LRB-4524/2
ZDW&AJM:kjf&wlj
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
January 29, 2016 - Introduced by Representatives Skowronski, Kooyenga and A.
Ott
, cosponsored by Senator Wanggaard. Referred to Committee on Veterans
and Military Affairs.
AB821,2,11 1An Act to repeal 20.485 (1) (gd), 20.485 (1) (mn), 20.485 (1) (u), 20.485 (2) (b),
220.485 (2) (d), 20.485 (2) (e), 20.485 (2) (vy), 20.485 (2) (yg), 20.485 (3) (v), 20.485
3(3) (w), 45.03 (13) (j), 45.03 (13) (k), 45.70 (1b) (b), 45.70 (1m), 45.80 (5) (e), 45.80
4(6) (intro.), 45.80 (7), 45.80 (8), 45.805 and 45.82 (3); to renumber 20.485 (1)
5(d), 20.485 (3) (sm), 45.50 (2b), 45.51 (8), 45.51 (11), 45.51 (12), 45.80 (6) (a) and
645.80 (6) (b); to renumber and amend 20.485 (1) (kg), 45.51 (6m), 45.51 (7),
745.51 (10), 45.70 (1b) (a) and 45.80 (1) (a); to amend 20.485 (1) (g), 20.485 (1)
8(gk), 20.485 (1) (h), 20.485 (1) (hm), 20.485 (1) (kg), 20.485 (1) (t), 20.485 (2) (a)
9(title), 20.485 (2) (rm), 20.485 (2) (rp), 20.485 (2) (vx), 20.485 (2) (vx), 20.485 (2)
10(z) (title), 20.485 (4) (g), 20.485 (4) (m), 20.485 (5) (mn) (title), 20.485 (5) (wd)
11(title), 25.36 (1), 25.37, 45.01 (9), 45.02 (2) (intro.), 45.03 (3) (a), 45.03 (5) (a) 1.,
1245.03 (5) (a) 2., 45.03 (5) (c) 1. a., 45.03 (5) (c) 1. b., 45.03 (5) (c) 1. c., 45.03 (5)
13(c) 3., 45.03 (5) (c) 4., 45.03 (12) (a), 45.03 (12) (b), 45.03 (15), 45.21 (1), 45.37 (1),
1445.37 (2), 45.37 (4) (a), 45.37 (4) (b) 1., 45.37 (4) (b) 2., 45.37 (6) (a) 2., 45.37 (6)

1(c) 2., 45.37 (7) (a) (intro.), 45.37 (7) (b), 45.37 (10) (a), 45.43 (title) and (1), 45.47
2(1), 45.50 (4) (a), 45.51 (3) (b), 45.51 (3) (c) 1. d., 45.51 (3) (c) 1m. c., 45.51 (3) (c)
32., 45.57 (1), 45.62 (2), 45.70 (2) (b), 45.80 (title), 45.80 (1) (c), 45.80 (2), 45.80
4(3), 45.80 (4), 45.80 (5) (intro.), 45.81 (2), 45.81 (3) (a), 45.81 (4), 45.81 (6), 45.82
5(1), 45.82 (2), 45.84, 59.21 (1) (intro.), 59.535 (4) and 851.09; to repeal and
6recreate
20.485 (1) (b) (title), 20.485 (1) (gk), 20.485 (2) (u) (title), 20.485 (5) (c)
7(title) and 20.485 (5) (zm) (title); and to create 19.56 (3) (g), 20.485 (1) (fm),
845.01 (4m), 45.01 (4p), 45.50 (2b) (b), 45.80 (1) (a) 2., 45.80 (9) and 45.805 of the
9statutes; relating to: powers of officers and employees of the Department of
10Veterans Affairs, powers of the Board of Veterans Affairs, employment of
11veterans regional coordinators and claims officers, and making appropriations.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill makes various changes to the laws governing veterans affairs,
including changes to the powers of certain state public officials of the Department
of Veterans Affairs, changes to the powers of the Board of Veterans Affairs, and
changes regarding the maintenance of veterans homes.
This bill allows a state public official who is an officer or employee of DVA to
solicit, receive, and retain on behalf of the state anything of value for the purpose of
supporting veterans homes and members and veterans programs, benefits, and
services.
The bill transfers most of the powers of the Board of Veterans Affairs to DVA.
Under current law, the board has various powers, including creating policies and
making determinations relating to the disposition of moneys, the making of loans,
and the acquisition and conveyance of buildings and real property.
The bill directs DVA to provide annually $42,000 to the town of Dover to
reimburse the town for the costs of municipal services provided to the Wisconsin
Veterans Home at Union Grove. The bill also creates a full-time position within DVA
to act as facilities manager at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove.
Under the bill, each county is required to elect or appoint either a county
veterans service officer or a county veterans benefit specialist. Current law requires
each county to elect or appoint a county veterans service officer. A veterans benefit
specialist must be accredited under federal law to assist veterans with benefit
claims. The bill also expands who may qualify to be a county veterans service officer

to include individuals who served under honorable conditions in a reserve unit of the
US armed forces or in the national guard.
The bill also provides that DVA may approve a county veterans service
consortium to administer veterans benefits and services.
Finally, the bill makes various technical changes to laws governing veterans
affairs, including repealing obsolete or outdated appropriations.
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:
AB821,1 1Section 1. 19.56 (3) (g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB821,3,52 19.56 (3) (g) A state public official who is an officer or employee of the
3department of veterans affairs may solicit, receive, and retain on behalf of the state
4anything of value for the purpose of supporting veterans homes and members and
5veterans programs, benefits, and services.
AB821,2 6Section 2. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert
7the following amounts for the purposes indicated: - See PDF for table PDF
AB821,3 8Section 3. 20.485 (1) (b) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB821,3,99 20.485 (1) (b) (title) Homes operation; general fund supplement.
AB821,4 10Section 4. 20.485 (1) (d) of the statutes is renumbered 20.485 (4) (a).
AB821,5 11Section 5. 20.485 (1) (fm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB821,4,3
120.485 (1) (fm) Town of Dover municipal services reimbursement. The amounts
2in the schedule for reimbursing the town of Dover for municipal services at the
3Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove.
AB821,6 4Section 6. 20.485 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,4,95 20.485 (1) (g) Home exchange. The amounts in the schedule for the purchase
6of the necessary materials, supplies and equipment for the operation of the home
7exchange, and compensation for members' labor. All moneys received from the sale
8of products authorized by s. 45.51 (7) 45.50 (12) shall be credited to this
9appropriation.
AB821,7 10Section 7. 20.485 (1) (gd) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,8 11Section 8. 20.485 (1) (gk) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55,
12section 768k, is amended to read:
AB821,5,213 20.485 (1) (gk) Institutional Homes operations. The amounts in the schedule
14for the care of the members of the Wisconsin veterans homes under s. 45.50, for the
15payment of stipends under s. 45.50 (2m) (f), for the transfer of moneys to the
16appropriation account under s. 20.435 (4) (ky) for payment of the state share of the
17medical assistance costs related to the provision of stipends under s. 45.50 (2m) (f),
18for the payment of assistance to indigent veterans under s. 45.43 to allow them to
19reside at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove, for the transfer of moneys
20to the appropriation accounts under pars. (kg) and par. (kj) and sub. (2) (ks), and for
21the payment of grants under s. 45.82. Not more than 1 percent of the moneys credited
22to this appropriation account may be used for the payment of assistance to indigent
23veterans under s. 45.43. All moneys received under par. (m) and s. 45.51 (7) (b) and
24(8)
45.50 (12) (b) and (13) and all moneys received for the care of members under

1medical assistance, as defined in s. 49.43 (8), shall be credited to this appropriation
2account.
AB821,9 3Section 9. 20.485 (1) (gk) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55,
4section 768kb, and 2015 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:
AB821,5,175 20.485 (1) (gk) Homes operations. The amounts in the schedule for the care of
6the members of the Wisconsin veterans homes under s. 45.50, for the payment of
7stipends under s. 45.50 (2m) (f), for the transfer of moneys to the appropriation
8account under s. 20.435 (4) (ky) for payment of the state share of the medical
9assistance costs related to the provision of stipends under s. 45.50 (2m) (f), for the
10payment of assistance to indigent veterans under s. 45.43 to allow them to reside at
11the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove, for the transfer of moneys to the
12appropriation account under sub. (2) (ks), and for the payment of grants under s.
1345.82. Not more than 1 percent of the moneys credited to this appropriation account
14may be used for the payment of assistance to indigent veterans under s. 45.43. All
15moneys received under par. (m) and s. 45.50 (12) (b) and (13) and all moneys received
16for the care of members under medical assistance, as defined in s. 49.43 (8), shall be
17credited to this appropriation account.
AB821,10 18Section 10. 20.485 (1) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,5,2119 20.485 (1) (h) Gifts, grants, and bequests. All moneys received under s. 45.51
20(10)
45.50 (14) and (11) (15), or any moneys received by gifts, grants, or bequests, to
21carry out the purposes of ss. 45.50 and 45.51.
AB821,11 22Section 11. 20.485 (1) (hm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,5,2523 20.485 (1) (hm) Gifts and grants, grants, and bequests. All moneys received
24from gifts and grants, grants, or bequests, specifically for the purpose of s. 45.50 (2m)
25(d), to carry out the purpose of s. 45.50 (2m) (d).
AB821,12
1Section 12. 20.485 (1) (kg) of the statutes is renumbered 20.485 (2) (ks) and
2amended to read:
AB821,6,63 20.485 (2) (ks) Grants to counties. The amounts in the schedule for the
4payments of grants made under s. 45.82 (1) to (3). All moneys transferred from the
5appropriation account under par. sub. (1) (gk) shall be credited to this appropriation
6account.
AB821,13 7Section 13. 20.485 (1) (kg) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,6,118 20.485 (1) (kg) Grants to counties. The amounts in the schedule for the
9payments of grants made under s. 45.82 (1) to (3) and (2). All moneys transferred
10from the appropriation account under par. (gk) shall be credited to this appropriation
11account.
AB821,14 12Section 14. 20.485 (1) (mn) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,15 13Section 15. 20.485 (1) (t) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,6,1614 20.485 (1) (t) Veterans homes member accounts. From the Wisconsin veterans
15homes members fund, all moneys received under s. 25.37 to make payments as
16provided under s. 45.51 (8), (10), 45.50 (13), (14), and (11) (15).
AB821,16 17Section 16. 20.485 (1) (u) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,17 18Section 17. 20.485 (2) (a) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,6,2019 20.485 (2) (a) (title) General program operations; loans and aids fund
20operations
.
AB821,18 21Section 18. 20.485 (2) (b) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,19 22Section 19. 20.485 (2) (d) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,20 23Section 20. 20.485 (2) (e) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,21 24Section 21. 20.485 (2) (rm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,7,5
120.485 (2) (rm) Veterans assistance programs; fish and game vouchers housing
2and recovery programs
. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule for general program
3operations of the veterans assistance program housing and recovery programs under
4s. 45.43, for grants under s. 45.03 (13) (j), and for reimbursements to the department
5of natural resources under s. 29.1945 (2).
AB821,22 6Section 22. 20.485 (2) (rp) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,7,97 20.485 (2) (rp) Veterans assistance program receipts housing and recovery
8programs fees
. All moneys received from fees under s. 45.43 (2) for the provision of
9assistance housing and recovery programs to veterans under s. 45.43 (1).
AB821,23 10Section 23. 20.485 (2) (u) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to
11read:
AB821,7,1212 20.485 (2) (u) (title) Veteran trust fund operations.
AB821,24 13Section 24. 20.485 (2) (vx) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,7,1614 20.485 (2) (vx) County grants. The amounts in the schedule for payment of
15grants under s. 45.82 and for county veterans services consortium grants under s.
1645.805
.
AB821,25 17Section 25 . 20.485 (2) (vx) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act
18.... (this act), is amended to read:
AB821,7,2119 20.485 (2) (vx) County grants. The amounts in the schedule for payment of
20grants under s. 45.82 and for county veterans services consortium grants under s.
2145.805
.
AB821,26 22Section 26. 20.485 (2) (vy) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,27 23Section 27. 20.485 (2) (yg) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,28 24Section 28. 20.485 (2) (z) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,7,2525 20.485 (2) (z) (title) Gifts, grants, and bequests.
AB821,29
1Section 29. 20.485 (3) (sm) of the statutes is renumbered 20.485 (2) (se).
AB821,30 2Section 30. 20.485 (3) (v) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,31 3Section 31. 20.485 (3) (w) of the statutes is repealed.
AB821,32 4Section 32. 20.485 (4) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,8,95 20.485 (4) (g) Cemetery operations. The amounts in the schedule for the care
6and operation of the veterans memorial cemeteries under s. 45.61 other than those
7costs provided under pars. (q) and (r). All moneys received under s. 45.61 (3) and from
8the estate of decedents under s. 45.61 (5)
shall be credited to this appropriation
9account.
AB821,33 10Section 33. 20.485 (4) (m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,8,1611 20.485 (4) (m) Federal aid; cemetery operations and burials. All moneys
12received from the federal government for specific veterans programs other than for
13the care of veterans at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King and veterans facilities,
14for such purposes, and all
moneys received from the federal government for the
15operation of veterans memorial cemeteries under s. 45.61 as authorized by the
16governor under s. 16.54, to be used for that purpose.
AB821,34 17Section 34. 20.485 (5) (c) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to
18read:
AB821,8,1919 20.485 (5) (c) (title) Museum operations; general fund.
AB821,35 20Section 35. 20.485 (5) (mn) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,8,2121 20.485 (5) (mn) (title) Federal projects; museum acquisitions and operations.
AB821,36 22Section 36. 20.485 (5) (wd) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB821,8,2323 20.485 (5) (wd) (title) Operation of Wisconsin Veterans Museum operations.
AB821,37 24Section 37. 20.485 (5) (zm) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to
25read:
AB821,9,1
120.485 (5) (zm) (title) Gifts, grants, and bequests.
AB821,38 2Section 38. 25.36 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is
3amended to read:
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