Sincerely,
Michael R. Duckett, P.E.,R.L.S.
Executive Director
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
June 20, 2000
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed a review of the use of hearing officers in Wisconsin state government, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. We estimate that in fiscal year (FY) 1998-99, the State spent an estimated $17.3 million and employed 206.1 full-time equivalent employes - including 103.3 hearing officers - to conduct hearings and resolve contested cases related to employment, social services, corrections, discrimination, consumer protection, transportation, and licensing. Approximately 24,900 hearings were held. Two agencies - the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Department of Administration's (DOA's) Division of Hearings and Appeals - account for more than 80 percent of hearing-related staff and expenditures.
Agency efforts to establish and measure performance of hearing officers have been uneven. We identified a total of 97 performance standards, most of which were established by state agencies to manage timeliness and productivity. However, only 53 of these standards were actually used to assess agency performance in holding hearings. Assessing the overall quality of hearing officer decisions is difficult. Nevertheless, one indicator of quality - the rate at which decisions are reversed on appeal - shows that most hearing officer decisions are upheld.
If the Legislature wishes to increase efficiency and reduce costs by further consolidating hearing functions, some changes to the organization of hearing officer responsibilities could be considered. However, because most hearings are already conducted by either DWD or DOA's Division of Hearings and Appeals, any cost savings that could be derived from further consolidation are likely to be limited.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the many state agencies contacted during the course of this review. Responses from DOA and DWD are appendices IV and V.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
June 20, 2000
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 1999 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us
Steil, Robert J. American Medical Security
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by the organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
Roth Judd
Director
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
June 9, 2000
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Kessler, Dr. Robert A.,
of Menomonee Falls, as a member of the Nursing Home Administrator Examining Board, to serve for the initial term ending July 1, 2001, and for the full term ending July 1, 2005.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Health, Utilities, Veterans and Military Affairs.
__________________
Relating to the exemption of attorneys seeking licensure for title insurance from certain testing requirements.
Submitted by Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
Report received from Agency, June 15, 2000.
Referred to committee on Insurance, Tourism, Transportation and Corrections, June 21, 2000
.
Relating to financial subsidiaries.
Submitted by Department of Financial Institutions.
Report received from Agency, June 19, 2000.
Referred to committee on Privacy, Electronic Commerce and Financial Institutions, June 21, 2000
.
Relating to registration seals, experience requirements for professional engineers and educational requirements for land surveyors.
Submitted by Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Report received from Agency, June 15, 2000.
Referred to committee on Economic Development, Housing and Government Operations, June 21, 2000
.
Relating to educational and experience requirements prior to sitting for the fundamentals examination.
Submitted by Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Report received from Agency, June 15, 2000.
Referred to committee on Economic Development, Housing and Government Operations, June 21, 2000
.
The committee on Human Services and Aging reports and recommends:
Relating to the adoption assistance program for families that adopt children with special needs.
No action taken.
Relating to two-parent families under Wisconsin works.
No action taken.
Judy Robson
Chairperson
The committee on Insurance, Tourism, Transportation and Corrections reports and recommends:
Relating to annual patients compensation fund and mediation fund fees for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000.
No action taken.
Roger Breske
Chairperson
