SB676: Bill Text

Generally under current law, a local housing authority may acquire, lease, and operate approved housing projects, and may provide for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration, or repair of any housing project. Under this bill, after the effective date of the bill, a local housing authority may not provide for the construction of low-income housing unless it is for individuals age 55 and above. In addition, the bill prohibits a local housing authority from requesting more money for low-income housing.

Parental choice program pupil eligibility

Under the parental choice programs, a pupil who is a member of a family that has a total family income that does not exceed 3.0 times the poverty level may attend a private school at state expense under certain conditions. When verifying a family's income, the Department of Revenue must first deduct $7,000. This bill increases the deduction to $30,000.

School lunch program

This bill prohibits a school board from providing to a pupil's parent or guardian more than two notices describing eligibility criteria for the school lunch program in any school year.

Higher education grants and scholarships

Under current law, the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) awards certain grants based on financial need. Those grants include Wisconsin higher education grants for students enrolled in public institutions of higher education or tribal colleges in this state (WHEG grants), tuition grants for students enrolled in private institutions of higher education in this state (tuition grants), Indian student assistance grants to assist Indian students who are residents of this state (Indian student assistance grants), and minority undergraduate retention grants to assist minority students enrolled in private institutions of higher education or technical colleges in this state (minority undergraduate retention grants).

This bill eliminates WHEG grants, tuition grants, Indian student assistance grants, and minority undergraduate retention grants, transfers the unencumbered balances in the appropriations for those grants to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System (Board of Regents), and directs the Board of Regents to use the amount so transferred to reduce the tuition charged to enroll in educational programs in the UW System.

The bill also prohibits HEAB from awarding any state financial assistance, and the Board of Regents from awarding any scholarship, that is based on financial need to a student under 22 years of age who is a dependent of his or her parents unless the calculation of the student's financial need includes consideration of the income and assets of both of the student's parents. In addition, the bill requires state financial assistance awarded by HEAB and scholarship moneys awarded by the Board of Regents to be used only for tuition, fees, books, and educational supplies.

For further information see the state and local 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:

SB676,1 Section 1. 5.02 (6m) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,9,7 5.02 (6m) (f) An unexpired identification card issued by a university or college in this state that is accredited, as defined in s. 39.30 (1) (d), 2011 stats., that contains the date of issuance and signature of the individual to whom it is issued and that contains an expiration date indicating that the card expires no later than 2 years after the date of issuance if the individual establishes that he or she is enrolled as a student at the university or college on the date that the card is presented.

SB676,2 Section 2. 16.27 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,9,15 16.27 (2) (a) The department shall administer low-income energy assistance as provided in this section to assist an eligible household to meet the costs of home energy with low-income home energy assistance benefits authorized under 42 USC 8621 to 8629. Neither the department nor any county department, local government agency, or private nonprofit organization with which the department contracts to administer assistance under this section may notify a household that the household is eligible for assistance under this section more than 2 times in a 12-month period.

SB676,3 Section 3. 16.27 (5) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,9,19 16.27 (5) Eligibility. (intro.) Subject to the requirements of subs. (4) (b) and (8), and except as provided in sub. (5m), the following shall receive low-income energy assistance under this section:

SB676,4 Section 4. 16.27 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,10,5 16.27 (5) (b) A household with income which is not more than 60 percent of the statewide median household income. The income for a household that includes a married couple is reduced by $10,000 before the determination of eligibility is made under this paragraph.

SB676,5 Section 5. 16.27 (5m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,10,10 16.27 (5m) Limitations on eligibility. (a) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., a household with assets that exceed $2,000 in combined equity value or with a vehicle having an equity value of $10,000 or greater is not eligible for low-income energy assistance under this section.

SB676,10,12 2. Subdivision 1. does not apply if any individual member of the household is disabled, as defined in s. 49.468 (1) (a) 1., or is aged 62 or older.

SB676,10,20 (b) If the department determines it may not implement the limitation under par. (a) 1. without a waiver from the federal department of health and human services and that such a waiver may be requested under federal law, the department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services. If a waiver that is consistent with par. (a) 1. is granted and in effect, the department shall implement the limitation on eligibility under par. (a) 1. If a waiver is required, the department may not implement the limitation on eligibility under par. (a) 1. unless a waiver is granted and in effect.

SB676,6 Section 6. 16.3025 of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,11,2 16.3025 State housing programs; limitations. (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), the department shall ensure that all of the following requirements are satisfied in connection with housing, housing costs, utility-related costs, grants, or loans provided, directly or indirectly, under ss. 16.301 to 16.315 by the department or by a community-based organization, housing authority, or designated agent under s. 16.304 to persons and families of low and moderate income:

SB676,11,8 (a) Any housing provided to a person or family of low or moderate income is restricted to housing in which the square footage is less than 50 percent of the average square footage for a rental unit of average rental value in the county in which the person or family resides. To satisfy the requirements of this paragraph, the department may require that more than 2 unrelated persons or families of low or moderate income be housed in one housing unit.

SB676,11,13 (b) A person or family with assets that exceed $2,000 in combined equity value or with a vehicle having an equity value of $10,000 or greater is not eligible for assistance with housing, housing costs, or utility-related costs under this subchapter or eligible to benefit from any grants or loans made under this subchapter.

SB676,11,17 (c) For purposes of determining eligibility for any assistance under this subchapter, an applicant's income includes the income of any person who spent at least 15 nights in the applicant's home during the 60-day period immediately before the date of the application.

SB676,11,20 (2) The requirements in sub. (1) (a) to (c) do not apply to a person who is, or a family that includes, a person who is disabled, as defined in s. 49.468 (1) (a) 1., or is aged 62 or older.

SB676,12,3 (3) If the department determines it may not implement the limitations on eligibility and housing under sub. (1) without a waiver from the federal department of housing and urban development and that such a waiver may be requested under federal law, the department shall request a waiver. If a waiver that is consistent with sub. (1) is granted and in effect, the department shall implement the limitations on eligibility and housing under sub. (1). The department may not implement any limitation under sub. (1) for which a waiver is required unless a waiver as to that limitation is granted and in effect.

SB676,7 Section 7. 16.303 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,12,8 16.303 (1) (a) Subject to sub. (2) and the limitations on eligibility and housing under s. 16.3025, make grants or loans, directly or through agents designated under s. 16.304, from the appropriation under s. 20.505 (7) (b) to persons or families of low or moderate income to defray housing costs of the person or family.

SB676,8 Section 8. 16.305 (2) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,12,12 16.305 (2) (d) The department determines that the grant is consistent with and will not be used in violation of the limitations on eligibility and housing under s. 16.3025.

SB676,9 Section 9. 16.306 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,12,19 16.306 (2) (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.505 (7) (fm), the department may award a grant to an eligible applicant for the purpose of providing transitional housing and associated supportive services to homeless individuals and families if the conditions under par. pars. (b) and (c) are satisfied. The department shall ensure that the funds for the grants are reasonably balanced among geographic areas of the state, consistent with the quality of applications submitted.

SB676,10 Section 10. 16.306 (2) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,12,23 16.306 (2) (c) A recipient of a grant under par. (a) shall agree to comply with the limitations on eligibility and housing for persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 16.3025.

SB676,11 Section 11. 20.235 (1) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,12 Section 12. 20.235 (1) (fd) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,13 Section 13. 20.235 (1) (fe) of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is repealed.

SB676,14 Section 14. 20.235 (1) (ff) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,15 Section 15. 20.235 (1) (fg) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,16 Section 16. 20.235 (1) (fj) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,17 Section 17. 20.235 (1) (gm) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,18 Section 18. 20.235 (1) (k) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,19 Section 19. 20.235 (1) (ke) of the statutes, as created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is repealed.

SB676,20 Section 20. 20.235 (1) (km) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,21 Section 21. 20.285 (1) (gb) of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, section 250h, is amended to read:

SB676,13,19 20.285 (1) (gb) General program operations. All moneys received from the operation of educational programs and related programs to carry out the purposes for which received, including the transfer of funds to par. (gj). In each fiscal year, the Board of Regents shall transfer no more than $20,338,500 from this appropriation account to the medical assistance trust fund. In fiscal year 2013-14, the amount in the schedule under s. 20.235 (1) (ke) shall be transferred from this appropriation account to the appropriation account under s. 20.235 (1) (ke).

SB676,22 Section 22. 20.505 (8) (hm) 4i. of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,23 Section 23. 20.505 (8) (hm) 10. of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,24 Section 24. 36.11 (6) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,25 Section 25. 36.11 (59) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,14,4 36.11 (59) Scholarships based on financial need. The board may not award a scholarship that is based in whole or in part on financial need to any student under the age of 22 who is a dependent of his or her parents unless the board's calculation of financial need includes consideration of the income and assets of both of the student's parents. Scholarship moneys awarded by the board may be used only for tuition, fees, books, and educational supplies.

SB676,26 Section 26. 36.25 (49) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,14,19 36.25 (49) Academic fee increase grants. The board may make grants to resident undergraduate students who do not receive grants under s. 39.435 that are payable from the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (fe), whose annual family income is less than $60,000, and who have unmet financial need. Beginning in fiscal year 2011-12, the board may make a grant under this subsection only to those students enrolled in the system during fiscal year 2010-11 who maintain continuous enrollment. A grant to a student under this subsection shall be in an amount determined by the board that corresponds to any increase, or any portion of an increase, in academic fees charged to the student, but may not exceed the amount of the student's unmet need. The board may not make a grant under this subsection to a student whose name appears on the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), unless the student provides to the board a payment agreement that has been approved by the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and that is consistent with rules promulgated under s. 49.858 (2) (a).

SB676,27 Section 27. 38.04 (7m) of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,28 Section 28. 39.28 (7) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,15,2 39.28 (7) The board may not provide any state financial assistance under this subchapter that is based in whole or in part on financial need to any student under the age of 22 who is a dependent of his or her parents unless the board's calculation of financial need includes consideration of the income and assets of both of the student's parents. Moneys awarded under this subchapter may be used only for tuition, fees, books, and educational supplies.

SB676,29 Section 29. 39.285 of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,30 Section 30. 39.30 of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,31 Section 31. 39.31 of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,32 Section 32. 39.38 of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,33 Section 33. 39.39 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,15,12 39.39 (2) (b) Promulgate rules to administer this section, including rules establishing loan amounts and the criteria and procedures for loan forgiveness and for selecting loan recipients. Loan recipients shall be selected on the basis of financial need, as determined by the board, using the needs analysis methodology used under s. 39.435.

SB676,34 Section 34. 39.435 of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is repealed.

SB676,35 Section 35. 39.44 of the statutes is repealed.

SB676,36 Section 36. 39.45 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,15,19 39.45 (1) (a) "Institution of higher education" means a public or private nonprofit educational institution meeting the requirements of s. 39.30 , 2011 stats., or s. 39.435, 2011 stats., for the purpose of awarding grants under those sections.

SB676,37 Section 37. 39.45 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,15,22 39.45 (1) (b) "Resident student" has the meaning specified in s. 39.30 (1) (e), 2011 stats.

SB676,38 Section 38. 49.143 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,16,3 49.143 (4m) Case monitoring audits. The department shall develop and implement a case monitoring audit process to ensure that Wisconsin Works agencies are adequately monitoring the activities of all participants.

SB676,39 Section 39. 49.147 (1m) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,16,5 49.147 (1m) (title) Educational needs Education and training assessment.

SB676,40 Section 40. 49.147 (1m) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 49.147 (1m) (a) 1. and amended to read:

SB676,16,19 49.147 (1m) (a) 1. A Wisconsin Works agency shall conduct an educational needs education and training assessment of each individual who applies for a Wisconsin Works employment position. If the individual and the Wisconsin Works agency determine that the individual needs, or would benefit from, education or training activities, including a course of study meeting the standards established under s. 115.29 (4) (a) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation to better prepare the individual for employment, if the Wisconsin Works agency determines under subd. 2. that the individual would likely be successful in education or training activities, and if the Wisconsin Works agency determines that the individual is eligible for a Wisconsin Works employment position, the Wisconsin Works agency shall include education or training activities specified in subd. 3. in any employability plan developed for the individual.

SB676,41 Section 41. 49.147 (1m) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,16,23 49.147 (1m) (a) 2. A Wisconsin Works agency shall determine whether an individual would likely be successful in education or training activities on the basis of the following factors:

SB676,16,24 a. Whether the individual has the ability to read and write.

SB676,16,25 b. Whether the individual is able to perform basic arithmetic functions.

SB676,17,1 c. Whether the individual is able to keep appointments on time.

SB676,17,2 d. Whether the individual has stable housing.

SB676,17,3 e. Whether the individual has ties to the local community.

SB676,17,4 f. Whether the individual has the support of his or her family.

SB676,17,5 g. The individual's general educational background.