AB770: Bill Text

AB770,56,18 114.67 Cooperation with governmental units. To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the authority, the state, any political subdivision of the state, municipality, or other governmental unit may enter into cooperative agreements with the authority for furnishing any facility or service of the state, political subdivision, body politic, or other governmental unit to the authority, including fire and police protection, and may otherwise provide, to the extent permitted by law, any funds, property, or services to the authority.

AB770,57,3 114.68 Political activities. (1) No employee of the authority may directly or indirectly solicit or receive subscriptions or contributions for any partisan political party or any political purpose while engaged in his or her official duties as an employee. No employee of the authority may engage in any form of political activity calculated to favor or improve the chances of any political party or any person seeking or attempting to hold partisan political office while engaged in his or her official duties as an employee or engage in any political activity while not engaged in his or her official duties as an employee to such an extent that the person's efficiency during working hours will be impaired or that he or she will be tardy or absent from work. Any violation of this section is adequate grounds for dismissal.

AB770,57,7 (2) If an employee of the authority declares an intention to run for partisan political office, the employee shall be placed on a leave of absence for the duration of the election campaign and if elected shall no longer be employed by the authority on assuming the duties and responsibilities of such office.

AB770,57,9 (3) An employee of the authority may be granted, by the executive director, a leave of absence to participate in partisan political campaigning.

AB770,57,12 (4) Persons on leave of absence under sub. (2) or (3) shall not be subject to the restrictions of sub. (1), except as they apply to the solicitation of assistance, subscription, or support from any other employee in the authority.

AB770,57,16 114.69 Liability limited. (1) Neither the state nor any political subdivision of the state nor any officer, employee, or agent of the state or of a political subdivision who is acting within the scope of employment or agency is liable for any debt, obligation, act, or omission of the authority.

AB770,57,18 (2) All of the expenses incurred by the authority in exercising its duties and powers under this chapter shall be payable only from funds of the authority.

AB770,57,21 114.70 Issuance of bonds. (1) The authority may issue bonds for any corporate purpose. All bonds are negotiable for all purposes, notwithstanding their payment from a limited source.

AB770,57,23 (2) The bonds of each issue shall be payable from sources specified in the bond resolution under which the bonds are issued.

AB770,58,10 (3) The authority may not issue bonds unless the issuance is first authorized by a bond resolution. Bonds shall bear the dates, mature at the times not exceeding 30 years from their dates of issue, bear interest at the rates, be payable at the times, be in the denominations, be in the form, carry the registration and conversion privileges, be executed in the manner, be payable in lawful money of the United States at the places, and be subject to the terms of redemption, that the bond resolution provides. The bonds shall be executed by the manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the authority designated by the board. The bonds may be sold at public or private sale at the price, in the manner, and at the time determined by the board. Pending preparation of definitive bonds, the authority may issue interim receipts or certificates that the authority shall exchange for the definitive bonds.

AB770,58,13 (4) Any bond resolution may contain provisions, which shall be a part of the contract with the holders of the bonds that are authorized by the bond resolution, regarding any of the following:

AB770,58,14 (a) Pledging or assigning specified assets or revenues of the authority.

AB770,58,16 (b) Setting aside reserves or sinking funds, and the regulation, investment, and disposition of these funds.

AB770,58,18 (c) Limitations on the purpose to which or the investments in which the proceeds of the sale of any issue of bonds may be applied.

AB770,58,22 (d) Limitations on the issuance of additional bonds, the terms upon which additional bonds may be issued and secured, and the terms upon which additional bonds may rank on a parity with, or be subordinate or superior to, the bonds authorized by the bond resolution.

AB770,58,23 (e) Funding, refunding, advance refunding, or purchasing outstanding bonds.

AB770,59,3 (f) Procedures, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be amended, the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent to the amendment, and the manner in which this consent may be given.

AB770,59,6 (g) Defining the acts or omissions to act that constitute a default in the duties of the authority to the bondholders, and providing the rights and remedies of the bondholders in the event of a default.

AB770,59,7 (h) Other matters relating to the bonds that the board considers desirable.

AB770,59,11 (5) Neither the members of the board nor any person executing the bonds is liable personally on the bonds or subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance of the bonds, unless the personal liability or accountability is the result of willful misconduct.

AB770,59,24 (6) No less than 14 days prior to any commitment by the authority for the issuance of bonds under this section, the authority shall submit the bond resolution to the governor, to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2), and to the cochairpersons of the joint committee on finance. If, within 14 days after the date on which the bond resolution is submitted to the joint committee on finance, the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the authority that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the bond resolution, the authority may proceed with any commitment for the issuance of bonds under the bond resolution. If, within 14 days after the date on which the bond resolution is submitted to the committee, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the authority that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the bond resolution, the authority may proceed with any commitment for the issuance of bonds under the bond resolution only upon approval by the committee.

AB770,60,11 114.71 Bond security. The authority may secure any bonds issued under this chapter by a trust agreement, trust indenture, indenture of mortgage, or deed of trust by and between the authority and one or more corporate trustees. The bond resolution providing for the issuance of bonds so secured shall pledge some or all of the revenues to be received by the authority, including to the extent permitted by law any grant, aid, loan, or other contribution, or shall mortgage, assign, or grant security interests in some or all of the property of the authority, or both, and may contain provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders that are reasonable and proper and not in violation of law. A bond resolution may contain any other provisions that are determined by the board to be reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders.

AB770,60,18 114.72 Bonds not public debt. (1) The state is not liable on bonds of the authority and the bonds are not a debt of the state. Each bond of the authority shall contain a statement to this effect on the face of the bond. The issuance of bonds under this chapter does not, directly, indirectly, or contingently, obligate the state or any political subdivision of the state to levy any tax or to make any appropriation for payment of the bonds. Nothing in this section prevents the authority from pledging its full faith and credit to the payment of bonds issued under this chapter.

AB770,61,3 (2) Nothing in this chapter authorizes the authority to create a debt of the state, and all bonds issued by the authority under this chapter are payable, and shall state that they are payable, solely from the funds pledged for their payment in accordance with the bond resolution authorizing their issuance or in any trust indenture or mortgage or deed of trust executed as security for the bonds. The state is not liable for the payment of the principal of or interest on any bonds of the authority or for the performance of any pledge, mortgage, obligation, or agreement which may be undertaken by the authority. The breach of any pledge, mortgage, obligation, or agreement undertaken by the authority does not impose any pecuniary liability upon the state or any charge upon its general credit or against its taxing power.

AB770,61,10 114.73 State pledge. The state pledges to and agrees with the holders of bonds, and persons that enter into contracts with the authority under this chapter, that the state will not limit or alter the rights vested in the authority by this chapter before the authority has fully met and discharged the bonds, and any interest due on the bonds, and has fully performed its contracts, unless adequate provision is made by law for the protection of the bondholders or those entering into contracts with the authority.

AB770,61,14 114.74 Refunding bonds. (1) The authority may issue bonds to fund or refund any outstanding bond, including the payment of any redemption premium on the outstanding bond and any interest accrued or to accrue to the earliest or any subsequent date of redemption, purchase, or maturity.

AB770,61,19 (2) The authority may apply the proceeds of any bond issued to fund or refund any outstanding bond to purchase, retire at maturity, or redeem any outstanding bond. The authority may, pending application, place the proceeds in escrow to be applied to the purchase, retirement at maturity, or redemption of any outstanding bond at any time.

AB770,61,22 114.75 Limit on amount of outstanding bonds. The authority may not have outstanding at any one time bonds in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000,000, excluding bonds issued to refund outstanding bonds.

AB770,62,4 114.76 Bonds exempt from taxation. The state covenants with the purchasers and all subsequent holders and transferees of bonds issued by the authority, in consideration of the acceptance of any payment for the bonds, that its fees, charges, gifts, grants, revenues, receipts, and other moneys received or to be received, pledged to pay or secure the payment of such bonds shall at all times be free and exempt from all state, city, county, or other taxation provided by the laws of the state.

AB770,62,8 114.77 Funding of certain project costs. (1) In this section, "spaceport improvement project" means any project to acquire, construct, develop, plan, design, establish, create, improve, enlarge, reconstruct, or equip any spaceport or spaceport facility.

AB770,62,17 (2) The costs of spaceport improvement projects involving federal aid, in excess of the federal government's share, shall be borne by the authority and the state, except that the state shall pay not more than 50 percent of such excess costs, nor more than $10,000,000 for the cost of a building project or building improvement project and no part of the cost of hangars. The secretary, upon agreement with the authority, may advance up to 10 percent of the amount of any federal aid grant agreement for the payment of project costs of a federal aid project, subject to reimbursement upon final liquidation and settlement of the project with the authority and federal government.

AB770,62,25 (3) The costs of spaceport improvement projects not involving federal aid shall be borne by the authority and the state. The state shall pay not more than 80 percent of such costs, which may include the cost of the land, the cost of lands or interest in lands deemed necessary for the protection of the aerial approaches, the cost of formulating the project application and preparing the plans and specifications, and the cost of construction and of all facilities deemed necessary for the operation of the spaceport. The state shall contribute not more than $10,000,000 for the cost of a building project or building improvement project and no part of the cost of hangars.

AB770,63,3 (4) The percentage of the costs borne by the state shall be determined by the department on the basis of the relative importance of the specific project to any state spaceport development program as a whole.

AB770,63,9 (5) The state shall promote the development of a spaceport system in this state and promote the development of joint spaceports in this state and in adjoining states which mutually benefit citizens of this state and those of adjoining states. The secretary may use the funds provided by the state to assist the authority in matching the federal aid that may become available to the state or available for specific projects or joint projects within this state or in an adjoining state.

AB770,63,11 (6) All state funds provided under this section shall be paid from the appropriation accounts under s. 20.395 (2) (dq), (dv), and (dx).

AB770,63,19 114.78 Tax exemption. The exercise of the powers granted by this subchapter will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of this state and for the increase of their commerce, welfare, and prosperity, and, as the undertaking of the authority's powers and duties under this subchapter will constitute the performance of an essential public function, the authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon or in respect to any property acquired or used by the authority under this subchapter and the authority's income therefrom shall at all times be free from taxation of every kind by the state and by political subdivisions of the state.

AB770, s. 75 Section 75. 219.09 (1) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB770,63,21 219.09 (1) (g) The Wisconsin Aerospace Authority.

AB770, s. 76 Section 76. 230.03 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,64,6 230.03 (3) "Agency" means any board, commission, committee, council, or department in state government or a unit thereof created by the constitution or statutes if such board, commission, committee, council, department, unit, or the head thereof, is authorized to appoint subordinate staff by the constitution or statute, except a legislative or judicial board, commission, committee, council, department, or unit thereof or an authority created under subch. II of ch. 114 or chs. 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, or 237. "Agency" does not mean any local unit of government or body within one or more local units of government that is created by law or by action of one or more local units of government.

AB770, s. 77 Section 77. 281.75 (4) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,64,9 281.75 (4) (b) 3. An authority created under subch. II of ch. 114 or ch. 231, 233, 234, or 237.

AB770, s. 78 Section 78. 285.59 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,64,18 285.59 (1) (b) "State agency" means any office, department, agency, institution of higher education, association, society or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law which is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, and the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority.

AB770, s. 79 Section 79. 560.032 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,65,2 560.032 (1) Allocation. The department, by rule, shall establish under 26 USC 146 and administer a system for the allocation of the volume cap on the issuance of private activity bonds, as defined under 26 USC 141 (a), among all municipalities, as defined in s. 67.01 (5), and any corporation formed on behalf of those municipalities, and among this state, the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

AB770, s. 80 Section 80. 893.80 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,65,10 893.80 (1) Except as provided in subs. (1g), (1m), (1p) and (8), no action may be brought or maintained against any volunteer fire company organized under ch. 213, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, or any political corporation, governmental subdivision or agency thereof nor against any officer, official, agent or employee of the corporation, subdivision or, agency , or Wisconsin Aerospace Authority for acts done in their official capacity or in the course of their agency or employment upon a claim or cause of action unless:

AB770,65,21 (a) Within 120 days after the happening of the event giving rise to the claim, written notice of the circumstances of the claim signed by the party, agent or attorney is served on the volunteer fire company, Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, political corporation, governmental subdivision or agency and on the officer, official, agent or employee under s. 801.11. Failure to give the requisite notice shall not bar action on the claim if the fire company, Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, corporation, subdivision or agency had actual notice of the claim and the claimant shows to the satisfaction of the court that the delay or failure to give the requisite notice has not been prejudicial to the defendant fire company, Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, corporation, subdivision or agency or to the defendant officer, official, agent or employee; and

AB770,65,25 (b) A claim containing the address of the claimant and an itemized statement of the relief sought is presented to the appropriate clerk or person who performs the duties of a clerk or secretary for the defendant fire company, Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, corporation, subdivision or agency and the claim is disallowed.

AB770, s. 81 Section 81. 893.80 (1g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,66,11 893.80 (1g) Notice of disallowance of the claim submitted under sub. (1) shall be served on the claimant by registered or certified mail and the receipt therefor, signed by the claimant, or the returned registered letter, shall be proof of service. Failure of the appropriate body to disallow a claim within 120 days after presentation of the written notice of the claim is a disallowance. No action on a claim under this section against any defendant fire company, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, or any corporation, subdivision or agency nor against any defendant officer, official, agent or employee, may be brought after 6 months from the date of service of the notice of disallowance, and the notice of disallowance shall contain a statement to that effect.

AB770, s. 82 Section 82. 893.80 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,66,25 893.80 (3) Except as provided in this subsection, the amount recoverable by any person for any damages, injuries or death in any action founded on tort against any volunteer fire company organized under ch. 181 or 213, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, or any political corporation, governmental subdivision or agency thereof and against their officers, officials, agents or employees for acts done in their official capacity or in the course of their agency or employment, whether proceeded against jointly or severally, shall not exceed $50,000. The amount recoverable under this subsection shall not exceed $25,000 in any such action against a volunteer fire company organized under ch. 181 or 213 or its officers, officials, agents or employees. If a volunteer fire company organized under ch. 181 or 213 is part of a combined fire department, the $25,000 limit still applies to actions against the volunteer fire company or its officers, officials, agents or employees. No punitive damages may be allowed or recoverable in any such action under this subsection.

AB770, s. 83 Section 83. 893.80 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,67,9 893.80 (4) No suit may be brought against any volunteer fire company organized under ch. 213, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, or any political corporation, governmental subdivision or any agency thereof for the intentional torts of its officers, officials, agents or employees nor may any suit be brought against such corporation, subdivision or agency or volunteer fire company or the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority or against its officers, officials, agents or employees for acts done in the exercise of legislative, quasi-legislative, judicial or quasi-judicial functions.

AB770, s. 84 Section 84. 893.80 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,67,20 893.80 (5) Except as provided in this subsection, the provisions and limitations of this section shall be exclusive and shall apply to all claims against a volunteer fire company organized under ch. 213, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, or any political corporation, governmental subdivision or agency or against any officer, official, agent or employee thereof for acts done in an official capacity or the course of his or her agency or employment. When rights or remedies are provided by any other statute against any political corporation, governmental subdivision or agency or the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority or any officer, official, agent or employee thereof for injury, damage or death, such statute shall apply and the limitations in sub. (3) shall be inapplicable.

AB770, s. 85 Section 85. 893.80 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB770,68,2 893.80 (7) No suit may be brought against any city, town or village or any governmental subdivision or agency thereof or the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority or against any officer, official, agent or employee of any of those entities who, in good faith, acts or fails to act to provide a notice to a property owner that a public nuisance under s. 823.113 (1) or (1m) (b) exists.

AB770, s. 86 Section 86. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB770,68,4 (1) Definitions. In this Section:

AB770,68,6 (a) "Authority" has the meaning given in section 114.60 (3) of the statutes, as created by this act.

AB770,68,8 (b) "Board" has the meaning given in section 114.60 (4) of the statutes, as created by this act.

AB770,68,12 (2) Terms of initial members of board. Notwithstanding the length of terms specified for the members of the board of the authority under section 114.61 (1) of the statutes, as created by this act, the initial members of the board shall be appointed for the following terms:

AB770,68,15 (a) Two members appointed under section 114.61 (1) (a) of the statutes, as created by this act, and one member appointed under section 114.61 (1) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms expiring on June 30, 2007.

AB770,68,18 (b) Two members appointed under section 114.61 (1) (a) of the statutes, as created by this act, and one member appointed under section 114.61 (1) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms expiring on June 30, 2008.

AB770,68,20 (c) Two members appointed under section 114.61 (1) (a) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms expiring on June 30, 2009.

AB770,68,25 (3) Time for initial appointment of board members. Nominations of board members under subsection (2) and section 114.61 (1) (a) of the statutes, as created by this act, and appointments of board members under subsection (2) and section 114.61 (1) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act, shall be made no later than 60 days after the effective date of this subsection.

AB770,69,3 (4) Initial meeting of board. The board shall hold its initial meeting no later than 30 days after all members are appointed, or no later than 120 days after a majority of members are appointed, whichever is earlier.

AB770,69,4 (End)