SB 115

This bill authorizes the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to enter into

a lease of a DNR radio tower or a lookout tower site (tower site) with a private person

or a governmental entity for the purpose of installing a commercial or noncommercial

telecommunications system. The bill provides that the lease may allow the owner

or operator of the telecommunications system to provide telecommunications

services to persons other than employees of a governmental entity.

The bill also provides that, if the owner of the telecommunications system is this

state, then DNR may not charge a fee to lease the tower site. If the owner of the

telecommunications system is another governmental entity, then DNR may charge

a fee but the fee may not exceed $25 per month.

The suspended rule prohibits DNR from considering a request to install a

telecommunications system at a tower site unless the telecommunications system is

owned by a governmental entity and is used either to provide noncommercial

broadcast services to the public or to provide necessary communications between

employees of governmental entities.

This bill is introduced as required by s. 227.26 (2) (f), stats., in support of the

action of the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules in suspending

portions of NR 1.483, Wis. Adm. Code, a rule of DNR on February 26, 2013.