Amendment SA2-AB64

AB64-SA2,2,11 (a) An individual who administers or participates or cooperates in programs of the farm service agency of the U.S. department of agriculture. The secretary may consult with the farm service agency in making the appointment.

AB64-SA2,2,12 (b) An individual representing agricultural lenders.

AB64-SA2,2,13 (c) An individual representing higher education loan providers or servicers.”.

AB64-SA2,2,15 4. Page 18, line 12: delete the material beginning with that line and ending with page 19, line 2.

AB64-SA2,2,16 5. Page 40, line 16: after that line insert:

AB64-SA2,2,17 “ Section 157mb. 16.72 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64-SA2,2,21 16.72 (2) (c) To the extent possible, the department shall write specifications so as to permit the purchase of materials manufactured in the United States, as defined in s. 16.754 (1) (b), or the purchase of local products or services, as defined in s. 66.0145 (1) (b).

AB64-SA2,157me Section 157me. 16.754 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64-SA2,2,24 16.754 (title) Preference for local products and services and American-made materials.

AB64-SA2,157mf Section 157mf. 16.754 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 16.754 (1) (ar).

AB64-SA2,157mg Section 157mg. 16.754 (1) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB64-SA2,3,4 16.754 (1) (am) “Local product or service" has the meaning given in s. 66.0145 (1) (b).

AB64-SA2,157mh Section 157mh. 16.754 (2) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64-SA2,3,6 16.754 (2) (title) Purchase preference preferences.

AB64-SA2,157mi Section 157mi. 16.754 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 16.754 (2) (b).

AB64-SA2,157mj Section 157mj. 16.754 (2) (a) of the statutes is created to read:

AB64-SA2,3,15 16.754 (2) (a) The department, a designated purchasing agent under s. 16.71 (1), and each agency making purchases under s. 16.74 shall attempt to ensure that at least 20 percent of the total amount expended under this subchapter in each fiscal year is for local products or services, and it shall be a further goal that the percentage of the total amount expended in any fiscal year for local products or services will not be lower than the percentage of the total amount expended in the previous fiscal year for local products or services.

AB64-SA2,157mk Section 157mk. 16.754 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB64-SA2,3,23 16.754 (2m) Data. For purposes of measuring compliance with sub. (2) (a), the department shall collect from a person who responds to a proposal or submits a bid for a contract information regarding the person's principal place of business. The department shall make available to the public on its Internet site the data it collects under this subsection as well as an annual evaluation of how well the department, its designated purchasing agents, and any agency making purchases under s. 16.74 are meeting the goal under sub. (2) (a).

AB64-SA2,157mL Section 157mL. 16.754 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64-SA2,4,9 16.754 (3) Exemptions. (intro.) Subsection (2) (b) does not apply if the materials are purchased for the purpose of commercial resale or for the purpose of use in the production of goods for commercial sale. Subsection (2) (b) does not apply to the purchase of stationery and printing materials. Subsection (2) (b) does not apply if the department determines, under s. 16.75 (1) (a) 2., that the foreign nation or subdivision thereof in which the vendor is domiciled does not give preference to vendors domiciled in that nation or subdivision in making governmental purchases. Subsection (2) (b) does not apply if the department or other person having contracting authority in respect to the purchase determines that:”.

AB64-SA2,4,14 6. Page 69, line 11: increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2017-18 by $75,500 and increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2018-19 by $75,500 for the purpose of increasing the authorized FTE positions for the department by 1.5 GPR positions to serve as an agricultural program specialist and an economic development consultant.

AB64-SA2,4,15 7. Page 79, line 7: after that line insert: - See PDF for table

AB64-SA2,4,17 8. Page 87, line 16: increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2018-19 by $19,786,600 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

AB64-SA2,4,20 9. Page 87, line 18: increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2017-18 by $17,291,500 and increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2018-19 by $16,826,200 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

AB64-SA2,4,21 10. Page 87, line 18: delete “B" and substitute “S".

AB64-SA2,5,3 11. Page 88, line 18: increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2017-18 by $256,600 and increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2018-19 by $245,700 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

AB64-SA2,5,5 12. Page 164, line 23: increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2018-19 by $660,000 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

AB64-SA2,5,6 13. Page 168, line 7: after that line insert: - See PDF for table

AB64-SA2,5,9 14. Page 204, line 1: increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2017-18 by $150,000 and increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2018-19 by $150,000 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

AB64-SA2,5,12 15. Page 204, line 5: increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2017-18 by $2,000,000 and increase the dollar amount for fiscal year 2018-19 by $2,000,000 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

AB64-SA2,5,13 16. Page 278, line 2: after that line insert:

AB64-SA2,5,14 “ Section 198g. 20.155 (3) (a) of the statutes is created to read:

AB64-SA2,5,17 20.155 (3) (a) Broadband expansion grants; general purpose revenue funding. As a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for broadband expansion grants under s. 196.504.”.

AB64-SA2,5,18 17. Page 280, line 1: before that line insert:

AB64-SA2,5,19 “ Section 204o. 20.235 (1) (em) of the statutes is created to read:

AB64-SA2,6,4 20.235 (1) (em) Small farm operators. A sum sufficient to make reimbursement payments to small farm operators under the program under s. 39.52. Subject to s. 39.52 (6), the amount appropriated under this paragraph in fiscal year 2017-18 may not exceed $120,000, in fiscal year 2018-19 may not exceed $240,000, in fiscal year 2019-20 may not exceed $360,000, in fiscal year 2020-21 may not exceed $480,000, and in fiscal year 2021-22 and each fiscal year thereafter may not exceed $600,000.”.

AB64-SA2,6,5 18. Page 280, line 2: delete lines 2 to 9 and substitute:

AB64-SA2,6,16 “20.235 (1) (fe) Wisconsin grants; University of Wisconsin System students. A sum sufficient equal to $0 in the 2013-14 fiscal year, equal to $58,345,400 in the 2014-15 fiscal year, and equal to the amount calculated under s. 39.435 (7) for the Wisconsin grant program under s. 39.435 for University of Wisconsin System students, except for grants awarded under s. 39.435 (2) or (5), in the 2015-16 fiscal year and the 2016-17 fiscal year, equal to $77,779,000 in the 2017-18 fiscal year and 78,720,300 in the 2018-19 fiscal year, and equal to the amount calculated under s. 39.435 (7) for the Wisconsin grant program under s. 39.435 for University of Wisconsin System students, except for grants awarded under s. 39.435 (2) or (5), thereafter. Notwithstanding s. 20.002 (1), the higher educational aids board may transfer moneys under this paragraph between fiscal years.”.

AB64-SA2,6,17 19. Page 286, line 8: delete lines 8 to 11.

AB64-SA2,6,18 20. Page 314, line 2: after that line insert:

AB64-SA2,6,19 “ Section 367r. 20.410 (3) (fm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB64-SA2,6,21 20.410 (3) (fm) Grants for female juvenile services. The amounts in the schedule for grants to counties under s. 301.093.”.

AB64-SA2,6,23 21. Page 410, line 22: delete the material beginning with that line and ending with page 412, line 9.

AB64-SA2,6,24 22. Page 422, line 4: delete that line.

AB64-SA2,7,1 23. Page 422, line 4: after that line insert:

AB64-SA2,7,2 “ Section 704q. 39.52 of the statutes is created to read:

AB64-SA2,7,16 39.52 Small farm operators. (1) Findings. The legislature finds that farming is central to this state's traditions and economy and essential for feeding residents of this state and beyond. The legislature also finds that as the population of farmers ages, this state faces a challenge recruiting and retaining new farmers. The legislature believes that higher education debt is a significant barrier for new farmers who work towards economic viability during the early years of their careers. The legislature therefore finds it in the best interest of the state to establish a program to provide financial assistance to new farmers carrying student debt in their first years of farming in exchange for a commitment to farming in this state. The purpose of the program is to recruit and retain new Wisconsin farmers of diverse backgrounds who have completed postsecondary education, regardless of field of study, previous state residency, or background in agriculture, and to sustain this state's small and midsize family farms while fostering innovation in sustainable best practices.

AB64-SA2,7,17 (2) Definitions. In this section:

AB64-SA2,7,18 (a) “Council" means the small farm higher education debt council.

AB64-SA2,7,24 (b) “Higher education debt" means debt, including interest, incurred in pursuit of a certificate, diploma, or degree from an institution of higher education or to complete a farm and industry short course offered by the University of Wisconsin System, but does not include any debt reimbursed, assumed, or otherwise paid for under any public or private program other than the program established under sub. (3).

AB64-SA2,8,4 (c) “Institution of higher education" means a nonprofit or public educational institution that awards an associate or baccalaureate degree and that is accredited by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the secretary of the federal department of education.

AB64-SA2,8,5 (d) “Operate a small farm" means to do both of the following:

AB64-SA2,8,6 1. Engage in agricultural activities at a small farm.

AB64-SA2,8,7 2. Participate in the day-to-day operation of a small farm.

AB64-SA2,8,13 (e) “Small farm" means farm premises, as specified in s. 102.04 (3), in this state that, at the time of the first payment to an individual under sub. (5) or (9) (b), has annual gross cash farm income that is not less than $35,000 nor more than $500,000 or 140 percent of the maximum annual gross cash farm income for a small farm under the typology of the economic research service of the U.S. department of agriculture, whichever is greater.

AB64-SA2,8,16 (3) Reimbursement program; eligibility. (a) The council shall establish a program that reimburses the higher education debt under sub. (5) or (9) (b) if the council finds that all of the following are satisfied:

AB64-SA2,8,18 1. The individual is a state resident whose primary occupation is to operate a small farm.

AB64-SA2,8,19 2. The individual satisfies one of the following:

AB64-SA2,8,21 a. The individual has graduated from an institution of higher education with an associate or baccalaureate degree.

AB64-SA2,8,23 b. The individual has completed a farm and industry short course offered by the University of Wisconsin System.

AB64-SA2,8,25 c. The individual has obtained a technical college diploma or certificate in agriculture or a field related to agriculture.

AB64-SA2,9,2 3. No later than 5 years after satisfying the requirement under subd. 2., the individual begins to operate a small farm.

AB64-SA2,9,4 4. No later than 5 years after satisfying the requirement under subd. 2., the individual applies to the council for reimbursement.

AB64-SA2,9,6 5. The individual intends to operate a small farm for at least 5 years after applying to the council for reimbursement.

AB64-SA2,9,8 6. No other individual who also operates the small farm specified in subd. 3. is reimbursed for his or her higher education debt under sub. (5) or (9) (b).

AB64-SA2,9,10 (b) The council shall allow an individual to apply for reimbursement prior to satisfying the requirement under par. (a) 2.

AB64-SA2,9,13 (4) Agreements. (a) The board shall enter into an agreement for making payments under sub. (5) or (9) (b) to an individual whom the council finds satisfies the requirements under sub. (3) if the board finds all of the following:

AB64-SA2,9,16 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the repayment period for each student loan within the individual's higher education debt that is reimbursed under this section does not exceed 10 years.

AB64-SA2,9,19 2. For each federal student loan within the individual's higher education debt that is reimbursed under this section, the individual enters into the standard repayment plan of the federal department of education for the loan.

AB64-SA2,9,23 (b) The board may waive a requirement under par. (a) 1. or 2. if the board finds that the requirement presents a financial hardship. The board may require an individual to submit documentation necessary for the board to determine whether the requirement presents a financial hardship.

AB64-SA2,9,24 (c) An agreement under par. (a) shall do all of the following:

AB64-SA2,10,4 1. Express the individual's commitment to pursue a long-term career in farming in this state and to make a good faith effort to comply with the requirements of this section during the 5-year period in which the individual receives payments under sub. (5) or (9) (b).

AB64-SA2,10,9 2. Require the individual to annually submit documentation showing to the board's satisfaction that the individual continues to be a state resident whose primary occupation is to operate a small farm and that the individual has in the preceding year made all required payments on the individual's outstanding higher education debt.

AB64-SA2,10,11 3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, require the board to make annual payments under sub. (5).

AB64-SA2,10,14 4. Require the individual to notify the board within 60 days if the individual ceases to be a state resident or ceases to have as a primary occupation the operation of a small farm.

AB64-SA2,10,16 5. Require the individual to provide the board with any information the board determines is necessary for administering this section.

AB64-SA2,10,17 6. Identify the higher education debt to be reimbursed.

AB64-SA2,10,18 7. Provide for termination of the agreement as specified in sub. (8) (a).

AB64-SA2,10,25 (5) Reimbursement payments. Except as otherwise provided in this section, for each individual with whom the board enters into an agreement under sub. (4) (a), the board shall make 5 annual payments of equal amounts to the individual that in total equal the total amount of the individual's outstanding higher education debts, or $30,000, whichever is less. The board shall make the first payment as soon as practicable after entering into the agreement and the subsequent payments annually thereafter upon receipt of the documentation required under sub. (4) (c) 2.

AB64-SA2,11,5 (6) Adjustments. The department of administration shall annually on July 1 adjust the amounts appropriated under s. 20.235 (1) (em) and the amount specified in sub. (5) to reflect any changes in the U.S. consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the U.S. department of labor, for the 12-month period ending on the preceding December 31.

AB64-SA2,11,8 (7) Limits. In a fiscal year, no more than 30 percent of the amount appropriated under s. 20.235 (1) (em) for the fiscal year may be used to make payments under subs. (5) and (9) (b) to individuals who satisfy sub. (3) (a) 2. b. or c.

AB64-SA2,11,13 (8) Termination. (a) 1. Except as provided in par. (b), on the date that an individual ceases to be a state resident, or an individual's primary occupation ceases to be the operation of a small farm, the board shall terminate the individual's agreement under sub. (4) (a) on that date and the individual is not eligible to receive any remaining payments under the agreement.

AB64-SA2,11,19 2. Upon termination of an agreement under subd. 1., an individual is liable to the board for an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the amount of the most recent annual payment received by the individual under sub. (5) or (9) (b) by a fraction in which the denominator is 365 and the numerator is the number of days after the termination date that remain in the year immediately following the most recent annual payment.

AB64-SA2,11,25 (b) In consultation with the council, the board shall promulgate rules that allow an individual to remain eligible for payments under an agreement under sub. (4) (a) if, due to circumstances beyond the individual's control, the individual ceases to be a state resident, or ceases to operate a small farm, for a limited period. The circumstances shall include deployment in the U.S. armed services or national guard. The rules shall provide for each of the following:

AB64-SA2,12,2 1. Suspending payments during the period the individual ceases to be a state resident and reinstituting payments when the individual is a state resident.

AB64-SA2,12,5 2. Suspending payments during the period the individual's primary occupation ceases to be the operation of a small farm and reinstituting payments when the individual's primary occupation is the operation of a small farm.

AB64-SA2,12,10 (9) Applicants; funding. (a) The council shall advise the board whether an applicant for reimbursement payments satisfies the requirements under sub. (3). If there is not sufficient funding to make reimbursement payments to all applicants for reimbursement, the council shall give priority to applicants under the following categories in the council's selection of applicants with which to advise the board:

AB64-SA2,12,11 1. Applicants with the greatest financial need.