Chapter 16

16.27(7) (7) Individuals in state prisons or secured juvenile facilities. No payment under sub. (6) may be made to a prisoner who is imprisoned in a state prison under s. 302.01 or to a person placed at a juvenile correctional facility, as defined in s. 938.02 (10p), or a secured residential care center for children and youth, as defined in s. 938.02 (15g).

16.27(8) (8) Crisis assistance program. A household eligible for heating assistance under sub. (6) may also be eligible for a crisis assistance payment to meet a weather-related or fuel supply shortage crisis. The department shall define the circumstances constituting a crisis for which a payment may be made and shall establish the amount of payment to an eligible household or individual. The department may delegate a portion of its responsibility under this subsection to a county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 or to another local governmental agency or a private nonprofit organization.

16.27(9) (9) Notice of utility disconnection required. Any public utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (5), or any fuel distributor furnishing heat, light or power to a residential customer shall provide written notice of intent to disconnect or discontinue service during the months of November to April and shall include information concerning any federal, state or local program that provides assistance for fuel or home heating bills. The department shall provide printed information at no cost upon request to any fuel distributor serving residential customers except public utilities. The information shall describe the nature and availability of any federal, state or local program that provides assistance for fuel or home heating bills.

16.27 History History: 1985 a. 29 ss. 1055g, 2488h to 2488n; 1985 a. 176, 332; 1987 a. 27; 1989 a. 31, 359; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2336, 3182 to 3207; Stats. 1995 s. 16.385; 1995 a. 77, 417; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 33 s. 162; Stats. 2003 s. 16.27; 2003 a. 321 s. 11; 2003 a. 327 s. 5; 2005 a. 25, 344; 2009 a. 11, 28.

16.28 16.28 Office of business development.

16.28(1) (1) The office of business development shall provide administrative support to the small business regulatory review board and shall perform other functions determined by the secretary.

16.28(2) (2) The deputy director of the office shall be appointed by the governor to serve at his or her pleasure.

16.28 History History: 2011 a. 32.

16.283 16.283 Disabled veteran-owned businesses.

16.283(1) (1) Definitions. In this section, unless the context requires otherwise:

16.283(1)(a) (a) “Business” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, or corporation.

16.283(1)(b) (b) “Disabled veteran” means a person who is verified by the department of veterans affairs as being all of the following at the time the person applies for certification under sub. (3):

16.283(1)(b)1. 1. A veteran, as defined in s. 45.01 (12).

16.283(1)(b)2. 2. A resident of this state.

16.283(1)(b)3. 3. A person who is in receipt of an award from the U.S. department of veterans affairs of a service-connected disability rating under 38 USC 1114 or 1134.

16.283(1)(c) (c) “Duly authorized representative” has the meaning given in s. 45.04 (1) (a).

16.283(1)(d) (d) “Financial adviser” means a business that serves as an adviser with regard to the sale of evidences of indebtedness or other obligations.

16.283(1)(e) (e) “Investment firm” means a business that serves as a manager, comanager, or in any other underwriting capacity with regard to the sale of evidences of indebtedness or other obligations or as a broker-dealer as defined in s. 551.102 (4).

16.283(1)(f) (f) “Useful business function” means the provision of materials, supplies, equipment, or services to customers, including the state.

16.283(2) (2) Disabled veteran-owned business database. The department shall develop, maintain, and keep current a computer database of businesses certified under this section.

16.283(3) (3) Disabled veteran-owned business, financial adviser, and investment firm certification.

16.283(3)(a) (a) Any business, financial adviser, or investment firm may apply to the department for certification under this section.

16.283(3)(b) (b)

16.283(3)(b)1m. 1m. The department shall certify a business, financial adviser, or investment firm under this section if, after conducting an investigation, the department determines that the business, financial adviser, or investment firm fulfills all of the following requirements:

16.283(3)(b)1m.a. a. One or more disabled veterans owns not less than 51 percent of the business, financial adviser, or investment firm or, in the case of any publicly owned business, financial adviser, or investment firm, one or more disabled veterans owns not less than 51 percent of the stock of the business, financial adviser, or investment firm.

16.283(3)(b)1m.b. b. One or more disabled veterans or one or more duly authorized representatives of one or more disabled veterans controls the management and daily business operations of the business, financial adviser, or investment firm.

16.283(3)(b)1m.c. c. The business, financial adviser, or investment firm has its principal place of business in this state.

16.283(3)(b)1m.d. d. The business, financial adviser, or investment firm is currently performing a useful business function. Acting as a conduit for the transfer of funds to a business that is not certified under this section does not constitute a useful business function, unless doing so is a normal industry practice.

16.283(3)(b)2m. 2m. The department may, without conducting an investigation, certify a business, financial adviser, or investment firm having its principal place of business in this state and currently performing a useful business function if the business, financial advisor, or investment firm is certified, or otherwise classified, as a disabled veteran-owned business, financial advisor, or investment firm by an agency or municipality of this or another state, a federally recognized American Indian tribe, or the federal government, or by a private business with expertise in certifying disabled veteran-owned businesses if the business uses substantially the same procedures the department uses in making a determination under subd. 1m.

16.283(3)(c) (c) The department may charge each business, financial adviser, or investment firm applying for certification under this section a fee to cover the department’s expenses in making the certification determination.

16.283(3)(d) (d) If a business, financial adviser, or investment firm applying for certification under this section fails to provide the department with sufficient information to enable the department to conduct an investigation under par. (b) 1m. or does not qualify for certification under par. (b), the department shall deny the application. A business, financial adviser, or investment firm whose application is denied may, within 30 days after the date of the denial, appeal in writing to the secretary. The secretary shall enter his or her final decision within 30 days after receiving the appeal.

16.283(3)(e) (e)

16.283(3)(e)1. 1. The department may, at the request of any state agency or on its own initiative, evaluate any business, financial adviser, or investment firm certified under this section to verify that it continues to qualify for certification. The business, financial adviser, or investment firm shall provide the department with any records or information necessary to complete the examination.

16.283(3)(e)2. 2. If a business, financial adviser, or investment firm fails to comply with a reasonable request for records or information, the department shall notify the business, financial adviser, or investment firm and the departments of administration and transportation, in writing, that it intends to decertify the business, financial adviser, or investment firm.

16.283(3)(e)3. 3. If, after an evaluation under this paragraph, the department determines that a business, financial adviser, or investment firm no longer qualifies for certification under this section, the department shall notify the business, financial adviser, or investment firm and the departments of administration and transportation, in writing, that it intends to decertify the business, financial adviser, or investment firm.

16.283(3)(f) (f) The business, financial adviser, or investment firm may, within 30 days after a notice is sent under par. (e) 2. or 3., appeal in writing to the secretary. If the business, financial adviser, or investment firm does not submit an appeal under this paragraph, the department shall immediately decertify the business, financial adviser, or investment firm. If an appeal is submitted under this paragraph, the secretary shall enter his or her final decision, in writing, within 30 days after receiving the appeal. If the secretary confirms the decision of the department, the department shall immediately decertify the business, financial adviser, or investment firm. A business, financial adviser, or investment firm decertified under this paragraph may, within 30 days after the secretary’s decision, request a contested case hearing under s. 227.42 from the department. If the final administrative or judicial proceeding results in a determination that the business, financial adviser, or investment firm qualifies for certification under this section, the department shall immediately certify the business, financial adviser, or investment firm. The department shall provide the business, financial adviser, or investment firm and the departments of administration and transportation with a copy of the final written decision regarding certification under this paragraph.

16.283(4) (4) Department rule making. The department shall promulgate by administrative rule procedures to implement this section.

16.283 History History: 2009 a. 299 s. 100; 2011 a. 32 s. 3317; Stats. 2011 s. 16.283; 2013 a. 20; 2017 a. 122.

16.283 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Adm 82, Wis. adm. code.

16.285 16.285 Woman-owned businesses; certification; database.

16.285(1) (1) 

16.285(1)(a) (a) In this subsection, “woman-owned business” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, or corporation that fulfills all of the following requirements:

16.285(1)(a)1. 1. It is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and actively managed by a woman.

16.285(1)(a)2. 2. It is currently performing a useful business function in this state.

16.285(1)(b) (b) The department shall implement a program for the certification of woman-owned businesses. The department may, without conducting an investigation, certify a business currently performing a useful business function in this state as a woman-owned business if the business is certified, or otherwise classified, as a woman-owned business by an agency or municipality of this or another state, a federally recognized American Indian tribe, or the federal government, or by a private business with expertise in certifying woman-owned businesses if the business uses substantially the same process as the department promulgates by rule for implementing this subsection.

16.285(1)(bm) (bm) The department may charge an applicant for certification under this subsection a processing fee of not more than $50.

16.285(1)(c) (c) The department shall promulgate rules necessary to implement this subsection.

16.285(2) (2) The department shall develop, maintain, and keep current a computer database of businesses in the state that are owned by women, containing demographic statistics and information on the types of industries represented, sales volume and growth rates, generation of jobs by both new and existing businesses, and any other relevant characteristics. The department shall compile and periodically update a list of businesses certified under sub. (1) and make the list available to the public on the Internet.

16.285 History History: 1991 a. 39; 1999 a. 185; 2005 a. 358; 2011 a. 32 s. 3319; Stats. 2011 s. 16.285; 2013 a. 20.

16.285 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Adm 83, Wis. adm. code.

16.287 16.287 Minority businesses.

16.287(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

16.287(1)(a) (a) “American Indian” means a person who is enrolled as a member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band or who possesses documentation of at least one-fourth American Indian ancestry or documentation of tribal recognition as an American Indian.

16.287(1)(b) (b) “Asian-Indian” means a person whose ancestors originated in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh.

16.287(1)(c) (c) “Black” means a person whose ancestors originated in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

16.287(1)(d) (d) “Hispanic” means a person of any race whose ancestors originated in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central America or South America or whose culture or origin is Spanish.

16.287(1)(e) (e) “Minority business” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or corporation that fulfills both of the following requirements:

16.287(1)(e)1m. 1m. It is at least 51 percent owned, controlled and actively managed by a minority group member or members who are U.S. citizens or persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, as defined under 8 USC 1101 (a) (20).

16.287(1)(e)2. 2. It is currently performing a useful business function.

16.287(1)(ep) (ep) “Minority financial adviser” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or corporation that fulfills all of the following requirements:

16.287(1)(ep)1. 1. It is at least 51 percent owned, controlled and actively managed by a minority group member or members who are U.S. citizens or persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, as defined under 8 USC 1101 (a) (20).

16.287(1)(ep)2. 2. It serves as an adviser with regard to the sale of evidences of indebtedness or other obligations.

16.287(1)(f) (f) “Minority group member” means any of the following:

16.287(1)(f)1. 1. A Black.

16.287(1)(f)2. 2. A Hispanic.

16.287(1)(f)3. 3. An American Indian.

16.287(1)(f)4. 4. An Eskimo.

16.287(1)(f)5. 5. An Aleut.

16.287(1)(f)6. 6. A native Hawaiian.

16.287(1)(f)7. 7. An Asian-Indian.

16.287(1)(f)8. 8. A person of Asian-Pacific origin.

16.287(1)(fm) (fm) “Minority investment firm” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or corporation that fulfills all of the following requirements:

16.287(1)(fm)1. 1. It is at least 51 percent owned, controlled and actively managed by a minority group member or members who are U.S. citizens or persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, as defined under 8 USC 1101 (a) (20).

16.287(1)(fm)2. 2. It serves as a manager, comanager or in any other underwriting capacity with regard to the sale of evidences of indebtedness or other obligations or as a broker-dealer as defined in s. 551.102 (4).

16.287(1)(g) (g) “Person of Asian-Pacific origin” means a person whose ancestors originated in Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas.

16.287(1)(h) (h) “Useful business function” means the provision of materials, supplies, equipment or services to customers in addition to this state. Acting as a conduit to transfer funds to a nonminority business does not constitute a useful business function, unless doing so is a normal industry practice.

16.287(2) (2) Minority business, adviser and firm certification.

16.287(2)(a) (a) For the purposes of ss. 16.75 (3m), 16.855 (10m), 16.87 (2), 18.16, 18.64, 18.77, 25.185, 119.495 (2), 200.57, 231.27 and 234.35, the department shall establish and periodically update a list of certified minority businesses, minority financial advisers and minority investment firms. Any business, financial adviser or investment firm may apply to the department for certification. For purposes of this paragraph, unless the context otherwise requires, a “business” includes a financial adviser or investment firm.

16.287(2)(b) (b) The department shall certify a business incorporated under ch. 180 or having its principal place of business in this state if the department, after conducting an investigation, determines that the business qualifies as a minority business under sub. (1) and any rules promulgated under sub. (3) (c). A determination that a business qualifies as a minority business may not be based on the number of minority group members employed by the business.

16.287(2)(c) (c) The department, without investigation, may certify a business incorporated in this state or having its principal place of business in this state if the business is certified or otherwise classified as a minority business by an agency or municipality of this or another state, a federally recognized American Indian tribe, or the federal government, or by a private business with expertise in certifying minority businesses if the private business uses substantially the same procedures as those used by the department in making a determination under par. (b).

16.287(2)(d) (d)

16.287(2)(d)1. 1. If the business applying for certification is not incorporated under ch. 180 or does not have its principal place of business in this state, the department may certify it if it meets a condition specified under par. (b) or (c) and if either of the following conditions exists:

16.287(2)(d)1.a. a. The state in which the business is incorporated or has its principal place of business has a statutory minority business procurement program and the business qualifies for participation in that program under a procedure substantially equivalent to the procedure used by the department in making a determination under par. (b).

16.287(2)(d)1.b. b. The department determines that, with respect to a specified type of supply, material, equipment or service, there are not enough certified minority business suppliers in this state to enable this state to achieve compliance with ss. 16.75 (3m), 16.855 (10m), 16.87 (2) and 25.185.

16.287(2)(dm) (dm) The department may charge each business applying for certification under par. (d) a fee to cover the department’s expenses in making the certification determination.

16.287(2)(e) (e) If a business refuses to provide the department with sufficient information to enable it to conduct an investigation under par. (b) or if the business does not qualify for certification under par. (b), (c) or (d), the department shall deny the application. A business whose application is denied may, within 30 days after the date of the denial, appeal in writing to the secretary. The secretary shall enter his or her final decision within 30 days after receiving the appeal.

16.287(2)(f) (f) The department may, at the request of any state agency, or at its own discretion, examine any certified business to verify that it qualifies for certification. The business shall provide the department with any records or information necessary to complete the examination. If the business fails to comply with a reasonable request for records or information, the department shall decertify it.

16.287(2)(g) (g) If the department, after an examination under par. (f), determines that a business does not qualify as a minority business, the department shall notify the business and the departments of administration and transportation that it intends to decertify the business. The business may, within 30 days after the notice is sent, appeal in writing to the secretary. The secretary shall enter his or her final decision within 30 days after receiving the appeal. If the secretary confirms the decision of the department, the department shall immediately decertify the business. A decertified business may, within 30 days after the secretary’s decision, request a contested case hearing under s. 227.42 from the department. If the final administrative or judicial proceeding results in a determination that the business qualifies as a minority business, the department shall immediately certify the business.

16.287(3) (3) Department rule making.