SB44,891,74 195.29 (1) Petition, hearing, Public safety; order. Upon If, upon its own
5motion or upon
petition by the common council or board of any city, village, town or
6county within or bordering upon which a highway or street crosses a railroad, or a
7highway or street is proposed to be laid out across a railroad, or a public highway
8bridge across a railroad is required to connect existing streets or highways, or upon
9petition by any railroad whose track crosses or is about to cross, or is crossed or about
10to be crossed by a street or highway, or upon petition by the department, in cases
11where provision has been made for the improvement of the highway adjacent to such
12crossing under any state aid or federal aid law, the department determines that
13public safety requires an alteration in such crossing, its approaches, the method of
14crossing, the location of the highway or crossing, or the closing of the crossing, and
15the substitution of another therefor at grade or not at grade, or the removal of
16obstructions to the view at such crossing, the relocation of the highway, or requires
17the determination of the manner of making such new crossing, or of making the
18proposed improvement or promoting the public safety or public convenience through
19any other reasonable method, and praying that the same may be ordered, the office
20shall give notice to the parties in interest and proceed to investigate the same and
21to order a hearing thereon in the manner provided by s. 195.04. The office shall
22determine
the department may issue an appropriate order without a public hearing.
23The department shall make its determination on the basis of investigation and the
24criteria relating to the requirements of public safety promulgated under sub. (9). The
25order shall state
what, if anything, shall be done to promote the public safety and the

1means by which it shall be accomplished, whether by the relocation of the highway,
2the alteration in such crossing, approaches, mode of crossing, location of highway
3crossing, closing of highway crossing, with or without the substitution of another
4therefor, the construction of a public highway bridge, the removal of obstructions to
5sight at crossing, or by the use of other reasonable methods, and by whom the same
6shall be made, and in case of new crossings the advisability of allowing such crossings
7to be established and manner of making them.
SB44, s. 2270 8Section 2270. 195.29 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,891,179 195.29 (2) Apportionment of expense. The office department shall fix the
10proportion of the cost and expense of alterations, removals and new crossings, or any
11other work ordered, including the damages to any person whose land is taken, and
12the special damages which the owner of any land adjoining the public street or
13highway shall sustain by reason of a change in the grade of such street or highway,
14or by reason of the removal of obstructions to view at such crossings, to be paid or
15borne by the railroad companies and the municipalities in interest. In fixing such
16proportion, the office department may order such cost and expense so apportioned
17to be paid by the parties against which the apportionment shall be made.
SB44, s. 2271 18Section 2271. 195.29 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,892,519 195.29 (3) Restoration of spur tracks. Whenever the office department shall
20have ordered a separation of the grade of a railway from the grade of a street or
21highway, it may, if safe and practicable and if a necessity exists therefor, order the
22alteration, restoration and connection of any track serving an industry. Demand for
23such restoration shall be in writing and filed with the office department within 90
24days after the date of the order for the separation of grades, and any such track for
25which no such demand shall have been made shall be deemed abandoned. If the

1office department shall order the alteration, restoration and connection of any such
2track, it shall by its order apportion the cost thereof between the owner of the
3industry served and the railway company, in such proportion as to the office
4department may seem just and equitable; and the office department shall in its order
5prescribe the terms and conditions for securing the payment of such cost.
SB44, s. 2272 6Section 2272. 195.29 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,893,77 195.29 (4) Grade separation in Milwaukee County. The office department may
8upon petition of any town, city or village, or upon its own motion, when the interests
9of the public demand it and it is found practicable so to do, establish the grade of the
10tracks of any railroad, or of all the railroads throughout any county having a
11population of 500,000 or more, or any part thereof, and the grades of the streets or
12highways, or any of them, where they cross such railroad track or tracks, in
13anticipation of the future separation of grades of the railroad tracks from the grades
14of such streets or highways. The office department, before making any such order,
15shall mail notice to the railroad company or companies affected, the owners or
16occupants of any building abutting on that part of the railroad the grade of which is
17to be established, all 1st class cities in the county, and if the grades to be established
18are outside the 1st class city, the towns, cities or villages in which such grades are
19to be established, of the filing of such petition or that the office department
20contemplates establishing such grades, and fixing a time at which the 1st class cities
21and such other towns, cities or villages and the railroad company or companies
22affected thereby and any other person or corporation interested therein may be
23heard. The grades so established under this subsection shall be described by
24reference to a base or datum line to be established by the office department, from
25which all elevations and the height of all grades shall be measured, and the grades

1so established shall be such that when brought to the established grade the railroad
2tracks will cross the streets and highways above or below the same. Such order shall
3not necessarily require a present change in grade but the office department may at
4any time order the railroad track or tracks and the street and highways brought to
5the grade established or any street or highways closed by the order, in accordance
6with sub. (1), and may, at the time of making the order, apportion the cost of
7separating the grades as provided in sub. (2).
SB44, s. 2273 8Section 2273. 195.29 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,894,39 195.29 (5) Elimination of grade crossings, costs. Upon If, upon its own motion
10or upon
petition of the department, or of the common council or board of any city,
11village, town or county, alleging that one or more of them have undertaken or propose
12to undertake to relocate or improve an existing highway or to construct a new
13highway in such manner as to eliminate a highway grade crossing with any railroad
14or so as to permanently divert a material portion of the highway traffic from a
15highway grade crossing with any railroad, the office shall issue notice of
16investigation and hearing, as provided in s. 195.04. If upon such hearing the office

17department finds that the public safety will be promoted by the highway relocation,
18improvement or new construction, the office department shall order the old crossings
19closed and new crossings opened as are deemed necessary for public safety. The
20department may issue an appropriate order without a public hearing.
The order
21shall require the railroad company or companies to pay to the interested
22municipality or municipalities such sum as the office department finds to be an
23equitable portion of the cost of the highway relocation, improvement or new
24construction, if the work is performed by the municipalities; or to the state treasurer
25if the work is performed by the state; or to the proper county treasurer if the work

1is performed by the county. The sum shall be added to the joint fund available for
2the improvement and may be expended in like manner as the other portions of the
3fund.
SB44, s. 2274 4Section 2274 . 195.29 (5) of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin .... (this
5act), is amended to read:
SB44,894,236 195.29 (5) Elimination of grade crossings, costs. If, upon its own motion or
7upon petition of the common council or board of any city, village, town, or county,
8alleging that one or more of them have undertaken or propose to undertake to
9relocate or improve an existing highway or to construct a new highway in such
10manner as to eliminate a highway grade crossing with any railroad or so as to
11permanently divert a material portion of the highway traffic from a highway grade
12crossing with any railroad, the department finds that the public safety will be
13promoted by the highway relocation, improvement, or new construction, the
14department shall order the old crossings closed and new crossings opened as are
15deemed necessary for public safety. The department may issue an appropriate order
16without a public hearing. The order shall require the railroad company or companies
17to pay to the interested municipality or municipalities such sum as the department
18finds to be an equitable portion of the cost of the highway relocation, improvement,
19or new construction, if the work is performed by the municipalities; or to the state
20treasurer
secretary of administration if the work is performed by the state; or to the
21proper county treasurer if the work is performed by the county. The sum shall be
22added to the joint fund available for the improvement and may be expended in like
23manner as the other portions of the fund.
SB44, s. 2275 24Section 2275. 195.29 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,895,25
1195.29 (6) View at crossings; trees and brush near crossings; forfeiture.
2Every railroad shall keep its right-of-way clear of brush or trees for a distance of not
3less than 330 feet in each direction from the center of its intersection at grade with
4any public highway, and for such further distance as is necessary to provide an
5adequate view of approaching trains, from the highway. Every municipality shall
6keep the public highways within its jurisdiction clear of brush and shall adequately
7trim all trees within 330 feet of the center of any railroad highway grade crossing.
8Every person or corporation owning or occupying any land adjacent to any railroad
9highway grade crossing shall keep all brush cut and adequately trim all trees on the
10land within the triangles bounded on 2 sides by the railway and the highway, and on
11the 3rd side by a line connecting points on the center lines of the railway and the
12highway, 330 feet from the intersection of the center lines. The office department,
13upon its own motion, or upon any complaint to the effect that any work required by
14this subsection has not been performed, after due notice and hearing, may order the
15corporation, municipality or person at fault to perform the work; provided, however,
16that if the physical conditions at any crossing are such that the performance of the
17required work will not materially improve the view for highway traffic, or, if
18unreasonable loss would be caused thereby, the office department may excuse the
19party in interest from performing the same. The office department may also order
20the cutting of brush and the trimming of trees at private farm crossings as may be
21necessary and reasonable. If any person shall violate any provision of this section,
22or shall fail, neglect or refuse to obey any order made by the office department under
23this section, or any judgment, order, or decree made by the division of hearings and
24appeals or
any court upon such an order, for every such violation, failure or refusal
25such person shall forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $150.
SB44, s. 2276
1Section 2276. 195.29 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,896,52 195.29 (7) Structure requirements. Whenever the office department shall
3order the construction or reconstruction of a crossing not at grade, it may direct that
4the structure required shall be of such character and constructed of such materials
5as it shall deem appropriate to the situation and necessary for the public interest.
SB44, s. 2277 6Section 2277. 195.29 (9) of the statutes is created to read:
SB44,896,107 195.29 (9) Rules. The department shall promulgate a rule establishing criteria
8for determining the requirements of public safety with respect to railroad highway
9crossings under this section. The rule shall include criteria for apportioning
10expenses under this section.
SB44, s. 2278 11Section 2278. 195.29 (10) of the statutes is created to read:
SB44,896,1512 195.29 (10) Review of department orders. If a petitioner, railroad or any
13interested party objects to an order under this section within 20 days after the date
14that the order is issued, the department shall refer the order to the division of
15hearings and appeals for review as provided in s. 195.325.
SB44, s. 2279 16Section 2279. 195.295 of the statutes is created to read:
SB44,897,7 17195.295 Highway crossings; public warning. Notwithstanding ss. 195.28,
18195.285, 195.286, 195.29, and 195.30, the department shall monitor and investigate
19all railroad highway grade crossings in this state, and determine, by order, rule or
20otherwise, for each crossing whether any warning devices, advance warning signs
21or other warning measures shall be required to protect and promote public safety.
22The department may make a determination under this section without a hearing.
23Any device, sign, or other measure, installed or maintained at a crossing, that
24conforms to a determination of the department under this section or, if no such
25determination has been made, that was approved by the office of the commissioner

1of transportation under ch. 195, 1991 stats., or the office of the commissioner of
2railroads under ch. 195, 2001 stats., before the effective date of this section ....
3[revisor inserts date], whether by order or otherwise, shall be considered adequate
4and appropriate warning for the crossing. If a railroad or interested party objects
5to an order under this section within 20 days after the date that the order is issued,
6the department shall refer the order to the division of hearings and appeals for
7review as provided in s. 195.325.
SB44, s. 2280 8Section 2280. 195.30 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,898,29 195.30 (1) Upon a petition by the common council of any city, or the board of
10any village, town or county within which a railroad crosses another railroad at grade,
11or by any such railroad, that public safety requires an alteration in the crossing or
12the installation of protective appliances, the office shall give notice to the parties in
13interest, and proceed to investigate the same and may order a hearing on the matter.
14The office shall determine what alteration in such crossing, if any, shall
or on its own
15motion, the department may investigate the matter and determine what alteration
16in the crossing, if any, is necessary. The department shall make its determination
17on the basis of the criteria for public safety requirements promulgated as rules under
18ss. 84.05 and 195.28. The department may issue an order, with or without a hearing,
19specifying an alteration to
be made, and by whom made and maintained, or what
20protective appliances shall be installed, operated and maintained at the crossing and
21by whom installed, operated and maintained. The office department's order shall fix
22the proportion of the cost and expense of such change in grade and maintenance of
23the crossing or of the installation, operation and maintenance of the safety appliance
24which shall be paid by the railroad companies, respectively. If an interested party
25objects to the order and requests a hearing within 20 days after the date on which

1the order is issued, the department shall refer the matter to the division of hearings
2and appeals for review as provided in s. 195.325.
SB44, s. 2281 3Section 2281. 195.305 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,898,11 4195.305 Railroad crossings; grade; expense. Whenever a railroad
5proposes to cross, intersect, join or unite its track with another railroad track, the
6surface road of the proposed track shall be above, below or at grade of the tracks
7proposed to be crossed as the office division of hearings and appeals determines after
8hearing the parties upon reasonable notice. In its determination, the office division
9of hearings and appeals
shall fix the proportion of the expense of originally
10constructing, operating, and maintaining such crossing, intersecting, joining or
11uniting which shall be paid by the owners of the tracks respectively.
SB44, s. 2282 12Section 2282. 195.31 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,899,21 13195.31 Bridges made safe. Whenever a complaint is lodged with the office
14department by the common council of any city, the village board of any village, a
15member of a town board, or a supervisor of highways, or by 5 or more electors and
16taxpayers in any town, or 5 or more electors of the county in which such bridge is
17located, and who are users of such bridge or railway, to the effect that a bridge erected
18over a stream intersecting a public highway or highways upon which a railway is
19constructed and operated, is unsafe and dangerous to travelers over such highway
20or highways or bridge or railroad, and that public safety requires the alteration, the
21repair or reconstruction of such bridge, or the substitution of another bridge therefor,
22it shall be the duty of the office to give notice to the party or parties in interest, other
23than the petitioners, of the filing of such complaint, and to furnish a copy of the
24complaint to the party or parties in interest other than the petitioners, and to order
25a hearing thereon, in the manner provided for hearings in ss. 195.04 to 195.043. The

1office
the department shall investigate the matter. The department may proceed in
2a similar manner in the absence of a petition when, in the opinion of the office
3department, public safety requires the alteration, repair or reconstruction of a bridge
4or the substitution of another bridge for the bridge in question. After the hearing,
5the office
The department shall determine what alteration or repair or
6reconstruction of such bridge, and the approaches thereto, shall be made, or if it shall
7determine
determines that public safety requires the substitution of a new bridge,
8it shall determine the character, manner of construction and location of such bridge
9and the approaches thereto. The office department shall fix the proportion of the cost
10and expense of such alteration, repair, reconstruction or substitution of a new bridge,
11including the damage to any person whose land is taken, and the special damage
12which the owner of any land adjoining the approaches to said bridge shall sustain
13by reason of the alteration, repair, reconstruction or substitution of a new bridge,
to
14be paid by the railroad company and the city, village or town in interest. The
15department may issue appropriate orders incorporating its determinations and may
16proceed without a hearing on the matter. The department shall make its
17determinations on the basis of investigation and criteria for bridge safety
18promulgated by rule. If a petitioner or interested party objects to an order under this
19section within 20 days after the date that the order is issued, the department shall
20refer the order to the division of hearings and appeals for review as provided in s.
21195.325.
SB44, s. 2283 22Section 2283. 195.32 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,900,14 23195.32 Safety gates on drawbridges. Whenever a complaint is filed with
24the office department to the effect that any drawbridge is not equipped with gates
25or other safety devices, the office department may notify the proper party or parties

1in interest of the complaint, and may proceed to investigate the complaint and to hold
2a hearing on the matter in the manner provided for hearings in ss. 195.04 to 195.043

3matter. If after the investigation the office department determines that public safety
4requires the erection and maintenance of gates or other safety devices at the points
5mentioned in the complaint, it may order the county, city, village, town, corporation
6or person whose duty it is to maintain such bridge to erect and maintain at such
7points such gates or other safety devices as the office department prescribes. The
8office department may conduct the investigations, hold the hearings and make the
9orders provided for in this section upon its own motion in the same manner and with
10the same effect as though a complaint were filed. The department shall make its
11determination on the basis of the investigation and criteria for drawbridge safety
12promulgated by rule. If an interested party objects to an order under this section
13within 20 days after the date that the order is issued, the department shall refer the
14order to the division of hearings and appeals for review as provided in s. 195.325.
SB44, s. 2284 15Section 2284. 195.325 of the statutes is created to read:
SB44,900,21 16195.325 Review of department orders on crossings and bridges. If an
17order of the department under s. 84.05, 195.28, 195.285, 195.29, 195.295, 195.30,
18195.31, or 195.32 is referred to the division of hearings and appeals for review, the
19division of hearings and appeals shall review the order under s. 85.013 (3) in light
20of the application of the criteria relating to the matter promulgated as rules by the
21department.
SB44, s. 2285 22Section 2285. 195.33 of the statutes is repealed.
SB44, s. 2286 23Section 2286. 195.34 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,901,3 24195.34 Reports of accidents, investigation. Every railroad shall report to
25the office department all collisions, derailments or other accidents resulting in injury

1to persons, equipment or roadway arising from its operation. The office department
2may issue rules concerning the reporting of accidents and may also, if public
3interests require, cause an investigation of any accident.
SB44, s. 2287 4Section 2287. 195.36 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,901,14 5195.36 General penalty upon railroads. If any railroad shall violate any
6provision of this chapter, or shall do any act herein prohibited, or shall fail or refuse
7to perform any duty enjoined upon it, for which a penalty has not been provided, or
8shall fail, neglect or refuse to obey any lawful requirement or order made by the office
9department or division of hearings and appeals, or any judgment or decree made by
10any court upon its application, for every such violation, failure or refusal in respect
11to any matter prescribed by this chapter such railroad shall forfeit not less than $100
12nor more than $10,000. The act, omission or failure of any officer, agent or other
13person employed by any railroad, acting within the scope of his or her employment,
14shall be deemed to be the act, omission or failure of such railroad.
SB44, s. 2288 15Section 2288. 195.37 of the statutes is repealed.
SB44, s. 2289 16Section 2289. 195.38 of the statutes is repealed.
SB44, s. 2290 17Section 2290. 195.45 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,901,2218 195.45 (1) No person shall operate as a common carrier of passengers or
19property by water except in accordance with the terms and conditions of a certificate
20of public convenience and necessity issued by the office. The office shall issue any
21certificate upon a finding that the service proposed to be performed is in the public
22interest and required by public convenience and necessity
department.
SB44, s. 2291 23Section 2291. 195.45 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,902,3
1195.45 (2) Application for the certificate shall be made on forms furnished by
2the office department and shall contain such information as the office department
3requires.
SB44, s. 2292 4Section 2292. 195.45 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,902,65 195.45 (4) The office department may promulgate rules for the operation of this
6section.
SB44, s. 2293 7Section 2293. 195.50 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,902,208 195.50 (1) Any officer, agent or employee of any railroad who fails to fill out and
9return any forms required by this chapter, or fails to answer any question therein,
10or knowingly gives a false answer to any such question, or evades the answer to any
11such question where the fact inquired of is within his or her knowledge, or who, upon
12proper demand, fails to exhibit to the office or department or the division of hearings
13and appeals
or any person authorized to examine the same, any book, paper, account,
14record or memoranda of such railroad which is in the possession or under control of
15the officer, agent or employee, or who fails to properly use and keep the system of
16accounting prescribed by the office department, or who refuses to do any act or thing
17in connection with such system of accounting when so directed by the office or its
18department, the division of hearings and appeals, or their authorized
19representatives, shall forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each
20offense.
SB44, s. 2294 21Section 2294. 195.60 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,902,22 22195.60 (title) Payment of office department expenses by railroads.
SB44, s. 2295 23Section 2295. 195.60 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,903,2524 195.60 (1) Whenever the office department in a proceeding upon its own
25motion, on complaint, or upon an application to it deems it necessary in order to carry

1out the duties imposed upon it by law to investigate the books, accounts, practices
2and activities of, or make appraisals of the property of any railroad or to render any
3engineering or accounting services to any railroad, the railroad shall pay the
4expenses attributable to such investigation, appraisal or service. The office
5department shall ascertain such expenses, including all expenses incurred by the
6department at the request or direction of the office
and shall render a bill therefor,
7by mail, to the railroad, either at the conclusion of the investigation, appraisal or
8services, or during its progress. The bill shall constitute notice of assessment and
9demand of payment thereof. The railroad shall, within 30 days after the mailing
10thereof, pay to the office department the amount of the special expense for which it
11is billed. Ninety percent of the payment shall be deposited in the general fund and
12credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.155 (2) (g) 20.395 (2) (gg). The total
13amount, in any one calendar year, for which any railroad becomes liable, by reason
14of costs incurred by the office department within such calendar year, shall not exceed
15four-fifths of one percent of its gross operating revenues derived from intrastate
16operations in the last preceding calendar year. Where, under this subsection, costs
17are incurred within any calendar year, which are in excess of four-fifths of one
18percent of such gross operating revenues, the excess costs shall not be chargeable as
19part of the remainder under sub. (2) but shall be paid out of the general appropriation
20to the office department. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the office
21department from rendering bills in one calendar year for costs incurred within a
22previous year. For the purpose of calculating the costs of investigations, appraisals
23and other services under this subsection, 90% of the costs determined shall be costs
24of the office department and 10% of the costs determined shall be costs of state
25government operations.
SB44, s. 2296
1Section 2296. 195.60 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,904,202 195.60 (2) The office department shall annually, within 90 days after the close
3of each fiscal year, ascertain the total of its expenditures during such year which are
4reasonably attributable to the performance of its duties relating to railroads. For
5purposes of such calculation, 90% of the expenditures so determined shall be
6expenditures of the office department and 10% of the expenditures so determined
7shall be expenditures for state government operations. The office department shall
8deduct therefrom all amounts chargeable to railroads under sub. (1) and s. 201.10 (3).
9A sum equal to the remainder plus 10% of the remainder shall be assessed by the
10office department to the several railroads in proportion to their respective gross
11operating revenues during the last calendar year, derived from intrastate
12operations. Such assessment shall be paid within 30 days after the bill has been
13mailed to the several railroads, which bill shall constitute notice of assessment and
14demand of payment thereof. The total amount which may be assessed to the
15railroads under authority of this subsection shall not exceed 1.85% of the total gross
16operating revenues of such railroads, during such calendar year, derived from
17intrastate operations. Ninety percent of the payment shall be deposited in the
18general fund and
credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.155 (2) (g) 20.395
19(2) (gg)
. The railroads shall furnish such financial information as the office
20department requires.
SB44, s. 2297 21Section 2297. 195.60 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,905,1022 195.60 (3) If any railroad against which a bill has been rendered under sub. (1)
23or (2) within 30 days after the rendering of such bill neglects or refuses to pay the
24same or fails to file objections to the bill with the office division of hearings and
25appeals
, the office department shall transmit to the state treasurer a certified copy

1of the bill, together with notice of neglect or refusal to pay the bill, and on the same
2day the office department shall mail to the railroad against which the bill has been
3rendered a copy of the notice which it has transmitted to the state treasurer. Within
410 days after the receipt of such notice and certified copy of such bill, the state
5treasurer shall levy the amount stated on such bill to be due, with interest, by
6distress and sale of any goods and chattels, including stocks, securities, bank
7accounts, evidences of debt, and accounts receivable belonging to such delinquent
8railroad. Such levy by distress and sale shall be governed by the provisions of s.
974.10, 1985 stats., except that it shall be made by the state treasurer and that said
10goods and chattels anywhere within the state may be levied upon.
SB44, s. 2298 11Section 2298 . 195.60 (3) of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin Act ....
12(this act), is amended to read:
SB44,906,213 195.60 (3) If any railroad against which a bill has been rendered under sub. (1)
14or (2) within 30 days after the rendering of such bill neglects or refuses to pay the
15same or fails to file objections to the bill with the division of hearings and appeals,
16the department shall transmit to the state treasurer secretary of administration a
17certified copy of the bill, together with notice of neglect or refusal to pay the bill, and
18on the same day the department shall mail to the railroad against which the bill has
19been rendered a copy of the notice which it has transmitted to the state treasurer
20secretary of administration. Within 10 days after the receipt of such notice and
21certified copy of such bill, the state treasurer secretary of administration shall levy
22the amount stated on such bill to be due, with interest, by distress and sale of any
23goods and chattels, including stocks, securities, bank accounts, evidences of debt,
24and accounts receivable belonging to such delinquent railroad. Such levy by distress
25and sale shall be governed by the provisions of s. 74.10, 1985 stats., except that it

1shall be made by the state treasurer secretary of administration and that said goods
2and chattels anywhere within the state may be levied upon.
SB44, s. 2299 3Section 2299. 195.60 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,906,154 195.60 (4) (a) Within 30 days after the date of the mailing of any bill as provided
5by subs. (1) and (2), the railroad against which such bill has been rendered may file
6with the office division of hearings and appeals objections setting out in detail the
7grounds upon which the objector regards the bill to be excessive, erroneous, unlawful
8or invalid. The office division of hearings and appeals, after notice to the objector and
9the department
, shall hold a hearing upon such objections, not less than 5 nor more
10than 10 days after such notice. If after such hearing the office division of hearings
11and appeals
finds any part of the bill to be excessive, erroneous, unlawful or invalid
12it shall record its findings upon its minutes with respect to the objections and
13transmit to the objector and the department an amended bill, in accordance with
14such findings. The amended bill shall have in all ways the same force and effect
15under this section as an original bill rendered under subs. (1) and (2).
SB44, s. 2300 16Section 2300. 195.60 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,906,2017 195.60 (4) (b) If after the hearing the office division of hearings and appeals
18finds the entire bill unlawful or invalid, it shall notify the objector and the
19department
of such determination, in which case the original bill shall be deemed
20void.
SB44, s. 2301 21Section 2301. 195.60 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,907,222 195.60 (4) (c) If after the hearing the office division of hearings and appeals
23finds that the bill as rendered is neither excessive, erroneous, unlawful or invalid,
24either in whole or in part, it shall record such findings upon its minutes with respect

1to the objections
, and transmit to the objector and the department notice of such
2finding.
SB44, s. 2302 3Section 2302. 195.60 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,907,144 195.60 (4) (d) If any bill against which objections have been filed is not paid
5within 10 days after notice of a finding that such objections have been overruled and
6disallowed by the office division of hearings and appeals has been mailed to the
7objector, the office department shall give notice of such delinquency to the state
8treasurer and to the objector, in the manner provided in sub. (3). The state treasurer
9shall then proceed to collect the amount of the bill as provided in sub. (3). If an
10amended bill is not paid within 10 days after a copy thereof is mailed to the objector
11by registered mail, the office department shall notify the state treasurer and the
12objector as in the case of delinquency in the payment of an original bill. The state
13treasurer shall then proceed to collect the amount of the bill as provided in the case
14of an original bill.
SB44, s. 2303 15Section 2303 . 195.60 (4) (d) of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin Act
16.... (this act), is amended to read:
SB44,908,317 195.60 (4) (d) If any bill against which objections have been filed is not paid
18within 10 days after notice of a finding that such objections have been overruled and
19disallowed by the division of hearings and appeals has been mailed to the objector,
20the department shall give notice of such delinquency to the state treasurer secretary
21of administration
and to the objector, in the manner provided in sub. (3). The state
22treasurer
secretary of administration shall then proceed to collect the amount of the
23bill as provided in sub. (3). If an amended bill is not paid within 10 days after a copy
24thereof is mailed to the objector by registered mail, the department shall notify the
25state treasurer secretary of administration and the objector as in the case of

1delinquency in the payment of an original bill. The state treasurer secretary of
2administration
shall then proceed to collect the amount of the bill as provided in the
3case of an original bill.
SB44, s. 2304 4Section 2304. 195.60 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,908,155 195.60 (5) No suit or proceeding shall be maintained in any court for the
6purpose of restraining or in any way delaying the collection or payment of any bill
7rendered under subs. (1) and (2). Every railroad against which a bill is rendered shall
8pay the amount thereof, and after such payment may in the manner herein provided,
9at any time within 2 years from the date the payment was made, sue the state in an
10action at law to recover the amount paid with legal interest thereon from the date
11of payment, upon the ground that the assessment was excessive, erroneous,
12unlawful or invalid in whole or in part. If it is finally determined in such action that
13any part of the bill for which payment was made was excessive, erroneous, unlawful
14or invalid, the state treasurer shall make a refund to the claimant as directed by the
15court, which shall be charged to the appropriations to the office department.
SB44, s. 2305 16Section 2305 . 195.60 (5) of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin Act ....
17(this act), is amended to read:
SB44,909,418 195.60 (5) No suit or proceeding shall be maintained in any court for the
19purpose of restraining or in any way delaying the collection or payment of any bill
20rendered under subs. (1) and (2). Every railroad against which a bill is rendered shall
21pay the amount thereof, and after such payment may in the manner herein provided,
22at any time within 2 years from the date the payment was made, sue the state in an
23action at law to recover the amount paid with legal interest thereon from the date
24of payment, upon the ground that the assessment was excessive, erroneous,
25unlawful, or invalid in whole or in part. If it is finally determined in such action that

1any part of the bill for which payment was made was excessive, erroneous, unlawful,
2or invalid, the state treasurer secretary of administration shall make a refund to the
3claimant as directed by the court, which shall be charged to the appropriations to the
4department.
SB44, s. 2306 5Section 2306. 195.60 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,909,126 195.60 (6) No action for recovery of any amount paid under this section shall
7be maintained in any court unless objections have been filed with the office division
8of hearings and appeals
as provided in this section. In any action for recovery of any
9payments made under this section the claimant shall be entitled to raise every
10relevant issue of law, but the office's findings of fact of the division of hearings and
11appeals
made pursuant to this section shall be prima facie evidence of the facts
12therein stated.
SB44, s. 2307 13Section 2307. 195.60 (7) (intro.) of the statutes is repealed.
SB44, s. 2308 14Section 2308. 195.60 (7) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 195.60 (7) and
15amended to read:
SB44,909,1816 195.60 (7) Determinations of fact expressed in bills rendered under this
17section; and shall be considered to be findings of fact of the division of hearings and
18appeals, within the meaning of this section.
SB44, s. 2309 19Section 2309. 195.60 (7) (b) of the statutes is repealed.
SB44, s. 2310 20Section 2310. 196.199 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,910,1121 196.199 (3) (d) If, at any time during a proceeding under this subsection, the
22commission determines, after notice and reasonable opportunity to be heard, that a
23person has made a filing in violation of par. (c), the commission shall order the person
24to pay to any party to the proceeding the amount of reasonable expenses incurred by
25that party because of the filing, including reasonable attorney fees, and the

1commission may directly assess a forfeiture against the person of not less than $25
2nor more than $5,000. A person against whom the commission assesses a forfeiture
3under this paragraph shall pay the forfeiture to the commission within 10 days after
4receipt of notice of the assessment or, if the person petitions for judicial review under
5ch. 227, within 10 days after receipt of the final decision after exhaustion of judicial
6review. The commission shall remit all forfeitures paid under this paragraph to the
7state treasurer secretary of administration for deposit in the school fund. The
8attorney general may bring an action in the name of the state to collect any forfeiture
9assessed by the commission under this paragraph that has not been paid as provided
10in this paragraph. The only contestable issue in such an action is whether or not the
11forfeiture has been paid.
SB44, s. 2311 12Section 2311. 196.218 (3) (a) 3. b. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,910,1413 196.218 (3) (a) 3. b. The amounts appropriated under ss. 20.255 (3) (q), 20.275
14(1)
and (4) (s), (t), and (tm) and 20.285 (1) (q).
SB44, s. 2312 15Section 2312. 196.218 (4t) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,910,2116 196.218 (4t) Educational telecommunications access program rules. The
17commission, in consultation with the department of administration and the
18technology for educational achievement in Wisconsin board department of public
19instruction
, shall promulgate rules specifying the telecommunications services
20eligible for funding through the educational telecommunications access program
21under s. 44.73 115.9995.
SB44, s. 2313 22Section 2313. 196.218 (5) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB44,911,223 196.218 (5) (a) 5. To pay costs incurred under contracts under s. 16.974 to the
24extent that these costs are not paid under s. 44.73 115.9995 (2) (d), except that no
25moneys in the universal service fund may be used to pay installation costs that are

1necessary for a political subdivision to obtain access to bandwidth under a shared
2service agreement under s. 44.73 115.9995 (2r) (a).
SB44, s. 2314 3Section 2314 . 196.218 (5) (a) 5. of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin
4Act .... (this act), is amended to read:
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