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AB56,418,1515 (dr) “Obligation” has the meaning given in 31 USC 3729 (b) (3).
AB56,418,1616 (dt) “Original source” has the meaning given in 31 USC 3730 (e) (4) (B).
AB56,418,1917 (e) “Proceeds" includes damages, civil penalties, surcharges, payments for costs
18of compliance, and any other economic benefit realized by this state as a result of an
19action or settlement of a claim.
AB56,418,24 20(2) Except as provided in sub. (3), any person who does any of the following is
21liable to this state for 3 times the amount of the damages that were sustained by the
22state or would have been sustained by the state,whichever is greater, because of the
23actions of the person, and shall forfeit, for each violation, an amount within the range
24specified under 31 USC 3729 (a):
AB56,419,2
1(a) Knowingly presents or causes to be presented a false or fraudulent claim
2to a state agency, including a false or fraudulent claim for medical assistance.
AB56,419,53 (b) Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or
4statement material to a false or fraudulent claim to a state agency, including a false
5or fraudulent claim for medical assistance.
AB56,419,106 (dg) Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or
7statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the
8Medical Assistance program, or knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly
9avoids or decreases an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Medical
10Assistance program.
AB56,419,1411 (dm) Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used a false record or
12statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to a state
13agency, or knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly avoids or decreases an
14obligation to pay or transmit money or property to a state agency.
AB56,419,1515 (dr) Conspires to commit a violation under par. (a), (b), (dg), or (dm).
AB56,419,19 16(3) The court may assess against a person who violates sub. (2) not less than
172 nor more than 3 times the amount of the damages sustained by the state because
18of the acts of the person, and shall not assess any forfeiture, if the court finds all of
19the following:
AB56,419,2220 (a) The person who commits the acts furnished the attorney general with all
21information known to the person about the acts within 30 days after the date on
22which the person obtained the information.
AB56,419,2323 (b) The person fully cooperated with any investigation of the acts by this state.
AB56,420,224 (c) At the time that the person furnished the attorney general with information
25concerning the acts, no criminal prosecution or civil or administrative enforcement

1action had been commenced with respect to any such act, and the person did not have
2actual knowledge of the existence of any investigation into any such act.
AB56,420,5 3(5) (a) Except as provided in subs. (10) and (12), any person may bring a civil
4action as a qui tam plaintiff against a person who commits an act in violation of sub.
5(2) for the person and the state in the name of the state.
AB56,420,136 (b) The plaintiff shall serve upon the attorney general a copy of the complaint
7and documents disclosing substantially all material evidence and information that
8the person possesses. The plaintiff shall file a copy of the complaint with the court
9for inspection in camera. Except as provided in par. (c), the complaint shall remain
10under seal for a period of 60 days from the date of filing, and shall not be served upon
11the defendant until the court so orders. Within 60 days from the date of service upon
12the attorney general of the complaint, evidence, and information under this
13paragraph, the attorney general may intervene in the action.
AB56,420,1814 (bm) Any complaint filed by the state in intervention, whether filed separately
15or as an amendment to the qui tam plaintiff's complaint, shall relate back to the filing
16date of the qui tam plaintiff's complaint, to the extent that the state's claim arises
17out of the conduct, transactions, or occurrences set forth, or attempted to be set forth,
18in the qui tam plaintiff's complaint.
AB56,420,2119 (c) The attorney general may, for good cause shown, move the court for one or
20more extensions of the period during which a complaint in an action under this
21subsection remains under seal.
AB56,420,2322 (d) Before the expiration of the period during which the complaint remains
23under seal, the attorney general shall do one of the following:
AB56,420,2524 1. Proceed with the action or an alternate remedy under sub. (10), in which case
25the action or proceeding under sub. (10) shall be prosecuted by the state.
AB56,421,2
12. Notify the court that he or she declines to proceed with the action, in which
2case the person bringing the action may proceed with the action.
AB56,421,53 (e) If a person brings a valid action under this subsection, no person other than
4the state may intervene or bring a related action while the original action is pending
5based upon the same facts underlying the pending action.
AB56,421,86 (f) In any action or other proceeding under sub. (10) brought under this
7subsection, the plaintiff is required to prove all essential elements of the cause of
8action or complaint, including damages, by a preponderance of the evidence.
AB56,421,12 9(6) If the state proceeds with an action under sub. (5) or an alternate remedy
10under sub. (10), the state has primary responsibility for prosecuting the action or
11proceeding under sub. (10). The state is not bound by any act of the person bringing
12the action, but that person has the right to continue as a party to the action.
AB56,421,20 13(7) (b) With the approval of the governor, the attorney general may compromise
14and settle an action under sub. (5) or an administrative proceeding under sub. (10)
15to which the state is a party, notwithstanding objection of the person bringing the
16action, if the court determines, after affording to the person bringing the action the
17right to a hearing at which the person is afforded the opportunity to present evidence
18in opposition to the proposed settlement, that the proposed settlement is fair,
19adequate, and reasonable considering the relevant circumstances pertaining to the
20violation.
AB56,422,221 (c) Upon a showing by the state that unrestricted participation in the
22prosecution of an action under sub. (5) or an alternate proceeding to which the state
23is a party by the person bringing the action would interfere with or unduly delay the
24prosecution of the action or proceeding, or would result in consideration of

1repetitious or irrelevant evidence or evidence presented for purposes of harassment,
2the court may limit the person's participation in the prosecution, such as:
AB56,422,33 1. Limiting the number of witnesses that the person may call.
AB56,422,44 2. Limiting the length of the testimony of the witnesses.
AB56,422,55 3. Limiting the cross-examination of witnesses by the person.
AB56,422,76 4. Otherwise limiting the participation by the person in the prosecution of the
7action or proceeding.
AB56,422,128 (d) Upon showing by a defendant that unrestricted participation in the
9prosecution of an action under sub. (5) or alternate proceeding under sub. (10) to
10which the state is a party by the person bringing the action would result in
11harassment or would cause the defendant undue burden or unnecessary expense, the
12court may limit the person's participation in the prosecution.
AB56,422,19 13(8) Except as provided in sub. (7), if the state elects not to participate in an
14action filed under sub. (5), the person bringing the action may prosecute the action.
15If the attorney general so requests, the attorney general shall, at the state's expense,
16be served with copies of all pleadings and deposition transcripts in the action. If the
17person bringing the action initiates prosecution of the action, the court, without
18limiting the status and rights of that person, may permit the state to intervene at a
19later date upon showing by the state of good cause for the proposed intervention.
AB56,423,4 20(9) Whether or not the state participates in an action under sub. (5), upon
21showing in camera by the attorney general that discovery by the person bringing the
22action would interfere with the state's ongoing investigation or prosecution of a
23criminal or civil matter arising out of the same facts as the facts upon which the
24action is based, the court may stay such discovery in whole or in part for a period of
25not more than 60 days. The court may extend the period of any such stay upon

1further showing in camera by the attorney general that the state has pursued the
2criminal or civil investigation of the matter with reasonable diligence and the
3proposed discovery in the action brought under sub. (5) will interfere with the
4ongoing criminal or civil investigation or prosecution.
AB56,423,16 5(10) The attorney general may pursue a claim relating to an alleged violation
6of sub. (2) through an alternate remedy available to the state or any state agency,
7including an administrative proceeding to assess a civil forfeiture. If the attorney
8general elects any such alternate remedy, the attorney general shall serve timely
9notice of his or her election upon the person bringing the action under sub. (5), and
10that person has the same rights in the alternate venue as the person would have had
11if the action had continued under sub. (5). Any finding of fact or conclusion of law
12made by a court or by a state agency in the alternate venue that has become final is
13conclusive upon all parties named in an action under sub. (5). For purposes of this
14subsection, a finding or conclusion is final if it has been finally determined on appeal,
15if all time for filing an appeal or petition for review with respect to the finding or
16conclusion has expired, or if the finding or conclusion is not subject to judicial review.
AB56,423,22 17(11) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (e), if the state proceeds with an
18action brought by a person under sub. (5) or the state pursues an alternate remedy
19relating to the same acts under sub. (10), the person who brings the action shall
20receive at least 15 percent but not more than 25 percent of the proceeds of the action
21or settlement of the claim, depending upon the extent to which the person
22contributed to the prosecution of the action or claim.
AB56,424,723 (b) Except as provided in par. (e), if an action or claim is one in which the court
24or other adjudicator finds to be based primarily upon disclosures of specific
25information not provided by the person who brings an action under sub. (5) relating

1to allegations or transactions specifically in a criminal, civil, or administrative
2hearing, or in a legislative or administrative report, hearing, audit, or investigation,
3or report made by the news media, the court or other adjudicator may award such
4amount as it considers appropriate, but not more than 10 percent of the proceeds of
5the action or settlement of the claim, depending upon the significance of the
6information and the role of the person bringing the action in advancing the
7prosecution of the action or claim.
AB56,424,128 (c) Except as provided in par. (e), in addition to any amount received under par.
9(a) or (b), a person bringing an action under sub. (5) shall be awarded his or her
10reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in bringing the action together with the
11person's costs and reasonable actual attorney fees. The court or other adjudicator
12shall assess any award under this paragraph against the defendant.
AB56,424,1813 (d) Except as provided in par. (e), if the state does not proceed with an action
14or an alternate proceeding under sub. (10), the person bringing the action shall
15receive an amount that the court decides is reasonable for collection of the civil
16penalty and damages. The amount shall be not less than 25 percent and not more
17than 30 percent of the proceeds of the action and shall be paid from the proceeds. In
18addition, the person shall be paid his or her expenses, costs, and fees under par. (c).
AB56,425,519 (e) Whether or not the state proceeds with the action or an alternate proceeding
20under sub. (10), if the court or other adjudicator finds that an action under sub. (5)
21was brought by a person who planned or initiated the violation upon which the action
22or proceeding is based, then the court may, to the extent that the court considers
23appropriate, reduce the share of the proceeds of the action that the person would
24otherwise receive under par. (a), (b), or (d), taking into account the role of that person
25in advancing the prosecution of the action or claim and any other relevant

1circumstance pertaining to the violation, except that if the person bringing the action
2is convicted of criminal conduct arising from his or her role in a violation of sub. (2),
3the court or other adjudicator shall dismiss the person as a party and the person shall
4not receive any share of the proceeds of the action or claim or any expenses, costs, and
5fees under par. (c).
AB56,425,10 6(12) Except if the action is brought by the attorney general or the person
7bringing the action is an original source of the information, the court shall dismiss
8an action or claim under this section, unless opposed by the state, if substantially the
9same allegations or transactions as alleged in the action or claim were publicly
10disclosed in any of the following ways:
AB56,425,1211 (a) In a federal criminal, civil, or administrative hearing in which the state or
12its agent is a party.
AB56,425,1413 (b) In a congressional, government accountability office, or other federal report,
14hearing, audit, or investigation.
AB56,425,1515 (c) From the news media.
AB56,425,17 16(13) The state is not liable for any expenses incurred by a private person in
17bringing an action under sub. (5).
AB56,426,7 18(14) Any employee, contractor, or agent who is discharged, demoted,
19suspended, threatened, harassed, or in any other manner discriminated against in
20the terms and conditions of employment because of lawful actions taken by the
21employee, contractor, agent, or by others in furtherance of an action or claim filed
22under this section or on behalf of the employee, contractor, or agent, including
23investigation for, initiation of, testimony for, or assistance in an action or claim filed
24or to be filed under sub. (5) is entitled to all necessary relief to make the employee,
25contractor, or agent whole. Such relief shall in each case include reinstatement with

1the same seniority status that the employee, contractor, or agent would have had but
2for the discrimination, 2 times the amount of back pay, interest on the back pay at
3the legal rate, and compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the
4discrimination, including costs and reasonable attorney fees. An employee,
5contractor, or agent may bring an action to obtain the relief to which the employee,
6contractor, or agent is entitled under this subsection within 3 years after the date the
7retaliation occurred.
AB56,426,10 8(15) A civil action may be brought based upon acts occurring prior to the
9effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date], if the action is brought within
10the period specified in s. 893.9815.
AB56,426,14 11(16) A judgment of guilty entered against a defendant in a criminal action in
12which the defendant is charged with fraud or making false statements estops the
13defendant from denying the essential elements of the offense in any action under sub.
14(5) that involves the same elements as in the criminal action.
AB56,426,16 15(17) The remedies provided for under this section are in addition to any other
16remedies provided for under any other law or available under the common law.
AB56,426,19 17(18) This section shall be liberally construed and applied to promote the public
18interest and to effect the congressional intent in enacting 31 USC 3729 to 3733, as
19reflected in the act and the legislative history of the act.
AB56,318 20Section 318. 20.940 of the statutes is repealed.
AB56,319 21Section 319. 23.09 (2) (d) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,427,322 23.09 (2) (d) Lands, acquisition. (intro.) Acquire by purchase, lease or
23agreement, and receive by gifts or devise, lands or waters suitable for the purposes
24enumerated in this paragraph, and maintain such lands and waters for such
25purposes; and, except for the purpose specified under subd. 12., may condemn lands

1or waters suitable for such purposes after obtaining approval of the appropriate
2standing committees of each house of the legislature as determined by the presiding
3officer thereof:
AB56,320 4Section 320 . 23.0915 (2c) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,427,65 23.0915 (2c) (d) No moneys may be committed for expenditure from the
6appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) after June 30, 2020 2022.
AB56,321 7Section 321 . 23.0917 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,427,128 23.0917 (3) (a) Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year
92019-20
2021-22, the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for
10land acquisition to acquire land for the purposes specified in s. 23.09 (2) (d) and
11grants for these purposes under s. 23.096, except as provided under ss. 23.197 (2m),
12(3m) (b), (7m), and (8) and 23.198 (1) (a).
AB56,322 13Section 322 . 23.0917 (3) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,427,1814 23.0917 (3) (bm) During the period beginning with fiscal year 2001-02 and
15ending with fiscal year 2019-20 2021-22, in obligating money under the subprogram
16for land acquisition, the department shall set aside not less than a total of $ 2,000,000
17that may be obligated only to provide matching funds for grants awarded to the
18department for the purchase of land or easements under 16 USC 2103c.
AB56,323 19Section 323 . 23.0917 (3) (br) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,427,2120 23.0917 (3) (br) 2. For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending with
212019-20 2021-22, $7,000,000.
AB56,324 22Section 324 . 23.0917 (3) (bt) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,427,2423 23.0917 (3) (bt) 2. For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending with
24fiscal year 2019-20 2021-22, $9,000,000.
AB56,325 25Section 325 . 23.0917 (3) (bw) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,428,4
123.0917 (3) (bw) In obligating moneys under the subprogram for land
2acquisition, the department shall set aside $5,000,000 for each fiscal year beginning
3with 2015-16 and ending with 2019-20 2021-22 to be obligated only to provide
4grants to counties under s. 23.0953.
AB56,326 5Section 326 . 23.0917 (3) (dm) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,428,76 23.0917 (3) (dm) 7. For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending
7with fiscal year 2019-20 2021-22, $21,000,000.
AB56,327 8Section 327 . 23.0917 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,428,139 23.0917 (4) (a) Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year
102019-20
2021-22, the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for
11property development and local assistance. Moneys obligated under this
12subprogram may be only used for nature-based outdoor recreation, except as
13provided under par. (cm).
AB56,328 14Section 328 . 23.0917 (4) (d) 1m. e. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,428,1615 23.0917 (4) (d) 1m. e. For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending
16with fiscal year 2019-20 2021-22, $9,750,000.
AB56,329 17Section 329 . 23.0917 (4) (d) 2r. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,428,2018 23.0917 (4) (d) 2r. Beginning with fiscal year 2013-14 and ending with fiscal
19year 2019-20 2021-22, the department shall obligate $6,000,000 in each fiscal year
20for local assistance.
AB56,330 21Section 330 . 23.0917 (4) (d) 3. a. and b. of the statutes are amended to read:
AB56,428,2322 23.0917 (4) (d) 3. a. Beginning with fiscal year 2013-14 and ending with fiscal
23year 2014-15, $7,000,000 in each fiscal year.
AB56,428,2524 b. Beginning with fiscal year 2015-16 and ending with fiscal year 2019-20
252021-22, $3,750,000 in each fiscal year.
AB56,331
1Section 331. 23.0917 (4j) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,429,72 23.0917 (4j) (b) For fiscal year 2007-08, the department may not obligate more
3than $1,500,000 for cost-sharing with local governmental units for recreational
4boating projects under s. 30.92. For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year
52008-09 and ending with fiscal year 2019-20 2021-22, the department may not
6obligate more than $2,500,000 for cost-sharing with local governmental units for
7recreational boating projects under s. 30.92.
AB56,332 8Section 332. 23.0917 (5g) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,429,159 23.0917 (5g) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b), (c), (d), and (e), if for a given
10fiscal year, the department obligates an amount from the moneys appropriated
11under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for a subprogram under sub. (3) or (4) that is less than the
12annual bonding authority under that subprogram for that given fiscal year, the
13department may not obligate the unobligated amount in subsequent fiscal years.
14This subsection applies beginning with fiscal year 2011-12 and ending with fiscal
15year 2019-20 2021-22.
AB56,333 16Section 333 . 23.0917 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,429,1817 23.0917 (12) Expenditures after 2020 2022. No moneys may be obligated from
18the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) after June 30, 2020 2022.
AB56,334 19Section 334 . 23.0953 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,429,2220 23.0953 (2) (a) (intro.) Beginning with fiscal year 2010-11 and ending with
21fiscal year 2019-20 2021-22, the department shall establish a grant program under
22which the department may award a grant to a county for any of the following:
AB56,335 23Section 335 . 23.096 (2m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB56,430,324 23.096 (2m) (intro.) Notwithstanding sub. (2) (b), in each fiscal year beginning
25with fiscal year 2010-11 and ending with fiscal year 2019-20 2021-22, the

1department may award grants under this section that equal up to 75 percent of the
2acquisition costs of the property if the natural resources board determines that all
3of the following apply:
AB56,336 4Section 336. 25.17 (1) (ge) of the statutes is repealed.
AB56,337 5Section 337. 25.17 (1) (xp) of the statutes is repealed.
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