Wednesday State Public Defender
9:00 a.m. to 315 N. Henry St.
11:00 a.m. MADISON, WI
Reasonable accommodations will be made at the hearing for persons with disabilities.
Analysis by Agency
Statutory authority: s. 977.02 (5), Stats.
Statute interpreted: s. 977.05 (5) (e), Stats.
The Office of the State Public Defender (SPD) is authorized by s. 977.05 (5) (e), Stats., to sponsor conferences and training. The use of the word “sponsor" indicates a commitment of agency resources. In addition, s. 977.05 (5) (e), Stats., contemplates that the agency might obtain revenue from such conferences and training by authorizing the SPD to charge tuition for attendance at such programs. Any revenue received must be deposited in s. 20.550 (1) (i), Stats.
Chapter PD 1, Wis. Adm. Code, expands upon the SPD's training function as it relates to private attorneys who seek public defender certification. For instance, pursuant to s. PD 1.04 (2m), an attorney must complete a certain number of credits of “state public defender provided legal education" in order to be certified for specific types of cases, such as chapter 51 or 55, Stats., cases and termination of parental rights cases. Further, pursuant to s. PD 1.04 (9), an attorney must complete 6 hours of SPD-approved continuing legal education each calendar year in order to remain certified to accept public defender cases. Finally, in order to be certified to accept appellate cases under s. PD 1.04 (5), an attorney must complete a certain number of credits of State Public Defender-approved education prior to applying for appellate certification.
The proposed rule will ensure that the legal education and training required for public defender certification is offered to private attorneys by the agency. The proposed rule also defines “sponsor" and “tuition" as those terms are used in s. 977.05 (5) (e), Stats.
Promoting conferences and training programs for staff and private attorneys as well as recouping some of the costs associated with conferences and training sponsorship is consistent with the agency's mission and statutory authorization.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
This rule would not have a regulatory effect on small businesses.
Fiscal Estimate
The proposed rule would have no fiscal impact on the agency.
Contact Information
For copies of the proposed rule, or if you have questions, please contact:
Gina Pruski, Deputy Legal Counsel
315 North Henry St.
Madison, WI 53703-3018
Telephone (608) 266-6782
Written Comments
Written comments regarding this rule may be submitted in addition to or instead of verbal testimony at the public hearing. Such comments should be addressed to the contact person at the address stated above, and must be received by May 12, 1999.
Notice of Hearing
(Supplemental)
Public Service Commission
Supplemental Notice Extending Comment Period
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has proposed an order to revise chs. PSC 2, 12, 100, 164, 165, 166, 174 and 176, relating to telecommunications and:
• Miscellaneous rule wording changes;
• Abandonment of facilities and services by a utility;
• Agreements with affiliates;
• Issuance of securities;
• Mergers and other reorganizations; and
• Nondiscrimination.
Analysis
Change in Comments Deadline
The Commission approved a Notice of Hearing concerning these rules at its open meeting on March 4, 1999. In that Notice of Hearing, the Commission set the following dates: April 12, 1999
, for the hearing and April 23, 1999, for comments. At its open meeting on March 16, 1999, the Commission approved an Amended Notice of Hearing to extend the time for comments from April 23, 1999 (by noon), to May 21, 1999 (by noon). At its open meeting today the Commission approved this Supplemental Notice extending the time for comments from May 21, 1999 (by noon), to June 8, 1999 (by noon). Comments filed by FAX will now be due on June 7, 1999 (by noon) instead of May 20, 1999 (by noon). The date for hearing was not changed.
Copies of Proposed Rules
A copy of the full Notice of Hearing, including the text of the proposed rules, was previously published in the Administrative Register. Copies of the Notice and proposed rules may be obtained from the contact person listed below.
Written Comments
Any person may submit written comments on these proposed rules. The hearing record will remain open for written comments from the public until June 8, 1999, at noon (June 7, 1999, at noon, if filed by fax).
All written comments must include a reference on the filing to docket (1-AC-147). File by one mode only.
If filing by mail, courier, or hand delivery: Address as shown below:
Address comments to:
Lynda L. Dorr, Secretary to the Commission
Public Service Commission
P.O. Box 7854
Madison, WI 53707-7854
FAX (608) 266-3957
Industry parties should submit an original and 15 copies. Members of the general public need only file an original. File by June 8, 1999, at noon.
If filing by fax: Send fax comments to (608) 266-3957. Fax filing cover sheet MUST state “Official Filing," the docket number (1-AC-147), and the number of pages (limited to 20 pages for fax comments). File by June 7, 1999, at noon.
Contact Information
Questions regarding this matter should be directed to Anne Wiecki, Telecommunications Division, at (608) 267-0913, or by email at
wiecka@psc.state.wi.us. Hearing-or speech-impaired individuals may also use the Commission's TTY number, (608) 267-1479.
The Commission does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the provision of programs, services, or employment. Any person with a disability who needs accommodations to provide comments or who needs to get this document in a different format should contact Anne Wiecki, as indicated in the previous paragraph, as soon as possible.
Notice of Hearing
Public Service Commission
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (Commission) proposes an order to make various changes to ch. PSC 160, relating to the provision of universal telecommunications service and administration of the universal service fund.
Analysis
Rules now in ch. PSC 160 were effective May 1, 1996. The Commission opened this rule-making to consider necessary changes to the rules as required by s. 196.218, Stats.
As required by statutes, the Commission has appointed a Universal Service Fund Council (USFC) to advise the Commission on administration of s. 196.218, Stats., and on the universal service fund rules. The USFC has recommended various changes to the rules in ch. PSC 160; most of those recommendations are reflected in the proposed rules. In those instances where the Commission has suggested changes that are not part of the recommendations of the USFC, it is noted in the plain language analysis that is part of the notice previously issued in this rule-making.
Notice of Continuation of Hearing and Extension of Comment Period
The Commission approved a Notice of Hearing concerning these rules at its open meeting on February 9, 1999. Pursuant to that Notice, a hearing was held on April 6, 1999. Due to the number of people appearing to speak at that hearing, it ran much longer than expected and the Hearing Examiner set a date to on which to continue and complete the hearing. The comment period has also been extended since people may wish to submit written comments based on what is said at the continued hearing.
Hearing Information
Notice is hereby given that the Commission will hold a continuation of the public hearing:
Date and Time: Location:
May 11, 1999 Amnicon Falls Hrg. Rm.
Tuesday 1st Floor, PSC Bldg.
9:00 a.m. 610 North Whitney Way
MADISON, WI
The examiner may continue the hearing at such times and places as necessary to complete the hearing.
The building at 610 North Whitney Way is accessible to people in wheelchairs through the main floor entrance (Lobby) on the Whitney Way side of the building. Handicapped parking is available on the south side of the building and the building has some wheelchair accessible rest rooms. Interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing will be provided.
Input Expressly Invited
The Commission invites all parties potentially affected by these proposed universal service fund rules to comment on them. The purpose of the proposed rules is to solicit comments so that the Commission can make a full and informed decision on additions to, deletions from, or modifications of the current universal service fund rules in ch. PSC 160.
The Commission is not modifying the data transmission speed rule in s. PSC 160.031. The Commission will be examining this issue and other Internet related matters in another forum, so comments on data speed matters should not be filed in this rulemaking proceeding.
Copies of Proposed Rules
A copy of the full Notice of Hearing, including the text of the proposed rules, was published in the February 28, 1999, Wisconsin Administrative Register. Copies of the Notice and proposed rules may also be obtained from the contact person listed at the end of this notice.
Written Comments
