84.01(6m)(a) (a) In this subsection, “economic development program” means a program or activity having the primary purpose of encouraging the establishment and growth of business in this state, including the creation and retention of jobs, and that satisfies all of the following:

84.01(6m)(a)1. 1. The program receives funding from the state or federal government that is allocated through an appropriation under ch. 20.

84.01(6m)(a)2. 2. The program provides financial assistance, tax benefits, or direct services to specific industries, businesses, local governments, or organizations.

84.01(6m)(b) (b) The department, in consultation with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, shall do all of the following for each economic development program administered by the department:

84.01(6m)(b)1. 1. Establish clear and measurable goals for the program that are tied to statutory policy objectives.

84.01(6m)(b)2. 2. Establish at least one quantifiable benchmark for each program goal described in subd. 1.

84.01(6m)(b)3. 3. Require that each recipient of a grant or loan under the program submit a report to the department. Each contract with a recipient of a grant or loan under the program shall specify the frequency and format of the report to be submitted to the department and the performance measures to be included in the report.

84.01(6m)(b)4. 4. Establish a method for evaluating the projected results of the program with actual outcomes as determined by evaluating the information described in subds. 1. and 2.

84.01(6m)(b)5. 5. Annually and independently verify, from a sample of grants and loans, the accuracy of the information required to be reported under subd. 3.

84.01(6m)(b)6. 6. Establish by rule a requirement that the recipient of a grant or loan under the program of at least $100,000 submit to the department a verified statement signed by both an independent certified public accountant licensed or certified under ch. 442 and the director or principal officer of the recipient to attest to the accuracy of the verified statement, and make available for inspection the documents supporting the verified statement. The department shall include the requirement established by rule under this subdivision in the contract entered into by a grant or loan recipient.

84.01(6m)(b)7. 7. Establish by rule policies and procedures permitting the department to do all of the following if a recipient of a grant or loan or tax benefits under the program submits false or misleading information to the department or fails to comply with the terms of a contract entered into with the department under the program and fails to provide to the satisfaction of the department an explanation for the noncompliance:

84.01(6m)(b)7.a. a. Recoup payments made to the recipient.

84.01(6m)(b)7.b. b. Withhold payments to be made to the recipient.

84.01(6m)(b)7.c. c. Impose a forfeiture on the recipient.

84.01(7) (7) Experiments, meetings, conventions. The department shall conduct such investigations and experiments, hold such public meetings and attend or be represented at such meetings and conventions inside or outside of the state as may, in its judgment, tend to promote improved highways, and shall cooperate with state and national organizations in experiments and work for the advancement of improved highways.

84.01(8) (8) Donations. The department shall receive gifts, appropriations and bequests made to it or to the state for highway purposes, pay all moneys received by it into the state treasury, and, as far as practicable, expend the same in accordance with the wishes of the donor, such expenditures to be audited and paid as other disbursements of the department are audited and paid, and shall apportion the allotments of state highway funds among the counties and municipalities as provided by law.

84.01(9) (9) County trunk system.

84.01(9)(a) (a) The department shall review the system of county trunk highways and alter the same so as to connect the system of adjoining counties into continuous and direct routes.

84.01(9)(b) (b) To insure modern safe design in the construction of county trunk highways, the department shall establish rules providing uniform minimum design standards for the improvement of county trunk highways. “Improvement” as used in this paragraph includes construction, reconstruction and the processes incidental to building, fabricating or bettering a highway, but not maintenance.

84.01 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 205, Wis. adm. code.

84.01(10) (10) Right of entry. The department or its authorized representatives may enter private lands to make surveys or inspections.

84.01(11) (11) Reports and bulletins. The department shall issue such bulletins, pamphlets and literature as it deems necessary.

84.01(11m) (11m) Economic development assistance coordination and reporting.

84.01(11m)(a) (a) The department shall coordinate any economic development assistance with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

84.01(11m)(b) (b) Annually, no later than October 1, the department shall submit to the joint legislative audit committee and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3) a comprehensive report assessing economic development programs, as defined in sub. (6m) (a), administered by the department. The report shall include all of the information required under s. 238.07 (2). The department shall collaborate with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to make readily accessible to the public on an Internet-based system the information required under this subsection.

84.01(12) (12) Acting county commissioner. The secretary of transportation shall appoint, upon the request of any county board, a county highway commissioner, who shall have all the powers and duties conferred by statutes upon county highway commissioners.

84.01(13) (13) Engineering services. The department may engage such engineering, consulting, surveying, or other specialized services as it deems advisable. Any engagement of services under this subsection is exempt from ss. 16.70 to 16.75, 16.755 to 16.82, and 16.85 to 16.89, but ss. 16.528, 16.752, and 16.754 apply to such engagement. Any engagement involving an expenditure of $3,000 or more shall be by formal contract approved by the governor. The department shall conduct a uniform cost-benefit analysis, as defined in s. 16.70 (3g), of each proposed engagement under this subsection that involves an estimated expenditure of more than $300,000 in accordance with standards prescribed by rule of the department and consider and document the results of the analysis before the determination of whether to undertake the proposed engagement. The department shall review periodically, and before any renewal, the continued appropriateness of contracting pursuant to each engagement under this subsection that involves an estimated expenditure of more than $300,000.

84.01 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 515, Wis. adm. code.

84.01(14) (14) Laboratories. The department shall maintain in connection with the performance of necessary engineering for highway work and other functions, a materials testing and research laboratory and adequate facilities for highway marking and signing.