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Bill > SB254


WI SB254

Funding for the War Memorial Center and making an appropriation. (FE)


summary

Introduced
05/09/2025
In Committee
05/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, by agreement between the county board and any nonprofit private corporation, a county having a population of 750,000 or more may establish and maintain a memorial to commemorate the lives and deeds of persons who served the state or nation in war or other national service. Milwaukee County is the only county in the state with a population of 750,000 or more, and the county established and maintains a memorial called the War Memorial Center. This bill creates a continuing appropriation account for the Department of Veterans Affairs from which the War Memorial Center[s memorial board may request DVA to provide funds to it for support of the memorial. In making a request for the funds, the memorial board is required to describe its intended use of the funds, and to aver that it has secured equal matching funds that it will contribute to its intended project supporting the War Memorial Center. In addition, in each fiscal year in which the War Memorial Center[s memorial board receives funds from DVA as described under the bill, the War Memorial Center[s memorial board is required to submit a report to the Joint Committee on Finance that describes how the funds were used and that indicates how much money remains in the appropriation account. LRB-2889/1 JAM:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 254 For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill creates a new funding mechanism for the War Memorial Center in Milwaukee County, the only county in Wisconsin with a population over 750,000. The bill establishes a continuing appropriation account within the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) that allows the War Memorial Center's memorial board to request funds for various purposes. To receive funds, the memorial board must provide a detailed description of the intended use and demonstrate that it has secured matching funds equal to at least half of the total project cost. Eligible uses of the funds include operational expenses, capital projects, exhibits, programs, salaries, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and improvements to the memorial's facilities and properties. The DVA will review funding requests within 60 days and must provide approved funds within 30 days of approval. Additionally, the memorial board is required to submit an annual report to the Joint Committee on Finance detailing how the funds were used and the remaining balance in the appropriation account. The bill aims to provide sustainable financial support for the War Memorial Center while ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (37)

Julian Bradley (R)* Tim Carpenter (D)* Jodi Habush Sinykin (D)* LaTonya Johnson (D)* Brad Pfaff (D)* Melissa Ratcliff (D)* Eric Wimberger (R)* Bob Wirch (D)* Clint Anderson (D),  Brienne Brown (D),  Ben DeSmidt (D),  Barbara Dittrich (R),  Robert Donovan (R),  Steve Doyle (D),  Benjamin Franklin (R),  Joy Goeben (R),  Rick Gundrum (R),  Brent Jacobson (R),  Dan Knodl (R),  Rob Kreibich (R),  Anthony Kurtz (R),  Maureen McCarville (D),  Paul Melotik (R),  Supreme Moore Omokunde (D),  Jeff Mursau (R),  Todd Novak (R),  Jerry O'Connor (R),  William Penterman (R),  Jim Piwowarczyk (R),  Pricilla Prado (D),  Christine Sinicki (D),  Lee Snodgrass (D),  Pat Snyder (R),  David Steffen (R),  Angelito Tenorio (D),  Duke Tucker (R),  Chuck Wichgers (R), 

Last Action

Representative Andraca added as a cosponsor (on 05/22/2025)

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