SB50: Bill Text

LRB-1060/1

MGG:cmh:jf

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Senate BILL 50

February 8, 2005 - Introduced by Senators Breske, Wirch, Roessler, Hansen and Lassa, cosponsored by Representatives Gronemus, Ott, Hines, Freese, Staskunas, Sheridan and Gunderson. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Transportation.

SB50,1,3 An Act to amend 23.22 (2) (c); and to create 23.22 (1) (cg) and 23.22 (1) (cr) of the statutes; relating to: grants to control invasive species and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers a financial assistance program under which it awards cost-sharing grants for projects to control invasive species that cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Under current law, the amount of a grant may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the project. This bill raises this cap to 75 percent.

Under current law, DNR must promulgate rules for determining eligible grant projects and grant recipients for this program. This bill requires that the eligible recipients include nonprofit conservation organizations and inland lake associations that meet certain requirements. The requirements that these lake associations must meet to receive these invasive species grants are the same as those required for inland lake associations under current law to receive cost-sharing grants related to lake management. These requirements include being incorporated, having at least 25 members, and allowing individuals who reside within one mile of the inland lake to be members.

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:

SB50, s. 1 Section 1. 23.22 (1) (cg) of the statutes is created to read:

SB50,2,3 23.22 (1) (cg) "Nonprofit conservation organization" has the meaning given in s. 23.0955 (1).

SB50, s. 2 Section 2. 23.22 (1) (cr) of the statutes is created to read:

SB50,2,6 23.22 (1) (cr) "Qualified lake association" means an association that meets the qualifications under s. 281.68 (3m) (a).

SB50, s. 3 Section 3. 23.22 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB50,3,2 23.22 (2) (c) Under the program established under par. (a), the department shall promulgate rules to establish a procedure to award cost-sharing grants to public and private entities for up to 50% 75 percent of the costs of projects to control invasive species. The rules promulgated under this paragraph shall establish criteria for determining eligible projects and eligible grant recipients. Eligible projects shall include education and inspection activities at boat landings. Eligible grant recipients shall include nonprofit conservation organizations and qualified lake associations. The rules shall allow cost-share contributions to be in the form of money or in-kind goods or services or any combination thereof. In promulgating these rules, the department shall consider the recommendations of the council under sub. (3) (c). From the appropriation under s. 20.370 (6) (ar), the department shall make available in each fiscal year at least $500,000 for cost-sharing grants to be awarded to local governmental units for the control of invasive species that are aquatic species.

SB50,3,3 (End)