EmR0902 Amends s. GAB 6.05, relating to filing campaign finance reports in electronic format.  

  • Licenses, Certifications and Registrations, Ch. Comm 5
    Wis. Commercial Building Code, Chs. Comm 60-66
    EmR0904 — Rule adopted revising ss. Comm 5.30 and 61.295 , relating to building contractor registration.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Commerce finds that an emergency exists within the state of Wisconsin and that adoption of an emergency rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and welfare. A statement of the facts constituting the emergency is as follows:
    1. Under Chapter 560 of the Statutes, the department of commerce is charged with facilitating the establishment and retention of business enterprises in Wisconsin, and with seeking closer cooperation and coordination between units of state government, so that the economy of the state may continue to develop fully and meet citizen and community needs.
    2. Under Chapters 101 and 145 of the statutes, the department of commerce has oversight over the design, construction, alteration and maintenance of public buildings and places of employment, one- and two- family dwellings, public swimming pools and public water attractions in order to protect public safety, health and welfare and the waters of the state.
    3. The department has proposed an administrative rule that would require the registration of various types of building contractors not already credentialed by the department under existing administrative rules. Under the proposed rules contractors must be registered with the department by January 1, 2010. A public hearing on that proposal was held on January 21, 2009.
    4. The proposed rule has three main benefits to Wisconsin: first, it will enhance the department's ability to communicate with and educate building contractors throughout the state about their obligations to limit safety and health risks for the citizens of Wisconsin; second, it will enhance the ability of the department to cooperate and coordinate with the Department of Workforce Development relative to their administration of unemployment insurance and workers compensation insurance programs; and third, it will enhance the ability of the department to cooperate and coordinate with the Department of Revenue relative to their administration of the state income tax program.
    5. Due to the current economic circumstances, the department has determined that the implementation for building contractor registration should be July 1, 2009 in order for the benefits to be in effect for the 2009 building construction season.
    Publication Date:   March 2, 2009
    Effective:   March 2, 2009 through
      July 29, 2009
    (except ss. Comm 5.30 (1) and 61.295 (2)
    Effective:   July 1, 2009 through
      November 27, 2009
    Hearing Date:   March 31, 2009
    Commerce
    Financial Resources for Businesses and Communities, Chs. Comm 104—
    EmR0910 — Rule adopted to create Chapter Comm 100 , relating to tax benefits for job creation, capital investment, employee training, and corporate headquarters.
    Exemption From Finding of Emergency
    The Legislature, by section 9110 (4) in 2009 Wisconsin Act 2 , exempts the Department from providing evidence that this emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare; and exempts the Department from providing a finding of emergency for the adoption of this rule.
    Publication Date:   June 30, 2009
    Effective:   June 30, 2009 through
      July 1, 2010 or the date
      permanent rules take
      effect, whichever is sooner
    Financial Institutions — Banking
    EmR0907 — Rule adopted to create Chapter DFI-Bkg 47 and to repeal Chapter DFI-Bkg 41 , relating to the transition from a registration system to a license 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.
    Publication Date:   May 4, 2009
    Effective:   Section 1:
      5-4-09 through 7-1-11
      Section 2:
      9-1-09 through 7-1-11
      Section 3:
      1-10-10 through 7-1-11
    Hearing Date:   June 10, 2009
    Government Accountability Board
    EmR0902 — Rule adopted amending s. GAB 6.05 , relating to filing campaign finance reports in electronic format.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Government Accountability Board amends s. GAB 6.05 , Wis. Adm. Code, relating to filing campaign finance statements in electronic format. The amended rule creates a uniform requirement and restricts registrants to an "electronic format" compatible with the Board's electronic filing system for filing campaign finance reports.
    Pursuant to s. 227.24 , Stats., the Government Accountability Board finds an emergency exists because the Board's January 18, 2008 decision to implement the use of a new electronic filing system, and the technical requirements thereof, conflicts with the technical electronic format filing permitted by the previous rule. In effect, the current electronic filing system cannot work without a uniform and restricted electronic format that is compatible with the new electronic filing system.
    The Board adopts the legislature's policy findings of s. 11.001 , Stats., emphasizing that one of the most important sources of information to voters about candidates is available through the campaign finance reporting system. The Board further finds that it is necessary to codify a uniform electronic format filing requirement to ensure the proper operation of the current electronic filing system so that the campaign finance information is available to voters. The amended rule, GAB 6.05, must be adopted immediately to ensure the public peace and welfare with respect to the administration of current and future elections.
    Publication Date:   February 5, 2009
    Effective:   February 5, 2009 through
      July 4, 2009
    Hearing Date:   March 20, 2009
    Pharmacy Examining Board
    EmR0903 A rule adopted repealing s. Phar 4.02 (2) , relating to the practical examination.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Pharmacy Examining Board finds that, under s. 227.24 (1) , Stats., the repeal of s. Phar 4.02 (2) is required for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare.
    Currently, under s. Phar 4.02 (2) , the board administers a practical examination to determine an applicant's competence in compounding and dispensing medications, which includes consultation of patients. The board has determined that this examination is no longer needed because the competencies tested in the examination are also tested in two other national examinations that applicants are required to take in order to obtain a license in Wisconsin. The board has also determined that the practical examination requirement may contribute to the shortage of pharmacists in Wisconsin.
    First, under s. Phar 4.02 (1) and (3) , an applicant is required to take and pass the Multi-State Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) and the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). Both of these examinations test competencies that relate to subject areas that are also tested in the practical examination. As a result, applicants are required to take an additional examination, and pay an additional examination fee. In some instances, this step may also result in a delay in the processing of applications for licensure.
    Second, in reference to the shortage of pharmacists in Wisconsin, the board has found that populations in rural areas and in certain city neighborhoods are underserved. The board believes that, because of its practical examination requirement, potential applicants from other states are declining to seek licensure in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is one of only four states that require a practical examination. None of the states that border Wisconsin have a practical examination requirement.
    Publication Date:   February 28, 2009
    Effective:   February 28, 2009 through
      July 27, 2009
    Hearing Dates:   April 8, 2009
    Regulation and Licensing (2)
    1.   EmR0827 — Rule adopted creating s. RL 91.01 (3) (k) , relating to training and proficiency in the use of automated external defibrillators for certification as a massage therapist or bodyworker.
    Exemption From Finding of Emergency
    Section 41 (2) (b) of the nonstatutory provisions of 2007 Wisconsin Act 104 provides that notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a) and (3) of the statutes, the department of regulation and licensing is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated to implement 2007 Wisconsin Act 104 . Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (c) and (2) of the statutes, these emergency rules will remain in effect until the date on which the final rules take effect.
    Publication Date:   September 10, 2008
    Effective:   September 10, 2008
      through the date on which
      the final rules take effect
    Hearing Dates:   November 26, 2008
      April 13, 2009
    2.   EmR0828 — Rules adopted to amend s. RL 181.01 (2) (c) ; and to create ss. RL 180.02 (1m) , (3m) and (11) , 181.01 (1) (d) , (2) (c) 1. and 2. , relating to training and proficiency in the use of automated external defibrillators for licensure as a licensed midwife.
    Exemption From Finding of Emergency
    Section 41 (2) (b) of the nonstatutory provisions of 2007 Wisconsin Act 104 provides that notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a) and (3) of the statutes, the department of regulation and licensing is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated to implement 2007 Wisconsin Act 104 . Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (c) and (2) of the statutes, these emergency rules will remain in effect until the date on which the final rules take effect.
    Publication Date:   September 10, 2008
    Effective:   September 10, 2008
      through the date on which
      the final rules take effect
    Hearing Date:   November 26, 2008
    Revenue
    EmR0820 — Rule adopted creating ss. Tax 8.03 and 8.05 , relating to the registration of wine collectors, establishing standards of eligibility for registration as a wine collector, specifying the form and manner of notice required prior to the sale of wine by a wine collector, and the creation and organization of small winery cooperative wholesalers.
    Exemption From Finding of Emergency
    The legislature by Section 50 of 2007 Wisconsin Act 85 provides an exemption from a finding of emergency for the adoption of the rule.
    Publication Date:   June 26, 2008
    Effective:   June 26, 2008 through
      July 1, 2010 or the date on
      which permanent rules
      take effect, whichever is
      sooner.
    Transportation
    EmR0909 — Rule adopted amending section Trans 315.03 (1) (a) and (c) , relating to safety belt medical use exemption.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Transportation finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health and safety. Current federal law at 23 USC 406 provides safety belt performance grants to a state that has in effect and is enforcing a conforming primary safety belt use law for all passenger motor vehicles. A grant of federal funds estimated at roughly $15,000,000 are available if this state is eligible on or before September 30, 2009; a secondary grant based on "share of unallocated funds," estimated at not more than $1,000,000, may be available if this state is eligible on or before June 30, 2009. The Wisconsin Legislature is currently deliberating a primary safety belt use law as part of the executive biennial budget bill, 2009 Assembly Bill 75, with the aim of qualifying for safety belt performance grants. Were the law timely enacted, this state could remain ineligible for safety belt performance grants because Department rules allow persons other than physicians to grant medical exemptions from safety belt use requirements. Immediate action is necessary to avoid forfeiting approximately $16,000,000 in federal funds for highway safety activities. Increased use of safety belts has been shown to reduce the severity of injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions, and limiting the medical use exemption to physicians would increase use of safety belts.
    Publication Date:   June 25, 2009
    Effective:   June 25, 2009 through
      November 21, 2009
    Hearing Date:   September 8, 2009
    (See the Notice in this Register)
    Veterans Affairs
    EmR0911 — Rule adopted to revise section VA 2.01 , relating to the assistance to needy veterans grant program.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs finds that an emergency exists and that the rules are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. A statement of facts constituting the emergency is: The economic recession in effect for the last fiscal year has adversely affected the veteran population. Many veterans have lost their employment or had their scope of employment reduced. In addition to losing employment, many veterans have seen their health care reduced or eliminated. In order to serve the largest population of veterans and ensure minimal health care for that population, the department is requesting emergency rules to define "vision care and to limit the eligibility, by available funding, for "dental care", "hearing care", and "vision care". These eligibility limitations, which address the cost, type and frequency of care available under the program, will allow more veterans in need to access the limited resources of this program.
    Publication Date:   July 1, 2009
    Effective:   July 1, 2009 through
      November 27, 2009
    Hearing Date:   August 14, 2009
    (See the Notice in this Register)
    Wisconsin Technical College System Board
    EmR0905 — Rule adopted revising Ch. TCS 17 , relating to training program grant funds appropriated in 2009 Wisconsin Act 2 .
    Finding of Emergency
    The Wisconsin Technical College System Board finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. A statement of the facts constituting an emergency is:
    The 2009 Wis. Act 2 (the 2007-09 budget repair bill) provided an additional $1,000,000 GPR to the existing annual appropriation of $3,000,000 GPR for the training program grants authorized in Wis. Stats. ss. 20.292 (1) (eh) and 38.41 . These funds were provided to address a critical need of Wisconsin employers for skills training and education necessary to protect the state's economic vitality and health, with a special emphasis on advanced manufacturing and welding.
    The Act requires the WTCS Board to award these funds by June 30, 2009 or the end of the current 2008-09 fiscal year. In addition, TCS 17.06 (1), Wis. Adm. Code, requires that district boards or employers receiving skills training or education under the grant shall contribute matching funds, other than in-kind matching funds, equal to at least 25% of total approved project costs.
    Due to declining economic conditions and reduced business revenues, technical college districts report that employers are withdrawing participation in approved training grants because of an inability to fund the 25% match. Therefore, to ensure that business and incumbent workers in need of skills training and other education may access these services and that appropriated funds are distributed to technical college districts for this purpose before the end of the fiscal year, emergency administrative rules eliminating the 25% match requirement must be established immediately.
    Publication Date:   March 20, 2009
    Effective:   March 20, 2009 through
      August 16, 2009