SECTION 939t. 40.05 (2) (bz) of the statutes is created to read:
40.05 (2) (bz) The employer contribution rate determined under par. (b) for the department of administration shall be adjusted to reflect the cost of granting creditable service under s. 40.02 (17) (gm) and that rate shall be sufficient to amortize the unfunded prior service liability of the department of administration over the remainder of the 40-year amortization period under par. (b).
SECTION 944e. 40.55 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
40.55 (1m) (a) Except as provided in sub. (5), the state may offer, through the group insurance board, to eligible employes under s. 40.02 (25) (bm) and to state annuitants long-term care coverage on a self-insured basis.
(b) If the state offers long-term care coverage on a self-insured basis under par. (a), the state shall allow any eligible employe under s. 40.02 (25) (bm) and any state annuitant to purchase the long-term care coverage for his or her spouse, parent or spouse's parent.
(c) If the state offers long-term care coverage on a self-insured basis under par. (a), the group insurance board, biennially, shall submit to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2), a report on the rates of participation in the self-insured program by eligible employes under s. 40.02 (25) (bm) and state annuitants. The group insurance board shall submit the report no later than July 1 of each odd-numbered year.
SECTION 944g. 40.55 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
40.55 (2) For any long-term care policy offered through the group insurance board under sub. (1), the insurer may impose underwriting considerations in determining the initial eligibility of persons to cover and what premiums to charge.
SECTION 944i. 40.55 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
40.55 (4) The group insurance board may charge a fee to each insurer whose policy is offered under this section sub. (1), but the fee may not exceed the direct costs incurred by the group insurance board in offering the policy.
SECTION 944m. 40.63 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
40.63 (1) (c) The employe is not entitled to any earnings from the employer and the employer has certified that it has paid to the employe all earnings to which the employe is entitled, that the employe is on a leave of absence and is not expected to resume active service, or that the employe's participating employment has been terminated, because of a disability as described in par. (b) and as a consequence the employe is not entitled to any earnings from the employer. In this paragraph, "earnings" does not include bonus compensation to which the employe is was entitled under s. 25.156 (7) (a), 1997 stats.
SECTION 945am. 41.17 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
41.17 (2) ELIGIBILITY. Any public or private organization not organized or incorporated for profit, including a tribal organization of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, and any elected governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state may apply to the department for joint effort marketing funds under this section. Prior to applying for such funds, each prospective applicant shall have submitted, at the time and in the manner provided by departmental rule, a plan and budget specifying the media to be used, the market to be approached, the facilities and attractions to be promoted and the applicant's estimated expenditures and receipts for the various projects within the plan. If such plan is coordinated with the statewide marketing strategy, the department shall approve it and the submitting organization or governing body shall be eligible to apply for joint effort marketing funds under this section.
SECTION 945ar. 41.17 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
41.17 (3) WRITTEN AGREEMENTS. (intro.) Each joint effort marketing project shall be implemented by a written agreement between the department and the applicant organization, which or governing body. The agreement shall specify at a minimum:
SECTION 945b. 41.17 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
41.17 (4) (a) No state funds may be released for a project which that is not included within an advertising plan and budget submitted by an eligible organization or governing body and approved by the department.
SECTION 945c. 41.17 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
41.17 (5) FUNDING SOURCE. Subject to the 50% limitation under s. 20.380 (1) (b) and the proportional expenditure requirements under s. 20.380 (1) (b) and (kg), the department shall expend, from the appropriations under s. 20.380 (1) (b) and (kg), at least $1,130,000 in the aggregate in each fiscal year in joint effort marketing funds under this section.
SECTION 945d. 41.41 (7) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:
41.41 (7) (cm) Acquire development rights in land any portion of which is approved by the department for inclusion in the Kickapoo valley reserve. Purchases under this paragraph are subject to the approval of the governor under s. 20.914 (1).
SECTION 945e. 44.015 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 44.015 (10).
SECTION 945f. 44.015 (7) of the statutes is created to read:
44.015 (7) Contract with the Wisconsin History Foundation, Inc., for the purpose of administering the historical society's membership program.
SECTION 945g. 44.02 (28) of the statutes is created to read:
44.02 (28) In the 1999-2001 fiscal biennium, pay the amount appropriated under s. 20.245 (3) (c) to the city of Neenah to restore the Neenah city clock tower if the city of Neenah contributes matching funds of at least $25,000.
SECTION 945m. 44.08 of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 945s. 44.16 of the statutes is amended to read:
44.16 Historic sites foundation Circus World Museum Foundation. (1) The historical society may enter into a lease agreement with the historic sites foundation, inc. Circus World Museum Foundation, Inc., for the purpose of operating Circus World Museum, located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The lease agreement shall not include any provision for the payment of a percentage of gross admissions income at Circus World Museum to the historical society.
(2) Upon request of the board of directors of the historic sites foundation, inc. Circus World Museum Foundation, Inc., the governor may nominate, and with the advice and consent of the senate appoint, one member of the board of directors to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
SECTION 946. 44.20 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.20 (1) The historical society shall operate and maintain the historic sites known as Stonefield Village, Pendarvis, Villa Louis, Old Wade House, Madeline Island, Old World Wisconsin, H.H. Bennett Studios and, if the First Capitol state park has been transferred to the historical society under 1993 Wisconsin Act 16, section 9142 (1e), First Capitol.
SECTION 946m. 44.49 of the statutes is created to read:
44.49 Heritage trust program. (1) PURPOSE. The legislature determines that the provision of assistance by the state under this section and the awarding of grants to the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation under this section serve a statewide public purpose by assisting in the protection, restoration and rehabilitation of property located in this state that is significant in the history, prehistory, architecture, archaeology or culture of this state, its rural and urban communities or the nation.
(2) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
(a) "Local governmental unit" has the meaning given in s. 16.97 (7).
(b) "Trust" means the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation.
(3) GRANTS TO GOVERNMENTAL UNITS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (zfm), the state historical society shall award grants to state agencies, local governmental units and nonprofit organizations for historic preservation. A grant recipient shall provide matching funds equal to 25% of the amount of the grant, except that the state historical society may require a recipient to provide matching funds equal to a higher percentage.
(b) The state historical society shall ensure that all grant recipients under par. (a) comply with the standards for rehabilitation in 36 CFR 67.7.
(c) The state historical society may award up to $1,000,000 in grants under par. (a) in the 2000-01 fiscal year and up to $1,500,000 in grants under par. (a) in each of the 9 succeeding fiscal years, except that if the state historical society awards less than the maximum amount allowed in any fiscal year the maximum amount allowed in the succeeding fiscal year is increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount awarded in the current fiscal year and the maximum amount allowed in the current fiscal year.
(4) GRANTS TO THE TRUST. (a) Subject to par. (b), the state historical society annually shall award a grant to the trust from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (zfm). In the 2000-01 fiscal year, the amount of the grant shall be $1,000,000. In each of the 9 succeeding fiscal years, the amount of the grant shall be $500,000.
(b) The state historical society may award a grant under par. (a) only if the following conditions are satisfied:
1. The bylaws of the trust state that the purpose of the trust is to develop and support statewide initiatives promoting historic preservation and that, if the trust dissolves, the trust shall in good faith take all reasonable measures to ensure that all moneys paid to the trust under this subsection revert to the state.
2. The trust provides public access to any meeting held for the purpose of deliberations regarding the awarding of grants under par. (c) 1. to the same extent as is required of, and subject to the same terms and enforcement provisions that apply to, a governmental body under subch. V of ch. 19.
(c) The moneys received under par. (a) shall constitute an endowment fund. The trust shall use the earnings of the endowment fund for the following purposes:
1. To award grants to state agencies, local governmental units and nonprofit organizations for historic preservation, including historic preservation to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Wisconsin statehood. A grant recipient shall provide matching funds equal to 25% of the amount of the grant, except that the trust may require a recipient to provide matching funds equal to a higher percentage.
2. To temporarily acquire historic property for the purpose of historic preservation.
(d) The trust shall comply, and shall ensure that all grant recipients under par. (c) 1. comply, with the standards for rehabilitation in 36 CFR 67.7.
(e) The trust shall contract with an independent certified public accountant to biennially audit the endowment fund. Within 30 days after the completion of each audit, the trust shall submit a detailed report of the audit to the governor and the joint committee on finance.
(5) SUNSET. The state historical society may not award a grant under this section after June 30, 2010.
SECTION 947. 44.53 (1) (fm) of the statutes is created to read:
44.53 (1) (fm) Conduct a program identical to that described in par. (f), but only for American Indian individuals and groups. The program shall be funded from the appropriation under s. 20.215 (1) (km).
SECTION 947m. 44.53 (1) (j) of the statutes is created to read:
44.53 (1) (j) Annually pay to the Milwaukee Foundation, Inc., for deposit in the High Point fund, the amount appropriated under s. 20.215 (1) (e).
SECTION 948. 44.53 (2) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
44.53 (2) (am) Enter into contracts with American Indian individuals, organizations and institutions and American Indian tribal governments for services furthering the development of the arts and humanities.
SECTION 949. 44.70 (2g) of the statutes is created to read:
44.70 (2g) "Educational agency" means a school district, private school, cooperative educational service agency, technical college district, private college, public library system, public library board, the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped or the Wisconsin School for the Deaf.
SECTION 951. 44.70 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:
44.70 (3m) "Public library system" has the meaning given in s. 43.01 (5).
SECTION 952. 44.70 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
44.70 (5) "Universal service fund" means the trust fund established under s. 25.95.
SECTION 953. 44.71 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 44.71 (2) (a), and 44.71 (2) (a) 5. and 8., as renumbered, are amended to read:
44.71 (2) (a) 5. Subject to s. 196.218 (4r) (f) 44.73 (5), in cooperation with the department and the public service commission, provide telecommunications access to school districts, private schools, cooperative educational service agencies, technical college districts, private colleges and public library boards educational agencies under the program established under s. 196.218 (4r) 44.73.
8. 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 subdivision does not require the purchase or lease of any educational technology equipment from the board.
SECTION 953g. 44.71 (2) (a) 6m. of the statutes is created to read:
44.71 (2) (a) 6m. No later than October 1 of each year, submit a report containing the discount rates provided to the board for telecommunications service under 47 USC 254 to the department of administration, the joint committee on finance and the public service commission.
SECTION 954. 44.71 (2) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
44.71 (2) (bm) The board may contract with the Wisconsin advanced telecommunications foundation to provide administrative services to the foundation.
SECTION 955. 44.72 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.72 (1) (a) Award grants to applicants on a competitive basis through one funding cycle annually, except that the board shall ensure that at least one grant is awarded annually to an applicant located in the territory of each cooperative educational service agency.
SECTION 955m. 44.72 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
44.72 (1) (d) Promulgate rules establishing administrative procedures, eligibility criteria and application requirements for awarding grants under this section.
SECTION 955t. 44.72 (2) (a) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 956. 44.72 (2) (b) 3. of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 956g. 44.72 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.72 (2) (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.
SECTION 956r. 44.72 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.72 (2) (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.
SECTION 957. 44.72 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.72 (2) (e) The board shall distribute the grants under par. (b) 2. and 3. annually on the first Monday in February.
SECTION 958. 44.72 (4) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.72 (4) (title) SUBSIDIZED EDUCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE LOANS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
SECTION 959. 44.72 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.72 (4) (a) Subsidized loans Financial assistance authorized. The board may make subsidized loans provide financial assistance 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 Financial assistance under this subsection may be used only for the purpose of upgrading the electrical wiring of school and library buildings in existence on October 14, 1997, and installing and upgrading computer network wiring.
SECTION 960. 44.72 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
44.72 (4) (b) Subsidized loan Financial assistance applications, terms and conditions. The board shall establish application procedures for, and the terms and conditions of, subsidized loans financial assistance under this subsection. The board shall make a loan to a school district or public library board in an amount equal to 50% of the total amount of financial assistance for which the board determines the school district or public library board is eligible and provide a grant to the school district or public library board for the remainder of the total. The terms of any financial assistance under this subsection may include provision of professional building construction services under s. 16.85 (15). The board shall determine the interest rate on these loans under this subsection. The interest rate shall be as low as possible but shall be sufficient to fully pay all interest expenses incurred by the state in making the loans 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 the loans. The term of a subsidized loan under this subsection may not exceed 10 years.
SECTION 961. 44.72 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
