1999 Wisconsin Act 9

9,671m Section 671m. 23.197 of the statutes is created to read:

23.197 Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship programs; specific projects or activities. (1) Root River; multipurpose pathway. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) or both, the department shall provide funding to the city of Racine for a multipurpose pathway along the Root River. The amount provided by the department may not exceed the amount that equals the matching contribution for the pathway made by the city of Racine or $750,000, whichever is less.

(b) The department shall determine how the moneys being provided under par. (a) will be allocated between the appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz). For purposes of s. 23.0915 (1), moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) shall be treated as moneys expended for any of the purposes specified under s. 23.0915 (1) (a) to (k) or any combination of those purposes. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) shall be treated as moneys obligated from either or both of the subprograms under s. 23.0917 (3) and (4).

(2) Rock River; river wall. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) or both, the department shall provide funding to the city of Fort Atkinson for the restoration of a river wall along the Rock River. The amount provided by the department may not exceed the amount that equals the matching contribution made for the river wall by the city of Fort Atkinson or $96,500, whichever is less. The requirements for matching contributions under s. 30.277 (5) shall apply.

(b) The department shall determine how the moneys being provided under par. (a) will be allocated between the appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz). For purposes of s. 23.0915 (1), moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) shall be treated as moneys expended for urban river grants. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) shall be treated as moneys obligated under the subprogram for property development and local assistance.

(2m) Rock River; recreational corridor. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz), the department shall provide funding to the city of Janesville under the urban rivers grant program under s. 30.277 for the Rock River recreational corridor. The amount provided by the department under this paragraph may not exceed that amount that equals the matching contributions made for the corridor by the city of Janesville or $100,000, whichever is less. The requirements for matching contributions under s. 30.277 (5) shall apply.

(b) The funding under par. (a) is in addition to any encumbrance or expenditure approved by the joint committee on finance under s. 23.0915 (4) for the Rock River recreational corridor.

(3) Keyes Lake; recreational area. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) or both, the department shall provide the amount necessary for the development of a recreational area on Keyes Lake in Florence County, but the amount may not exceed $125,000.

(b) The department shall determine how the moneys being provided under par. (a) will be allocated between the appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz). For purposes of s. 23.0915 (1), moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) shall be treated as moneys expended for any of the purposes specified under s 23.0915 (1) (a) to (k) or any combination of those purposes. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) shall be treated as moneys obligated from either or both of the subprograms under s. 23.0917 (3) and (4).

(3m) Rib Mountain State Park. From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) or both, the department shall provide funding in the amount of $500,00 0 to rebuild a chalet at Rib Mountain State Park. The department shall determine how the moneys being provided under this subsection will be allocated between the appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz). For purposes of s. 23.0915 (1), moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) shall be treated as moneys expended for general property development. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) shall be treated as moneys obligated under the subprogram for property development and local assistance.

(4) Grant for land acquisition and habitat restoration. (a) In this subsection:

1. "Nonprofit organization" means a nonprofit corporation, a charitable trust or other nonprofit association that is described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

2. "Land" has the meaning given in s. 23.0917 (1) (d).

(b) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), the department may award a single grant of $20,000 to an organization that is not a nonprofit organization but that has entered into an agreement with a nonprofit organization in order to apply for the grant. The grant may be used for land acquisition for conservation or recreation purposes or for habitat restoration or both. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys obligated for this grant shall be treated as moneys obligated under the subprogram for land acquisition.

(c) In order to receive the grant under this section, the nonprofit organization and the other organization who are parties to the agreement specified under par. (b) shall enter into a contract with the department that contains conditions imposed by the department on the use of the grant, on any land acquired with moneys from the grant and on any transfer to a 3rd party of any such acquired land.

(d) Title to the land acquired with moneys from the grant under this section shall vest in the nonprofit organization. If the nonprofit organization or the other organization violates any essential provision of the contract entered into under par. (c), title to the land shall vest in the state.

(6) Sheboygan; riverfront park. From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz), the department shall provide $173,763 for the development and expansion of Workers Water Street Riverfront Park in the city of Sheboygan. For purposes of s. 23.0915 (1), moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) shall be treated as moneys expended for any of the purposes specified under s. 23.0915 (1) (a) to (k) or any combination of those purposes.

9,671mn Section 671mn. 23.198 of the statutes is created to read:

23.198 Milwaukee Lakeshore State Park. (1) Stewardship funding. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), the department shall provide up to $1,500,000 for the development of a state park which will provide access to Lake Michigan in the city of Milwaukee. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys provided under this paragraph shall be treated as moneys obligated under the subprogram for property development and local assistance.

(b) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz), the department shall provide up to $500,000 for development of a state park as described in par. (a). For purposes of s. 23.0915 (1), moneys provided under this paragraph shall be treated as moneys expended for general property development.

(2) Other funding. (a) The department shall expend the following amounts from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (5) (cq) for the development of a state park as described in sub. (1):

1. Up to $2,400,000 of the moneys appropriated from that appropriation for fiscal year 1999-2000.

2. Up to $2,000,000 of the moneys appropriated from that appropriation for fiscal year 2000-01.

(b) Of the amounts authorized for expenditure under par. (a) 1., the department shall provide up to $400,000 to the Milwaukee Art Museum for the construction of a breakwater.

(c) Beginning on July 1, 2000, the department shall expend from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (7) (fs) $1,000,000 for a state park as described in sub. (1).

9,671n Section 671n. 23.22 of the statutes is created to read:

23.22 MacKenzie environmental center staffing. The department shall maintain a staffing level for the performance of facilities repair work functions at the MacKenzie environmental center in Poynette that is at least 1.0 position greater than the level that existed on April 29, 1999.

9,671p Section 671p. 23.27 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

23.27 (4) Natural areas land acquisition; continuing commitment. It is the intent of the legislature to continue natural areas land acquisition activities from moneys available from the appropriation appropriations under ss. 20.370 (7) (fa) and 20.866 (2) (ta), (ts) and (tz). This commitment is separate from and in addition to the commitment to acquire natural areas under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. Except as provided in s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $1,500,000 in each fiscal year for natural areas land acquisition activities under this subsection and for grants for this purpose under s. 23.096.

9,672d Section 672d. 23.27 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

23.27 (5) Natural areas land acquisition; commitment under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. It is the intent of the legislature to initiate additional natural areas land acquisition activities with moneys available from the appropriations under ss. 20.370 (1) (mg) and 20.866 (2) (ta), (tt) and (tz) under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. This commitment is separate from and in addition to the continuing commitment under sub. (4). Moneys available from the appropriations under ss. 20.370 (1) (mg) and 20.866 (2) (ta), (tt) and (tz) under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program may not be used to acquire land through condemnation. The department may not acquire land under this subsection unless the land is suitable for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program and upon purchase or as soon after purchase as practicable the department shall take all necessary action to dedicate the land under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. Except as provided in s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $500,000 in each fiscal year for natural areas land acquisition activities under this subsection and for grants for this purpose under s. 23.096.

9,672f Section 672f. 23.29 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

23.29 (2) Contributions; state match. The department may accept contributions and gifts for the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. The department shall convert donations of land which it determines, with the advice of the council, are not appropriate for the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program into cash. The department shall convert other noncash contributions into cash. These moneys shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation under s. 20.370 (1) (mg). These moneys shall be matched by an equal amount released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tt) or (tz) or both from any combination of these appropriations to be used for natural areas land acquisition activities under s. 23.27 (5). The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July 1, 1990.

9,672g Section 672g. 23.29 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

23.29 (3) Land dedications; valuation; state match. The department shall determine the value of land accepted for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. If the land dedication involves the transfer of the title in fee simple absolute or other arrangement for the transfer of all interest in the land to the state, the valuation shall be based on the fair market value of the land prior to the transfer. If the land dedication involves the transfer of a partial interest in land to the state, the valuation shall be based on the extent to which the fair market value of the land is diminished by that transfer and the associated articles of dedication. If the land dedication involves a sale of land to the department at less than the fair market value, the valuation of the dedication shall be based on the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value. An amount equal to the value of land accepted for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program shall be released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tt) or (tz) or both from any combination of these appropriations to be used for natural areas land acquisition activities under s. 23.27 (5). This subsection does not apply to dedications of land under the ownership of the state. The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July l, 1990.

9,672j Section 672j. 23.293 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

23.293 (4) Contributions and gifts; state match. The department may accept contributions and gifts for the ice age trail program. The department may convert gifts of land which it determines are not appropriate for the ice age trail program into cash. The department may convert other noncash contributions and gifts into cash. These moneys shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation under s. 20.370 (7) (gg). An amount equal to the value of all contributions and gifts shall be released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tw) or (tz) or both from any combination of these appropriations to be used for land acquisition and development activities under s. 23.17. The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July 1, 1990.

9,672k Section 672k. 23.293 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

23.293 (5) Land dedications; valuation; state match. The department shall determine the value of land accepted for dedication under the ice age trail program. If the land dedication involves the transfer of the title in fee simple absolute or other arrangement for the transfer of all interest in the land to the state, the valuation of the land shall be based on the fair market value of the land before the transfer. If the land dedication involves the transfer of a partial interest in land to the state, the valuation of the land shall be based on the extent to which the fair market value of the land is diminished by that transfer and the associated articles of dedication. If the land dedication involves a sale of land to the department at less than the fair market value, the valuation of the land shall be based on the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value. An amount equal to the valuation of the land accepted for dedication under the ice age trail program shall be released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tw) or (tz) or both from any combination of these appropriations to be used for ice age trail acquisition activities under s. 23.17. The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July 1, 1990. This subsection does not apply to dedications of land under the ownership of the state.

9,672m Section 672m. 23.295 of the statutes is created to read:

23.295 Ice age trail area grants. (1) In this section:

(a) "Ice age trail area" means the trail designated under s. 23.17 (2).

(b) "Local governmental unit" means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an instrumentality or corporation of the political subdivision or special purpose district or a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing.

(2) The department shall provide one grant of $75,000 in each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 1999-2000, to a nonstock, nonprofit corporation that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The corporation is organized in this state.

(b) The corporation is described under section 501 (c) (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(c) The corporation has a board of directors or an advisory council or both whose members represent different geographic areas of the ice age trail area, and at least one-third of whom are current or former ice age trail volunteers.

(d) The board of directors or an advisory council of the corporation or both collectively have an interest or expertise in all of the following:

1. Recruiting and training volunteers.

2. Land conservation.

3. Trails and outdoor recreation.

4. Tourism.

5. This state's glacial geology.

6. This state's cultural history.

(e) The corporation contributes $25,000 in funds annually to be used with the grant under this section.

(3) A corporation receiving a grant under sub. (2) may use the grant for activities related to the development, maintenance, protection and promotion of the ice age trail area and shall do all of the following with the grant:

(a) Support the work of volunteers who develop, maintain and promote the ice age trail area.

(b) Build partnerships for the ice age trail area with local governmental units and nonprofit organizations.

(c) Promote the protection of a corridor for the ice age trail area by providing information about acquiring land, or an interest in land, in that corridor.

(d) Strengthen community support for the ice age trail area by recruiting and training volunteers and by coordinating the activities of interest groups.

(e) Promote tourism in the ice age trail area.

(f) For each fiscal year, prepare a report detailing the activities for which a grant under sub. (2) is expended. Copies of the report shall be submitted to the department and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature, as determined by the speaker of the assembly or the president of the senate.

9,672p Section 672p. 23.317 of the statutes is created to read:

23.317 In-service training. At least once during each fiscal biennium, the department shall offer an in-service training course that provides training on the topic of natural resources and public relations. The department may offer the training course in one or more sessions during the fiscal biennium. The department shall model its training course on the training course on the topic of natural resources and public relations that is part of the course offerings of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on the effective date of this section .... [revisor inserts date].

9,673 Section 673. 23.322 of the statutes is created to read:

23.322 Fees for computer accessible water resource management information. The department may charge a fee for providing any information that that it maintains in a format that may be accessed by computer concerning the waters of this state, including maps and other water resource management information.

9,674 Section 674. 23.33 (1) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

23.33 (1) (g) "Expedited service" means the process under which a person is able to renew an all-terrain vehicle registration certificate in person and with only one appearance at the site where certificates are renewed.

9,675 Section 675. 23.33 (2) (i) of the statutes is created to read:

23.33 (2) (i) Registration; appointment of agents. For the issuance of all-terrain vehicle registration certificates, the department may do any of the following:

1. Directly issue the certificates.

2. Appoint, as an agent of the department, the clerk of one or more counties to issue the certificates.

3. Appoint persons who are not employes of the department to issue the certificates as agents of the department.

9,676 Section 676. 23.33 (2) (j) of the statutes is created to read:

23.33 (2) (j) Duplicates. For purposes of pars. (i) to (o), the issuance of a duplicate of an all-terrain vehicle registration certificate shall be considered the same as the issuance of an original certificate.

9,677 Section 677. 23.33 (2) (k) of the statutes is created to read:

23.33 (2) (k) Registration; agent activities. 1. The clerk of any county appointed under par. (i) 2. or (m) may accept the appointment.

2. The department may promulgate rules regulating the activities of persons appointed under pars. (i) and (m).

9,678 Section 678. 23.33 (2) (L) of the statutes is created to read:

23.33 (2) (L) Registration; issuing fees. An agent appointed under par. (i) 2. or 3. shall collect an issuing fee of $3 for each all-terrain vehicle registration certificate that the agent issues. The agent shall remit to the department $2 of each issuing fee collected.

9,679 Section 679. 23.33 (2) (m) of the statutes is created to read:

23.33 (2) (m) Renewals; agents. For the renewal of all-terrain vehicle registration certificates for public use or the renewal of commercial all-terrain vehicle registration certificates, the department may renew the certificates directly or may appoint agents in the manner specified in par. (i) 2. or 3. The department may establish an expedited service to be provided by the department and these agents to renew these types of all-terrain vehicle registration certificates.

9,680 Section 680. 23.33 (2) (n) of the statutes is created to read:

23.33 (2) (n) Renewals; fees. In addition to the renewal fee under par. (c), (d) or (dm), the department may authorize that a supplemental renewal fee of $3 be collected for the renewal of all-terrain vehicle registration certificates that are renewed in any of the following manners:

1. By agents appointed under par. (m).

2. By the department using the expedited service.

9,681 Section 681. 23.33 (2) (o) of the statutes is created to read:

23.33 (2) (o) Renewals; remittal of fees. An agent appointed under par. (m) shall remit to the department $2 of each $3 fee collected under par. (n). Any fees remitted to or collected by the department under par. (L) or (n) shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (9) (hu).

9,681g Section 681g. 23.33 (4) (c) (title) of the statutes is amended to read: