Chapter 85

85.21(3m)(d) (d) Notwithstanding ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, prior to employing any person, other than a person holding a valid school bus endorsement under s. 343.12 that was issued or renewed within 4 years prior to employment, as an operator, a specialized transportation service shall obtain from the records maintained by the department of justice, and the department of justice shall provide, a criminal history search of the person. Notwithstanding ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, if the person who is the subject of the criminal history search is not a resident of this state, or if at any time within the 3 years preceding the date of the search that person has not been a resident of this state, the specialized transportation service shall make a good faith effort to obtain promptly from any state in which the person is a resident, or was a resident within the 3 years preceding the date of the search, information that is equivalent to a criminal history.

85.21(3m)(dm) (dm)

85.21(3m)(dm)1. 1. Every specialized transportation service that is operated by a county or that contracts with a county for services under this section shall, prior to employing any person, other than a person holding a valid school bus endorsement under s. 343.12 that was issued or renewed within the previous 4 years, as an operator of a human service vehicle, obtain the person’s operating record from the department under s. 343.24 or, if the operating record has already been obtained by another entity, from that entity if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the operating record obtained from that entity is accurate and was furnished by the department to that entity not more than 2 months previously.

85.21(3m)(dm)2. 2. No later than every 4 years, every specialized transportation service that is operated by a county or that contracts with a county for services under this section shall obtain, in the manner provided in subd. 1., an updated operating record for any person employed as an operator of a human service vehicle by the specialized transportation service.

85.21(4) (4) County plan provisions; copayments.

85.21(4)(a) (a) The county may establish the transportation of seniors and individuals with disabilities to medical, nutritional, and work-related activities as the priority for the specialized transportation services.

85.21(4)(b) (b) Specialized transportation services may at the discretion of the county be open to the general public on a space-available basis.

85.21(4)(c) (c)

85.21(4)(c)1. 1. The county shall either require a copayment by the user of the specialized transportation service or provide the user with an opportunity to make a voluntary contribution to the cost of the service.

85.21(4)(c)2. 2. The county shall establish the amount of copayment if copayment is required and shall recommend an amount for a voluntary contribution if an opportunity to make a voluntary contribution is provided. The county shall establish the method by which the copayment or voluntary contribution is collected from the user.

85.21(4)(c)3. 3. The county shall collect and incorporate into the county plan data regarding the purposes and activities for which individuals use the specialized transportation services.

85.21(4)(c)4. 4. A county may exempt a user from payment under subd. 1. if an emergency exists, if the user does not have the economic resources to make a payment or if the user is not competent to make a payment.

85.21(4)(d) (d) A county may not use aids provided under this section to support the regular route services of an urban mass transit system receiving state aids under s. 85.20. A county may use aids provided under this section to support subsystems of urban mass transit systems that provide special services to seniors or individuals with disabilities.

85.21 History History: 1981 c. 20 ss. 1220m, 1221, 1221m, 1233m, 1234; 1981 c. 93; 1983 a. 27, 189; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 27; 1991 a. 239; 1993 a. 16; 2003 a. 297, 327; 2005 a. 147, 438; 2015 a. 55; 2021 a. 240.

85.21 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 1, Wis. adm. code.

85.215 85.215 Tribal elderly transportation grant program. The department shall award grants to federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands to assist in providing transportation services for elderly persons. Grants awarded under this section shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (1) (ck). The department shall prescribe the form, nature, and extent of the information that shall be contained in an application for a grant under this section. The department shall establish criteria for evaluating applications and for awarding grants under this section.

85.215 History History: 2009 a. 28.

85.22 85.22 Specialized transportation program.

85.22(1) (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote the general public health and welfare by providing assistance to eligible applicants providing transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities.

85.22(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:

85.22(2)(am) (am) “Eligible applicant” means any applicant that meets eligibility requirements for federal assistance under 49 USC 5310.

85.22(2)(bm) (bm) “Individual with a disability” means any individual who, because of any temporary or permanent physical or mental condition or institutional residence is unable without special facilities or special planning or design to use available transportation facilities and services as effectively as persons who are not so affected.

85.22(2)(c) (c) “Local public body” has the meaning given in s. 85.20 (1) (d), except as limited by rule of the department.

85.22(2)(d) (d) “Senior” means any individual age 65 or older.

85.22(3) (3) Administration. The department shall administer the grant program and shall have all the powers necessary and convenient to implement this section, including the following powers:

85.22(3)(a) (a) To receive and review applications for aid under this section and to prescribe the form, nature, and extent of information which shall be contained in applications. Each applicant shall indicate whether the transportation services it provides or proposes to provide conflict with any transportation services being assisted under s. 85.21.

85.22(3)(b) (b) To establish criteria for evaluating all applications and for placing each application in a statewide priority ranking for distribution of available federal and state moneys.

85.22(3)(c) (c) To make and execute agreements with eligible applicants to provide for the undertaking of transportation services to seniors or individuals with disabilities.

85.22(3)(d) (d) To audit the records of all eligible applicants receiving aids under this section in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices.

85.22(3)(e) (e) To require eligible applicants receiving aids under this subsection to furnish information deemed necessary by the department.

85.22(3)(f) (f) To apply for and receive federal grants on behalf of eligible recipients.

85.22(3)(g) (g) To establish an application cycle for the program.

85.22(3)(h) (h) To establish, by rule, standards for the coordination of transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. These standards may require certification by a local public body that any application for aid under this section shall be consistent with the recommendations of a local coordinating committee on transportation that has membership which is, in the department’s judgment, sufficient to provide for adequate coordination of services available in the applicable area.

85.22(4) (4) Amount and use of aid. Commencing with the highest ranked application and to the extent that state and federal moneys are available, the department shall offer to each eligible applicant an amount of aid such that the sum of federal and state aid received by an applicant does not exceed the funding limitations defined in 49 USC 5310.

85.22 History History: 1981 c. 20 s. 1222; 1991 a. 239; 1993 a. 437; 1999 a. 9; 2015 a. 55.

85.22 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 2, Wis. adm. code.

85.23 85.23 Rural public transportation assistance program. The department may administer a program for the distribution of rural public transportation aids made available to the state under section 18 of the urban mass transportation act of 1964, as amended, or under any similar federal act.

85.23 History History: 1981 c. 20 s. 1223.

85.23 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 6, Wis. adm. code.

85.24 85.24 Transportation employment and mobility program.

85.24(1) (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote the conservation of energy, reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, enhance the efficient use of existing transportation systems, and enhance the success of welfare-to-work programs by providing efficient and effective transportation services that link low-income workers with jobs, training centers, and child care facilities, by planning and promoting demand management and ride-sharing programs, and by providing technical and financial assistance to public and private organizations for job access and employment transportation assistance programs and for the development and implementation of demand management and ride-sharing programs.

85.24(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:

85.24(2)(a) (a) “Demand management” means policies and programs designed to reduce the number of automobile trips, especially during peak hours of traffic congestion, including policies and programs designed to do any of the following:

85.24(2)(a)1. 1. Promote the reduction of unnecessary single-occupancy automobile trips.

85.24(2)(a)2. 2. Promote alternatives to automobile travel, such as biking and walking.

85.24(2)(a)3. 3. Encourage the use of high-occupancy modes of travel, such as ride sharing and all forms of public transportation.

85.24(2)(a)4. 4. Increase the convenience of alternatives to single-occupancy automobile trips, such as appropriate land-use planning and preferential parking privileges for car and van pools.

85.24(2)(ag) (ag) “Job access and employment transportation assistance” means policies and programs that are directed at resolving the transportation needs of low-income workers and recipients of public assistance with respect to transportation to-and-from jobs, including welfare-to-work programs, and activities related to their employment.

85.24(2)(b) (b) “Ride sharing” means the use of a single motor vehicle by 2 or more persons for the purpose of commuting to and from their places of employment or attendance at postsecondary institutions, and includes commuting by means of a car pool or a van pool.

85.24(2)(br) (br) “Transportation employment and mobility” means policies and programs that encompass demand management, ride sharing, and job access and employment transportation assistance.

85.24(3) (3) Administration.

85.24(3)(a) (a) The department of transportation shall be the lead state agency in demand management and ride-sharing activities and shall collaborate with the department of workforce development in job access and employment transportation assistance programs. The department of transportation shall have all powers necessary to develop and implement a state transportation employment and mobility program that includes the coordination of demand management, ride-sharing, and job access and employment transportation assistance activities in this state; the promotion and marketing of demand management, ride-sharing, and job access and employment transportation assistance activities; the dissemination of technical information; the provision of technical and financial assistance to public and private organizations for the planning, development, and implementation of demand management, ride-sharing, and job access and employment transportation assistance programs; and the development and distribution of computer and manual ride-matching systems.

85.24(3)(b) (b) The department may apply for and receive federal grants on its own behalf or as requested on behalf of other private and public organizations.

85.24(3)(c) (c) The department may administer a program for the distribution of any federal funds for ride sharing, demand management, and job access and employment transportation assistance that are made available to the state.

85.24(3)(d) (d) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (1) (bs) to public and private organizations for the development and implementation of demand management, ride-sharing, and job access and employment transportation assistance programs. As a condition of obtaining a grant under this paragraph, a public or private organization may be required to provide matching funds at any percentage. For demand management and ride-sharing purposes, the department shall give priority in the awarding of grants to those programs that provide the greatest reduction in automobile trips, especially during peak hours of traffic congestion. The department shall have all powers necessary and convenient to implement this paragraph, including the following powers:

85.24(3)(d)1. 1. To promulgate, by rule, procedures and criteria for the review and award of grants under this paragraph.

85.24(3)(d)2. 2. To receive and review applications for grants and to prescribe the form, nature and extent of the information which shall be contained in applications.

85.24(3)(d)3. 3. To audit and inspect the records of grant recipients.

85.24(3)(d)4. 4. To require reports from grant recipients as needed.

85.24(4) (4) Confidentiality of information.

85.24(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a record containing any of the following information collected under this section relating to any applicant for ride-sharing services shall be kept confidential and may not be inspected or copied under s. 19.35 (1):

85.24(4)(a)1. 1. Residential address and phone number.

85.24(4)(a)2. 2. The time of beginning and ending work.

85.24(4)(a)3. 3. Current mode of commuting between home and workplace.

85.24(4)(a)4. 4. Type of ride-sharing service information requested.

85.24(4)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not prohibit the disclosure of the information to the extent necessary to administer the ride-sharing program nor, if requested under s. 49.22 (2m), does it prohibit disclosure of the name or address of a person or of his or her employer to the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5).

85.24(4)(c) (c) Any person who willfully discloses or who, under false pretenses, willfully requests or obtains information in violation of par. (a) may be required to forfeit not more than $500 for each violation. This paragraph does not apply to information disclosed, requested or obtained to the extent necessary to administer the ride-sharing program or, if requested under s. 49.22 (2m), to the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5).

85.24 History History: 1981 c. 20; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 423; 1997 a. 191; 2001 a. 16; 2007 a. 20.

85.24 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 5, Wis. adm. code.

85.245 85.245 Congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program.

85.245(1) (1) The department may administer a program for the distribution of federal funds for congestion mitigation and air quality improvement projects made available to the state under 23 USC 149. The cost of any project shall be funded from the appropriations under s. 20.395 (2) (kv) and (kx).

85.245(2) (2) The department shall pay to the department of natural resources $624,000 in fiscal year 1993-94 and $552,000 in fiscal year 1994-95 from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (2) (kx) for air quality improvement related to mobile sources of air contaminants.

85.245 History History: 1993 a. 16.

85.25 85.25 Disadvantaged business mobilization assistance program.

85.25(1) (1) Findings and purpose. The legislature finds that the lack of working capital is a major barrier to the participation of certain businesses in construction contracts with the department. This problem is most acute for newer, less experienced businesses, and, in particular, for disadvantaged businesses, many of which lack the assets necessary to obtain financing under normal business lending standards. The disadvantaged business mobilization assistance program is created to assist disadvantaged businesses in obtaining working capital in order to participate in construction contracts with the department and to increase the representation of disadvantaged businesses among contractors performing on construction projects for the department.

85.25(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:

85.25(2)(a) (a) “Business development organization” means the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority under s. 234.02 or any private organization that prepares business and loan plans for and provides other financial, management, and technical assistance to disadvantaged businesses.

85.25(2)(b) (b) “Deficiency” means the unpaid principal amount of a defaulted mobilization loan guaranteed under sub. (4). “Deficiency” does not include any interest, any origination fees or other charges relating to the guaranteed loan or any expenses incurred by the lender in enforcing the security interest taken in the capital equipment or other asset resulting from the proceeds of the guaranteed loan.

85.25(2)(c) (c) “Disadvantaged business” means any of the following:

85.25(2)(c)1m. 1m. A sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or corporation that fulfills all of the following requirements:

85.25(2)(c)1m.a. a. It is at least 51 percent owned, controlled and actively managed by a disadvantaged individual, as defined in s. 84.076 (1) (a).

85.25(2)(c)1m.b. b. It is currently performing a useful business function as defined in s. 16.287 (1) (h).

85.25(2)(c)2m. 2m. A disabled veteran-owned business, as defined in s. 84.075 (1c) (a).

85.25(2)(d) (d) “Guaranteed loan” means a mobilization loan which is guaranteed by a business development organization under a grant under sub. (3).

85.25(2)(e) (e) “Mobilization loan” means a short-term loan, as specified by the department by rule, to a disadvantaged business to provide working capital in order to finance the purchase of capital equipment, insurance or any other service or consumable good necessary to enable the disadvantaged business to participate in transportation-related construction contracts with the department.

85.25(2)(f) (f) “Participating lender” means a bank, credit union, savings bank, savings and loan association or other person who makes mobilization loans.

85.25(3) (3) Administration. The department shall administer the disadvantaged business mobilization assistance program. Subject to sub. (4), the department may make grants for the purpose specified in sub. (1) to a business development organization in order to provide funding for the guarantee by the business development organization of a mobilization loan made by a participating lender to a disadvantaged business certified by the department.

85.25(4) (4) Rule making. The department shall promulgate rules to implement the disadvantaged business mobilization assistance program. The rules shall specify all of the following:

85.25(4)(a) (a) Conditions for eligibility of a business development organization for a grant under sub. (3).