Amendment SSA1-AB68

AB68-SSA1,711 Section 711 . 38.274 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,454,16 38.274 Farmer tuition assistance grants. (1) From the appropriation under s. 20.292 (1) (fm), and subject to sub. (2), the board shall make grants to current or prospective farmers in this state for the purpose of paying no more than 50 percent of tuition costs for enrolling in district courses on farm management or farm finance.

AB68-SSA1,454,18 (2) A current or prospective farmer may receive grants under sub. (1) that total no more than $1,000 per year for no more than 3 years.

AB68-SSA1,712 Section 712 . 39.395 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,454,23 39.395 Nurse educators. (1) In this section, “institution of higher education” means an institution or college campus within the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college within the technical college system, or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located in this state.

AB68-SSA1,454,25 (2) Subject to sub. (3), the board shall establish a program that provides all of the following:

AB68-SSA1,455,3 (a) Fellowships for students who enroll in doctor of nursing practice, doctor of philosophy in nursing, or master of science in nursing degree programs in an institution of higher education.

AB68-SSA1,455,5 (b) Postdoctoral fellowships to recruit faculty for nursing programs in an institution of higher education.

AB68-SSA1,455,7 (c) Educational loan repayment assistance to recruit and retain faculty for nursing programs in an institution of higher education.

AB68-SSA1,455,11 (3) The program established under sub. (2) shall require individuals who receive fellowships under sub. (2) (a) or (b) or assistance under sub. (2) (c) to make a commitment to teach for at least 3 consecutive years in a nursing program at an institution of higher education.

AB68-SSA1,455,13 (4) Costs associated with the program established under sub. (2) shall be funded from the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (co).

AB68-SSA1,713 Section 713. 39.42 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,455,25 39.42 Interstate agreements. The board, with the approval of the joint committee on finance, or the governing boards of any publicly supported institution of post-high school education, with the approval of the board and the joint committee on finance, may enter into agreements or understandings which include remission of nonresident tuition for designated categories of students at state institutions of higher education with appropriate state agencies and institutions of higher education in other states to facilitate use of public higher education institutions of this state and other states. Such agreements and understandings shall have as their purpose the mutual improvement of educational advantages for residents of this state and such other states or institutions of other states with which agreements are made. This section does not apply to the agreement under s. 36.27 (2r).

AB68-SSA1,714 Section 714. 39.47 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,456,3 39.47 (title) Minnesota-Wisconsin public vocational school student reciprocity agreement.

AB68-SSA1,715 Section 715. 39.47 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,456,15 39.47 (1) There is established, to be administered by the board, a Minnesota-Wisconsin public vocational school student reciprocity agreement, the purpose of which shall be to ensure that neither state shall profit at the expense of the other and that the determination of any amounts owed by either state under the agreement shall be based on an equitable formula which reflects the educational costs incurred by the 2 states, reflects any differentials in usage by residents of either state of the public institutions of higher education located in the other state, and reflects any differentials in the resident tuition charged at comparable public institutions of higher education of the 2 states. The board, representing this state, shall enter into an agreement meeting the requirements of this section with the designated body representing the state of Minnesota.

AB68-SSA1,716 Section 716. 39.47 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,457,4 39.47 (2) The agreement under this section shall provide for the waiver of nonresident tuition fees for a resident of either state who is enrolled in a public vocational school located in the other state. The agreement shall also establish a reciprocal fee structure for residents of either state who are enrolled in public institutions of higher education, other than vocational schools, located in the other state. The reciprocal fee may not exceed the higher of the resident tuition fees that would be charged the student at the public institution of higher education vocational school in which the student is enrolled or the resident tuition fees that would be charged the student at a comparable public institutions of higher education vocational school located in his or her state of residence, as specified in the annual administrative memorandum under sub. (2g). The agreement shall take effect on July 1, 2007. The agreement is subject to the approval of the joint committee on finance under s. 39.42.

AB68-SSA1,717 Section 717 . 40.01 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,457,20 40.01 (3) Compatibility of trustee responsibilities. Membership on the employee trust funds board, group insurance board, and deferred compensation board, Wisconsin retirement board and the teachers retirement board shall not be incompatible with any other public office. The board members and the employees of the department shall not be deemed to have a conflict of interest in carrying out their responsibilities and duties in administering this chapter, or taking other appropriate actions necessary to achieve the purposes of this chapter, solely by reason of their being eligible for benefits under the benefit plans provided under this chapter. However, any board member or employee of the department is expressly prohibited from participating in decisions directly related to a specific benefit, credit, claim, or application of the person and from participating in negotiations or decisions on the selection of actuarial, medical, legal, insurance, or other independent contractors if the board member or employee of the department has a direct or indirect financial interest in or is an officer or employee or is otherwise associated with the independent contractor.

AB68-SSA1,718 Section 718. 40.02 (8) (b) 3. of the statutes is repealed.

AB68-SSA1,719 Section 719. 40.02 (21d) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,457,25 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:

AB68-SSA1,720 Section 720. 40.03 (1) (dm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,458,5 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.

AB68-SSA1,721 Section 721 . 40.03 (1) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,458,11 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.

AB68-SSA1,722 Section 722 . 40.03 (1) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,458,21 40.03 (1) (j) Shall accept timely appeals from determinations made by the department, other than appeals of determinations made by the department regarding disability annuities. The board shall review the relevant facts and may hold a hearing. Upon completion of its review and hearing, if any, the board shall make a determination which it shall certify to the participating employer or the appropriate state agency and to the appropriate employee, if any. The board's determination of an employee's status under s. 40.06 (1) (e) shall remain in effect until receipt by the department of notification indicating a different classification. A participant may appeal that determination as provided by s. 40.06 (1) (e).

AB68-SSA1,723 Section 723 . 40.03 (1) (p) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,459,2 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.

AB68-SSA1,724 Section 724 . 40.03 (1) (q) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,459,6 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:

AB68-SSA1,459,9 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.

AB68-SSA1,459,11 2. May, wholly or partially in lieu of subd. 1., on behalf of the state, provide the plans on a self-insured basis.

AB68-SSA1,459,14 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.

AB68-SSA1,459,21 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.

AB68-SSA1,459,23 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.

AB68-SSA1,459,25 6. Shall accept timely appeals of determinations made by the department affecting any right or benefit under the plans.

AB68-SSA1,725 Section 725. 40.03 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,460,5 40.03 (2) (d) May suspend an annuity pending final action by the board, or a disability annuity pending final action by the Wisconsin retirement board or the teachers retirement board, when, in the secretary's judgment, the annuitant is not eligible to receive the annuity.

AB68-SSA1,726 Section 726 . 40.03 (2) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,460,17 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, rules promulgated under this paragraph relating to teachers must be approved by the teachers retirement board and rules promulgated under this paragraph relating to participants other than teachers must be approved by the Wisconsin retirement board, except rules promulgated under s. 40.30 and shall promulgate rules as necessary for a 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).

AB68-SSA1,727 Section 727 . 40.03 (2) (ig) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,460,22 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.

AB68-SSA1,728 Section 728 . 40.03 (2) (p) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,461,3 40.03 (2) (p) Shall establish procedures for and conduct the elections of board members required under ss. s. 15.16 (1) (d) and 15.165 (3) (a) 1., 2., 6. and 7. (1) (cm) 1. The procedures shall include the establishment of a nominating process and shall provide for the distribution of ballots to all participating employees and annuitants eligible to vote in the election.

AB68-SSA1,729 Section 729 . 40.03 (2) (v) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,461,13 40.03 (2) (v) May settle any dispute in an appeal of a determination made by the department that is subject to review under sub. (1) (j), or (6) (i), (7) (f), or (8) (f), or s. 40.80 (2g), but only with the approval of the board having the authority to accept the appeal. In deciding whether to settle such a dispute, the secretary shall consider the cost of litigation, the likelihood of success on the merits, the cost of delay in resolving the dispute, the actuarial impact on the trust fund, and any other relevant factor the secretary considers appropriate. Any moneys paid by the department to settle a dispute under this paragraph shall be paid from the appropriation account under s. 20.515 (1) (r).

AB68-SSA1,730 Section 730. 40.03 (2) (x) of the statutes is repealed.

AB68-SSA1,731 Section 731 . 40.03 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,461,19 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.

AB68-SSA1,461,21 (b) The internal auditor may review any activity, information, or record of the department that relates to the administration of the fund.

AB68-SSA1,461,25 (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.

AB68-SSA1,462,3 (d) The internal auditor shall monitor the department's compliance with applicable legal requirements and contracts entered into by the department and the board.

AB68-SSA1,732 Section 732 . 40.03 (6) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,462,9 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:

AB68-SSA1,733 Section 733 . 40.03 (6) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,462,14 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

AB68-SSA1,734 Section 734 . 40.03 (6) (d) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,462,20 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:

AB68-SSA1,735 Section 735 . 40.03 (6) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,462,24 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 plans that are overseen by the group insurance board.

AB68-SSA1,736 Section 736 . 40.03 (7) of the statutes is repealed.

AB68-SSA1,737 Section 737. 40.03 (8) of the statutes is repealed.

AB68-SSA1,738 Section 738 . 40.04 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,463,11 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.

AB68-SSA1,739 Section 739 . 40.04 (3) (am) 3. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,463,17 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:

AB68-SSA1,740 Section 740 . 40.05 (2) (aw) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,464,2 40.05 (2) (aw) For purposes of this subsection, the participating employer of an employee subject to s. 40.65 who is on a deployment, training, or readiness exercise as the member of an urban search and rescue task force under a contract under s. 323.72 (1) is the local agency, and the local agency shall contribute any additional percentage or percentages related to the deployment, training, or readiness exercises under a contract under s. 323.72 (1) as calculated by the actuary under s. 40.03 (5) (c). A local agency may seek reimbursement from the department of military affairs under s. 323.72 (2m).

AB68-SSA1,741 Section 741. 40.05 (4) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,464,17 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.

AB68-SSA1,742 Section 742. 40.06 (8) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,464,22 40.06 (8) For periods during which a protective occupation participant who is a participating employee is on a deployment, training, or readiness exercise with an urban search and rescue task force under a contract under s. 323.72 (1), all of the following shall apply:

AB68-SSA1,464,24 (a) The employer remits required contributions to the department under s. 40.05 (1) (a) and (2) (a).

AB68-SSA1,465,3 (b) The employer reports to the department service and earnings that are at least the same rate the employee would have received if the employee had not been on the deployment, training, or readiness exercise.

AB68-SSA1,743 Section 743 . 40.08 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,465,12 40.08 (12) Court review. Notwithstanding s. 227.52, any action, decision, or determination of the board, the Wisconsin retirement board, the teachers retirement board, the group insurance board, or the deferred compensation board in an administrative proceeding shall be reviewable only by an action for certiorari in the circuit court for Dane County that is commenced by any party to the administrative proceeding, including the department, within 30 days after the date on which notice of the action, decision, or determination is mailed to that party, and any party to the certiorari proceedings may appeal the decision of that court.

AB68-SSA1,744 Section 744. 40.22 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,465,18 40.22 (1) Except as otherwise provided in sub. (2) and s. 40.26 (6) and (7), 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.

AB68-SSA1,745 Section 745. 40.22 (2m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,466,2 40.22 (2m) (intro.) Except as otherwise provided in s. 40.26 (6) and (7), 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:

AB68-SSA1,746 Section 746. 40.22 (2r) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,466,10 40.22 (2r) (intro.) Except as otherwise provided in s. 40.26 (6) and (7), 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:

AB68-SSA1,747 Section 747 . 40.22 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68-SSA1,466,14 40.22 (3) (intro.) Except as otherwise provided in s. 40.26 (6) and (7), 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:

AB68-SSA1,748 Section 748 . 40.23 (1) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read: