AB 973

This bill requires the Department of Health Services to create a universal basic

income program to provide a cash benefit to individuals whose earned income

through employment is less than the state's per capita personal income. The bill

requires DHS and the departments of children and families and administration to

submit waiver requests to the federal government to use the benefits paid by the

federal government under the Wisconsin Works and Wisconsin Shares program and

FoodShare, known as the food stamp program, and certain housing assistance

programs for the universal basic income benefit. Those federal benefit moneys in

addition to the state administrative moneys expended for Wisconsin Works,

Wisconsin Shares, FoodShare, and the housing assistance programs are deposited

in the universal basic income fund for the universal basic income program. Also, if

the federal government approves the waivers for use of the Wisconsin Works,

Wisconsin Shares, FoodShare, and housing assistance benefit moneys, money saved

by eliminating the state-based earned income tax credit is also included in the

moneys to pay for the universal basic income program.

The benefit under the universal basic income program is a monthly amount

equal to the state's minimum wage per hour for 40 hours per week for those eligible

individuals earning equal to or less than the state's minimum wage per hour for 40

hours per week. For individuals earning more, the benefit decreases with an

increase in earned income such that an individual who earns income equal to the

state's per capita personal income receives no benefit from the universal basic income

program. To be eligible for the universal basic income benefit, an individual must

have verifiable earned income from full-time, part-time, or intermittent

employment, be receiving unemployment compensation benefits, or be unable to

work due to a verified disability. Full-time students and members of the military on

active duty are not eligible for the universal basic income benefit.