85.26(1)(a) (a) “Intercity bus service” means regularly scheduled bus service for the general public that operates with limited stops over fixed routes connecting 2 or more urban areas not in close proximity, that has the capacity for transporting baggage carried by passengers, and that makes meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant points if service to more distant points is available.

85.26(1)(b) (b) “Net operating loss” means the portion of the reasonable costs of operating an intercity bus service route that cannot reasonably be financed from revenues derived from the route.

85.26(1)(c) (c) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town, or county.

85.26(2) (2) Administration.

85.26(2)(a) (a) The department shall develop and administer an intercity bus assistance program to increase the availability of intercity bus service in this state. Under this program, the department may do any of the following:

85.26(2)(a)1. 1. Contract with private providers of intercity bus service to support intercity bus service routes of the provider.

85.26(2)(a)2. 2. Make grants to political subdivisions to support intercity bus service routes having an origin or destination in the political subdivision.

85.26(2)(b) (b) All expenditures under the program shall be made from the appropriations under s. 20.395 (1) (bq), (bv), and (bx). The department may not enter into any contract under par. (a) 1., or award any grant under par. (a) 2., that provides funds to support any intercity bus service route in an amount exceeding the lesser of the following:

85.26(2)(b)1. 1. Fifty percent of the net operating loss of the intercity bus service route.

85.26(2)(b)2. 2. The portion of the net operating loss of the intercity bus service route for which federal funds are not available.

85.26(2)(c) (c)

85.26(2)(c)1. 1. The department shall prescribe the form, nature, and extent of the information which shall be contained in an application for a grant under par. (a) 2.

85.26(2)(c)2. 2. The department shall establish criteria for evaluating applications for grants under par. (a) 2.

85.26 History History: 2009 a. 28.

85.27 85.27 Driver education grant program.

85.27(1) (1) The department shall establish and administer a driver education grant program. Under the program, from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (eq), the department may provide grants to a provider of a course in driver education that satisfies all of the following:

85.27(1)(a) (a) The provider is any of the following:

85.27(1)(a)1. 1. A public school providing a course in driver education approved by the department of public instruction or department of transportation.

85.27(1)(a)2. 2. A technical college providing a course in driver education approved by the technical college system board.

85.27(1)(a)3. 3. A nonpublic or private school or tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), providing a course in driver education that meets the minimum standards set by the department of public instruction.

85.27(1)(a)4. 4. A school licensed by the department under s. 343.61.

85.27(1)(b) (b) The provider provides classroom or behind-the-wheel driver instruction or both.

85.27(2) (2) 

85.27(2)(a) (a) The department may provide a grant under sub. (1) solely for the purpose of funding a course in driver education for a specified individual who satisfies the income eligibility criteria for a free or reduced-price lunch in the federal school lunch program under 42 USC 1758 (b) (1).

85.27(2)(b) (b) The department may provide a grant under sub. (1) solely for courses in driver education that are designed to result in an individual obtaining an initial operator’s license authorizing the operation of only “Class D” vehicles.

85.27(3) (3) The amount of a grant under sub. (1) may not exceed the cost that would have been incurred by the individual under sub. (2) (a) in taking the course in driver education.

85.27(4) (4) The department may promulgate rules necessary to implement this section.

85.27 History History: 2023 a. 86.

85.28 85.28 Driver license reinstatement training program. The department shall administer a driver license reinstatement training program. From the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (cq), the department may contract with public or private entities for programs that provide persons whose driver’s license has been revoked or suspended under the laws of this state with training and assistance in meeting the requirements of ch. 343 for license reinstatement.