LRB-4040/1
RAC&MDK:nwn:ph
2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE
February 2, 2010 - Introduced by Senators Holperin, Plale, Vinehout, Schultz
and Grothman, cosponsored by Representatives Cullen, Soletski, Molepske
Jr., Friske, Ballweg and Kaufert. Referred to Committee on Commerce,
Utilities, Energy, and Rail.
SB512,1,3
1An Act relating to: the transfer of moneys from the general fund to the utility
2public benefits fund and the calculation of the low-income assistance fee for the
32010-11 fiscal year.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Currently, each electric utility in this state, other than a municipal electric
utility, must charge customers a low-income assistance fee. The fees are deposited
in the utility public benefits fund and the amount of the fees is set by the Department
of Administration (DOA) by rule. Moneys in the utility public benefits fund are used
for low-income energy assistance grants, the Wisconsin Works program, and air
quality improvement. In addition, moneys in the utility public benefits fund are used
to partially pay the salaries and fringe benefits of district attorneys and state
employees of the office of the district attorney.
This bill provides that if the ending balance of the general fund for the 2009-10
fiscal year, as reported by DOA, exceeds the estimated ending gross balance of the
general fund under
2009 Wisconsin Act 28 (the biennial budget act), as reported by
the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the secretary of administration, before January 1,
2011, must transfer from the general fund to the utility public benefits fund the
ending balance excess or $9,139,700, whichever is less. The amounts transferred to
the utility public benefits fund must be used to pay the salaries and fringe benefits
of district attorneys and state employees of the office of the district attorney. In
addition, the bill requires the secretary of administration, in calculating the
low-income assistance fee for the 2010-11 fiscal year, to deduct the amount
transferred from the general fund to the utility public benefits fund from the amount
of the low-income assistance fee that is determined for that fiscal year.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB512,2,92
(1)
Transfer of moneys from the general fund to the utility public benefits
3fund; low-income assistance fee assessments. If the ending general fund
4unreserved balance for the 2009-10 fiscal year, as reported in the 2010 Annual Fiscal
5Report for the State of Wisconsin, published by the department of administration,
6is greater than the ending gross balance of the general fund for that year, as reported
7in the Comparative Summary of Budget Recommendations,
2009 Act 28, published
8by the legislative fiscal bureau, the secretary of administration shall do all of the
9following before January 1, 2011:
SB512,2,1610
(a) Transfer from the general fund to the utility public benefits fund the
11difference under subsection (1) (intro.) or $9,139,700, whichever is less. The amount
12transferred under this paragraph shall be used to fund the appropriation under
13section 20.475 (1) (s) of the statutes. Notwithstanding section 16.518 of the statutes,
14the secretary shall transfer moneys to the utility public benefits fund under this
15paragraph before transferring any moneys to the budget stabilization fund under
16section 16.518 of the statutes.
SB512,3,217
(b) Notwithstanding section 16.957 (4) (c) 1. of the statutes, in determining the
18amount of the low-income assistance fee for fiscal year 2010-11, the secretary of
19administration shall deduct the amount transferred under paragraph (a) from the
1amount of the low-income assistance fee that is determined for that fiscal year under
2section 16.957 (4) (c) 1. of the statutes.
