Local government
Shared revenue and property tax credits
This state currently distributes a school levy property tax credit to
municipalities that is based upon each municipality's share of statewide levies for
school purposes. Beginning in 1997, this bill increases the annual amount
distributed under this credit from $319,305,000 to $469,305,000.
Under current law, a small municipality receives, in addition to payments
under the regular shared revenue formula, an additional shared revenue payment
if it has a population of 5,000 or less, a tax rate of at least one mill and the full value
of the property in the municipality meets certain tests. This bill ends funding for
these additional payments after 1995. In 1995, $14,000,000 was appropriated for
those payments.
This bill requires counties to spend shared revenue payments first for circuit
court expenses, for probation and parole hold costs in county jails and for youth
services expenses and 2nd for other costs for which the counties would otherwise levy
property taxes. The bill also requires counties to spend mandate relief payments
first for probation and parole hold costs in county jails and 2nd for costs for which
the counties would otherwise levy property taxes.
Other local government
Under the current tax incremental financing (TIF) program, a city or village
may create a tax incremental district (TID) in part of its territory to foster
development in certain areas that are blighted, in need of rehabilitation or suitable
for industrial sites. Before a city or village may create a TID, several steps and plans
are required, including public hearings on the proposed TID, preparation and
adoption of a project plan for the TID and creation of a joint review board to review
the proposal. The joint review board, which is made up of representatives of the
overlying taxing jurisdictions of the proposed TID, must approve the project plan or
the TID may not be created. If an existing TID project plan is amended by a planning
commission, these steps are also required.
Also under current law, once a TID has been created, the department of revenue
(DOR) calculates the "tax increment base value" of the TID, which is the value of all
taxable property within the TID at the time of its creation equalized for state
purposes. If the development in the TID increases the value of the property in the
TID above the base value, a "value increment" is created. That portion of taxes
collected on the value increment in excess of the base value is called a "tax
increment". The tax increment is placed in a special fund that may be used only to
pay back the costs of the TID, such as public works, financing costs, and professional
service costs. DOR authorizes the allocation of the tax increments until the TID
terminates or 23 years after the TID is created, whichever is sooner. Under current
law, TIDs are required to terminate in most cases once these costs are paid back, 16
years after the last expenditure identified in the project plan is made or when the
creating city or village dissolves the TID, whichever occurs first. Tax increments
generated by a TID may be expended during a period of not more than 7 years.
This bill creates a mechanism by which the planning commission of a city or
village may allocate positive tax increments generated by one TID (the donor TID)
to another TID created by that planning commission (the recipient TID) if certain
conditions are met, including a requirement that the 2 TIDs have the same overlying
taxing jurisdictions. This change applies only to TIDs that are created before
October 1, 1994, and such an allocation may continue for no more than 10 years.
The bill also extends the life span of TIDs that are created before October 1,
1994. For such a TID, the maximum life span is increased from 23 to 27 years, DOR
may allocate tax increments for 27 years instead of 23 years and the maximum time
that the TID may exist after the last expenditure identified in the project plan is
made is 16 years instead of 20 years. The bill does not increase the maximum period
of time during which tax increments may be expended.
Under current law, the state pays to a county that has a county assessor system
either 75% of the costs of the system or 75% of the sum of 0.2 mill multiplied by the
full value of taxable property in the county plus $3.95 multiplied by the number of
parcels of land in the county, whichever is less. Under this bill, the state does not pay
any of the costs of a county assessor system, but a county may charge the cities,
villages and towns in the county for the cost of assessments.
Under current law, most towns may incorporate as a city or village only after
following certain procedures and receiving approval for the incorporation from a
circuit court and from the department of administration (DOA). Also under current
law, if a town wishes to consolidate with another contiguous city, village or town, the
consolidation may not take effect unless a circuit court and DOA find that the
proposed consolidation is in the public interest. Town territory that is contiguous to
any city or village may be annexed to that city or village under several methods,
including direct annexation and annexation by referendum. Under both of these
methods, in a county with a population of at least 50,000, DOA is authorized to advise
whether the proposed annexation is against the public interest. Upon receiving such
notice, the annexing municipality is required to review DOA's advice before final
action is taken.
This bill transfers all of these incorporation and boundary review functions
from DOA to the department of development (DOD), effective on July 1, 1996.
Currently, public records not stored in hard copy format may be transferred to
microfilm or optical disk format only. This bill authorizes local government records
to be transferred to or maintained in optical disk or electronic format subject to rules
promulgated by DOA.
Natural resources
Fish, game and wildlife
This bill changes the fees charged by the department of natural resources
(DNR) for certain fish and game licenses, permits, stamps and duplicate licenses.
The bill increases the fees for the following:
1. All hunting licenses and permits except bonus deer hunting permits.
2. All recreational fishing licenses except sturgeon spearing licenses.
3. Sports licenses and conservation patron licenses.
4. Commercial fishing licenses, except for licenses that authorize fishing for
only rough fish in outlying waters under contract with DNR.
5. Duplicates for hunting licenses, fishing licenses, sports licenses and
conservation patron licenses.
The bill decreases the fees for most fishing and hunting stamps, except the bill
increases the fee for the waterfowl hunting stamp.
Currently, a conservation patron license confers on its holder the privileges of
most of the state's fish and game licenses and allows a licensee to use a state park,
state trail or other related areas without having to pay an admission fee. A sports
license confers on its holder the privileges of the resident small game hunting, deer
hunting and fishing licenses. Under current law, only residents may purchase these
licenses. This bill allows both residents and nonresidents to purchase these licenses.
Nonresidents must pay a higher fee than residents.
Under current law, a wildlife damage surcharge is imposed on the fee for sports
licenses but no wildlife damage surcharge is imposed on conservation patron
licenses. This bill imposes a wildlife damage surcharge on the conservation patron
license and raises the surcharge on the sports license.
Under current law, DNR may issue a permanent fishing license to a state
resident who has a certain disability. The license is valid from the date of issuance
as long as the licensee is a resident and his or her disability continues. There is no
fee for this license.
Under this bill, this license is valid for one year. A license issued before the day
the bill becomes law remains valid until March 31, 1996. The bill also imposes a fee
for this license.
Current law requires DNR to collect a nonrefundable processing fee of $3 for
each application submitted for certain hunting and trapping licenses, permits and
stamps. Under this bill, DNR must also collect this processing fee for each
application submitted for a bonus deer hunting permit.
This bill authorizes DNR to establish a fee that may be charged to cover the
costs that are associated with paying for fish and game licenses, permits and stamps
requested by mail, telephone or electronic means.
Under current law, a minor under the age of 12 may not hunt with a firearm.
Also, except for the hunting safety certificate of accomplishment, DNR may not issue
any type of hunting license, permit or stamp to a minor under the age of 12. This
certificate only authorizes the hunting of small game and can only be used once the
minor reaches the age of 12.
Under this bill, a minor who is a state resident and who is 11 years old may
apply for a hunting license, permit or stamp that is issued by a preference system
used by DNR if the minor has a certificate of accomplishment. However, the minor
may not use the license, permit or stamp until he or she reaches the age of 12.
Under this bill, DNR may conduct educational hunting, fishing and trapping
activities for groups of persons whom DNR determines will benefit from such
activities.
Under current law, a county may apply to DNR for aids to improve the natural
environment of the game and nongame species in the county's forests. Under current
law, the maximum annual aids payment that a county may receive may not exceed
10 cents per acre. Under this bill, the maximum annual aids payment is increased
to 20 cents per acre.
Navigable waters
Under current law, most boats must have certificates of number that are issued
annually for a fee by DNR. The fee for a certificate of number is based on the size
of the boat. This bill increases these fees.
This bill makes changes in the fee structure for applications for permits and
other approvals issued by the DNR for various projects that affect navigable waters
and wetlands.
For projects such as the placement of structures or deposits in navigable waters
and for certain permits that affect dams the bill changes the fees so that they are
based on the number of hours DNR typically spends on reviewing, investigating and
making a determination on the application. Under current law, the amount of the
fee is based on the cost of the project.
This bill also authorizes DNR to charge the following fees, for which no
authority exists under current law:
1. A fee for making a determination as to whether a project complies with the
water quality standards for wetlands promulgated by rule by DNR.
2. A fee for making a determination as to whether a structure or deposit placed
in navigable waters by a riparian owner will violate the rights of the public or of
riparian owners other than the owner seeking to place the structure or deposit.
3. A fee for conducting a hearing on whether to issue a permit to approve a
project that affects navigable waters or for a dam.
Under current law, local units of government are exempt from paying
application fees for permits or approvals. This bill eliminates that exemption.
Under current law, DNR must issue permits authorizing activities in navigable
waters such as the placement of structures or deposits. Under this bill, DNR may
delegate this responsibility to a municipality if DNR determines that the activity is
one that can be regulated by the municipality and if the municipality is willing and
equipped to assume the responsibility.
The bill also provides that no individual or general permit is needed from DNR
for certain types of activities in navigable waters, such as placing gravel or riprap,
if DNR promulgates rules establishing construction and location standards for the
activity and if the activity does not have a significant impact on the environment or
on the public's rights in navigable waters.
This bill authorizes a state grant for the repair of the portion of the Portage
levee system that belongs to the city of Portage. The bill transfers to the city of
Portage the duty of maintaining that portion when the repair project is complete.
Recreation
Under current law, DNR is responsible for developing, operating and
administering the state parks, state trails, the ice age trail, the state recreation areas
and the state forests. This bill transfers the responsibilities for all of these state
lands, except for the state forests in the northern portion of the state, to the
department of tourism and parks (DTP), which is created in the bill, effective on July
1, 1996. Under the bill, all of these state lands are made part of the state park system.
The bill also provides funding to DTP to develop and maintain the snowmobile and
ATV trails within the state park system.
Currently, the Kickapoo valley reserve is administered by a 9-member
governing board which is attached to the department of administration (DOA) for
administrative purposes. The board administers the reserve to preserve and
enhance its unique environmental, scenic and cultural features, to provide facilities
for the use and enjoyment of visitors and to promote the reserve as a destination for
vacationing and recreation. The boundaries of the reserve are determined by DOA,
which also provides fiscal and accounting services to the board. The board may
promulgate rules to govern administration of the reserve. DNR has police
supervision over the reserve and enforces the rules of the board.
This bill attaches the Kickapoo valley governing board to DTP for
administrative purposes, without changing the powers and functions of the board.
Under the bill, DTP determines the boundaries of the reserve and provides fiscal and
accounting services to the board. The bill also transfers responsibility for police
supervision over the reserve from DNR to DTP. Under the bill, DNR retains
authority to enforce the rules of the board but has no responsibility to do so.
In addition, the bill changes the primary source of funding for administration
of the reserve from general purpose revenue to segregated (conservation fund)
revenue.
This bill authorizes DNR to acquire land for state natural resource
management areas. Under the bill, a state natural resource management area is one
that provides multiple natural resource values, such as scenic and environmental
values.
Under current law, no person may enter a state park or certain other state
recreational areas in a vehicle without paying a fee for an annual or daily vehicle
admission sticker. This bill raises the fees for these stickers.
Under current law, an operator of a motor vehicle is in violation of state law if
he or she operates the vehicle in a state park or other state recreation area without
an admission sticker on the vehicle. This bill makes the owner of the vehicle,
regardless of whether he or she was the operator, liable for this violation. The also
bill establishes certain defenses to liability for this violation.
Other natural resources
Under current law, DNR is under the direction and supervision of the natural
resources board, consisting of 7 members who are nominated by the governor and
appointed with the advice and consent of the senate for staggered 6-year terms. The
board appoints a secretary to administer DNR. This bill abolishes the board. Under
the bill, DNR is under the direction and supervision of a secretary who is nominated
by the governor and appointed with the advice and consent of the senate to serve at
the pleasure of the governor. The bill also creates a natural resources council to
advise DNR. The initial membership of the council consists of those board members
who are in office when this bill becomes law.
Under current law, a department may establish district or area offices for field
operations. DNR has established 6 field districts, each of which is headed by a
director. Current law provides that a director of a DNR field district is in the
classified service. This bill authorizes the secretary of natural resources to appoint
a director for each field district or field area office established by the department.
The bill also provides that the directors of the DNR field districts are in the
unclassified service.
Under current law, the Wisconsin conservation corps (WCC) board is attached
to DOA for limited administrative purposes. This bill transfers the WCC board to
the department of industry, labor and human relations (DILHR).
Under current law, corps enrollees receive wages and certain benefits provided
by the state. A sponsor may supplement these wages or provide additional benefits.
The WCC board establishes guidelines to be used in selecting corps projects. These
guidelines include the extent to which the project will provide employment in
meaningful work activities and the share of the total project cost that will be provided
by the project's sponsor. Under this bill, the WCC board must also use as a guideline
the extent to which the sponsor will provide the corps enrollees additional wages or
other benefits. Also, under the bill, the WCC board may approve a project without
using these guidelines if the sponsor is paying for the entire cost of the project.
Currently, the WCC board consists of 7 members. The members must provide
regional, environmental and agricultural representation. This bill changes the
composition of the WCC board to require that one member be a member of an area
private industry council, which coordinates job training programs.
Under current law, the WCC board may provide health care coverage under the
state group health insurance program, administered by the department of employe
trust funds, to certain crew leaders. This bill provides that the WCC board may also
offer these persons health care coverage under any other health care coverage
program.
Under current law, the WCC board classifies its enrollees as corps members,
assistant crew leaders and crew leaders. This bill authorizes the WCC board to
classify its enrollees as corps members, assistant crew leaders, crew leaders and
regional crew leaders.
Under current law, a participating employe under the Wisconsin retirement
system (WRS) is eligible for coverage under the state group health insurance
program on the first day of the month immediately after the employe submits an
application for coverage if the application is submitted within the first 30 days after
being hired. If the participating employe is a member or employe of the legislature,
a state constitutional officer, a justice of the supreme court, a court of appeals judge,
a circuit judge, the chief clerk or sergeant at arms of the senate or assembly or certain
crew leaders employed by the WCC board, he or she is immediately eligible for the
employer contribution towards the premiums. All other participating employes are
ineligible for the employer contribution towards group health insurance premiums
during the first 6 months of employment. This bill makes a regional crew leader
employed by the WCC board immediately eligible for the employer contribution
towards group health insurance premiums.
Current law provides that crew leaders and assistant crew leaders may be paid
more than the state minimum wage, but does not impose a wage cap. This bill caps
wages for crew leaders, assistant crew leaders and regional crew leaders at twice the
state minimum wage and authorizes the WCC board to waive the wage cap for
regional crew leaders.
Under current law, the WCC board may extend the normal 2-year enrollment
period of a crew leader if the crew leader possesses special experience or training that
is valuable to the corps. Under this bill, the WCC board may extend the enrollment
period to up to 4 years for a crew leader regardless of whether the crew leader has
special experience or training. For regional crew leaders, the WCC board may extend
the 2-year period beyond 4 years.
Under current law, there is one wild ginseng dealer license that covers residents
and nonresidents. This bill creates the following dealer licenses:
