CR_11-036 Proposed rulemaking (without public hearing) to amend section Jus 10.11 (1), and to create sections Jus 10.01 (4) (am) and 10.095, relating to firearms restriction records searches.  

  • Explanation of agency authority
    By statute, the DETF Secretary is expressly authorized, with appropriate board approval, to promulgate rules required for the efficient administration of any benefit plan established in ch. 40 of the Wisconsin statutes. Also, each state agency may promulgate rules interpreting the provisions of any statute enforced or administered by the agency if the agency considers it necessary to effectuate the purpose of the statute.
    Related statute or rule
    There are no other related statutes or administrative rules directly related to this technical rule.
    Plain language analysis
    The purpose of this rule is to revise existing administrative rules of the Department of Employee Trust Funds, to indicate that many forms required by the department can be obtained from the department's website, to recognize the use of e-mail in communications made and received by the department, to make the notes in the rules consistent, to reflect current practices of the department, and to make other technical changes.
    Summary of and preliminary comparison with existing or proposed federal regulation
    The only federal regulations that may be affected by this proposed rule are provisions of the Internal Revenue Code regulating qualified pension plans. The Wisconsin Retirement System is required to be maintained as a qualified plan by s. 40.015 , Stats.
    Comparison with rules in adjacent states
    Periodically, retirement systems in adjacent states promulgate technical rules to update existing administrative rules.
    Summary of data and analytical methodologies
    The department is proposing this rule to update existing rules and interpretations of existing statutes.
    Analysis and supporting documentation used to determine effect on small business
    This rule does not have an effect on small businesses because private employers and their employees do not participate in, and are not covered by, the Wisconsin Retirement System. Please see attached economic impact analysis.
    Small Business Impact
    The rule has no effect on small businesses.
    Economic Impact
    This rule does not have an economic effect on specific businesses, business sectors, public utility ratepayers, local governmental units, and the state's economy as a whole. Because this technical rule does not have an economic impact, ETF has not solicited information and advice from businesses, associations representing businesses, local governmental units, and individuals that may be affected by the proposed rule. For the same reason, ETF has not contacted local governmental units.
    The policy problem that the proposed rule is intended to address is to indicate that many forms required by the department can be obtained from the department's website, to recognize the use of e-mail in communications made and received by the department, to make notes in the rules consistent, to reflect current practices of the department, and to make other technical changes. The federal government and the states of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota periodically make technical changes in their administrative rules.
    There is no economic impact of this proposed rule and therefore no implementation and compliance costs reasonably expected to be incurred by or passed along to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals that may be affected by the proposed rule.
    The actual and quantifiable benefits of the proposed rule include making it easier for members of the Wisconsin Retirement System to obtain forms required by the department and to communicate with the department by a variety of means. In addition, the notes following existing rules will be consistent in content and appearance. We expect that the proposed rule will be effective in addressing the policy problem noted above.
    The alternative of not promulgating the proposed rule would result in the policy problem being ineffectively addressed with a lower level of customer service.
    Since the proposed rule does not adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, jobs, or the overall economic competitiveness of the state, the department did not consult with businesses, local governmental units, and individuals that may be affected by the proposed rule when preparing this economic impact analysis.
    Fiscal Estimate
    The proposed rule has no direct fiscal impact. The proposed rule generates no revenues for any employer. The proposed rule itself has no effect on the fiscal liabilities of any county, city, village, town, school district, technical college district or sewerage. The rule has no state fiscal effect during the current biennium and no fiscal impact on state funds.
    Contact Person
    Please direct any questions about the proposed rule to David Nispel, General Counsel, Department of Employee Trust Funds, P.O. Box 7931, Madison, WI 53707. The e-mail address: david.nispel@etf.state.wi.us . The telephone number is: (608) 264-6936.
    Notice of Rule Making
    Without Public Hearing
    Justice
    NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to section 175.35 (2g) (c) and (2g) (d) , Stats., and interpreting section 175.35 (1) (at) , (2g) (c) , (2g) (d) , and (2i) , Stats., and according to the procedure set forth in section 227.16 (2) (e) , Stats., the Wisconsin Department of Justice will adopt the following rule as proposed in this notice, without public hearing unless, within 30 days after publication of this notice, the Wisconsin Department of Justice is petitioned for a public hearing by 25 natural persons who will be affected by the rule; a municipality that will be affected by the rule; or an association that is representative of a farm, labor, business, or professional group that will be affected by the rule.
    The Wisconsin Department of Justice proposes an order to amend section Jus 10.11 (1) , and to create sections Jus 10.01 (4) (am) and 10.095 , relating to firearms restriction records searches.
    Submittal of Written Comments
    Walter Neverman, Director
    Crime Information Bureau
    Wisconsin Department of Justice
    Post Office Box 2718
    Madison WI 53707-2718
    Fax: (608) 267-2779
    Comments must be received no later than 30 days after the date of publication of this notice.
    Analysis Prepared by the Department of Justice
    Statute(s) interpreted
    Section 175.35 (1) (at) , (2g) (c) , (2g) (d) , and (2i) , Stats.
    Statutory authority
    Section 175.35 (1) (at) , (2g) (c) , (2g) (d) , and (2i) , Stats.
    Explanation of agency authority
    The Wisconsin Department of Justice is directed by section 175.35 (2g) (d) , Stats., to promulgate rules relating to background checks for the purchase of handguns so that relevant information concerning firearms restrictions that is received by the department from circuit courts in proceedings under chapters 51 and 55, Stats., is conveyed in a timely manner to the national instant criminal background check system, 28 CFR Part 25 . The department is also required by section 175.35 (2i) , Stats., to charge a fee for each firearms restriction records search, as defined in section 175.35 (1) (at) , Stats. The fee established by the Legislature is currently $13.
    Related statute or rule
    Sections 51.20 (13) (cv) , 51.45 (13) (i) , 55.10 (3) (f) , and 55.12 (10) , Stats. There are no related rules.
    Plain language analysis
    This rule creates a new definitional section, Jus 10.01 (4) (am) , that conforms to section 175.35 (1) (at) , Stats. This rule also creates a new provision, Jus 10.095, which authorizes the Wisconsin Department of Justice to maintain a database of information concerning firearms restrictions that is received from circuit courts in proceedings under chs. 51 and 55 , Stats., and directs the department to convey relevant information from the database in a timely manner to the national instant criminal background check system, 28 CFR Part 25 . This rule also conforms the fee provisions in Jus 10.11 (1) to the fee provisions in section 175.35 (2i) , Stats.
    Summary of and preliminary comparison with existing or proposed federal regulation
    A new provision, Jus 10.095, facilitates the operation of the national instant criminal background check system, 28 CFR Part 25 .
    Comparison with rules in adjacent states
    There are no comparable rules in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, or Minnesota.
    Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
    There is no factual data available. No analytical methodologies were used.
    Analysis and supporting documentation used to determine effect on small business
    The Legislature sets all fees to be collected by firearms dealers in section 175.35(2i) , Stats. This rule does not impose any separate or additional fee and therefore does not have any economic effect on small business.
    Small Business Impact
    There are no provisions in this rule that have any significant effect on small business.
    Fiscal Estimate
    State fiscal effect
    No effect upon existing revenues.
    Increase costs. Additional staff time and additional data processing is required. – May be possible to absorb within agency's budget.
    Local government costs
    None.
    Fund sources affected
    None.
    Long-range fiscal implications
    None known.
    Contact Person
    Walter Neverman, Director
    Crime Information Bureau
    Wisconsin Department of Justice
    17 West Main Street
    Post Office Box 2718
    Madison WI 53707-2718
    Phone: (608) 266-7314
    Text of Proposed Rule
    SECTION 1. Jus 10.01 (4) (am) is created to read:
    Jus 10.01 (4) (am) "Firearms restrictions record search" means a search of department of justice records to determine whether a person seeking to purchase a handgun is prohibited from possessing a firearm, as provided in s. 175.35 (1) (at) , Stats.
    SECTION 2. Jus 10.095 is created to read:
    Jus 10.095 Processing of information received from circuit courts under chs. 51 and 55 , Stats. (1) (a) The department shall maintain a database that includes:
    1. A listing of those persons who have been ordered not to possess a firearm under ss. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. , 51.45 (13) (i) 1. , 54.10 (3) (f) 1. , or 55.12 (10) (a) , Stats., with respect to whom the department has received such information from a circuit court.
    2. A listing of those persons who have obtained relief through a cancellation order under ss. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1m. c. , 51.45 (13) (i) 2.c. , 54.10 (3) (f) 2.c. , or 55.12 (10) (b) 3. , Stats., with respect to whom the department has received such information from a circuit court.
    3. Any identifying information that has been provided by a circuit court to the department under subd. 1. or 2.
    (b) The department shall in a timely manner provide relevant information that is added to the database to the national instant criminal background check system, 28 CFR Part 25 , in accordance with its procedures.
    (2) Except as provided in sub. (1) (b) and s. 175.35 (2g) (c) , Stats., the department may not disclose information from the database.
    Note: The promulgation of this section is required by s. 175.35 (2g) (d) , Stats., as created by 2009 Wisconsin Act 258 , sec. 13, which directs the department of justice to promulgate rules to convey in a timely manner to the national instant criminal background check system certain information concerning firearms restrictions that is received from circuit courts in proceedings under chs. 51 and 55 , Stats.
    SECTION 3. Jus 10.11(1) is amended to read: The department shall charge a dealer a $5 fee for each record search the dealer requests under s. Jus 10.06 (1) (d) as set forth in s. 175.35 , Stats. A dealer may collect the $5 fee from the transferee.