2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
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2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 1179
March 22, 2024 - Introduced by Representatives SHANKLAND, RATCLIFF, BARE,
EMERSON, JOERS, MOORE OMOKUNDE, SINICKI and STUBBS, cosponsored by
Senators SMITH, AGARD, L. JOHNSON, LARSON and SPREITZER. Referred to
Committee on Rural Development.
1 AN ACT to renumber 196.504 (1) (ad) and 196.504 (1) (ae); and to create 196.504
2 (1) (af) and 196.504 (2) (c) 1. i. of the statutes; relating to: prioritizing certain
3 farm projects under the broadband expansion grant program.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the Public Service Commission makes grants to eligible
applicants for the purpose of constructing broadband infrastructure in underserved
areas. In making the grants, current law requires PSC to give priority to projects
that satisfy various requirements. This bill requires PSC to also give priority to
projects that expand fiber optic broadband lines to farms. The bill defines “farm” as
land primarily devoted to agricultural uses related to crop and animal production
that are referenced in a rule promulgated by the Department of Revenue.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
4 SECTION 1. 196.504 (1) (ad) of the statutes is renumbered 196.504 (1) (ah).
5 SECTION 2. 196.504 (1) (ae) of the statutes is renumbered 196.504 (1) (ak).
6 SECTION 3. 196.504 (1) (af) of the statutes is created to read:
 2023 - 2024 Legislature -2- LRB-5967/1
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ASSEMBLY BILL 1179 SECTION 3
1 196.504 (1) (af) “Farm” means land primarily devoted to an agricultural use,
2 as defined in s. Tax 18.05 (1) (a) or (b), Wis. Adm. Code.
3 SECTION 4. 196.504 (2) (c) 1. i. of the statutes is created to read:
4 196.504 (2) (c) 1. i. Projects that expand fiber optic broadband lines to farms.
5 (END)