2005 Wisconsin Act 335

335,62 Section 62. 114.13 of the statutes is amended to read:

114.13 Purchase of land for airports and spaceports. Private property needed by a county, city, village or town for an airport or landing field or landing and take-off strip, or for a spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, or property or rights for the protection of the aerial approaches thereof, shall be acquired by purchase if the city, village, town or county is able to agree with the owners on the terms thereof, and otherwise by condemnation, as provided in s. 32.05. The purchase price or award for real property acquired for an airport or landing field or landing and take-off strip, or for a spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, or property or rights for the protection of the aerial approaches thereof, may be paid for the appropriation of moneys available therefor, or wholly or partly from the proceeds of the sale of bonds of the city, village, town or county, as the governing body of such city, village, town or county determines, subject to ch. 67. Such property or rights may be acquired by gift, which the respective governing bodies are authorized to accept.

335,63 Section 63. 114.134 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

114.134 (title) Airport and spaceport standards and approval.

335,64 Section 64. 114.134 (1), (2), (3) and (4) (c) of the statutes are amended to read:

114.134 (1) Public airport and spaceport information. No person shall operate an airport or spaceport within this state that is open to the general public unless effective runway and landing strip lengths are properly reported, published and marked in accordance with applicable federal aviation regulations and federal obstruction standards.

(2) Traverse way clearance. No person shall operate an airport or spaceport within this state unless all runways and landing strips are so located that approaching and departing aircraft or spacecraft clear all public roads, highways, railroads, waterways or other traverse ways by a height which complies with applicable federal standards.

(3) Airport and spaceport site approval. No person shall construct or otherwise establish a new airport or spaceport or activate an airport or spaceport within this state unless the secretary of transportation issues a certificate of approval for the location of the proposed airport or spaceport. No charge shall be made for application or approval. The secretary may issue a certificate of approval if the secretary determines that the location of the proposed airport or spaceport is compatible with existing and planned transportation facilities in the area.

(4) (c) At least 15 days before the date of the hearing a class 1 notice of any public hearing shall be published, under ch. 985, in the official state newspaper and in a paper of general circulation printed and published near the location of the proposed airport or spaceport.

335,65 Section 65. 114.135 (intro.), (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), (7) and (8) of the statutes are amended to read:

114.135 Airport and spaceport protection. (intro.) It is declared to be in the public interest that the navigable airspace over the state and the aerial approaches to any airport or spaceport be maintained in a condition best suited for the safe operation of aircraft or spacecraft and to that end the bulk, height, location and use of any building or structure, or any other object, and the use of land, may be regulated, or any building, structure or other object may be removed. It is the legislative intent that this section shall not supersede s. 59.69 (4), but that it shall be supplemental to such section.

(1) Procedure to obtain protection privileges. The aerial approaches to any airport or spaceport owned and operated by corporations organized to provide aeronautic or astronautic facilities to the general public may be protected in the following manner: The owner of the airport or spaceport shall prepare and record with the register of deeds plans and specifications showing the land affected, the owner of each parcel or interest therein, whether public or private, the regulations to be imposed on each parcel and the structures, buildings or other objects to be removed. The owner or managing body of the airport or spaceport may negotiate and acquire from the owners of the various parcels or interest therein, whether public or private, by deeds the protection privileges shown by the plans and specifications. Referring in the deed to the plans and specifications, and briefly describing the plans and specifications, shall be considered sufficient legal description to convey the protection privileges set forth in the plans and specifications in the property of the grantor. In case the owner of the airport or spaceport is unable to obtain by negotiation the desired protection privileges, he or she may acquire the protection privileges by eminent domain in the manner set forth in ch. 32, except as to lands and buildings of railway companies that are necessary to, or are used in connection with the operation of the railway. In case the protection privileges sought extend into more than one county the plans and specifications shall be recorded with the register of deeds of each county. In case any parcel of land lies in more than one county, eminent domain proceedings may be instituted in the circuit court of any county in which the parcel is situated, provided a certified copy of the final judgment with a description of the property involved is recorded with the register of deeds of all counties in which the parcel of land or interest therein lies.

(2) Notice; claim for damages. In case of any airport landing field or landing and take-off strip, or spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, owned by any city, village, town or county or any union of them, the commission or other body in charge of the operation and control of the airport, landing field or landing and take-off strip, or spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, may prepare and record without charge with the register of deeds plans and specifications showing the protection privileges sought as described in sub. (1). The commission or other body in charge shall send by registered mail with return receipt to each owner at his or her last-known address a notice stating that the plans and specifications have been recorded with the register of deeds' office, stating the county, time of recording, the record number, and a brief description of the parcel of land or interest therein affected. If the address of the owner cannot be ascertained or the registered letter is returned unclaimed, notice shall be sent by registered mail to the person in possession of the premises. If no person is in possession, then the notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the land involved and published as a class 3 notice, under ch. 985, in the area affected. The right of the owner to claim for damages for the protection regulations imposed in the plans and specifications, or the removal of obstructions shall be forever barred, unless the owner files a claim for damages with the commission or other body in charge within 6 months from the receipt of the notice from the commission, or other body in charge, or the posting and last publication. The claim shall be verified and shall state the amount of damages claimed. The commission or other body in charge may pay the damages, if it has available funds, and the payment shall operate as a conveyance. If no claims for payment are filed or if payment is made, the commission or other body in charge shall file an affidavit for each parcel involved setting forth the rights acquired which shall be recorded by the register of deeds without charge and when so recorded has the same effect as any recorded instrument. If any owner is a minor or incompetent, the notice may be sent by registered mail to the owner's guardian, if he or she has one, and if there is none the circuit court of the county in which the land, or a larger part, is located shall upon application of the commission or other body in charge appoint a guardian to receive the notice, and to protect the rights of the owner. Any funds payable to the owner shall be cared for in the manner provided in ch. 880. If the commission or other body in charge determines that the damages claimed are excessive, it shall so report to the governing body that established the airport, landing field or landing and take-off strip, or spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, in question and with its consent may acquire in the name of the governmental body the protection privilege desired in the manner set forth in sub. (1) or it may deposit with the county clerk an award and notify the owner of the land involved in the method specified in this subsection. The landowner may accept the award without prejudice to his or her right to claim and contest for a greater sum. The landowner may, within a period of 6 months after notice of the award, proceed as provided in ch. 32 to have the damages appraised.

(3) Exercise of power and authority. The power and authority to protect airports or spaceports conferred in subs. (1) and (2) may be exercised from time to time; amended plans and specifications may be recorded in the register of deeds' office, and new protection privileges acquired from time to time in the methods provided by this section.

(4) Encroachments. The duty to prevent encroachments by growth of trees or other vegetation, or otherwise, upon the protection privileges acquired by any airport, landing field, landing and take-off strip, or spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, shall be upon the owner or owners of the parcel of land affected by the protection privilege only in cases where the owner or owners have received compensation for the protection privilege. Any such encroachment is declared to be a private nuisance and may be abated in the manner prescribed in ch. 823. In cases where no compensation has been paid for the protection privilege, encroachments shall be removed by the owner or the authority in charge of the airport, landing field, or landing and take-off strip, or spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, and shall be, in case of a publicly owned airport, landing field or landing and take-off strip, or spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, a city, village, town or county charge as the case may be. In removing such encroachments, the owner or authority in charge of the airport, landing field or landing and take-off strip, or spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, in question, may go upon the land and remove the encroachment without being liable for damages in so doing.

(6) Permit for erection of high structures required. No person shall erect anywhere in this state, including within a spaceport or spacecraft launch or landing area, any building, structure, tower or any other object the height of which exceeds the limitations set forth in sub. (7) without first filing an application and procuring a permit from the secretary of transportation.

(7) Power to control erection of high structures. For the purposes of sub. (6) the power and authority to control the erection of buildings, structures, towers and other objects by the secretary of transportation shall be limited to those objects that would either extend to a height of more than 500 feet above the ground or surface of the water within one mile of the location of the object, or above a height determined by the ratio of one foot vertical to 40 feet horizontal measured from the nearest boundary of the nearest public airport or spaceport within the state; however, this power and authority shall not extend to objects of less than 150 feet in height above the ground or water level at the location of the object or to objects located within areas zoned under s. 114.136 or to objects located within areas zoned under s. 62.23 (7) where the zoning ordinance enacted under said subsection controls the height of structures.

(8) Rules, regulations, standards and criteria. In carrying out sub. (6) the secretary of transportation may perform such acts, issue and amend such orders and make, promulgate and amend and enforce such reasonable rules, regulations and procedures and establish such minimum standards and criteria governing erection of buildings, structures, towers and hazards in the interest of the safe operation of aircraft and spacecraft as it deems necessary in the public interest and safety.

335,66 Section 66. 114.136 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

114.136 (title) Airport and spaceport approach protection.

335,67 Section 67. 114.136 (1) (a), (b) and (c), (2) (a), (3), (4) and (5) of the statutes are amended to read:

114.136 (1) (a) Any county, city, village or town that is the owner of a site for an airport or spaceport which has been approved for such purpose by the appropriate agencies of the state and the federal government may protect the aerial approaches to such site by ordinance regulating, restricting and determining the use, location, height, number of stories and size of buildings and structures and objects of natural growth in the vicinity of such site and may divide the territory to be protected into several areas and impose different regulations and restrictions with respect to each area. The provisions of such ordinance shall be effective whether the site and the lands affected by such ordinance are located within or without the limits of such county, city, village or town, and whether or not such buildings, structures and objects of natural growth are in existence on the effective date of the ordinance. Such regulations, restrictions and determinations are declared to be for the purpose of promoting the public safety, welfare and convenience, and may be adopted, enforced and administered without the consent of any other governing body. Any ordinance adopted under this section may be amended from time to time in the same manner as is provided for the adoption of the original ordinance in sub. (2). The authority granted in this section shall be independent and exclusive of any other authority granted in the statutes.

(b) When an airport or spaceport site is owned jointly by 2 or more units of government, such ordinance may be adopted by joint action of the governing bodies of such units. In such case, such governing bodies shall meet jointly to select a joint commission consisting of one member from each governing body selected by that governing body and, if there be 2, the members so selected shall elect a third member. Such joint commission shall elect a chairperson and a secretary, and shall have authority to formulate a tentative ordinance and hold public hearings as provided in sub. (2). At least 15 days written notice of the meeting to select a joint commission shall be given to each governing body by filing a copy of such written notice with the clerk thereof. Such notice may be given on the initiative of one such governing body or jointly by more than one. The governing bodies that attend such meeting may proceed jointly. If one attends, or if only one favors an ordinance, it may proceed alone without appointing a commission, but no ordinance applicable to a jointly owned airport or spaceport shall be adopted by a governing body acting alone unless it has given notice of meeting to select a joint commission as provided by this subsection, and such ordinance shall be as effective as if adopted by the joint bodies.

(c) As an alternative to the procedure for the appointment of members of the joint commission provided in par. (b), the governing bodies of the units of government which jointly own an airport or spaceport site may by separate resolution of each governing body designate an existing subunit of any one of the governing bodies to act as the joint commission. In such case, the designated subunit shall elect a chairperson and secretary, formulate a tentative ordinance and hold public hearings as provided in sub. (2). No tentative ordinance formulated under this paragraph is effective unless it is adopted by all of the governing bodies of the units of government which jointly own the airport or spaceport site.

(2) (a) Except as provided by sub. (1) (b) or (c), the county park commission in the case of any county except any county with a county executive or county administrator in which case the county park manager, the city or village plan commission in the case of a city or village, or if there is no such commission or manager, a committee of the governing body or bodies of the county, city, village or town which owns the airport or spaceport site shall formulate a tentative ordinance and hold a public hearing or hearings thereon in some public place within the county, city, village or town. Notice of the hearings shall be given by publication of a class 3 notice, under ch. 985, in the area affected by the proposed ordinance.

(3) Nonconforming uses. The lawful use of land, buildings and structures existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of any ordinance under the authority of this section may be continued, although such use does not conform with the provisions of the ordinance. The expansion or enlargement of a nonconforming use shall be in conformity with the ordinance. The governing body of the owner of the airport or spaceport site may remove such nonconforming use or acquire the necessary air right over the same by purchase or exercise of the right of eminent domain in the manner provided by ch. 32.

(4) Board of appeals. (a) Any ordinance enacted under this section shall provide for a board of appeals. If the county, city, village or town which is the owner of the airport or spaceport has enacted a zoning ordinance under provision of law other than this section, the board of adjustment or board of appeals set up by that ordinance shall also function as the board of appeals under the ordinance enacted under this section.

(b) If there be is no such board of appeals or board of adjustment, any regulations adopted under this section shall provide for a board of appeals. Where the airport or spaceport is owned jointly, the ordinance shall provide for a joint board of appeals. Such board shall be constituted and have all the powers, duties and functions as provided in s. 62.23 (7) (e), but not more than 2 members of such board shall be owners or occupants of the area affected by the ordinance.

(5) Enforcement. The governing body of the county, city, village or town owning the airport or spaceport site may provide for the enforcement of any ordinance or regulations enacted pursuant to this section. Such enforcement may be by a system of permits or any other appropriate method. The governing body enacting the ordinance may provide for the punishment of a violation of the ordinance by fine or imprisonment, or both.

335,68 Section 68. 114.136 (2) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 114.136 (2) (b) 1. and amended to read:

114.136 (2) (b) 1. The regulations, restrictions and determinations shall include, among other things, provisions for the limitation of the height of buildings, structures and objects of natural growth located not more than 3 miles from the boundaries of the airport site or located not more than 5 miles from the boundaries of the spaceport site. Such regulations, restrictions and determinations shall specify the maximum permissible height of buildings, structures and objects of natural growth and may specify such maximum permissible height as a ratio between the permissible maximum height of the building, structure or object of natural growth above the level of the airport or spaceport site and its distance from the nearest point on the boundary of the airport or spaceport site.

2. For the purposes of this section, buildings, structures and objects of natural growth shall not be restricted to a height above the level of the airport site which is less than one-thirtieth of its distance from the boundary of the airport site in the case of class I and II airports as classified by the civil aeronautics administration of the United States department of commerce and one-fiftieth of its distance from the boundary of the airport in the case of class III and larger airports as classified by said administration. Provided, however, that a building, structure, or object of natural growth within 3 miles of the airport site may be restricted to a height of 150 feet above the airport level, which is defined as the lowest point planned on any runway.

335,69 Section 69. 114.151 of the statutes is amended to read:

114.151 Union airports and spaceports. All powers conferred upon any county, city, village or town by ss. 114.11 to 114.15, relating to the acquisition, establishment, construction, ownership, control, lease, equipment, improvement, maintenance, operation and regulation of airports or landing fields, or spaceports or spacecraft launch or landing areas, may be exercised by any 2 or more municipalities in the establishment, acquisition, equipment and operation of joint airports or landing fields, or spaceports or spacecraft launch or landing areas. The governing body of any county, city, village or town participating in the ownership or operation of a joint airport or spaceport as provided in this section may by resolution withdraw from such joint operation or control and may relinquish its interest in the airport or spaceport.

335,70 Section 70. 114.31 (1) and (4) of the statutes are amended to read:

114.31 (1) General. The secretary shall have general supervision of aeronautics in the state and promote and foster a sound development of aviation in this state, promote aviation education and training programs, assist in the development of aviation and aviation facilities, safeguard the interests of those engaged in all phases of aviation, formulate and recommend and promote reasonable regulations in the interests of safety, and coordinate state aviation activities with those of other states and , the federal government, and the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority. The secretary shall have all powers that are necessary to carry out the policies of the department of transportation, including the right to require that statements made to the secretary be under oath. The secretary is especially charged with the duty of informing himself or herself regarding all federal laws that affect aeronautics and astronautics in this state, all regulations pursuant to such laws, and all pending legislation providing for a national airport system, in order that the secretary may recommend to the governor and the legislature such measures as will best enable this state to derive the maximum benefits from such legislation if and when it shall become effective. It shall be the duty of all other state boards, commissions, departments and institutions, especially the appropriate educational institutions and the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, to cooperate with the secretary.

(4) Cooperation with federal aeronautical or astronautical agency. The secretary shall cooperate with and assist the federal government, the political subdivisions of this state, and others engaged in aeronautics or astronautics or the promotion of aeronautics or astronautics, and shall seek to coordinate the aeronautical or astronautical activities of these bodies. To this end, the secretary is empowered to confer with or to hold joint hearings with any federal aeronautical or astronautical agency in connection with any matter arising under this chapter, relating to the sound development of aeronautics or astronautics, and to take advantage of the cooperation, services, records and facilities of such federal agencies, as fully as may be practicable, in the administration of said sections. The secretary shall furnish to the federal agencies cooperation, and the services, records and facilities of the department, insofar as may be practicable.

335,71 Section 71. 114.33 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:

114.33 (12) Lands held by any department, board, commission or, other agency of the state , or the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority may, with the approval of the governor, be conveyed to the secretary in the manner prescribed by statute and, if none is prescribed, then by a conveyance authorized by appropriate resolution of the controlling department, board or commission of the agency concerned or by the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority.

335,72 Section 72. 114.37 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

114.37 (title) Advance land acquisition loan program for airport projects.

335,73 Section 73. 114.375 of the statutes is created to read:

114.375 Advance land acquisition loan program for spaceport projects. (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote the state's interest in aerospace programs by providing loans for advance land acquisition for spaceport projects.

(2) Administration. The department shall administer an advance land acquisition loan program to assist a county, city, village, town, or an owner of a spaceport in acquiring land necessary for spaceport projects. The department shall have all powers necessary and convenient to implement this section, including the following powers:

(a) To specify conditions of eligibility for loans under this section. Such conditions shall include the requirement that the land to be acquired must be part of a planned spaceport improvement project or a land acquisition project that is essential to future spaceport development or to the safety of spacecraft using the spaceport.

(b) To receive applications for loans under this section and to prescribe the form, nature, and extent of the information which shall be contained in applications.

(c) To establish standards for the approval of loans under this section. No loan may be made for an amount greater than 80 percent of the department's assessment of the value of the property.

(d) To enter into loan agreements with applicants to ensure the proper use and prompt repayment of loans under this section. The loan agreement shall include the requirements that the loan be repaid within a period not to exceed 10 years and that the proceeds of any state or federal land acquisition funding received be fully pledged to repayment of the loan. The department may not make a loan for more than 80 percent of the estimated land acquisition costs, including the costs of any necessary project plans and environmental studies. The loan agreement shall require that the department be designated to act as the loan recipient's agent in the acquisition of the land. Title to the land acquired shall be held by the loan recipient, but the department may retain a security interest in the land until the loan is repaid. The loan agreement shall require the payment of interest and reasonable costs incurred by the department.

(e) To acquire lands as the designated agent of a loan recipient.

(f) To audit and inspect the records of loan recipients.

(3) Funds. The department may make loans under this section from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (2) (mv). The total outstanding balance of loans under this subsection may not exceed $10,000,000.

(4) Rules. The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

335,74 Section 74. Subchapter II of chapter 114 [precedes 114.60] of the statutes is created to read:

Chapter 114

Subchapter II
WISCONSIN AEROSPACE AUTHORITY

114.60 Definitions. In this subchapter:

(1) "Aerospace facilities" means facilities and infrastructure in this state used primarily to provide aerospace services, including: laboratories and research facilities; office, storage, and manufacturing facilities; instructional and other educational facilities; space museums; and other buildings, equipment, and instruments related to the operations of the aerospace industry or to providing aerospace services.

(2) "Aerospace services" means services that promote, advance, and facilitate space exploration and space-related commercial, technological, and educational development in this state, including: space-related research, experimentation, and development of technology and other intellectual property; space-related business incubator services or services for start-up aerospace companies; programs, projects, operations, and activities to develop, enhance, or provide commercial and noncommercial space-related opportunities for business, industry, education, and government; services or activities that promote the commercialization of the space and aerospace industry and space-related economic growth; services or activities that promote and facilitate space-related educational opportunities and tourism, including educational initiatives and operation or sponsorship of space museums and tourist attractions; consulting services; and administrative services.

(3) "Authority" means the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority.

(4) "Board" means the board of directors of the authority.

(5) "Bond" means a bond, note, or other obligation of the authority issued under this chapter, including a refunding bond.

(6) "Bond resolution" means a resolution of the board authorizing the issuance of, or providing terms and conditions related to, bonds and includes, when appropriate, any trust agreement, trust indenture, indenture of mortgage, or deed of trust providing terms and conditions for the bonds.

(7) "Payload" means any property, cargo, or persons transported by spacecraft.

(8) "Recovery" means the recovery of any spacecraft or payload, or any part of any spacecraft or payload, including any appurtenance, instrument, or equipment, that has detached from a spacecraft in flight or upon launch or landing.

(9) "Spaceport facilities" means facilities and infrastructure that are located within a spaceport and related to the operation or purpose of the spaceport, including: spaceport launch or landing areas; launch or landing control centers or other facilities; structures, mechanisms, or devices for communicating with or navigating or tracking spacecraft; buildings, structures, equipment, or other facilities associated with spacecraft construction, development, assembly, processing, testing, or evaluation; buildings, structures, equipment, or other facilities associated with payload loading, assembly, processing, testing, or evaluation; space flight hardware, software, or instrumentation; facilities appropriate to meet the transportation, electric, gas, water and sewer, flood control, waste disposal, and other infrastructure needs within the spaceport; facilities to meet public safety needs within the spaceport, including any facility related to spaceport security and emergency services such as fire and ambulance; administrative facilities; and other buildings, equipment, and instruments related to spaceport operations or the providing of spaceport services.

(10) "Spaceport services" means any services provided in connection with the operation, management, or control of a spaceport or spaceport facilities, including: the launching or landing of spacecraft; communicating with or navigating or tracking spacecraft; construction, development, assembly, processing, testing, or evaluation of spacecraft or payload; loading spacecraft payload; spaceport security and emergency services; and administrative services.

(11) "Spaceport territory" means a spaceport of the authority in this state and any additional aerospace facilities associated with the spaceport that are in the immediate vicinity of the spaceport.

(12) "Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium" means the statewide regional consortium designated as such by the federal administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under 42 USC 2486f (a) (1) (B).

114.61 Creation and organization. (1) There is created a public body corporate and politic to be known as the "Wisconsin Aerospace Authority." The board of the authority shall consist of the following members:

(a) Six members nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed, for 3-year terms.

(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, and one member of the assembly, appointed by the speaker of the assembly, each for a 3-year term.

(c) The director of the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. If the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium ceases to exist or does not appoint a director, an additional member of the board shall be appointed under par. (a) in lieu of the member under this paragraph.

(2) Except for the member specified under sub. (1) (c), each member of the board shall be a resident of the state and shall have experience in the aerospace or commercial space industry, in education, or in finance or shall have other significant experience related to the functions of the authority as specified in this subchapter.

(3) (a) The terms of the members appointed under sub. (1) (a) and (b) expire on June 30. Each member's appointment remains in effect until a successor is appointed unless the member vacates or is removed from his or her office. A member who serves as a result of holding another office or position vacates his or her office as a member when he or she vacates the other office or position. A member who ceases to qualify for office vacates his or her office.

(b) A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment to the board for the remainder of the unexpired term, if any.

(c) A member appointed under sub. (1) (a) may be removed by the governor for cause. A member appointed under sub. (1) (b) shall be removed, as applicable, by the president of the senate or the speaker of the assembly if the member is absent at 2 consecutive board meetings without the prior written approval of the chairperson of the board. A vacancy on the board created by removal under this paragraph is subject to par. (b).

(d) A member of the board appointed under sub. (1) (a) or (b) may not serve more than 3 consecutive 3-year terms, but may be reappointed to additional terms after a one-year absence from the board.

(e) A member of the board may hold public office or otherwise be publicly or privately employed.

(4) (a) A member of the board may not be compensated for his or her services but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of his or her duties.

(b) The amount of reimbursement under par. (a) shall be limited to the uniform travel schedule amounts approved under s. 20.916 (8).

(5) No cause of action of any nature may arise against and no civil liability may be imposed upon a member of the board for any act or omission in the performance of his or her powers and duties under this subchapter, unless the person asserting liability proves that the act or omission constitutes willful misconduct.

(6) The members of the board shall annually elect a chairperson and may elect other officers as they consider appropriate. Five members of the board constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business and exercising the powers of the authority, notwithstanding the existence of any vacancy. The board may take action upon a vote of a majority of the members present, unless the bylaws of the authority require a larger number. The board shall meet at least once every 6 months, but may meet more frequently. Except as provided in s. 114.65 (4), meetings of the board are subject to the open meetings requirements specified in subch. V of ch. 19.

(7) The board shall appoint an executive director who may not be a member of the board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The authority may delegate by resolution to one or more of its members or its executive director any powers and duties that it considers proper. The board shall determine the compensation of the executive director. The executive director or another person designated by resolution of the board shall keep a record of the proceedings of the authority and shall be custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the authority, the minute book or journal of the authority, and its official seal. The executive director or other person may cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records and documents of the authority and may give certificates under the official seal of the authority to the effect that the copies are true copies, and all persons dealing with the authority may rely upon the certificates. The executive director may call meetings of the board more frequently than the meetings required under sub. (6).

114.62 Powers of authority. The authority has all of the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter. In addition to all other powers granted by this chapter, the authority may do any of the following:

(1) Adopt bylaws and policies and procedures for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business.

(2) Sue and be sued. The authority has a direct right of action against any 3rd party to enforce any provision of this subchapter or to carry out any power provided to it under this subchapter or to protect its interests as authorized under this subchapter.

(3) Have a seal and alter the seal at pleasure; have perpetual existence; and maintain an office.

(4) Hire employees, define their duties, and fix their rate of compensation and benefits. The authority may also employ any agent or special advisor that the authority finds necessary and fix his or her compensation. The amount of reimbursement to any employee, agent, or special advisor shall be limited to the uniform travel schedule amounts approved under s. 20.916 (8).

(5) Appoint any technical or professional advisory committee that the authority finds necessary to assist the authority in exercising its duties and powers; define the duties of any committee; and provide reimbursement for the expenses of any committee. The amount of reimbursement under this subsection shall be limited to the uniform travel schedule amounts approved under s. 20.916 (8).