Rules Clearinghouse No. 15-015
ORDER OF THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
ADOPTING RULES
The Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection adopts the following rule to repeal ATCP 136.01 (3) and (4), ATCP 136.02, ATCP 136.04, ATCP 136.10 (2) (c) and (d), and ATCP 136.10 (3) (a) 2. and (b) 4.; to amend ATCP 136.01 (1) (Note), ATCP 136.01 (21), ATCP 136.10 (2) (a) (intro), and 3., and (b), (3) (a) 1. and (4) (a) 1., ATCP 136.12 (1) (b) (Note) and (2) (Note), ATCP 136.12 (3) (a) to (d), ATCP 136.14 (1) (a) and (b), ATCP 136.16 (4) (a) 3. and (5) (intro.), and ATCP 136.20 (5); to repeal and recreate ATCP 136.08 and ATCP 136.10 (3) (b) 1.; relating to mobile air conditioners, reclaiming or recycling refrigerant, and effecting small business.
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Analysis Prepared by the Department
of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
This rule makes changes to an existing rule, ATCP 136, Mobile Air Conditioners; Recycling and Reclaiming of Refrigerants, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). The existing rule contains environmental protections related to allowable refrigerants and their handling, and disposal and registration and training requirements for business operators and technicians. This rule will eliminate the business registration requirement and associated fee for operators of mobile air conditioning businesses, harmonize training requirements with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to eliminate duplication, and remove outdated references to statutes that no longer exist. These changes will harmonize the rule with statutory changes made in 2013 Act 312. This rule makes other modifications needed to ensure uniformity between the statute and rule. Statutes Interpreted
Statutes Interpreted: s. 100.45, Stats. Statutory Authority
Explanation of Statutory Authority
DATCP has broad general authority, under s. 93.07 (1), Stats., to interpret laws under its jurisdiction. DATCP has specific authority under s. 100.45 (5) (a), Stats., to promulgate rules for the administration of this section, including establishing standards for recycled refrigerant based on recognized national industry standards. DATCP has specific authority under s. 100.45 (5e), Stats., to promulgate rules providing that any portion of s. 100.45 (3) or (4) applies with respect to a substance used as a substitute for an ozone-depleting refrigerant. Related Statutes and Rules
This proposed rule modifies an existing rule chapter, chapter ATCP 136, Wisconsin Administrative Rules, which regulates the repair or service of motor vehicle air conditioners and trailer refrigeration equipment. This rule relates to Wis. Stat. s. 100.45 Mobile air conditioners. Plain Language Analysis
Background
The existing chapter ATCP 136, Wisconsin Administrative Rules, establishes requirements for buying, selling, reclaiming, and recycling ozone depleting refrigerants. The requirements are consistent with those under federal law. The rule also requires businesses that install, repair, or service mobile air conditioners to pay an annual registration fee and obtain an annual registration certificate from DATCP. The rule requires businesses to register their mobile air service technicians and technicians to successfully complete a department-approved training course or satisfy other training requirements.
2013 Act 312 eliminated DATCP’s authority to register businesses that install, repair or service mobile air conditioners. 2013 Act 312 also repealed DATCP’s authority to establish training requirements for technicians performing those services in Wisconsin. Rule Content
This rule does all of the following:
• Updates the rule to harmonize with statutory changes made in 2013 Act 312. • Updates standards for recovery and recycling equipment, and recycled refrigerant to the most recent standards established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
• Eliminates the mobile air conditioner repair business registration and associated fees.
• Modifies mobile air conditioner repair technician training requirements to refer to federal training requirements established by the EPA,
• Removes references to obsolete Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services licensing requirements.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal statutes and regulations.
At the federal level, the EPA requires technicians to be trained and certified by an EPA-approved organization. The training must cover specific content areas, and technicians must pass a test demonstrating competency to be certified. Under the proposed rule, a technician who completes the EPA-approved course would be qualified to install, repair, or service mobile air conditioners in Wisconsin.
This rule is consistent with federal laws related to buying, selling, reclaiming, and recycling ozone-depleting refrigerants.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
The EPA administers the mobile air conditioner regulations used in adjacent states. Wisconsin has adopted EPA’s regulations into state law to improve the ability to enforce the regulations. The proposed rule brings Wisconsin’s training requirements into conformity with the EPA training regulations used in neighboring states.
Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies
This rule does not depend on a complex analysis of data. The 2013 legislative change to the statute prompted the change to this rule. This rule harmonizes Wisconsin’s training requirements with federal law and improves consistency with surrounding states.
Analysis and Supporting Documents Used to Determine Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of an Economic Impact Analysis
The DATCP Bureau of Weights and Measures administers Wisconsin’s mobile air conditioning registration program. In 2013, 3500 operators of mobile air conditioning repair businesses registered with DATCP. At a cost of $120 per registration, the cumulative cost for these businesses to register with the state was $420,000. In addition, the DATCP collected another $7000 in statutorily required surcharge fees on late registrations. These businesses also registered and submitted Wisconsin required training credentials for 11,000 mobile air conditioning repair technicians.
Effect on Small Business
This proposed rule eliminates registration fees and modifies training requirements. Businesses will benefit from the reduction in fee and training expenses. The rule would save approximately 3,500 businesses a $120 annual registration fee for a total savings of about $420,000 each year. In addition, the 11,000 technicians who register annually with DATCP would be able to use their EPA-approved training course to meet Wisconsin’s training requirements. This cost savings is indeterminate, but would save technicians and businesses both training registration fees and time away from their jobs. This rule will not have a negative effect on small business.
Environmental Impact
The proposed rule changes do not have an environmental impact.
DATCP Contact
David Woldseth
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911
Telephone (608) 224-5164
Where Comments May Be Submitted
