LRB-1396/P4
EHS:klm&wlj
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Rice, BB0462 - Internet assistance program
For 2021-2023 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
health and human services
Public assistance
Internet assistance program
This bill requires DCF to establish an Internet assistance program, under which it makes payments to Internet service providers on behalf of low-income individuals to assist with paying for Internet service. The bill requires that other assistance program options be exhausted before assistance is provided under this program. The bill allows DCF to contract for the administration of the program. The bill requires DCF to promulgate rules to implement the program, including a requirement that the family income of a recipient not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Under the bill, the new program is funded through an appropriation from the general fund and from $10,000,000 that the bill requires DCF to allocate from federal moneys, including moneys received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section
1. 20.437 (2) (eg) of the statutes is created to read:
20.437 (2) (eg) Internet assistance program. The amounts in the schedule for the Internet assistance program under s. 49.168.
****Note: This Section
involves a change in an appropriation that must be reflected in the revised schedule in s. 20.005, stats.
Section
2. 49.168 of the statutes is created to read:
49.168 Internet assistance program.
(1) The department shall establish an Internet assistance program under which it shall, from the appropriation under s. 20.437 (2) (eg) and the allocation under s. 49.175 (1) (x), make payments to internet service providers on behalf of low-income individuals to assist with paying for Internet service. Assistance under this program may be provided only after other assistance program options have been exhausted. The department may contract for the administration of the program.
(2) The department shall promulgate rules to implement the program under this section and shall include a financial eligibility requirement that the family income of a recipient not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line.
Section
3. 49.175 (1) (x) of the statutes is created to read:
49.175 (1) (x) Internet assistance program. For the Internet assistance program under s. 49.168, $10,000,000 in each fiscal year.
Section 9106.
Nonstatutory provisions; Children and Families.
(1) Internet assistance program. Using the procedure under s. 227.24, the department of children and families may promulgate the rules authorized under s. 49.168 (2) as emergency rules. Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (a) and (3), the department of children and families is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated under this subsection.
(End)
