1997 Wisconsin Act 27

(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.

(c) To the extent possible, ensure that grants are equally distributed on a statewide basis.

(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:

45.01 Wisconsin veterans museum; space for. The department of administration shall provide suitable space for the purpose of a memorial hall, designated as the Wisconsin veterans museum, dedicated to the men and women of Wisconsin who served in the armed forces of the United States in the civil war of 1861 to 1865 or in any subsequent wars, as enumerated in s. 45.35 (5) (e), or in Bosnia, Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Somalia or a Middle East crisis under s. 45.34 who meets one of the conditions listed in s. 45.35 (5) (a) 1. a. to d., and the department of veterans affairs shall operate and conduct the Wisconsin veterans museum.

27,1348g Section 1348g. 45.03 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.03 (3) From the appropriation under s. 20.485 (2) (sm) (em), the department shall pay all debts that remain unpaid on February 15, 1992, for expenses incurred in operating the veterans memorial at The Highground in Clark county and shall contract for improvements related to the memorial. The improvements shall include the paving of the parking lot at the memorial.

27,1348m Section 1348m. 45.04 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.04 (2) Grant program. From the appropriation under s. 20.485 (2) (s) (e), the secretary shall award to eligible applicants grants to support the acquisition of land and construction of not more than 2 memorials in this state to honor state veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces. One memorial may be constructed to honor state veterans who served during the Korean conflict, June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955, and one to honor state veterans who served during the Vietnam war, August 5, 1964, to June 30, 1975.

27,1349 Section 1349 . 45.16 of the statutes is amended to read:

45.16 Burial allowance. Each county veterans' service officer shall cause to be interred in a decent and respectable manner in any cemetery in this state, other than those used exclusively for the burial of paupers, the body of any person who served in any war of the United States, in the Korean conflict, in the Vietnam war, under section 1 of executive order 10957, dated August 10, 1961, or had service that entitled the person to receive the armed forces expeditionary medal, established by executive order 10977 on December 4, 1961, the Vietnam service medal established by executive order 11231 on July 8, 1965, the navy expeditionary medal or the marine corps expeditionary medal or who served in Bosnia, Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Somalia or a Middle East crisis under s. 45.34 and who was discharged under honorable conditions after 90 days or more of active service, in the U.S. armed forces, or if having served less than 90 days was honorably discharged for a disability incurred in line of duty and who was living in the county at the time of death, meets the definition of a “veteran" under s. 45.35 (5) and who dies not leaving sufficient means to defray the necessary expenses of a decent burial, or under financial circumstances that would distress the person's family to pay the expenses of the burial, and the body of a spouse or surviving spouse of the person who dies not leaving such means or under the same financial circumstances and who was living in the county at the time of death, at an expense to the county of not more than $300 in addition to the burial allowance payable under laws administered by the U.S. department of veterans affairs.

27,1350 Section 1350 . 45.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.25 (1) Administration. The department of veterans affairs shall administer a tuition and fee reimbursement program for eligible veterans enrolling as undergraduates in any institution or center within the university of Wisconsin system or, enrolling in any technical college under ch. 38 or receiving a waiver of nonresident tuition under s. 39.47.

27,1350m Section 1350m. 45.25 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.25 (2) (c) The individual applies for the tuition and fee reimbursement program for courses completed within 6 10 years after separation from the service.

27,1353 Section 1353 . 45.25 (3) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 255, is amended to read:

45.25 (3) (a) An Except as provided in par. (am), an individual who meets the requirements under sub. (2), upon satisfactory completion of an undergraduate semester in any institution or center within the university of Wisconsin system or a semester at any technical college district school under ch. 38, may be reimbursed for up to 50% of the individual's tuition and fees, other than textbooks and other costs, charged by the institution, center or school, but that reimbursement is limited to a maximum of 50% of the standard cost for a state resident for an equivalent undergraduate course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison per course or the difference between the individual's tuition and fees and the grants or scholarships, including those made under s. 21.49, that the individual receives specifically for the payment of the tuition or fees, whichever is less. Reimbursement is available only for tuition and fees that are part of a curriculum that is relevant to a degree in a particular course of study at the institution, center or school.

27,1353g Section 1353g. 45.25 (3) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

45.25 (3) (am) A disabled individual who meets the requirements under sub. (2) and whose disability is rated at 30% or more under 38 USC 1114 or 1134, upon satisfactory completion of an undergraduate semester in any institution or center within the University of Wisconsin System or a semester at any technical college district school under ch. 38, may be reimbursed for up to 100% of the individual's tuition and fees, but that reimbursement is limited to 100% of the standard cost for a state resident for an equivalent undergraduate course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison per course, or the difference between the individual's tuition and fees and the grants or scholarships, including those made under s. 21.49, that the individual receives specifically for the payment of the tuition or fees, whichever is less. Reimbursement is available only for tuition and fees that are part of a curriculum that is relevant to a degree in a particular course of study at the institution, center or school.

27,1353m Section 1353m. 45.25 (3) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.25 (3) (b) (intro.) An application for reimbursement of tuition and fees under par. (a) or (am) shall meet all of the following requirements:

27,1355 Section 1355 . 45.25 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.25 (4) (a) An individual is not eligible for reimbursement under sub. (2) for more than 120 credits of part-time study or 8 full semesters of full-time study at any institution or center within the university of Wisconsin system or, 60 credits of part-time study or 4 full semesters of full-time study at a technical college under ch. 38, or an equivalent amount of credits at an institution where he or she is receiving a waiver of nonresident tuition under s. 39.47.

27,1357 Section 1357 . 45.35 (5) (a) 1. d. of the statutes is created to read:

45.35 (5) (a) 1. d. Has served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for 2 continuous years or more or the full period of the individual's initial service obligation, whichever is less. An individual discharged for reasons of hardship or a service-connected disability or released due to a reduction in the U.S. armed forces prior to the completion of the required period of service is eligible, regardless of the actual time served.

27,1358 Section 1358 . 45.35 (5m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.35 (5m) (a) (intro.) “Dependent" of a veteran as used in this section and s. ss. 45.351 and 45.356 includes only:

27,1360 Section 1360 . 45.35 (15) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.35 (15) Liberal construction intended. This section, ss. 45.351, 45.356 and 45.37 and subch. II shall be construed as liberally as the language permits in favor of applicants.

27,1361 Section 1361 . 45.35 (18) of the statutes is created to read:

45.35 (18) Loan repayments. The department shall deposit all repayments of loans and payments of interest made on loans under s. 45.351 (2), 1995 stats., s. 45.352, 1971 stats., s. 45.356, 1995 stats., or s. 45.80, 1989 stats., in the veterans trust fund.

27,1362 Section 1362 . 45.351 (1j) of the statutes is created to read:

45.351 (1j) Health care aid grants. The department may grant to any veteran or dependents such temporary health care aid as the department considers advisable to prevent want or distress. Health care aid to meet medical or hospital bills under this subsection is limited to a payment of up to $5,000 per veteran or dependent for a 12-month period beginning with the first day of care for which the person seeks reimbursement under this subsection. The department may not give prior authorization for the payment of health care aid under this subsection but may issue a certificate of entitlement stating that a veteran or dependent is eligible for a health care aid grant under this subsection if the treatment is received within a time period that the department promulgates by rule. Health care aid may be used to provide payment for the treatment of alcoholism or other drug addiction or to provide payment for health care required because of alcoholism or other drug addiction or alcohol or other drug abuse. The department may not grant health care aid under this subsection unless the aid recipient's health care provider agrees to accept, as full payment for the medical treatment for which the aid is to be granted, the amount of the grant, the amount of the recipient's health insurance or other 3rd-party payments, if any, and the amount that the department determines the aid recipient is capable of paying. The department may not grant health care aid under this subsection if the combined liquid assets of the applicant for aid, and of the veteran and veteran's dependents who are living in the same household with the applicant, are in excess of $1,000.

27,1363 Section 1363 . 45.351 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

27,1364 Section 1364 . 45.351 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.351 (3) Appropriations. The department may award grants and loans under this section from the appropriation in s. 20.485 (2) (vm). Nothing in this section empowers the department to incur any state debt.

27,1365 Section 1365 . 45.353 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.353 (2) Upon application the department shall make a payment to any state veterans organization that establishes that it, or its national organization, or both, has maintained a full-time service office at the regional office for at least 5 of the 10 years preceding the date of application. The payment shall equal 25% of all salaries and travel expenses under sub. (3) paid during the previous fiscal year by the state veterans organization to employes engaged in veterans claims service and stationed at the regional office, except that the sum paid to a state veterans organization annually shall not be less than either $2,500, or the amount of salaries and travel expenses paid by the state veterans organization to employes stationed at the regional office, whichever is less, nor more than $15,000 $20,000.

27,1366 Section 1366 . 45.356 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.356 (title) Veterans trust fund stabilization personal loans.

27,1367 Section 1367 . 45.356 (1m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.356 (1m) (b) “Veteran" has the meaning given in s. 45.71 (16) (a) 45.35 (5) (a).

27,1368 Section 1368 . 45.356 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.356 (2) The department may lend a veteran, a veteran's unremarried spouse or a deceased veteran's child who meets the requirements of s. 45.35 (5m) (a) 2. not more than $15,000 or a lesser amount established by the department by rule for the purchase of a mobile home, business or business property, the repair of or addition to his or her home or business property, the construction of a garage, the education of the veteran or his or her spouse or children, the payment of medical or funeral expenses or the consolidation of debt. The department may prescribe loan conditions, but the term of the loan may not exceed 10 years.

27,1369 Section 1369 . 45.356 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.356 (3) The department may lend not more than $15,000 or a lesser amount established by the department by rule to a veteran's remarried surviving spouse, whether remarried or not, or to the parent of a deceased veteran's children child for the education of the minor or dependent children of the veteran if the surviving spouse or parent is a resident of and living in this state on the date of application a child who meets the requirements of s. 45.35 (5m) (a) 2.

27,1370 Section 1370 . 45.356 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

45.356 (3m) To be eligible for a loan under this section, an applicant must be a resident of and living in this state on the date of the application.

27,1371 Section 1371. 45.356 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.356 (4) The department shall administer this program as a fiduciary for the purpose of maximizing the asset and income base of the veterans trust fund. The department may execute necessary instruments, collect interest and principal, compromise indebtedness, sue and be sued, post bonds and write off indebtedness that it considers uncollectible. If a loan under this subsection section is secured by a real estate mortgage, the department may exercise the rights of owners and mortgagees generally and the rights and powers set forth in s. 45.72. The department shall pay all interest and principal repaid on the loan into the veterans trust fund.

27,1372 Section 1372 . 45.356 (8) of the statutes is created to read:

45.356 (8) No person may receive a loan under this section in an amount that, when added to the balance outstanding on the person's existing loans under s. 45.351 (2), 1995 stats., and s. 45.356, 1995 stats., would result in a total indebtedness to the department of more than $15,000, or a lesser amount as established by the department by rule.

27,1373 Section 1373 . 45.356 (9) of the statutes is created to read:

45.356 (9) (a) The department may borrow from the veterans mortgage loan repayment fund under s. 45.79 (7) (a) and shall pledge loans made under this section as collateral for the borrowing.

(b) The department may enter into transactions with the state investment board to obtain money to make loans under this section.

27,1373m Section 1373m. 45.356 (10) of the statutes is created to read:

45.356 (10) If a veteran who has obtained a loan under this section before, on or after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], dies after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], and before completing repayment of the loan, the veteran's obligation to complete repayment of the loan is limited to the extent of the amount of funds in the veteran's estate. The department shall issue a satisfaction of any security instruments executed in connection with the loan and write off the balance of the principal, interest and costs owing on the loan on the date that the department receives notice that the veteran has died without leaving any estate or upon receipt of the total amount of money in the veteran's estate not exceeding the balance remaining on the loan. The department, upon receipt of an application for refund, shall refund to the payer or heirs, executor or administrator, from the appropriation in s. 20.485 (2) (yn), any payments made on the loan after the date that the department receives the notice that the veteran has died without leaving any estate or after the date that the department receives the total amount of money, not exceeding the balance remaining on the loan, in the veteran's estate.

27,1374 Section 1374 . 45.357 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.357 (title) Veterans rehabilitation assistance program.

27,1375 Section 1375 . 45.357 of the statutes is renumbered 45.357 (1) and amended to read:

45.357 (1) The department of veterans affairs shall administer a rehabilitation program to provide assistance to persons who served in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces and who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The department shall provide assistance to persons whose need for services is based upon homelessness, incarceration or other circumstances designated by the department by rule. The department shall designate the assistance available under this section, which may include assistance in receiving medical care, dental care, education, employment and transitional housing. The department may provide grants to facilitate the provision of services under this section.

27,1376 Section 1376 . 45.357 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

45.357 (2) The department may charge fees for transitional housing and for such other assistance that is provided under this section as the department designates. The department shall promulgate rules establishing the fee schedule and the manner of implementation of that schedule.

27,1376d Section 1376d. 45.358 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.358 (3) (a) A veteran who died while on active duty or who was discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions and who was a resident of this state at the time of his or her entry or reentry into active service and his or her dependent children and unremarried surviving spouse.

27,1376f Section 1376f. 45.358 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.358 (3) (b) A veteran who was discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions and who was a resident of this state at the time of his or her death and his or her dependent children and unremarried surviving spouse.

27,1376j Section 1376j. 45.358 (3) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

45.358 (3) (f) A person who was a resident of this state at the time of his or her entry or reentry into service in the Wisconsin army national guard or air national guard or a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces or at the time of his or her death and who has 20 or more years of creditable military service for retirement pay as a member of the Wisconsin army national guard or air national guard or a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces or who would have been entitled to that retirement pay except that the person was under 60 years of age at the time of his or her death, and the person's spouse, unremarried surviving spouse and dependent children who are residents of this state at the time of the spouse's, unremarried surviving spouse's or dependent children's death.

27,1377 Section 1377 . 45.37 (1a) of the statutes is amended to read: