Interns employed by assembly and senate offices, the governor, and the Department of Justice, an intern placement program administered by the Department of Workforce Development, and making an appropriation. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill authorizes the employment of one paid intern in each assembly office and up to two paid interns in each senate office, four paid interns in the Milwaukee offices of the governor, four paid interns in the Madison offices of the governor, and four paid interns in the Milwaukee offices of the Department of Justice. Each intern must be at least 18 years old, be enrolled in an institution of higher education, and come from a household whose income does not exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty line based on family size. Under the bill, each intern must be paid a stipend of at least $15 per hour, which may be paid for up to 20 hours per week of work for work performed during certain terms set forth in the bill that correspond to the academic school year. Under the bill, the stipend is required to be disregarded in establishing household income for purposes of obtaining public benefits under any state program.

The bill also requires the Department of Workforce Development to establish a program for the placement of paid interns with Wisconsin businesses. The program requirements parallel the requirements set forth above. In addition, the bill requires DWD to seek to coordinate with the private sector to administer the intern placement program and to provide matching funds for purposes of paying intern stipends. The bill appropriates $500,000 to DWD for the program.

Who's behind it

15 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 15 are Democrats.

3 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DWD
• Fiscal Estimate From LFB