AB68: Bill Text

Under current law, DOT provides state aid payments to local public bodies in urban areas served by mass transit systems to assist the local public bodies with the expenses of operating those systems. There are five classes of mass transit systems, and the total amount of state aid payments to four of these classes is limited to a specified amount in each calendar year. The fifth class consists of certain commuter or light rail systems, and no state aid amounts are specified for this class.

The bill increases the total amount of state aid payments to the four classes of mass transit systems for which state aid amounts are specified as follows:

1. For mass transit systems having annual operating expenses of $80,000,000 or more, the bill maintains the current limit of $65,477,800 in calendar year 2021 and increases the limit to $67,114,700 in calendar year 2022 and $68,792,600 in calendar year 2023 and thereafter.

2. For mass transit systems having annual operating expenses of over $20,000,000 but less than $80,000,000, the bill maintains the current limit of $17,205,400 in calendar year 2021 and increases the limit to $17,635,500 in calendar year 2022 and $18,076,400 in calendar year 2023 and thereafter.

3. For mass transit systems serving urban areas having a population of at least 50,000 but having annual operating expenses of no more than $20,000,000, the bill maintains the current limit of $24,976,400 in calendar year 2021 and increases the limit to $25,600,800 in calendar year 2022 and $26,240,800 in calendar year 2023 and thereafter.

4. For mass transit systems serving urban areas having a population of less than 50,000, the bill maintains the current limit of $5,292,700 in calendar year 2021 and increases the limit to $5,425,000 in calendar year 2022 and $5,560,600 in calendar year 2023 and thereafter.

Transit capital assistance grants

The bill requires DOT to establish a transit capital assistance grant program, under which DOT awards grants to eligible applicants for the replacement of public transit vehicles.

Local infrastructure grant program

The bill establishes a local road aids for critical infrastructure grant program within the DOT. Under the program, DOT makes grants to political subdivisions for the reconstruction to a higher standard durability of a culvert or bridge. Bridges and culverts eligible for grants under the program must be owned by the political subdivision and must be at risk of being damaged by future extreme storm water events. Grants under the program may cover up to 50 percent of the cost of the reconstruction project. The bill also authorizes the issuance of $15,000,000 in public debt for the purpose of making grants under this program.

Local supplement grant program

The bill creates a local supplement grant program under which DOT provides discretionary grants to political subdivisions for projects related to bridge construction or reconstruction or local road improvement or to local governments for projects related to transportation alternatives, including construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities and environmental mitigation of highway construction.

Tribal elderly transportation grants

Current law requires DOA to transfer a portion of Indian gaming receipts to a DOT appropriation that funds tribal elderly transportation grants. The bill eliminates the requirement to make this transfer and replaces the DOT appropriation that funds tribal elderly transportation grants using transferred Indian gaming receipts with an appropriation from the transportation fund.

Town of Milton project

The bill requires DOT to award a grant of $75,000 to the town of Milton in Rock County for the Clear Lake Road project.

Rail and air transportation

Freight rail preservation bonding

Under current law, the state may contract up to $280,300,000 in public debt for DOT to acquire railroad property and to provide grants and loans for railroad property acquisition and improvement. The bill increases the authorized general obligation bonding limit for these purposes by $20,000,000 to $300,300,000.

Airport sound mitigation grant program

The bill requires DOT to develop and administer an airport sound mitigation grant program. Under the program, DOT must award grants for projects that mitigate the impact of airport sound on structures located near airports that include a military base or installation. DOT is required to give highest priority in awarding these grants to projects involving schools and child care centers and secondary priority to projects involving private residences.

General transportation

Collection of data from traffic stops

The bill requires a law enforcement agency to collect the following information concerning motor vehicle stops made on or after January 1, 2022: 1) the name, address, gender, and race of the operator of the motor vehicle, with the officer subjectively determining the person's race as being Caucasian, Black or African American, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, or Asian or Pacific Islander; 2) the reason for the motor vehicle stop; 3) the make and year of the motor vehicle; 4) the date, time, and location of the motor vehicle stop; 5) whether or not a law enforcement officer conducted a search of the motor vehicle, the operator, or any passenger and, if so, whether the search was with consent or by other means; 6) the name, address, gender, and race of any person searched; and 7) the name and badge number of the officer making the motor vehicle stop.

The information that is collected under the bill concerning motor vehicle stops is not subject to inspection or copying as a public record. The information, however, must be forwarded to DOJ, which must then compile and analyze it, along with any other relevant information, to determine, both for the state as a whole and for each law enforcement agency, whether the number of stops and searches involving motor vehicles operated or occupied by members of a racial minority are disproportionate compared to the number of stops and searches involving motor vehicles operated or occupied solely by persons who are not members of a racial minority.

Harbor assistance bonding

Under current law, the state may contract up to $152,000,000 in public debt for DOT to provide local grants for harbor assistance and for harbor improvements such as dock wall repair and maintenance, construction of new dock walls, dredging of materials from a harbor, or the placement of dredged materials in containment facilities. The bill increases the authorized general obligation bonding limit for these purposes by $15,300,000 to $167,300,000.

Intermodal freight assistance program

Current law authorizes DOT to make grants to public or private applicants for intermodal freight facilities that the department determines have a public purpose. The bill provides that DOT may not make such a grant unless the grantee agrees to provide adequate intermodal freight services at the facility funded by the grant, subject to remedial transfer of the facility to DOT. The bill also states that the program has a public purpose.

veterans

Veterans service officer grants

Under current law, DVA is required to annually award a grant to counties that employ a full-time county veterans service officer. The grants are awarded for the purpose of improving a county's services to veterans. The amount of each grant is as follows: $8,500 for a county with a population of less than 20,000, $10,000 for a county with a population of 20,000 to 45,499, $11,500 for a county with a population of 45,500 to 74,999, and $13,000 for a county with a population of 75,000 or more. Counties that employ a part-time county veterans service officer are eligible to receive an annual grant not exceeding $500. DVA may also make annual grants not to exceed $15,000 to the governing bodies of federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands if the tribal governing body appoints a tribal veterans service officer. The bill increases the amount of each of these grants by 5 percent.

Veterans outreach and recovery program

Under current law, DVA administers a program to provide outreach, mental health services, and support to veterans who reside in the state who have a mental health condition or substance use disorder. The bill directs DVA to spend at least $100,000 annually under the program to promote suicide prevention and awareness by providing services to individuals who are members of a traditionally underserved population, including minority groups and individuals who reside in rural areas of the state.

Hire Heroes program

Under current law, DWD administers the Hire Heroes program that provides transitional jobs to veterans and reimburses employers of veterans for wages and other related costs. In order for a veteran to be eligible to participate in the program, he or she must be a DVA-certified veteran, be at least 18 years old, be ineligible to participate in the Wisconsin Works program, be unemployed for at least four weeks, and satisfy any applicable substance abuse screening, testing, and treatment. Prospective program participants must also submit an application to the program no later than seven years after the date of discharge from military service. The bill removes the seven-year limit on when veterans may submit an application to the program.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.

Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill.

Because this bill may increase or decrease, directly or indirectly, the cost of the development, construction, financing, purchasing, sale, ownership, or availability of housing in this state, the Department of Administration, as required by law, will prepare a report to be printed as an appendix to this bill.

This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB68,1 Section 1. 1.031 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,193,7 1.031 Retrocession of jurisdiction. The governor may accept on behalf of the state, retrocession of full or partial jurisdiction over any roads, highways or other lands in federal enclaves within the state where such retrocession has been offered by appropriate federal authority. Documents concerning such action shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state administration and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein such lands are located.

AB68,2 Section 2. 5.02 (6m) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,193,17 5.02 (6m) (f) An unexpired identification card issued by a university or college in this state that is accredited, as defined in s. 39.30 (1) (d), or by a technical college in this state that is a member of and governed by the technical college system under ch. 38, that contains the date of issuance and signature of the individual to whom it is issued and that contains an expiration date indicating that the card expires no later than 2 years after the date of issuance if the individual establishes, except that if the identification card is expired the individual shall establish that he or she is enrolled as a student at the university or college on the date that the card is presented.

AB68,3 Section 3 . 5.02 (20) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,194,5 5.02 (20) “Special primary" means the primary held 4 weeks before the special election, except as provided in s. 8.50 (4m) and except when the special election is held on the same day as the general election the special primary shall be held on the same day as the general primary or if the special election is held concurrently with the spring election, the primary shall be held concurrently with the spring primary.

AB68,4 Section 4 . 5.02 (22) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,194,10 5.02 (22) “Spring primary" means the nonpartisan primary held on the 3rd Tuesday in February to nominate nonpartisan candidates to be voted for at the spring election and partisan candidates to be voted for at a special election under s. 8.50 (4m).

AB68,5 Section 5 . 5.05 (11m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,194,16 5.05 (11m) Aids to counties and municipalities for certain special election costs. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.510 (1) (f), the commission shall reimburse counties and municipalities for costs incurred in the administration of special primaries for state or national office and special elections for state or national office.

AB68,194,18 (b) A cost is eligible for reimbursement under par. (a) only if all of the following apply:

AB68,194,19 1. The commission determines that the cost is reasonable.

AB68,194,20 2. The cost is specified under par. (c).

AB68,194,23 3. If applicable, the commission determines that the rate paid by the county or municipality for the cost does not exceed the rate customarily paid for similar costs at a primary or election that is not a special primary or election.

AB68,195,2 4. If the special primary or election coincides with a primary or election that is not a special primary or election, the commission determines that the cost does not exceed the amount that would be incurred if the primaries or elections did not coincide.

AB68,195,3 (c) Only the following costs are eligible for reimbursement under par. (a):

AB68,195,4 1. Rental payments for polling places.

AB68,195,6 2. Election day wages paid under s. 7.03 to election officials working at the polls.

AB68,195,7 3. Costs for the publication of required election notices.

AB68,195,8 4. Printing and postage costs for absentee ballots and envelopes.

AB68,195,9 5. Costs for the design and printing of ballots and poll books.

AB68,195,11 6. Purchase of ballot bags or containers, including ties or seals for chain of custody purposes.

AB68,195,12 7. Costs to program electronic voting machines.

AB68,195,13 8. Purchase of memory devices for electronic voting machines.

AB68,195,14 9. Wages paid to conduct a county canvass.

AB68,195,15 10. Data entry costs for the statewide voter registration system.

AB68,6 Section 6 . 5.056 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,195,25 5.056 Matching program with secretary of transportation. The commission administrator shall enter into the agreement with the secretary of transportation specified under s. 85.61 (1) to match personally identifiable information on the official registration list maintained by the commission under s. 6.36 (1) and the information specified in s. ss. 6.256 (2) and 6.34 (2m) with personally identifiable information maintained by the department of transportation. Subject to s. 343.14 (2p) (b), the agreement shall provide for the electronic transfer of information under s. 6.256 (2) to the commission on a continuous basis, no less often than weekly.

AB68,7 Section 7. 5.35 (6) (a) 4c. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,196,2 5.35 (6) (a) 4c. A voter bill of rights in substantially the following form:

AB68,196,3 Voter Bill of Rights

AB68,196,4 You have the following rights:

AB68,196,10 • The right to vote if you are registered and eligible to vote. You are eligible to vote if you (1) are a U.S. citizen, (2) are at least 18 years old, (3) are registered where you currently live, (4) are not currently serving any portion of a felony sentence, including probation or supervision, (5) are not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court, and (6) have not placed a bet or a wager on the outcome of the election.

AB68,196,11 • The right to inspect a sample ballot before voting.

AB68,196,14 • The right to cast a ballot if you are in line when your polling place closes or when your municipal clerk's office closes if you are voting by in-person absentee ballot on the last day for which such voting is allowed.

AB68,196,16 • The right to cast a secret ballot, without anyone bothering you or telling you how to vote.

AB68,196,18 • If you have a disability, the right to get help casting your ballot from anyone you choose, except from your employer or union representative.

AB68,196,20 • The right to get help voting in a language other than English if enough voters where you live speak your language.

AB68,196,22 • The right to get a new ballot if you made a mistake. You can get up to 3 ballots in all if you make a mistake and have not already cast your ballot.

AB68,197,3 • The right to cast a provisional ballot. You can cast a provisional ballot if you are unable or unwilling to provide required proof of identification for voting or a valid driver license or identification card number for registering to vote on election day. Your provisional ballot will not be counted unless you provide the required information to the poll workers by 8:00 p.m. on election day or to the municipal clerk by 4:00 p.m. of the Friday following the election.

AB68,197,4 • The right to have your ballot counted accurately.

AB68,197,6 • The right to vote free from coercion or intimidation by any election official or other person.

AB68,197,8 • The right to report any illegal or fraudulent election activity to an elections official or the State of Wisconsin Elections Commission.

AB68,8 Section 8 . 5.84 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,198,3 5.84 (1) Where any municipality employs an electronic voting system which utilizes automatic tabulating equipment, either at the polling place or at a central counting location, the municipal clerk shall, on any day not more than 10 days prior to the election day on which the equipment is to be utilized in an election, have the equipment tested to ascertain that it will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given by the clerk at least 48 hours prior to the test by publication of a class 1 notice under ch. 985 in one or more newspapers published within the municipality if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. The test shall be open to the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each referendum. The test shall include for each office one or more ballots which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law and, for a partisan primary election, one or more ballots which have votes cast for candidates of more than one recognized political party, in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment to reject such votes. If any error is detected, the municipal clerk shall ascertain the cause and correct the error. The clerk shall make an errorless count before the automatic tabulating equipment is approved by the clerk for use in the election.