Office of Justice Assistance
1. PENALTY ASSESSMENT REVENUE DISTRIBUTION [LFB Papers 187 thru 192 and 165]
Governor: Make the following changes concerning the receipt and distribution of penalty assessment program revenues: (a) create a new appropriation under the Office of Justice Assistance (OJA) to receive all penalty assessment revenues; (b) delete certain existing penalty assessment appropriations and modify others that receive penalty assessment revenues to reflect this change; (c) move the statutory language concerning levy of penalty assessment from Chapter 165 (Department of Justice) to Chapter 757 (general provisions concerning courts of record, judges, attorneys and clerks); (d) provide that all appropriations funded from penalty assessment revenues be annual appropriations limited to the appropriated amounts; (e) provide that 90% of the unencumbered balances of certain penalty assessment appropriations on the effective date of the bill be transferred to the newly-created OJA penalty assessment receipts appropriation; and (f) convert funding for the county-tribal law enforcement program under the Department of Justice (DOJ) from penalty assessment revenue to tribal gaming revenue provided under the recently completed state-tribal gaming compacts.
Whenever a court imposes a fine or forfeiture for a violation of state law or municipal or county ordinance (except for violations involving smoking in restricted areas, failing to properly designate smoking or nonsmoking areas, and nonmoving traffic violations or safety belt use violations), the court also imposes a penalty assessment of 23% of the total fine or forfeiture.
Under current law, penalty assessment revenues collected for violations of state law are deposited to the following program revenue appropriations on a percentage basis: (a) the Department of Justice's (DOJ) penalty assessment receipts appropriation for law enforcement training and crime laboratory equipment (49.09% of penalty assessment revenues); (b) DOJ's county-tribal receipts appropriation for the county-tribal law enforcement programs (4.55%); (c) OJA's anti-drug enforcement program--local appropriation which provides state match for the federal Byrne anti-drug law enforcement funds (22.73%); (d) the Department of Correction's (DOC) correctional officer training appropriation (9.09%); (e) the State Public Defender's (SPD) conferences and training appropriation (0.91%); (f) the Department of Public Instruction's (DPI) alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) programs appropriation (8.48%); and (g) DPI's AODA--state operations appropriation (5.15%). All monies from the first two revenue-receiving appropriations and a portion of the monies from the next appropriation are transferred to fund a variety of programs, namely: (a) penalty assessment match for state programs and OJA administration under the federal anti-drug program; (b) state law enforcement training and administration, drug enforcement intelligence units and crime lab equipment in DOJ; (c) the county-tribal law enforcement program; and (d) youth diversion programs under DOC. Under the bill, all of these programs, with the exception of the county-tribal law enforcement program, would continue to be funded with penalty assessment revenues.
Under the bill, 90% of the unencumbered balances of certain penalty assessment appropriations would be transferred (on the effective date of the bill) to the newly-created OJA receipts appropriation. This transfer to OJA is estimated to result in revenue totaling $3,332,800 from the following appropriations: (a) DPI's AODA appropriations, $710,700 from the state operations appropriation and $1,116,800 from the program appropriation; (b) SPD's conferences and training appropriation, $63,400; and (c) DOJ's county tribal law enforcement and penalty assessment receipts appropriations, $71,900 and $1,370,000, respectively. The remaining 10% would be distributed as follows: (a) the monies would remain in the modified DPI and SPD appropriations; (b) the county-tribal balance would be transferred to the new county-tribal appropriation funded through tribal gaming revenue; and (c) DOJ's penalty assessment receipts balance would be transferred to the law enforcement training fund--state operations appropriation.
Joint Finance/Legislature: Make the following changes to the penalty assessment revenue distribution provision:
a. Retain DOJ’s penalty assessment surcharge receipts appropriation and its receipt of 49.09% of penalty assessment revenues.
b. Transfer 100% of the revenue credited to the renumbered appropriations between July 1, 1999, and the effective date of the bill and provide that the revenue transfers to the OJA appropriation would take place immediately before the transfers to the renumbered appropriations. Reestimate the amount of the unencumbered balances to be transferred from $3,332,800 PR-REV to $2,564,600 PR-REV, as follows (changes to the bill are in parenthesis): (1) $93,800 from the SPD conferences and training appropriation ($30,400); (2) $363,000 from the DPI AODA administration appropriation (-$347,700); (3) $93,500 from the DPI AODA programs appropriation (-$1,023,300); (4) $1,960,200 from DOJ's penalty assessment, surcharge receipts appropriation ($590,200); and (5) $54,100 from DOJ's county-tribal programs, surcharge receipts appropriation (-$17,800).
c. Transfer 80% of the unencumbered balances on June 30, 1999 and 100% of revenue credited to OJA’s anti-drug enforcement local, state and administrative appropriations between July 1, 1999, and the effective date of the bill to the OJA penalty assessment receipts appropriation (estimated to be $1,080,800). Direct that the transfers take place immediately before the transfers to the renumbered appropriations.
d. Transfer 100%, rather than 90%, of the unencumbered balance from DOJ's county-tribal programs, surcharge receipts appropriation to OJA's penalty assessment receipts appropriation on June 30, 1999 (estimated to be an additional $6,000 transferred to the OJA appropriation).
e. Transfer 90% of the unencumbered balance from DOJ's penalty assessment surcharge receipts appropriation (estimated to be $805,400) on June 30, 2000 to the OJA penalty assessment receipts appropriation.
Conference Committee/Legislature: Technically correct, from July 1, 1999, to August 1, 1999, the start date for the revenues credited to the renumbered appropriations to be transferred to the new OJA penalty assessment receipts appropriation, to reflect the one-month delay from the State Treasurer's receipt of penalty assessment revenues to the crediting of the revenue-receiving appropriation accounts.
[Act 9 Sections: 115, 252, 266, 360, 361d, 367, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485m, 486m, 488m, 489, 494, 517, 517e, 525x, 526, 539, 540, 542, 543, 594, 605g, 605h, 686, 1576, 1577, 1609 thru 1611, 1613, 1614, 1616, 1617, 2044, 2290, 2290v, 2291, 2292m, 2293, 2294m, 2295 thru 2298, 2301, 2753 thru 2761, 3050m, 3050n, 3050o, 3066 thru 3072, 3076 thru 3078, 3079, 3085, 3094, 3097, 3199, 3203, 9101(10g), 9101(12), 9201(2m), 9201(2n), 9201(2p), 9211(2g), 9230(1), 9230(2m), 9230(3m), 9238(1h), 9239(1h) and 9239(2h)]
2. PENALTY ASSESSMENT STATE MATCH FUNDING FOR THE FEDERAL ANTI-DRUG ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM [LFB Paper 191]
Governor: Make the following changes to the penalty assessment state match funding for the federal Byrne anti-drug enforcement program: (a) delete $1,972,400 in 1999-00 and $1,674,000 in 2000-01 from the program revenue appropriations for penalty assessment state match; (b) change funding for those appropriations from 22.73% of penalty assessment revenues to the appropriated amounts, and modify the appropriation language to reflect this change; and (c) delete statutory language which requires local units of government to provide at least a 10% match for the anti-drug law enforcement monies they receive from OJA.
Under current law, penalty assessment revenues are used to match federal anti-drug law enforcement funds that are distributed to state agencies and local units of government and to OJA for administration. Under the bill, penalty assessment revenues would continue to fund these appropriations, but all penalty assessment revenues would initially be deposited to a newly-created appropriation under OJA. Under the bill, only the amounts appropriated for the state, local and administration match for the anti-drug enforcement program would be transferred from the new OJA revenue-receiving appropriation to the respective anti-drug enforcement penalty assessment match appropriations.
The funding reductions are related to: (a) -$1,793,800 annually in the appropriation which provides match monies for local programs to remove funding which, under the current appropriation structure, is appropriated in both OJA's local appropriation and also in the state and administration anti-drug enforcement program appropriations (currently, penalty assessment revenues are initially deposited into the local appropriation, then transferred to the state and administration appropriations); (b) -$126,600 in 1999-00 and -$125,500 in 2000-01 in the local appropriation, to reflect reestimates of required match amounts; (c) -$72,000 in 1999-00 and $225,300 in 2000-01 in the state appropriation, to reflect reestimates of required match amounts; and (d) $20,000 annually in the program administration appropriation, for administrative costs associated with a new federal program (the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant).
Joint Finance: Retain the statutory language which requires local units of government to provide at least a 10% state match for the anti-drug law enforcement monies they receive from OJA. In addition, transfer 80% of the anti-drug appropriations unencumbered balances on June 30, 1999 and 100% of the revenue credited to these appropriations between July 1, 1999, and the effective date of the bill to the newly-created OJA penalty assessment receipts appropriation (estimated to be $1,080,800).
Conference Committee/Legislature: Technically correct the start date, from July 1, 1999, to August 1, 1999, for the revenues credited to the anti-drug appropriations to be transferred to the newly-created penalty assessment receipts appropriation.
[Act 9 Sections: 539, 540, 542, 543, 2294m, 9201(2m), 9201(2n) and 9201(2p)]
3. FEDERAL REESTIMATES
FED $2,366,000
Governor/Legislature: Provide $1,698,500 in 1999-00 and $667,500 in 2000-01 to reestimate expenditure authority for subgrants to local governmental agencies, state agencies, private non-profit agencies and Native American Tribes under the following federal awards:
Program Adjusted Base 1999-00 2000-01
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act $1,114,200 $415,800 -$171,100
Title V Program 343,400 -58,800 -35,400
Violence Against Women Act 2,157,400 121,500 189,800
Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Award 423,000 187,000 187,000
Rural Domestic Violence Discretionary Award 131,200 257,800 233,700
Video Testimony Discretionary Award 0 16,700 0
Local Law Enforcement Block Grant
Training Award 0 47,300 47,300
Challenge Program 214,000 -10,200 -79,000
National Criminal History Improvement
Program Discretionary Award 1,811,400 -277,800 -1,186,500
Byrne Evaluation Discretionary Award 73,600 -12,500 -58,300
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Award 691,600 100,800 -261,900
State Identification Systems Award 0 194,700 194,700
National Sex Offender Registry Award 0 881,700 881,700
Anti-drug Abuse Act Grants to Local
Government Agencies 6,155,400 -412,900 -414,000
Anti-drug Abuse Act Grants to State
Government Agencies 3,485,800 247,400 1,139,500
TOTAL $16,601,000 $1,698,500 $667,500
4. STATE AGENCIES' USE OF FEDERAL ANTI-DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AND STATE MATCH FUNDS
Governor: Direct OJA to allocate federal Byrne anti-drug law enforcement funds and state matching penalty assessment revenues from OJA appropriations to the specified agencies for the following purposes: (a) $254,700 annually to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the purchase, replacement and maintenance of state crime laboratory equipment; (b) $226,800 in 1999-00 to DOJ for the purchase of DNA short tandem repeat analysis equipment; (c) $450,000 in 1999-00 to DOJ for converting the DNA databank to make it compatible with the short tandem repeat method of DNA analysis; (d) $363,900 in 1999-00 and $1,782,000 in 2000-01 to DOA's Bureau of Justice Information Systems (BJIS) for the installation of automated justice information systems equipment; (e) $446,500 annually to BJIS for automated justice information systems operations; (f) $1,000,000 annually to the Department of Corrections (DOC) for alcohol and other drug abuse programs; (g) $533,300 in 1999-00 and $1,200,000 in 2000-01 to DOC for information technology initiatives; and (h) $850,800 annually to DOJ for reimbursing counties that provide victim/witness services. With the exception of the BJIS operations funds, these amounts represent 75% federal funding and 25% state matching penalty assessment monies (for BJIS operations, the required state match would come from justice information fee revenues).
Joint Finance/Legislature: Reduce funding that OJA is directed to allocate to BJIS to fund general operations and equipment for automated justice information systems by $80,600 in 1999-00 and $204,400 in 2000-01. This would result in OJA funding to BJIS of $729,800 in 1999-00 and $2,024,100 in 2000-01.
[Act 9 Sections: 9101(5), 9101(6), 9101(7), 9101(10g) and 9101(12) thru 9101(14)]
5. CONTINUED FUNDING FOR ANTI-DRUG PROSECUTORS IN DANE AND MILWAUKEE COUNTIES
Governor/Legislature: Direct OJA to provide $346,600 in 1999-00 and $359,100 in 2000-01 in federal Byrne anti-drug funding and state matching penalty assessment funds to the Multijurisdictional Enforcement Groups (MEG units) in Dane and Milwaukee counties in order to continue to fund four assistant district attorney (ADA) positions which prosecute drug-related crimes. The Dane County MEG would be provided $83,600 in 1999-00 and $87,800 in 2000-01 to fund one position, and the Milwaukee County MEG would be provided $263,000 in 1999-00 and $271,300 in 2000-01 to fund three positions. These four positions are funded through non-competitive grants awarded by OJA.
[Act 9 Sections: 9101(2)&(3)]
6. TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE [LFB Paper 160]
Governor: Provide $200,000 in 1999-00 and $600,000 in 2000-01 and create a tribal law enforcement assistance grant program. Funding would be provided from tribal gaming revenue provided to the state under the recently completed state-tribal gaming compact amendments. Under the bill, OJA would provide grants to tribes for law enforcement operations and would be required to develop criteria and procedures for administering the grant program. The criteria used by OJA would be exempt from the administrative rule process. To be eligible, a tribe would be required to submit an application and plan for expenditure of the grant monies to OJA. OJA would be required to review the application and plan to determine whether they meet the OJA criteria. OJA would also be required to review the use of the grant money once awarded to ensure that the money is used according to the approved plan. [See "Administration -- Division of Gaming."]
Joint Finance: Provide $175,000 annually to the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe for a public safety initiative and $150,000 annually to the St. Croix Chippewa tribe to develop law enforcement capacity on reservation lands under the tribal law enforcement assistance grant program. In addition, exempt the procedures for administering the tribal law enforcement program from the administrative rule process and correct a statutory reference.
Senate/Legislature: Provide $125,000 annually in tribal gaming revenues to the Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa tribe to develop law enforcement capacity on the reservation under the tribal law enforcement assistance grant program.
Veto by Governor [F-18]: Delete the statutory language earmarking funds for the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe ($175,000 annually), the St. Croix Chippewa tribe ($150,000 annually), and the Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa tribe ($125,000 annually). Total funding for the grant program is unaffected by the veto.
[Act 9 Sections: 110, 544 and 575]
[Act 9 Vetoed Sections: 110k and 544]
7. GRANTS SPECIALIST POSITION [LFB Paper 185]
Funding Positions
GPR $76,100 1.00
Governor: Provide $36,300 in 1999-00 and $39,800 in 2000-01 and 1.0 position annually for a grants specialist position. The position would develop federal and private funding contracts and resource directories, disseminate information on funding opportunities to state and local agencies, assist in writing applications for funding and other proposals which may secure federal or private foundation or corporate resources, and train local governmental and non-profit agencies in competing for grant funds.
Joint Finance/Legislature: Provide a two-year project position, rather than a permanent position. Require OJA to submit a report to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2001, detailing the accomplishments of the position, including a list of federal and private grants received by state and local government agencies attributable to the position's efforts.
Veto by Governor [D-15]: Delete the report requirement.
[Act 9 Section: 9101(7f)]
[Act 9 Vetoed Section: 9101(7f)]
8. FULLY FUND INFORMATION SYSTEMS POSITION [LFB Paper 186]
Governor: Provide $13,300 GPR and $4,400 FED annually to fully fund OJA's information systems position. Funding for the position in OJA's adjusted base was provided for the starting salary for an intermediate-level information systems position. The position has been reclassi-fied to an information systems--comprehensive specialist, which has a higher minimum salary rate.
Joint Finance/Legislature: Delete $1,300 GPR and $400 FED annually to correct a calculation error in providing full funding for the information systems--comprehensive specialist position.
9. GIFTS AND GRANTS APPROPRIATION
Governor/Legislature: Create a continuing gifts and grants appropriation under OJA to allow OJA to receive and spend gifts and grants monies that are not covered under a specific appropriation. According to OJA officials, the U.S. Department of Justice, through a contractor, requests OJA to perform certain studies approximately once a year. Currently, OJA accepts federal funding for these studies through a general DOA appropriation. Under the bill, OJA would be able to deposit these federal monies into and expend these federal monies from its own appropriation.
[Act 9 Section: 541]
10. COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
