Creating the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Economic Development Policy Board, requiring the creation of a nonstock, nonprofit corporation to be known as the Badger Innovation Corporation, providing for the elimination of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the transfer its functions to the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Badger Innovation Corporation, granting rule-making authority, and making appropriations. (FE)

1. Five members appointed by the governor.

2. One representative to the assembly appointed by the speaker of the assembly.

3. One representative to the assembly appointed by the minority leader of the assembly.

4. One senator appointed by the majority leader of the senate.

5. One senator appointed by the minority leader of the senate.

6. The chief executive officer, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer of WEDC.

7. The secretary of administration.

8. The secretary of revenue.

The members appointed by the governor must include representatives of local and regional economic development agencies.

The bill requires the transition council to develop a detailed plan for the transfer of WEDC's duties, powers, and functions to DEO and the Badger Innovation Corporation. The transition council is required to submit the transition plan to the governor within 12 months after the bill is enacted, except that the Joint Committee on Finance may approve an extension of that deadline.

The bill requires the governor to include the transition plan as a part of the executive budget for the 2017-19 fiscal biennium, unless the transition plan is not ready at that time, in which case the governor must include the transition plan as a part of the executive budget for the 2019-21 fiscal biennium. If the transition plan or a version of it is enacted as a part of the 2017-19 or 2019-21 biennial budget act, the transition plan takes effect approximately six months after enactment of the biennial budget act, unless the legislature specifies a different effective date.

The transition council is required to send a notice to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register that confirms enactment of the transition plan and states the effective date of the transition plan as enacted. If that notice is not provided before July 1, 2020, the transition plan does not take effect.

Department of Economic Opportunity Under the bill, DEO assumes most of WEDC's functions related to economic development, including reporting requirements. The bill also includes new responsibilities for DEO, including the following:

1. DEO emphasizes economic development programs that encourage entrepreneurship, new business start-ups, and woman-owned, disabled-veteran owned, and minority businesses.

2. DEO must post on its Internet site DEO's job creation and retention goals;

all amendments to contracts executed under an economic development program of DEO; and all agendas, meeting minutes, and materials discussed for meetings of the Economic Development Policy Board, described below, and the board of directors of the Badger Innovation Corporation.

3. DEO's contract with a grant or loan recipient, or with a person DEO certifies to claim tax credits, must include a provision requiring the recipient to repay all or a portion of the grant, loan, or tax credits if, within five years after receiving the grant or loan or being certified to receive tax credits, the total number of employees the recipient employs in full-time jobs in Wisconsin falls below the average number of employees the recipient employed in full-time jobs in Wisconsin during the previous two years. DEO is required to refer any claim for damages with respect to that contract requirement to the Department of Justice for collection.

4. DEO's contract with a grant or loan recipient, or with a person DEO certifies to claim tax credits, must include a provision requiring the recipient to repay all or a portion of the grant, loan, or tax credits if, within five years after the contract terms have been completed, the person eliminates any full-time job in this state that was created as a result of the grant, loan, or tax credits. DEO is also required to refer any claim for damages with respect to that contract requirement to the Department of Justice for collection.

5. In its annual report to the legislature, DEO must include the number of businesses or other persons against whom DEO, or WEDC under previous law, has initiated an action because the business or other person was not in compliance with contract requirements under an economic development program administered by DEO, or WEDC under previous law, and the total dollar amount that has been recovered to date as a result of those actions.

6. Before DEO executes a contract awarding a grant, loan, or tax credit to a person, DEO must conduct a thorough background check of the person that includes information concerning the person's business performance and a review of any legal proceedings in which the person is or was a party.

7. DEO must cooperate with the Badger Innovation Corporation to carry out the corporation's economic development duties, described below.

The bill also creates the Economic Development Policy Board (board), attached to DEO for limited purposes. The board consists of 12 members nominated by the governor and appointed with senate confirmation for staggered three-year terms.

The members must have expertise in banking, business financing, and public economic development administration, and must represent private business and related stakeholder groups. At least four of the members must have public economic development administration experience. The board's function is to assist DEO in setting major economic development policy goals for the state.

Badger Innovation Corporation Finally, under the bill, the transition council is required to draft and file articles of incorporation creating the Badger Innovation Corporation as a private nonstock, nonprofit corporation and draft bylaws for adoption by the board of directors of the corporation. The composition of the board of directors for the Badger Innovation Corporation is as follows:

1. The secretary of DEO, who acts as chairperson.

2. One representative to the assembly appointed by the speaker of the assembly.

3. One representative to the assembly appointed by the minority leader of the assembly.

4. One senator appointed by the majority leader of the senate.

5. One senator appointed by the minority leader of the senate.

6. Nine members nominated by the governor and appointed with senate confirmation for staggered three-year terms. The members so appointed must represent regional and local economic development agencies, private business, and other related stakeholder groups.

7. The secretaries of administration, revenue, and workforce development, who shall serve as nonvoting members.

The bill contains a number of requirements imposed on the Badger Innovation Corporation as a condition for the corporation to receive aid under a state appropriation. Among other things, the Badger Innovation Corporation must do the following:

1. Develop and implement economic programs to provide business support and expertise and financial assistance to companies that are investing and creating jobs in Wisconsin and to support new business start-ups and business expansion and growth in Wisconsin.

2. Conduct foreign trade missions, business siting promotion, international business development, and marketing.

3. Create industry cluster development strategies.

4. Adopt the bylaws for the corporation drafted by the transition council and maintain the required composition and method of selection of the corporation's board of directors.

5. Provide public access to its records consistent with the state public records law.

6. Provide public access to its meetings consistent with the state open meetings law.