For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB695,1 Section 1. 20.370 (5) (fq) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB695,3,7 20.370 (5) (fq) Wildlife damage claims and abatement. All moneys received under ss. 29.181, 29.559 (1r), and 29.563 (13) and not appropriated under par. (fr) and subs. (1) (hs), (hx), and (Ls) and (5) (fs) to provide state aid for the wildlife damage abatement program under s. 29.889 (5) (c) (b) and the wildlife damage claim program under s. 29.889 (7) (d), for county administration costs under s. 29.889 (2) (d), and for payments under s. 29.89.

AB695,2 Section 2. 29.889 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB695,3,13 29.889 (2) (a) Assistance Administration. The department shall assist counties in developing develop and administering administer the wildlife damage abatement and wildlife damage claim programs. The department shall provide this assistance through technical aid, program guidance, research, demonstration, funding, plan review, audit and evaluation services.

AB695,3 Section 3. 29.889 (2) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

AB695,4 Section 4. 29.889 (2) (d) of the statutes is repealed.

AB695,5 Section 5. 29.889 (3) of the statutes is repealed.

AB695,6 Section 6. 29.889 (4) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB695,7 Section 7. 29.889 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB695,4,5 29.889 (4) (b) Filing of application. In order to be eligible for wildlife damage abatement assistance, a person is required to file an application with the participating county department in a form acceptable to the county department. An owner or lessee of land, a person who controls land, or an owner of an apiary or livestock may file an application.

AB695,8 Section 8. 29.889 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB695,4,10 29.889 (4) (c) Other eligibility requirements. In order to be eligible for wildlife damage abatement assistance, a person is required to comply with eligibility requirements adopted by the department under sub. (2) (b) and with eligibility requirements specified in the plan administration under sub. (3) (c).

AB695,9 Section 9. 29.889 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB695,4,14 29.889 (5) (a) Review. A participating county The department shall review each application for wildlife damage abatement assistance to determine if wildlife damage is occurring or likely to occur.

AB695,10 Section 10 . 29.889 (5) (b) and (c) of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 29.889 (5) (b) and amended to read:

AB695,5,4 29.889 (5) (b) Assistance. A participating county The department may provide wildlife damage assistance where wildlife damage is occurring or is likely to occur for the reimbursement of costs associated with wildlife damage abatement measures if the measures are authorized in the plan of administration under sub. (3) (c) 2. (c) State aid. The rules adopted by the department under sub. (2) (b) and are carried out in full compliance with the direction of the department. If the department provides wildlife damage abatement assistance to a person, the department shall determine the actual cost of providing that wildlife damage abatement assistance. The department shall pay participating counties 75 percent of the actual cost of providing wildlife damage abatement assistance if wildlife damage abatement measures are carried out in full compliance with the direction of the county and with funding requirements adopted under sub. (2) (b) and shall require the recipient to be responsible for the remaining 25 percent of that cost.

AB695,11 Section 11. 29.889 (5) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB695,5,9 29.889 (5) (bm) Cost-effectiveness of abatement. A participating county The department may recommend only those wildlife damage abatement measures that are cost-effective in relation to the wildlife damage claim payments that would be paid if the wildlife damage abatement measures are not implemented.

AB695,12 Section 12. 29.889 (5) (bs) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB695,5,14 29.889 (5) (bs) Abatement authorized. Notwithstanding par. (bm), for damage caused by elk to crops or grasses grown for use by a bird hunting preserve licensed under ch. 169, a participating county the department may recommend fencing the affected property as a damage abatement measure.

AB695,13 Section 13. 29.889 (5) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB695,5,18 29.889 (5) (d) Bear traps. The department shall require that any bear trap acquired with wildlife damage abatement assistance be equipped with a remote monitor.

AB695,14 Section 14. 29.889 (6) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB695,15 Section 15. 29.889 (6) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB695,5,25 29.889 (6) (d) Compliance with wildlife damage abatement measures. In order to be eligible for wildlife damage claim payments for an occurrence of wildlife damage, a person seeking wildlife damage claim payments shall have complied with any wildlife damage abatement measures to abate that wildlife damage that were recommended by the county department.

AB695,16 Section 16. 29.889 (6) (em) of the statutes is amended to read: