Chapter 16

16.9685(3) (3) The clearinghouse with which the department enters into a contract under sub. (2) shall be the primary entity responsible for facilitating a financially stable market for the activities described in this subsection and sub. (5) and shall do all of the following:

16.9685(3)(a) (a) Produce credits by entering into contracts with other parties to undertake water pollution reduction activities. Each credit generated by a contracting party under this paragraph shall require the party to undertake at least 1.2 times that amount in water pollution reduction activities.

16.9685(3)(b) (b) Maintain a bank of credits produced or to be produced under par. (a).

16.9685(3)(c) (c) Sell credits produced under par. (a) to any person.

16.9685(3)(d) (d) Use methods approved by the department of natural resources to determine the amount of credits that may be produced by various water pollution reduction activities. These methods may include tables and models based on the best available scientific protocols. The clearinghouse may recommend additional methods to the department of natural resources.

16.9685(3)(e) (e) When contracting with a party under par. (a), determine the amount of credits that may be produced by the water pollution reduction activities by using the methods approved under par. (d).

16.9685(3)(f) (f) When contracting with a party under par. (a), do all of the following:

16.9685(3)(f)1. 1. Seek to minimize transaction costs.

16.9685(3)(f)2. 2. Seek to maximize the performance of the water pollution reduction activities.

16.9685(3)(f)3. 3. Seek to reduce the overall amount of pollutants introduced into the applicable hydrologic area, as defined under s. 283.84 (1m) (e) 2.

16.9685(3)(f)4. 4. Require a maintenance schedule approved by the department of natural resources to ensure that the credits are maintained throughout the time for which they are certified under sub. (4).

16.9685(3)(g) (g) Before making a credit available for sale for use under s. 283.84 (1) (f), verify the credit by reporting to the department of natural resources any pertinent information regarding the credit and the related water pollution reduction activities, including the location of the activities; the type of practice or technology used; any maintenance schedule; the frequency of inspections; the duration for which the credit is valid; and the amount of credits generated by the water pollution reduction activities.

16.9685(3)(h) (h) Establish and maintain a centralized registry of all credits generated and sold in this state and of the verification of all such credits that have been incorporated into permits under ch. 283. The clearinghouse shall maintain an Internet-based platform to facilitate the location of potential credit buyers, available credits, and any other information that will facilitate credit transactions. The clearinghouse shall report this and other pertinent trading information annually to the department and to the department of natural resources. The clearinghouse shall enter into a data-sharing agreement with the department of natural resources to facilitate the clearinghouse’s ability to collect and make publicly available pertinent information relating to water quality improvement programs administered in this state.

16.9685(4) (4) No later than 45 days after reviewing the information provided under sub. (3) (g) and (h), the department of natural resources shall certify the amount of credits and the duration of the credits available for sale.

16.9685(5) (5) The clearinghouse with which the department enters into a contract under sub. (2) may do any of the following:

16.9685(5)(a) (a) Charge fees and use funds received for general program operations of the clearinghouse, including costs associated with facilitating transactions, purchasing credits, and repayment of funds granted or loaned to the clearinghouse.

16.9685(5)(b) (b) Hold excess funds in trust for the purpose of making grants, in collaboration with county land conservation offices, the department of natural resources, or the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, for targeted water pollution prevention, water pollution remediation, and other environmental enhancement projects that improve the water quality of this state.

16.9685(5)(c) (c) Establish a reserve pool of credits produced under sub. (3) (a) and maintain the reserve credit pool for the purpose of maintaining a risk management mechanism under sub. (2) (b).

16.9685(5)(d) (d) Conduct research on other innovative approaches to environmental improvement.

16.9685(6) (6) Upon the recommendation of the department of natural resources, the department may contract with the clearinghouse under sub. (2) to further the implementation of any adaptive management, water quality trading, or future market-based water quality programs in effect in this state.

16.9685(7) (7) The term of a contract entered into under sub. (2) shall be 5 years. The department may terminate a contract entered into under sub. (2) if the clearinghouse fails to meet any of the requirements under this section or rules promulgated under s. 283.84. The department shall give the clearinghouse at least 120 days’ notice of the default and a right to cure before terminating a contract under this subsection.

16.9685(8) (8) If the contract with the clearinghouse is terminated or the clearinghouse ceases to function, the department of natural resources shall continue to administer all credit transactions then in effect until a new clearinghouse contract is established or until the terms of the individual parties’ contracts expire.

16.9685(9) (9) Before the end of the 4th year of any contract entered into under sub. (2), the department of natural resources shall evaluate the clearinghouse and shall report its evaluation to the department.

16.9685 History History: 2019 a. 151.

16.969 16.969 Fees for certain high-voltage transmission lines.

16.969(1) (1) In this section:

16.969(1)(a) (a) “Commission” means the public service commission.

16.969(1)(b) (b) “High-voltage transmission line” means a high-voltage transmission line, as defined in s. 196.491 (1) (f), that is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 kilovolts or more.

16.969(2) (2) The department shall promulgate rules that require a person who is issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity by the commission under s. 196.491 (3) for a high-voltage transmission line to pay the department the following fees:

16.969(2)(a) (a) An annual impact fee in an amount equal to 0.3 percent of the cost of the high-voltage transmission line, as determined by the commission under s. 196.491 (3) (gm).

16.969(2)(b) (b) A one-time environmental impact fee in an amount equal to 5 percent of the cost of the high-voltage transmission line, as determined by the commission under s. 196.491 (3) (gm).

16.969(3) (3) 

16.969(3)(a) (a) The department shall distribute the fees that are paid by a person under the rules promulgated under sub. (2) (a) to each town, village and city that is identified by the commission under s. 196.491 (3) (gm) in proportion to the amount of investment that is allocated by the commission under s. 196.491 (3) (gm) to each such town, village and city.

16.969(3)(b) (b) The fee that is paid by a person under the rules promulgated under sub. (2) (b) shall be distributed as follows:

16.969(3)(b)1. 1. The department shall pay 50 percent of the fee to each county that is identified by the commission under s. 196.491 (3) (gm) in proportion to the amount of investment that is allocated by the commission under s. 196.491 (3) (gm) to each such county.

16.969(3)(b)2. 2. The department shall pay 50 percent of the fee to each town, village and city that is identified by the commission under s. 196.491 (3) (gm) in proportion to the amount of investment that is allocated by the commission under s. 196.491 (3) (gm) to each such town, village and city.

16.969(4) (4) A county, town, village, or city that receives a distribution under sub. (3) (b) may use the distribution only for park, conservancy, wetland or other similar environmental programs, unless the commission approves a different use under this subsection. A county, town, village, or city that receives a distribution may request in writing at any time that the commission approve a different use. The commission shall make a decision no later than 14 days after receiving such a request. The commission shall approve a request if it finds that the request is in the public interest.

16.969 History History: 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 89.

16.969 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Adm 46, Wis. adm. code.

subch. VII of ch. 16 SUBCHAPTER VII

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

16.97 16.97 Definitions. In this subchapter:

16.97(1m) (1m) “Agency” has the meaning given in s. 16.70 (1e).

16.97(2) (2) “Authority” has the meaning given in s. 16.70 (2).

16.97(3) (3) “Computer services” means any services in which a computer is utilized other than for personal computing purposes.

16.97(4) (4) “Data processing” means the delivery of information processing services.

16.97(5m) (5m) “Executive branch agency” has the meaning given in s. 16.70 (4).

16.97(5p) (5p) “Form” means any written material, by whatever means printed, generated or reproduced, with blank spaces left for the entry of additional information to be used for the purpose of providing information, collecting information or requiring action in any transaction involving this state.

16.97(5s) (5s) “Forms management” means the system of providing forms to accomplish necessary operations efficiently and economically, including analysis and design of forms, improvement of methods of procurement, distribution and disposition of forms and improvement of methods to keep to a reasonable level the public’s duty to report. “Forms management” includes the elimination of unnecessary forms and of unnecessary data collection and standardizing, consolidating and simplifying forms and related procedures.

16.97(6) (6) “Information technology” means the electronic processing, storage and transmission of information including data processing and telecommunications.

16.97(6m) (6m) “Information technology portfolio” means information technology systems, applications, infrastructure, and information resources and human resources devoted to developing and maintaining information technology systems.

16.97(7) (7) “Local governmental unit” means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an instrumentality or corporation of such a political subdivision or special purpose district, a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing or an instrumentality of the state and any of the foregoing.

16.97(8) (8) “Personal computing” means utilizing a computer that is located at the same work station where the input or output of data is conducted.

16.97(8m) (8m) “Public contact form” means a form generated and used by any agency in transactions between the agency and a member of the public.

16.97(9) (9) “Supercomputer” means a special purpose computer that performs in a scientific environment and that is characterized by a very high processing speed and power.

16.97(10) (10) “Telecommunications” means all services and facilities capable of transmitting, switching, or receiving information in any form by wire, radio, or other electronic means.

16.97 History History: 2001 a. 16 ss. 346, 347, 348, 1027; Stats. 2001 s. 22.01; 2003 a. 33 ss. 232, 752 to 756; Stats. 2003 s. 16.97; 2015 a. 55.

16.971 16.971 Responsibilities of department.

16.971(2) (2) The department shall:

16.971(2)(a) (a) Ensure that an adequate level of information technology services is made available to all agencies by providing systems analysis and application programming services to augment agency resources, as requested. The department shall also ensure that executive branch agencies, other than the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, make effective and efficient use of the information technology resources of the state. The department shall, in cooperation with agencies, establish policies, procedures and planning processes, for the administration of information technology services, which executive branch agencies shall follow. The policies, procedures and processes shall address the needs of agencies, other than the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to carry out their functions. The department shall monitor adherence to these policies, procedures and processes.

16.971(2)(ae) (ae) Except as provided in sub. (2m), review and approve, modify or reject all forms approved by a records and forms officer for jurisdiction, authority, standardization of design and nonduplication of existing forms. Unless the department rejects for cause or modifies the form within 20 working days after receipt, it is considered approved. The department’s rejection of any form is appealable to the public records board. If the head of an agency certifies to the department that the form is needed on a temporary basis, approval by the department is not required.

16.971(2)(am) (am) Make as cost effective as possible the procurement and use of forms by agencies.

16.971(2)(ap) (ap) Prescribe a forms management program for agencies.

16.971(2)(b) (b) Develop and maintain information technology resource planning and budgeting techniques at all levels of state government.

16.971(2)(c) (c) Develop and maintain procedures to ensure information technology resource planning and sharing between executive branch agencies. The procedures shall ensure the interconnection of information technology resources of executive branch agencies, if interconnection is consistent with the strategic plans formulated under pars. (L) and (m).

16.971(2)(cf) (cf) Implement, operate, maintain, and upgrade an enterprise resource planning system capable of providing information technology services to all agencies in the areas of accounting, auditing, payroll and other financial services; procurement; human resources; and other administrative processes. The department may provide information technology services under this subsection to any executive branch agency under s. 16.70 (4). The department may also provide information technology services to any local governmental unit under this subsection.

16.971(2)(cm) (cm) Prescribe standards for data, application, and business process integration that shall be used by executive branch agencies, to the extent consistent with the statewide strategic plan formulated under par. (m), and that enable local governmental units to integrate their data, application, and business processes into state systems whenever feasible.

16.971(2)(d) (d) Develop review and approval procedures which encourage timely and cost-effective hardware, software, and professional services acquisitions, and review and approve the acquisition of such items and services under those procedures.

16.971(2)(e) (e) Collect, analyze and interpret, in cooperation with agencies, that data necessary to assist the information technology resource planning needs of the governor and legislature.

16.971(2)(f) (f) Provide advice and assistance during budget preparation concerning information technology resource plans and capabilities.

16.971(2)(g) (g) Ensure that management reviews of information technology organizations are conducted.

16.971(2)(h) (h) Gather, interpret and disseminate information on new technological developments, management techniques and information technology resource capabilities and their possible effect on current and future management plans to all interested parties.

16.971(2)(i) (i) Ensure that a level of information technology services are provided to all agencies that are equitable in regard to resource availability, cost and performance.

16.971(2)(j) (j) Ensure that all executive branch agencies develop and operate with clear guidelines and standards in the areas of information technology systems development and that they employ good management practices and cost-benefit justifications.

16.971(2)(k) (k) Ensure that all state data processing facilities develop proper privacy and security procedures and safeguards.

16.971(2)(L) (L) Require each executive branch agency, other than the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to adopt and submit to the department, in a form specified by the department, no later than March 1 of each year, a strategic plan for the utilization of information technology to carry out the functions of the agency in the succeeding fiscal year for review and approval under s. 16.976.

16.971(2)(Lg) (Lg)

16.971(2)(Lg)1. 1. Develop, in consultation with each executive branch agency, other than the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, and adopt the following written policies for information technology development projects included in the strategic plan required of each executive branch agency under par. (L) and that either exceed $1,000,000 or that are vital to the functions of the executive branch agency:

16.971(2)(Lg)1.a. a. A standardized reporting format.

16.971(2)(Lg)1.b. b. A requirement that both proposed and ongoing information technology development projects be included.

16.971(2)(Lg)2. 2. The department shall submit for review by the joint legislative audit committee and for approval by the joint committee on information policy and technology any proposed policies required under subd. 1. and any proposed revisions to the policies.

16.971(2)(Lm) (Lm) No later than 60 days after enactment of each biennial budget act, require each executive branch agency, other than the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, that receives funding under that act for an information technology development project to file with the department an amendment to its strategic plan for the utilization of information technology under par. (L). The amendment shall identify each information technology development project for which funding is provided under that act and shall specify, in a form prescribed by the department, the benefits that the agency expects to realize from undertaking the project.

16.971(2)(m) (m) Assist in coordination and integration of the plans of executive branch agencies relating to information technology approved under par. (L) and, using these plans and the statewide long-range telecommunications plan under s. 16.979 (2) (a), formulate and revise biennially a consistent statewide strategic plan for the use and application of information technology. The department shall, no later than September 15 of each even-numbered year, submit the statewide strategic plan to the cochairpersons of the joint committee on information policy and technology and the governor.

16.971(2)(n) (n) Maintain an information technology resource center to provide appropriate technical assistance and training to small agencies.

16.971(2m) (2m) The following forms are not subject to review or approval by the department:

16.971(2m)(a) (a) Forms that must be completed by applicants for admission to an institution of the University of Wisconsin System or by students of such an institution who are applying for financial aid, including loans, or for a special course of study or who are adding or dropping courses, registering or withdrawing, establishing their residence or being identified or classified.

16.971(2m)(b) (b) Forms the use of which is required by federal law.

16.971(2m)(c) (c) Forms used by teachers to evaluate a student’s academic performance.

16.971(2m)(d) (d) Forms used by hospitals and health care providers to bill or collect from patients and 3rd parties.