AB723: Bill Text

AB723,19,21 4. After the department of transportation provides any notice specified in s. 66.1041 (7) (a), the southeastern regional transit authority consists of the participating political subdivisions of all interim regional transit authorities identified in that notice and identified in any prior notice provided by the department under s. 66.1041 (7) (a). If Racine County was not a participating political subdivision of an interim regional transit authority at the time that the department of transportation provided the notice specified in s. 66.1041 (7) (a) identifying an interim regional transit authority with participating political subdivisions located in Racine County, Racine County may subsequently join the southeastern regional transit authority if the governing body of Racine County adopts a resolution to join the authority and the board of directors of the authority approves. The bylaws of the authority shall specify the necessary contents of such a resolution.

AB723,19,24 5. After the department of transportation provides the first notice specified in s. 66.1041 (7) (a), all of the following apply with respect to the authority's board of directors:

AB723,20,3 a. If any member of the board of directors described in par. (c) 1. a. to g. is from a political subdivision that is not a participating political subdivision in an interim regional transit authority, the board of directors may vote to remove that member.

AB723,20,7 b. Any member of the board of directors described in par. (c) 1. a. to g. that is from a political subdivision which is not a participating political subdivision in an interim regional transit authority, and that has not been removed under subd. 5. a., is limited to voting on issues directly related to the KRM commuter rail line.

AB723,20,12 6. After the department of transportation provides the first notice specified in s. 66.1041 (7) (a), in addition to the authorization under par. (f) 2., the authority may use bond proceeds from the bonds issued under par. (f) for the construction of new capital improvements to the authority's transit system or for the acquisition of existing transit systems.

AB723,20,18 7. a. Except as provided in subds. 7. c. and d., after the department of transportation provides the first notice specified in s. 66.1041 (7) (a), the authority may expend revenues generated by the authority from sources described in s. 66.1041 (6) (a) for purposes related to the KRM commuter rail line only if these revenues are expended in proportion to ridership of the KRM commuter rail line in the political subdivision, as calculated under subd. 7. b.

AB723,21,2 b. Annually the department of transportation shall calculate ridership of the KRM commuter rail line by estimating the number of transit trips that include use of the KRM commuter rail line and that originate in each political subdivision of the authority's jurisdictional area, as well as the number of transit trips that include use of the KRM commuter rail line and that terminate in each political subdivision of the authority's jurisdictional area. For each political subdivision in the authority's jurisdictional area, the department shall provide to the authority data showing its calculations of the total number of transit trips originating or terminating in that political subdivision.

AB723,21,10 c. Except as provided in subd. 7. d., no revenues generated by the authority from sources described in s. 66.1041 (6) (a) may be expended for construction, operation, or management of the KRM commuter rail line if the expenditure would result in a reduction of transit service in the political subdivision where the revenues were generated, excluding transit service provided by the KRM commuter rail line. This subd. 7. c. does not prohibit the authority from expending revenues generated by the authority from sources described in s. 66.1041 (6) (a) for payment of debt service on bonds issued under par. (f).

AB723,21,14 d. By unanimous vote of its full authorized membership, the board of directors of the authority may expend revenues generated by the authority from sources described in s. 66.1041 (6) (a) for purposes related to the KRM commuter rail line in the manner determined by the board, notwithstanding subds. 7. a. and c.

AB723, s. 26 Section 26. 66.0301 (1) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28, is amended to read:

AB723,22,6 66.0301 (1) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), in this section "municipality" means the state or any department or agency thereof, or any city, village, town, county, school district, public library system, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district, sanitary district, farm drainage district, metropolitan sewerage district, sewer utility district, solid waste management system created under s. 59.70 (2), local exposition district created under subch. II of ch. 229, local professional baseball park district created under subch. III of ch. 229, local professional football stadium district created under subch. IV of ch. 229, local cultural arts district created under subch. V of ch. 229, transit authority created under s. 66.1039 or 66.1041 and the southeastern regional transit authority under s. 59.58 (7) to the extent it is the successor under s. 66.1041 (7) (b) to a transit authority created under s. 66.1041, long-term care district under s. 46.2895, water utility district, mosquito control district, municipal electric company, county or city transit commission, commission created by contract under this section, taxation district, regional planning commission, or city-county health department.

AB723, s. 27 Section 27. 66.0615 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 66.0615 (1) (ah).

AB723, s. 28 Section 28. 66.0615 (1) (ad) of the statutes is created to read:

AB723,22,10 66.0615 (1) (ad) "Authority" has the meaning given in s. 66.1041 (1) (a) for an interim regional transit authority.

AB723, s. 29 Section 29. 66.0615 (1) (ge) of the statutes is created to read:

AB723,22,13 66.0615 (1) (ge) "Transit authority" has the meaning given in s. 59.58 (7) (a) 1. for the southeastern regional transit authority.

AB723, s. 30 Section 30. 66.0615 (1m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB723,23,5 66.0615 (1m) (a) The governing body of a municipality may enact an ordinance,; and a district, under par. (e), an authority under par. (ee), and a transit authority under par. (em), may adopt a resolution, ; imposing a tax on the privilege of furnishing, at retail, except sales for resale, rooms or lodging to transients by hotelkeepers, motel operators and other persons furnishing accommodations that are available to the public, irrespective of whether membership is required for use of the accommodations. A tax imposed under this paragraph is not subject to the selective sales tax imposed by s. 77.52 (2) (a) 1. and may not be imposed on sales to the federal government and persons listed under s. 77.54 (9a). A tax imposed under this paragraph by a municipality shall be paid to the municipality and may be forwarded to a commission if one is created under par. (c), as provided in par. (d). Except as provided in par. (am), a tax imposed under this paragraph by a municipality may not exceed 8% 8 percent. Except as provided in par. (am), if a tax greater than 8% 8 percent under this paragraph is in effect on May 13, 1994, the municipality imposing the tax shall reduce the tax to 8% 8 percent, effective on June 1, 1994.

AB723, s. 31 Section 31. 66.0615 (1m) (ee) of the statutes is created to read:

AB723,23,11 66.0615 (1m) (ee) 1. An authority may adopt a resolution imposing a room tax under par. (a) in an amount not to exceed 2 percent of total room charges. A room tax imposed by an authority under this subdivision applies within the authority's jurisdiction, as specified in s. 66.1041 (2) (d), and the proceeds of the tax may be used for any lawful purpose of the authority.

AB723,23,15 2. An authority adopting a resolution to impose the taxes under subd. 1., or adopting a resolution to discontinue the collection of such taxes, shall deliver a certified copy of the resolution to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date.

AB723,23,21 3. The department of revenue shall administer the tax that is imposed under par. (a) by an authority and may take any action, conduct any proceeding, and impose interest and penalties. Sections 77.51 (12m), (14), (14g), (15a), and (15b), 77.52 (3), (4), (13), (14), (18), and (19), 77.522, 77.58 (1) to (5), (6m), and (7), 77.585, 77.59, 77.60, 77.61 (2), (3m), (5), (8), (9), and (12) to (15), and 77.62, as they apply to the taxes under subch. III of ch. 77, apply to the tax described under subd. 1.

AB723,24,7 4. From the appropriation under s. 20.835 (4) (gg), the department of revenue shall distribute 97.45 percent of the taxes collected under this paragraph for each authority to that authority and shall indicate to the authority the taxes reported by each taxpayer in that authority, no later than the end of the month following the end of the calendar quarter in which the amounts were collected. The taxes distributed shall be increased or decreased to reflect subsequent refunds, audit adjustments, and all other adjustments. Interest paid on refunds of the tax under this paragraph shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.835 (4) (gg) at the rate under s. 77.60 (1) (a). Any authority that receives a report along with a payment under this subdivision or subd. 3. is subject to the duties of confidentiality to which the department of revenue is subject under s. 77.61 (5).

AB723, s. 32 Section 32. 66.0615 (1m) (em) of the statutes is created to read:

AB723,24,18 66.0615 (1m) (em) 1. Following the completion of a winding down, dissolution, and transition process described in s. 66.1041 (7), and a transit authority becoming the successor to the authorities that were created under s. 66.1041 and that have been identified in a notice under s. 66.1041 (7) (a), and following a transit authority's assumption of responsibility for providing transit service and transit planning as described in s. 59.58 (7) (n) 2., a transit authority may adopt a resolution imposing a room tax under par. (a) in an amount not to exceed 2 percent of total room charges. A room tax imposed by a transit authority under this subdivision applies within the authority's jurisdiction, as specified in subd. 2., and the proceeds of the tax may be used for any lawful purpose of the transit authority.

AB723,24,23 2. a. For all purposes except those specified in subd. 2. b., upon assuming responsibility for transit service and transit planning as described in subd. 1., the jurisdictional area of the transit authority shall be the combined jurisdictional areas of all authorities identified in any notice provided by the department of transportation under s. 66.1041 (7) (a).

AB723,25,3 b. For purposes of imposing the taxes under this paragraph, the transit authority's jurisdictional area shall not include the jurisdictional area of any authority that did not impose the taxes under par. (ee) before the department of transportation provided the notice specified in s. 66.1041 (7) (a) identifying that authority.

AB723,25,22 3. Each time the transit authority adopts a resolution to impose the taxes under subd. 1., or adopts a resolution to discontinue the collection of such taxes, it shall deliver a certified copy of the resolution to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date. Each time the transit authority adopts a resolution as provided in subd. 1., it shall specify to the department of revenue the exact boundaries of the transit authority's jurisdictional area. If the boundaries are other than a county line on any side of the transit authority's jurisdictional area, the transit authority shall provide the department with a complete list of all of the 9-digit zip codes that are entirely within the transit authority's jurisdictional area and a complete list of all the street addresses that are within the transit authority's jurisdictional area and not included in any 9-digit zip code that is entirely within the transit authority's jurisdictional area. The transit authority shall provide a certified copy of the information required under this subdivision to the department, in the manner, format, and layout prescribed by the department, at least 120 days prior to the resolution's effective date. If the boundaries of the transit authority's jurisdictional area subsequently change, the transit authority shall submit a certified copy of the information required under this subdivision to the department, in the manner, format, and layout prescribed by the department, at least 120 days prior to the change's effective date.

AB723,25,24 4. Paragraph (ee) 3. and 4., to the extent that it applies to the tax under that paragraph, applies to the tax under this paragraph.

AB723, s. 33 Section 33. 66.0903 (1) (d) of the statutes, as affected by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28, is amended to read:

AB723,26,9 66.0903 (1) (d) "Local governmental unit" means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an instrumentality or corporation of such a political subdivision or special purpose district, a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing or an instrumentality of the state and any of the foregoing. "Local governmental unit" includes a regional transit authority created under s. 66.1039, an interim regional transit authority created under s. 66.1041, and the southeastern regional transit authority created under s. 59.58 (7).

AB723, s. 34 Section 34. 66.1041 of the statutes is created to read:

AB723,26,12 66.1041 Interim regional transit authorities. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB723,26,14 (a) Except as used in par. (g), "authority" means an interim regional transit authority created under this section.

AB723,26,18 (b) "Comprehensive unified local transit system" means a transit system that is comprised of motor bus lines and any other local public transit facilities, the major portion of which is located within, or the major portion of the service of which is supplied to the inhabitants of, the jurisdictional area of the authority.

AB723,26,19 (c) "Department" means the department of transportation.

AB723,26,20 (d) "Municipality" means any city, village, or town.

AB723,26,23 (e) "Participating political subdivision" means a political subdivision that has adopted a resolution creating an authority or joining an established authority under this section.

AB723,26,24 (f) "Political subdivision" means a municipality or county.

AB723,27,2 (g) "Southeastern regional transit authority" means the southeastern regional transit authority created under s. 59.58 (7).

AB723,27,4 (h) "Southeast Wisconsin" means the geographical area comprising the counties of Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, and Waukesha.

AB723,27,14 (i) "Transit system" means all land, shops, structures, equipment, property, franchises, and rights of whatever nature required for transit of passengers within the jurisdictional area of the authority and outside the jurisdictional area of the authority. "Transit system" includes motor buses, fixed guideway transit, ridesharing, specialized transportation, motor vehicles, elevated railroads, subways, underground railroads, and any combination thereof, and any other form of mass transit, but does not include transportation excluded from the definition of "common motor carrier" under s. 194.01 (1), charter or contract operations to, from, or between points that are outside the jurisdictional area of the authority, or travel by aircraft flight.

AB723,27,21 (2) Creation of authority. (a) Subject to pars. (e) and (f), the governing body of a political subdivision in southeast Wisconsin may, by resolution, create an authority consisting of the political subdivision or may join together with one or more other political subdivisions to jointly create, by adopting identical resolutions, an authority. An authority created under this section is a public body corporate and politic and shall be known as an "interim regional transit authority." The authority may transact business and exercise any powers granted to it under this section.

AB723,28,7 (b) 1. Subject to par. (f), and except as provided in subd. 2., if an authority has been created under par. (a), a political subdivision may join the authority if the governing body of the political subdivision adopts a resolution identical to the existing resolutions of the authority's participating political subdivisions or, if the authority is created by a single political subdivision, identical to the existing resolution of the authority's participating political subdivision, and if the authority's board of directors adopts a resolution allowing the political subdivision to join the authority. For purposes of determining whether a resolution adopted under this subdivision is identical to an existing resolution of the authority, both the resolutions adopted under par. (a) to create the authority and any modifications to those resolutions under par. (g) shall be considered.

AB723,28,16 2. The resolution of a political subdivision adopted under subd. 1. may differ from each existing resolution by specifying what the composition of the authority's board of directors will be after the political subdivision has joined the authority, but this resolution must be consistent with the authority's bylaws as described in sub. (3) (b) 3. If the authority's board of directors thereafter adopts a resolution allowing the political subdivision to join the authority, the board of directors thereby agrees to the new composition of the authority's board of directors specified in the resolution of the joining political subdivision and any existing resolution is considered modified under par. (g) 2. to reflect this new board composition.

AB723,28,18 (c) Any resolution creating an authority under par. (a) or joining an authority under par. (b) shall specify all of the following:

AB723,28,21 1. Subject to sub. (3) (b), the composition of the authority's board of directors and other matters relating to the selection, terms, and duties of the board of directors.

AB723,28,24 2. All revenue sources on which the authority will rely for funding and the minimum amount of revenue that the authority will commit to satisfy the revenue requirements for the authority specified in this section.

AB723,29,4 (d) The jurisdictional area of an authority is the geographic area formed by the combined territorial boundaries of all participating political subdivisions of the authority. If the authority includes a county as a participating political subdivision, the jurisdictional area of the authority is the territorial boundaries of the county.

AB723,29,5 (e) An authority may be created under par. (a) only if all of the following apply:

AB723,29,8 1. At least one of the political subdivisions creating the authority operated a transit system receiving funding under s. 85.20 on the effective date of this subdivision .... [LRB inserts date].

AB723,29,15 2. The political subdivision or political subdivisions creating the authority commit to provide funding for the authority, upon creation, in an amount of at least the political subdivision's property tax levy contribution to transit as of one year prior to the effective date of this subdivision .... [LRB inserts date], and also make a commitment that the authority, after creation, will meet the revenue requirements specified in sub. (6) through one or more of the revenue sources identified in par. (c) 2.

AB723,29,17 (f) An authority may not include more than one county. An authority may not include municipalities located in different counties.

AB723,29,23 (g) 1. Subject to subds. 2. and 3., if an authority has been created under this subsection, the participating political subdivisions of the authority may amend or modify their resolutions creating or joining the authority if, after any amendment or modification, the resolutions of all participating political subdivisions of the authority remain identical and continue to satisfy the requirements under this subsection.

AB723,30,9 2. If a political subdivision joins an authority under par. (b), the participating political subdivisions of the authority may amend or modify their existing resolutions to accomplish any changes necessary to reflect the addition of the new political subdivision to the authority, including any changes to the composition of the authority's board of directors. In lieu of expressly amending or modifying their existing resolutions, the participating political subdivisions of the authority may also effect changes to the composition of the authority's board of directors, in connection with the addition of a new political subdivision to the authority, by means of the approval process specified in par. (b) 2., in which case the existing resolutions of the participating political subdivisions are considered modified to reflect the new composition of the authority's board of directors.

AB723,30,17 3. In lieu of expressly amending or modifying the existing resolutions of the participating political subdivisions of an authority to reflect changes in the rate of, or amount from, any revenue sources specified in par. (c) 2. or in the minimum amount of revenue specified in par. (c) 2., these changes may be made by a vote of the authority's board of directors if, after the changes, the authority continues to satisfy the revenue requirements specified in sub. (6). After such a vote, the existing resolutions of the participating political subdivisions are considered modified to reflect these changes.

AB723,30,23 (3) Governance of authority. (a) The powers of an authority shall be vested in its board of directors. A majority of the board of directors' full authorized membership constitutes a quorum for the purpose of conducting the authority's business and exercising its powers. Action may be taken by the board of directors upon a vote of a majority of the directors present and voting, unless the bylaws of the authority require a larger number.

AB723,31,3 (b) The board of directors of an authority shall be determined as provided in resolutions creating the authority under sub. (2) (a) or joining an existing authority under sub. (2) (b) except that all of the following shall apply:

AB723,31,5 1. The board of directors shall consist of at least 5 members and not more than 9 members.

AB723,31,7 2. The board of directors shall include at least one member from the authority's jurisdictional area, appointed by the governor.

AB723,31,10 3. Subject to subds. 1. and 2., the bylaws of the authority shall specify a procedure and guidelines for changing board membership upon the joinder of a political subdivision under sub. (2) (b).

AB723,31,12 4. Notwithstanding subds. 1. to 3., the board of directors of an authority that includes Milwaukee County shall consist of the following members:

AB723,31,14 a. Two members from the authority's jurisdictional area, appointed by the Milwaukee County board chairperson.

AB723,31,17 b. One member from that portion of the authority's jurisdictional area that is outside the city of Milwaukee, appointed by the Milwaukee County board chairperson.

AB723,31,18 c. One member, appointed by the mayor of the city of Milwaukee.

AB723,31,20 d. One member from the authority's jurisdictional area, appointed by the governor.

AB723,31,23 (4) Authority powers and duties. (a) Notwithstanding s. 59.84 (2) and any other provision of this chapter or ch. 59 or 85, an authority shall do all of the following:

AB723,32,2 1. Provide, or contract with existing transit providers for the provision of, transit service within the authority's jurisdictional area, except that an authority that includes Milwaukee County shall contract with the Milwaukee County board for the authority to provide transit service in Milwaukee County.

AB723,32,5 2. Provide transit planning within the authority's jurisdictional area. Each transit plan of the authority shall be submitted to the southeastern regional transit authority.

AB723,32,8 (b) Notwithstanding s. 59.84 (2) and any other provision of this chapter or ch. 59 or 85, in addition to the duties specified in par. (a), an authority may do any of the following:

AB723,32,10 1. Acquire a comprehensive unified local transit system by entering into a transfer agreement with the owner of the system.

AB723,32,11 2. Subject to sub. (5), apply for and utilize state and federal funds.

AB723,32,15 3. Subject to the provisions of par. (a) 1. relating to contracts in Milwaukee County, provide transit service, or contract for the provision of transit service, outside the authority's jurisdictional area if such transit service would benefit residents within the authority's jurisdictional area.

AB723,32,22 (5) Federal and state aid; incentive funds. Any application by an authority for federal or state funding shall first be submitted to the southeastern regional transit authority, which shall then provide the application to the appropriate federal or state agency. If the application results in the receipt of any federal or state funds, those federal or state funds shall first be received by the southeastern regional transit authority, which shall then forward the funds to the authority that provided the application.

AB723,32,25 (6) Authority revenue requirements. (a) An authority may generate revenue by doing any of the following, except that an authority that includes Milwaukee County may generate revenue only as provided in subd. 3.:

AB723,33,1 1. Imposing a local vehicle registration fee under s. 341.35.

AB723,33,2 2. Levying a room tax.

AB723,33,15 3. a. Imposing, by the adoption of a resolution by the board of directors, the taxes under s. 77.708, except that no authority may adopt such a resolution until a referendum is held in the authority's jurisdictional area on the question of whether the authority may impose the taxes under s. 77.708 and the referendum is decided in the affirmative. For purposes of an authority that has Milwaukee County as the boundaries of its jurisdictional area, the referendum for imposing sales and use taxes for transit purposes that was approved in 2008 in Milwaukee County satisfies the referendum requirement of this subd. 3. a. If an authority adopts a resolution to impose the taxes, it shall deliver a certified copy of the resolution to the department of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date. The authority may, by adoption of a resolution by the board of directors, repeal the imposition of the taxes under s. 77.708 and shall deliver a certified copy of the repeal resolution to the department of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date.

AB723,34,7 b. If the authority adopts a resolution as provided in subd. 3. a., it shall specify to the department of revenue the exact boundaries of the authority's jurisdictional area. If the boundaries are the same as the county lines on all sides of the authority's jurisdictional area, the resolution shall specify the county or counties that comprise the authority's entire jurisdictional area. If the boundaries are other than a county line on any side of the authority's jurisdictional area, the authority shall provide the department with a complete list of all the 9-digit zip codes that are entirely within the authority's jurisdictional area and a complete list of all the street addresses that are within the authority's jurisdictional area and not included in any 9-digit zip code that is entirely within the authority's jurisdictional area. The authority shall provide a certified copy of the information required under this subd. 3. b. to the department, in the manner, format, and layout prescribed by the department, at least 120 days prior to the resolution's effective date. If the boundaries of the authority's jurisdictional area subsequently change, the authority shall submit a certified copy of the information required under this subd. 3. b. to the department, in the manner, format, and layout prescribed by the department, at least 120 days prior to the change's effective date.

AB723,34,12 c. If the authority adopts a resolution as provided in subd. 3. a., beginning with the year in which the resolution is adopted, no participating political subdivision may levy property taxes for transit. This subd. 3. c. does not apply to the year in which the resolution is adopted if the resolution is adopted after the participating political subdivision establishes its property tax levy for transit.

AB723,34,14 4. Charging a membership fee to the participating political subdivisions of the authority.

AB723,34,19 (b) An authority shall generate revenue equal to the amount required by pars. (c) and (d). This minimum revenue requirement may be met through funding from one or a combination of revenue sources identified by resolution under sub. (2) (c) 2., including any revenue option under par. (a) except that an authority that includes Milwaukee County may not generate revenue as provided in par. (a) 1., 2., or 4.

AB723,34,21 (c) 1. Within 2 years after the creation of an authority, the authority shall do any of the following:

AB723,35,2 a. Generate revenue sufficient to offset a 30 percent reduction in passenger fare revenues resulting from transit operations or to provide an 8 percent increase in transit service, or a combination of both, as compared with passenger fare revenues and transit service as of the time that the authority was created. With this revenue, the authority shall implement either the specified reduction in passenger fares or the specified increase in transit service, or a combination of both.

AB723,35,8 b. Invest an amount, equivalent to the revenue that would be sufficient to provide an 8 percent increase in transit service, in either improving existing capital assets of the authority or making new capital purchases and improvements for the authority. An investment under this subd. 1. b. is not considered to be made until funds have actually been expended or committed for any applicable purchase or improvement.

AB723,35,11 c. If the authority includes Milwaukee County, increase transit service to a level equal to or greater than the level of transit service provided in Milwaukee County in 2001.

AB723,35,18 2. For purposes of this paragraph, a 15 percent reduction in passenger fare revenues is equivalent to a 4 percent increase in transit service. For purposes of this paragraph, increases in transit service may be calculated by the increase in either transit service miles or transit service hours regardless of whether the transit service occurs within or outside the authority's jurisdictional area, and increases in paratransit miles or paratransit hours shall be included in calculating increases in transit service miles or transit service hours.

AB723,36,6 3. Every 2 years after an authority is created under this section, the department shall determine and certify whether the authority has met the requirements specified in this paragraph. In making this determination, the department shall calculate, and make publicly available, the dollar amount of the passenger fare revenue reductions and the transit service mile or hour increases that would be necessary for the authority to satisfy the requirements under subd. 1. a., the dollar amount of the investment in existing capital asset improvements or new capital purchases and improvements that would be necessary for the authority to satisfy the requirements under subd. 1. b., and the transit service mile or hour increases that would be necessary for the authority to satisfy the requirement under subd. 1. c. In making its calculation and determination under this subdivision, the department shall consider whether, and make allowances for the fact that, any municipality or county joined the authority under sub. (2) (a) after its initial creation.

AB723,36,10 (d) 1. Within 4 years after the creation of an authority, in addition to continuing to satisfy the requirements specified in par. (c), the authority shall improve the interconnectivity of its transit system by linking with other modes of transportation and improving cross-county links.