Chapter 177

177.0801(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), the administrator shall deposit in the common school fund all funds received under this chapter, including proceeds from the sale of property under subch. VII and amounts received from the redemption of U.S. savings bonds under s. 177.1504.

177.0801(2) (2) The administrator shall deposit in the general fund an amount that the administrator reasonably estimates is sufficient to pay claims allowed under this chapter and administrative expenses. For purposes of this subsection, “administrative expenses” means any of the following:

177.0801(2)(a) (a) Expenses for the disposition of property delivered to the administrator.

177.0801(2)(b) (b) Costs of mailing and publication in connection with property delivered to the administrator.

177.0801(2)(c) (c) Reasonable service charges.

177.0801(2)(d) (d) Expenses incurred in examining records of or collecting property from a putative holder or holder.

177.0801(2)(e) (e) Any costs in connection with the sale of abandoned property.

177.0801(2)(f) (f) Any costs in connection with the action under s. 177.1504 (1) and the redemption of a U.S. savings bond under s. 177.1504 (5).

177.0801(2)(g) (g) Salaries of the employees of the office of the state treasurer and the administrator that are attributable to the administration of this chapter.

177.0801(2)(h) (h) Any costs in connection with the payment of interest under s. 177.0607.

177.0801 History History: 2021 a. 87, 240.

177.0802 177.0802 Administrator to retain records of property. The administrator shall do all of the following:

177.0802(1) (1) Record the name, last-known address, social security number or taxpayer identification number, and date of birth of each person shown on a report filed under s. 177.0401 to be the apparent owner of property delivered to the administrator.

177.0802(2) (2) Record the name, last-known address, social security number or taxpayer identification number, and date of birth of each insured or annuitant and beneficiary shown on the report.

177.0802(3) (3) For each policy of insurance or annuity contract listed in the report of an insurance company, record the policy or account number, the name of the company, and the amount due or paid.

177.0802(4) (4) For each apparent owner listed in the report, record the name of the holder that filed the report and the amount due or paid.

177.0802(5) (5) For each U.S. savings bond, record the name and last-known address of each owner of the U.S. savings bond and the issue date, face amount, and serial number of the U.S. savings bond.

177.0802 History History: 2021 a. 87.

subch. IX of ch. 177 SUBCHAPTER IX

CLAIM TO RECOVER PROPERTY
FROM ADMINISTRATOR

177.0901 177.0901 Claim of another state to recover property.

177.0901(1) (1) If the administrator knows that property held by the administrator under this chapter is subject to a superior claim of another state, the administrator shall report and pay or deliver the property to the other state or return the property to the holder so that the holder may pay or deliver the property to the other state.

177.0901(2) (2) The administrator may enter into an agreement to transfer property to the other state under sub. (1).

177.0901 History History: 2021 a. 87.

177.0902 177.0902 When property subject to recovery by another state.

177.0902(1) (1) Property held under this chapter by the administrator is subject to the right of another state to take custody of the property if any of the following applies:

177.0902(1)(a) (a) The property was paid or delivered to the administrator because the records of the holder did not reflect a last-known address in the other state of the apparent owner and the other state establishes that the last-known address of the apparent owner or other person entitled to the property was in the other state or, under the law of the other state, the property has become subject to a claim by the other state of abandonment.

177.0902(1)(b) (b) The records of the holder did not accurately identify the owner of the property, the last-known address of the owner was in another state, and, under the law of the other state, the property has become subject to a claim by the other state of abandonment.

177.0902(1)(c) (c) The property was subject to the custody of the administrator of this state under s. 177.0305 and, under the law of the state of domicile of the holder, the property has become subject to a claim by the state of domicile of the holder of abandonment.

177.0902(1)(d) (d) The property is a sum payable on a traveler’s check, money order, or similar instrument that was purchased in the other state and delivered to the administrator under s. 177.0306 and, under the law of the other state, has become subject to a claim by the other state of abandonment.

177.0902(2) (2) A claim by another state to recover property under this section must be presented in a form prescribed by the administrator, unless the administrator waives presentation of the form.

177.0902(3) (3) The administrator shall make a decision regarding each claim under this section no later than 90 days after the claim is presented to the administrator. If the administrator determines that the other state is entitled under sub. (1) to custody of the property, the administrator shall allow the claim and pay or deliver the property to the other state.

177.0902(4) (4) The administrator may require another state, before recovering property under this section, to agree to indemnify this state and its agents, officers, and employees against any liability on a claim to the property.

177.0902 History History: 2021 a. 87.

177.0903 177.0903 Claim for property by person claiming to be owner.

177.0903(1) (1) A person claiming to be the owner of property held under this chapter by the administrator may file a claim for the property on a form prescribed by the administrator. The claimant shall verify the claim as to its completeness and accuracy.

177.0903(2) (2) The administrator may waive the requirement under sub. (1) and may pay or deliver property directly to a person if the person receiving the property or payment is shown to be the apparent owner included on a report filed under s. 177.0401 and the administrator reasonably believes the person is entitled to receive the property or payment.

177.0903(3) (3) If a claim is submitted by a locator service that enters into an agreement under subch. XIII, a copy of the agreement shall be filed with the claim, otherwise the administrator shall deny the claim.

177.0903(4) (4) The administrator may use state tax information to assist in identifying the owner of property that has been abandoned as provided under this chapter or in verifying a claim filed under this subchapter.

177.0903 History History: 2021 a. 87.

177.0904 177.0904 When administrator must honor claim for property.

177.0904(1) (1) 

177.0904(1)(a) (a) The administrator shall pay or deliver property to a claimant under s. 177.0903 (1) if the administrator receives evidence sufficient to establish to the satisfaction of the administrator that the claimant is the owner of the property.

177.0904(1)(b) (b) If a claim is made and allowed under subch. XIII, the administrator shall pay or deliver property to the apparent owner of the property.

177.0904(2) (2) Not later than 90 days after a claim is filed under s. 177.0903 (1), the administrator shall allow or deny the claim and give the claimant notice in a record of the decision. The administrator may refer any claim to the attorney general for an opinion. For each claim referred, the attorney general shall advise the administrator either to allow it or to deny it in whole or in part.

177.0904(3) (3) If the administrator denies a claim under sub. (2), the administrator shall inform the claimant of the reason for the denial and specify what additional evidence, if any, is required for the claim to be allowed. The claimant may file an amended claim with the administrator or commence an action under s. 177.0906. The administrator shall consider an amended claim filed under this subsection as an initial claim.

177.0904(4) (4) If the administrator does not take action on a claim during the 90-day period following the filing of a claim under s. 177.0903 (1), the claim is denied.

177.0904 History History: 2021 a. 87; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

177.0905 177.0905 Allowance of claim for property.

177.0905(1) (1) Not later than 30 days after a claim is allowed under s. 177.0904 (2), the administrator shall pay or deliver the property to the owner or pay to the owner the net proceeds of a sale of the property, together with interest, income, or gain to which the owner is entitled under s. 177.0607. Upon request of the owner, the administrator may sell or liquidate a security and pay the net proceeds to the owner, even if the security has been held by the administrator for less than one year or the administrator has not complied with the notice requirements under s. 177.0503.

177.0905(2) (2) If the owner is a debtor under s. 71.93 or 71.935, before delivery or payment of property to an owner under sub. (1) or payment to the owner of net proceeds of a sale of the property, the administrator shall first set off against the owner’s debt under s. 71.93 or 71.935.

177.0905(3) (3) Any property paid or delivered to a person under this subchapter is subject to recovery by the administrator as provided in s. 177.1206.

177.0905 History History: 2021 a. 87; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

177.0906 177.0906 Action by person whose claim is denied.

177.0906(1) (1) A person aggrieved by a claim denial of the administrator or whose claim has not been acted upon within 90 days after its filing may petition for judicial review of the decision or of the claim under s. 227.52, notwithstanding s. 227.52 (1), except that petitions for review shall be served and filed within 90 days after the claim denial or within 180 days after the filing of the claim if the administrator has failed to act on it.

177.0906(2) (2) If the person aggrieved establishes a claim under sub. (1) and is a debtor under s. 71.93 or 71.935, the administrator shall first set off against the person’s debt under s. 71.93 or 71.935 before delivery or payment of the property to the owner.

177.0906 History History: 2021 a. 87; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

177.0907 177.0907 Claim to recover abandoned U.S. savings bond. Notwithstanding s. 177.1504, any person who could have claimed an interest in a U.S. savings bond immediately before this state became the owner of the U.S. savings bond pursuant to a judgment entered under s. 177.1504 (4) may file a claim under s. 177.0903, and another state may file a claim under s. 177.0901. Notwithstanding s. 177.0607 or 177.0902, if the claim is allowed, the administrator shall pay the claimant the amount the administrator received from redeeming the U.S. savings bond under s. 177.1504, minus any amounts that were deposited in the general fund to pay administrative expenses under s. 177.0801 that are attributable to the U.S. savings bond, or, if the U.S. savings bond has not been redeemed, the amount the administrator estimates the administrator will receive from redeeming the U.S. savings bond under s. 177.1504, minus any amounts the administrator estimates will be deposited in the general fund to pay administrative expenses under s. 177.0801 that are attributable to the U.S. savings bond.

177.0907 History History: 2015 a. 309; 2021 a. 87 s. 166; Stats. 2021 s. 177.0907.

subch. X of ch. 177 SUBCHAPTER X

REQUESTS FOR REPORTS;
EXAMINATION OF RECORDS

177.1001 177.1001 Verified report of property. If a person does not file a report required under s. 177.0401 or the administrator believes that a person may have filed an inaccurate, incomplete, or false report, the administrator may require the person to file a verified report in a form prescribed by the administrator. A verified report shall include all of the following:

177.1001(1) (1) A statement as to whether the person is holding property that is reportable under this chapter.

177.1001(2) (2) A description of the property not previously reported or about which the administrator has inquired.

177.1001(3) (3) A specific identification of property described under sub. (2) about which there is a dispute whether it is reportable under this chapter.

177.1001(4) (4) The amount or value of the property.

177.1001 History History: 2021 a. 87.

177.1002 177.1002 Requests for reports and examination of records.

177.1002(1) (1) The administrator, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice, may examine the records of any person to determine whether the person has complied with this chapter. The administrator may authorize an agent, under written contract with the administrator, to conduct any such examination. In addition, the administrator may designate the division of banking or other appropriate regulatory authority to examine the records of regulated institutions to determine if the institutions have complied with this chapter. The administrator may conduct the examination even if the person believes it is not in possession of any property reportable or deliverable under this chapter.

177.1002(2) (2) If an examination of the records of a person results in the discovery of property reportable and deliverable under this chapter, the person shall file a report and deliver the property to the administrator. If the property is not reported and delivered, the administrator shall assess the person for the value of the property.

177.1002(3) (3) The administrator may at reasonable times and on reasonable notice issue an administrative subpoena requiring the person or agent of the person to make records available for examination. The attorney general may bring an action seeking judicial enforcement of a subpoena issued under this subsection.

177.1002(4) (4) If any person fails to file any report or refuses to deliver property to the administrator as required under this chapter, the administrator may bring an action in a court of appropriate jurisdiction to require the filing of the report and to enforce delivery of the property.

177.1002(5) (5) If a person is treated under s. 177.0213 as the holder of the property only insofar as the interest of the business association in the property is concerned, the administrator may examine the records of the person as provided under sub. (1) if the administrator has given the required notice to both the person and the business association at least 90 days before the examination.

177.1002 History History: 1983 a. 408; 1995 a. 27; 2017 a. 235; 2021 a. 87 ss. 124, 125, 172 to 175; Stats. 2021 s. 177.1002.

177.1003 177.1003 Records obtained in examination. Records obtained and records, including work papers, compiled by the administrator in the course of conducting an examination under s. 177.1002:

177.1003(1) (1) Are subject to the confidentiality and security provisions of subch. XIV and are not public records for purposes of subch. II of ch. 19.

177.1003(2) (2) May be used by the administrator in an action to collect property or otherwise enforce this chapter.

177.1003(3) (3) May be used in a joint examination conducted with another state, the federal government, a foreign country or subordinate unit of a foreign country, or any other governmental entity if the governmental entity conducting the examination is legally bound to maintain the confidentiality and security of information obtained from a person subject to examination in a manner substantially equivalent to that under subch. XIV.

177.1003(4) (4) May be disclosed to the person that administers the unclaimed property law of another state, upon that person’s request, for that state’s use in circumstances equivalent to circumstances described in this subchapter, if the other state is required to maintain the confidentiality and security of information obtained in a manner substantially equivalent to that under subch. XIV.

177.1003 History History: 2021 a. 87.

177.1004 177.1004 Failure of person to maintain records. If a holder fails to maintain the records required under s. 177.0404, and the records of the holder available for the periods subject to this chapter are insufficient to permit the preparation of a report, a court may determine the liability of such holder based on the court’s findings as to a reasonable estimate of the amount due.

177.1004 History History: 2021 a. 87 s. 176; Stats. 2021 s. 177.1004.

177.1005 177.1005 Administrator’s contract with another to conduct examination.

177.1005(1) (1) Except as provided in subs. (2) and (3), the administrator may not enter into a contract or other agreement to allow any person to engage in an audit on a contingent fee basis of another person’s documents or records as part of an effort to administer this chapter or to purchase information or documents arising from the audit.

177.1005(2) (2) If a person whose documents or records are audited is not domiciled in this state, the administrator may enter into a contract or agreement described under sub. (1) related to the person if the amount of the contingent fee under the contract or agreement does not exceed 12 percent of the total amount of property reportable and deliverable under this chapter that is disclosed by the audit.

177.1005(3) (3) This section does not apply to information received from the federal government.

177.1005(4) (4) The administrator may not enter into a contract or other agreement as part of an effort to administer this chapter that allows a person that is engaging in an audit of another person’s documents or records to use statistical sampling to estimate the other person’s liability unless the other person consents to the use of an estimate.

177.1005 History History: 2021 a. 87 ss. 177, 178; Stats. 2021 s. 177.1005.

subch. XI of ch. 177 SUBCHAPTER XI