• Route not scheduled or anticipated for improvement
• No significant safety problems
• Have scenic qualities as its “base" characteristic
• Local government sponsor(s) to demonstrate local support
Application procedure:
Applicants must complete a two-step process: an initial screening, followed by the more formal application.
Screening Form. A screening form will gather basic information about a proposed scenic byway corridor--its length, scenic qualities, and any historic, recreational, or educational attributes. A Scenic Byways Advisory Committee will review the screening form and make a recommendation about whether the applicant should further pursue byway designation through the second step – the application process. The advisory committee will consist of representatives nominated by the Departments of Tourism, Commerce and Natural Resources, and the State Historical Society and approved by the secretary of the Department of Transportation. It will also include the chairpersons of the Senate and Assembly standing committees having jurisdiction over transportation matters and two members at large chosen by the secretary of the Department of Transportation.
Application. The application process gathers more detailed information about a potential scenic byway including: a mile-by-mile inventory of the route; resolutions of support from local governments along the corridor; and a corridor management plan that outlines a long-term management strategy for the byway. The Scenic Byways Advisory Committee reviews the application materials and makes a formal recommendation. The Secretary makes the final determination on a highway corridor's designation as a scenic byway.
Effect of scenic byway designation
The designation of a state trunk highway as a scenic byway will not:
• Inhibit or prevent safety or capacity improvements from being done.
• Stop private development from occurring.
• Invoke or trigger smart growth legislation or requirements.
• Turn state trunk highways into rustic or country roads.
Statutory authority
Staff time required
Approximately 500 hours.
Veterans Affairs
Subject
Amendment of s.
VA 2.03 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code – Relating to the use of the on-the-job training provision of the retraining grant.
Objective of the rule. The proposed rule would identify new criteria that the department could use to administer the on-the-job training component of the retraining grant program.
Policy analysis
Under the current rule, retraining grant program requirements, including eligibility and the application process, are well suited for the education portion of the grant. However, for the on-the-job training portion they greatly diminish its effectiveness by requiring that the application go through the county veterans service officer and bypass the state's veterans employment representatives in the job centers. Eligibility requirements and application procedures should be streamlined to encourage employers to use the grant as an incentive to hire veterans with barriers to entry-level positions. The proposed rule will identify criteria to enable the secretary to accomplish these goals.
Statutory authority
Staff time required
Approximately 40 hours of department of veterans affairs staff time will be needed to promulgate the rules.
Veterans Affairs
Subject
Amendment of s.
VA 13.05 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code – Relating to the collection of monthly program fees from participants in the veterans assistance program.
Objective of the rule. The proposed rule would increase the amount of fees the Veterans Assistance Program may collect from residents of regional transitional housing sites.
Policy analysis
In accordance with the goal of the regional housing sites becoming more self-sustaining, the rule for program fees for residents receiving income allows the regional sites to collect revenue from those participants receiving income to offset the costs for food, shelter, security and management. Under the current rule, a maximum of 10% of gross income may be collected after debt service and the first check is exempt. Under the proposed change to the rule, a maximum of 30% may be collected to offset operational costs. The first check would not be exempt as to a lump sum award of back pension, compensation, salary or other entitlement income covering a period where the participant was a resident of a site. This will enable the Veterans Assistance Program additional revenue to offset operational costs and move toward the goal of fiscal independence.
Statutory authority
Staff time required
Approximately 5 hours of Department of Veterans Affairs staff time will be needed to promulgate the rules.
