SB444: Bill Text

SB444,9 Section 9 . 16.004 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,7,9 16.004 (4) Freedom of access. The secretary and such employees of the department as the secretary designates may enter into the offices of state agencies and authorities created under subch. II of ch. 114 and under chs. 231, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, and 279, and may examine their books and accounts and any other matter that in the secretary's judgment should be examined and may interrogate the agency's employees publicly or privately relative thereto.

SB444,10 Section 10 . 16.004 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,7,14 16.004 (5) Agencies and employees to cooperate. All state agencies and authorities created under subch. II of ch. 114 and under chs. 231, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, and 279, and their officers and employees, shall cooperate with the secretary and shall comply with every request of the secretary relating to his or her functions.

SB444,11 Section 11 . 16.004 (12) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,7,23 16.004 (12) (a) In this subsection, “state agency" means an association, authority, board, department, commission, independent agency, institution, office, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, including the legislature, the office of the governor, and the courts, but excluding the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, and the Fox River Navigational System Authority.

SB444,12 Section 12 . 16.045 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,8,6 16.045 (1) (a) “Agency" means an office, department, independent agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, that is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, but not including an authority created in subch. II of ch. 114 or in ch. 231, 232, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, or 279.

SB444,13 Section 13 . 16.15 (1) (ab) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,8,11 16.15 (1) (ab) “Authority" has the meaning given under s. 16.70 (2), but excludes the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

SB444,14 Section 14 . 16.41 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,8,14 16.41 (4) In this section, “authority" means a body created under subch. II of ch. 114 or under ch. 231, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, or 279.

SB444,15 Section 15 . 16.417 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,8,17 16.417 (1) (b) “Authority" means a body created under subch. II of ch. 114 or ch. 231, 232, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, or 279.

SB444,16 Section 16 . 16.52 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,9,3 16.52 (7) Petty cash account. With the approval of the secretary, each agency that is authorized to maintain a contingent fund under s. 20.920 may establish a petty cash account from its contingent fund. The procedure for operation and maintenance of petty cash accounts and the character of expenditures therefrom shall be prescribed by the secretary. In this subsection, “agency" means an office, department, independent agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, that is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, but not including an authority created in subch. II of ch. 114 or in ch. 231, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, or 279.

SB444,17 Section 17 . 16.528 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,9,10 16.528 (1) (a) “Agency" means an office, department, independent agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, that is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, but not including an authority created in subch. II of ch. 114 or in ch. 231, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, or 279.

SB444,18 Section 18 . 16.53 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,9,20 16.53 (2) Improper invoices. If an agency receives an improperly completed invoice, the agency shall notify the sender of the invoice within 10 working days after it receives the invoice of the reason it is improperly completed. In this subsection, “agency" means an office, department, independent agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, that is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, but not including an authority created in subch. II of ch. 114 or in ch. 231, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, or 279.

SB444,19 Section 19 . 16.54 (9) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,9,25 16.54 (9) (a) 1. “Agency" means an office, department, independent agency, institution of higher education, association, society or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, which is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, but not including an authority created in subch. II of ch. 114 or in ch. 231, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, or 279.

SB444,20 Section 20 . 16.765 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,10,14 16.765 (1) Contracting agencies, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation shall include in all contracts executed by them a provision obligating the contractor not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, developmental disability as defined in s. 51.01 (5), sexual orientation as defined in s. 111.32 (13m), or national origin and, except with respect to sexual orientation, obligating the contractor to take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities.

SB444,21 Section 21 . 16.765 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,11,8 16.765 (2) Contracting agencies, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation shall include the following provision in every contract executed by them: “In connection with the performance of work under this contract, the contractor agrees not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, developmental disability as defined in s. 51.01 (5), sexual orientation or national origin. This provision shall include, but not be limited to, the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Except with respect to sexual orientation, the contractor further agrees to take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities. The contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places, available for employees and applicants for employment, notices to be provided by the contracting officer setting forth the provisions of the nondiscrimination clause".

SB444,22 Section 22 . 16.765 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,12,2 16.765 (5) The head of each contracting agency and the boards of directors of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation shall be primarily responsible for obtaining compliance by any contractor with the nondiscrimination and affirmative action provisions prescribed by this section, according to procedures recommended by the department. The department shall make recommendations to the contracting agencies and the boards of directors of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation for improving and making more effective the nondiscrimination and affirmative action provisions of contracts. The department shall promulgate such rules as may be necessary for the performance of its functions under this section.

SB444,23 Section 23 . 16.765 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,12,12 16.765 (6) The department may receive complaints of alleged violations of the nondiscrimination provisions of such contracts. The department shall investigate and determine whether a violation of this section has occurred. The department may delegate this authority to the contracting agency, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, or the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation for processing in accordance with the department's procedures.

SB444,24 Section 24 . 16.765 (7) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,12,24 16.765 (7) (intro.) When a violation of this section has been determined by the department, the contracting agency, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, or the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation, the contracting agency, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, or the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation shall:

SB444,25 Section 25 . 16.765 (7) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,13,7 16.765 (7) (d) Direct the violating party to take immediate steps to prevent further violations of this section and to report its corrective action to the contracting agency, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, or the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation.

SB444,26 Section 26 . 16.765 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,14,2 16.765 (8) If further violations of this section are committed during the term of the contract, the contracting agency, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, or the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation may permit the violating party to complete the contract, after complying with this section, but thereafter the contracting agency, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, or the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation shall request the department to place the name of the party on the ineligible list for state contracts, or the contracting agency, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Lower Fox River Remediation Authority, the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, or the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation may terminate the contract without liability for the uncompleted portion or any materials or services purchased or paid for by the contracting party for use in completing the contract.

SB444,27 Section 27 . 16.85 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,14,13 16.85 (2) To furnish engineering, architectural, project management, and other building construction services whenever requisitions therefor are presented to the department by any agency. The department may deposit moneys received from the provision of these services in the account under s. 20.505 (1) (kc) or in the general fund as general purpose revenue — earned. In this subsection, “agency" means an office, department, independent agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, which is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, but not including an authority created in subch. II of ch. 114 or in ch. 231, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, or 279.

SB444,28 Section 28 . 16.865 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB444,15,4 16.865 (8) Annually in each fiscal year, allocate as a charge to each agency a proportionate share of the estimated costs attributable to programs administered by the agency to be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.505 (2) (k). The department may charge premiums to agencies to finance costs under this subsection and pay the costs from the appropriation on an actual basis. The department shall deposit all collections under this subsection in the appropriation account under s. 20.505 (2) (k). Costs assessed under this subsection may include judgments, investigative and adjustment fees, data processing and staff support costs, program administration costs, litigation costs, and the cost of insurance contracts under sub. (5). In this subsection, “agency" means an office, department, independent agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, that is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, but not including an authority created in subch. II of ch. 114 or in ch. 231, 232, 233, 234, 237, 238, 239, or 279.

SB444,29 Section 29 . 19.42 (10) (t) of the statutes is created to read:

SB444,15,7 19.42 (10) (t) The chief executive officer and members of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority.

SB444,30 Section 30 . 19.42 (13) (q) of the statutes is created to read:

SB444,15,10 19.42 (13) (q) The chief executive officer and members of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority.

SB444,31 Section 31. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: - See PDF for table

SB444,32 Section 32 . 20.195 of the statutes is created to read:

SB444,15,16 20.195 Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority. There is appropriated to the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority for the following programs:

SB444,16,2 (1) Student loan refinancing program. (a) Initial funding. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule to fund the initial costs of operating the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority and to start the student loan refinancing program under ch. 239.

SB444,33 Section 33 . 39.28 (7) of the statutes is created to read:

SB444,16,6 39.28 (7) The board shall create on its Internet site a link to that portion of the department of financial institutions' Internet site created under s. 224.30 (6) (c) and (d).

SB444,34 Section 34 . 39.52 of the statutes is created to read:

SB444,16,21 39.52 Student loan debt reports. (1) By January 1 of each year, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System shall provide to the board the average amount of student loan debt incurred in the previous year by resident undergraduate students enrolled in each institution within that system, the technical college system board shall provide to the board the average amount of student loan debt incurred in the previous year by resident undergraduate students enrolled in each technical college within that system, each tribally controlled college in this state shall provide to the board the average amount of student loan debt incurred in the previous year by resident undergraduate students enrolled in that tribally controlled college, and the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities or a successor organization shall provide to the board the average amount of student loan debt incurred in the previous year by resident undergraduate students enrolled in each of the private, nonprofit accredited institutions of higher education in this state.

SB444,16,22 (2) By March 1 of each year, the board shall do all of the following:

SB444,17,2 (a) Compile the information provided to the board under sub. (1) and, from that information, compute the statewide average amount of student loan debt incurred in the previous year by resident undergraduate students enrolled in the institutions specified in sub. (1).

SB444,17,5 (b) Compare the amount computed under par. (a) to the national average amount of student loan debt incurred in the previous year by undergraduate students enrolled in institutions of higher education in the United States.

SB444,17,9 (c) Compare the amount computed under par. (a) to the statewide average amount of student loan debt incurred in the previous year by undergraduate students in the state with the lowest ratio of statewide average student loan debt to the lowest quintile of state per capita income.

SB444,17,14 (d) Submit to the joint committee on finance a report regarding student loan debt incurred in the previous year by resident undergraduate students at the institutions specified in sub. (1). The report shall include the information provided to the board under sub. (1), the statewide average amount of student loan debt computed under par. (a), and the comparisons described in pars. (b) and (c).

SB444,35 Section 35 . 39.54 of the statutes is created to read:

SB444,17,22 39.54 Student lending transparency. (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, a tribally controlled college, or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located in this state that provides an educational program for which the institution awards an associate degree or higher or provides a program that is acceptable toward such a degree.

SB444,17,25 (2) Each institution of higher education shall provide to a prospective or newly accepted student and to the student's parents clearly outlined and easy-to-understand information pertaining to all of the following:

SB444,18,1 (a) The total cost of attendance at the institution of higher education.

SB444,18,6 (b) The approximate or, if known, the actual total amount of financial aid that the student would receive from the institution of higher education, and the approximate or, if known, the actual total amount of student loan debt that the student would accumulate, over the course of 4 years if the student were to attend the institution of higher education for 4 years.

SB444,18,9 (c) Student loan rates, repayment plans, default rates, and the actual monthly payment that would be required to pay the student loan debt described in par. (b) when the loan becomes due.

SB444,18,12 (3) Each institution of higher education shall create on its Internet site a link to that portion of the department of financial institutions' Internet site created under s. 224.30 (6) (c) and (d).

SB444,36 Section 36 . 39.56 of the statutes is created to read:

SB444,18,18 39.56 Loan counseling. (1) Definition. In this section, “institution of higher education" means an institution or college campus within the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college under ch. 38, or any private, nonprofit, educational institution located in this state that provides an educational program for which it awards an associate degree or higher.

SB444,18,22 (2) Applicability. This section applies to any student loan offered by an institution of higher education or a private lender or recommended to a student by an institution of higher education, other than a federally funded, federally insured, or federally guaranteed loan for which counseling is required by 20 USC 1092.

SB444,19,5 (3) Entrance counseling. (a) Before a student enters into a student loan agreement, an institution of higher education shall provide the student with comprehensive information on the terms and conditions of a loan and the responsibilities the student has with respect to the loan. The institution shall provide the information during a counseling session conducted in person, on a written form provided to the student that the student signs and returns, or online, with the student acknowledging receipt of the information. The information provided shall include all of the following:

SB444,19,7 1. To the extent practicable, the effect of accepting the loan to be disbursed on the eligibility of the borrower for other forms of student financial assistance.

SB444,19,9 2. How interest accrues and is capitalized during periods when the interest is not paid by the borrower.

SB444,19,12 3. The definitions of full-time and half-time enrollment at the institution of higher education, during regular terms and intersession terms, if applicable, and the consequences of not maintaining full-time or half-time enrollment.

SB444,19,15 4. The importance of contacting the appropriate office at the institution of higher education if the borrower withdraws before completing his or her program of study so that the institution can provide counseling under sub. (4).

SB444,19,17 5. Sample monthly repayment amounts, based on a range of levels of indebtedness.

SB444,19,20 6. The obligation of the borrower to repay the full amount of the loan, irrespective of whether the borrower completes his or her program of study at the institution.

SB444,19,22 7. The likely consequences of default on the loan, including adverse credit reports, delinquent debt collection procedures, and litigation.

SB444,19,24 8. Whether the student has reached the limit on his or her federal student loan opportunities.

SB444,20,3 9. The name of, and contact information for, an individual the borrower may contact if he or she has any questions about the borrower's rights and responsibilities or the terms and conditions of the loan.

SB444,20,8 10. How a student or any member of the public may file a complaint about a lender with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by calling a toll-free telephone number, or by completing a complaint form, which may be obtained on the bureau's Internet site. The institution of higher education shall also include the toll-free telephone number and Internet site address of the bureau.

SB444,20,10 (b) In conjunction with providing information under par. (a), the institution of higher education shall also do all of the following:

SB444,20,13 1. Clearly distinguish private loans from federal loans in individual financial aid awards by stating, for any private loans included by the institution as part of the institution's award package, all of the following:

SB444,20,14 a. Whether the rate is fixed or variable.

SB444,20,16 b. An explanation that private student loan lenders can offer variable interest rates that can increase or decrease over time, depending on market conditions.

SB444,20,20 c. An explanation that private student loans have a range of interest rates and fees and students should determine the interest rate of, and any fees associated with, the private student loan included in their financial aid award package before accepting the loan.

SB444,20,23 d. An explanation that students should contact the lender of the private student loan or their institution's financial aid office if they have any questions about a private student loan.

SB444,20,25 e. An explanation that the interest rate on a private student loan may depend on the borrower's credit rating.

SB444,21,4 2. If the institution of higher education provides a private loan lender list, provide general information about the loans available through the lender and disclose the basis for each lender's inclusion on the list. The institution shall also disclose with the list that the student may choose any lender.

SB444,21,10 (c) 1. A lender may not accept a final and complete application for a private student loan from an applicant, or assess any fees upon an applicant, without first receiving certification from the applicant's institution of higher education that the applicant has received counseling from the institution under pars. (a) and (b) and that the counseling was conducted in person, unless the certification specified that the applicant elected to receive the counseling in a manner other than in person.

SB444,21,16 2. The certification required by subd. 1. shall be signed by the applicant and the institutional counselor, and shall include the date of the counseling and the name, address, and telephone number of both the counselor and the applicant. An electronic facsimile copy of the counseling certification satisfies the requirement under this subdivision. The lender shall maintain the certification in an accurate, reproducible, and accessible format for the term of the student loan.

SB444,21,20 (4) Exit counseling. (a) As close as practicable to the date that a student graduates from, transfers from, withdraws from, or otherwise completes his or her program of study at the institution of higher education, the institution shall provide the student with information relating to all of the following: