Chapter 84

84.065(1) (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote the state’s interest in preserving and improving state trunk and connecting highways by means of a program to provide loans for railroad and public utility alterations and relocations associated with highway improvement projects.

84.065(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:

84.065(2)(a) (a) “Improvement” has the meaning given in s. 84.06 (1).

84.065(2)(b) (b) “Public utility” has the meaning given in s. 196.01 (5) and includes a telecommunications carrier, as defined in s. 196.01 (8m).

84.065(2)(c) (c) “Railroad” has the meaning given in s. 195.02 (1).

84.065(3) (3) Administration. The department shall administer a loan program to assist public utilities and railroads with the costs of utility and railroad alterations and relocations that are associated with state trunk and connecting highway improvement projects and that are not subject to reimbursement by the department. The department shall have all powers necessary and convenient to implement this section, including the following powers:

84.065(3)(a) (a) To specify conditions of eligibility for loans under this section. Such conditions shall include the requirement that the utility or railroad alteration or relocation must be part of a planned state trunk or connecting highway improvement project.

84.065(3)(b) (b) To receive applications for loans under this section and to prescribe the form, nature and extent of the information which shall be contained in applications.

84.065(3)(c) (c) To establish standards for the approval of loans under this section.

84.065(3)(d) (d) To enter into loan agreements with applicants to ensure the proper use and prompt repayment of loans under this section. The loan agreement shall permit the loan to be repaid without interest before the date on which the contract for the improvement project with which the utility or railroad alteration is associated is awarded. The loan agreement shall require the payment of interest on the outstanding balance of any loan that is not repaid by the date on which that contract is awarded, accruing from the date on which that contract is awarded. Interest shall be charged at a rate equal to the weekly prime rate for the week prior to the date on which the contract is awarded, as reported by the federal reserve board in federal reserve statistical release H. 15, plus 1 percent. The loan agreement shall require repayment of the principal and payment of any accrued interest within one year of the date on which the contract is awarded.

84.065(3)(e) (e) To audit and inspect the records of loan recipients.

84.065(4) (4) Funds. Subject to s. 86.255, the department may make loans under this section from the appropriations under s. 20.395 (3) (bv) and (cv). The total outstanding balance of loans under this section may not exceed $500,000.

84.065(5) (5) Rules. The department may promulgate rules as necessary to implement this section.

84.065 History History: 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 496; 1999 a. 9.

84.065 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 30, Wis. adm. code.

84.07 84.07 Maintenance of state trunk highways.

84.07(1) (1) Routine maintenance. Subject to sub. (1r), the state trunk highway system shall be maintained by the state at state expense. The department shall prescribe by rule specifications for such maintenance and may contract with any county highway committee or municipality to have all or certain parts of the work of maintaining the state trunk highways within or beyond the limits of the county or municipality, including interstate bridges, performed by the county or municipality, and any county or municipality may enter into such contract. Maintenance activities include the application of protective coatings, the removal and control of snow, the removal, treatment and sanding of ice, interim repair of highway surfaces and adjacent structures, and all other operations, activities and processes required on a regular, continuing basis for the preservation of the highways on the state trunk system, and including the care and protection of trees and other roadside vegetation and suitable planting to prevent soil erosion or to beautify highways pursuant to s. 66.1037, and all routine measures deemed necessary to provide adequate traffic service. Maintenance activities also include the installation, replacement, rehabilitation, or maintenance of highway signs, highway lighting, and pavement markings, and the maintenance of traffic control signals and intelligent transportation systems. The department may contract with a private entity for services or materials or both associated with the installation, replacement, rehabilitation, or maintenance of highway signs, highway lighting, and pavement markings and the maintenance of traffic control signals and intelligent transportation systems.

84.07(1b) (1b) Emergency repair and protection of state trunk highways. To accomplish prompt repair, protection or preservation of any state trunk highway which has been closed or is being jeopardized by extraordinary damage by flood, structure failure, slides, or other extraordinary condition of necessity and emergency, the department may, if it is deemed for the best interest of the state, proceed at once to repair or protect the highway with forces and services of private constructors and agencies, summarily engaged by the department and cause said work to be done by negotiated contract or agreement without calling for competitive bids, provided that any such contract or agreement involving an estimated expenditure in excess of $10,000 shall be subject to approval of the governor before it becomes effective.

84.07(1m) (1m) Mass transit system, maintenance. When the public mass transportation system uses a state trunk highway, such facilities shall be maintained by the state at state expense in accordance with this section. Maintenance shall be performed within the highway right-of-way, upon facilities and lands within the highway corridor, and upon such terminal and parking facilities as may be reasonably adjacent to the highway corridor.

84.07(1r) (1r) Sponsorship agreements. The department may enter into sponsorship agreements under s. 84.01 (36) that require the sponsor to perform maintenance activities, in accordance with the department’s standards, for the benefit of the department.

84.07(2) (2) Repayment for state work.

84.07(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), when any county or municipality maintains the state trunk highways within or beyond the limits of the county or municipality, including interstate bridges, in compliance with the arrangement with the department, the department shall pay the actual cost of the maintenance, including the allowance for materials and the use of county or municipal machinery and overhead expenses agreed upon in advance. Except as provided in par. (b), the payments shall be made upon presentation by the county highway committee or municipal clerk of a properly itemized and verified account. For payments made under this paragraph, the county highway committee or municipal clerk shall present the itemized accounts for maintenance work no later than one month following the period during which the work is performed.

84.07(2)(b) (b) When any county or municipality maintains the state trunk highways within or beyond the limits of the county or municipality, including interstate bridges, in compliance with the arrangement with the department, the department and the county or municipality may agree to a payment method and terms other than that specified in par. (a), including payment according to a contract price for maintenance services rather than payment of the actual cost of the maintenance.

84.07(3) (3) Weed control. The highway patrolman shall destroy all noxious weeds as provided in s. 66.0407 on any highway which he or she patrols.

84.07(4) (4) Emergency repairs; blocking streets or roads; detours. Except in case of emergency, no city, village or town shall obstruct any street or road over which any state trunk highway is marked unless it first makes arrangements with the department for marking a detour.

84.07(5) (5) County highway department maintenance capacity and funding. The department shall work cooperatively with county highway departments to determine an appropriate level of state work sufficient to fully utilize manpower and equipment needed for winter maintenance.

84.07(7) (7) Deer killed by vehicles. The department shall establish a program for the removal and disposal of deer killed by vehicles on state trunk highways.

84.07 History History: 1971 c. 125; 1975 c. 39; 1975 c. 394 s. 27; 1975 c. 421; 1977 c. 29 ss. 933 to 935, 1654 (8) (a); 1977 c. 418; 1979 c. 161; 1985 a. 29; 1993 a. 246; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33, 214; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 20; 2017 a. 59 s. 578ym.

84.07 Note NOTE: 2003 Wis. Act 214, which affected this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.

84.072 84.072 Unified disadvantaged business certification program.

84.072(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

84.072(1)(a) (a) “Business” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, or corporation that is operated for profit.

84.072(1)(am) (am) “Certifying authority” means the department or, if authorized under sub. (5m), a municipality or county.

84.072(1)(b) (b) “Disadvantaged business” means a business that is all of the following:

84.072(1)(b)1. 1. At least 51 percent owned by one or more disadvantaged individuals who are U.S. citizens or persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, as defined in 8 USC 1101 (a) (20).

84.072(1)(b)2. 2. Controlled in its management and daily business operations by one or more of the disadvantaged individuals who own the business.

84.072(1)(b)3. 3. A small business concern within the meaning given in 49 CFR 26.5.

84.072(1)(c) (c) “Disadvantaged individual” means an individual found by a certifying authority to be socially and economically disadvantaged within the meaning given in 49 CFR 26.5.

84.072(1)(d) (d) “Municipality” means a city, village, or town.

84.072(2) (2) Certification.

84.072(2)(a) (a) Any business may apply to a certifying authority for certification as a disadvantaged business. All applications shall be sworn and notarized. A certifying authority shall certify as a disadvantaged business any business that meets the requirements under 49 CFR 26, subpart D, for such certification. A certifying authority shall follow all certification procedures and standards provided in 49 CFR 26 and all certification determinations shall strictly conform with 49 CFR 26 and federal guidelines established under that section. A certifying authority shall complete review and issue a decision concerning an application within 90 days after receiving the completed application, except that a certifying authority may extend its review period to not more than 150 days if, within those 90 days, the certifying authority provides written notice to the applicant specifying the reasons for the extension. No person may certify a business as a disadvantaged business for purposes of 49 CFR 26, except as provided in this section. A certifying authority may charge and collect reasonable fees for reviewing an application submitted under this paragraph.

84.072(2)(b) (b)

84.072(2)(b)1. 1. Except as provided in sub. (6), a certifying authority is not required to review an application submitted by a business that has its principal place of business in another state, unless the business is certified as a disadvantaged business under a unified certification program that strictly conforms to 49 CFR 26 and to which that other state is a party.

84.072(2)(b)2. 2. If the department receives an application for a business that is certified as a disadvantaged business under a federally approved unified certification program pursuant to 49 CFR 26, the department may do any of the following:

84.072(2)(b)2.a. a. Grant certification in reliance of the certification determination under the federally approved unified certification program.

84.072(2)(b)2.b. b. Make an independent certification determination based on material submitted by the other certifying agency, supplemented by whatever additional information the department may request from the applicant.

84.072(2)(b)2.c. c. Require the applicant to undergo the application process without regard to the other certification.

84.072(2)(b)3. 3. If a certifying authority that is a municipality or county receives an application for a business that is certified as a disadvantaged business under a federally approved unified certification program pursuant to 49 CFR 26, the certifying authority shall forward the application to the department for purposes of subd. 2.

84.072(2)(c) (c) A certifying authority shall cooperate with any directive from the federal government under authority of 49 CFR 26 concerning certification under this section.

84.072(2)(d) (d) Certification under this section is valid for 3 years, unless the department removes certification under sub. (4) or the certification is removed as provided in 49 CFR 26.87 or 26.89. A certifying authority may not require a business that is certified under this section to reapply during the 3-year period after its certification, unless the factual basis on which the certification is made materially changes.

84.072(2)(e) (e) No certification of a business as a disadvantaged business for purposes of federal transportation assistance programs before September 1, 2001, is valid for contracts executed after February 28, 2002. Beginning on March 1, 2002, only a business certified under this section qualifies as a disadvantaged business enterprise for purposes of 49 CFR 26.

84.072(2m) (2m) Confidentiality.

84.072(2m)(a) (a) A certifying authority may not disclose to any person any information that relates to an individual’s statement of net worth, a statement of experience, or a company’s financial statement, including the gross receipts of a bidder, or to any documentation submitted in support of those statements, if the information was obtained for the purpose of complying with 49 CFR 26, as that section existed on October 1, 1999.

84.072(2m)(b) (b) This subsection does not prohibit a certifying authority from disclosing information to any of the following persons:

84.072(2m)(b)1. 1. The person to whom the information relates.

84.072(2m)(b)2. 2. If the certifying authority is a municipality or county, to the department.

84.072(2m)(b)3. 3. If the certifying authority is the department, to a municipality or county authorized under sub. (5m).

84.072(2m)(b)4. 4. Any person who has the written consent of the person to whom the information relates to receive such information.

84.072(2m)(b)5. 5. Any person to whom 49 CFR 26, as that section existed on October 1, 1999, requires or specifically authorizes the certifying authority to disclose such information.

84.072(2m)(b)6. 6. The federal department of transportation, if the certifying authority discloses the information for the purposes of a certification appeal proceeding in which the disadvantaged status of the individual is in question.

84.072(3) (3) Implied consent. Any municipality, county, or other person, including the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority created under subch. II of ch. 114, that accepts federal moneys from the appropriations under s. 20.395 (1) (bx), (2) (ax), (dx), (fx), or (mx), or (3) (bx), (cx), or (ex), or accepts other federal moneys for highway, transit, airport, or spaceport purposes, after September 1, 2001, is considered to have given consent to the unified certification disadvantage business program administered under this section.

84.072(4) (4) Requirements of certified businesses. A business certified as a disadvantaged business shall, within 30 days after a change in the business’s size, disadvantaged status, ownership, or control that could preclude its certification as a disadvantaged business under 49 CFR 26, notify the department of that change by sworn and notarized statement. A business certified as a disadvantaged business shall submit annually to the department a sworn, notarized statement attesting that there have been no changes to the business’s size, disadvantaged status, ownership or control, or its gross receipts, that would preclude its certification as a disadvantaged business under 49 CFR 26. The notice shall include a statement that the business meets the size and gross receipts criteria for certification and shall include documentary evidence supporting that statement. The department shall remove the certification of any disadvantaged business that fails to provide the statement within 13 months after certification under this section, or within 13 months after it last submitted to the department the information required under this subsection, whichever is later.

84.072(5) (5) Directory of certified businesses. The department shall maintain a list of all businesses certified as a disadvantaged business by a certifying authority or by a state that is a party to an agreement under sub. (6). The list shall include the business name, address, telephone number, and types of work that the business is certified to perform as a disadvantaged business. The department shall make the list and any updated information available to any person, at no charge, on the Internet and in printed format. The department shall update the list at least annually, but shall update the electronic list available on the Internet by including additions, deletions, or other changes to the list as soon as the department makes such an addition, deletion, or other change.

84.072(5m) (5m) Certification by a municipality or county. The department may authorize any municipality or county to certify a business as a disadvantaged business. The authorization shall be in writing and shall require the municipality or county to conform strictly to the standards and processes provided in this section and rules promulgated under this section. The authorization shall be valid for one year. The authorization shall require the municipality or county to provide written notice to the department of any certification decision. The written notice shall include all of the information contained in the directory maintained under sub. (5). The authorization shall require the municipality or county to forward applications to the department under sub. (2) (b) 3. Certification by a municipality or county is valid for 3 years, unless the department removes certification under sub. (4) or the certification is removed as provided in 49 CFR 26.87 or 26.89. No municipality or county authorized under this subsection may hear any appeals or complaints regarding certification decisions.

84.072(6) (6) Reciprocal certification agreements. Notwithstanding sub. (2) (a), the department may enter into a reciprocal agreement with any other state establishing a joint unified certification program that strictly conforms to 49 CFR 26. The agreement may authorize the other state to certify as a disadvantaged business any business that is based in this state, or may authorize the department to certify as a disadvantaged business any business based in that other state.

84.072(7) (7) Certification appeals and complaints.

84.072(7)(a) (a) Any business whose application for certification is denied, or is not reviewed within the time limits prescribed in sub. (2) (a), or whose certification is removed, may appeal that action as provided in 49 CFR 26.89 to the department.

84.072(7)(b) (b) Any person may file with the department a signed, written complaint that a business that a certifying authority has certified under this section is not eligible for such certification. The department shall investigate complaints that it finds are supported by credible evidence. If, upon investigation, the department finds reasonable cause to believe that a business is not eligible for certification, the department shall notify the business of its findings in writing and shall proceed in the manner provided under 49 CFR 26.87.

84.072(8) (8) Applicability. This section does not apply if federal law does not require, as a condition of using federal funds, this state to establish goals for the participation of disadvantaged businesses or the employment of disadvantaged individuals in projects using federal funds.

84.072 History History: 2001 a. 16, 104; 2005 a. 335.

84.075 84.075 Contracting with minority businesses and disabled veteran-owned businesses.

84.075(1c) (1c) In this section:

84.075(1c)(a) (a) “Disabled veteran-owned business” means a business certified by the department of administration under s. 16.283 (3).

84.075(1c)(b) (b) “Minority business” means a business certified by the department of administration under s. 16.287 (2).

84.075(1m) (1m) 

84.075(1m)(a) (a) In purchasing services under s. 84.01 (13), in awarding construction contracts under s. 84.06 and in contracting with private contractors and agencies under s. 84.07, the department shall attempt to ensure that 5 percent of the total amount expended in each fiscal year is paid to contractors, subcontractors, and vendors that are minority businesses. In attempting to meet this goal, the department may award any contract to a minority business that submits a qualified responsible bid that is no more than 5 percent higher than the low bid.

84.075(1m)(b) (b) In purchasing services under s. 84.01 (13), in awarding construction contracts under s. 84.06, and in contracting with private contractors and agencies under s. 84.07, the department shall attempt to ensure that at least 1 percent of the total amount expended in each fiscal year is paid to contractors, subcontractors, and vendors that are disabled veteran-owned businesses. In attempting to meet this goal, the department may award any contract to a disabled veteran-owned business that submits a qualified responsible bid that is no more than 5 percent higher than the low bid unless doing so would violate the provisions of any federal law or regulation or any contract between the department and a federal agency or would otherwise result in a reduction of the amount of federal highway aid received by this state.

84.075(1m)(c) (c) If a contractor, subcontractor, or vendor is both a minority business and a disabled veteran-owned business, the department may award a contract under par. (a) or (b) but the qualified responsible bid must be no more than 5 percent higher than the low bid, as provided under pars. (a) and (b).

84.075(2) (2) The contractor shall report to the department any amount of the contract paid to subcontractors and vendors which are minority businesses or disabled veteran-owned businesses.

84.075(3) (3) The department shall at least semiannually, or more often if required by the department of administration, report to the department of administration the total amount of money it has paid to contractors, subcontractors, and vendors that are minority businesses and that are disabled veteran-owned businesses under ss. 84.01 (13), 84.06, and 84.07 and the number of contacts with minority businesses and disabled veteran-owned businesses in connection with proposed purchases and contracts. In its reports, the department shall include only amounts paid to businesses certified by the department of administration as minority businesses or disabled veteran-owned businesses.

84.075 History History: 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 390 ss. 4, 6; 1987 a. 27; 2009 a. 299; 2011 a. 32; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2013 a. 192; 2021 a. 239.

84.076 84.076 Disadvantaged business demonstration and training program.

84.076(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

84.076(1)(a) (a) “Disadvantaged individual” means a minority group member, a woman or any other individual found by the department to be socially and economically disadvantaged within the meaning given in 49 CFR 26.5, unless successfully challenged as provided in 49 CFR 26.89.

84.076(1)(b) (b) “Disadvantaged business” has the meaning given in s. 84.072 (1) (b).

84.076(1)(c) (c) “Minority business” has the meaning given under s. 16.287 (1) (e).

84.076(1)(d) (d) “Minority group member” has the meaning given under s. 16.287 (1) (f).

84.076(2) (2) Administration.

84.076(2)(a) (a) The secretary shall administer a demonstration and training program for the purpose of developing the capability of disadvantaged businesses to participate in construction projects funded under s. 20.395 (3) (bq), (bv), (bx), (cq), (cv), (cx), (eq), (ev) and (ex). From the amounts appropriated under those paragraphs, the secretary shall allocate $4,000,000 each fiscal year for the awarding of contracts under this section. The secretary shall attempt to ensure that 75 percent of the amount so allocated each fiscal year is for the awarding of contracts under this section to minority businesses. The secretary may award 100 percent of the amount so allocated each fiscal year to one disadvantaged business.