85.22(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:

85.22(2)(am) (am) “Eligible applicant” means any applicant that meets eligibility requirements for federal assistance under 49 USC 5310.

85.22(2)(bm) (bm) “Individual with a disability” means any individual who, because of any temporary or permanent physical or mental condition or institutional residence is unable without special facilities or special planning or design to use available transportation facilities and services as effectively as persons who are not so affected.

85.22(2)(c) (c) “Local public body” has the meaning given in s. 85.20 (1) (d), except as limited by rule of the department.

85.22(2)(d) (d) “Senior” means any individual age 65 or older.

85.22(3) (3) Administration. The department shall administer the grant program and shall have all the powers necessary and convenient to implement this section, including the following powers:

85.22(3)(a) (a) To receive and review applications for aid under this section and to prescribe the form, nature, and extent of information which shall be contained in applications. Each applicant shall indicate whether the transportation services it provides or proposes to provide conflict with any transportation services being assisted under s. 85.21.

85.22(3)(b) (b) To establish criteria for evaluating all applications and for placing each application in a statewide priority ranking for distribution of available federal and state moneys.

85.22(3)(c) (c) To make and execute agreements with eligible applicants to provide for the undertaking of transportation services to seniors or individuals with disabilities.

85.22(3)(d) (d) To audit the records of all eligible applicants receiving aids under this section in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices.

85.22(3)(e) (e) To require eligible applicants receiving aids under this subsection to furnish information deemed necessary by the department.

85.22(3)(f) (f) To apply for and receive federal grants on behalf of eligible recipients.

85.22(3)(g) (g) To establish an application cycle for the program.

85.22(3)(h) (h) To establish, by rule, standards for the coordination of transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. These standards may require certification by a local public body that any application for aid under this section shall be consistent with the recommendations of a local coordinating committee on transportation that has membership which is, in the department’s judgment, sufficient to provide for adequate coordination of services available in the applicable area.

85.22(4) (4) Amount and use of aid. Commencing with the highest ranked application and to the extent that state and federal moneys are available, the department shall offer to each eligible applicant an amount of aid such that the sum of federal and state aid received by an applicant does not exceed the funding limitations defined in 49 USC 5310.

85.22 History History: 1981 c. 20 s. 1222; 1991 a. 239; 1993 a. 437; 1999 a. 9; 2015 a. 55.

85.22 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 2, Wis. adm. code.

85.23 85.23 Rural public transportation assistance program. The department may administer a program for the distribution of rural public transportation aids made available to the state under section 18 of the urban mass transportation act of 1964, as amended, or under any similar federal act.

85.23 History History: 1981 c. 20 s. 1223.

85.23 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 6, Wis. adm. code.

85.24 85.24 Transportation employment and mobility program.

85.24(1) (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote the conservation of energy, reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, enhance the efficient use of existing transportation systems, and enhance the success of welfare-to-work programs by providing efficient and effective transportation services that link low-income workers with jobs, training centers, and child care facilities, by planning and promoting demand management and ride-sharing programs, and by providing technical and financial assistance to public and private organizations for job access and employment transportation assistance programs and for the development and implementation of demand management and ride-sharing programs.

85.24(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:

85.24(2)(a) (a) “Demand management” means policies and programs designed to reduce the number of automobile trips, especially during peak hours of traffic congestion, including policies and programs designed to do any of the following:

85.24(2)(a)1. 1. Promote the reduction of unnecessary single-occupancy automobile trips.

85.24(2)(a)2. 2. Promote alternatives to automobile travel, such as biking and walking.

85.24(2)(a)3. 3. Encourage the use of high-occupancy modes of travel, such as ride sharing and all forms of public transportation.

85.24(2)(a)4. 4. Increase the convenience of alternatives to single-occupancy automobile trips, such as appropriate land-use planning and preferential parking privileges for car and van pools.

85.24(2)(ag) (ag) “Job access and employment transportation assistance” means policies and programs that are directed at resolving the transportation needs of low-income workers and recipients of public assistance with respect to transportation to-and-from jobs, including welfare-to-work programs, and activities related to their employment.