October 29, 2021 - Introduced by Representatives Krug, Mursau, Edming,
Callahan, Swearingen, Behnke, Spiros, Snyder, Moses, Rozar, Shankland,
B. Meyers and Spreitzer, cosponsored by Senator Bewley. Referred to
Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

AB682,1,7 1An Act to amend 103.503 (title), 103.503 (1) (a), 103.503 (1) (c), 103.503 (1) (e),
2103.503 (1) (f), 103.503 (1) (h), 103.503 (1) (i), 103.503 (2), 103.503 (3) (a) (intro.),
32. and 3., 103.503 (4) (a) (intro.) and 103.503 (4m) (b); and to create 103.503
4(1) (k) and 103.503 (6) and (7) of the statutes; relating to: grant related to the
5Verso Paper Mill in the city of Wisconsin Rapids, loan guarantee related to the
6Park Falls Pulp and Paper Mill in the city of Park Falls, substance abuse
7prevention on certain public projects, and granting rule-making authority.

This bill authorizes the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation award
a grant of up to $1,000,000 to an eligible recipient to maintain operations at the Verso
Paper Mill in the city of Wisconsin Rapids. The grant is to be upon the terms and
conditions determined by WEDC, and WEDC may award the grant only as approved
or modified by the Joint Committee on Finance.

The bill also authorizes WEDC to issue a loan guarantee of up to $15,000,000
to an eligible borrower to purchase or make infrastructure improvements to the Park
Falls Pulp and Paper Mill in the city of Park Falls. The loan guarantee is to be upon
the terms and conditions determined by WEDC, and WEDC may issue the loan
guarantee only as approved or modified by the Joint Committee on Finance.

With certain exceptions, current law prohibits employees from using,
possessing, attempting to possess, distributing, delivering, or being under the
influence of a drug, or from using or being under the influence of alcohol, while
performing certain work on certain projects of public works or public utility projects
and requires that, before an employer may commence work on a qualifying project
of public works or a public utility project, the employer have in place a written
employee substance abuse program.

This bill does the following:

1. Applies the substance abuse prevention requirements under current law to
all transportation projects for the construction or reconstruction of any road or bridge
performed under contract for a local governmental unit.

2. Provides that a public utility, for purposes of determining which projects
qualify as public utility projects under the substance abuse prevention program,
includes an owner of fiber optics, broadband, or cable.

3. Requires an employer that performs work on a transportation project or
public utility project, if the cost of the contract to perform the work is more than
$25,000, to either a) certify its compliance with the substance abuse prevention
requirements annually on forms and in a manner prescribed by the Department of
Workforce Development; or b) certify, on a per-contract basis, with the contracting
agency for the project and file the employer's substance abuse prevention program
with the contracting agency. The bill prohibits an employer that is required to certify
from commencing work on a covered project until the employer is in compliance.

4. Requires DWD to do all of the following:

a. Promulgate rules to implement the certification requirements created under
the bill for employers that choose to file annually with DWD their substance abuse
prevention programs.