AB63: Bill Text

LRB-0692/2

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2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE

2007 Assembly BILL 63

February 13, 2007 - Introduced by Representatives Wieckert, Musser, Turner, Hines, Petrowski, Berceau, Lothian, Mursau, Albers, Kestell, Jeskewitz, Townsend, Owens, M. Williams, Bies, Gundrum, A. Ott and Nerison, cosponsored by Senators Plale, Sullivan, A. Lasee, Wirch, Kanavas, Breske, Darling, Lassa, Schultz, Roessler and Lazich. Referred to Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.

AB63,1,3 An Act to amend 14.16 (9); and to create 14.16 (9m) and 45.09 of the statutes; relating to: Hire a Veteran Week, Veteran Recognition Week, and veterans who volunteer in schools.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill changes the "Hire a Veteran Week" from the second week in November to the week of November in which November 11 falls. The bill also designates the seven-day period that ends on November 11 as "Veteran Recognition Week," to recognize the contributions and sacrifices veterans have made to our society. Under the bill, the governor annually issues a proclamation encouraging all citizens to honor veterans during that week, emphasizing efforts at teaching students about the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to award a certificate of achievement and appreciation to veterans who voluntarily serve in private or public schools. To receive the certificate, the veteran must complete 20 hours of service in a classroom that involves direct contact with students, emphasizing the lessons the veteran learned from his or her military experience.

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

AB63, s. 1 Section 1. 14.16 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB63,2,6 14.16 (9) Hire a Veteran Week. To recognize the contribution veterans have made to our society and the special needs of unemployed veterans and to encourage the hiring of unemployed veterans, the 2nd week of November that starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday and in which November 11 falls is designated "Hire a Veteran Week".." The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of "Hire a Veteran Week" encouraging all employers to hire veterans.

AB63, s. 2 Section 2. 14.16 (9m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB63,2,14 14.16 (9m) Veteran Recognition Week. To recognize the contribution and sacrifices veterans have made to our society, including those who have given their lives in service, the 7-day period that ends on November 11 is designated "Veteran Recognition Week." The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of "Veteran Recognition Week" encouraging all citizens to honor veterans during the week, emphasizing educational efforts directed at teaching students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

AB63, s. 3 Section 3. 45.09 of the statutes is created to read:

AB63,2,16 45.09 Veterans as classroom volunteers. (1) In this section:

AB63,2,17 (a) "Private school" has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (3r).

AB63,2,18 (b) "Public school" has the meaning given in s. 115.01 (1).

AB63,2,19 (c) "School term" has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (12).

AB63,2,22 (2) Subject to sub. (3), the department shall award a certificate of achievement and appreciation to any veteran who completes 20 hours of volunteer service in a public or private school during a school term.

AB63,2,24 (3) A certificate shall be awarded under sub. (2) if all of the following requirements are met:

AB63,3,3 (a) The volunteer service consists of classroom service that involves direct interaction with pupils, with an emphasis on sharing the lessons the veteran learned from his or her military experience.

AB63,3,5 (b) The veteran is not an employee of the school or school district during the term in which the volunteer service takes place.

AB63,3,9 (c) By July 1 after the school term in which the volunteer service takes place, the veteran submits to the department a form signed by the school principal or school district administrator verifying that the veteran fulfilled the 20 hours of volunteer service specified under par. (a).

AB63,3,10 (End)