Explanation of agency authority:
Section 45.03 (2), Stats., authorizes the Secretary of the Department to promulgate rules necessary to carry out the purposes of ch. 45 and the powers and duties conferred upon it. Section 45.437 (4), Stats., requires the Department to “…promulgate rules implementing this section. The rules promulgated under this subsection shall include rules establishing the specific goals grant recipients must meet and requiring that those goals be met before any grant moneys are disbursed.” Related statute or rule:
None
Plain language analysis:
The proposed rules create a subdivision under s. VA 2.08 – Veterans Employment and Entrepreneurship Grants – for the primary objective of expanding the expenditure of grant funds, authorized under s. 45.437, Stats., to include the employment-related activities that are a crucial component of the veterans transition program partnership. The Department will coordinate program participation and activities at the state level, which will require the services of multiple non-profit organizations across the State. This multi-faceted transition assistance program connects the service member to the relevant employers, local programs, and organizations in the service member’s future post-military community. Through this partnership, services will be made available to military members transitioning from active military service to civilian life. The proposed rules will ensure grants authorized under s. 45.437, Stats., can be awarded to non-profit organizations to the extent the organization’s participation is related to employing exiting service members and improving the employment outcomes for veterans in Wisconsin. The proposed rule creates definitions under s. VA 2.08 (3) for acronyms and terms referenced within the rule and creates s. VA 2.08 (6) to establish rules for the implementation and administration of the veterans employment and transition support grant program. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:
None
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: Does not have existing administrative rules pertaining to grant funds available for a veterans transition program.
Iowa: Does not have existing administrative rules pertaining to grant funds available for a veterans transition program.
Michigan: Does not have existing administrative rules pertaining to grant funds available for a veterans transition program.
Minnesota: Does not have existing administrative rules pertaining to grant funds available for a veterans transition program.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The Department deems it necessary to amend current rule language in order to assist veterans who are transitioning to civilian life. The existing policies relevant to the proposed rules are administered under the current entrepreneurship grant program in s. VA 2.08 (5) and limits the award of grants to organizations that provide “entrepreneurship training, technical or business assistance, financial assistance, or other assistance to veteran entrepreneurs to improve employment outcomes.” The rule will expand these policies for the implementation and administration of the veterans employment and transition support grant program to meet the statutory charge and limitation “to improve employment outcomes for veterans in this state.” Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:
The rule was posted for 14 days to solicit economic impact comments. No comments were received.
Fiscal Estimate:
The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.
Effect on small business:
These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. Agency contact person:
Mindy Allen, Department of Veterans Affairs
Place and deadline for submission of comments:
The deadline to submit comments was June 1, 2022.
TEXT OF RULE
section 1.
VA 2.08 (1) is amended to read: VA 2.08 (1) Authority and purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish rules for the implementation and administration of grants to assist veteran entrepreneurs, to give employers in this state incentives to hire veterans, especially disabled veterans, to improve veteran employment outcomes, and to help fund employment training for veterans, especially disabled veterans, as authorized under s. 45.437, Stats. section 2.
VA 2.08 (3) (mg), (mr), and (6) are created to read: VA 2.08 (3) (mg) “Program” means the veterans employment and transition support grant program.
(mr) “Transitioning service member” means an individual who is separating or has separated from the U.S. armed forces to return to civilian life.
(6) Veterans employment and transition support grant program. (a) Purpose. The purpose of the program is to award grants to nonprofit organizations that develop and maintain a peer network of mentors to connect transitioning service members with employment opportunities.
(b) Public notice. 1. The department shall provide reasonable public notice of solicitations of grants awarded under this subsection to enable any eligible applicant to submit an application throughout the fiscal year subject to the availability of funds.
2. The department may communicate the public notice through print, broadcast, telecommunications media, or the Internet.
3. The notice shall include the purpose of the grant solicitation, eligibility criteria, application requirements and procedures, and any applicable deadlines that an applicant is required to meet or shall contain instructions for obtaining this information.
(c) Eligible applicant. A nonprofit organization is eligible to apply for grant funds under this subsection if it meets all of the following conditions:
1. It has a signed memorandum of agreement with the regional Veterans Integrated Services Network for the purpose of assisting servicemembers throughout the transition process from military through civilian life.
2. It is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization that currently serves veterans.
3. It is current on all federal and state tax obligations.
4. It is a financially viable nonprofit organization.
5. It is registered and in good standing with the Wisconsin department of financial institutions.
6. It has been in existence for a minimum of 5 consecutive years preceding the application.
7. It is current on any reporting requirements for previously received grants awarded by the department.
(d) Grant application requirements. An application submitted to the department shall include all of the following:
