Evers signs wetlands credits bill, and bill legalizing kids’ lemonade stands

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill that requires developers to purchase wetland mitigation credits within the watershed they’re impacting.

The Department of Natural Resources requires creation or preservation of other wetlands as a condition of an individual permit allowing dredging or filling wetlands. Builders can satisfy those conditions by purchasing credits from a mitigation bank located anywhere in Wisconsin. Banks are a stash of credits generated by other developers who created or preserved wetlands.

The Republican-authored bill requires builders buy credits from banks in impacted watersheds. The DNR could allow purchases from other watersheds to better serve conservation goals, however.

Evers signed the bill privately Monday.

Also, Monday, signed a bill into law that allows children to legally run lemonade stands.

It allows anyone under age 18 to run lemonade stands on private property without a permit and without fear of running afoul of the law, which has happened in some states.

The bill would limit sales to $2,000 of lemonade a year, however. That translates to 8,000 cups at 25 cents each. Children would be barred from selling any potentially hazardous food, such as raw meat and egg salad.

The bill passed with bipartisan support.