AB587: Bill Text

LRB-3953/2

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2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE

2001 Assembly BILL 587

October 25, 2001 - Introduced by Representatives Townsend, Ladwig, Gronemus, Kreibich, Olsen, Owens, Jensen, Freese, Schneider, M. Lehman, Huebsch, Urban, Ott, Krawczyk, Sykora, Petrowski and Vrakas, cosponsored by Senators Panzer, Welch, Zien, Huelsman, Rosenzweig, Darling and Roessler. Referred to Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.

AB587,1,7 An Act to amend 20.465 (1) (title), 20.465 (1) (c), 20.465 (1) (g), 21.01 (1), 21.015 (1), 21.015 (2), 21.025 (2) (b), 21.025 (2) (c), 21.03, 21.07, 21.09, 21.11 (1), 21.11 (2), 21.13 (1), 21.13 (2), 21.18 (1), 21.19 (2), 21.19 (8), 21.20, 21.30, 21.32, 21.35, 21.36 (1), 21.36 (2), 21.38, 21.43, 21.47, 21.48 (1), 21.48 (3), 21.59, 102.07 (9), 102.475 (1) and 230.35 (3) (a); and to create 21.01 (3) and 21.18 (4) of the statutes; relating to: creating the Wisconsin naval militia and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the Wisconsin national guard is composed of the army and air national guard. Current law also allows the adjutant general to establish and organize a state defense force if the national guard is called into the service of the United States. This bill creates a Wisconsin naval militia, which will be under the control of the adjutant general and will be subject to the same policies and procedures as the other military components. The naval militia's primary purpose under the bill is to respond to natural disasters, state emergencies, and domestic disorders.

For further information see the state 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:

AB587, s. 1 Section 1. 20.465 (1) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,2,2 20.465 (1) (title) National guard and naval militia operations.

AB587, s. 2 Section 2. 20.465 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,2,9 20.465 (1) (c) Public emergencies. A sum sufficient to defray all expenditures of the Wisconsin national guard, the Wisconsin naval militia, or the Wisconsin state defense force when either the guard, militia, or defense force is called into state service to meet situations arising from war, riot, natural disaster or great public emergency and in preparation for an anticipated call into state service for these emergencies.

AB587, s. 3 Section 3. 20.465 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,3,2 20.465 (1) (g) Military property. The amounts in the schedule for rent of state-owned military lands or buildings used by, acquired for or erected for the Wisconsin national guard or other state recognized military force under s. 21.19 (2), for rental of buildings and grounds maintenance equipment owned by the state and required to properly maintain properties supported by state-federal cooperative funding agreements, for the repair and maintenance of state-owned military lands or buildings, for the payment of municipal assessments related to state-owned military property and for the purchase and construction of new military property, real and personal. All moneys received on account of lost military property, from the sale of obsolete or unserviceable military property, from the sale of any state-owned military property, real and personal, under s. 21.19 (3), from the rental of state-owned housing, or from the provision of housing-related services to military personnel shall be credited to this appropriation.

AB587, s. 4 Section 4. 21.01 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,3,7 21.01 (1) The organized militia of this state shall be known as the "Wisconsin national guard" and the "Wisconsin naval militia" and shall consist of members appointed or enlisted therein in accordance with federal law or regulations governing or pertaining to the national guard or to the naval militia.

AB587, s. 5 Section 5. 21.01 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

AB587,3,21 21.01 (3) The Wisconsin naval militia shall consist of members or former members of U.S. naval, coast guard, or marine corps reserve, enlisted or appointed, who also join the Wisconsin naval militia. The members and units of the Wisconsin naval militia while in state service shall be under the command and control of the governor through the adjutant general. Their membership in the Wisconsin naval militia is authorized under the provisions of Title 10 U.S. Code Sections 7851, 7852, and 7854. The primary purpose of the naval militia will be to respond to the call of the governor to support the state of Wisconsin during times of natural disaster, state emergency, domestic disorder, or other public service support missions. The military structure of the units of the naval militia will be established by the adjutant general by military regulation, approved by the governor. The term "naval militia" when used in this chapter will refer to the members and units thus organized and not to the "national guard," unless the context otherwise requires that interpretation.

AB587, s. 6 Section 6. 21.015 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,3,23 21.015 (1) Administer the national guard and the naval militia.

AB587, s. 7 Section 7. 21.015 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,4,2 21.015 (2) Provide facilities for the national guard and the naval militia and any other support available from the appropriations under s. 20.465.

AB587, s. 8 Section 8. 21.025 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,4,6 21.025 (2) (b) The governor may form an aviation unit and a naval unit of the state defense force and formulate the rules and regulations therefor and prescribe the duties thereof consistent with the functions of the state defense force.

AB587, s. 9 Section 9. 21.025 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,4,10 21.025 (2) (c) Officers and enlistees, while on active duty under orders of the governor, shall receive the base pay and allowances of the their identical pay grade in the United States army.

AB587, s. 10 Section 10. 21.03 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,4,16 21.03 Distribution of arms. The governor may receive and distribute, according to law, the quota of arms and military equipment which the state may receive from the government of the United States under the provisions of any acts of congress providing for arming and equipping the national guard, the naval militia, and the state defense force.

AB587, s. 11 Section 11. 21.07 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,4,21 21.07 Decorations and awards. The adjutant general may prescribe decorations and awards for the Wisconsin national guard, the Wisconsin naval militia, and the state defense force, the form and issue thereof made under rules adopted by the adjutant general and approved by the governor.

AB587, s. 12 Section 12. 21.09 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,5,6 21.09 Training; special schools; pay and allowances. The governor may order the national guard or the naval militia, or both, to assemble for training at any military establishment within or without the state specified and approved by the department of defense and fix the dates and places thereof, and the governor may order members of the national guard and the naval militia, at their option, to attend such special schools for military training as may be authorized by the state or federal government. For such training and attendance at special schools, members of the national guard and the naval militia shall receive such pay and allowances as the federal government or the governor may authorize.

AB587, s. 13 Section 13. 21.11 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,6,3 21.11 (1) In case of war, insurrection, rebellion, riot, invasion or resistance to the execution of the laws of this state or of the United States; in the event of public disaster resulting from flood, conflagration or tornado; in order to assess damage or potential damage and to recommend responsive action as a result of natural or man-made events; or upon application of any marshal of the United States, the president of any village, the mayor of any city, the chairperson of any town board, or any sheriff in this state, the governor may order into active service all or any portion of the national guard or the naval militia. If the governor is absent, or cannot be immediately communicated with, any such civil officer may, if the officer deems the occasion so urgent, make such application, which shall be in writing, to the commanding officers of any company, battalion or regiment, or similar naval militia unit, who may upon approval of the adjutant general, if the danger is great and imminent, order out that officer's command to the aid of such civil officer. Such order shall be delivered to the commanding officer, who shall immediately communicate the order to each, and every subordinate officer, and every company commander or similar naval militia commander receiving the same shall immediately communicate the substance thereof to each member of the company or naval militia unit, or if any such member cannot be found, a notice in writing containing the substance of such order shall be left at the last and usual place of residence of such member with some person of suitable age and discretion, to whom its contents shall be explained.

AB587, s. 14 Section 14. 21.11 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,6,10 21.11 (2) Any commissioned officer or enlisted member of the national guard or the naval militia who fails to carry out orders or fails to appear at the time or place ordered as provided in sub. (1) shall be punished under the Wisconsin code of military justice. Any person who advises or endeavors to persuade an officer or soldier enlisted member to refuse or neglect to appear at such place or obey such order shall forfeit not less than $200 nor more than $1,000.

AB587, s. 15 Section 15. 21.13 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,6,24 21.13 (1) If any member of the national guard, the naval militia, or the state defense force is prosecuted by any civil or criminal action for any act performed by the member while in the performance of military duty and in pursuance of military duty, the action against the member shall be defended by counsel, which may include the attorney general, appointed for that purpose by the governor upon the recommendation of the adjutant general. The adjutant general shall make the recommendation if the act performed by the member was in the line of duty. The costs and expenses of any such defense shall be audited by the department of administration and paid out of the state treasury and charged to the appropriation under s. 20.455 (1) (b) and if the jury or court finds that the member of the national guard, the naval militia, or the state defense force against whom the action is brought acted within the scope of his or her employment as a member, the judgment as to damages entered against the member shall also be paid by the state.

AB587, s. 16 Section 16. 21.13 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,7,3 21.13 (2) Any civil action or proceeding brought against a member of the national guard, the naval militia, or the state defense force under sub. (1) is subject to ss. 893.82 and 895.46.

AB587, s. 17 Section 17. 21.18 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,7,16 21.18 (1) The Except as provided in sub. (4), the military staff of the governor shall consist of the adjutant general, with a minimum rank of brigadier general; a deputy adjutant general for army, who may be a general officer; an assistant adjutant general, army, for readiness and training, who may be a general officer; a deputy assistant adjutant general, army, for readiness and training; a deputy adjutant general for air, who may be a general officer; a chief surgeon for army, who may be a general officer; a chief surgeon for air, who may be a general officer; a staff judge advocate for army, who may be a general officer; a staff judge advocate for air, who may be a general officer; a state chaplain, who may be a general officer; and such other officers as the governor deems necessary. Vacancies in positions other than those of the adjutant general shall be filled through appointment by the adjutant general.

AB587, s. 18 Section 18. 21.18 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

AB587,8,4 21.18 (4) The military staff of the governor shall be to include an assistant to the adjutant general for readiness and training for the naval militia who shall hold the rank of rear admiral lower half, or brigadier general, depending upon branch of service. He or she shall be appointed by the adjutant general with the consent of the governor for a 3-year period and the appointee may be reappointed to successive periods. The appointment of this assistant to the adjutant general shall not be conditioned upon current membership in one of the United States armed forces reserves. However, the appointee must comply with sub. (2) and must currently be either a member of a U.S. reserve component, or have been separated from military service under honorable conditions. The remainder of the military staff of the naval militia shall be established by military regulations promulgated by the adjutant general and approved by the governor.

AB587, s. 19 Section 19. 21.19 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,8,12 21.19 (2) The department of military affairs on behalf of the state may rent to appropriate organizations or individuals state-owned lands, buildings and facilities used by, acquired for, or erected for the Wisconsin national guard or other state recognized military force, when not required for use by the Wisconsin national guard, or other state recognized military force. Such rental shall not be effective unless in writing and approved by the governor and the adjutant general or a designee in writing.

AB587, s. 20 Section 20. 21.19 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,8,17 21.19 (8) The adjutant general or a designee shall issue all necessary supplies to members and units of the national guard, naval militia, or state defense force and may contract for the purchase and transportation of such supplies, subject to s. 16.71 (1).

AB587, s. 21 Section 21. 21.20 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,8,24 21.20 Civil service status. All full-time state-paid employees of the department of military affairs shall be under the classified service, except the adjutant general, the executive assistant to the adjutant general, the deputy adjutants general for army and air, the assistant to the adjutant general for readiness and training for the naval militia, and the administrator of the division of emergency management.

AB587, s. 22 Section 22. 21.30 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,9,9 21.30 Chief surgeons; powers and duties. The chief surgeons for army and air shall, under direction of the adjutant general, have general supervision of the medical units of the Wisconsin national guard, the Wisconsin naval militia, and state defense force when organized. The chief surgeons shall make recommendations concerning procurement of medical supplies for state active duty operations, for the procurement and training of medical personnel and for the publication of Wisconsin national guard, Wisconsin naval militia, or state defense force directives on medical subjects. The chief surgeons shall submit an annual report of the affairs and expenses of their departments to the adjutant general.

AB587, s. 23 Section 23. 21.32 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,9,15 21.32 Physical examinations. The chief surgeons for army and, air, and naval militia shall provide for such physical examinations and inoculations of officers, enlistees and applicants for enlistment, in the Wisconsin national guard and the Wisconsin naval militia, as may be prescribed by department of defense and national guard regulations and, if applicable, Wisconsin naval militia regulations.

AB587, s. 24 Section 24. 21.35 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,9,25 21.35 Federal laws and regulations; no discrimination. The organization, armament, equipment and discipline of the Wisconsin national guard and the Wisconsin naval militia shall be that prescribed by federal laws or regulations; and the governor may by order perfect such organization, armament, equipment and discipline, at any time, so as to comply with such laws and regulations insofar as they are consistent with the Wisconsin code of military justice. Notwithstanding any rule or regulation prescribed by the federal government or any officer or department thereof, no person, otherwise qualified, may be denied membership in the Wisconsin national guard or the Wisconsin naval militia because of sex, color, race, creed or sexual orientation and no member of the Wisconsin national guard or the Wisconsin naval militia may be segregated within the Wisconsin national guard or the Wisconsin naval militia on the basis of sex, color, race, creed or sexual orientation. Nothing in this section prohibits separate facilities for persons of different sexes with regard to dormitory accommodations, public toilets, showers, saunas and dressing rooms.

AB587, s. 25 Section 25. 21.36 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,10,17 21.36 (1) The rules of discipline and the regulations of the armed forces of the U.S. shall, so far as the same are applicable, constitute the rules of discipline and the regulations of the national guard and the naval militia; the rules and uniform code of military justice established by congress and the department of defense for the armed forces shall be adopted so far as they are applicable and consistent with the Wisconsin code of military justice for the government of the national guard and the naval militia, and the system of instruction and the drill regulations prescribed for the different arms and corps of the armed forces of the U.S. shall be followed in the military instruction and practice of the national guard and the naval militia, and the use of any other system is forbidden.

AB587, s. 26 Section 26. 21.36 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,11,2 21.36 (2) The governor may make and publish rules, regulations and orders for the government of the national guard and the naval militia, not inconsistent with the law, and cause the same, together with any laws relating thereto, to be printed and distributed in book form or otherwise in such numbers as the governor deems necessary, and the governor may provide for all books, blank books, and blanks that may be necessary for the proper discharge of the duty of all officers. The governor may delegate the authority under this subsection to the adjutant general by executive order.

AB587, s. 27 Section 27. 21.38 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,11,8 21.38 Uniform of Wisconsin national guard. The uniform of the national guard and the naval militia shall be that prescribed by regulations for the corresponding branch of the United States armed forces. The uniform of the naval militia shall be consistent for all unit members regardless of the branch of service. This requirement shall be made by regulation by the adjutant general.

AB587, s. 28 Section 28. 21.43 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,11,18 21.43 Commissions and rank. The governor shall issue commissions to all officers whose appointments are approved by the governor. Every commission shall be countersigned by the secretary of state and attested by the adjutant general and continue as provided by law. Each officer so commissioned shall take and file with the department of military affairs the oath of office prescribed by article IV, section 28, of the constitution. All commissioned officers shall take rank according to the date assigned them by their commissions, and when 2 of the same grade rank from the same date, their rank shall be determined by length of service in the national guard and naval militia creditable for pay, and if of equal service then by lot.

AB587, s. 29 Section 29. 21.47 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,12,3 21.47 Examinations for promotion or appointments. The governor may order any subordinate officer or person nominated or recommended for promotion or appointment in the national guard or naval militia to be examined by any competent officer or board of officers, designated in orders for that purpose, as to that person's qualifications for the office to which that person may be recommended or appointed, and may take such action on the report of such examining officer or board of officers as the governor deems to be for the best interests of the service. The governor may also require the physical examination provided for admission to the United States army or, air force, navy, marine corps, or coast guard.

AB587, s. 30 Section 30. 21.48 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,12,9 21.48 (1) Each officer and enlisted person of the Wisconsin national guard and the naval militia on active duty in the state under orders of the governor on a state pay basis shall receive the base pay and allowances of an officer or enlisted person of equal rank in the corresponding branch of the U.S. armed forces except that the base pay so provided shall not be less than $50 per day.

AB587, s. 31 Section 31. 21.48 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,12,16 21.48 (3) The governor may order, with their consent, to active duty in the department of military affairs, any departmental officers of the governor's staff, including the adjutant general and, the deputy adjutants general, and the assistant to the adjutant general for readiness and training for the naval militia, and while so assigned the officers shall receive the pay, but not the allowances, of an officer of equal grade in the armed forces of the United States.

AB587, s. 32 Section 32. 21.59 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,12,20 21.59 Issue of subsistence. The adjutant general, during state active duty of the national guard, the naval militia, or state defense force, shall issue subsistence to personnel.

AB587, s. 33 Section 33. 102.07 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB587,12,25 102.07 (9) Members of the national guard, the naval militia, and state defense force, when on state active duty under direction of appropriate authority, but only in case federal laws, rules or regulations provide no benefits substantially equivalent to those provided in this chapter.

AB587, s. 34 Section 34. 102.475 (1) of the statutes is amended to read: