SB576: Bill Text

SB576,12,8 (k) Make, and from time to time amend and repeal, bylaws, rules, and regulations to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the authority.

SB576,12,9 (L) Sue and be sued in its own name.

SB576,12,10 (m) Have and use a corporate seal.

SB576,12,13 (n) Employ agents, consultants, and employees; engage professional services; and purchase such furniture, stationery, and other supplies and materials as are reasonably necessary to perform its duties and exercise its powers.

SB576,12,15 (o) Incur debts, liabilities, or obligations, including the borrowing of money and the issuance of bonds under subs. (7) and (10).

SB576,12,19 (p) Invest any funds held in reserve or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, including the proceeds from the sale of any bonds, in such obligations, securities, and other investments as the authority deems proper in accordance with s. 66.0603 (1m).

SB576,12,21 (q) Do and perform any acts and things authorized by this section under, through, or by means of an agent or by contracts with any person.

SB576,12,24 (r) Exercise any other powers that the board of directors considers necessary and convenient to effectuate the purposes of the authority, including providing for passenger safety.

SB576,13,8 (s) 1. Impose, by the adoption of a resolution by the board of directors, the taxes under subch. V of ch. 77 in the authority's jurisdictional area. If an authority adopts a resolution to impose the taxes, or to change the rate after the taxes are imposed, it shall deliver a certified copy of the resolution to the department of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date. The authority may, by adoption of a resolution by the board of directors, repeal the imposition of taxes under subch. V of ch. 77 and shall deliver a certified copy of the repeal resolution to the department of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date.

SB576,14,2 2. If an authority adopts a resolution to impose the tax, as provided in subd. 1., an authority shall specify to the department of revenue, as provided in this subdivision, the exact boundaries of the authority's jurisdictional area. If the boundaries are the same as the county lines on all sides of the authority's jurisdictional area, the resolution shall specify the county or counties that comprise the authority's entire jurisdictional area. If the boundaries are other than a county line on any side of the authority's jurisdictional area, the authority shall provide the department with a complete list of all the 9-digit zip codes that are entirely within the authority's jurisdictional area and a complete list of all the street addresses that are within the authority's jurisdictional area and not included in any 9-digit zip code that is entirely within the authority's jurisdictional area. The authority shall provide a certified copy of the information required under this subdivision to the department, in the manner, format, and layout prescribed by the department, at least 120 days prior to the first day of the calendar quarter before the effective date of the tax imposed under subd. 1. If the boundaries of the authority's jurisdictional area subsequently change, the authority shall submit a certified copy of the information required under this subdivision to the department at least 120 days prior to the first day of the calendar quarter before the effective date of such change, in the manner, format, and layout prescribed by the department.

SB576,14,10 3. Notwithstanding subd. 1., an authority created under sub. (2) (c) may not impose the taxes authorized under subd. 1. unless the authorizing resolution under sub. (2) (c) 1. and, if applicable, sub. (2) (c) 3., as well as the referendum question on the referendum ballot specified in sub. (2) (c) 1. and, if applicable, sub. (2) (c) 3., each clearly identifies the maximum rate of the taxes that may be imposed by the authority under subd. 1. For purposes of this subdivision, the maximum tax rates identified in the authorizing resolution under sub. (2) (c) 3., and the corresponding referendum question, are the same as those identified for purposes of sub. (2) (c) 1.

SB576,14,15 4. If an authority created under sub. (2) (c) adopts a resolution to impose the taxes under subd. 1., no political subdivision that is a member of the authority may levy property taxes for transit purposes in excess of the amount of property taxes levied for transit purposes in the year before the year in which the taxes are imposed under subd. 1.

SB576,14,22 (5) Limitations on authority powers. (a) Notwithstanding sub. (4) (a), (b), (c), (d), (q), and (r), no authority, and no public or private organization with which an authority has contracted for service, may provide service outside the jurisdictional area of the authority unless the authority receives financial support for the service under a contract with a public or other private organization for the service or unless it is necessary in order to provide service to connect residents within the authority's jurisdictional area to transit systems in adjacent counties.

SB576,15,6 (b) Whenever the proposed operations of an authority would be competitive with the operations of a common carrier in existence prior to the time the authority commences operations, the authority shall coordinate proposed operations with the common carrier to eliminate adverse financial impact for the carrier. This coordination may include route overlapping, transfers, transfer points, schedule coordination, joint use of facilities, lease of route service, and acquisition of route and corollary equipment. If this coordination does not result in mutual agreement, the proposals of the authority and the common carrier shall be submitted to the department of transportation for arbitration.

SB576,15,9 (c) In exercising its powers under sub. (4), an authority shall consider any plan of a metropolitan planning organization under 23 USC 134 that covers any portion of the authority's jurisdictional area.

SB576,15,14 (6) Authority obligations to employees of mass transportation systems. (a) An authority acquiring a comprehensive unified local transportation system for the purpose of the authority's operation of the system shall assume all of the employer's obligations under any contract between the employees and management of the system to the extent allowed by law.

SB576,15,24 (b) An authority acquiring, constructing, controlling, or operating a comprehensive unified local transportation system shall negotiate an agreement with the representative of the labor organization that covers the employees affected by the acquisition, construction, control, or operation to protect the interests of employees affected. This agreement shall include all of the provisions identified in s. 59.58 (4) (b) 1. to 8. and may include provisions identified in s. 59.58 (4) (c). An affected employee has all the rights and the same status under subch. IV of ch. 111 that he or she enjoyed immediately before the acquisition, construction, control, or operation and may not be required to serve a probationary period if he or she attained permanent status before the acquisition, construction, control, or operation.

SB576,16,2 (c) In all negotiations under this subsection, a senior executive officer of the authority shall be a member of the authority's negotiating body.

SB576,16,7 (7) Bonds; generally. (a) An authority may issue bonds, the principal and interest on which are payable exclusively from all or a portion of any revenues received by the authority. The authority may secure its bonds by a pledge of any income or revenues from any operations, rent, aids, grants, subsidies, contributions, or other source of moneys whatsoever.

SB576,16,9 (b) An authority may issue bonds in such principal amounts as the authority deems necessary.

SB576,16,12 (c) 1. Neither the members of the board of directors of an authority nor any person executing the bonds is personally liable on the bonds by reason of the issuance of the bonds.

SB576,16,17 2. The bonds of an authority are not a debt of the participating political subdivisions. Neither the participating political subdivisions nor the state are liable for the payment of the bonds. The bonds of any authority shall be payable only out of funds or properties of the authority. The bonds of the authority shall state the restrictions contained in this paragraph on the face of the bonds.

SB576,17,3 (8) Issuance of bonds. (a) Bonds of an authority shall be authorized by resolution of the board of directors. The bonds may be issued under such a resolution or under a trust indenture or other security instrument. The bonds may be issued in one or more series and may be in the form of coupon bonds or registered bonds under s. 67.09. The bonds shall bear the dates, mature at the times, bear interest at the rates, be in the denominations, have the rank or priority, be executed in the manner, be payable in the medium of payment and at the places, and be subject to the terms of redemption, with or without premium, as the resolution, trust indenture, or other security instrument provides. Bonds of an authority are issued for an essential public and governmental purpose and are public instrumentalities and, together with interest and income, are exempt from taxes.

SB576,17,5 (b) The authority may sell the bonds at public or private sales at the price or prices determined by the authority.

SB576,17,9 (c) If an officer whose signatures appear on any bonds or coupons ceases to be an officer of the authority before the delivery of the bonds or coupons, the officer's signature shall, nevertheless, be valid for all purposes as if the officer had remained in office until delivery of the bonds or coupons.

SB576,17,11 (9) Covenants. An authority may do all of the following in connection with the issuance of bonds:

SB576,17,12 (a) Covenant as to the use of any or all of its property, real or personal.

SB576,17,14 (b) Redeem the bonds, or covenant for the redemption of the bonds, and provide the terms and conditions of the redemption.

SB576,17,21 (c) Covenant to charge fees, rates, rents, and charges sufficient to meet operating and maintenance expenses, renewals, and replacements of any transportation system, principal and debt service on bond creation and maintenance of any reserves required by a bond resolution, trust indenture, or other security instrument and to provide for any margins or coverages over and above debt service on the bonds that the board of directors considers desirable for the marketability of the bonds.

SB576,18,2 (d) Covenant as to the events of default on the bonds and the terms and conditions upon which the bonds shall become or may be declared due before maturity, as to the terms and conditions upon which this declaration and its consequences may be waived, and as to the consequences of default and the remedies of bondholders.

SB576,18,5 (e) Covenant as to the mortgage or pledge of, or the grant of a security interest in, any real or personal property and all or any part of the revenues of the authority to secure the payment of bonds, subject to any agreements with the bondholders.

SB576,18,8 (f) Covenant as to the custody, collection, securing, investment, and payment of any revenues, assets, moneys, funds, or property with respect to which the authority may have any rights or interest.

SB576,18,11 (g) Covenant as to the purposes to which the proceeds from the sale of any bonds may be applied, and as to the pledge of such proceeds to secure the payment of the bonds.

SB576,18,14 (h) Covenant as to limitations on the issuance of any additional bonds, the terms upon which additional bonds may be issued and secured, and the refunding of outstanding bonds.

SB576,18,16 (i) Covenant as to the rank or priority of any bonds with respect to any lien or security.

SB576,18,20 (j) Covenant as to the procedure by which the terms of any contract with or for the benefit of the holders of bonds may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds, the holders of which must consent thereto, and the manner in which such consent may be given.

SB576,18,23 (k) Covenant as to the custody and safekeeping of any of its properties or investments, the insurance to be carried on the property or investments, and the use and disposition of insurance proceeds.

SB576,19,3 (L) Covenant as to the vesting in one or more trustees, within or outside the state, of those properties, rights, powers, and duties in trust as the authority determines.

SB576,19,6 (m) Covenant as to the appointing of, and providing for the duties and obligations of, one or more paying agent or other fiduciaries within or outside the state.

SB576,19,9 (n) Make all other covenants and do any act that may be necessary or convenient or desirable in order to secure its bonds or, in the absolute discretion of the authority, tend to make the bonds more marketable.

SB576,19,13 (o) Execute all instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers granted under this section or in the performance of covenants or duties, which may contain such covenants and provisions as a purchaser of the bonds of the authority may reasonably require.

SB576,19,25 (10) Refunding bonds. An authority may issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying any of its bonds at or prior to maturity or upon acceleration or redemption. An authority may issue refunding bonds at such time prior to the maturity or redemption of the refunded bonds as the authority deems to be in the public interest. The refunding bonds may be issued in sufficient amounts to pay or provide the principal of the bonds being refunded, together with any redemption premium on the bonds, any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of payment of the bonds, the expenses of issue of the refunding bonds, the expenses of redeeming the bonds being refunded, and such reserves for debt service or other capital or current expenses from the proceeds of such refunding bonds as may be required by the resolution, trust indenture, or other security instruments. To the extent applicable, refunding bonds are subject to subs. (8) and (9).

SB576,20,2 (11) Bonds eligible for investment. (a) Any of the following may invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them, in bonds of the authority:

SB576,20,3 1. Public officers and agencies of the state.

SB576,20,4 2. Local governmental units, as defined in s. 19.42 (7u).

SB576,20,5 3. Insurance companies.

SB576,20,6 4. Trust companies.

SB576,20,7 5. Banks.

SB576,20,8 6. Savings banks.

SB576,20,9 7. Savings and loan associations.

SB576,20,10 8. Investment companies.

SB576,20,11 9. Personal representatives.

SB576,20,12 10. Trustees.

SB576,20,13 11. Other fiduciaries not listed in this paragraph.

SB576,20,17 (b) The authority's bonds are securities that may be deposited with and received by any officer or agency of the state or any local governmental unit, as defined in s. 19.42 (7u), for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations of the state or any local governmental unit is authorized by law.

SB576,20,25 (12) Budgets; rates and charges; audit. The board of directors of an authority shall annually prepare a budget for the authority. Rates and other charges received by an authority shall be used only for the general expenses and capital expenditures of the authority, to pay interest, amortization, and retirement charges on bonds, and for specific purposes of the authority and may not be transferred to any political subdivision. The authority shall maintain an accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall have its financial statements and debt covenants audited annually by an independent certified public accountant.

SB576,21,6 (13) Withdrawal from authority. (a) A participating political subdivision that becomes a member of an authority under sub. (2) (c) 4. shall withdraw from the authority if the county in which the municipality is located withdraws from the authority under this subsection and a participating political subdivision that joined an authority under sub. (2) (c) 3. may withdraw from an authority if all of the following conditions are met:

SB576,21,8 1. The governing body of the political subdivision adopts a resolution requesting withdrawal of the political subdivision from the authority.

SB576,21,10 2. The political subdivision has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all obligations of the political subdivision to the authority.

SB576,21,18 (b) If a participating political subdivision withdraws from an authority, the authority shall provide the department of revenue with a certified copy of the resolution that approves the withdrawal. The withdrawal is effective on the first day of the calendar quarter that begins at least 120 days after the department receives the certified copy of the resolution approving the withdrawal. If the authority from which the political subdivision withdraws continues to exist after the withdrawal, the authority shall provide information describing the exact boundaries of its jurisdictional area, as provided in sub. (4) (s) 2.

SB576,21,20 (14) Duty to provide transit service. An authority shall provide, or contract for the provision of, transit service within the authority's jurisdictional area.

SB576,21,25 (17) Other statutes. This section does not limit the powers of political subdivisions to enter into intergovernmental cooperation or contracts or to establish separate legal entities under s. 66.0301 or 66.1021 or any other applicable law, or otherwise to carry out their powers under applicable statutory provisions. Section 66.0803 (2) does not apply to an authority.

SB576,11 Section 11. 67.01 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB576,22,9 67.01 (5) “Municipality" means any of the following which is authorized to levy a tax: a county, city, village, town, school district, board of park commissioners, technical college district, metropolitan sewerage district created under ss. 200.01 to 200.15 or 200.21 to 200.65, town sanitary district under subch. IX of ch. 60, transit authority created under s. 66.1039, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district established under s. 33.23, 33.235, or 33.24, and any other public body empowered to borrow money and issue obligations to repay the money out of public funds or revenues. “Municipality" does not include the state.

SB576,12 Section 12 . 70.11 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB576,22,25 70.11 (2) Municipal property and property of certain districts, exception. Property owned by any county, city, village, town, school district, technical college district, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district, metropolitan sewerage district, municipal water district created under s. 198.22, joint local water authority created under s. 66.0823, transit authority created under s. 66.1039, long-term care district under s. 46.2895 or town sanitary district; lands belonging to cities of any other state used for public parks; land tax-deeded to any county or city before January 2; but any residence located upon property owned by the county for park purposes that is rented out by the county for a nonpark purpose shall not be exempt from taxation. Except as to land acquired under s. 59.84 (2) (d), this exemption shall not apply to land conveyed after August 17, 1961, to any such governmental unit or for its benefit while the grantor or others for his or her benefit are permitted to occupy the land or part thereof in consideration for the conveyance. Leasing the property exempt under this subsection, regardless of the lessee and the use of the leasehold income, does not render that property taxable.

SB576,13 Section 13. 71.26 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB576,23,6 71.26 (1) (b) Political units. Income received by the United States, the state and all counties, cities, villages, towns, school districts, technical college districts, joint local water authorities created under s. 66.0823, transit authorities created under s. 66.1039, long-term care districts under s. 46.2895 or other political units of this state.

SB576,14 Section 14 . Chapter 77 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB576,23,8 CHAPTER 77

SB576,23,19 TAXATION OF FOREST CROPLANDS; REAL ESTATE TRANSFER FEES; SALES AND USE TAXES; COUNTY, TRANSIT AUTHORITY, AND SPECIAL DISTRICT SALES AND USE TAXES; MANAGED FOREST LAND; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SURCHARGE; LOCAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX; LOCAL RENTAL CAR TAX; Premier resort area taxes; state rental vehicle fee; dry cleaning fees

SB576,15 Section 15 . 77.54 (9a) (er) of the statutes is created to read:

SB576,23,21 77.54 (9a) (er) Any transit authority created under s. 66.1039.

SB576,16 Section 16 . Subchapter V (title) of chapter 77 [precedes 77.70] of the statutes is amended to read:

SB576,23,24 CHAPTER 77

SB576,23,25 SUBCHAPTER V

SB576,24,3 COUNTY, TRANSIT AUTHORITY, AND SPECIAL DISTRICT SALES AND USE TAXES

SB576,17 Section 17 . 77.708 of the statutes is created to read:

SB576,24,11 77.708 Adoption by resolution; transit authority. (1) A transit authority created under s. 66.1039, by resolution under s. 66.1039 (4) (s), may impose a sales tax and a use tax under this subchapter at a rate of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 percent of the sales price or purchase price. Those taxes may be imposed only in their entirety. The resolution shall be effective on the first day of the first calendar quarter that begins at least 120 days after a certified copy of the resolution is delivered to the department of revenue.

SB576,24,17 (2) Retailers and the department of revenue may not collect a tax under sub. (1) for any transit authority created under s. 66.1039 beginning on the first day of the calendar quarter that is at least 120 days after a certified copy of the repeal resolution under s. 66.1039 (4) (s) is delivered to the department of revenue, except that the department of revenue may collect from retailers taxes that accrued before such calendar quarter and fees, interest, and penalties that relate to those taxes.

SB576,18 Section 18 . 77.71 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB576,24,22 77.71 Imposition of county, transit authority, and special district sales and use taxes. Whenever a county sales and use tax ordinance is adopted under s. 77.70, a transit authority resolution is adopted under s. 77.708, or a special district resolution is adopted under s. 77.705 or 77.706, the following taxes are imposed:

SB576,25,9 (1) For the privilege of selling, licensing, leasing, or renting tangible personal property and the items, property, and goods specified under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), and (d), and for the privilege of selling, licensing, performing, or furnishing services a sales tax is imposed upon retailers at the rates under s. 77.70 in the case of a county tax, at the rate under s. 77.708 in the case of a transit authority tax, or at the rate under s. 77.705 or 77.706 in the case of a special district tax of the sales price from the sale, license, lease, or rental of tangible personal property and the items, property, and goods specified under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), and (d), except property taxed under sub. (4), sold, licensed, leased, or rented at retail in the county or, special district, or transit authority's jurisdictional area, or from selling, licensing, performing, or furnishing services described under s. 77.52 (2) in the county or, special district, or transit authority's jurisdictional area.

SB576,25,25 (2) An excise tax is imposed at the rates under s. 77.70 in the case of a county tax, at the rate under s. 77.708 in the case of a transit authority tax, or at the rate under s. 77.705 or 77.706 in the case of a special district tax of the purchase price upon every person storing, using, or otherwise consuming in the county or, special district, or transit authority's jurisdictional area tangible personal property, or items, property, or goods specified under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), or (d), or services if the tangible personal property, item, property, good, or service is subject to the state use tax under s. 77.53, except that a receipt indicating that the tax under sub. (1), (3), (4), or (5) has been paid relieves the buyer of liability for the tax under this subsection and except that if the buyer has paid a similar local tax in another state on a purchase of the same tangible personal property, item, property, good, or service that tax shall be credited against the tax under this subsection and except that for motor vehicles that are used for a purpose in addition to retention, demonstration, or display while held for sale in the regular course of business by a dealer the tax under this subsection is imposed not on the purchase price but on the amount under s. 77.53 (1m).

SB576,26,13 (3) An excise tax is imposed upon a contractor engaged in construction activities within the county or, special district, or transit authority's jurisdictional area, at the rates under s. 77.70 in the case of a county tax , at the rate under s. 77.708 in the case of a transit authority tax, or at the rate under s. 77.705 or 77.706 in the case of a special district tax of the purchase price of tangible personal property or items, property, or goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), or (d) that are used in constructing, altering, repairing, or improving real property and that became a component part of real property in that county or special district or in the transit authority's jurisdictional area, except that if the contractor has paid the sales tax of a county, transit authority, or special district in this state on that tangible personal property, item, property, or good, or has paid a similar local sales tax in another state on a purchase of the same tangible personal property, item, property, or good, that tax shall be credited against the tax under this subsection.

SB576,27,2 (4) An excise tax is imposed at the rates under s. 77.70 in the case of a county tax, at the rate under s. 77.708 in the case of a transit authority tax, or at the rate under s. 77.705 or 77.706 in the case of a special district tax of the purchase price upon every person storing, using, or otherwise consuming a motor vehicle, boat, recreational vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (48r), or aircraft if that property must be registered or titled with this state and if that property is to be customarily kept in a county that has in effect an ordinance under s. 77.70, the jurisdictional area of a transit authority that has in effect a resolution under s. 77.708, or in a special district that has in effect a resolution under s. 77.705 or 77.706, except that if the buyer has paid a similar local sales tax in another state on a purchase of the same property, that tax shall be credited against the tax under this subsection. The lease or rental of a motor vehicle, boat, recreational vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (48r), or aircraft is not taxed under this subsection if the lease or rental does not require recurring periodic payments.

SB576,27,16 (5) An excise tax is imposed on the purchase price for the lease or rental of a motor vehicle, boat, recreational vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (48r), or aircraft at the rates under s. 77.70 in the case of a county tax, at the rate under s. 77.708 in the case of a transit authority tax, or at the rate under s. 77.705 or 77.706 in the case of a special district tax upon every person storing, using, or otherwise consuming in the county or, special district , or transit authority's jurisdictional area the motor vehicle, boat, recreational vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (48r), or aircraft if that property must be registered or titled with this state and if the lease or rental does not require recurring periodic payments, except that a receipt indicating that the tax under sub. (1) had been paid relieves the purchaser of liability for the tax under this subsection and except that if the purchaser has paid a similar local tax in another state on the same lease or rental of such motor vehicle, boat, recreational vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (48r), or aircraft, that tax shall be credited against the tax under this subsection.

SB576,19 Section 19 . 77.73 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB576,28,2 77.73 Jurisdiction to tax. (2) Counties and, special districts, and transit authorities do not have jurisdiction to impose the tax under s. 77.71 (2) in regard to items, property, and goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), and (d), and tangible personal property, except snowmobiles, trailers, semitrailers, limited use off-highway motorcycles, as defined in s. 23.335 (1) (o), all-terrain vehicles, and utility terrain vehicles, purchased in a sale that is consummated in another county or, special district in this state, or in another transit authority's jurisdictional area, that does not have in effect an ordinance or resolution imposing the taxes under this subchapter and later brought by the buyer into the county or, special district, or jurisdictional area of the transit authority that has imposed a tax under s. 77.71 (2).