SB764: Bill Text

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2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Senate BILL 764

December 17, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Smith, Agard, Roys, Erpenbach and L. Taylor, cosponsored by Representatives Shankland, Spreitzer, Considine, Pope, S. Rodriguez, Shelton, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Stubbs, Subeck and Vining. Referred to Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges.

SB764,1,2 An Act relating to: funding for certain research positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and special education aid and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill specifies that the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System must provide funding for two agriculture and climate change research positions assigned to the Division of Extension at UW-Madison. The positions must be filled using existing, currently vacant positions but must also reflect an increase in the total number of research positions at UW-Madison.

The bill also provides additional funding for special education aid the Department of Public Instruction pays to school districts, independent charter schools, cooperative educational service agencies, and county children with disabilities education boards.

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:

SB764,1 Section 1 . Nonstatutory provisions.

SB764,1,4 (1) Climate science research positions.

SB764,1,5 (a) In this subsection:

SB764,2,1 1. “Board” means the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.

SB764,2,2 2. “Chancellor” means the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

SB764,2,5 (b) From the appropriation under s. 20.285 (1) (a), the board shall provide funding for 2.0 full-time equivalent research positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focusing on agriculture and climate change.

SB764,2,6 (c) The positions specified in par. (b) are subject to all of the following:

SB764,2,8 1. The positions shall be filled using existing authorized full-time equivalent positions, funded from s. 20.285 (1) (a), that are currently vacant.

SB764,2,10 2. The positions shall be filled in a manner that reflects an increase in the total number of research positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

SB764,2,12 3. The positions shall be assigned to the division of extension at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

SB764,2,14 (d) The chancellor may not abolish under s. 16.505 (2p) the positions specified in par. (b).

SB764,2 Section 2 . Fiscal changes.

SB764,2,23 (1) UW climate science research positions. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System under s. 20.285 (1) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2021-22 is increased by $200,000 to provide funding for the positions specified in Section 1 (1) of this act. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System under s. 20.285 (1) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2022-23 is increased by $200,000 to provide funding for the positions specified in Section 1 (1) of this act.

SB764,3,5 (2) Special education aid. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of public instruction under s. 20.255 (2) (b), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2021-22 is increased by $110,000 to increase funding for aids for special education under s. 115.88. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of public instruction under s. 20.255 (2) (b), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2022-23 is increased by $110,000 to increase funding for aids for special education under s. 115.88.

SB764,3,6 (End)