Constitution of Wisconsin (2026 publisher edition) — Article IX

Publisher edition notice: The publisher identifies this complete compilation as published August 5, 2026 and last amended April 2025. Publisher context and source notes are preserved; later amendments have not been independently verified.

Article IX

ARTICLE IX. EMINENT DOMAIN AND PROPERTY OF THE STATE Jurisdiction on rivers and lakes; navigable waters. SECTION 1. The state shall have concurrent jurisdiction on all rivers and lakes bordering on this state so far as such rivers or lakes shall form a common boundary to the state and any other state or territory now or hereafter to be formed, and bounded by the same; and the river Mississippi and the navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St. Lawrence, and the carrying places between the same, shall be common highways and for- ever free, as well to the inhabitants of the state as to the citizens of the United States, without any tax, impost or duty therefor. Territorial property. SECTION 2. The title to all lands and other property which have accrued to the territory of Wisconsin by grant, gift, purchase, forfeiture, escheat or otherwise shall vest in the state of Wisconsin. Ultimate property in lands; escheats. SECTION 3. The people of the state, in their right of sovereignty, are declared to possess the ultimate property in and to all lands within the juris- diction of the state; and all lands the title to which shall fail from a defect of heirs shall revert or escheat to the people.