AB100: Bill Text

AB100,641,6 (c) With the consent of the department, enter into cooperative purchasing agreements under s. 16.73 (1) under which participating school districts and cooperative educational service agencies may contract for their professional employes to receive training concerning the effective use of educational technology.

AB100,641,11 (d) In cooperation with the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, the technical college system board, the department of public instruction and other entities, support the development of courses for the instruction of professional employes who are licensed by the state superintendent of public instruction concerning the effective use of educational technology.

AB100,641,14 (e) In cooperation with the department and the public service commission, provide telecommunications access to school districts under the program established under s. 196.218 (4r) (b).

AB100,641,17 (f) No later than October 1 of each even-numbered year, submit a biennial report concerning the board's activities to the governor, and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3).

AB100,641,25 (g) Coordinate the purchasing of educational technology materials, supplies, equipment and contractual services for school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, technical college districts and the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System by the department under s. 16.72 (8), and, in cooperation with the department, establish standards and specifications for purchases of educational technology hardware and software by school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, technical college districts and the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System.

AB100,642,4 (h) Purchase educational technology equipment for use by school districts, cooperative educational service agencies and public educational institutions in this state and lease the equipment, with option to purchase, to the school districts, cooperative educational service agencies and public educational institutions.

AB100,642,13 44.72 Educational technology training programs, grants, aids and loans. (1) Educational technology training grants. (a) After distributing grants to all eligible cooperative educational service agencies under par. (b), the board shall award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.275 (1) (et) to cooperative educational service agencies to train agency and school district staff in the use and integration of technology for educational purposes, to rent space for such training and for other costs associated with such training. A cooperative educational service agency is eligible for a grant under this paragraph only if it develops an educational technology training plan that is approved by the board.

AB100,642,18 (b) 1. From the appropriation under s. 20.275 (1) (et), the board shall award grants to cooperative educational service agencies to coordinate and provide educational technology planning and training among the school districts served by the agencies. The board of control of a cooperative educational service agency is eligible for a grant under this paragraph only if it agrees to do all of the following:

AB100,642,20 a. Assist school districts served by the cooperative educational service agency in developing and implementing educational technology plans.

AB100,642,22 b. Provide staff development programs that address educational technology needs identified in the plans developed under subd. 1. a.

AB100,642,24 c. Coordinate its efforts under subd. 1. a. and b. with institutions of higher education.

AB100,643,3 d. Employ on a full-time basis an individual whose sole function is to provide technical assistance related to educational technology to school districts served by the agency.

AB100,643,6 e. Employ on a full-time basis an individual whose sole function is to coordinate and provide educational technology training for the school districts served by the agency.

AB100,643,7 2. A grant under this paragraph may not exceed $120,000 in any fiscal year.

AB100,643,16 (2) Educational technology block grants. (a) Annually, the board shall distribute the amount appropriated under s. 20.275 (1) (u) to eligible school districts in proportion to the number of persons between the ages of 4 and 20 who reside in each school district, as determined under s. 43.70 (1). The funds shall be distributed after the funds under s. 43.70 (3) are distributed and according to the schedule in s. 43.70 (3). If, after distributing the funds under s. 43.70, the balance of the common school fund income is less than the amount appropriated under s. 20.275 (1) (u), the board shall distribute the balance of the common school fund income instead of the amount appropriated under s. 20.275 (1) (u) under this paragraph.

AB100,643,19 (b) 1. In this paragraph, "equalized valuation per member" means equalized valuation, as defined in s. 121.004 (2), divided by membership, as defined in s. 121.004 (5), except as follows:

AB100,643,22 a. For a school district operating only high school grades, "equalized valuation per member" means equalized valuation, as defined in s. 121.004 (2), divided by the result obtained by multiplying membership, as defined in s. 121.004 (5), by 3.

AB100,643,25 b. For a school district operating only elementary grades, "equalized valuation per member" means equalized valuation, as defined in s. 121.004 (2), divided by the result obtained by multiplying membership, as defined in s. 121.004 (5), by 1.5.

AB100,644,4 2. From the appropriation under s. 20.275 (1) (f), annually the board shall pay $5,000 to each eligible school district. The board shall distribute the balance in the appropriation to eligible school districts in proportion to the weighted membership of each school district, which shall be determined as follows:

AB100,644,6 a. If a school district's equalized valuation per member is more than 150% of the state average equalized valuation per member, each member is weighted as 1.0.

AB100,644,9 b. If a school district's equalized valuation per member is at least 100% but not more than 150% of the state average equalized valuation per member, each member is weighted as 2.0.

AB100,644,11 c. If a school district's equalized valuation per member is less than 100% of the state average equalized valuation per member, each member is weighted as 3.0.

AB100,644,16 (c) A school district is eligible for a grant under par. (a) or (b) only if the annual meeting in a common school district, or the school board in a unified school district or in a school district operating under ch. 119, adopts a resolution requesting the grant. A grant under this subsection may not be used to replace funding available from other sources.

AB100,644,20 (d) A school district receiving a grant under par. (a) or (b) shall deposit the moneys in a separate fund. The moneys may be used for any purpose related to educational technology, except that a school district may not use the moneys to pay the salary or benefits of any school district employe.

AB100,645,3 (4) Subsidized educational technology infrastructure loans. (a) Subsidized loans authorized. The board may make subsidized loans under this subsection to school districts from the proceeds of public debt contracted under s. 20.866 (2) (zc). Subsidized loans under this subsection may be used only for the purpose of upgrading the electrical wiring of school buildings in existence on the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], and installing and upgrading computer network wiring in accordance with standards and procedures established by the board and the department.

AB100,645,12 (b) Subsidized loan applications, terms and conditions. The board shall establish application procedures for, and the terms and conditions of, subsidized loans under this subsection. The terms shall include provision of professional building construction services under s. 16.85 (15). The board shall determine the interest rate on these loans. The interest rate shall be as low as possible but shall be sufficient to fully pay all interest expenses incurred by the state and to provide reserves that are reasonably expected to be required in the judgment of the board to ensure against losses arising from delinquency and default in the repayment of subsidized loans.

AB100,645,17 (c) Repayment of subsidized loans. A school district's total payments on a loan made under this subsection shall be equal to 50% of the total debt service on the loan, as determined by the board. A school district is not obligated to pay the remaining 50% of the debt service on the loan. The board shall credit all moneys received under this paragraph to the appropriation account under s. 20.275 (1) (h).

AB100,645,22 (d) Funding for subsidized loans. The board, with the approval of the governor and subject to the limits of s. 20.866 (2) (zc), may request that the building commission contract public debt in accordance with ch. 18 to fund loans under this subsection. The term of public debt contracted under s. 20.866 (2) (zc) may not exceed 10 years.

AB100,645,25 44.73 Educational technology assistance. The board shall coordinate with the division of information technology services of the department to provide school districts with telecommunications access under s. 196.218 (4r).

AB100, s. 1348 Section 1348. 45.01 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,646,9 45.01 Wisconsin veterans museum; space for. The department of administration shall provide suitable space for the purpose of a memorial hall, designated as the Wisconsin veterans museum, dedicated to the men and women of Wisconsin who served in the armed forces of the United States in the civil war of 1861 to 1865 or in any subsequent wars, as enumerated in s. 45.35 (5) (e), or in Bosnia, Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Somalia or a Middle East crisis under s. 45.34 who meets one of the conditions listed in s. 45.35 (5) (a) 1. a. to d., and the department of veterans affairs shall operate and conduct the Wisconsin veterans museum.

AB100, s. 1349 Section 1349. 45.16 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,647,6 45.16 Burial allowance. Each county veterans' service officer shall cause to be interred in a decent and respectable manner in any cemetery in this state, other than those used exclusively for the burial of paupers, the body of any person who served in any war of the United States, in the Korean conflict, in the Vietnam war, under section 1 of executive order 10957, dated August 10, 1961, or had service that entitled the person to receive the armed forces expeditionary medal, established by executive order 10977 on December 4, 1961, the Vietnam service medal established by executive order 11231 on July 8, 1965, the navy expeditionary medal or the marine corps expeditionary medal or who served in Bosnia, Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Somalia or a Middle East crisis under s. 45.34 and who was discharged under honorable conditions after 90 days or more of active service, in the U.S. armed forces, or if having served less than 90 days was honorably discharged for a disability incurred in line of duty and who was living in the county at the time of death, meets the definition of a "veteran" under s. 45.35 (5) and who dies not leaving sufficient means to defray the necessary expenses of a decent burial, or under financial circumstances that would distress the person's family to pay the expenses of the burial, and the body of a spouse or surviving spouse of the person who dies not leaving such means or under the same financial circumstances and who was living in the county at the time of death, at an expense to the county of not more than $300 in addition to the burial allowance payable under laws administered by the U.S. department of veterans affairs.

AB100, s. 1350 Section 1350. 45.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,647,12 45.25 (1) Administration. The department of veterans affairs shall administer a tuition and fee reimbursement program for eligible veterans enrolling as undergraduates in any institution or center within the university of Wisconsin system or, enrolling in any technical college under ch. 38 or receiving a waiver of nonresident tuition under s. 39.47.

AB100, s. 1351 Section 1351. 45.25 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,647,20 45.25 (2) (b) The individual served on active duty, except service on active duty for training purposes, under honorable conditions in the U.S. armed forces for 2 continuous years or more or the full period of the individual's initial service obligation, whichever is less. An individual discharged for reasons of hardship or a service-connected disability or released due to a reduction in the U.S. armed forces prior to the completion of the required period of service is eligible, regardless of the actual time served meets the definition of a "veteran" under s. 45.35 (5).

AB100, s. 1352 Section 1352. 45.25 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,647,23 45.25 (2) (c) The individual applies for the tuition and fee reimbursement program for courses completed within 6 10 years after separation from the service.

AB100, s. 1353 Section 1353. 45.25 (3) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 255, is amended to read:

AB100,648,13 45.25 (3) (a) An individual who meets the requirements under sub. (2), upon satisfactory completion of an undergraduate semester in any institution or center within the university of Wisconsin system or a semester at any technical college district school under ch. 38, may be reimbursed for up to 50% of the individual's tuition and fees, other than textbooks and other costs, charged by the institution, center or school, but that reimbursement is limited to a maximum of 50% of the standard cost for a state resident for an equivalent undergraduate course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison per course or the difference between the individual's tuition and fees and the grants or scholarships, including those made under s. 21.49, that the individual receives specifically for the payment of the tuition or fees, whichever is less. Reimbursement is available only for tuition and fees that are part of a curriculum that is relevant to a degree in a particular course of study at the institution, center or school.

AB100, s. 1354 Section 1354. 45.25 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,648,20 45.25 (3) (c) Reimbursement provided under this section shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.485 (2) (tf) (vy). If the amount of funds applied for exceeds the amount available under s. 20.485 (2) (tf) (vy), the department may deny applications for reimbursement that would otherwise qualify under this section. In those cases, the department shall determine eligibility on the basis of the dates on which applications for reimbursement were received.

AB100, s. 1355 Section 1355. 45.25 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,649,2 45.25 (4) (a) An individual is not eligible for reimbursement under sub. (2) for more than 120 credits of part-time study or 8 full semesters of full-time study at any institution or center within the university of Wisconsin system or, 60 credits of part-time study or 4 full semesters of full-time study at a technical college under ch. 38, or an equivalent amount of credits at an institution where he or she is receiving a waiver of nonresident tuition under s. 39.47.

AB100, s. 1356 Section 1356. 45.25 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,649,7 45.25 (4) (d) The department may provide reimbursement under sub. (2) from the appropriation account under s. 20.485 (2) (tf) (vy) for the fiscal year in which the course was completed or in which the academic term during which the course was taken ended, whichever is earlier.

AB100, s. 1357 Section 1357. 45.35 (5) (a) 1. d. of the statutes is created to read:

AB100,649,14 45.35 (5) (a) 1. d. Has served on active duty under conditions other than dishonorable in the U.S. armed forces for 2 continuous years or more or the full period of the individual's initial service obligation, whichever is less. An individual discharged for reasons of hardship or a service-connected disability or released due to a reduction in the U.S. armed forces prior to the completion of the required period of service is eligible, regardless of the actual time served.

AB100, s. 1358 Section 1358. 45.35 (5m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,649,17 45.35 (5m) (a) (intro.) "Dependent" of a veteran as used in this section and s. ss. 45.351 and 45.356 includes only:

AB100, s. 1359 Section 1359. 45.35 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,650,7 45.35 (6) Coordination duties. The department shall coordinate the activities of all state agencies and the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority performing functions relating to the medical, hospital, or other remedial care, placement and training, educational, economic or vocational rehabilitation of persons who served in the armed forces of the United States at any time and who were honorably discharged, including such persons with disabilities whether or not service-connected or war-connected. In particular it shall coordinate the activities of the technical college system board, state selective service administration, department of health and family services, department of industry, labor and job development, department of education public instruction, the university of Wisconsin system and other educational institutions, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, and all other departments or agencies performing any of the functions specified to the end that the benefits provided in this section may be made available to veterans as promptly and effectively as possible.

AB100, s. 1360 Section 1360. 45.35 (15) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,650,11 45.35 (15) Liberal construction intended. This section, ss. 45.351, 45.356 and 45.37 and subch. II shall be construed as liberally as the language permits in favor of applicants.

AB100, s. 1361 Section 1361. 45.35 (18) of the statutes is created to read:

AB100,650,16 45.35 (18) Loan repayments. The department shall deposit all repayments of loans and payments of interest made on loans under s. 45.351 (2), 1995 stats., s. 45.352, 1971 stats., s. 45.356, 1995 stats., or s. 45.80, 1989 stats., in the veterans trust fund.

AB100, s. 1362 Section 1362. 45.351 (1j) of the statutes is created to read:

AB100,651,8 45.351 (1j) Health care aid grants. (a) The department may grant to any veteran or dependents such temporary health care aid as the department considers advisable to prevent want or distress. Health care aid to meet medical or hospital bills under this paragraph is limited to a payment of up to $5,000 per veteran or dependent for a maximum of 30 days within a 12-month period for the same condition or conditions. Health care aid may be used to provide payment for the treatment of alcoholism or other drug addiction or to provide payment for health care required because of alcoholism or other drug addiction or alcohol or other drug abuse. The department may not grant health care aid under this paragraph unless the aid recipient's health care provider agrees to accept, as full payment for the medical treatment for which the aid is to be granted, the amount of the grant, the amount of the recipient's health insurance or other 3rd-party payments, if any, and the amount that the department determines the aid recipient is capable of paying. The department may not grant health care aid under this paragraph if the combined liquid assets of the applicant for aid, and of the veteran and veteran's dependents who are living in the same household with the applicant, are in excess of $1,000.

AB100,651,9 (b) This subsection does not apply after June 30, 1999.

AB100, s. 1363 Section 1363. 45.351 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

AB100, s. 1364 Section 1364. 45.351 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,651,14 45.351 (3) Appropriations. The department may award grants and loans under this section from the appropriation in s. 20.485 (2) (vm). Nothing in this section empowers the department to incur any state debt.

AB100, s. 1365 Section 1365. 45.353 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,652,3 45.353 (2) Upon application the department shall make a payment to any state veterans organization that establishes that it, or its national organization, or both, has maintained a full-time service office at the regional office for at least 5 of the 10 years preceding the date of application. The payment shall equal 25% of all salaries and travel expenses under sub. (3) paid during the previous fiscal year by the state veterans organization to employes engaged in veterans claims service and stationed at the regional office, except that the sum paid to a state veterans organization annually shall not be less than either $2,500, or the amount of salaries and travel expenses paid by the state veterans organization to employes stationed at the regional office, whichever is less, nor more than $15,000. In addition, the department may provide a performance incentive award to any state veterans organization that receives a payment under this section from the amount remaining in the appropriation under s. 20.485 (2) (vw) after the initial payment has been made.

AB100, s. 1366 Section 1366. 45.356 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,652,5 45.356 (title) Veterans trust fund stabilization personal loans.

AB100, s. 1367 Section 1367. 45.356 (1m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,652,8 45.356 (1m) (b) "Veteran" has the meaning given in s. 45.71 (16) (a) 45.35 (5) (a).

AB100, s. 1368 Section 1368. 45.356 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,652,17 45.356 (2) The department may lend a veteran, a veteran's unremarried spouse or a deceased veteran's child who meets the requirements of s. 45.35 (5m) (a) 2. not more than $15,000 or a lesser amount established by the department by rule for the purchase of a mobile home, business or business property, the repair of or addition to his or her home or business property, the construction of a garage, the education of the veteran or his or her spouse or children, the payment of medical or funeral expenses or the consolidation of debt. The department may prescribe loan conditions, but the term of the loan may not exceed 10 years.

AB100, s. 1369 Section 1369. 45.356 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,652,24 45.356 (3) The department may lend not more than $15,000 or a lesser amount established by the department by rule to a veteran's remarried surviving spouse, whether remarried or not, or to the parent of a deceased veteran's children child for the education of the minor or dependent children of the veteran if the surviving spouse or parent is a resident of and living in this state on the date of application a child who meets the requirements of s. 45.35 (5m) (a) 2.

AB100, s. 1370 Section 1370. 45.356 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB100,653,2 45.356 (3m) To be eligible for a loan under this section, an applicant must be a resident of and living in this state on the date of the application.

AB100, s. 1371 Section 1371. 45.356 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,653,12 45.356 (4) The department shall administer this program as a fiduciary for the purpose of maximizing the asset and income base of the veterans trust fund. The department may execute necessary instruments, collect interest and principal, compromise indebtedness, sue and be sued, post bonds and write off indebtedness that it considers uncollectible. If a loan under this subsection section is secured by a real estate mortgage, the department may exercise the rights of owners and mortgagees generally and the rights and powers set forth in s. 45.72. The department shall pay all interest and principal repaid on the loan into the veterans trust fund.

AB100, s. 1372 Section 1372. 45.356 (8) of the statutes is created to read:

AB100,653,18 45.356 (8) No person may receive a loan under this section in an amount that, when added to the balance outstanding on the person's existing loans under s. 45.351 (2), 1995 stats., and s. 45.356, 1995 stats., would result in a total indebtedness to the department of more than $15,000, or a lesser amount as established by the department by rule.

AB100, s. 1373 Section 1373. 45.356 (9) of the statutes is created to read:

AB100,653,22 45.356 (9) (a) The department may borrow from the veterans mortgage loan repayment fund under s. 45.79 (7) (a) and shall pledge loans made under this section as collateral for the borrowing.

AB100,653,24 (b) The department may enter into transactions with the state investment board to obtain money to make loans under this section.

AB100,654,5 (c) All moneys received by the department from the repayment of loans funded under this section, net proceeds from the sale of mortgaged properties, gifts, grants, other appropriations and interest earnings accruing thereon, shall be used to repay any money borrowed from the veterans mortgage loan repayment fund under par. (a) and to repay any money obtained from the state investment board under par. (b).

AB100, s. 1374 Section 1374. 45.357 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB100,654,7 45.357 (title) Veterans rehabilitation assistance program.

AB100, s. 1375 Section 1375. 45.357 of the statutes is renumbered 45.357 (1) and amended to read:

AB100,654,19 45.357 (1) The department of veterans affairs shall administer a rehabilitation program to provide assistance to persons who served in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces and who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The department shall provide assistance to persons whose need for services is based upon homelessness, incarceration or other circumstances designated by the department by rule. The department shall designate the assistance available under this section, which may include assistance in receiving medical care, dental care, education, employment and transitional housing. The department may provide grants to facilitate the provision of services under this section.

AB100, s. 1376 Section 1376. 45.357 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

AB100,654,25 45.357 (2) The department may charge fees for transitional housing and for such other assistance that is provided under this section as the department designates. Any fees received shall be credited to the veterans trust fund. The department shall promulgate rules establishing the fee schedule and the manner of implementation of that schedule.