AB124: Bill Text

2019 Assembly BILL 124

March 25, 2019 - Introduced by Representatives Plumer, Steineke, Rodriguez, Snyder, Pronschinske, Kurtz, James, Dittrich, Felzkowski, Rohrkaste, Tittl, Mursau, Spiros, Steffen, Allen, Duchow, Kulp, Petryk, Petersen, Thiesfeldt, Kitchens, Edming, Schraa, Krug, Murphy, Subeck and Sinicki, cosponsored by Senators Olsen and Carpenter. Referred to Committee on Public Benefit Reform.

AB124,1,4 An Act to renumber 16.303 (1); to amend 16.303 (2) (intro.), 16.303 (3) (a), 16.303 (3) (b) and 16.304 (1) (a); and to create 16.303 (1g) and 16.303 (1r) (am) of the statutes; relating to: grants to defray housing costs and for diversion programming and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill provides an additional $500,000 in each fiscal year of the 2019-21 fiscal biennium for grants or loans to persons or families of low or moderate income to defray housing costs.

The bill also provides $300,000 for grants or loans to eligible organizations to assist persons or families of low or moderate income to obtain and participate in diversion programming. The bill defines “diversion programming” as short-term intervention that supports persons or families of low or moderate income in identifying immediate, safe housing arrangements, other than temporary shelters, including by utilizing conflict resolution and mediation skills to reconnect the individuals or families to their support systems.

For further information see the state 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:

AB124,1 Section 1. 16.303 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 16.303 (1r).

AB124,2 Section 2. 16.303 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB124,2,7 16.303 (1g) In this section, “diversion programming” means short-term intervention that supports persons or families of low or moderate income in identifying immediate, safe housing arrangements, other than a temporary shelter, including by utilizing conflict resolution and mediation skills to reconnect the individuals or families to their support systems.

AB124,3 Section 3. 16.303 (1r) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB124,2,16 16.303 (1r) (am) From the appropriation under s. 20.505 (7) (b), subject to sub. (2), make grants or loans to agents designated under s. 16.304 to assist persons or families of low or moderate income in obtaining and participating in diversion programming. The department shall ensure that the funds for the grants or loans are reasonably balanced among geographic areas of the state that correspond to the geographic areas served by each continuum of care organization designated by the federal department of housing and urban development, consistent with the quality of applications submitted.

AB124,4 Section 4. 16.303 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB124,2,19 16.303 (2) (intro.) In connection with grants and loans under sub. (1) (1r), the department shall do all of the following:

AB124,5 Section 5. 16.303 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB124,2,22 16.303 (3) (a) The department may make grants or loans under sub. (1) (1r) (a) directly or through agents designated under s. 16.304.

AB124,6 Section 6. 16.303 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB124,2,25 16.303 (3) (b) The department may administer and disburse funds from a grant or loan under sub. (1) (1r) (a) or (am) on behalf of the recipient of the grant or loan.

AB124,7 Section 7. 16.304 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB124,3,3 16.304 (1) (a) Award grants and loans under s. 16.303 (1) (1r) and (2) subject to the approval of the department.

AB124,8 Section 8 . Fiscal changes.

AB124,3,12 (1) Grants or loans to defray housing costs. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of administration under s. 20.505 (7) (b), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2019-20 is increased by $500,000 for grants or loans under s. 16.303 (1r) (a) to persons or families of low or moderate income to defray housing costs. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of administration under s. 20.505 (7) (b), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2020-21 is increased by $500,000 for grants or loans under s. 16.303 (1r) (a) to persons or families of low or moderate income to defray housing costs.

AB124,3,19 (2) Grants or loans for diversion programming. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of administration under s. 20.505 (7) (b), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2019-20 is increased by $300,000 for grants or loans under s. 16.303 (1r) (am) for diversion programming. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of administration under s. 20.505 (7) (b), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2020-21 is increased by $300,000 for grants or loans under s. 16.303 (1r) (am) for diversion programming.

AB124,3,20 (End)