CR_08-023 Ch. NR 46, relating to Managed Forest Law.

Wisconsin Administrative Register No. 650, 2/28/2010

Rules Published with this Register and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analyses

The following administrative rule orders have been adopted and published in the February 28, 2010, Wisconsin Administrative Register. Copies of these rules are sent to subscribers of the complete Wisconsin Administrative Code and also to the subscribers of the specific affected Code.

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Commerce

Financial Resources for Businesses and Communities, Chs. Comm 104—

CR 09-045

Rule creates Chapter Comm 149 , relating to statements and penalties for grant and loan programs, and penalties for tax credit programs. Effective 3-1-10.

Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Less stringent requirements are not included for small businesses because the directing legislation, 2007 Wisconsin Act 125 , does not provide such flexibility.

No comments were received during the Public Hearing stage, and only minor clarification changes were made to the draft rules after the Hearing.

The reporting addressed in the rules is substantially similar to reporting that the Department currently requires in conjunction with administering economic development grants, loans and tax credits – and therefore is not expected to impose any significant new reporting costs on small businesses. The rules are not expected to impose any other significant costs on small businesses because the rules address submittal of documentation, and other activities, only by applicants that choose to pursue grants, loans or tax credits for economic development.

Summary of Comments by Legislative Review Committees

No comments were received.

Natural Resources

Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1—

CR 08-023

Rule revises Chapter NR 46 , relating to definitions, deadlines, and requirements related to Managed Forest Law. Effective 3-1-10.

Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Small businesses affected by this rule will include certified plan writers who contract with landowners to write forest management plans to ensure sustainable forestry is practiced on the designated lands. Costs may be incurred if a landowner modifies their petition for designation but it is expected that costs will be negligible.

Summary of Comments by Legislative Review Committees

The rules were reviewed by the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources. The deadline for action by the committee was November 6, 2009. No action was taken by the committees. The Department did not receive a comments or requests for modification.

Natural Resources

Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1—

CR 09-018

Rule revises Chapters NR 19 and 20 , relating to fishing and clamming on the inland, outlying, and boundary waters of Wisconsin. Effective 3-1-10, in part; and 4-1-10, in part.

Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

These rules are applicable to individual sportspersons and do not impose any compliance or reporting requirements on small businesses nor are any design or operational standards contained in the rule. The rule will eliminate the opportunity for commercial clamming operations in the St. Louis River. However, National Park Service rules already prohibit commercial clamming in the St. Croix River where it forms the boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and there have never been commercial clam operators in the St. Louis River. Therefore, under s. 227.19 (3m) , Stats., a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

Summary of Comments by Legislative Review Committees

The rules were reviewed by the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources and the Assembly Committee on Fish and Wildlife. On April 13, 2009 the Department of Natural Resources held its Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings. Statewide attendance at public hearings was 7,939. No written comments were received regarding any portion of this rule. Rule change proposals affecting muskellunge regulations in Kentuck Lake (Vilas County) and affecting walleye regulations in North and South Twin Lakes (Vilas County) were not supported in Vilas or many of the counties neighboring Vilas County, and thus were not recommended for adoption. Concerns were raised regarding proposed language clarifying the boundaries of larger rivers in Sawyer and Juneau Counties, and the Department made minor modifications to the language of these sections.

Public Instruction

CR 09-071

Rule creates Chapter PI 15 , relating to revenue limit exemptions for energy efficiencies. Effective 3-1-10.

Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

The proposed rules will have no significant economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1) (a) , Stats.

Summary of Comments by Legislative Review Committees

No comments were reported.

Transportation

CR 09-070

Rule repeals Chapters Trans 267 and 268 , relating to emergency agricultural transportation permits, and emergency energy conservation permits. Effective 3-1-10.

Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Repeal of these chapters has no effect on small business, since statutory language prevails.

Summary of Comments by Legislative Review Committees

No comments were reported.