SB676: Bill Text

SB676,24,9 49.79 (1m) Financial eligibility. (a) A household of one or more individuals is not eligible to receive food stamp benefits under this section unless all of the following apply:

SB676,24,11 1. Subject to par. (b), the gross income of the household does not exceed 130 percent of the poverty line.

SB676,24,13 2. Subject to par. (b), the net income of the household does not exceed 100 percent of the poverty line.

SB676,24,15 3. Except as provided in subd. 4., the household does not have countable assets of more than $2,000 in value.

SB676,24,19 4. If the household includes an individual who is 60 years of age or older, an individual who is blind, as defined in s. 47.01 (1), or an individual who is disabled, as defined in s. 49.155 (1) (aL), the household does not have countable assets of more than $3,200 in value.

SB676,24,22 (b) If the household includes a married couple, the household's gross income and net income shall be reduced by $15,000 before the calculations are made under par. (a) 1. and 2.

SB676,64 Section 64. 49.79 (7c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,25,3 49.79 (7c) No online applications. The department may not allow or accept online applications for benefits under this section. Any person who seeks benefits under this section must apply to the department or its designated agent in person.

SB676,65 Section 65. 49.79 (7h) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,25,7 49.79 (7h) Reduction in, and recoupment of, benefits. To the extent permitted under federal law, the department shall implement a system for distributing benefits under this section that does all of the following:

SB676,25,10 (a) Allows an individual who is an applicant or recipient to elect to receive food stamp benefits in an amount that is less than the amount for which the individual or the individual's household is eligible.

SB676,25,13 (b) Recoups after the end of each month benefits received for that month that were not used in that month. The department shall use the amount of unused benefits recouped under this paragraph to provide benefits under this section.

SB676,66 Section 66. 49.79 (11) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,25,18 49.79 (11) Discounts prohibited. No supplier, as defined in s. 49.795 (1) (d), may offer or provide a discount on the cost of food or other items that may be purchased with food stamp benefits by reason of the use of food stamp benefits to purchase the food or other items.

SB676,67 Section 67. 49.823 of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,25,20 49.823 Determination of income and assets. (1) In this section:

SB676,25,21 (a) "Household" has the meaning given in s. 16.27 (1) (c).

SB676,25,24 (b) "Means-tested public assistance" means any services, benefits, or other assistance that is provided to individuals or families under this chapter and for which income or assets is a factor in determining eligibility.

SB676,26,6 (2) Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary and to the extent permitted under federal law, when determining an individual's or a family's eligibility for any means-tested public assistance, the department of health services or the department of children and families shall take into consideration the income or assets, as the case may be, of every individual who resides in the individual's or family's household.

SB676,26,15 (3) If the department of health services or the department of children and families determines that it may not without a waiver from the federal government implement the requirement under sub. (2) with respect to any program administered by that department that provides means-tested public assistance and that such a waiver may be requested under federal law, the department of health services or the department of children and families shall request a waiver from the appropriate federal agency. If such a waiver is requested with respect to a program, the department requesting the waiver may not implement the requirement under sub. (2) with respect to the program unless the waiver is granted and in effect.

SB676,68 Section 68. 49.97 of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,26,20 49.97 Prohibition on advertising. (1) In this section, "means-tested public assistance" means any services, benefits, or other assistance that is provided to individuals or families under this chapter and for which income or assets is a factor in determining eligibility.

SB676,26,23 (2) The department of health services and the department of children and families may not by radio or television advertise the availability of, or provide any other information concerning, means-tested public assistance.

SB676,69 Section 69. 66.1201 (9) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,27,6 66.1201 (9) (a) Within its area of operation to prepare, carry out, acquire, lease and operate housing projects approved by the council; to provide for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration or repair of any housing project or any part of a housing project, except that after the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], an authority may not provide for or facilitate the construction of additional low-income housing unless it is for individuals age 55 and above.

SB676,70 Section 70. 66.1204 of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,27,11 66.1204 Limitations on eligibility. (1) (a) In its role under 42 USC 1437f as a public housing agency, as defined in 24 CFR 982.4 (b), an authority may not provide assistance payments to any person unless the person satisfies one of the following:

SB676,27,12 1. The person is disabled, as defined in s. 49.468 (1) (a) 1.

SB676,27,13 2. The person is age 62 or older.

SB676,27,17 (b) Except as provided in par. (c), an authority shall ensure that all of the following requirements are satisfied in connection with housing or housing assistance provided directly or indirectly by the authority, or by a state public body with which it contracts, to any person of low income:

SB676,27,22 1. Any housing provided to a person of low income is restricted to housing in which the square footage is less than 50 percent of the average square footage for a rental unit of average rental value in the county in which the person of low income resides. To satisfy the requirements of this subdivision, the authority may require that more than 2 unrelated persons of low income be housed in one housing unit.

SB676,27,25 2. A person or family with assets that exceed $2,000 in combined equity value or with a vehicle having an equity value of $10,000 or greater is not eligible for housing or housing assistance under this subchapter.

SB676,28,4 3. For purposes of determining eligibility for any assistance under this subchapter, an applicant's income includes the income of any person who spent at least 15 nights in the applicant's home during the 60-day period immediately before the date of the application.

SB676,28,6 (c) The requirements in par. (b) 1. to 3. do not apply to a person who is disabled, as defined in s. 49.468 (1) (a) 1., or is aged 62 or older.

SB676,28,14 (2) If an authority determines it may not implement the limitations on eligibility and housing under sub. (1) without a waiver from the federal department of housing and urban development and that such a waiver may be requested under federal law, the authority shall request a waiver. If a waiver that is consistent with sub. (1) is granted and in effect, an authority shall implement the limitations on eligibility and housing under sub. (1). An authority may not implement any limitation under sub. (1) for which a waiver is required unless a waiver as to that limitation is granted and in effect.

SB676,71 Section 71. 71.07 (9e) (h) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,28,17 71.07 (9e) (h) For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014, no new claims for a credit under this subsection may be filed.

SB676,72 Section 72. 71.53 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,28,20 71.53 (2) (c) The Except as provided in par. (g), the claimant was under 18 years of age at the close of the year to which the claim relates.

SB676,73 Section 73. 71.53 (2) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,28,24 71.53 (2) (g) For claims filed for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014, the claimant was under 55 years of age at the close of the year to which the claim relates.

SB676,74 Section 74. 115.34 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,29,3 115.34 (3) A school board may not provide to a pupil's parent or guardian more than 2 notices that describe the eligibility criteria for the school lunch program in any school year.

SB676,75 Section 75. 118.60 (2) (a) 1. b. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,30,10 118.60 (2) (a) 1. b. The private school submits to the department of public instruction the names, addresses, social security numbers, and other state and federal tax identification numbers, if any, of the pupil's parents or legal guardians that reside in the same household as the pupil, whether and to whom the parents or legal guardians are married, the names of all of the other members of the pupil's family residing in the same household as the pupil, and the school year for which family income is being verified under this subd. 1. b. The department of revenue shall review the information submitted under this subd. 1. b. and shall verify the eligibility or ineligibility of the pupil to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income. In this subdivision, "family income" means federal adjusted gross income of the parents or legal guardians residing in the same household as the pupil for the tax year preceding the school year for which family income is being verified under this subd. 1. b. or, if not available, for the tax year preceding the tax year preceding the school year for which family income is being verified under this subd. 1. b. Family income for a family in which the pupil's parents are married or in which the pupil's legal guardians are married shall be reduced by $7,000 $30,000 before the verification is made under this subd. 1. b. The department of revenue may take no other action on the basis of the information submitted under this subd. 1. b. If the department of revenue is unable to verify family income or to verify whether the pupil is eligible or ineligible to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income, the department of revenue shall notify the department of public instruction of this fact and the department of public instruction shall utilize an alternative process, to be established by the department of public instruction, to determine whether the pupil is eligible to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income. The department of public instruction may not request any additional verification of income from the family of a pupil once the department of revenue has verified that the pupil is eligible to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income. The department of public instruction shall establish a procedure for determining family income eligibility for those pupils for whom no social security number or state or federal tax identification number has been provided.

SB676,76 Section 76. 119.23 (2) (a) 1. b. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,31,17 119.23 (2) (a) 1. b. The private school submits to the department of public instruction the names, addresses, social security numbers, and other state and federal tax identification numbers, if any, of the pupil's parents or legal guardians that reside in the same household as the pupil, whether and to whom the parents or legal guardians are married, the names of all of the other members of the pupil's family residing in the same household as the pupil, and the school year for which family income is being verified under this subd. 1. b. The department of revenue shall review the information submitted under this subd. 1. b. and shall verify the eligibility or ineligibility of the pupil to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income. In this subdivision, "family income" means federal adjusted gross income of the parents or legal guardians residing in the same household as the pupil for the tax year preceding the school year for which family income is being verified under this subd. 1. b. or, if not available, for the tax year preceding the tax year preceding the school year for which family income is being verified under this subd. 1. b. Family income for a family in which the pupil's parents are married or in which the pupil's legal guardians are married shall be reduced by $7,000 $30,000 before the verification is made under this subd. 1. b. The department of revenue may take no other action on the basis of the information submitted under this subd. 1. b. If the department of revenue is unable to verify family income or to verify whether the pupil is eligible or ineligible to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income, the department of revenue shall notify the department of public instruction of this fact and the department of public instruction shall utilize an alternative process, to be established by the department of public instruction, to determine whether the pupil is eligible to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income. The department of public instruction may not request any additional verification of income from the family of a pupil once the department of revenue has verified that the pupil is eligible to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income. The department of public instruction shall establish a procedure for determining family income eligibility for those pupils for whom no social security number or state or federal tax identification number has been provided.

SB676,77 Section 77. 234.03 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,31,24 234.03 Powers of authority. (intro.) The Subject to the limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 234.038, the authority shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to implement this chapter, including the following powers in connection with its projects or programs, in addition to all other powers granted by this chapter:

SB676,78 Section 78. 234.038 of the statutes is created to read:

SB676,32,5 234.038 Limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income. (1) (a) In its role under 42 USC 1437f as a public housing agency, as defined in 24 CFR 982.4 (b), the authority may not provide assistance payments to any person unless the person satisfies one of the following:

SB676,32,6 1. The person is disabled, as defined in s. 49.468 (1) (a) 1.

SB676,32,7 2. The person is aged 62 or older.

SB676,32,12 (b) Except as provided in par. (c), the authority shall ensure that all of the following requirements are satisfied in connection with housing or housing assistance provided directly or indirectly by the authority or by an eligible sponsor, housing corporation, financial institution, limited-profit entity, or nonprofit corporation to persons and families of low and moderate income:

SB676,32,18 1. Any housing provided to a person or family of low or moderate income is restricted to housing in which the square footage is less than 50 percent of the average square footage for a rental unit of average rental value in the county in which the person or family resides. To satisfy the requirements of this subdivision, the authority may require that more than 2 unrelated persons or families of low or moderate income be housed in one housing unit.

SB676,32,21 2. A person or family with assets that exceed $2,000 in combined equity value or with a vehicle having an equity value of $10,000 or greater is not eligible for housing or housing assistance under this chapter.

SB676,32,25 3. For purposes of determining eligibility for any assistance under this subchapter, an applicant's income includes the income of any person who spent at least 15 nights in the applicant's home during the 60-day period immediately before the date of the application.

SB676,33,3 (c) The requirements in par. (b) 1. to 3. do not apply to a person who is, or a family that includes, a person who is disabled, as defined in s. 49.468 (1) (a) 1., or is aged 62 or older.

SB676,33,11 (2) If the authority determines it may not implement the limitations on eligibility and housing under sub. (1) without a waiver from the federal department of housing and urban development and that such a waiver may be requested under federal law, the authority shall request a waiver. If a waiver that is consistent with sub. (1) is granted and in effect, the authority shall implement the limitations on eligibility and housing under sub. (1). The authority may not implement any limitation under sub. (1) for which a waiver is required unless a waiver as to that limitation is granted and in effect.

SB676,79 Section 79. 234.04 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,33,20 234.04 (1) The Subject to the limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 234.038, the authority may make or participate in the making of construction loans to eligible sponsors of housing projects for the construction or rehabilitation of housing for persons and families of low and moderate income. Such loans shall be made only upon the determination by the authority that construction loans are not otherwise available from private lenders upon reasonably equivalent terms and conditions.

SB676,80 Section 80. 234.04 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,34,13 234.04 (2) The Subject to the limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 234.038, the authority may make or participate in the making and enter into commitments for the making of long-term mortgage loans to eligible sponsors of housing projects for occupancy by persons and families of low and moderate income, or for the making of homeownership mortgage loans or housing rehabilitation loans or loans for the refinancing of qualified subprime loans under s. 234.592 to persons and families of low and moderate income, an applicant under s. 234.59 or 234.592, or other eligible beneficiaries as defined in s. 234.49. The loans may be made only upon the determination by the authority that they are not otherwise available from private lenders upon reasonably equivalent terms and conditions. The authority may not make a loan to a person whose name appears on the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), unless the person provides to the authority a payment agreement that has been approved by the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and that is consistent with rules promulgated under s. 49.858 (2) (a). The authority may employ, for such compensation as it determines, the services of any financial institution in connection with any loan.

SB676,81 Section 81. 234.04 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,34,24 234.04 (3) The Subject to the limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 234.038, the authority may make or participate in the making and enter into commitments for the making of loans to any banking institution, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union organized under the laws of this or any other state or of the United States having an office in this state, if the authority first determines that the proceeds of such loans will be utilized for the purpose of making long-term mortgage loans to persons or families of low and moderate income, or for the purpose of providing residential housing for occupancy by persons or families of low and moderate income, or for the purpose of making housing rehabilitation loans.

SB676,82 Section 82. 234.06 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,35,11 234.06 (1) The Subject to the limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 234.038, the authority may, as authorized in the state housing strategy plan under s. 16.302, use the moneys held in the housing development fund to make temporary loans to eligible sponsors, with or without interest, and with such security for repayment, if any, as the authority determines reasonably necessary and practicable, solely from the housing development fund, to defray development costs for the construction of proposed housing projects for occupancy by persons and families of low and moderate income. No temporary loan may be made unless the authority may reasonably anticipate that satisfactory financing may be obtained by the eligible sponsor for the permanent financing of the housing project.

SB676,83 Section 83. 234.06 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,35,24 234.06 (3) The Subject to the limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 234.038, the authority may, as authorized in the state housing strategy plan under s. 16.302, use the moneys held in the housing development fund to establish and administer programs of grants to counties, municipalities, and eligible sponsors of housing projects for persons of low and moderate income, to pay organizational expenses, administrative costs, social services, technical services, training expenses, or costs incurred or expected to be incurred by counties, municipalities, or sponsors for land and building acquisition, construction, improvements, renewal, rehabilitation, relocation, or conservation under a plan to provide housing or related facilities, if the costs are not reimbursable from other private or public loan, grant, or mortgage sources.

SB676,84 Section 84. 234.49 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,36,4 234.49 (2) (a) (intro.) The Subject to the limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 234.038, the authority has the following powers for the purpose of implementing this section, in addition to all other powers granted by this chapter:

SB676,85 Section 85. 234.59 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,36,11 234.59 (2) (intro.) The authority shall, subject to the limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 234.038, establish and administer a homeownership mortgage loan program to encourage homeownership and to facilitate the acquisition or rehabilitation of eligible property by applicants. To implement the program, the authority:

SB676,86 Section 86. 234.592 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,36,18 234.592 (2) (intro.) The authority shall, subject to the limitations on eligibility for projects or programs and housing benefiting persons and families of low and moderate income under s. 234.038, establish and administer a qualified subprime loan refinancing program to encourage homeownership and to facilitate the retention of eligible property by applicants. To implement the program, the authority:

SB676,87 Section 87. 944.21 (8) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,36,22 944.21 (8) (b) 4. Any institution of higher education that is accredited, as described in s. 39.30 (1) (d), 2011 stats., and is exempt from taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the internal revenue code.

SB676,88 Section 88. 948.11 (4) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB676,37,3 948.11 (4) (b) 4. Any institution of higher education that is accredited, as described in s. 39.30 (1) (d), 2011 stats., and is exempt from taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the internal revenue code, as defined in s. 71.01 (6).

SB676,89 Section 89. Nonstatutory provisions.

SB676,37,14 (1) Transfer to University of Wisconsin System of unencumbered balances in repealed higher educational aids board appropriations. Notwithstanding section 20.002 (3m) of the statutes, on the effective date of this subsection, there is transferred to the appropriation account under section 20.285 (1) (k) of the statutes an amount equal to the unencumbered balances in the appropriation accounts under section 20.235 (1) (b), (fd), (fe), (ff), (fg), (fj), (gm), (k), (ke), and (km) of the statutes, as affected by this act, on the day before the effective date of this subsection. The board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System shall use the amount transferred under this subsection to reduce the tuition charged to enroll in educational programs in that system.

SB676,90 Section 90. Initial applicability.

SB676,37,18 (1) Wisconsin Shares eligibility. The treatment of section 49.155 (1m) (c) 4. of the statutes first applies to eligibility and continued eligibility determinations that are made on the effective date of this subsection.

SB676,37,21 (2) Food stamp eligibility. The treatment of section 49.79 (1m) of the statutes first applies to eligibility and continued eligibility determinations that are made on the effective date of this subsection.

SB676,38,3 (3) Eligibility for low-income energy assistance. The treatment of section 16.27 (5) (intro.) and (b) and (5m) of the statutes first applies to the eligibility of households applying for low-income energy assistance under section 16.27 (4) of the statutes on the effective date of this subsection or, if the department of administration determines under section 16.27 (5m) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act, that a federal waiver is needed, on the first day on which the waiver is granted and in effect.

SB676,38,11 (4) Eligibility for housing assistance; Department of Administration. The treatment of sections 16.3025, 16.303 (1) (a), 16.305 (2) (d), and 16.306 (2) (a) and (c) of the statutes first applies to housing, housing costs, utility-related costs, grants, or loans provided, directly or indirectly, by the department of administration to persons and families of low and moderate income on the effective date of this subsection or, if the department of administration determines under section 16.3025 of the statutes, as created by this act, that a federal waiver is needed, on the first day on which the waiver is granted and in effect.

SB676,38,21 (5) Eligibility for housing assistance; Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. The treatment of sections 234.03 (intro.), 234.038, 234.04 (1), (2), and (3), 234.06 (1) and (3), 234.49 (2) (a) (intro.), 234.59 (2) (intro.), and 234.592 (2) (intro.) of the statutes first applies to assistance payments, housing, housing assistance, grants, or loans provided, directly or indirectly, by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority to persons and families of low and moderate income on the effective date of this subsection or, if the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority determines under section 234.038 (2) of the statutes, as created by this act, that a federal waiver is needed, on the first day on which the waiver is granted and in effect.

SB676,39,3 (6) Eligibility for housing assistance; local housing authorities. The treatment of section 66.1204 of the statutes first applies to assistance payments, housing, housing assistance, grants, or loans provided, directly or indirectly, by a housing authority created under subchapter XII of chapter 66 of the statutes to a person of low income on the effective date of this subsection or, if such an authority determines under section 66.1204 (2) of the statutes, as created by this act, that a federal waiver is needed, on the first day on which the waiver is granted and in effect.

SB676,39,6 (7) Higher education grants and scholarships. The treatment of sections 36.11 (59) and 39.28 (7) of the statutes first applies to a grant or scholarship awarded for the 2015-16 academic year.