CR_09-031 Hearing to consider rules to revise Ch. NR 46, relating to stumpage rates and administration of the Forest Crop Law and the Managed Forest Law.  

  • Statute interpreted
    Statutory authority
    Sections 9117 of 2009 Wisconsin Act 2 and 227.11 (2), Stats.
    Related statute or rule
    Chapter DFI – Bkg 41.
    Explanation of agency authority
    Pursuant to subch. III of ch. 224 , Stats., and s. 220.02 (2) and (3) , Stats., the division regulates mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers and loan originators.
    Summary of proposed rule
    The objective of the rule is to create ch. DFI–Bkg 47 and to eventually repeal ch. DFI–Bkg 41. 2009 Wisconsin Act 2 provides that the division shall by rule institute a system of initial license issuance or license renewal that it deems advisable for the purpose of implementing an orderly and efficient transition from the registration system under subchapter III of chapter 224, 2007 Stats., to the license system under subch. III of ch. 224 , Stats., as affected by 2009 Wisconsin Act 2 . The purpose of this rule is to set forth the transition to that system.
    Comparison with federal regulations
    Title V, S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act, ss. 1501 – 1517. This act encourages states to participate in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, and requires states to have in place, by law or regulation, a system for licensing and registering mortgage loan originators that meets the requirements of sections 1505, 1506, and 1508(d) of the act.
    Comparison with rules in adjacent states
    Illinois and Iowa have adopted this act; Minnesota and Michigan have not.
    Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
    The department reviewed its regulatory practices and procedures, solicited input from affected entities to determine the necessary regulations, and worked internally with staff on the mechanics of the transition.
    Analysis and supporting documentation used to determine effect on small business
    The rule does not have a significant economic impact on small business. The requirement to transition from a registration system to a license system are the result of and set forth in 2009 Wisconsin Act 2 , and not the rule. Fee revisions herein include a proration and refund of fees paid under the current registration system.
    Exemption from Finding of Emergency
    The legislature by section 9117 of 2009 Wisconsin Act 2 provides an exemption from a finding of emergency for the adoption of the rule.
    Fiscal Estimate
    The emergency rule may increase costs that may be possible to absorb within the agency's budget. There are no local government costs.
    Copies of Proposed Rule, Submission of Written Comments
    To obtain a copy of the proposed rule or fiscal estimate at no charge, to submit written comments regarding the proposed rule, or for questions regarding the agency's internal processing of the proposed rule, contact Mark Schlei, Deputy General Counsel, Department of Financial Institutions, Office of the Secretary, P.O. Box 8861, Madison, WI 53708-8861, tel. (608) 267-1705, e-mail mark.schlei@ wisconsin.gov . A copy of the proposed rule may also be obtained and reviewed at the Department of Financial Institution's website, www.wdfi.org . Written comments must be received by the conclusion of the department's hearing regarding the proposed rule.
    Agency Contact Person
    For substantive questions on the rule, contact Michael J. Mach, Administrator, Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banking, P.O. Box 7876, Madison, WI 53707-7876, tel: (608) 266-0451, email: mike.mach@ wisconsin.gov .
    REVISED Notice of Hearing
    Natural Resources
    Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1—
    NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss. 77.06 (2) , 77.82 (2m) and (4) , 77.88 (2) (d) 2. , 77.91 (1) and 227.11 (2) (a) , Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on revisions to Chapter NR 46 , Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the administration of the Forest Crop Law and the Managed Forest Law.
    Hearing Information
    The hearing will be held on:
    May 13, 2009
    Wednesday
    at 10:00 AM
    Video conference participation will be available at:
    Room 139, State Office Building,
    718 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire
    Room 618, State Office Building,
    200 N. Jefferson Street, Green Bay
    (NEW)   Room 315, The Pyle Center
      702 Langdon Street, Madison
    Room 211, Communication Art Center, UW- Stevens Point, 1101 Reserve Street, Stevens Point
    Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of information material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call Kathy Nelson at (608) 266-3545 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
    Copies of Proposed Rule, Submission of Written Comments, and Agency Contact Person
    The proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted at the following Internet site: http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov . Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Ms. Kathy Nelson, Forest Tax Section, Bureau of Forest Management, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until May 29, 2009. Written comments whether submitted electronically or by U.S. mail will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearings. A personal copy of the proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Ms. Nelson.
    Analysis Prepared by Department of Natural Resources
    Statutes interpreted
    Section 77.06 (2) and subch. VI of ch. 77 , Stats.
    Statutory authority
    Summary of proposed rule
    The proposed rule:
    1.   Revises the annual stumpage rates for the period between November 1, 2009 and October 31, 2010 as required in ss. 77.06(2) and 77.91(1) , Stats. While the statewide averages increased slightly, there are fluctuations between market zones and individual prices. Of all total 624 prices calculated, 173 (28%) increased, 188 (30%) decreased and 263 (42%) stayed the same.
    2.   Amends the petition requirements in NR 46.16 (5). Petition requirements are being changed to streamline the administration and processing of new MFL entries. The rule would be modified to allow entries of land per municipality except in cases where lands must cross municipality lines to meet eligibility requirements.
    3.   Amends management plan requirements in NR 46.18 (5): Deadlines to submit management plans for DNR approval are being changed to make the two application deadlines similar to each other. Landowners with management plans prepared by DNR foresters must return their signed plans by August 1. A change in this deadline to August 15 is proposed to make the certified plan writer and DNR deadline the same for landowners to turn in completed management plans.
    Small Business Impact
    The proposed rule may have an impact on small businesses. The initial regulatory flexibility analysis is as follows:
    Initial regulatory flexibility analysis
    Types of small businesses affected: Any business with land enrolled in either the Managed Forest Law or the Forest Crop Law or wishing to enroll land under the Managed Forest Law.
    Description of reporting or bookkeeping procedures required: No procedures not already required.
    Description of professional skills required: No new skills are required.
    Small business regulatory coordinator
    The Department's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator for this rule may be contacted at quinn.williams@ wisconsin.gov or by calling (608) 266-1318.
    Environmental Impact
    The Department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150 , Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department's consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives.
    Fiscal Estimate
    Assumptions used in arriving at fiscal estimate
    This proposed rule change addresses the annual stumpage rate changes used in the calculation of severance and yield tax collections under Forest Cop Law (FCL) and Managed Forest Law (MFL) when timber is harvested from the private lands enrolled in the programs.
    There is an undetermined impact in revenues to local municipalities. Timber prices have been variable from 2007 through 2008. The average statewide prices for sawlogs have increased 3%, with a range of a 21% increase to a 15% decrease. The average statewide prices for cords have increased 1%, with a range of a 10% increase to a 7% decrease. Prices for mixed products (mixture of sawlogs and cords for red pine, white pine and spruce) have dropped 12%, with a range of a 14% increase and a 31% decrease. Piece products (posts and poles) had a 12% increase in prices, with some market zones having an increase in prices of 96%. The increase in piece prices appears to be due to the additional reporting of piece products more than fluctuations in the markets. Only 12 of the available 143 piece product values were reported in the past year. This reporting is more than past years' reporting, so it is possible that piece products may be undervalued in some market zones.
    While the statewide averages increased slightly, there are fluctuations between market zones and individual prices. Of all total 624 prices calculated, 173 (28%) increased, 188 (30%) decreased and 263 (42%) stayed the same.
    The severance and yield tax collected in CY 2008 was $1,734,479. This value is 17% lower than it was in CY 2006. Timber harvest volumes are down since CY 2007 by the following amounts:
    Cordwood
    Down 11%
    Fuelwood
    Down 5%
    Sawlogs
    Down 11%
    Mixed Product
    Up 510%
    Piece Products
    Down 43%
    Christmas Trees
    Down 16%
    Reporting of mixed products increased most likely due to the awareness that private land owners may sell red pine, white pine and white spruce in this fashion. Based on the very small statewide increase in timber prices an estimated $3,090.00 will be collected for municipalities.
    Estimates are based on the average change in rates for private land timber sales across species and zone for each product type (cordwood, sawtimber and mixed), the volumes reported and paid for in CY 2008, and the assumption that the volume and the ratio of the cordwood and sawtimber will remain the same. Actual impact for a county and municipality will vary by the number of harvests completed and the actual species and products cut.
    Other requested changes in NR 46 will streamline the implementation of the MFL program. Requests to enter lands based on municipal lines except for when lands must be combined with other lands in adjacent municipalities will have no impact on local or state finances.
    Requests to change the plan completion dates will have no financial impact on local or state finances.
    State fiscal effect
    None.
    Types of local governmental units affected
    Towns, villages, cities, counties.
    Fund sources affected
    SEG.
    Affected Chapter 20 appropriations
    Section 20.370 (1) (cr) , Stats.
    Long-range fiscal implications
    None.