2021 WISCONSIN ACT 249
An Act to amend 44.02 (5m), 44.02 (5s), 44.02 (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18), 44.03 (3) and 44.04 (3) of the statutes; relating to: duties of the State Historical Society; reports by affiliates to the State Historical Society; and fees charged to support State Historical Society school and teacher services (suggested as remedial legislation by the State Historical Society).
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Law Revision Committee prefatory note: This bill is a remedial legislation proposal, requested by the State Historical Society and introduced by the Law Revision Committee under s. 13.83 (1) (c) 4. and 5., stats. After careful consideration of the various provisions of the bill, the Law Revision Committee has determined that this bill makes minor substantive changes in the statutes, and that these changes are desirable as a matter of public policy.
249,1
Section
1
. 44.02 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.02 (5m) Not charge a fee for admission to the museum Wisconsin Historical Museum located at 30 N. Carroll Street in Madison until construction of the a new museum is completed. Fees collected from admissions shall be used to support public programming and operations of the new museum.
249,2
Section
2
. 44.02 (5s) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.02 (5s) Except as provided in s. 16.84 (2), have responsibility for security at the museum Wisconsin Historical Museum located at 30 N. Carroll Street in Madison.
Note: Sections 1 and 2 clarify whether various references in current law to “the museum” mean the existing museum located at 30 N. Carroll Street in Madison or a new museum yet to be constructed. Section 1 also specifies that admission fees collected at the new museum may be used to support its operations in addition to its public programming.
249,3
Section
3. 44.02 (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18) of the statutes are amended to read:
44.02 (13) To faithfully Faithfully expend and apply all money received to the fulfillment of its duties and purposes as directed by law.
(14) To hold Hold all its present and future property for the state.
(15) To promote Promote a wider appreciation of the American heritage with particular emphasis on the collection, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge of the history of Wisconsin and of the West.
(16) To collect Collect, embody, arrange, and preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, maps, charts, manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary, and other materials illustrative of the history of the state.
(17) To preserve Preserve the memory of its early residents and pioneers, and to obtain and preserve narratives of their exploits, perils, and adventures.
(18) To exhibit Exhibit faithfully the antiquities, and the past and present condition, and resources of Wisconsin.
Note: This Section addresses grammatical issues and specifies that the duty of the State Historical Society with regard to preserving the memory, exploits, perils, and adventures of early pioneers also applies to early residents.
249,4
Section
4. 44.03 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.03 (3) Every affiliated society shall make a report of its work annually to the historical society that contains the information specified in s. 181.1622 (1) (a) to (e) (f), which, in its entirety or in part, may be included in the publications of the historical society, and upon application of any affiliated society the historical society may accept, in behalf of the state, custody of or title to the property, records and collections of the affiliated society or may assist in the disposal thereof. If any affiliated society becomes, in the opinion of the board of curators of the historical society, inactive or defunct, title to such property, records and collections not otherwise provided for in the grants of donors or in the articles of incorporation of the inactive and defunct society, shall vest in the historical society which shall take appropriate action in the public interest for the protection or disposal of such property, records and collections. Preference in disposition shall be given to historical or related organizations in the area or to whatever county or local governmental unit that has aided such affiliate financially.
Note: This Section updates a cross-reference in order to expand on the information an affiliated society must include in its annual report to the State Historical Society.
249,5
Section
5. 44.04 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.04 (3) It may make such charges The historical society may charge such fees as its board of curators shall establish as just and proper to defray in part the costs of this program.
Note: This Section clarifies the authority of the State Historical Society to charge fees to defray in part the cost of materials and services it furnishes to schools and teachers.
