AB934: Bill Text

AB934,28,14 45.001 Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

AB934,28,15 (2) "Department" means the department of veterans affairs.

AB934,28,16 (3) "Secretary" means the secretary of veterans affairs.

Note: Creates definitions applicable to the entire chapter for terms used throughout the chapter.

AB934, s. 70 Section 70. 45.012 of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 16, section 1448, is renumbered 45.001 (1) and amended to read:

AB934,28,20 45.001 (1) Definition. In this subchapter, "board" "Board" means the board of veterans affairs.

Note: This bill creates, as the first section in ch. 45, s. 45.001, a section for definitions applicable to all of ch. 45, consistent with current style.

AB934, s. 71 Section 71. 45.014 of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 16, section 1441, is amended to read:

AB934,29,12 45.014 Wisconsin veterans museum. The department of administration shall provide suitable space for the purpose of a memorial hall, designated as the Wisconsin veterans museum 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 who meet one of the conditions listed in s. 45.35 (5) (a) 1. a. to d. 45.001 (4) (a) 1. a. to d., and the department of veterans affairs shall operate and conduct the Wisconsin veterans museum Veterans Museum. The mission of the Wisconsin veterans museum Veterans Museum is to acknowledge, commemorate, and affirm the role of Wisconsin veterans in the United States of America's military past by means of instructive exhibits and other educational programs.

Note: Section 45.35 (5) (a) is renumbered to s. 45.001 (4) (a) by this bill. Conforms capitalization to current style. Section 45.01 was renumbered 45.014 by 2001 Wisconsin Act 16.

AB934, s. 72 Section 72. 45.02 of the statutes is renumbered 45.02 (intro.) and amended to read:

AB934,29,19 45.02 Memorial collection. (intro.) The battle flags of Wisconsin units serving in the nation's wars, and all relics and mementos of such the nation's wars donated to or otherwise acquired by the state for display in the Wisconsin veterans museum Veterans Museum shall constitute the memorial collection. The department of veterans affairs shall catalog do all of the following:

AB934,29,21 (1) Catalog and identify all war relics and mementos of the memorial collection, restore.

AB934,29,23 (2) Restore, preserve, and safeguard such items, procure the relics and mementos of the memorial collection.

AB934,30,1 (3) Procure additions to such the memorial collection, provide .

AB934,30,3 (4) Provide proper display equipment , and to so display such the memorial collection as to make it instructive and attractive to visitors.

Note: "Department" in ch. 45 is defined as the department of veterans affairs by s. 45.001 (2), which is created by this bill. Inserts specific references and subdivides provision to improve readability and to conform to current style. Conforms the form of the (intro.) and capitalization to current style.

AB934, s. 73 Section 73. 45.03 (1) (intro.) and (b) of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 45.03 (1) and amended to read:

AB934,30,9 45.03 (1) In this section: (b) "Persian Gulf war" means the period of conflict designated by the president of the United States as Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm and any operation that is a successor to Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm.

Note: This bill repeals section 45.03 (1) (a). Since par. (b) is the only remaining paragraph, the (intro.) and par. (b) are combined.

AB934, s. 74 Section 74. 45.03 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

Note: Repeals definition of "department" made unnecessary by the creation of s. 45.001 (2), which defines "department" for all of ch. 45.

AB934, s. 75 Section 75. 45.03 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,31,6 45.03 (2) From the appropriation under s. 20.485 (2) (d), the department shall provide funding to the Wisconsin Vietnam veterans memorial project, inc. Veterans Memorial Project, Inc., for the construction of 3 memorials, as defined in s. 45.04 (1) (c), one memorial for the veterans of World War I, one memorial for the veterans of World War II, and one memorial for the veterans of the Persian Gulf war. The memorials shall be constructed at the veterans memorial site located at The Highground in Clark County. The department may expend up to $45,000 for the memorial for the veterans of World War I, up to $85,000 for the memorial for the veterans of World War II, and up to $60,000 for the memorial for the veterans of the Persian Gulf war. If the moneys available under this section to construct one of these memorials are in excess of the moneys needed to construct that memorial, and if the moneys available under this section to construct another one of these memorials are insufficient to construct that memorial, the department, with the approval of the joint committee on finance, may allocate the excess moneys to construct the memorial that is insufficiently funded.

Note: Conforms capitalization to current style.

AB934, s. 76 Section 76. 45.04 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

Note: Repeals definition of "department" made unnecessary by the creation of s. 45.001 (2), which defines "department" for all of ch. 45.

AB934, s. 77 Section 77. 45.04 (1) (d) of the statutes is repealed.

Note: Repeals definition of "secretary" made unnecessary by the creation of s. 45.001 (3), which defines "secretary" for all of ch. 45.

AB934, s. 78 Section 78. 45.052 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,31,12 45.052 (1) (c) It may convey any property under its control to any municipality and lease it back under terms agreed upon by the commission or board of trustees and the municipality.

Note: Inserts specific board. "Board" in ch. 45 is defined as the board of veterans affairs, unless qualified, by s. 45.001 (1).

AB934, s. 79 Section 79. 45.059 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,31,16 45.059 Catalog of memorials. The department of veterans affairs shall prepare a catalog of memorials, describing each memorial and giving its location and condition. The department shall update that catalog.

Note: "Department" in ch. 45 is defined as the department of veterans affairs by s. 45.001 (2), which is created by this bill.

AB934, s. 80 Section 80. 45.12 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,32,3 45.12 (1) There is created in each county a "County Veterans' Service Commission" county veterans' service commission consisting of 3 residents of the county who are veterans appointed for staggered 3-year terms by the county executive or county board chairperson in a county which that does not have a county executive.

Note: Conforms punctuation and capitalization to current style.

AB934, s. 81 Section 81. 45.14 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,32,6 45.14 (1) Such In this section, "commission" means the county veterans' service commission.

AB934,32,9 (1m) The commission shall meet, at the courthouse or at such any other place as that the county board shall designate designates, on or before the first Monday of January in each year and at such any other times as that may be necessary.

Note: Inserts specific reference and modernizes language to improve readability and to conform to current style.

AB934, s. 82 Section 82. 45.14 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 45.14 (2) (a) and amended to read:

AB934,32,14 45.14 (2) (a) Except as provided under sub. (3), the commission may furnish aid to any person within s. 45.10 if the right of such that person to aid shall be is established to its the commission's satisfaction.

AB934,32,18 (b) The secretary of the commission shall make and deposit with the county clerk a list containing the name, place of residence, and the amount to be paid to each such person furnished with aid under par. (a), which shall be signed by the chairperson and secretary of the commission.

AB934,32,23 (c) The total disbursements made by the commission under this subsection shall not exceed the amount collected from the tax levied. When such lists are a list under par. (b) is filed, the county clerk shall issue an order upon the county treasurer for the sum designated therein in the list in each case and deliver it that sum to the person entitled thereto to that sum.

AB934,33,5 (d) The commission may furnish aid in a different manner than by supplying money. The commission may request the county clerk to issue an order upon the county treasurer to a purveyor of services or commodities for the purchase of such services or commodities, or the commission may furnish such supplies, as it deems considers best.

AB934,33,8 (e) The commission shall make a detailed report to the county board at each annual session thereof of the county board showing the amount expended under this subsection.

Note: Subdivides provision, creates a definition, inserts specific references and cross-references, and modifies language and punctuation to improve readability and to conform to current style.

AB934, s. 83 Section 83. 45.185 (2) and (3) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB934,33,15 45.185 (2) Such The municipal governing bodies specified in sub. (1) shall report to the county clerk of their respective counties, on or before September 1 of each year, the respective locations of the graves so taken care of cared for by them under sub. (1), together with the name names of the deceased and the amount claimed for such care of the graves for a the fiscal year from the previous July 1 to June 30.

AB934,33,19 (3) The chairperson of the county board and the county clerk of such county, upon receipt of such the report under sub. (2), shall draw an order on the county treasurer for the amount of the expenses so incurred in caring for the graves, payable to the person or persons designated in said the report as being entitled thereto.

Note: Inserts specific references and cross-references, specifies that the board in sub. (3) is the county board, and otherwise modifies text and punctuation to improve readability and to conform to current style.

AB934, s. 84 Section 84. 45.19 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,34,8 45.19 Military honors funerals. The department of veterans affairs shall administer a program to coordinate the provision of military honors funerals to deceased veterans by local units of member organizations of the council on veterans programs and by members of the Wisconsin national guard activated under s. 21.11 (3). From the appropriation under s. 20.485 (2) (q), the department shall reimburse a local unit of a member organization of the council on veterans programs for the costs of providing a military honors funeral to a deceased veteran. The reimbursement may not exceed $50 for each military honors funeral.

Note: "Department" in ch. 45 is defined as the department of veterans affairs by s. 45.001 (2), which is created by this bill.

AB934, s. 85 Section 85. 45.21 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,34,21 45.21 Registration of certificate of discharge. Every person who has served in the U.S. armed forces at any time, and who has been honorably discharged or given a certificate of service or relieved from active service may record with the register of deeds of any county, in a suitable book provided by the county for that purpose, a certificate of discharge or release. The certificate shall be accessible only to the discharged person or that person's dependents, the county veterans' service officer, the department of veterans affairs, or any person with written authorization from the person discharged person or that person's dependents. The register of deeds may not charge for recording, except that in counties where the register of deeds is under the fee system and not paid a fixed salary, the county shall pay the fee specified in s. 59.43 (2) (ag). The record of any such certificate heretofore of discharge or release made prior to July 6, 1919, is hereby legalized.

Note: "Department" in ch. 45 is defined as the department of veterans affairs by s. 45.001 (2), which is created by this bill. Inserts specific references and the effective date of the last sentence to improve clarity and readability.

AB934, s. 86 Section 86. 45.25 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 16, is amended to read:

AB934,35,8 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 of higher education, as defined in s. 45.396 (1) (a), in this state, enrolling in a school that is approved under s. 45.35 (9m), enrolling in a proprietary school that is approved under s. 45.54, or receiving a waiver of nonresident tuition under s. 39.47.

Note: "Department" in ch. 45 is defined as the department of veterans affairs by s. 45.001 (2), which is created by this bill.

AB934, s. 87 Section 87. 45.34 (2) (e) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,35,12 45.34 (2) (e) 3. Between August 1, 1990, and the ending date of Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm, as established by the department of veterans affairs by rule.

Note: "Department" in ch. 45 is defined as the department of veterans affairs by s. 45.001 (2), which is created by this bill.

AB934, s. 88 Section 88. 45.34 (2) (f) 3. of the statutes, as created by 2001 Wisconsin Act 22, is amended to read:

AB934,35,17 45.34 (2) (f) 3. Between September 11, 2001, and the ending date of Operation Enduring Freedom or an operation that is a successor to Operation Enduring Freedom, as established by the department of veterans affairs by rule.

Note: "Department" in ch. 45 is defined as the department of veterans affairs by s. 45.001 (2), which is created by this bill.

AB934, s. 89 Section 89. 45.34 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,36,2 45.34 (4) Service in Somalia. A person shall be considered to have served in Somalia if the person was on active duty in the U.S. armed services in Somalia or in territorial waters adjacent to Somalia under honorable conditions between December 9, 1992, and the ending date of Operation Restore Hope, as established by the department of veterans affairs by rule.

Note: "Department" in ch. 45 is defined as the department of veterans affairs by s. 45.001 (2), which is created by this bill.

AB934, s. 90 Section 90. 45.34 (5) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,36,6 45.34 (5) (c) Between December 1, 1995, and the ending date of Operation Balkan Endeavor or a successor operation, as established by the department of veterans affairs by rule.

Note: "Department" in ch. 45 is defined as the department of veterans affairs by s. 45.001 (2), which is created by this bill.

AB934, s. 91 Section 91 . 45.348 (1) of the statutes is created to read:

AB934,36,11 45.348 (1) In this section and ss. 45.35, 45.351, and 45.356 unless otherwise modified, "child" means any natural child, any legally adopted child, any stepchild or child if a member of the veteran's household, or any nonmarital child if the veteran acknowledges paternity or paternity has been otherwise established.

Note: Moves the definition of "child" applicable to ss. 45.35, 45.351, and 45.356, previously a part of the definition of "dependent" in s. 45.35 (5m), to a separate provision for easier access. The definition of "dependent" is renumbered to s. 45.348 (2) by this bill.

AB934, s. 92 Section 92. 45.35 (3d) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 16, is amended to read:

AB934,36,19 45.35 (3d) (b) The council on veterans programs and the department, jointly or separately, shall submit a report regarding the council on veterans programs to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) by November 1, 1989, and by September 30 of every odd-numbered year thereafter. The report shall include a general summary of the activities and membership over the past 2 years of the council and each organization on the council.

Note: An outdated transition provision is deleted.

AB934, s. 93 Section 93. 45.35 (4) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 16, is amended to read:

AB934,37,7 45.35 (4) (a) The secretary shall appoint under the classified service such persons as are necessary to carry out the policy of the board and for the proper conduct of the Wisconsin veterans museum Veterans Museum. All persons appointed by the department shall, if possible, be veterans as defined in sub. (5) and preference shall be given to disabled veterans.

Note: Conforms capitalization to current style.

AB934, s. 94 Section 94. 45.35 (5) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB934,37,9 45.35 (5) (title) Spouses and dependents entitlement to benefits.

Note: See the treatment of s. 45.35 (5) (d) by Section 98 this bill.

AB934, s. 95 Section 95. 45.35 (5) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 45.001 (4) (a), and 45.001 (4) (a) (intro.), 1. (intro.) and a. to c. and 2. (intro.) and a., as renumbered, are amended to read:

AB934,37,18 45.001 (4) (a) (intro.) "Veteran" as used in this chapter, except Except as used in s. 45.358 or 45.37 and or subch. II or unless otherwise modified, and except as provided in par. (b), "veteran" means any person who has served on active duty under honorable conditions in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces, except service on active duty for training purposes, and who meets all of the following conditions:

AB934,37,21 1. (intro.) The person Except as provided in par. (c), is a resident of and living in this state at the time of making application, or is deceased, and meets one of the following conditions: