EmR1210 Revises Chapters NR 10, 12, and 19, relating to the wolf hunting and trapping season and regulations and a depredation program.  

  • The Department of Health Services finds that an emergency exists and that the adoption of an emergency rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and welfare. The facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
    1. Section 253.13 (1) , Stats., requires attending physicians and nurses licensed under s. 441.15 , Stats., to cause every infant born in each hospital or maternity home, prior to the infant's discharge to be subjected to tests for congenital and metabolic disorders, as specified in rules promulgated by the department. If the infant is born elsewhere than in a hospital or maternity home, the attending physician, nurse licensed under s. 441.15 , Stats., or birth attendant who attended the birth shall cause the infant, within one week of birth, to be subjected to these tests.
    2. Section DHS 115.04 lists the disorders for which newborns must be tested under s. 253.13 (1) , Stats.
    3. Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is described as those congenital cardiac malformations in which surgical or catheter-based therapy is necessary within the first months of life. There are 12 lesions commonly considered as CCHD. In some circumstances, infants with CCHD may be asymptomatic and have a normal physical examination prior to routine hospital discharge or completion of home birth care. Unrecognized CCHD can result in death or disability shortly after hospital discharge.
    4. Death due to unrecognized CCHD from 2002 to 2006 occurred in 1:38,397 Wisconsin births and death or re-hospitalization occurred in 1:24,684 Wisconsin births before two weeks of age. The median age at death due to unrecognized CCHD was 4.5 days.
    5. Pulse oximetry, a point of care testing, is the recognized screening method for CCHD.
    6. Prior to 2013 Wisconsin Act 135 , adding pulse oximetry screening for CCHD to the mandatory panel was not permitted because testing for congenital and metabolic disorders under s. 235.13 (1) , Stats. (2011-12), was explicitly limited to blood testing. Section 253.13 (1) , Stats., as amended by 2013 Wisconsin Act 135 , now allows testing for congenital and metabolic disorders using other screening methods including blood testing.
    7. The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) tests newborns for organic acidemias (OA), a group of inherited disorders that lead to an abnormal buildup of particular acids, known as organic acids, in the body.
    8. Abnormal levels of organic acids in the blood (organic acidemia), urine (organic aciduria), and tissues can be toxic and can cause serious health problems. A baby affected with an OA is usually well at birth and for the first few days of life. The usual clinical presentation is that of toxic encephalopathy and includes vomiting, poor feeding, neurologic symptoms such as seizures and abnormal tone, and lethargy progressing to coma. Outcome is improved by diagnosis and treatment in the first ten days of life.
    9. Propionic acidemia and methylmalonic acidemia are two types of organic acidemias. In propionic academia and methylmalonic acidemia, the body is unable to process certain parts of proteins and lipids (fats) properly. In most cases, the features of propionic acidemia become apparent within a few days after birth. Propionic acidemia affects about 1 in 100,000 people in the United States. The effects of methylmalonic acidemia, which usually appear in early infancy, vary from mild to life-threatening. Without treatment, this disorder can lead to coma and death in some cases. This condition occurs in an estimated 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 people.
    10. Though OA was determined to have met the criteria under s. DHS 115.06 for being added to the list of congenital and metabolic disorders for which WSLH must test the blood samples of newborns, the conditions were inadvertently omitted from the list of conditions in s. DHS 115.04 during subsequent revisions.
    11. The process for promulgating permanent rules may take 24 months to complete, or longer if the department is unable to submit the permanent rules to the legislature prior to its last general business floor period in 2016.
    Filed with LRB:   June 27, 2014
    Publication Date:   July 3, 2014
    Effective Dates:   July 3, 2014 through
      November 29, 2014
    Hearing Date:   August 15, 2014
    Insurance
    EmR1408 — The Commissioner of Insurance proposes an order to amend section Ins 17.01 (3) ; and to repeal and recreate section. Ins 17.28 (6), Wis. Admin. Code, relating to the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund Annual Fund and mediation panel fees, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014 and affecting small business.
    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on June 12, 2014.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 147-13 , was approved by the Governor on November 18, 2013, published in Register No. 695 , on November 30, 2013, and approved by the Commissioner on May 8, 2014.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Commissioner of Insurance finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. Facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
    These changes must be in place with an effective date prior to July 1, 2014 in order for the new fiscal year assessments to be issued in accordance with s. 655.27 (3) , Wis. Stats. The permanent rule-making process cannot be completed prior to the effective date of the new fee schedule. The fiscal year fund fees were established by the Board of Governors at the meeting held on December 18, 2013 and the mediation panel fees established by the Board of Governors at the meeting held on March 19, 2014.
    Filed with LRB:   June 13, 2014
    Publication Date:   June 18, 2014
    Effective Dates:   June 18, 2014 through
      November 14, 2014
    Hearing Date:   August 12, 2014
    Natural Resources (7)
    Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1—
    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on August 10, 2010.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 023-12 , was approved by the Governor on April 12, 2012, published in Register No. 676 , on April 30, 2012, and approved by the Natural Resources Board on May 23, 2012.
    Finding of Emergency
    A non-statutory provision, Section 21, of 2011 ACT 169 requires the department to submit rules necessary for implementation or interpretation and establishes that the department is not required to make a finding of emergency.
    Filed with LRB:   August 15, 2012
    Publication Date:   August 18, 2012
    Effective Dates:   August 18, 2012 through the   date on which the permanent rules take effect, as provided in 2011 Wisconsin Act 169 , section 21 .
    2.   EmR1215 (DNR # WM-16-12(E)) — The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board proposes an order to repeal and recreate section NR 10.01 (3) (h) 1. , relating to the coyote hunting season.
    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on August 30, 2012.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 038-12 , was approved by the Governor on May 29, 2012, published in Register No. 678 , on June 14, 2012, and approved by the Natural Resources Board on June 27, 2012.
    Finding of Emergency
    A non-statutory provision, Section 21, of 2011 ACT 169 requires the department to submit rules necessary for implementation or interpretation and establishes that the department is not required to make a finding of emergency.
    Filed with LRB:   September 14, 2012
    Publication Date:   October 1, 2012
    Effective Dates:   October 1, 2012 through the date on which the permanent rules take effect, as provided in 2011 Wisconsin Act 169 , section 21 .
    3.   EmR1320 (DNR # FH-27-13(E)) — The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board proposes an order to create Chapter NR 85 , relating to development of a competitive grant program for cities, villages, towns, counties, federally recognized Indian tribes or bands located in this state, and fish farms in order to increase the capacity to raise walleye for stocking in Wisconsin waters.
    This rule was approved by the Governor on November 8, 2013.
    The statement of scope for this emergency rule, SS 104-13 , was approved by the Governor on August 12, 2013, published in Register No. 692 on September 1, 2013 (August 31, 2013), and approved by the Natural Resources Board on September 25, 2013.
    Finding of Emergency — Exemption
    2013 Wisconsin Act 20 , the 2013-15 state budget, included the following nonstatutory language: The department of natural resources may promulgate emergency rules under section 227.24 of the statutes implementing sections 29.739 and 29.740 of the statutes, as created by this act. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (c) and (2) of the statutes, emergency rules promulgated for walleye population maintenance and enhancement grants remain in effect until June 30, 2016, or the date on which permanent rules take effect, whichever is sooner. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a) and (3) of the statutes, the department is not required to provide evidence that promulgating this 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 under this subsection.
    Filed with LRB:   November 14, 2013
    Publication Date:   November 21, 2013
    Effective Dates:   November 21, 2013 through June 30, 2016, or the date on which permanent rules take effect, whichever is sooner.
    Hearing Date:   December 12, 2013 and
      December 19, 2013
    4.   EmR1401 (DNR # FH-26-13(E)) — The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board proposes an order to amend sections NR 20.20 (73) (n) 4. and 25.06 (1) (a) , Wis. Adm. Code, relating to lake trout harvest limits in Lake Superior.
    This rule was approved by the Governor on December 30, 2013.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 108-13 , was approved by the Governor on August 13, 2013, published in Register No. 692 on August 31, 2013, and approved by the Natural Resources Board on September 25, 2013.
    Finding of Emergency
    Pursuant to s. 227.24 , Stats., the department finds that an emergency exists and that this rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. The welfare of state-licensed commercial fishers, tribal commercial fishers, recreational anglers, and associated businesses is threatened by a decline in the lake trout population in the Apostle Islands vicinity of Lake Superior. The continued, persistent decline in lake trout population abundances and predicted further declines necessitate the current reductions in order to ensure a sustainable lake trout fishery over the long-term. Lake trout harvest limits were negotiated in October 2013 among the Department of Natural Resources and the Red Cliff and Bad River Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa and those changes must be ordered through administrative code. This emergency rule is needed to preserve the public welfare.
    Filed with LRB:   January 14, 2014
    Publication Date:   January 13, 2014
    Effective Dates:   January 13, 2014 through
      June 11, 2014
    Extension Through:   October 9, 2014
    5.   EmR1405 (DNR # WM-24-13(E)) — The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board proposes an order to repeal sections NR 10.01 (3) (ed) , (es) 3. , and (et) , 10.07 (3) , 10.09 (2) , 10.28 (3) , and 45.09 (9) , to amend sections NR 1.15 (1) (a) , (b) , and (c) 1. , (2) (a) (intro.) and (at) , and (3) , 10.001 (2e) , (6p) , and (19e) , 10.01 (3) (es) 1. and 2. and (3) (ev) , 10.02 (3) , 10.06 (8) (b) and (note) , 10.07 (2m) (b) 1. , 10.102 (1) (e) 4. , 10.105 (1) , (2) , (4,) and (7), 10.106 (intro.) and (1), 12.06 (1), (2), and (4), 12.16 (4), 13.38 (2) (b) and (Note), and 19.60 (2) (b) 1. , to repeal and recreate sections NR 1.15 (2) (a) 8. , 10.01 (3) (e) and (em) , 10.104 , 10.106 (2) , 10.28 (1) and (2) , 10.28 (4) , and 10.41 , and to create Chapter NR 10 (Title.) and sections NR 10.001(1k) and (23a) and (b) , 10.01 (2) (b) (Note) and (4) (dm) (Note), and Subchapter II , relating to deer management, hunting, and implementation of the 2012 White-tailed Deer Trustee Report.
    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on February 10, 2014
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 098-13 , was approved by the Governor on July 23, 2013, published in Register No. 692 , on August 14, 2013, and approved by the Natural Resources Board on September 25, 2013.
    Finding of Emergency
    A non-statutory provision, SECTION 9132 of 2013 Act 20 , establishes that the department may promulgate rules to implement the 2012 final deer management report and that the department is not required to make a finding of emergency.
    Filed with LRB:   February 25, 2014
    Publication Date:   March 7, 2014
    Effective Dates:   March 7, 2014 through
      June 30, 2015
    6.   EmR1409 (DNR # FH-03-14(E)) — The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board proposes an order to amend sections NR 20.36 (2) and 23.055 (2) , relating to modifications in daily bag limits and minimum size limits in response to tribal harvest.
    This emergency rule was approved by the Natural Resources Board on May 28, 2014, and by the governor on June 6, 2014.
    The statement of scope for this rule was approved by the governor on February 14, 2014, published in Register No. 698 on February 28, 2014, and approved by the Natural Resources Board on March 19, 2014.
    Statement of Emergency
    This emergency rule is needed to promote the preservation and protection of public peace, health, safety, and welfare in the Ceded Territory of Wisconsin by minimizing regional social and economic disruption known to be associated with reductions in walleye bag limits on off-reservation waters.
    Filed with LRB:   June 16, 2014
    Publication Date:   June 14, 2014
    Effective Dates:   June 14, 2014 through
      November 10, 2014
    Hearing Date:   July 14, 2014 and
      July 16, 2014
    7.   EmR1412 (DNR # ER-31-13(E)) — The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board proposes an order to create sections NR 10.02 (11) , 16.12 (3) (b) 12. , 19.275 (4) (bm) , 21.13 (4) (bm) , and 22.13 (4) (bm) , relating to the addition of the Blanding's turtle to the State's Protected Wild Animal list, possession exemptions, and turtle seasons and limits.
    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on June 25, 2014.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 124-13 , was approved by the governor on September 20, 2013, published in Register No. 694 , on October 14, 2013, and approved by the Natural Resources Board on December 11, 2013.
    Finding of Emergency
    The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24 , Stats., is necessary and justified to preserve the public welfare and interest in ensuring a sustainable population of Blanding's turtles. The Blanding's turtle is proposed for delisting from the State's Threatened Species list per administrative rule ER-27-11, which is expected to take effect as early as December 2013. Although the Blanding's turtle no longer meets the scientific criteria for listing, the Department feels that the population is nonetheless too vulnerable to survive the threat of harvest and collection, and believes emergency rules are needed to ensure a proper recovery before these activities are permitted.
    All turtles not listed as threatened or endangered in ch. NR 27 or as otherwise specified have a 135-day open season (July 15-November 30) during which members of the public may capture and possess up to 5 individuals [s. NR 19.275 (4) , 21.13 (4) and 22.13 (4) ] per day. Permanent rule-making to protect Blanding's turtles from this harvest will not go into effect until after the 2014 open season for turtles is already underway. An emergency rule is therefore necessary to prevent the harvest and possession of Blanding's turtles during the 2014 open season until the permanent rule goes into effect.
    The anticipated impact of collection and harvest to Blanding's turtle conservation and recovery in the state necessitates putting the emergency rule into effect during the 2014 open season for turtles while the agency complies with the permanent rule-making procedures.
    Filed with LRB:   July 10, 2014
    Publication Date:   July 13, 2014
    Effective Dates:   July 13, 2014 through
      December 9, 2014
    Hearing Date:   August 27, 2014
    Public Instruction (2)
    1.   EmR1324 — The State Superintendent of Public Instruction hereby proposes to amend sections PI 5.02 (6) and (11m) , 5.035 (6) , and 5.04 , relating to high school equivalency diplomas and certificates of general educational development.
    Per the Dane County Circuit Court order issued in Coyne, et al. v. Walker, et al., Case No. 11-CV-4573, the Department of Public Instruction is not required to obtain the Governor's approval for the statement of scope or this rule.
    The scope statement for this rule, SS 093-13 , was published in Register No. 692 , on August 14, 2013, and approved by State Superintendent Tony Evers on August 27, 2013.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Public Instruction 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 the emergency is:
    The number of subtests and the passing scores for the General Educational Development (GED) Test will be changing in January 2014 when a new test is implemented by the GED Testing Service.
    Unless the rule is changed to reflect these new subtests and passing scores, the Department may be prevented from issuing credentials for test takers who pass the GED Test because the required passing scores will be incorrect.
    Filed with LRB:   December 27, 2013
    Publication Date:   December 27, 2013
    Effective Dates:   December 27, 2013 through       May 25, 2014
    Hearing Date:   February 24, 2014
    Extension Through:   July 24, 2014
    2.   EmR1411 — The State Superintendent of Public Instruction hereby creates Chapter PI 80 , relating to community programs and services.
    Per the Dane County Circuit Court order issued in Coyne, et al. v. Walker, et al., Case No. 11-CV-4573, the Department of Public Instruction is not required to obtain the Governor's approval for the statement of scope or this rule.
    The scope statement for this rule, SS 043-14 , was published in Register No. 701 , on May 14, 2014, and approved by State Superintendent Tony Evers, on May 27, 2014.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Public Instruction 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 the emergency is:
    Unless an emergency rule is promulgated, school districts will not know which activities would be considered ineligible costs for the Community Programs and Services Fund for the 2014-15 school year. Not having this information could result in school districts unintentionally making expenditures from the Community Programs and Services Fund in 2014-15 that are deemed "ineligible costs" after the school board has made budget decisions and set a tax levy for the 2014-15 school fiscal year. Such a finding would then result in a negative adjustment to the district's revenue limit authority for the following 2015-16 school year, per s. 121.91 (4) (r) , Stats., as created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 306 . A district's revenue limit authority controls the amount of combined State General Aid and local property taxes revenues for a district. Thus, a district's revenue limit authority for the 2015-16 school year could be negatively impacted based on a definition of "ineligible costs" that was not in place at the time the district made its 2014-15 budget decisions and set the 2014-15 tax levy (by November 2014) for the Community Programs and Services Fund.
    Filed with LRB:   June 27, 2014
    Publication Date:   July 1, 2014
    Effective Dates:   July 1, 2014 through       November 27, 2014
    Hearing Date:   September 4, 2014
    Safety and Professional Services
    General Part I, Chs. 301—319
    EmR1415 — An order of the Department of Safety and Professional Services to amend section SPS 305.40 (2) (b) , (3) (b) , (4) (a) 1. , (b) , (c) , and (d) 1. , and (5) and to create sections SPS Table 305.02 Row 24r, Table 305.06 Row 19r, 305.40 (1) (bm), and 305.437 , relating to credentials for electricians.
    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on July 29, 2014.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 041–14, was approved by the Governor on April 30, 2014, published in Register No. 701 on May 14, 2014, and approved by the Department on May 27, 2014.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Safety and Professional Services finds that an emergency exists and that this rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. A statement of facts constituting the emergency is as follows.
    SECTION 15 of 2013 Wisconsin Act 143 exempts any electrician who was born on or before January 1, 1956, and who has at least 15 years of experience in installing, repairing, or maintaining electrical wiring, from the electrical licensure and supervision requirements in sections 101.862 (2) and (3) of the Statutes. SECTION 15 also requires the Department to promulgate rules establishing criteria and procedures for issuing a corresponding credential to these grandfathered electricians.
    Because of Act 143, the statutory requirements are now out of step with the Department's administrative rules – and the stakeholders who are affected by these statutory changes are confused by the differences. For example, there has been substantial confusion on what these grandfathered electricians can or need to do and how local governmental units should treat them. Promulgating revisions to the rules through the emergency rule process is needed in order to minimize the confusion and any hardship as soon as possible.
    Filed with LRB:   August 1, 2014
    Publication Date:   August 6, 2014
    Effective Dates:   August 6, 2014 through       January 2, 2015
    Safety and Professional Services
    Uniform Dwelling Code, Chs. 320—325
    EmR1403 — The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services adopts an order to amend sections SPS 321.02 (1) (c) , 321.23 , Table 321.25–A, 321.25 (7) (d) and (8) (a) (Note), and Chapters 320 to 325 Appendix — Minimum Fastener Schedule Table ; and to repeal and recreate section SPS 321.25 (8) (b) to (h) and (9) , relating to wall bracing for one- and two-family dwellings.
    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on January 28, 2014.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 139-13 , was approved by the Governor on October 28, 2013, published in Register 695 on November 14, 2013, and approved by the Department on November 26, 2013.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Safety and Professional Services finds that an emergency exists and that this rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. A statement of facts constituting the emergency is as follows.
    Some building designers find the current rules for wall bracing for one- and two-family dwellings are too difficult to understand and apply, which results in unnecessary costs and delays in home building. Promulgating revisions to the rules through the emergency rule process is needed in order to avoid these costs and delays as soon as possible. In addition, the report that the Dwelling Code Council is required to complete by July 1, 2014, under section 101.62 (4) of the Statutes is expected to include recommendations to clarify and simplify these rules through the emergency rule process.
    Filed with LRB:   February 13, 2014
    Publication Date:   February 19, 2014
    Effective Dates:   April 1, 2014 through       August 28, 2014
    Hearing Date:   March 11, 2014
    Extension Through:   October 27, 2014
    Transportation
    EmR1404 — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation proposes an order to create section Trans 327.14 , relating to motor carrier safety and affecting small businesses.
    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on February 10, 2014.
    The statement of scope for this rule, SS 155-13 , was approved by the Governor on December 16, 2013, published in Register 696 , on December 31, 2013, and approved by Secretary Mark Gottlieb as required by s. 227.135 (2) , Stats., on January 13, 2014.
    Finding of Emergency
    The welfare of commercial motor vehicle drivers who hold a commercial driver license ("CDL") issued by the State of Wisconsin who operate commercial motor vehicles outside this state will be harmed beginning January 30, 2014, if they cannot demonstrate compliance with recent federal regulations because they will be treated by other states as unlicensed drivers. Beginning on January 1, 2014, federal regulations require CDL holders to have certified to DOT the type of commercial driving they do and, if required, to have submitted proof of medical fitness to drive, and to have their driving records updated by DOT to show these actions, before driving a commercial motor vehicle. The Department published the scope statement for permanent rulemaking in September 2011 to implement these federal requirements. The permanent rulemaking effort is ongoing but will not take effect before the January 30, 2014 deadline for compliance.
    Filed with LRB:   February 14, 2014
    Publication Date:   February 16, 2014
    Effective Dates:   February 16, 2014 through       July 15, 2014
    Extension Through:   September 13, 2014
    Workforce Development
    Unemployment Insurance, Chs. DWD 100-150
    EmR1316 — The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development hereby adopts an order to repeal sections DWD 126.02 (2) , (3) , and (4) , 126.03 (1) , 126.04 , 126.05 , 127.01 (2) (b) , (f) to (i) , and (3) , 127.02 (intro.) , (1) , (2) , (3) , and (4) , 127.02 (5) and (10) , and 127.08 ; to renumber and amend section DWD 126.02 (1) ; to amend sections DWD 126.01 , 126.03 (intro.) and (2) , 127 (title) , 127.01 (1) , (2) (intro.) , (a) , (c) , and (d) , 127.02 (7) , (9) , and (11) , 127.04 (title), (1) , and (2) , 127.05 , 127.06 (1) , (2) , and (3) , 127.07 (title) and (1) , 128.01 (2) (a) , and 129.01 (1) and (2) ; to repeal and recreate sections DWD 127.01 (2) (j) and 127.07 (2) ; and to create sections DWD 126.02 (Note), 126.03 (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7), 127.01 (2) (em), 127.02 (12), 127.04 (1m) (e), and 127.06 (1) (c) , relating to unemployment insurance work registration, work search, and benefit claiming procedures.
    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on September 20, 2013.
    The statement of scope for this emergency rule, SS 106-13 , was approved by the Governor on August 14, 2013, published in Register No. 692 on August 31, 2013, and approved by the Secretary of Workforce Development on September 11, 2013.
    Finding of Emergency
    The Department of Workforce Development finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public welfare. Statements of the facts constituting the emergency are:
    (1)   In order to fulfill the new statutory directives to require claimants for unemployment insurance benefits to increase their number of weekly work search actions from two to at least four;
    (2)   In order to simplify the process and compliance with respect to requirements for unemployment insurance claimants to register for work;
    (3)   In order to execute the new statutory requirement to request additional information from claimants;
    (4)   In order to improve the unemployment insurance trust fund balance and thereby relieve employers of the burden of additional taxation;
    (5)   In order to better assist unemployment insurance benefit claimants to obtain gainful employment; and,
    (6)   In order to promote the improvement in the Wisconsin economy as a result of the immediate implementation of legislative directives with respect to the unemployment insurance program contained in 2013 Wisconsin Act 20 and 2013 Wisconsin Act 36 .
    Adoption of the emergency rule will ensure that these legislative directives are implemented within the time-frame envisioned with enactment of 2013 Wisconsin Act 20 and 2013 Wisconsin Act 36 .
    Filed with LRB:   September 25, 2013
    Publication Date:   September 29, 2013
    Effective Dates:   September 29, 2013 through February 25, 2014, except that changes to ss. DWD 126.03 and 127.02 take effect after the Secretary determines the Department has the technological ability to implement the changes.
    Hearing Date:   November 4, 2013
    Extension Through:   June 25, 2014
    Workforce Development
    Apprenticeship, Chs. DWD 295-296
    EmR1406 — The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development hereby adopts the following emergency rule to create section DWD 295.25 , relating to apprenticeship completion awards.
    The emergency rule was approved by the governor on March 21, 2014.
    The statement of scope for this emergency rule was approved by the Governor on February 13, 2014, published in Register No. 698 on February 28, 2014, and approved by the Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development on March 11, 2014.
    Finding of Emergency
    The department of workforce development finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public welfare. Statements of facts constituting an emergency include:
    (1) Wisconsin currently has more than 2,100 employers participating in, and training individuals, under the apprenticeship program.
    (2) During 2013, Wisconsin had 9,723 valid apprenticeship contracts.
    (3) Over the past ten years, the completion rate of the apprenticeship program averaged between 55-60%.
    (4) 2013 Wisconsin Act 57 creates an apprenticeship completion award program to be administered by the department of workforce development to partially reimburse tuition costs incurred by an apprentice who has successfully completed part or all of the requirements of their apprenticeship contract, and is employed in the trade, occupation, or business under the apprenticeship contract, or the sponsor of the apprentice.
    (5) The department of workforce development has received general purpose revenue (GPR) funds of $225,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and 2014-15, to distribute up to 25%, or $1,000, whichever is less, of the tuition costs incurred by the apprentice and sponsor of the apprentice. The amount of the first payment upon successful completion by the apprentice of the first year of the contract may not exceed $250.
    (6) The department of workforce development is adopting this emergency rule to prevent a potential hardship to Wisconsin's apprenticeship program participants. Adoption of this emergency rule will ensure those participating in an eligible apprenticeship contract may begin receiving apprenticeship completion awards as soon as possible. Because a permanent rule cannot be adopted in time, GPR funds for fiscal year 2013-14 would be lost if the emergency rule is not adopted.
    Filed with LRB:   March 26, 2014
    Publication Date:   March 27, 2014
    Effective Dates:   March 27, 2014 through       August 23, 2014
    Hearing Date:   May 15, 2014
    Extension Through:   October 22, 2014