AB68,251,6 (b) “Crisis assistance" means a benefit that is given to a household experiencing or at risk of experiencing a water utility–related emergency.

AB68,251,9 (c) “Household" means any individual or group of individuals who are living together as one economic unit for whom residential water is customarily purchased in common or who make undesignated payments for water in the form of rent.

AB68,251,12 (d) “Utility allowance" means the amount of utility costs paid by those individuals in subsidized housing who pay their own utility bills, as averaged from total utility costs for the housing unit by the housing authority.

AB68,251,14 (e) “Water utility assistance" means a benefit that is given to a household to assist in meeting the cost of water utility.

AB68,251,17 (2) Administration. (a) The department shall administer a water utility assistance program for low-income households to assist eligible households to meet home water utility costs and shall establish a payments schedule for the program.

AB68,251,21 (b) The department may contract with a county department, another local governmental agency, or a private nonprofit organization to process applications and make payments under the water utility assistance program for low-income households.

AB68,252,2 (3) Application procedure. (a) A household may apply for water utility assistance from a county department, another local governmental agency, or a private nonprofit organization with which the department contracts under the water utility assistance program for low-income households. A household shall apply on a form prescribed by the department.

AB68,252,7 (b) If by February 1 of any year the number of households applying for assistance under par. (a) substantially exceeds the number anticipated to apply, the department may reduce the assistance payments under sub. (5) made after that date. The department may also suspend the processing of additional applications until the department adjusts assistance amounts payable.

AB68,252,9 (4) Eligibility. Subject to sub. (3) (b), the following households are eligible to receive water utility assistance under this section:

AB68,252,11 (a) A household with income that is not more than 60 percent of the statewide median household income.

AB68,252,14 (b) A household entirely composed of persons receiving food stamps under 7 USC 2011 to 2036 or supplemental security income or state supplemental payments under 42 USC 1381 to 1383c or s. 49.77.

AB68,252,18 (c) A household with income within the limits specified under par. (b) that resides in housing that is subsidized or administered by a municipality, a county, the state, or the federal government for which a utility allowance is applied to determine the amount of rent or the amount of the subsidy.

AB68,252,21 (5) Assistance payments. Subject to moneys appropriated under s. 20.505 (7) (e) and any payment reduction under sub. (3) (b), water utility assistance shall be paid according to the payment schedule established under sub. (2) (a).

AB68,253,2 (6) Individuals in state prisons or secured juvenile facilities. No assistance payment under sub. (5) may be made to an individual who is imprisoned in a state prison under s. 302.01 or to an individual placed at a juvenile correctional facility, as defined in s. 938.02 (10p), or a secured residential care center for children and youth, as defined in s. 938.02 (15g).

AB68,253,9 (7) Crisis assistance program. A household eligible for water utility assistance under sub. (5) may also be eligible for a crisis assistance payment. The department shall define the circumstances constituting a crisis for which an assistance payment may be made and shall establish the amount of payment to an eligible household. The department may delegate a portion of its responsibility under this subsection to a county department, another local governmental agency, or a private nonprofit organization.

AB68,114 Section 114. 16.295 (5) (b) 4. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,253,12 16.295 (5) (b) 4. Unless otherwise directed by the department, the gross proceeds from all investments of the moneys designated in subd. 1.

AB68,115 Section 115. 16.295 (6) of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,116 Section 116. 16.3065 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,253,16 16.3065 Affordable workforce housing grants. (1) Definition. In this section, “municipality” means a city, village, or town.

AB68,253,21 (2) Grants. From the appropriation under s. 20.505 (7) (fq), the department shall award grants to municipalities for the purpose of increasing the availability of affordable workforce housing within the municipality. The department may establish eligibility requirements and other program guidelines for the grant program under this subsection.

AB68,117 Section 117 . 16.3077 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,253,25 16.3077 Housing quality standards grants. From the appropriation under s. 20.505 (7) (bp), the department shall award grants to owners of rental housing units in this state for purposes of satisfying applicable housing quality standards.

AB68,118 Section 118. 16.3078 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,254,6 16.3078 Rental assistance grants for homeless veterans. From the appropriation under s. 20.505 (7) (bq), the department shall award grants to each continuum of care organization in this state designated by the federal department of housing and urban development. All grant funds shall be used to provide tenant-based rental assistance to homeless veterans in this state.

AB68,119 Section 119. 16.3085 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,254,10 16.3085 (2) (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.505 (7) (kg), the department may award up to 10 annual grants , of up to $50,000 $75,000 each, annually to any shelter facility.

AB68,120 Section 120. 16.313 of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,121 Section 121. 16.40 (24) of the statutes is created to read: