AB75: Bill Text

AB75, s. 754 Section 754. 38.24 (7) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB75,477,10 38.24 (7) (bm) Before the district board may grant a remission of fees under par. (b), the district board shall require the resident student to apply to the payment of those fees all educational assistance to which the resident student is entitled under 38 USC 3319. This requirement applies notwithstanding the fact that the resident student may be entitled to educational assistance under 38 USC 3500 to 3566 as well as under 38 USC 3319. For a resident student who is entitled to educational assistance under both 38 USC 3500 to 3566 and 38 USC 3319, if the amount of educational assistance, other than educational assistance for tuition, to which the resident student is entitled under 38 USC 3500 to 3566 is greater than the amount of educational assistance, other than educational assistance for tuition, to which the resident student is entitled under 38 USC 3319, as determined by the higher educational aids board, the higher educational aids board shall reimburse the resident student for the difference in those amounts of educational assistance, as calculated by the higher educational aids board. The higher educational aids board shall make that determination and calculation in consultation with the board and district board.

AB75, s. 755 Section 755. 38.24 (8) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,477,15 38.24 (8) (b) The Except as provided in par. (bm), the district board shall grant full remission of the fees charged under sub. (1m) (a) to (c) for 128 credits or 8 semesters, whichever is longer, less the amount of any fees paid under 10 USC 2107 (c) or, 38 USC 3104 (a) (7) (A), or 38 USC 3313, to any student who is a veteran.

AB75, s. 756 Section 756. 38.24 (8) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB75,478,6 38.24 (8) (bm) Before the district board may grant a remission of fees under par. (b), the district board shall require the student to apply to the payment of those fees all educational assistance to which the student is entitled under 38 USC 3313. This requirement applies notwithstanding the fact that the student may be entitled to educational assistance under 38 USC 3001 to 3036 as well as under 38 USC 3313. For a student who is entitled to educational assistance under both 38 USC 3001 to 3036 and 38 USC 3313, if the amount of educational assistance, other than educational assistance for tuition, to which the student is entitled under 38 USC 3001 to 3036 is greater than the amount of educational assistance, other than educational assistance for tuition, to which the student is entitled under 38 USC 3313, as determined by the higher educational aids board, the higher educational aids board shall reimburse the student for the difference in those amounts of educational assistance, as calculated by the higher educational aids board. The higher educational aids board shall make that determination and calculation in consultation with the board and district board.

AB75, s. 757 Section 757. 38.28 (2) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,478,11 38.28 (2) (b) 2. The most current equalized values certified by the department of revenue shall be used in aid determinations. Equalized values shall include the full value of property that is exempt under s. ss. 70.11 (27m), (39), and (39m) and 70.111 (27) as determined under s. 79.095 (3).

AB75, s. 758 Section 758. 38.41 (2) and (3) of the statutes are repealed.

AB75, s. 759 Section 759. 39.28 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,478,21 39.28 (2) The board shall establish plans to be administered by the board for participation by this state under any federal acts relating to higher education and submit them to the U.S. secretary of education for the secretary's approval. The board may utilize such criteria for determination of priorities, participation, or purpose as are delineated in the federal acts. The board shall obtain the approval of the department of administration before the board may expend any federal economic stimulus funds from the appropriation account under s. 20.235 (2) (k) for any higher education capital or modernization project.

AB75, s. 760 Section 760. 39.435 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,479,9 39.435 (3) The board shall establish the maximum amount of a grant awarded under sub. (1). The board may not establish a maximum amount that exceeds the maximum amount in the previous academic year unless the board determines, to the best of its ability, that in doing so the board will award grants under sub. (1) in the current academic year to at least as many students as the board awarded grants to under sub. (1) in the previous academic year. Grants under sub. (1) shall not be less than $250 during any one academic year, unless the joint committee on finance approves an adjustment in the amount of the minimum grant. Grants under sub. (1) shall not exceed $3,000 during any one academic year. The board shall, by rule, establish a reporting system to periodically provide student economic data and shall promulgate other rules the board deems necessary to assure uniform administration of the program.

AB75, s. 761 Section 761 . 39.435 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,479,13 39.435 (8) The board shall award grants under this section to University of Wisconsin System students from the appropriation appropriations under s. 20.235 (1) (fe) and (ke).

AB75, s. 762 Section 762 . 39.435 (8) of the statutes, as affected by 2009 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

AB75,479,18 39.435 (8) The board shall award grants under this section to University of Wisconsin System students from the appropriations appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (fe) and (ke).

AB75, s. 763 Section 763. 39.437 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,479,24 39.437 (1) Establishment of grant program. There is established, to be administered by the board, with the assistance of the office of the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program in the department of administration as provided in subs. (2) (a) 2., (4), and (5), a Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program to provide grants to students who meet the eligibility criteria specified in sub. (2).

AB75, s. 764 Section 764. 39.437 (2) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 39.437 (2) (a) (intro.) and amended to read:

AB75,480,4 39.437 (2) (a) (intro.) Except as provided in par. (b), a student is eligible for a grant under this section if the student is meets all of the following criteria:

AB75,480,8 1. The student is a resident of this state and is enrolled at least half time and registered as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in a public or private, nonprofit, accredited institution of higher education or in a tribally controlled college in this state.

AB75, s. 765 Section 765. 39.437 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

AB75,480,12 39.437 (2) (a) 2. The student has been designated as a Wisconsin covenant scholar by the office of the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program in the department of administration.

AB75, s. 766 Section 766. 39.437 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,481,2 39.437 (4) (a) By February 1 of each year, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System shall provide to the board office of the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program in the department of administration information relating to the resident undergraduate academic fees charged to attend each of the institutions within that system for the current academic year, the technical college system board shall provide to the board that office information relating to the fees under s. 38.24 (1m) (a) to (c) charged to attend each of the technical colleges within that system for the current academic year, and each tribally controlled college in this state shall provide to the board that office information relating to the tuition and fees charged to attend the tribal college for the current academic year, and the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities or a successor organization shall provide to that office information relating to tuition and fees charged to attend each of the private, nonprofit, accredited institutions of higher education in this state for the currant academic year.

AB75, s. 767 Section 767. 39.437 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,481,12 39.437 (4) (b) By April 1 of each year, the board office of the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program in the department of administration shall determine the average of the resident undergraduate academic fees charged for the current academic year among the institutions within the University of Wisconsin System, the average of the fees under s. 38.24 (1m) (a) to (c) charged for the current academic year among the technical colleges in this state, and the average of the tuition and fees charged for the current academic year among the tribally controlled colleges in this state, and the average of the tuition and fees charged for the current academic year among the private, nonprofit, accredited institutions of higher education in this state.

AB75, s. 768 Section 768. 39.437 (4) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB75,481,18 39.437 (4) (c) To the extent permitted under 20 USC 1232g and 34 CFR part 99, the department of public instruction shall provide pupil information to the office of the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program in the department of administration as necessary for that office to fulfill its role in the administration of the grant program under this section.

AB75, s. 769 Section 769. 39.437 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 39.437 (5) (intro.) and amended to read:

AB75,481,22 39.437 (5) Rules. (intro.) The board department of administration shall promulgate rules to implement this section, including rules all of the following:

AB75,481,24 (a) Rules establishing a reporting system to periodically provide student economic data and any.

AB75,482,2 (c) Any other rules the board department of administration considers necessary to assure the uniform administration of this section.

AB75, s. 770 Section 770. 39.437 (5) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB75,482,5 39.437 (5) (b) Rules establishing eligibility criteria for designation as a Wisconsin covenant scholar under sub. (2) (a) 2.

AB75, s. 771 Section 771. 40.02 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,482,9 40.02 (2m) "Alternate payee" means a former spouse or domestic partner of a participant who is named in a qualified domestic relations order as having a right to receive a portion of the benefits of the participant.

AB75, s. 772 Section 772. 40.02 (8) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,482,23 40.02 (8) (a) 2. In the absence of a written designation of beneficiary, or if all designated beneficiaries who survive the decedent die before filing with the department a beneficiary designation applicable to that death benefit or an application for any death benefit payable, the person determined in the following sequence: group 1, surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner; group 2, children of the deceased participant, employee or annuitant, in equal shares, with the share of any deceased child payable to the issue of the child or, if there is no surviving issue of a deceased child, to the other eligible children in this group or, if deceased, their issue; group 3, parent, in equal shares if both survive; group 4, brother and sister in equal shares and the issue of any deceased brother or sister. The shares payable to the issue of a person shall be determined per stirpes. No payment may be made to a person included in any group if there is a living person in any preceding group, and s. 854.04 (6) shall not apply to a determination under this subsection.

AB75, s. 773 Section 773. 40.02 (20) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,483,7 40.02 (20) "Dependent" means the spouse, domestic partner, minor child, including stepchildren of the current marriage or domestic partnership dependent on the employee for support and maintenance, or child of any age, including stepchildren of the current marriage or domestic partnership, if handicapped to an extent requiring continued dependence. For group insurance purposes only, the department may promulgate rules with a different definition of "dependent" than the one otherwise provided in this subsection for each group insurance plan.

AB75, s. 774 Section 774. 40.02 (21c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB75,483,9 40.02 (21c) "Domestic partner" means an individual in a domestic partnership.

AB75, s. 775 Section 775. 40.02 (21d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB75,483,12 40.02 (21d) "Domestic partnership" means a relationship between 2 individuals that satisfies all of the following:

AB75,483,14 (a) Each individual is at least 18 years old and otherwise competent to enter into a contract.

AB75,483,16 (b) Neither individual is married to, or in a domestic partnership with, another individual.

AB75,483,18 (c) The 2 individuals are not related by blood in any way that would prohibit marriage under s. 765.03.

AB75,483,20 (d) The 2 individuals consider themselves to be members of each other's immediate family.

AB75,483,22 (e) The 2 individuals agree to be responsible for each other's basic living expenses.

AB75, s. 776 Section 776. 40.02 (25) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,484,3 40.02 (25) (b) 3. The surviving spouse or domestic partner of an employee, or of a retired employee, who is currently covered by health insurance at the time of death of the employee or retired employee. The spouse or domestic partner shall have the same right to health insurance coverage as the deceased employee or retired employee, but without state contribution, under rules promulgated by the secretary.

AB75, s. 777 Section 777. 40.02 (25) (b) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,484,7 40.02 (25) (b) 8. Any other state employee for whom coverage is authorized under a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to subch. I or, V, or VI of ch. 111 or under s. 230.12 or 233.10.

AB75, s. 778 Section 778. 40.02 (28) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, section 756, is amended to read:

AB75,484,19 40.02 (28) "Employer" means the state, including each state agency, any county, city, village, town, school district, other governmental unit or instrumentality of 2 or more units of government now existing or hereafter created within the state, any federated public library system established under s. 43.19 whose territory lies within a single county with a population of 500,000 or more, a local exposition district created under subch. II of ch. 229, a transit authority created under s. 66.1039, and a long-term care district created under s. 46.2895, except as provided under ss. 40.51 (7) and 40.61 (3) and subch. X. "Employer" does not include a local cultural arts district created under subch. V of ch. 229. Each employer shall be a separate legal jurisdiction for OASDHI purposes.

AB75, s. 779 Section 779. 40.02 (28) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, section 757, and 2009 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB75,485,6 40.02 (28) "Employer" means the state, including each state agency, any county, city, village, town, school district, other governmental unit or instrumentality of 2 or more units of government now existing or hereafter created within the state, any federated public library system established under s. 43.19 whose territory lies within a single county with a population of 500,000 or more, a local exposition district created under subch. II of ch. 229, a transit authority created under s. 66.1039, and a long-term care district created under s. 46.2895, except as provided under ss. 40.51 (7) and 40.61 (3). "Employer" does not include a local cultural arts district created under subch. V of ch. 229. Each employer shall be a separate legal jurisdiction for OASDHI purposes.

AB75, s. 780 Section 780. 40.03 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,485,19 40.03 (6) (c) Shall not enter into any agreements to modify or expand group insurance coverage in a manner which conflicts with this chapter or rules of the department or materially affects the level of premiums required to be paid by the state or its employees, or the level of benefits to be provided, under any group insurance coverage. This restriction shall not be construed to prevent modifications required by law, prohibit the group insurance board from modifying the standard plan to establish a more cost effective benefit plan design or providing optional insurance coverages as alternatives to the standard insurance coverage when any excess of required premium over the premium for the standard coverage is paid by the employee, prohibit the group insurance board from encouraging participation in wellness or disease management programs, or prohibit the group insurance board from providing other plans as authorized under par. (b).

AB75, s. 781 Section 781. 40.03 (6) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,485,25 40.03 (6) (j) May contract with the department of health services and may contract with other public or private entities for data collection and analysis services related to health maintenance organizations and insurance companies that provide health insurance to state employees, as well as for any other consulting services related to plans offered by the group insurance board.

AB75, s. 782 Section 782. 40.04 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,486,7 40.04 (2) (a) An administrative account shall be maintained within the fund from which administrative costs of the department shall be paid, except charges for services performed by the investment board, costs of medical and vocational evaluations used in determinations of eligibility for benefits under ss. 40.61, 40.63 and 40.65 and costs of contracting for insurance data collection and analysis services and other consulting services under s. 40.03 (6) (j).

AB75, s. 783 Section 783. 40.04 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,486,11 40.04 (2) (e) The costs of contracting for insurance data collection and analysis services and other consulting services under s. 40.03 (6) (j) shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.515 (1) (ut).

AB75, s. 784 Section 784. 40.05 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,487,15 40.05 (1) (b) In lieu of employee payment, the employer may pay all or part of the contributions required by par. (a), but all the payments shall be available for benefit purposes to the same extent as required contributions deducted from earnings of the participating employees. Action to assume employee contributions as provided under this paragraph shall be taken at the time and in the form determined by the governing body of the participating employer. The state shall pay under this paragraph for employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V or VI of ch. 111 and for employees whose fringe benefits are determined under s. 230.12 an amount equal to 4% of the earnings paid by the state unless otherwise provided in a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V or VI of ch. 111 or unless otherwise determined under s. 230.12. The University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority shall pay under this paragraph for employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement under subch. I of ch. 111 and for employees whose fringe benefits are determined under s. 233.10 an amount equal to 4% of the earnings paid by the authority unless otherwise provided in a collective bargaining agreement under subch. I of ch. 111 or unless otherwise determined under s. 233.10. The state shall pay under this paragraph for employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V or VI of ch. 111 and for employees whose fringe benefits are not determined under s. 230.12 an amount equal to 4% of the earnings paid by the state unless a different amount is recommended by the director of the office of state employment relations and approved by the joint committee on employment relations in the manner provided for approval of changes in the compensation plan under s. 230.12 (3). The University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority shall pay under this paragraph for its employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement under subch. I of ch. 111 an amount equal to 4% of the earnings paid by the authority unless a different amount is established by the board of directors of the authority under s. 233.10.

AB75, s. 785 Section 785. 40.05 (4) (ag) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,487,20 40.05 (4) (ag) (intro.) Beginning on January 1, 2004, except as otherwise provided in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement under subch. I or, V, or VI of ch. 111 or s. 230.12 or 233.10, the employer shall pay for its currently employed insured employees:

AB75, s. 786 Section 786. 40.05 (4) (ar) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,488,4 40.05 (4) (ar) The employer shall pay under par. (a) for employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement under subch. I or, V, or VI of ch. 111 and for employees whose health insurance premium contribution rates are not determined under s. 230.12 or 233.10 an amount equal to the amount specified in par. (ag) unless a different amount is recommended by the director of the office of state employment relations and approved by the joint committee on employment relations in the manner provided for approval of changes in the compensation plan under s. 230.12 (3).

AB75, s. 787 Section 787. 40.05 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,489,13 40.05 (4) (b) Except as provided under pars. (bc) and (bp), accumulated unused sick leave under ss. 13.121 (4), 36.30, 230.35 (2), 233.10, and 757.02 (5) and subch. I or, V, or VI of ch. 111 of any eligible employee shall, at the time of death, upon qualifying for an immediate annuity or for a lump sum payment under s. 40.25 (1) or upon termination of creditable service and qualifying as an eligible employee under s. 40.02 (25) (b) 6. or 10., be converted, at the employee's highest basic pay rate he or she received while employed by the state, to credits for payment of health insurance premiums on behalf of the employee or the employee's surviving insured dependents. Any supplemental compensation that is paid to a state employee who is classified under the state classified civil service as a teacher, teacher supervisor, or education director for the employee's completion of educational courses that have been approved by the employee's employer is considered as part of the employee's basic pay for purposes of this paragraph. The full premium for any eligible employee who is insured at the time of retirement, or for the surviving insured dependents of an eligible employee who is deceased, shall be deducted from the credits until the credits are exhausted and paid from the account under s. 40.04 (10), and then deducted from annuity payments, if the annuity is sufficient. The department shall provide for the direct payment of premiums by the insured to the insurer if the premium to be withheld exceeds the annuity payment. Upon conversion of an employee's unused sick leave to credits under this paragraph or par. (bf), the employee or, if the employee is deceased, the employee's surviving insured dependents may initiate deductions from those credits or may elect to delay initiation of deductions from those credits, but only if the employee or surviving insured dependents are covered by a comparable health insurance plan or policy during the period beginning on the date of the conversion and ending on the date on which the employee or surviving insured dependents later elect to initiate deductions from those credits. If an employee or an employee's surviving insured dependents elect to delay initiation of deductions from those credits, an employee or the employee's surviving insured dependents may only later elect to initiate deductions from those credits during the annual enrollment period under par. (be). A health insurance plan or policy is considered comparable if it provides hospital and medical benefits that are substantially equivalent to the standard health insurance plan established under s. 40.52 (1).

AB75, s. 788 Section 788. 40.05 (4) (bw) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,489,25 40.05 (4) (bw) On converting accumulated unused sick leave to credits for the payment of health insurance premiums under par. (b), the department shall add additional credits, calculated in the same manner as are credits under par. (b), that are based on a state employee's accumulated sabbatical leave or earned vacation leave from the state employee's last year of service prior to retirement, or both. The department shall apply the credits awarded under this paragraph for the payment of health insurance premiums only after the credits awarded under par. (b) are exhausted. This paragraph applies only to state employees who are eligible for accumulated unused sick leave conversion under par. (b) and who are entitled to the benefits under this paragraph pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V or VI of ch. 111.

AB75, s. 789 Section 789. 40.05 (4g) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,490,6 40.05 (4g) (a) 4. Has received a military leave of absence under s. 230.32 (3) (a) or 230.35 (3), under a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V or VI of ch. 111 or under rules promulgated by the director of the office of state employment relations or is eligible for reemployment with the state under s. 321.64 after completion of his or her service in the U.S. armed forces.

AB75, s. 790 Section 790. 40.05 (5) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,490,12 40.05 (5) Income continuation insurance premiums. (intro.) For the income continuation insurance provided under subch. V the employee shall pay the amount remaining after the employer has contributed the following or, if different, the amount determined under a collective bargaining agreement under subch. I or, V, or VI of ch. 111 or s. 230.12 or 233.10:

AB75, s. 791 Section 791. 40.05 (5) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,490,16 40.05 (5) (b) 4. The accrual and crediting of sick leave shall be determined in accordance with ss. 13.121 (4), 36.30, 230.35 (2), 233.10 and 757.02 (5) and subch. I or, V, or VI of ch. 111.

AB75, s. 792 Section 792. 40.05 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,490,25 40.05 (6) (a) Except as otherwise provided in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement under subch. I or, V, or VI of ch. 111 or s. 230.12 or 233.10, each insured employee under the age of 70 and annuitant under the age of 65 shall pay for group life insurance coverage a sum, approved by the group insurance board, which shall not exceed 60 cents monthly for each $1,000 of group life insurance, based upon the last amount of insurance in force during the month for which earnings are paid. The equivalent premium may be fixed by the group insurance board if the annual compensation is paid in other than 12 monthly installments.

AB75, s. 793 Section 793. 40.08 (8) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,491,12 40.08 (8) (a) 4. The former spouse or domestic partner of a participant who is an alternate payee and whom the department cannot locate by reasonable efforts, with such efforts beginning by the end of the month in which the participant attains, or would have attained, the age of 65, shall be considered to have abandoned all benefits under the Wisconsin retirement system on the date on which the participant attains, or would have attained, the age of 70. The department shall close the alternate payee's account and shall transfer the moneys in the account to the employer accumulation reserve. The department shall restore the alternate payee's account and shall debit the employer accumulation reserve accordingly if the alternate payee subsequently applies for retirement benefits under this chapter before the participant attains or would have attained the age of 80.

AB75, s. 794 Section 794. 40.08 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB75,491,19 40.08 (9) Payments of benefits to minors and individuals found incompetent. In any case in which a benefit amount becomes payable to a minor or to an individual adjudicated incompetent, the department may waive guardianship proceedings, and pay the benefit to the person providing for or caring for the minor, or to the spouse or domestic partner, parent, or other relative by blood or adoption providing for or caring for the individual adjudicated incompetent.