SB70: Bill Text

SB70,688 Section 688. 39.435 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,620,22 39.435 (4) (a) The board shall award grants under this section based on a formula that accounts for expected parental and student contributions a family's expected family contribution, as defined in s. 39.437 (3) (a), and that is consistent with generally accepted definitions and nationally approved needs analysis methodology.

SB70,689 Section 689. 39.435 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 39.436 (2) and amended to read:

SB70,621,12 39.436 (2) The board shall ensure that grants under this section are made available to students administer a grant program for postsecondary resident students enrolled at least half-time and attending private or public institutions in this state who are deaf or hard of hearing or visually impaired and who demonstrate need. Grants may also be made available to such students attending private or public institutions in other states under criteria established by the board. In determining the financial need of these students special consideration shall be given to their unique and unusual costs. A grant awarded under this subsection may not be less than $250 nor more than $1,800 for any academic year. The board may award a grant under this subsection to the same student for up to 10 semesters or their equivalent, but may not award a grant to the same student more than 6 years after the initial grant is awarded to that student.

SB70,690 Section 690. 39.436 (title), (3) and (4) of the statutes are created to read:

SB70,621,15 39.436 (title) Talent incentive grants; grants for students with visual or hearing impairment.

SB70,621,19 (3) The board shall award grants under this section based on a formula that accounts for a family's expected family contribution, as defined in s. 39.437 (3) (a), and that is consistent with generally accepted definitions and nationally approved needs analysis methodology.

SB70,621,24 (4) The board may not make a grant under this section to a person whose name appears on the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), unless the person provides to the board a payment agreement that has been approved by the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and that is consistent with rules promulgated under s. 49.858 (2) (a).

SB70,691 Section 691. 39.437 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,622,9 39.437 (3) (a) In this subsection, “expected family contribution" means the amount that a student and the student's family are expected to contribute in an academic year to the cost of the student's postsecondary education, as determined by use of the most recent federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid, as described in 20 USC 1090 (a), except that, upon implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act, Pub. Law 116-260, section 702, as affected by the FAFSA Simplification Technical Corrections Act, Pub. Law 117-103, section 102, “expected family contribution” shall be determined consistently with requirements for determining the student aid index under 20 USC 472 to 477.

SB70,692 Section 692 . 40.02 (8) (b) 3. of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,693 Section 693 . 40.02 (21d) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,622,14 40.02 (21d) (intro.) “Domestic partnership" means a relationship between 2 individuals, who submitted an affidavit of domestic partnership to the department before September 23, 2017, that satisfies all of the following:

SB70,694 Section 694. 40.02 (28) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,622,25 40.02 (28) “Employer" means the state, including each state agency, any county, city, village, town, school district, other governmental unit or instrumentality of 2 or more units of government now existing or hereafter created within the state, any federated public library system established under s. 43.19 whose territory lies within a single county with a population of 750,000 or more, a local exposition district created under subch. II of ch. 229, a transit authority created under s. 66.1039, and a long-term care district created under s. 46.2895, except as provided under ss. 40.51 (7) and 40.61 (3). “Employer" does not include a local cultural arts district created under subch. V of ch. 229. Each employer shall be a separate legal jurisdiction for OASDHI purposes.

SB70,695 Section 695. 40.03 (1) (dm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,623,5 40.03 (1) (dm) Shall develop and implement policies, principles, and directives for the office of internal audit and determine the qualifications of and appoint, in the classified service, staff for the office of internal audit. Staff appointed under this paragraph shall report directly to the board.

SB70,696 Section 696 . 40.03 (1) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,623,11 40.03 (1) (i) May determine that some or all of the disability annuities and death benefits provided from the Wisconsin retirement system shall instead be provided through group insurance plans to be established by the group insurance board either as separate plans or as integral parts of the group life and income continuation insurance plans established under this chapter.

SB70,697 Section 697 . 40.03 (1) (p) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,623,16 40.03 (1) (p) May, upon the recommendation of the actuary, transfer in whole or in part the assets and reserves held in any account described in s. 40.04 (9) to a different account described in s. 40.04 (9), for the purpose of providing any group insurance benefit offered by the group insurance board.

SB70,698 Section 698 . 40.03 (1) (q) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,623,20 40.03 (1) (q) For the purposes of the group income continuation insurance plan established under ss. 40.61 and 40.62 and the group long-term disability insurance plan established under s. 40.64:

SB70,623,23 1. May, on behalf of the state, enter into a contract or contracts with one or more insurers authorized to transact insurance business in this state for the purpose of providing the plans.

SB70,623,25 2. May, wholly or partially in lieu of subd. 1., on behalf of the state, provide the plans on a self-insured basis.

SB70,624,3 3. May take any action as trustees that is considered advisable and not specifically prohibited or delegated to some other governmental agency to carry out the purpose and intent of the plans.

SB70,624,10 4. May apportion all excess moneys becoming available to the board through operation of the plans to reduce premium payments in following contract years or to establish reserves to stabilize costs in subsequent years. If the board determines that the excess became available due to favorable experience of specific groups of employers or specific employee groups, the board may make the apportionment in a manner designated to benefit the specific employers or employee groups only or to a greater extent than other employers and employee groups.

SB70,624,12 5. Shall take prompt action to liquidate any actuarial or cash deficit that occurs in the accounts and reserves maintained in the fund for the plans.

SB70,624,14 6. Shall accept timely appeals of determinations made by the department affecting any right or benefit under the plans.

SB70,699 Section 699 . 40.03 (2) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,625,3 40.03 (2) (i) Shall Except as provided under pars. (ig) and (ir), shall promulgate, with the approval of the board, all rules, except rules promulgated under par. (ig) or (ir), that are required for the efficient administration of the fund or of any of the benefit plans established by this chapter. In addition to being approved by the board, and shall promulgate rules as necessary for a group long-term disability insurance plan established under s. 40.64. All rules promulgated under this paragraph are subject to board approval under sub. (1) (m). Except for rules promulgated under s. 40.30 (6), the rules promulgated under this paragraph relating to teachers must be approved are subject to approval by the teachers retirement board and under sub. (7) (d). Except for rules promulgated under s. 40.30 (6), the rules promulgated under this paragraph relating to participants other than teachers must be approved are subject to approval by the Wisconsin retirement board, except rules promulgated under s. 40.30 sub. (8) (d).

SB70,700 Section 700 . 40.03 (2) (ig) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,625,8 40.03 (2) (ig) Shall promulgate, with the approval of the group insurance board, all rules required for the administration of the group health, long-term care, income continuation or life insurance plans established under subchs. IV to and VI and health savings accounts under subch. IV.

SB70,701 Section 701 . 40.03 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,625,13 40.03 (4m) Office of internal audit. (a) The office of internal audit shall provide independent assurance that the public employee trust fund assets under the control of the department are safeguarded for the purpose of ensuring the fulfillment of the benefit commitments to individuals under this chapter.

SB70,625,15 (b) The internal auditor may review any activity, information, or record of the department that relates to the administration of the fund.

SB70,625,19 (c) The internal auditor shall plan and conduct audit activities, including external audits, risk assessments, research projects, and management reviews, under the direction of the board and in accordance with policies, principles, and directives determined by the board.

SB70,625,22 (d) The internal auditor shall monitor the department's compliance with applicable legal requirements and contracts entered into by the department and the board.

SB70,702 Section 702 . 40.03 (6) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,626,3 40.03 (6) Group insurance board. (intro.) The With respect to the group insurance plans provided for by this chapter other than the group income continuation insurance plan established under ss. 40.61 and 40.62 and the group long-term disability insurance plan established under s. 40.64, the group insurance board:

SB70,703 Section 703 . 40.03 (6) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,626,8 40.03 (6) (a) 1. Except as provided in par. (m), shall, on behalf of the state, enter into a contract or contracts with one or more insurers authorized to transact insurance business in this state for the purpose of providing the group insurance plans provided for by this chapter; or

SB70,704 Section 704 . 40.03 (6) (d) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,626,14 40.03 (6) (d) (intro.) May take any action as trustees which that is deemed advisable and not specifically prohibited or delegated to some other governmental agency, to carry out the purpose and intent of the group insurance plans provided under this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisions in the appropriate contracts relating to:

SB70,705 Section 705 . 40.03 (6) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,626,18 40.03 (6) (i) Shall accept timely appeals of determinations made by the department affecting any right or benefit under any group insurance plan provided for under this chapter that is overseen by the group insurance board.

SB70,706 Section 706 . 40.04 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,627,3 40.04 (3) (a) The net gain or loss of the variable retirement investment trust shall be distributed annually on December 31 to each participating account in the same ratio as each account's average daily balance within the respective trust bears to the total average daily balance of all participating accounts in the trust. The amount to be distributed shall be the excess of the increase within the period in the value of the assets of the trust resulting from income from the investments of the trust and from the sale or appreciation in value of any investment of the trust, over the decrease within the period in the value of the assets resulting from the sale or the depreciation in value of any investments of the trust.

SB70,707 Section 707 . 40.04 (3) (am) 3. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,627,9 40.04 (3) (am) 3. (intro.) Annually, on December 31, the sum of all of the following shall be distributed from the market recognition account to each participating account in the core retirement investment trust in the same ratio as each account's average daily balance bears to the total average daily balance of all participating accounts in the trust:

SB70,708 Section 708. 40.05 (4) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,627,24 40.05 (4) (a) 2. For an insured employee who is an eligible employee under s. 40.02 (25) (a) 2. or (b) 1m. or 2c., the employer shall pay required employer contributions toward the health insurance premium of the insured employee beginning on the date on which the employee becomes insured. For an insured state employee who is currently employed, but who is not a limited term appointment under s. 230.26 or an eligible employee under s. 40.02 (25) (a) 2. or (b) 1m. or 2c., the employer shall pay required employer contributions toward the health insurance premium of the insured employee beginning on the first day of the 3rd 2nd month beginning after the date on which the employee begins employment with the state, not including any leave of absence. For an insured employee who has a limited term appointment under s. 230.26, the employer shall pay required employer contributions toward the health insurance premium of the insured employee beginning on the first day of the 7th month beginning after the date on which the employee first becomes a participating employee.

SB70,709 Section 709. 40.05 (5) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 40.05 (5) and amended to read:

SB70,628,9 40.05 (5) Income continuation insurance premiums. For the group income continuation insurance provided under subch. V ss. 40.61 and 40.62, the employee shall pay the amount remaining after the employer has contributed the following an amount equal to the gross premium payable for insurance coverage that includes the longest waiting period available to the employee under the insurance contract by rule or, if different, the amount determined under a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V of ch. 111 or s. 230.12 or 233.10: .

SB70,710 Section 710 . 40.05 (5) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,711 Section 711 . 40.05 (5) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,712 Section 712. 40.22 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,628,17 40.22 (1) Except as otherwise provided in sub. (2) and s. 40.26 (6) (1), each employee currently in the service of, and receiving earnings from, a state agency or other participating employer shall be included within the provisions of the Wisconsin retirement system as a participating employee of that state agency or participating employer.

SB70,713 Section 713. 40.22 (2) (L) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,628,21 40.22 (2) (L) The employee is employed by a participating employer after the person becomes an annuitant, unless the service is after the annuity is suspended by the election of the employee under s. 40.26.

SB70,714 Section 714. 40.22 (2m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,629,4 40.22 (2m) (intro.) Except as otherwise provided in s. 40.26 (6) (1), an employee who was a participating employee before July 1, 2011, who is not expected to work at least one-third of what is considered full-time employment by the department, as determined by rule, and who is not otherwise excluded under sub. (2) from becoming a participating employee shall become a participating employee if he or she is subsequently employed by the state agency or other participating employer for either of the following periods:

SB70,715 Section 715. 40.22 (2r) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,629,12 40.22 (2r) (intro.) Except as otherwise provided in s. 40.26 (6) (1), an employee who was not a participating employee before July 1, 2011, who is not expected to work at least two-thirds of what is considered full-time employment by the department, as determined by rule, and who is not otherwise excluded under sub. (2) from becoming a participating employee shall become a participating employee if he or she is subsequently employed by the state agency or other participating employer for either of the following periods:

SB70,716 Section 716. 40.22 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,629,16 40.22 (3) (intro.) Except as otherwise provided in s. 40.26 (6) (1), a person who qualifies as a participating employee shall be included within, and shall be subject to, the Wisconsin retirement system effective on one of the following dates:

SB70,717 Section 717 . 40.23 (1) (bm) of the statutes is renumbered 40.23 (1) (bm) 1. and amended to read:

SB70,629,25 40.23 (1) (bm) 1. If an application by a participant age 55 or over, or by a protective occupation participant age 50 or over, for group long-term disability insurance benefits under s. 40.64 is disapproved under rules promulgated by the department, the date which would have been the effective date for the insurance benefits shall be is the retirement annuity effective date if requested by the applicant within 60 days of the disapproval or, if the disapproval is appealed, within 60 days of the final disposition of the appeal.

SB70,718 Section 718. 40.26 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,630,10 40.26 (1) Except as provided in sub. (1m) and ss. 40.05 (2) (g) 2. and 40.23 (1) (am), if a participant receiving a retirement annuity, or a disability annuitant who has attained his or her normal retirement date, receives earnings that are subject to s. 40.05 (1) or that would be subject to s. 40.05 (1) except for the exclusion specified in s. 40.22 (2) (L), the annuity shall be suspended, including any amount provided by additional contributions, and no annuity payment shall be payable after the month in which the participant files with the department a written election to be included within the provisions of the Wisconsin retirement system as a participating employee.

SB70,719 Section 719. 40.26 (1m) of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,720 Section 720. 40.26 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,630,15 40.26 (2) (intro.) Upon suspension of an annuity under sub. (1) or (1m), the retirement account of the participant whose annuity is so suspended shall be established on the following basis:

SB70,721 Section 721. 40.26 (5) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,630,21 40.26 (5) (intro.) Except as otherwise provided in sub. (5m), if If a participant applies for an annuity or lump sum payment during the period in which less than 75 30 days have elapsed between the termination of employment with a participating employer and becoming a participating employee with any participating employer, all of the following shall apply:

SB70,722 Section 722. 40.26 (5m) of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,723 Section 723. 40.26 (6) of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,724 Section 724 . 40.51 (2m) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,725 Section 725. 40.51 (2m) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 40.51 (2m) and amended to read:

SB70,631,6 40.51 (2m) If an eligible employee is divorced or was a domestic partner in a dissolved domestic partnership, the eligible employee may not enroll a new spouse or domestic partner in a group health insurance plan under this subchapter until 6 months have elapsed since the date of the divorce or dissolved domestic partnership.

SB70,726 Section 726. 40.51 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,631,19 40.51 (7) (a) Any employer, other than the state, including an employer that is not a participating employer, may offer to all of its employees a health care coverage plan through a program offered by the group insurance board. Notwithstanding sub. (2) and ss. 40.05 (4) and 40.52 (1), the department may by rule establish different eligibility standards or contribution requirements for such employees and employers. Beginning on January 1, 2012, except as otherwise provided in a collective bargaining agreement under subch. IV of ch. 111 that covers public safety employees or transit employees and except as provided in par. (b), an employer may not offer a health care coverage plan to its employees under this subsection if the employer pays more than 88 percent of the average premium cost of plans offered in any tier with the lowest employee premium cost under this subsection.

SB70,727 Section 727. 40.51 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,631,25 40.51 (8) Every health care coverage plan offered by the state under sub. (6) shall comply with ss. 631.89, 631.90, 631.93 (2), 631.95, 632.72 (2), 632.728, 632.729, 632.746 (1) to (8) and (10), 632.747, 632.748, 632.798, 632.83, 632.835, 632.85, 632.853, 632.855, 632.861, 632.862, 632.867, 632.87 (3) to (6) (8), 632.871, 632.885, 632.89, 632.895 (5m) and (8) to (17), and 632.896.

SB70,728 Section 728. 40.51 (8m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,632,6 40.51 (8m) Every health care coverage plan offered by the group insurance board under sub. (7) shall comply with ss. 631.95, 632.728, 632.729, 632.746 (1) to (8) and (10), 632.747, 632.748, 632.798, 632.83, 632.835, 632.85, 632.853, 632.855, 632.861, 632.862, 632.867, 632.87 (7) and (8), 632.871, 632.885, 632.89, and 632.895 (11) (8) and (10) to (17).