2019 WISCONSIN ACT
An Act to create 13.087 of the statutes; relating to: bills making honorary designations of state highways or bridges.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
AB249,1
Section
1. 13.087 of the statutes is created to read:
13.087 Bills for honorary designation of a highway or bridge. (1) No house of the legislature may pass a bill that designates a state highway or bridge in honor of a person unless all of the following are satisfied:
(a) The honoree has been deceased for more than 5 years.
(b) The honoree was a legal resident of the state at any point of his or her life.
(c) The honoree has provided extraordinary public service, a substantial and proven contribution to the public good, or outstanding service to the nation as exemplified by a particular event or episode. The event or episode referenced in this paragraph shall be substantiated by reliable sources and be recognized by at least one significant state or federal award or recognition or honor of similar prestige.
(d) The designation reflects a community consensus and is without opposition in the community in which the highway or bridge is located.
(e) The honoree has a strong connection to a community in which the highway or bridge is located and to the state.
(f) The designation is part of a plan for continued recognition of the honoree preexisting to introduction of the bill. A plan under this paragraph shall include the provision of honors prior to a public hearing on the bill and may include state or national awards, memorials, or scholarships.
(g) The bill prohibits the expenditure of state funds, other than from the receipt of contributions, for the erection or maintenance of any markers identifying the designation.
(h) Except as provided in this paragraph, the proposed designation does not supersede an existing designation. A designation may supersede an existing designation if, as substantiated by at least 4 sources, information not considered at the time of original designation is discovered demonstrating that the existing designation would not have been made had the information been known or that the existing honoree's actions reflect negatively on the community in which the highway or bridge is located or on the state.
(i) The bill identifies the specific highway segment or bridge being designated.
(j) The author or a cosponsor of the bill represents the district in which the highway or bridge is located.
(2) No house of the legislature may pass a bill that designates a state highway or bridge in honor of a group or entity.
