2. The bill creates rules implementing a veterans tribal college tuition
reimbursement program created in 2013 Wisconsin Act 20.
3. The bill changes certain eligibility requirements for subsistence payments
to needy veterans, including changing the income eligibility level from 130 to 180
percent of the federal poverty level.
4. The bill makes changes in the code relating to the eligibility for surviving
parents' children who died while in service so that the code conforms with the current
statutes.

5. The bill specifies that DVA is the payer of last resort for the costs of providing
medical and nursing care and other types of care to persons residing in veterans
homes when the costs are not paid for by the entity that operates the home or by third
parties.
6. The bill changes the types of information and documentation that must
accompany an application to be admitted to veterans homes.
7. The bill changes references to veterans homes in the rules from referencing
a single home to referencing multiple homes. The current rules were written when
there was only one veterans home in the state.
8. The bill increases the current minimum equity a veteran must have in a
property secured by a veterans home loan to permit the release of a portion of the
property providing security from 10 percent to 15 percent of the property's value.
9. The bill reduces the period that a veteran must be a resident of this state for
purposes of receiving a certificate of eligibility for a loan under the veterans home
loan program from five consecutive years to 12 consecutive months.
10. The bill requires an applicant for the loan under the veterans home
improvement loan program to submit copies of W-2s and attachments to federal and
state income tax returns, in addition to the currently required submission of the
returns, including all schedules.
11. The bill changes the date on which an application for a county veterans'
service grant is due from not later than six months after the start of the fiscal year
to not later than May 15 of the calendar year for which the grant is claimed.
12. The bill removes the requirement that no changes could be made in the
minimum budget and operating standards for the county veterans' service grant
program without first being reviewed by the veterans' service officers' advisory
council.
13. The bill changes the requirement that an applicant for a personal loan
submit check stubs for a recent month within three months of the date of application
to requiring the submittal of check stubs for a 30-day period within three months of
the date of application.
14. The bill requires an applicant for the loan under the personal loan program
to submit copies of W-2s and attachments to federal and state income tax returns,
in addition to the currently required submission of those returns, if the applicant
uses tax information to verify income.
15. The bill allows DVA to assess a fee to disinter an individual who is currently
interred in a veterans cemetery, but limits the fee to the average cost to DVA of
disinterring an individual.
16. The bill removes the assessment by DVA from a funeral director involved
in the burial of a veteran for the average cost of providing a columbarium niche or
an in-ground container for the interment of cremains.
17. The bill changes the date on which an application for an American Indian
grant is due from not later than June 30 of each year to not later than May 15 of the
calendar year for which the grant is claimed.

18. The bill removes the requirement that the governing body of an American
Indian tribe or band employ a full-time veterans' service officer to be eligible for an
American Indian grant.
19. The bill deletes the preference that military funeral honors be performed
by a military funeral honors team.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB734,1 1Section 1. Chapter VA 2 (title) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,3,102 Chapter VA 2
3 EMERGENCY, CORRESPONDENCE, AND
4 PART-TIME STUDY, RETRAINING AND
5 TUITION AND FEE REIMBURSEMENT

6 GRANTS TO NEEDY VETERANS,
7 VETERANS TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
8 AND RETRAINING GRANTS, AND
9 REIMBURSEMENT OF VETERANS FOR
10 TRIBAL COLLEGE TUITION
AB734,2 11Section 2. VA 1.11 (intro.) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,3,1512 VA 1.11 (intro.) The administrative and executive duties of the department
13shall be vested in the secretary to be administered under the rules and regulations
14of the department and subject to and in accordance with the policies established by
15the board
. The secretary shall:
AB734,3 16Section 3. VA 1.11 (2) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,4,3
1VA 1.11 (2) Administer and supervise all programs of the department, and shall
2serve as an ex-officio member of all advisory, standing and special committees
3appointed by the board, unless specifically exempted
.
AB734,4 4Section 4. VA 1.11 (11) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,4,75 VA 1.11 (11) Present to the legislature all proposed legislation recommended
6by the board
and shall make such reports to and appearances before the legislature
7on such other matters as it may request.
AB734,5 8Section 5. VA 1.11 (13) of the administrative code is repealed.
AB734,6 9Section 6. VA 1.11 (15) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,4,1310 VA 1.11 (15) Make and establish rules and regulations necessary to carry out
11the statutes pursuant to the policies established by the board department, and make
12such publication and distribution of these rules and regulations as the secretary may
13deem necessary.
AB734,7 14Section 7. VA 1.11 (18) of the administrative code is repealed.
AB734,8 15Section 8. VA 1.18 of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,4,22 16VA 1.18 Trust fund stabilization loans. The department may execute a
17subordination agreement or release a portion of the property providing security for
18its mortgage on a loan under s. 45.356, 1995 Stats., if the mortgagor's equity in the
19property secured by the mortgage is greater than 10% 15 percent of the property's
20value after the execution of the subordination agreement or partial release, the
21applicant is current on the loan and the repayment history for the 6 months
22immediately preceding the request has been satisfactory.
AB734,9 23Section 9. VA 2.01 (2) (b) 1. of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,5,2224 VA 2.01 (2) (b) 1. `All applicants.' Except for applicants who are eligible under
25subd. 3., the applicant's income shall not exceed 130% 180 percent of the federal

1poverty guidelines, in effect on the date the application arrives at the department's
2central office, for the number of family members living in the primary residence. An
3applicant may apply for subsistence aid, health care aid, or both. Applications
4approved by the department shall have the balance of the maximum available aid
5allocated towards each type of aid requested, unless the applicant indicates a lesser
6amount in writing. Applications shall be denied if no unallocated funds are available
7at the time of application. The department shall indicate on each description of
8benefits the type of health care or subsistence aid authorized, the date the
9department confirmed that the applicant was eligible for the grant, a date 90
10calendar days from that date, the unallocated amount available for each type of aid
11and for the cumulative limits of this section, and the amount of aid being authorized.
12No more than one description of benefits may be outstanding at any time, except
13where all health care providers have submitted binding quotes prior to the issuance
14of more than one description of benefits, and are willing to accept payment from this
15program in full for any service rendered to the applicant in accordance with the
16description of benefits. The department shall pay the lesser of the actual cost of
17services invoiced or the binding quote submitted by the health care provider. No
18payment shall be made by the department unless an itemized written invoice is
19received by the department within 30 60 days of the expiration date, or any approved
20extension of that expiration date, as identified in the applicable description of
21benefits. Authorized applications for health care aid may not be withdrawn without
22the agreement of the provider of the health care aid.
AB734,10 23Section 10. VA 2.01 (3) (b) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,6,1724 VA 2.01 (3) (b) Subsistence aid. Subsistence aid is available for the 90 day
2590-day period following the date of the verified loss of income due to illness, injury,

1or a natural disaster. Applications may be made for any 30 day 30-day period within
2the 90 120 days following the date of the verified loss of income. No more than three
330 day
3 30-day periods of subsistence aid may be granted for any verified loss of
4income due to illness, injury, or natural disaster. No subsistence aid will be granted
5for any period prior to the date the application for subsistence aid is received.

6Subsistence aid shall be limited to the difference between the amount of earned and
7unearned income available before the loss of income and the earned and unearned
8income being received after the loss of income, subject to the limitations under s.
945.40 (1m) (b) and (3), Stats. The applicant shall verify the loss of income by
10submitting verification of income forms, certified public accounting statements, or
11any other evidence as the department deems credible. Illness or injury must shall
12be verified in writing on a form approved by the department. When the department
13has evidence that the incapacitation will cause an income loss for 90 days or longer,
14subsistence grants will be prorated for each of the 30 day 30-day periods unless the
15department determines that an alternate distribution of the grant would benefit the
16applicant. If the loss of income is the result of alcohol or other drug abuse, the
17applicant shall verify current participation in an approved treatment program.
AB734,11 18Section 11. VA 2.02 (3) (b) of the administrative code is repealed.
AB734,12 19Section 12. VA 2.03 (1) (b) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,6,2220 VA 2.03 (1) (b) "Course of instruction" has the meaning specified in s. VA 9.01
21(3)
means any series of classroom or shop courses that have a unified purpose and
22lead to a diploma or degree or to an occupational or vocational objective
.
AB734,13 23Section 13. VA 2.03 (1) (c) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,7,324 VA 2.03 (1) (c) "Earned income" has the meaning specified in s. VA 9.01 (5)
25means all anticipated monthly and academic year take-home earnings from

1employment, including armed forces reserve and national guard pay and
2work-study pay, after all payroll deductions of the veteran and the veteran's spouse,
3except payroll deductions for savings plans and payment of debts
.
AB734,14 4Section 14. VA 2.03 (1) (d) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,7,65 VA 2.03 (1) (d) "FAO" has the meaning specified in s. VA 9.01 (6) means a
6school's financial aids officer
.
AB734,15 7Section 15. VA 2.03 (1) (g) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,7,188 VA 2.03 (1) (g) "Unearned income" has the meaning specified in s. VA 9.01 (14)
9means the estimated amount the veteran and spouse will receive during the
10academic year from VA educational assistance allowance (G.I. Bill) benefits,
11scholarships, fellowships, grants, tuition and fee waivers, all other definite awards
12other than loans, including amounts paid to the veteran or to the school on behalf of
13the veteran for vocational rehabilitation by the VA or any other agency, income from
14trusts or inheritances, unemployment compensation, worker's compensation, social
15security payments, net rentals from real estate, interest or dividend income, or other
16unearned income, but does not include disability compensation paid to the veteran
17by the VA for service-connected disabilities, armed forces disability retirement pay,
18or parental contributions
.
AB734,16 19Section 16. VA 2.03 (1) (h) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,7,2320 VA 2.03 (1) (h) "Unusual expenses" has the meaning specified in s. VA 9.01 (16)
21means monthly or academic year payments that a veteran will be required to make
22on medical and dental expenses or alimony being paid under a final judgment or
23decree of divorce
.
AB734,17 24Section 17. VA 2.03 (2) (b) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,8,14
1VA 2.03 (2) (b) Amount of grant. Applicants who qualify for a retraining grant
2under the provisions of this section and s. 45.21, Stats., are entitled to a grant equal
3to their need during the grant period or the statutory maximum grant, whichever is
4less. Except as provided in par. (h), need shall be determined by deducting 75% 75
5percent
of earned income and all unearned income to be received by the applicant
6during the grant period, available liquid assets in excess of $2,400 plus 6 months
7months' living expenses computed as set forth in s. VA 9.03 2.04 held by the applicant
8at the time of application and all other financial aid which will be received by the
9applicant during the grant period from the amount needed during the grant period.
10The amount needed will be the sum of the amount shown on the standard student
11budget described in s. VA 9.03 2.04 for the appropriate time period and for the
12appropriate number of family members plus the cost of tuition, fees, supplies and
13books as reported by the school for the courses to be taken during the grant period

14plus any unusual expenses reported by the applicant.
AB734,18 15Section 18. VA 2.06 of the administrative code is created to read:
AB734,8,17 16VA 2.06 Tribal college tuition reimbursement program. (1) Definitions.
17In this section:
AB734,8,1818 (a) "Tuition" has the meaning given in s. 45.205 (1) (b), Stats.
AB734,8,1919 (b) "Veteran" has the meaning given in s. 45.01 (12), Stats.
AB734,9,4 20(2) Reimbursement application. (a) An applicant for tuition reimbursement
21under this section shall submit an application on a form approved by the department.
22The applicant may submit the application electronically, and the applicant shall
23submit the application either directly to the department or through a county
24veterans service officer or other agent authorized by the department. Each initial
25application shall be received by the department or its designee no later than 60 days

1after the starting date of the course, term, or semester for which reimbursement is
2requested. The department shall consider an initial application received under this
3paragraph once all required student information in the initial application is
4completed and a physical or electronic date stamp is affixed to the application.
AB734,9,145 (b) The tribal college veterans coordinator shall complete an application
6submitted under par. (a) by verifying the applicant's semester completion date and
7cost of tuition, any other assistance received or applied for by the applicant, the
8number of credits in which the applicant enrolled during the semester, and the
9applicant's semester grade point average. The department shall deny each
10application that is not completed within 60 days after the last day of the course, term,
11or semester for which reimbursement is being requested unless the applicant shows
12good cause for the delay. An application is considered completed under this
13paragraph once the department has received all of the information required for
14reimbursement.
AB734,9,19 15(3) Limitations. (a) Undergraduate enrollment. The department may make
16a reimbursement under this section only if a representative of the tribal college
17certifies that the veteran was enrolled as an undergraduate during the semester for
18which reimbursement is sought and that the veteran does not already have a
19bachelor's degree.
AB734,9,2520 (b) Veterans benefits. A veteran may not receive reimbursement for any
21semester or course for which he or she is eligible or received a grant under s. 321.40,
22Stats., or 10 USC 2007. A veteran who is eligible for but does not receive a grant
23under s. 321.40, Stats., or 10 USC 2007 because the veteran fails to comply with
24applicable procedural requirements for the grant or maintain the requisite grade
25point average to receive the grant, or who takes any other action that prevents the

1veteran from receiving the grant, is considered eligible for the grant for purposes of
2this paragraph.
AB734,10,53 (c) Duplicate benefits. Reimbursement is limited to that portion of a veteran's
4tuition not paid for by other grants or scholarships, including any offsets or
5remissions to which the veteran is entitled under any other program.
AB734,10,76 (d) Grade point average. The department shall utilize the grade point average
7calculated and reported by the veteran's school.
AB734,19 8Section 19. VA 4.01 (7) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,10,139 VA 4.01 (7) "Dependent child" means any natural child, any legally adopted
10child, or any stepchild of a veteran as defined in s. 45.71 (16) (a) an "eligible person,"
11as listed in s. 45.33 (1)
, Stats., who is at least 18 years of age and under the age of
1226 if in full attendance at a recognized school of instruction or any age if incapable
13of self-support by reason of mental or physical disability.
AB734,20 14Section 20. VA 4.01 (16) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,10,1915 VA 4.01 (16) "Veteran" means either a veteran as defined in s. 45.71 (16) (a)
1645.01 (12), Stats., or a deceased veteran's unremarried surviving spouse or minor or
17dependent child who is a resident of and living in this state at the time of making
18application for a certificate of eligibility or a primary loan
person who is eligible for
19a loan under s. 45.33, Stats
.
AB734,21 20Section 21. VA 4.08 (1) (c) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,11,221 VA 4.08 (1) (c) If the applicant is a veteran who was a resident of the state of
22Wisconsin at the time of entry into military service or has been a resident of this state
23for any consecutive 5-year 12-month period after entry or reentry into service on
24active duty, the certificate of eligibility shall be issued for an indefinite period. If the
25applicant qualifies as a veteran by virtue of being the unremarried spouse of a

1deceased veteran, the certificate shall become null and void upon the remarriage of
2the applicant and shall so state upon its face.
AB734,22 3Section 22. VA 4.09 (4) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,11,114 VA 4.09 (4) Subordination agreement and partial release of mortgage. The
5department may execute a subordination agreement or release a portion of the
6property providing security for its mortgage if the mortgagor's equity in the property
7secured by the mortgage is verified by the department to be greater than 10% 15
8percent
after the execution of the subordination agreement or partial release, the
9applicant is current on the loan, the applicant meets current underwriting criteria,
10and the repayment history for the 6 months immediately preceding the request has
11been satisfactory on the loan.
AB734,23 12Section 23. VA 4.14 (3) (c) 2. of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,11,1713 VA 4.14 (3) (c) 2. A copy of the prior year's income tax returns except if the
14applicant's employer, type of employment or method of compensation has changed.
15Applicants verifying their income by the prior year's income tax returns shall submit
16a complete copy of the state and federal tax return including all schedules, W-2s, and
17attachments
.
AB734,24 18Section 24. VA 4.14 (3) (c) 6. of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,11,2019 VA 4.14 (3) (c) 6. Depreciation as listed on an applicant's federal tax return may
20be used as income at the request of the applicant.
AB734,25 21Section 25. VA 5.03 (intro.) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,11,2422 VA 5.03 (intro.) The director under the direction of the secretary shall operate
23and conduct the Wisconsin veterans museum pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes and in
24accordance with the policies established by the board
. The director shall:
AB734,26 25Section 26. VA 5.03 (3) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,12,7
1VA 5.03 (3) Restore, preserve and safeguard all articles in the memorial
2collection. The director may not sell, mortgage, transfer or dispose of in any manner
3or remove from the museum, except for temporary purposes, any articles which are
4a part of the memorial collection, except that, upon the recommendation of the
5secretary and the approval of the board, any duplicate articles or articles outside the
6field of the memorial collection may be sold or exchanged for the purpose of procuring
7additional materials for display.
AB734,27 8Section 27. VA 5.03 (11) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,12,109 VA 5.03 (11) Prepare an annual report to the board on the operation of the
10museum and make such other reports as the secretary may require.
AB734,28 11Section 28. Chapter VA 6 (title) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,12,1312 Chapter VA 6
13 WISCONSIN VETERANS
HOME HOMES
AB734,29 14Section 29. VA 6.01 (1) of the administrative code is amended to read:
AB734,13,215 VA 6.01 (1) Objective. The department or its designated contractor under s.
1645.50 (2m) (c), Stats.,
shall maintain and operate the Wisconsin veterans home
17homes and shall admit as members eligible veterans ,; their eligible spouses,
18surviving spouses, and parents,; and eligible parents of any child who died while
19serving in the armed forces of the United States. The department or its designated
20contractor
shall furnish provide directly to all members, or ensure that all members
21receive, personal maintenance, and medical and nursing care to include, including
22programs and facilities which promote comfort, recreation, well-being , and
23rehabilitation. The department shall be the payer of last resort for the personal
24maintenance care, medical and nursing care, programs, and facilities provided

1under this subsection and subs. (11) and (12) that are not paid for by the designated
2contractor or 3rd parties.
AB734,30 3Section 30. VA 6.01 (2) of the administrative code is renumbered VA 6.01 (2)
4(a) and amended to read:
AB734,13,125 VA 6.01 (2) (a) No Except as provided in par. (b), no person shall may be
6admitted until such to a home unless the person has submitted an application on
7forms furnished by the home and such the application has been approved by the
8commandant. Each question must shall be fully and accurately answered and the
9completed application shall be properly executed. An applicant shall authorize the
10department to conduct a background check of his or her criminal record.
Upon
11admission of the applicant as a member, the completed application shall be a valid
12and binding contract by and between the member and the home.
AB734,31 13Section 31. VA 6.01 (2) (b) of the administrative code is created to read:
AB734,13,1514 VA 6.01 (2) (b) A person may be admitted into a home on a conditional basis
15pending the completion of the processing of his or her application.
AB734,32 16Section 32. VA 6.01 (3) (title) of the administrative code is amended to read:
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