By
Senators
Grothman, Taylor and Carpenter; cosponsored by Representatives Fields, Marklein, Spanbauer, Mason, Staskunas, Stone, Stroebel and Zepnick.
To committee on Financial Institutions and Rural Issues.
Senate Bill 308
Relating to: deposit placement programs of public depositories.
By
Senators
Grothman, Carpenter and Taylor; cosponsored by Representatives Kramer, Spanbauer and Kestell.
To committee on Financial Institutions and Rural Issues.
Senate Bill 309
Relating to: prohibiting consideration of the conviction record of an applicant for employment before the applicant has been selected for an interview.
By
Senator
Taylor
; cosponsored by Representatives C. Taylor, Zamarripa, Pocan, Pasch, Roys, Berceau, Fields, Hebl and Kessler.
To committee on Labor, Public Safety, and Urban Affairs.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
November 28
, 2011
The Honorable, the Legislature:
Bill Number Act Number
Publication Date
Senate Bill 42Act
81
December 8
, 2011
Senate Bill 86Act
83
December 8
, 2011
Senate Bill 49Act
84
December 8
, 2011
Senate Bill 204Act
85
December 8
, 2011
Senate Bill 45Act
86
December 8
, 2011
Sincerely,
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of Justice Assistance
November 1, 2011
The Honorable, The Legislature:
Following is the 2009-2011 Biennial Report for the Office of Justice Assistance (OJA). This report highlights the activities conducted during the biennium and outlines our vision for 2011-13.
As the State Administering Agency for federal justice and homeland security grant funds, the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance develops statewide strategies, determines funding priorities, and advises the Governor and legislature on criminal justice, domestic violence, juvenile justice, public safety, and domestic preparedness policy. OJA has the unique perspective of being separate from other justice related state resources allowing us to analyze, collect data and recommend policy for the whole justice system rather than from the perspective of a stakeholder.
S610
OJA's independence will be valuable for upcoming justice data research opportunities such as analyzing the costs of incarceration versus alternative programs or bringing justice partners together to discuss gaps in data systems. 2011-13 will include enhancements to justice data transfers and lookup tools for justice professionals and technology equipment to make the connections. OJA will launch the Wisconsin Interoperable System for Communications (WISCOM) system that first responders in communities across the state will use to communicate during a major disaster or large-scale incident.
OJA's programs assist local units of governments, non-profits and tribal governments with resources to assist them in their day to day operations. We look forward to future opportunities to provide services.
Sincerely,
darcey varese
Acting Deputy Director
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
November 17, 2011
The Honorable, The Legislature:
At the request of the Department of Safety and Professional Services and the Department of Administration, and in accordance with s.
13.94(1s), Wis. Stats., we have completed a financial audit of the State of Wisconsin Petroleum Inspection Fee Revenue Obligations Program for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, and June 30, 2010. We have provided our unqualified audit opinion on the Statement of Changes in Program Assets. The Department of Safety and Professional Services' responsibilities related to this program were performed by the former Department of Commerce through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2010-11.
Under the program, the State was authorized to issue $386.9 million in revenue bonds and commercial paper to provide financing for payment of claims under the Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Award (PECFA) program. These revenue obligations are not general obligation debt of the State. Instead, they are to be repaid primarily from the $0.02 per gallon fee charged to suppliers of petroleum products sold in Wisconsin. As of June 30, 2011, a total of $188.7 million in revenue obligations remained outstanding, including $117.5 million in revenue bonds and $71.2 million in commercial paper.
The State collected $73.8 million in petroleum inspection fees during FY 2010-11. Because the State refinanced a portion of the program's outstanding revenue obligations during FY 2009-10, only $5.9 million of the inspection fees needed to be retained by the program for debt service and other costs during FY 2010-11. This allowed $67.9 million of inspection fees to be deposited to the Petroleum Inspection Fund, of which $8.8 million was used to pay PECFA claims. The remaining $59.1 million was used for a variety of purposes, including transfers authorized in
2009 Wisconsin Act 28 of $24.1 million to the Transportation Fund and $9.2 million to the General Fund. In addition, $4.8 million was transferred to the General Fund to meet lapse requirements under
2009 Wisconsin Acts 2 and
28.
2011 Wisconsin Act 32, the 2011-13 Biennial Budget Act, authorized the transfer of $25.8 million from the Petroleum Inspection Fund to the Transportation Fund during each year of the 2011-13 biennium. To ensure funding is available for these transfers, the spending authority in the appropriation used to pay PECFA claims was reduced from $9.1 million for FY 2010-11 to $4.6 million for each year of the 2011-13 biennium. A balance is expected to remain in the fund through the biennium. However, if PECFA claims exceed the amounts appropriated, a backlog will likely develop and related interest costs will be incurred. The Department of Safety and Professional Services indicated that it may seek increased appropriation authority to avoid a backlog.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us during our audit by staff of the departments of Safety and Professional Services, Administration, and Revenue.
Sincerely,
joe Chrisman
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Department of Tourism
November 28, 2011
The Honorable, The Legislature:
I am pleased to provide to you the 2009-11 Biennial Report. On behalf of the entire team at the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
Sarah Klavas
Industry Relations and Services Director
__________________
The committee on Natural Resources and Environment reports and recommends:
Relating to administration of stewardship grants.
No action taken.
Neal Kedzie
Chairperson
Referred to joint committee for review of Administrative Rules, pursuant to 227.19(5)(a),Wisconsin Statutes.
