84.41 State liability; applicable laws; tax exemption; securing of federal aids.

(1) Liability of state. The state shall be liable for accrued rentals and for any other default under any lease or sublease executed under s. 84.40 and may be sued therefor on contract as in other contract actions pursuant to ch. 775, but it shall not be necessary for the lessor under any such lease or sublease or any assignee of such lessor or any person or other legal entity on behalf of such lessor to file any claim with the legislature prior to the commencement of any such action. However, the corporation or bondholders may not reenter or take possession of the highway land, easements or structures by reason of any default in the payment of rent or for any other reason.

(2) Application of state laws. All laws of this state including those pertaining to the regulation of motor vehicles and highways, shall apply to the projects subject to lease and sublease executed under s. 84.40.

(4) Contractor's liens; performance and payment bonds. The provisions of s. 779.15 pertaining to contractor's liens and related matters, and s. 779.14 relating to performance and payment bonds, shall apply in the same manner as such law applies to other state highway construction projects.

(5) Tax exemption. All lands leased and re-leased under any approved project shall be exempt from taxation.

(6) No state debt created. Nothing contained in this section or s. 84.40 shall create a debt of the state.

(7) Securing of federal aids. The department shall do all things necessary to secure federal aids in carrying out the purposes of this section and s. 84.40.

History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (8) (a); 1979 c. 32 s. 92 (5), (9); 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59.