AB255, s. 64 7Section 64. 149.10 (2t) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB255,30,118 149.10 (2t) (e) If the individual was offered the option of continuation coverage
9under a federal continuation provision or similar state program, including under
102009 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), section 9126 (2 ),
the individual elected the
11continuation coverage.
AB255, s. 65 12Section 65. 560.799 (1) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
AB255,30,1613 560.799 (1) (am) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., "full-time employee" means
14an individual who is employed in a regular, nonseasonal job and who, as a condition
15of employment, is required to work at least 2,080 hours per year, including paid leave
16and holidays.
AB255,30,2217 2. The department may by rule specify circumstances under which the
18department may grant exceptions to the requirement under subd. 1. that a full-time
19employee means an individual who, as a condition of employment, is required to work
20at least 2,080 hours per year, but under no circumstances may a full-time employee
21mean an individual who, as a condition of employment, is required to work less than
2237.5 hours per week.
AB255, s. 66 23Section 66. 560.799 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB255,31,3
1560.799 (3) (a) The department may designate not more than 10 enterprise
2zones. The department may designate an area as an enterprise zone if the area does
3not exceed 50 acres.
AB255, s. 67 4Section 67. 560.799 (3) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 560.799 (3) (b) (intro.)
5and amended to read:
AB255,31,76 560.799 (3) (b) (intro.) In determining whether to designate an area under par.
7(a), the department shall consider all of the following:
AB255,31,11 81. Indicators of the area's economic need, which may include data regarding
9household income, average wages, the condition of property, housing values,
10population decline, job losses, infrastructure and energy support, the rate of business
11development, and the existing resources available to the area; the.
AB255,31,14 122. The effect of designation on other initiatives and programs to promote
13economic and community development in the area, including job retention, job
14creation and, job training, and creating high-paying jobs.
AB255, s. 68 15Section 68. 560.799 (3) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB255,31,1816 560.799 (3) (bm) The department shall specify whether an enterprise zone
17designated under par. (a) is located in a tier I county or municipality or a tier II county
18or municipality.
AB255, s. 69 19Section 69. 560.799 (5) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
AB255,31,2220 560.799 (5) (d) A business that retains jobs in an enterprise zone, but only if
21the business makes a significant capital investment in property located in the
22enterprise zone and at least one of the following applies:
AB255,31,2423 1. The business is an original equipment manufacturer with a significant
24supply chain in the state, as determined by the department by rule.
AB255,32,2
12. More than 500 full-time employees are employed by the business in the
2enterprise zone.
AB255, s. 70 3Section 70. 560.799 (6) (g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB255,32,44 560.799 (6) (g) The department shall promulgate the following by rule:
AB255,32,75 1. The definitions of a tier I county or municipality and a tier II county or
6municipality. The department may consider all of the following information when
7establishing the definitions required under this subdivision:
AB255,32,88 a. Unemployment rate.
AB255,32,109 b. Percentage of families with incomes below the poverty line established under
1042 USC 9902 (2).
AB255,32,1111 c. Median family income.
AB255,32,1212 d. Median per capita income.
AB255,32,1413 e. Other significant or irregular indicators of economic distress, such as a
14natural disaster or mass layoff.
AB255,32,1615 2. The definition of an original equipment manufacturer with a significant
16supply chain in the state.
AB255, s. 71 17Section 71. 632.746 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB255,33,218 632.746 (3) (b) With respect to enrollment of an individual under a group health
19plan or a group health benefit plan, a period of creditable coverage after which the
20individual was not covered under any creditable coverage for a period of at least 63
21days before enrollment in the group health plan or group health benefit plan may not
22be counted. For purposes of this paragraph, the period specified in 2009 Wisconsin
23Act .... (this act), section 9126 (2 ) (i), or
any waiting period or affiliation period for
24coverage under the group health plan or group health benefit plan shall not be taken

1into account in determining the period before enrollment in the group health plan
2or group health benefit plan.
AB255, s. 9110 3Section 9110. Nonstatutory provisions; Commerce.
AB255,33,144 (1) Enterprise zone jobs credit; emergency rules. The department of
5commerce may use the procedure under section 227.24 of the statutes to promulgate
6rules under section 560.799 (6) (g) of the statutes, as created by this act.
7Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (c) and (2) of the statutes, emergency rules
8promulgated under this subsection remain in effect until July 1, 2010, or the date on
9which permanent rules take effect, whichever is sooner. Notwithstanding section
10227.24 (1) (a) and (3) of the statutes, the department is not required to provide
11evidence that promulgating a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is
12necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is
13not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated under this
14subsection.
AB255,33,2215 (2) Enterprise zone jobs credit; economic impact report. Notwithstanding
16sections 227.137 (2) and 227.138 (2) of the statutes, if the secretary of administration
17requires the department of commerce to prepare an economic impact report for the
18rules required under section 560.799 (6) (g) of the statutes, as created by this act, the
19department may submit the proposed rules to the legislature for review under
20section 227.19 (2) of the statutes before the department completes the economic
21impact report and before the department receives a copy of the report and approval
22under section 227.138 (2) of the statutes.
AB255, s. 9126 23Section 9126. Nonstatutory provisions; Insurance.
AB255,33,2424 (1) Definitions. In this section, unless the context requires otherwise:
AB255,34,2
1(a) "Covered employee" means a person who was previously covered under an
2employer's group policy.
AB255,34,43 (b) "Federal act" means the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,
4P.L. 111-5.
AB255,34,65 (c) "Group policy" has the meaning given in section 632.897 (1) (c) 1., 2., and
63. of the statutes.
AB255,34,97 (d) "Insurer" includes an insurer that issues a group policy that replaces or
8succeeds a group policy in effect on the date that a terminated insured is first entitled
9to elect continuation of coverage.
AB255,34,1110 (e) "State eligible individual" means a covered employee, or the spouse or
11dependent of a covered employee, to whom all of the following apply:
AB255,34,15 121. The covered employee's employment is involuntarily terminated during the
13period that begins on September 1, 2008, and ends on December 31, 2009, and that
14involuntary termination is the qualifying event for continuation of coverage for the
15covered employee or the spouse or dependent of the covered employee.
AB255,34,19 162. The covered employee or spouse or dependent of the covered employee is not
17eligible for continuation of coverage under a federal continuation provision, as
18defined in section 632.745 (8) of the statutes, and becomes eligible for continuation
19of coverage under section 632.897 of the statutes during any of the following:
AB255,34,21 20a. The period that begins on September 1, 2008, and ends before the effective
21date of this subdivision 2. a.
AB255,34,23 22b. The period that begins on the effective date of this subdivision 2. b . and ends
23before January 1, 2010.
AB255,34,2524 (f) "Terminated insured" has the meaning given in section 632.897 (1) (f) of the
25statutes.
AB255,35,2
1(2) Additional continuation coverage election opportunity for state
2eligible individuals eligible prior to the effective date of this subsection.
AB255,35,83 (a) Notwithstanding section 632.897 (2) (d) and (3) (a) of the statutes, an
4insurer shall permit a terminated insured, on behalf of a state eligible individual who
5became eligible during the period described under subsection (1) (e ) 2. a . and who
6does not have continuation coverage on the effective date of this paragraph, to elect
7continuation of coverage during a 60-day period beginning on the date of the notice
8required to be provided under paragraph (b ) or (c).
AB255,35,159 (b) An employer of a terminated insured who may elect continuation of
10coverage for a state eligible individual described in paragraph (a) shall provide notice
11to the terminated insured that he or she has the right to elect continuation of
12coverage for the state eligible individual, regardless of whether the employer has
13already provided notice to the individual under section 632.897 (2) (d) of the statutes,
14subject to paragraph (g) 1. The notice under this paragraph must satisfy all of the
15following requirements:
AB255,35,17 161. The notice must be provided no later than 10 days after the effective date of
17this subdivision.
AB255,35,20 182. The notice must include information substantially in the form and be
19provided in the manner required for the notice required under section 3001 (a) (7)
20of the federal act.
AB255,35,22 213. The notice form must be modified appropriately to reflect that the right to
22elect continuation of coverage is governed by this subsection.
AB255,35,25 234. The notice must include a description of the individual's right to, and the
24effect of, electing continuation of coverage under this subsection and under section
25632.897 of the statutes.
AB255,36,5
1(c) If an employer that is required to provide the notice under paragraph (b)
2fails to provide the notice required under paragraph (b ), the insurer that would be
3responsible for providing continuation of coverage to the state eligible individual if
4the terminated insured were to elect continuation of coverage on behalf of the state
5eligible individual shall provide the notice specified in paragraph (b).
AB255,36,96 (d) The notice under paragraph (b) or (c) is not effective, and the 60-day period
7for electing continuation of coverage does not commence, unless the notice under
8paragraph (b) or (c) is provided and contains the information required under
9paragraph (b).
AB255,36,1710 (e) For a state eligible individual who became eligible for continuation of
11coverage under section 632.897 of the statutes before February 17, 2009, and who did
12not have continuation of coverage on February 17, 2009, continuation of coverage
13that is elected under this subsection shall be effective as of the date of the first
14coverage period after February 17, 2009, and is not required to extend beyond the
15period of coverage that would have been required under section 632.897 of the
16statutes had the individual elected continuation of coverage when originally eligible
17instead of under this subsection.
AB255,36,2518 (f) For a state eligible individual who became eligible for continuation of
19coverage under section 632.897 of the statutes on or after February 17, 2009, but
20before the effective date of this paragraph, continuation of coverage that is elected
21under this subsection shall commence on the date the state eligible individual was
22originally eligible and coverage is not required to extend beyond the period of
23coverage that would have been required under section 632.897 of the statutes had
24the individual elected continuation of coverage when originally eligible instead of
25under this subsection.
AB255,37,3
1(g) 1. Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to a state eligible individual if the
2employer or insurer provided a notice under section 632.897 (2) (d) of the statutes
3that included the information required under paragraph (b).
AB255,37,7 42. If an employer or insurer provided notice that complies with paragraph (b )
5before the effective date of this subdivision, the notice is effective for the purpose of
6this section and the 60-day period under paragraph (a ) begins on the date the notice
7was provided.
AB255,37,108 (h) An individual who elects continuation of coverage under this subsection
9shall have elected continuation of coverage for the purpose of section 149.10 (2t) (e)
10of the statutes, as affected by this act.
AB255,37,1611 (i) For an individual who elects continuation of coverage under this subsection,
12the period, if any, from the date of the termination of the individual's coverage as a
13result of the qualifying event under section 632.897 (2) (b) of the statutes to the
14commencement of continuation of coverage under this subsection shall be
15disregarded for the purpose of determining the 63-day period under section 632.746
16(3) (b) of the statutes, as affected by this act.
AB255,37,2417 (3) Notice for state eligible individuals eligible beginning on the effective
18date of this subsection.
An employer of a terminated insured who may elect
19continuation of coverage for a state eligible individual who becomes eligible for
20continuation of coverage under section 632.897 of the statutes during the period
21under subsection (1) (e) 2 . b. shall provide notice under section 632.897 (2) (d) of the
22statutes, except that the notice must include information substantially in the form
23and be provided in the manner required for the notice under section 3001 (a) (7) of
24the federal act.
AB255,37,2525 (4) Continuation coverage rules.
AB255,38,8
1(a) Notwithstanding section 632.897 of the statutes and subsections (1), (2 ),
2and (3), the commissioner of insurance may promulgate rules establishing standards
3requiring insurers to provide continuation of coverage for any individual covered at
4any time under a group policy who is a state eligible individual to whom subsection
5(2) or (3) applies or an assistance eligible individual, as defined under section 3001
6(a) (3) of the federal act, including rules governing election or extension of election
7periods, notice, rates, premiums, premium payment, application of preexisting
8condition exclusions, and election of alternative coverage.
AB255,38,179 (b) The commissioner may promulgate the rules under paragraph (a) as
10emergency rules under section 227.24 of the statutes. Notwithstanding section
11227.24 (1) (c) of the statutes, emergency rules promulgated under this paragraph
12may remain in effect for one year and may be extended under section 227.24 (2) of
13the statutes. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a) and (3) of the statutes, the
14commissioner is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under this
15paragraph as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of public peace,
16health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a
17rule promulgated under this paragraph.
AB255, s. 9137 18Section 9137. Nonstatutory provisions; Natural Resources.
AB255,38,2019 (1) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for clean water fund
20projects.
AB255,39,221 (a) If this state receives moneys under P.L. 111-5 as a capitalization grant for
22clean water state revolving loan funds under the federal Water Pollution Control Act,
23the department of natural resources and the department of administration may, as
24provided in this subsection, allocate the funds, before July 1, 2011, for financial

1assistance to municipalities under section 281.58 of the statutes for projects eligible
2to receive financial assistance under that section.
AB255,39,103 (b) Notwithstanding sections 281.58 (9m) (c) and 281.59 (3e) (a) of the statutes,
4applications may be approved and funds may be allocated and expended for projects
5under this subsection before the 2009-11 biennial budget act is enacted. The amount
6of present value of the subsidy for financial assistance provided under this
7subsection equals $105,948,300. This is in addition to any amounts specified under
8section 281.59 (3e) (b) of the statutes. The department of natural resources may
9establish a percentage limit on the amount of financial assistance available under
10this subsection that may be received by any eligible applicant.
AB255,39,2211 (c) The department of natural resources and the department of administration
12may provide financial assistance under this subsection in the form of grants or loans.
13Eligibility for grants under this subsection is not limited to municipalities eligible
14under section 281.58 (13) of the statutes. The department of natural resources may
15waive the limit under section 281.58 (8) (g) of the statutes in providing financial
16assistance under this subsection to a municipality eligible for financial assistance
17under section 281.58 (13) of the statutes. Loans under this subsection may be
18provided at rates that differ from the rates under section 281.58 (12) of the statutes,
19including negative interest rates that result in total payments that are less than the
20principal amounts of the loans. A financial assistance agreement for a loan under
21this subsection may provide for forgiveness of a portion of the principal amount of
22the loan.
AB255,40,223 (d) The department of natural resources may establish a different deadline for
24submitting notice of intent to apply for financial assistance for the purposes of this
25subsection than the deadline in section 281.58 (8m) of the statutes. The department

1may also establish a deadline for submitting applications for financial assistance
2under this subsection.
AB255,40,43 (e) In determining which projects to provide financial assistance under this
4subsection, the department of natural resources may consider any of the following:
AB255,40,5 51. Readiness of a project to proceed to construction.
AB255,40,6 62. The unemployment rate in the county in which a project is located.
AB255,40,9 73. The extent to which a project promotes water efficiency or energy efficiency;
8is environmentally innovative; or uses natural systems or engineered systems that
9mimic natural processes, also called green infrastructure.
AB255,40,10 104. The geographic distribution of projects.
AB255,40,1311 (f) Notwithstanding section 227.10 (1) of the statutes, the department of
12natural resources and the department of administration are not required to
13promulgate rules for the purposes of this subsection.
AB255,40,1514 (2) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for safe drinking
15water projects.
AB255,40,2116 (a) If this state receives moneys under P.L. 111-5 as a capitalization grant
17under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the department of natural resources and
18the department of administration may, as provided in this subsection, obligate the
19funds before July 1, 2011, for financial assistance to local governmental units under
20section 281.61 of the statutes for projects eligible to receive financial assistance
21under that section.
AB255,41,422 (b) Notwithstanding sections 281.59 (3s) (a) and 281.61 (7) (c) of the statutes,
23applications may be approved and funds may be allocated and expended for projects
24under this subsection before the 2009-11 biennial budget act is enacted. The amount
25of present value of the subsidy for financial assistance provided under this

1subsection equals $37,750,000. This is in addition to any amounts specified under
2section 281.59 (3s) (b) of the statutes. The department of natural resources may
3establish a percentage limit on the amount of financial assistance available under
4this subsection that may be received by any eligible applicant.
AB255,41,125 (c) The department of natural resources and the department of administration
6may provide financial assistance under this subsection in the form of grants or loans,
7notwithstanding section 281.61 (2r) of the statutes. Loans under this subsection may
8be provided at rates that differ from the rates under section 281.61 (11) of the
9statutes, including negative interest rates that result in total payments that are less
10than the principal amounts of the loans. A financial assistance agreement for a loan
11under this subsection may provide for forgiveness of a portion of the principal
12amount of the loan.
AB255,41,1813 (d) The department of natural resources may establish a different deadline for
14submitting notice of intent to apply for financial assistance for the purposes of this
15subsection than the deadline in section 281.61 (3) of the statutes. If the department
16of natural resources has not received sufficient applications by the deadline under
17section 281.61 (5) of the statutes to use all of the funds described in paragraph (a),
18it may waive the deadline.
AB255,41,2019 (e) In determining which projects to provide financial assistance under this
20subsection, the department of natural resources may consider any of the following:
AB255,41,21 211. Readiness of a project to proceed to construction.
AB255,41,22 222. The unemployment rate in the county in which a project is located.
AB255,41,25 233. The extent to which a project promotes water efficiency or energy efficiency;
24is environmentally innovative; or uses natural systems or engineered systems that
25mimic natural processes, also called green infrastructure.
AB255,42,1
14. The geographic distribution of projects.
AB255,42,42 (f) Notwithstanding section 227.10 (1) of the statutes, the department of
3natural resources and the department of administration are not required to
4promulgate rules for the purposes of this subsection.
AB255, s. 9343 5Section 9343. Initial applicability; Revenue.
AB255,42,126 (1) Enterprise zone jobs credit. The treatment of sections 71.07 (3w) (a) 3.,
75d., and 5e. and (b) 1. a. and b., 2., 3., and 5., 71.28 (3w) (a) 3., 5d., and 5e. and (b)
81. a. and b., 2., 3., and 5., and 71.47 (3w) (a) 3., 5d., and 5e. and (b) 1. a. and b., 2., 3.,
9and 5. of the statutes, the renumbering and amendment of sections 71.07 (3w) (bm),
1071.28 (3w) (bm), and 71.47 (3w) (bm) of the statutes, and the creation of sections 71.07
11(3w) (bm) 2., 71.28 (3w) (bm) 2., and 71.47 (3w) (bm) 2. of the statutes first apply to
12taxable years beginning on January 1, 2009.
AB255, s. 9356 13Section 9356. Initial applicability; Workforce Development.
AB255,42,1714 (1) Terminations of employment. The treatment of sections 108.04 (7) (c), (h),
15(s) 1. a., b., bn., d., and e. and 2. a., b., and c., and (t), 108.14 (8n) (e) and 108.141 (7)
16(a) of the statutes first applies with respect to terminations of employment occurring
17on the effective date of this subsection.
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