Wisconsin Legislature: 27,1346hg

27,1345em Section 1345em. 44.02 (5g) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

44.02 (5g) (b) Charge a fee for use of the main library by, or for research services provided by the historical society to, any nonresident who is not specifically exempted under par. (a). The historical society shall submit a fee schedule to the joint committee on finance that specifies the fee to be charged to nonresidents for use of the main library and for research services provided by the historical society. The fee schedule of the historical society under this paragraph shall be implemented if the committee approves the report, or does not schedule a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the report within 14 working days after receipt of the report.

27,1345f Section 1345f. 44.02 (27) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.02 (27) Administer the historical markers program under s. 44.15 and provide staff to assist the historical markers council in performing its duties under s. 44.15.

27,1345g Section 1345g. 44.025 of the statutes is created to read:

44.025 Historical legacy programs. (1) The historical society may use funds from the appropriation under s. 20.245 (4) (t) only for the following purposes:

(a) Programs of the historical society that increase funding or develop new sources of revenues for the historical society.

(b) To create and expand historical outreach programs throughout the state related to the activities of the Wisconsin sesquicentennial commission.

(2) (a) The historical society may accept gifts, grants and bequests to be used for the purposes specified in sub. (1). The historical society shall deposit all moneys received as gifts, grants and bequests in the historical society endowment fund.

(b) The historical society shall transfer moneys from the appropriation account under s. 20.245 (4) (s) to the historical society endowment fund to match moneys deposited into the historical society endowment fund under par. (a) and to match moneys committed or pledged for the purposes specified in sub. (1).

27,1346 Section 1346 . 44.04 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.04 (2) (a) Prepare, publish, issue, loan or circulate such magazines, books, aids, guides and other publications, such visual aids, special exhibits, and other teaching materials and aids as it, in consultation with the department of education public instruction, deems advisable.

27,1346e Section 1346e. 44.085 of the statutes is created to read:

44.085 Maritime project grants. From the appropriation under s. 20.245 (4) (j), the historical society shall make grants for maritime-related projects. The historical society shall promulgate rules defining the types of projects that are eligible for the grants. No more than one grant may be awarded to an applicant during a fiscal year and grants may not be awarded to an applicant for more than 2 consecutive years. Grant applicants shall demonstrate that they have received matching funds for the project from nonstate sources in an amount equal to at least 10% of the grant. Grants awarded to an applicant may not exceed a total of $50,000 in any 2-year period.

27,1346g Section 1346g. 44.095 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.095 (2) (d) Develop and periodically update a comprehensive plan for the protection, preservation and accessibility of electronic records of permanent historical value. The historical society shall submit the plan by June 30, 1995, and the plan updates annually thereafter until June 30, 1998, to the governor, the legislature under s. 13.172 (2), and the public records board, and the division of information technology services and the council on information technology in the department of administration.

27,1346gm Section 1346gm. 44.12 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.12 (3) In operating this museum, the society may charge a resident an admission fee and shall charge a nonresident an admission fee to defray in part the costs of operation in accordance with s. 44.02 (5), and may loan objects or materials from this central collection for special occasions and for such special exhibits as it may desire to develop at its main building, at other historic sites within the state, with other historical societies or with other state agencies.

27,1346gp Section 1346gp. 44.13 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.13 (3) In operating this museum, the society may charge a resident an admission fee and shall charge a nonresident an admission fee to defray in part the costs of operation in accordance with s. 44.02 (5).

27,1346h Section 1346h. 44.15 (1) of the statutes is repealed.

27,1346hb Section 1346hb. 44.15 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.15 (2) Creation. It is declared to be in the public interest to stimulate interest in and knowledge of the state by marking sites of special historical, architectural, cultural, archaeological, ethnic, geological or legendary significance, and maintaining and developing such sites approximately so as to preserve their individual characteristics. The historical markers program is created to call attention to the state's historical, cultural and natural heritage through a system of markers and plaques and to supplement, wherever possible, information contained in the state register of historic places. It is the purpose of the program to significantly increase the number of historical, cultural and natural heritage sites that are marked in this state and to accomplish such marking, maintenance and development through the historical markers council. In addition to powers specifically enumerated, the council shall have all powers necessary to perform its duties.

27,1346hc Section 1346hc. 44.15 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.15 (3) (a) (intro.) In consultation with the council, the The historical society shall do all of the following:

27,1346he Section 1346he. 44.15 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.15 (4) State-funded markers. In consultation with the council, the The historical society may identify and authorize construction of individual markers or plaques, or any series of markers or plaques, to be funded from the appropriation under s. 20.245 (3) (d). No matching funds are required for a marker or plaque that is constructed under this subsection. Funds under this subsection may be used for the purchase of plaques to be installed on historical properties and for the construction of markers or plaques in other states or countries.

27,1346hf Section 1346hf. 44.15 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.15 (5) Maintenance. Any approval issued for a marker or plaque by the historical society under this section shall include a requirement that the applicant maintain the marker or plaque, and shall also include authorization permitting the historical society or council, if necessary, to enter the property and maintain the marker or plaque. The historical society may issue orders to maintain markers and plaques, and may maintain markers or plaques.

27,1346hg Section 1346hg. 44.15 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.15 (7) Donations; assistance. (a) The council historical society may accept gifts, appropriations and bequests made to it for the purposes of this section and use them as far as practicable in accordance with the wishes of the donor. All money so received shall promptly be paid into the state treasury and be paid out on order of the council. The expenditures thereof shall be audited and paid as other disbursements by the state treasury are audited and paid.

(b) The council historical society may accept the aid, support and cooperation of county, city, village or town agencies, or private agencies or persons in executing its projects.

27,1346hj Section 1346hj. 44.15 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.15 (8) Cooperation of state agencies. All state departments, independent agencies and institutions are directed to cooperate with the council historical society in the performance of its duties under this section. Applicable laws shall be liberally construed in favor of such cooperation.

27,1346hk Section 1346hk. 44.15 (9) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.15 (9) Rules. (intro.) In consultation with the council, the The historical society shall promulgate rules to implement and administer the program. The rules shall include all of the following:

27,1346k Section 1346k. 44.47 (1) (bm) of the statutes is repealed.

27,1346m Section 1346m. 44.47 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.47 (1) (f) “Object" means an article, implement or other item of archaeological interest. “Object" does not include human remains, as defined in s. 157.70 (1) (f), or a sunken log, as defined in s. 170.12 (1) (b).

27,1346r Section 1346r. 44.47 (5m) (f) of the statutes is repealed.

27,1346s Section 1346s. 44.47 (5r) of the statutes is amended to read:

44.47 (5r) Sunken logs. When reviewing an application to raise and remove sunken logs under s. 170.12, the director may do any all of the following apply:

(a) Require If the director determines that a permit is necessary to preserve or protect an identified archaeological site, the director may require that a permit under this section be secured.

(b) Waive In all other cases, the director shall waive the requirement for a permit under this section, but impose may recommend requirements relating to the gathering of data regarding any activity done pursuant to a permit issued under s. 170.12, which requirements shall be communicated to the board of commissioners of public lands and may be incorporated by that board into the s. 170.12 permit.

27,1346sf Section 1346sf. 44.51 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

27,1346sj Section 1346sj. 44.51 (3) of the statutes is repealed.

27,1346wg Section 1346wg. 44.57 of the statutes is repealed.

27,1347 Section 1347 . Subchapter IV of chapter 44 [precedes 44.70] of the statutes is created to read:

Chapter 44

Subchapter IV
technology for educational
achievement in Wisconsin board

44.70 Definitions. In this subchapter:

(1) “Board" means the technology for educational achievement in Wisconsin board.

(2) “Department" means the department of administration.

(3) “Educational technology" means technology used in the education or training of any person or in the administration of an elementary or secondary school and related telecommunications services.

(4) “Telecommunications" has the meaning given in s. 16.99 (1).

44.71 Technology for educational achievement in Wisconsin board. (1) Executive director; staff. The governor may appoint a person to serve as executive director of the board. The executive director may appoint subordinate staff, subject to authorization under s. 16.505.

(2) Duties. The board shall do all of the following:

(a) In cooperation with school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, the technical college system board, the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System and the department, promote the efficient, cost-effective procurement, installation and maintenance of educational technology by school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, technical college districts and the University of Wisconsin System.

(b) Identify the best methods of providing preservice and in-service training for teachers related to educational technology.

(c) With the consent of the department, enter into cooperative purchasing agreements under s. 16.73 (1) under which participating school districts and cooperative educational service agencies may contract for their professional employes to receive training concerning the effective use of educational technology.

(d) In cooperation with the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, the technical college system board, the department of public instruction and other entities, support the development of courses for the instruction of professional employes who are licensed by the state superintendent of public instruction concerning the effective use of educational technology.

(e) Subject to s. 196.218 (4r) (f), in cooperation with the department and the public service commission, provide telecommunications access to school districts, private schools, technical college districts, private colleges and public library boards under the program established under s. 196.218 (4r).

(f) No later than October 1 of each even-numbered year, submit a biennial report concerning the board's activities to the governor, and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3).

(g) Coordinate the purchasing of educational technology materials, supplies, equipment and contractual services for school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, technical college districts and the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System by the department under s. 16.72 (8), and, in cooperation with the department, establish standards and specifications for purchases of educational technology hardware and software by school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, technical college districts and the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System.

(h) Purchase educational technology equipment for use by school districts, cooperative educational service agencies and public educational institutions in this state and permit the districts, agencies and institutions to purchase or lease the equipment, with an option to purchase the equipment at a later date. This paragraph does not require the purchase or lease of any educational technology equipment from the board.

44.72 Educational technology training programs, grants, aids and loans. (1) Educational technology training and technical assistance grants. From the appropriation under s. 20.275 (1) (et), the board shall award grants to cooperative educational service agencies and to consortia consisting of 2 or more school districts or cooperative educational service agencies, or one or more school districts or cooperative educational service agencies and one or more public library boards, to provide technical assistance and training in the use of educational technology. An applicant for a grant shall submit to the board a plan that specifies the school districts and public library boards that will participate in the program and describes how the funds will be allocated. The board shall do all of the following:

(a) Award grants to applicants on a competitive basis through one funding cycle annually.

(b) Give preference in awarding grants to consortia that include one or more public library boards.

(d) Promulgate rules establishing administrative procedures, eligibility and application requirements and criteria for awarding grants under this subsection.

(2) Educational technology block grants. (a) In the 1997-98 and 1998-99 school years, the board shall distribute the amount appropriated under s. 20.275 (1) (u) to eligible school districts in proportion to the number of persons who reside in each school district, as reported under s. 43.70 (1). The funds shall be distributed after the funds under s. 43.70 (3) are distributed and according to the schedule in s. 43.70 (3). If, after distributing the funds under s. 43.70, the balance of the common school fund income is less than the amount appropriated under s. 20.275 (1) (u), the board shall distribute the balance of the common school fund income instead of the amount appropriated under s. 20.275 (1) (u) under this paragraph.

(b) 1. In this paragraph, “equalized valuation per member" means equalized valuation, as defined in s. 121.004 (2), divided by membership, as defined in s. 121.004 (5), except as follows:

a. For a school district operating only high school grades, “equalized valuation per member" means equalized valuation, as defined in s. 121.004 (2), divided by the result obtained by multiplying membership, as defined in s. 121.004 (5), by 3.

b. For a school district operating only elementary grades, “equalized valuation per member" means equalized valuation, as defined in s. 121.004 (2), divided by the result obtained by multiplying membership, as defined in s. 121.004 (5), by 1.5.

c. If a school district's equalized valuation per member is less than $75,000, it shall be considered to be $75,000 for purposes of this paragraph.

2. From the appropriation under s. 20.275 (1) (f), annually the board shall pay $5,000 to each eligible school district. The board shall distribute the balance in the appropriation to eligible school districts in proportion to the weighted membership of each school district, which shall be determined by dividing the statewide average equalized valuation per member by the school district's equalized valuation per member and multiplying the result by the school district's membership, as defined in s. 121.004 (5).

3. In the 1997-98 school year, the board shall distribute the amount appropriated under s. 20.275 (1) (fs) to those school districts in which the equalized valuation per member in the 1996-97 school year was less than the state average equalized valuation per member in that school year. The amount distributed to each school district shall be the amount determined by subtracting the amount awarded to the school district under subd. 2. from $25,000, or the amount determined as follows, whichever is less:

a. Divide the school district's equalized valuation per member by the state average equalized valuation per member.

b. Subtract the quotient under subd. 3. a. from 1.0.

c. Multiply the remainder under subd. 3. b. by the amount necessary to fully distribute the amount appropriated under s. 20.275 (1) (fs), as determined by the board.

(c) A school district is eligible for a grant under par. (a) or (b) 2. only if the annual meeting in a common school district, or the school board in a unified school district or in a school district operating under ch. 119, adopts a resolution requesting the grant. A grant under this subsection may not be used to replace funding available from other sources.

(d) A school district receiving a grant under par. (a) or (b) shall deposit the moneys in a separate fund. The moneys may be used for any purpose related to educational technology, except that a school district may not use the moneys to pay the salary or benefits of any school district employe.

(e) The board shall distribute the grants under par. (b) 2. and 3. annually on the first Monday in February.

(3) Grants to public library boards. From the appropriation under s. 20.275 (1) (fL), the board shall award grants to public library boards for technology used in the administration of a public library and related telecommunications services. The board shall use a competitive, request-for-proposals process in awarding the grants.

(4) Subsidized educational technology infrastructure loans. (a) Subsidized loans authorized. The board may make subsidized loans under this subsection to school districts from the proceeds of public debt contracted under s. 20.866 (2) (zc) and to public library boards from the proceeds of public debt contracted under s. 20.866 (2) (zcm). Subsidized loans under this subsection may be used only for the purpose of upgrading the electrical wiring of school and library buildings in existence on the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], and installing and upgrading computer network wiring in accordance with rules promulgated by the board.

(b) Subsidized loan applications, terms and conditions. The board shall establish application procedures for, and the terms and conditions of, subsidized loans under this subsection. The terms may include provision of professional building construction services under s. 16.85 (15). The board shall determine the interest rate on these loans. The interest rate shall be as low as possible but shall be sufficient to fully pay all interest expenses incurred by the state and to provide reserves that are reasonably expected to be required in the judgment of the board to ensure against losses arising from delinquency and default in the repayment of subsidized loans.

(c) Repayment of subsidized loans. A school district's or public library board's total payments on a loan made under this subsection shall be equal to 50% of the total debt service on the loan, as determined by the board. A school district or public library board is not obligated to pay the remaining 50% of the debt service on the loan. The board shall credit all moneys received from school districts under this paragraph to the appropriation account under s. 20.275 (1) (h). The board shall credit all moneys received from public library boards under this paragraph to the appropriation account under s. 20.275 (1) (hb).

(d) Funding for subsidized loans. The board, with the approval of the governor and subject to the limits of s. 20.866 (2) (zc) and (zcm), may request that the building commission contract public debt in accordance with ch. 18 to fund loans under this subsection. The term of public debt contracted under s. 20.866 (2) (zc) and (zcm) may not exceed 10 years.

27,1348 Section 1348 . 45.01 of the statutes is amended to read: