SB381: Bill Text

LRB-3821/1

MDK:wlj:pg

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Senate BILL 381

October 13, 2005 - Introduced by Senators Cowles, Kedzie and Kapanke, cosponsored by Representatives Gottlieb, Honadel, Davis, Montgomery, Nerison and Hahn. Referred to Joint Committee on Finance.

SB381,1,2 An Act relating to: low-income assistance grants made from the utility public benefits fund.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the Department of Administration (DOA) makes grants from the utility public benefits fund for "low-income assistance," which is defined as assistance to low-income households for the following: 1) weatherization and other energy conservation services (weatherization assistance); or 2) payment of energy bills or early identification or prevention of energy crises (bill payment assistance).

Current law specifies a formula for determining the amount of grants for weatherization assistance that DOA must make in a fiscal year. The formula requires DOA to spend 47 percent of the sum of the following on such grants: 1) the amount of grants made in the fiscal year by DOA for both types of low-income assistance (i.e., weatherization and bill payment assistance); 2) all moneys received in the fiscal year by the state under certain federal programs for low-income assistance; 3) all moneys spent in the fiscal year on certain low-income assistance programs administered by electric utilities; and 4) 50 percent of certain monthly fees paid by municipal electric utility customers and members of retail electric cooperatives.

This bill changes the formula for fiscal year 2005-06. Instead of specifying the amount that DOA must make in grants for weatherization assistance, the bill specifies the amount that DOA is allowed to make in grants for bill payment assistance in fiscal year 2005-06. Under the bill, DOA is allowed in fiscal year 2005-06 to spend an amount no greater than $10,000,000 plus 53 percent of the sum described above on grants for bill payment assistance. The bill's formula applies only in fiscal year 2005-06. In subsequent fiscal years, the formula under current law applies to DOA.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB381, s. 1 Section 1. Nonstatutory provisions.

SB381,2,7 (1) Notwithstanding section 16.957 (2) (a) of the statutes, in fiscal year 2005-06, the department of administration may expend from the appropriation under section 20.505 (3) (r) of the statutes for low-income assistance, as defined in section 16.957 (1) (L) of the statutes, other than assistance for weatherization or other energy conservation services, an amount not greater than $10,000,000 plus 53 percent of the sum of the following:

SB381,2,9 (a) All moneys received in fiscal year 2005-06 from the federal government under 42 USC 6861 to 6873 and 42 USC 8621 to 8629.

SB381,2,11 (b) All moneys spent in fiscal year 2005-06 for low-income programs established under section 196.374 of the statutes.

SB381,2,13 (c) All moneys spent in fiscal year 2005-06 on programs established under section 16.957 (2) (a) of the statutes.

SB381,2,15 (d) Fifty percent of the moneys collected in fiscal year 2005-06 in public benefits fees under section 16.957 (5) of the statutes.

SB381,2,16 (End)