16.845 Use of state facilities.

(1) Rule; penalty. Except as elsewhere expressly prohibited, the managing authority of any facility owned by the state or by the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority or leased from the state by the Fox River Navigational System Authority may permit its use for free discussion of public questions, or for civic, social, recreational or athletic activities. No such use shall be permitted if it would unduly burden the managing authority or interfere with the prime use of such facility. The applicant for use shall be liable to the state, to the Fox River Navigational System Authority, or to the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority for any injury done to its property, for any expense arising out of any such use and for such sum as the managing authority may charge for such use. All such sums payable to the state shall be paid into the general fund and credited to the appropriation account for the operation of the facility used. The managing authority may permit such use notwithstanding the fact that a reasonable admission fee may be charged to the public. Whoever does or attempts to do an act for which a permit is required under this section without first obtaining the permit may be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than 30 days or both. This subsection applies only to those facilities for which a procedure for obtaining a permit has been established by the managing authority.

(2) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Facility" includes buildings and surrounding and connecting grounds.

(b) “Managing authority" means the board, commission, department or officer responsible by law for the management of the particular facility.

History: 1971 c. 183; 1995 a. 27; 2001 a. 16.

A group of churches is entitled to a permit under this section to use the capitol grounds for a civic or social activity even if the content of program is partly religious in nature. 68 Atty. Gen. 217.