SB409-AA6,1,12 11" Section 4m. 20.143 (1) (gc) (title) of the statutes, as affected by 2009
12Wisconsin Act 28
, is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,2,2
120.143 (1) (gc) (title) Regulatory ombudsman center Office of regulatory
2assistance
.".
SB409-AA6,2,3 34. Page 19, line 4: before that line insert:
SB409-AA6,2,4 4" Section 35g. 560.03 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,2,135 560.03 (9) Establish and operate a small business ombudsman clearinghouse
6for business and industry to facilitate the flow of information from other state and
7federal agencies, to assist state agencies in establishing methods to encourage the
8participation of small businesses in rule making under s. 227.114 (4) and to serve as
9ombudsman for small business stationary sources, as defined in s. 285.79 (1), in
10connection with the implementation of the federal clean air act, 42 USC 7401 to
117671q. The department shall assign one full-time employee of the small business
12ombudsman clearinghouse to provide assistance to businesses as specified under s.
13560.42 (1m).
SB409-AA6, s. 35r 14Section 35r. 560.03 (19) of the statutes, as affected by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28,
15is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,2,1716 560.03 (19) Establish a regulatory ombudsman center an office of regulatory
17assistance
in the department to provide services as set forth in subch. III.".
SB409-AA6,2,19 185. Page 20, line 19: delete the material beginning with "or" and ending with
19"(c)" on line 20.
SB409-AA6,2,20 206. Page 23, line 7: after that line insert:
SB409-AA6,2,22 21" Section 43b. 560.30 (1) of the statutes, as created by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28,
22is repealed.
SB409-AA6, s. 43bb 23Section 43bb. 560.301 (intro.) of the statutes, as created by 2009 Wisconsin
24Act 28
, is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,3,5
1560.301 Rules, policies, and standards for awarding grants and
2making loans.
(intro.) The department, in consultation with the board, shall
3promulgate rules that establish procedures, policies, and standards for
4implementing this subchapter and awarding grants and making loans under this
5subchapter. The rules shall include all of the following:
SB409-AA6, s. 43bd 6Section 43bd. 560.304 of the statutes, as created by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28,
7is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,3,11 8560.304 Forward innovation fund. The department may award a grant or
9make a loan to an eligible recipient from the appropriations under s. 20.143 (1) (fi),
10(gm), and (io). The department shall consult with the board prior to awarding a grant
11or making a loan under this section.
SB409-AA6, s. 43c 12Section 43c. 560.305 (1) (intro.) of the statutes, as created by 2009 Wisconsin
13Act 28
, is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,3,1814 560.305 (1) (intro.) The department, in cooperation with the board, shall
15encourage small businesses to apply for grants and loans under this subchapter by
16ensuring that there are no undue impediments to their participation and by actively
17encouraging small businesses to apply for grants and loans. The department shall
18do all of the following:
SB409-AA6, s. 43cb 19Section 43cb. 560.305 (3) of the statutes, as created by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28,
20is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,4,221 560.305 (3) The board department shall develop a policy relating to obtaining
22reimbursement of grants and loans provided under this subchapter. The policy may
23provide that reimbursement shall be obtained through full repayment of the
24principal amount of the grant or loan plus interest, through receipt of a share of

1future profits from or an interest in a product or process, or through any other
2appropriate means.
SB409-AA6, s. 43d 3Section 43d. 560.305 (4) of the statutes, as created by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28,
4is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,4,75 560.305 (4) The board department shall require, as a condition of a grant or
6loan, that a recipient contribute to a project an amount that is not less than 25
7percent of the amount of the grant or loan.
SB409-AA6, s. 43db 8Section 43db. Subchapter III (title) of chapter 560 [precedes 560.41] of the
9statutes, as affected by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28, is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,4,1010 CHAPTER 560
SB409-AA6,4,1111 SUBCHAPTER III
SB409-AA6,4,13 12office of REGULATORY OMBUDSMAN
13 CENTER
assistance
SB409-AA6, s. 43dc 14Section 43dc. 560.41 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 560.41 (1n).
SB409-AA6, s. 43e 15Section 43e. 560.41 (1c) of the statutes is created to read:
SB409-AA6,4,1616 560.41 (1c) "Agency" has the meaning given in s. 16.70 (1e).
SB409-AA6, s. 43eb 17Section 43eb. 560.41 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:
SB409-AA6,4,1818 560.41 (1g) "Authority" has the meaning given in s. 16.70 (2).
SB409-AA6, s. 43ed 19Section 43ed. 560.41 (1m) of the statutes, as affected by 2009 Wisconsin Act
2028
, is renumbered 560.41 (1w) and amended to read:
SB409-AA6,4,2221 560.41 (1w) "Center Office" means the regulatory ombudsman center office of
22regulatory assistance
in the department.
SB409-AA6, s. 43f 23Section 43f. 560.41 (1r) of the statutes is created to read:
SB409-AA6,4,2424 560.41 (1r) "Municipality" has the meaning given in s. 16.70 (8).
SB409-AA6, s. 43fb 25Section 43fb. 560.41 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,5,2
1560.41 (2) "Permit" means any approval of a regulatory an agency required as
2a condition of operating a business in this state.
SB409-AA6, s. 43g 3Section 43g. 560.41 (3) of the statutes is repealed.
SB409-AA6, s. 43gb 4Section 43gb. 560.42 (1) of the statutes is repealed.
SB409-AA6, s. 43h 5Section 43h. 560.42 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
SB409-AA6,5,66 560.42 (1m) Assistance to businesses. The office shall do all of the following:
SB409-AA6,5,107 (a) Provide assistance with obtaining and maintaining permits and any
8licenses and approvals necessary for a business to operate in this state. To fulfill the
9requirements of this paragraph, the office shall do all of the following on behalf of
10businesses:
SB409-AA6,5,1111 1. Explain requirements for obtaining permits.
SB409-AA6,5,1212 2. Track the progress of applications for permits.
SB409-AA6,5,1413 3. Help businesses comply with laws and rules applicable to businesses,
14including providing plain-language explanations of laws and rules.
SB409-AA6,5,1615 (b) Serve as a liaison between businesses and agencies, authorities,
16municipalities, and local economic development organizations.
SB409-AA6, s. 43hb 17Section 43hb. 560.42 (2) (a) and (b), (2m) (intro.), (2r), (3) and (4) of the
18statutes are amended to read:
SB409-AA6,5,2319 560.42 (2) (a) The center office shall assist any person requesting information
20on which permits are required for a particular business activity or on the application
21process, including criteria applied in making a determination on a permit
22application and the time period within which a determination will be made. This
23assistance may include any of the following:
SB409-AA6,5,2524 1. Arranging a meeting between the person and the staff of the appropriate
25regulatory agency to enable the person to obtain information from the agency.
SB409-AA6,6,2
12. Obtaining information and permit applications from the regulatory agency
2and providing the information and appropriate permit applications to the person.
SB409-AA6,6,53 (b) If a person receives assistance under this subsection and applies for a permit
4and if the person requests, the center office shall monitor the status of the permit
5application and periodically report the status to the person.
SB409-AA6,6,8 6(2m) Advocacy. (intro.) The center office shall provide advocacy services
7before regulatory agencies on behalf of permit applicants. These services shall
8include all of the following:
SB409-AA6,6,13 9(2r) Mediation and dispute resolution services. The center office may provide
10mediation or other dispute resolution services to facilitate the resolution of a dispute
11between a regulatory an agency and a person applying for a permit. The provision
12of mediation or other dispute resolution services under this subsection does not affect
13any right that the person may have to a contested hearing under ch. 227.
SB409-AA6,6,18 14(3) Assistance by center office. (a) The center office may charge for services
15provided under this subchapter. Any amount charged for services may not exceed
16the actual cost of the service provided, unless a specific charge for the service, or
17method of calculating the charge, is provided by law. All amounts received under this
18paragraph shall be deposited in the appropriation account under s. 20.143 (1) (gc).
SB409-AA6,6,2119 (b) The center office may refer to the appropriate regulatory agency, without
20giving further assistance, any person seeking information or assistance on a permit
21under chs. 186, 215, 217, 220 to 224, 440 to 480 and 600 to 646.
SB409-AA6,6,2522 (c) Advice, assistance, mediation or other dispute resolution services or
23information rendered by the center office under this subchapter does not relieve any
24person from the obligation to secure a required permit or satisfy a regulatory
25requirement.
SB409-AA6,7,2
1(d) The center office shall not be liable for any consequences resulting from the
2failure of a regulatory an agency to issue, or the failure of a person to seek, a permit.
SB409-AA6,7,5 3(4) Promotion of assistance. (a) The center office shall maintain and publicize
4the availability of a toll-free telephone line available to in-state and out-of-state
5callers to the center office.
SB409-AA6,7,86 (b) The center office shall seek to explain, promote and publicize its services to
7the public and shall provide information on its services for inclusion in any public
8informational material on permits provided by regulatory agencies.
SB409-AA6,7,109 (c) The center office shall, in its efforts under pars. (a) and (b), clearly represent
10that its services are advisory, informational and facilitative only.
SB409-AA6, s. 43i 11Section 43i. 560.42 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
SB409-AA6,7,1512 560.42 (5) Staffing and report. The office shall be staffed by at least 2
13full-time employees of the department. The office shall annually submit to the chief
14clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing
15committees under s. 13.172 (3) a report on the work of the office.
SB409-AA6, s. 43ib 16Section 43ib. 560.43 (title), (1) (intro.), (a), (b), (c) and (g) and (2) of the statutes
17are amended to read:
SB409-AA6,7,19 18560.43 (title) Responsibilities of regulatory agencies. (1) Interagency
19cooperation.
(intro.) Each regulatory agency shall:
SB409-AA6,7,2220 (a) Designate a staff person to coordinate regulatory agency cooperation with
21center office staff, provide information to center office staff on the permit process and
22direct center office staff to appropriate staff within the regulatory agency.
SB409-AA6,7,2523 (b) Cooperate with center office staff and respond promptly to requests for
24assistance in expediting and requests for information on the permit process under
25s. 560.42.
SB409-AA6,8,2
1(c) Include material provided by the center office under s. 560.42 (4) in any
2public informational material on permits that it provides.
SB409-AA6,8,43 (g) Provide to the center office written notification of a change to a permit, along
4with a copy of the new or revised permit, before the effective date of the change.
SB409-AA6,8,8 5(2) Preapplication meetings. Each regulatory agency shall provide an
6opportunity for a preapplication meeting with its staff to any person interested in
7applying for a permit upon request by the person or the center office, and shall
8comply with the following requirements:
SB409-AA6,8,109 (a) The regulatory agency shall conduct preapplication meetings in an informal
10manner.
SB409-AA6,8,1411 (b) In any preapplication meeting, the regulatory agency shall identify all
12permits required by the regulating agency for a business activity, describe the steps
13and identify the time period for each step in the permit process and identify potential
14problems in the process.
SB409-AA6,8,1615 (d) The regulatory agency shall invite participation by center office staff in
16preapplication meetings when appropriate.
SB409-AA6,8,1817 (e) The regulatory agency shall publicize the availability of preapplication
18meetings to persons contacting them about permits.
SB409-AA6, s. 43j 19Section 43j. 560.44 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,8,2220 560.44 (1) Ombudsman. (intro.) The center office shall act as an ombudsman
21for brownfields redevelopment projects. As ombudsman, the center office shall do all
22of the following:
SB409-AA6, s. 43jd 23Section 43jd. 560.44 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,9,224 560.44 (2) Administration of brownfields programs. The center office shall
25assist in administering the grant program under s. 560.13 and in administering

1grants and loans under s. 560.138 that are made for brownfields remediation
2projects.
SB409-AA6, s. 43k 3Section 43k. 560.60 (1s) of the statutes, as affected by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28,
4is repealed.
SB409-AA6, s. 43L 5Section 43L. 560.602 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,9,9 6560.602 Policies and standards for awarding grants and loans. (intro.)
7The department, with the approval of the board, shall promulgate rules to establish
8policies and standards for awarding grants and loans under this subchapter. The
9rules shall include all of the following:
SB409-AA6, s. 43n 10Section 43n. 560.605 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,9,1311 560.605 (1) (intro.) Upon receipt of an application by an eligible recipient, the
12board department may consider any of the following in determining whether to
13award a grant or loan under s. 560.61:
SB409-AA6, s. 43o 14Section 43o. 560.605 (2m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,9,1615 560.605 (2m) (intro.) When considering whether a project will be located in a
16targeted area, the board department may consider any of the following:
SB409-AA6, s. 43p 17Section 43p. 560.605 (2m) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,9,1918 560.605 (2m) (h) Any other factor the board department considers to be an
19appropriate indicator of a targeted area.
SB409-AA6, s. 43q 20Section 43q. 560.605 (7) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,9,2421 560.605 (7) (intro.) The board department shall award not less than 35 percent
22of the total amount of grants and loans made under this subchapter to businesses in
23distressed areas. In this paragraph, "distressed area" means an area to which any
24of the following apply:
SB409-AA6, s. 43r 25Section 43r. 560.605 (7) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB409-AA6,9,26
1560.605 (7) (f) As determined by the board department, the area is affected by
2another factor that indicates the area is a distressed area.
SB409-AA6, s. 43s 3Section 43s. 560.61 of the statutes is amended to read:
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