Wisconsin Division of Trust Lands and Investments

Article X of the Wisconsin Constitution created a Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (WIHV87-A604) to accept lands granted to the state by the U.S. government, with authorization to sell such lands, invest the proceeds, and apply the proceeds to the support and maintenance of public schools, universities, and libraries. Chapter 75, Laws of 1967, created the Division of Trust Lands and Investments within the Dept. of Natural Resources (WIHV85-A695) to provide administrative assistance and program coordination to the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Chapter 34, Laws of 1979, transferred the division to the Dept. of Justice (WIHV85-A890) and then 1993-1994 Wis. Stat. 15.103(4) transferred the division to the Dept. of Administration (WIHV85-A694), although it remains under the direction and supervision of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, as provided by the Wisconsin Constitution. In Wisconsin State Archives' database entries, this form of the agency name is used for all appropropriate entries, 1967-present.

The Division of the Trust Lands and Investments manages and sells public lands. It also manages the educational trust funds. The division sends these funds to Wisconsin municipalities and school districts for public improvements and other purposes.

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