EmR1117 Revise Chapter Ins 18, relating to grievances and independent review requirements and affecting small business. [First Appearance]  

  • Publication Date:   November 14, 2011
    Effective Dates:   January 1, 2012 until       modified or repealed by the     department.
    Hearing Date:   December 12, 2011
    (See the Notice in this Register)
    Children and Families (2)
    Safety and Permanence, Chs. DCF 37-59
    1.   EmR1034 — Rule adopted to create sections DCF 57.485 and 57.49 (1) (am) , relating to determination of need for new group homes.
    Exemption From Finding of Emergency
    Section 14m (b) of 2009 Wisconsin Act 335 provides that the department is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under s. 48.625 (1g) , Stats., 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.
    Section 14m (b) also provides that notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (c) and (2) , Stats., an emergency rule promulgated under s. 48.625 (1g) , Stats., remains in effect until the permanent rules promulgated under s. 48.625 (1g) , Stats., take effect.
    Publication Date:   September 2, 2010
    Effective Dates:   September 2, 2010 through
      the date permanent rules
      become effective
    Hearing Date:   October 21, 2010
    2.   EmR1106 — Rule adopted to revise Chapters DCF 52 , 54 , and 57 , relating to regulation of rates charged by residential care centers for children and youth, child-placing agencies, and group homes.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Children and Families 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 facts constituting the emergency is:
    2009 Wisconsin Act 28 directed the department to implement rate regulation effective January 1, 2011. Implementation was delayed and this rule is phasing-in rate regulation at the earliest feasible date.
    Publication Date:   April 18, 2011
    Effective Dates:   April 18, 2011 through
      September 16, 2011
    Hearing Date:   May 18, 2011
    Employment Relations Commission
    EmR1113 — Rule adopted to create Chapters ERC 70 to 74 and ERC 80 , relating to initial annual certification elections.
    These emergency rules were approved by the governor on September 13, 2011.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 004-11 , was approved by the governor on July 20, 2011, published in Register 667 , on July 31, 2011, and approved by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission as required by s. 227.135 (2) on August 15, 2011.
    Finding of Emergency
    An emergency exists because the public peace, health, safety and welfare necessitate putting these rules into effect so that the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission can meet its election obligations under ss. 111.70 (4) (d) 3. b. and 111.83 (3) (b) , Stats., and nonstatutory provisions ss. 9132 (1) (b) and 9155 (1) (b) of 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 as amended by nonstatutory provisions ss. 3570f and 3570h of 2011 Wisconsin Act 32 .
    Publication Date:   September 15, 2011
    Effective Dates:   September 15, 2011 thru
      February 12, 2012
    Insurance
    EmR1117 — Rule adopted to revise Chapter Ins 18 , relating to grievances and independent review requirements and affecting small business.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 027-11 Ch. Ins 18 , was approved by the governor on September 30, 2011, published in Register No. 670 , on October 14, 2011, and approved by the Commissioner Theodore Nickel on October 26, 2011. The emergency rule was approved by the governor on November 3, 2011.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Commissioner of Insurance finds that an emergency exists and that the attached proposed emergency rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. Portions of Wisconsin's insurance law and regulations governing grievances and independent review processes are in conflict with federal law and regulation following the amendment of 42 USC 300gg 19 (a) and (b), as implemented by 45 CFR 147.136 , as amended. Therefore, the Commissioner, pursuant to s. 631.01 (5) , Stats., has determined that it is in the interest of the State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin insureds and the public to exempt insurers, certified independent review organizations and self-insured governmental health plans that elect to comply with ch. Ins 18 , Wis. Adm. Code, as revised, from being required to comply with provisions contained in s. 632.83 and 632.835 , Stats., that are inconsistent with 42 USC 300gg-19 (a) and (b), and 45 CFR 147.136 et seq., as amended.
    Facts constituting the emergency arise from the desire for the State of Wisconsin to retain jurisdiction and regulatory control over the grievance and the independent review processes and independent review organizations operating in the state. The Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services issued interim final regulations and guidance, most recently released late June 2011. The regulations require states that desire to retain regulatory oversight of the grievance and independent external review processes, to demonstrate compliance with the federal internal appeal and external review laws and regulations to the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight ("CCIIO"). The Commissioner received notice on July 29, 2011, from CCIIO that Wisconsin's current regulatory oversight is not compliant.
    The Commissioner has requested reconsideration of that initial determination, however, to ensure retention of regulatory oversight of the grievance and independent external review processes revisions to ch. Ins 18 , Wis. Adm. Code, must be made and be applicable for claims arising on or after January 1, 2012. Assembly Bill 210 has been introduced, a bill that repeals inconsistent provisions in accordance with federal requirements, but it is unlikely that AB 210 will be enrolled within the reconsideration timeframe. Therefore the Commissioner is proposing this emergency rule to comply with the federal requirements in order to retain regulatory jurisdiction of grievance and independent review processes.
    Publication Date:   November 16, 2011
    Effective Dates:   November 16, 2011 through     April 13, 2012
    Justice (2)
    1 .   EmR1114 — Rule to create Chapter Jus 17 and Chapter Jus 18 , relating to licenses authorizing persons to carry concealed weapons; concealed carry certification cards for qualified former federal law enforcement officers; and the certification of firearms safety and training instructors.
    This emergency rule was approved by the governor on October 14, 2011.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 020-11 , was approved by the governor on August 31, 2011, published in Register No. 669 , on September 14, 2011, and approved by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen on September 26, 2011.
    Finding of Emergency
    Under section 101 of 2011 Wis. Act 35 , most of the provisions of that Act — including the provisions governing the licensing and certification processes covered by the rules proposed here and the provisions authorizing the carrying of a concealed weapon by the holder of a license, an out-of-state license, or a certification card — will have an effective date of November 1, 2011. In particular, s. 175.60 (9) , Stats., will require DOJ to begin receiving and processing license applications and issuing or denying licenses as soon as that provision takes effect on November 1, 2011. The Legislature has thus determined that the public welfare requires the licensing system to take effect on November 1, 2011.
    DOJ cannot comply with the requirements of s. 175.60 (9) , Stats., and related statutory requirements until it has in effect administrative rules establishing the procedures and standards that will govern DOJ's enforcement and administration of those requirements. It follows that, in order for DOJ to meet its statutory duties that take effect on November 1, 2011, it must complete the promulgation of such administrative rules prior to that date.
    Under the non-emergency rulemaking procedures of ch. 227 , Stats., before the proposed rules could be promulgated, numerous notice, hearing, and publication requirements would have to be fulfilled — including, but not limited to a public hearing on the proposed rules, preparation of a detailed report including a summary of public comments and DOJ's responses to those comments, and legislative review of the proposed rules. DOJ has determined that it is impossible for all of the required steps in that non-emergency rulemaking process to be completed by November 1, 2011. Only if DOJ utilizes the emergency rulemaking procedures of s. 227.24 , Stats., can the requisite rules be promulgated and in effect in time for DOJ to meet its statutory duties that take effect on November 1, 2011. The public welfare thus necessitates that the proposed rules be promulgated as emergency rules under s. 227.24 , Stats. Once the proposed emergency rules have been promulgated, DOJ will promptly follow up with the promulgation of a permanent version of the rules under the full rulemaking procedures.
    Publication Date:   October 25, 2011
    Effective Dates:   November 1, 2011 through       March 29, 2012
    Suspended in Part:   November 9, 2011
    2.   EmR1115 — Rule to create section Jus 17.13 , relating to the recognition by Wisconsin of concealed carry licenses issued by other states.
    This emergency rule was approved by the governor on October 14, 2011.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 009-11 , was approved by the governor on August 4, 2011, published in Register No. 668 , on August 31, 2011, and approved by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen on September 12, 2011.
    Finding of Emergency
    Section 100 (1) of 2011 Wis. Act 35 expressly authorizes and requires DOJ to use the emergency rulemaking procedures of s. 227.24 , Stats., to promulgate the emergency rule required under s. 165.25 (12) , Stats., and further provides that DOJ is not required to provide evidence that promulgating this rule as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of public peace, health, safety, or welfare.
    Publication Date:   October 25, 2011
    Effective Dates:   November 1, 2011 through       March 29, 2012
    Natural Resources (6)
    Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1—
    1 .   EmR1036 — Rule adopted to create section NR 40.04 (2) (g) , relating to the identification, classification and control of invasive species.
    Exemption From Finding of Emergency
    Section 227.24 (1) (a) , Stats., authorizes state agencies to promulgate a rule as an emergency rule without complying with the notice, hearing and publication requirements under ch. 227 , Stats., if preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare necessitates putting the rule into effect prior to the time it would take effect if the agency complied with the procedures. However, s. 23.22 (2t) (a) , Stats., authorizes the department to promulgate emergency rules to identify, classify, or control an invasive species without having to provide evidence that an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of public peace, health, safety, or welfare or to provide a finding of emergency. In addition, such emergency rules may remain in effect until whichever of the following occurs first: the first day of the 25th month beginning after the effective date of the emergency rule, the effective date of the repeal of the emergency rule, or the date on which the permanent rule identifying, classifying, or controlling the invasive species, promulgated under s. 23.22 (2) (b) 6. , Stats., takes effect.
    Publication Date:   September 29, 2010
    Effective Dates:   September 29, 2010 through   See bold text above
    Hearing Date:   October 25 to 29, 2010
    2.   EmR1039 (DNR # IS-49-10(E)) — Rule adopted to create sections NR 40.02 (7g) , (7r) , (25m) , (28m) and (46m) , 40.04 (3m) and 40.07 (8) , relating to the identification, classification and control of invasive bat species.
    Exemption From Finding of Emergency
    Section 227.24 (1) (a) , Stats., authorizes state agencies to promulgate a rule as an emergency rule without complying with the notice, hearing and publication requirements under ch. 227 , Stats., if preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare necessitates putting the rule into effect prior to the time it would take effect if the agency complied with the procedures. However, s. 23.22 (2t) (a) , Stats., authorizes the department to promulgate emergency rules to identify, classify, or control an invasive species without having to provide evidence that an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of public peace, health, safety, or welfare or to provide a finding of emergency. In addition, such emergency rules may remain in effect until whichever of the following occurs first: the first day of the 25th month beginning after the effective date of the emergency rule, the effective date of the repeal of the emergency rule, or the date on which the permanent rule identifying, classifying, or controlling the invasive species, promulgated under s. 23.22 (2) (b) 6. , Stats., takes effect.
    Publication Date:   November 3, 2010
    Effective Dates:   November 3, 2010 through
      See bold text above
    Hearing Date:   November 29, 2010
    3.   EmR1045 (DNR # IS-07-11(E)) — Rule to repeal section NR 40.02 (28m) , to amend section NR 40.04 (3m) , and to repeal and recreate section NR 40.07 (8) , (all as created by Natural Resource Board emergency order EmR1039 , DNR # IS-49-10(E)), relating to the identification, classification and control of invasive species.
    Exemption From Finding of Emergency
    Section 227.24 (1) (a) , Stats., authorizes state agencies to promulgate a rule as an emergency rule without complying with the notice, hearing and publication requirements under Ch. 227 , Stats., if preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare necessitates putting the rule into effect prior to the time it would take effect if the agency complied with the procedures. However, s. 23.22 (2t) (a) , Stats., authorizes the department to promulgate emergency rules to identify, classify, or control an invasive species without having to provide evidence that an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of public peace, health, safety, or welfare or to provide a finding of emergency. In addition, such emergency rules may remain in effect until whichever of the following occurs first: the first day of the 25th month beginning after the effective date of the emergency rule, the effective date of the repeal of the emergency rule, or the date on which the permanent rule identifying, classifying, or controlling the invasive species, promulgated under s. 23.22 (2) (b) 6. , Stats., takes effect.
    Publication Date:   December 13, 2010
    Effective Dates:   December 13, 2010 through
      See bold text above
    4.   EmR1109 — Rule to amend sections NR 10.01 (3) (ed) 1. a. , 10.01 (3) (et) 2. , 10.104 (7) (a) 1. , and 10.104 (7) (b) , relating to deer hunting seasons and carcass tag use.
    Finding of Emergency
    The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24 , Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public welfare. The rule is necessary in order to foster participation by hunters and landowners so they will continue to hunt and cooperate in CWD control and deer herd management. This rule proposal balances pressing social concerns about the quality of the deer hunt with the need for effective herd control measures such as additional antlerless deer harvest in management units that are more than 20% over population goals or simply over population goals in units that are part of the CWD Management Zone. This rule will increase harvest of bucks in the CWD zone which have a higher prevalence of CWD and, because of their greater dispersal distances, have a higher likelihood of spreading CWD. However, the rule retains a herd control tool which requires that antlerless deer be harvested before additional bucks (beyond the initial one) may be taken. The federal government and state legislature have delegated to the appropriate agencies rule-making authority to control and regulate hunting of wild animals. The State of Wisconsin must provide publications describing the regulations for deer hunting to more than 630,000 deer hunters prior to the start of the season. These regulations must be approved prior to printing nearly 1 million copies of the regulations publication.
    Publication Date:   July 2, 2011
    Effective Dates:   September 17, 2011 through     February 13, 2012
    5.   EmR1111 — Rule to repeal and recreate sections NR 10.01 (1) (b) , (g) and (u) and 10.32 and to amend section NR 10.01 (1) (v) , relating to hunting and the 2011 migratory game bird seasons and waterfowl hunting zones.
    Finding of Emergency
    The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24 , Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public welfare. The federal government and state legislature have delegated to the appropriate agencies rule-making authority to control the hunting of migratory birds. The State of Wisconsin must comply with federal regulations in the establishment of migratory bird hunting seasons and conditions. Federal regulations are not made available to this state until late July of each year. This order is designed to bring the state hunting regulations into conformity with the federal regulations. Normal rule-making procedures will not allow the establishment of these changes by September 1. Failure to modify our rules will result in the failure to provide hunting opportunity and continuation of rules which conflict with federal regulations.
    Publication Date:   September 3, 2011
    Effective Dates:   September 3, 2011 through
      January 30, 2012
    Hearing Date:   October 3, 2011
    6.   EmR1116 — Rule to amend section NR 25.05 (1) (c) , relating to commercial fishing in outlying waters.
    This emergency rule was approved by the governor on October 19, 2011.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 023-11 , was approved by the governor on September 15, 2011, published in Register No. 669 , on September 30, 2011, and approved by The Natural Resources Board on October 26, 2011.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Natural Resources finds that an emergency exists and the rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. A statement of facts constituting the emergency is:
    The current commercial season for whitefish from Lake Michigan and Green Bay closes one week before the season closure for state-licensed fishers in the State of Michigan. This limitation on fishing opportunities threatens the welfare of state-licensed commercial fishers in Wisconsin and makes these Wisconsin businesses less competitive with counterparts in Michigan. The additional business revenue, approximately $161,300, and improved competitiveness of the commercial fishing industry, rises to the standard of preservation and improvement of the public welfare required for emergency rule making.
    The number of commercial fishers has been declining over the last 20 years from 145 to 57. While some of this decline has been due to consolidation, some of the reduction is due to adverse economics of the industry. This rule requires emergency action to enhance public welfare as it applies to the economic health of the commercial fishing industry, which requested this rule change.
    Publication Date:   October 26, 2011
    Effective Dates:   October 26, 2011 through       March 23, 2012
    Revenue (3)
    1.   EmR1104 — Rule adopted creating section Tax 2.957 , relating to income and franchise tax credits and deductions for businesses that relocate to Wisconsin.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Revenue finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule order is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. A statement of the facts constituting the emergency is:
    The emergency rule is to reflect changes in Wisconsin's tax laws due to the creation of income and franchise tax credits and deductions for businesses that relocate to Wisconsin.
    It is necessary to promulgate this rule order so that these credits and deductions, created to help bring much needed jobs to Wisconsin, may be administered in a fair and consistent manner.
    This rule is therefore promulgated as an emergency rule and shall take effect upon publication in the official state newspaper. Certified copies of this rule have been filed with the Legislative Reference Bureau, as provided in s. 227.24 , Stats.
    Publication Date:   April 7, 2011
    Effective Dates:   April 7, 2011 through
      September 3, 2011
    Hearing Date:   June 14, 2011
    2.   EmR1105 — Rule adopted creating section Tax 3.05 , relating to income and franchise tax deductions for job creation.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Revenue finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule order is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. A statement of the facts constituting the emergency is:
    The emergency rule is to reflect changes in Wisconsin's tax laws due to the creation of income and franchise tax deductions for job creation.
    It is necessary to promulgate this rule order so that these deductions, created to help bring much needed jobs to Wisconsin, may be administered in a fair and consistent manner.
    This rule is therefore promulgated as an emergency rule and shall take effect upon publication in the official state newspaper. Certified copies of this rule have been filed with the Legislative Reference Bureau, as provided in s. 227.24 , Stats.
    Publication Date:   April 7, 2011
    Effective Dates:   April 7, 2011 through
      September 3, 2011
    Hearing Date:   June 14, 2011
    3.   EmR1110 — The Wisconsin Department of Revenue hereby adopts an emergency rule interpreting s. 77.54 (56) , Stats., creating section Tax 11.10 , relating to wind, solar, and certain gas powered products.
    The statement of scope for this emergency rule, SS 001-11 , was approved by the governor on June 17, 2011, and published in Register No. 667 on July 14, 2011. This emergency rule was approved by the governor on June 20, 2011.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Revenue finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule order is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. A statement of the facts constituting the emergency is:
    The emergency rule is to reflect changes in Wisconsin's tax laws due to the creation of a sales and use tax exemption for certain energy-producing wind, solar, and gas powered products and the electricity or energy they produce.
    It is necessary to promulgate this rule order so that this exemption, which is effective July 1, 2011, may be administered in a fair and consistent manner.
    This rule is therefore promulgated as an emergency rule and shall take effect upon publication in the official state newspaper. Certified copies of this rule have been filed with the Legislative Reference Bureau, as provided in s. 227.24 , Stats.
    Publication Date:   June 29, 2011
    Effective Dates:   June 29, 2011 through
      November 25, 2011
    Safety and Professional Services (2)
    (Formerly Regulation and Licensing)
    1.   EmR0827 — Rule adopted creating section 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 section 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 Dates:   September 10, 2008
      through the date on which
      the final rules take effect
    Hearing Date:   November 26, 2008
      April 13, 2009
    2.   EmR0828 — Rules adopted to amend section RL 181.01 (2) (c) ; and to create sections 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 Dates:   September 10, 2008
      through the date on which
      the final rules take effect
    Hearing Date:   November 26, 2008