Scope statements
Administration
Subject
Objective of Proposed Rule. To amend chs.
WGC 1 through
24, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the regulation of greyhound racing and pari-mutuel wagering.
Policy analysis
The Department proposes to revise chs.
WGC 1 through
24 to reflect an ability to exercise its regulatory oversight functions in an effective and efficient manner consistent with contemporary regulatory and industry standards. The department has the responsibility to provide regulatory oversight of greyhound racing and pari-mutuel wagering in Wisconsin through its Division of Gaming. The current rules, which were promulgated by the Division's predecessor agencies: Wisconsin Gaming Board, Wisconsin Gaming Commission and Wisconsin Racing Board, require revision and updating to adequately address the welfare, health and safety of racing animals, to promote regulatory compliance and to preserve the integrity of pari-mutuel wagering.
Statutory authority
Staff time required
The department estimates that it will take approximately 600 hours to research, draft and promulgate these rules.
Administration
Subject
Objective of Proposed Rule. To amend chs.
WGC 41 through
44 and to create ch.
Game 45, of the Wis. Adm. Code relating to the regulation of charitable gaming.
Policy analysis
Through the authority given under s.
563.04, Stats., the department is proposing to create ch.
Game 45, Class “A" Licensee Raffle Tickets and to revise chs.
WGC 41 through
44. The department's proposal is in response to 2001 Wis. Act. 16, authorizing the department to promulgate rules that allow for the sale of equal shares of a single raffle ticket to one or more purchasers under a Class A raffle license under s.
563.92 (1m), Stats.
At a minimum, proposed ch.
Game 45 and revised chs.
WGC 41 through
44 will address the following:
• Identify the criteria for the sale of a single raffle ticket to more than one purchaser.
•Outline the process for the sponsoring organization purchasing any unsold shares of a raffle ticket.
•Provide standards for the reporting of all sold and unsold shares of a single raffle ticket.
•Establish the process for awarding raffle prizes to one or more persons holding a share(s) in a winning raffle ticket.
The department intends to review existing administrative code provisions relevant to the proposed rule and amend such policies as necessary to bring each chapter into compliance with ss.
563.92 (1m),
563.93 (2), and
(9), Stats., as created or amended by
2001 Wisconsin Act 16. Furthermore, the department will revise chs.
WGC 41 through
44 to update rules promulgated by predecessor agencies to promote regulatory compliance and ensure the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of charitable gaming.
Statutory authority
Staff time required
The department estimates that it will take approximately 100 hours to research, draft and promulgate these rules.
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Subject
Corn Marketing Order.
Objective of the Rule. Amend Wisconsin's current Corn Marketing Order (ATCP 143). The Corn Marketing Order currently imposes assessments on corn producers in order to fund market development, research and educational programs. This rule will increase current assessment rates, and change current assessment coverage.
Policy analysis
DATCP may adopt marketing orders for agricultural commodities under ch.
96, Stats., and ch.
ATCP 140, Wis. Adm. Code. DATCP adopts and amends marketing orders by rule. Marketing orders, and marketing order amendments, must be approved in a referendum of affected producers.
A semi-autonomous marketing board, elected by affected producers, administers each marketing order (subject to the terms of the marketing order and other applicable rules). The marketing board spends producer assessments, collected under the marketing order, for purposes specified in the marketing order.
DATCP has adopted a Corn Marketing Order under ch.
ATCP 143, Wis. Adm. Code. The Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, a producer-elected marketing board, administers the Corn Marketing Order. Under the marketing order, corn producers pay assessments on all corn produced and sold into commercial channels. Handlers, who purchase corn from producers, collect the assessments and pay them to the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board. The Board uses the assessments to fund market development, research and educational programs related to corn.
The Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board has asked DATCP to amend the current Corn Marketing Order. In response to that request, DATCP proposes to consider the following amendments to the current marketing order:
•Increase the current assessment rate (the current rate is 1/10th of a cent per bushel of corn).
•Clarify assessment requirements related to sales involving producers who are also grain dealers.
• Collect assessments on all corn that producers sell into commercial channels in this state, regardless of where the corn is grown.
•Exempt out-of-state sales of corn produced in this state.
•Other changes as necessary.
Policy alternatives
If DATCP takes no action, the current Corn Marketing Order will remain in effect without change. The Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board asserts that current assessment rates are inadequate, and that there is a need to change the way that assessments are collected.
Before DATCP makes any change to the Corn Marketing Order, DATCP must hold hearings and submit the proposed changes to a referendum of affected producers. DATCP has not yet determined the exact changes, if any, that it will propose.
Statutory authority
DATCP proposes to amend ch.
ATCP 143, Wis. Adm. Code, under the authority of s.
93.07 and ch.
96, Stats.
Staff time required
DATCP estimates that it will use approximately 0.5 FTE staff to develop this rule. This includes time involved in establishing a producer list, drafting rules, communicating with affected parties, holding public hearings, preparing documents and conducting a producer referendum. DATCP will use existing staff to develop this rule.
Commerce
Subject
The Use of Rapid Response Funds in Economically Depressed Areas of Wisconsin to Preserve Economic Development.
Objective of the rule. This rule will provide Commerce, working collaboratively with local communities, the ability to quickly and more effectively respond to changing economic conditions due to potential plant closings, business relocations, layoffs, and other economic factors that could negatively affect the economic conditions in the community and state.
Policy analysis
Pursuant to s.
60.04, Stats., the Department of Commerce (Commerce), as a part of its comprehensive duties involving community development and economic development, administers federal funds in the form of grants to eligible communities related to economic development. Under current rules, the maximum amount of funds that may be awarded to a community is $1 million per calendar year and the maximum amount that a business may borrow from a local government under the economic development program is also $1 million during any 5-year period. The timing and dollar limitations specified in the rules are barriers to providing a comprehensive and rapid response to changing economic conditions in a community. Also, by rule, the availability of funds for planning purposes is limited to 2% of available federal funds. Under the proposed rule, available funds for planning activities are increased from 2% to 10 %.
Given the uncertainty inherent in today's marketplace, Commerce would like to maximize the use of federal community development block grant funds to positively impact local economies. Under the rules, as currently structured, Commerce?s ability to effectively respond to actual or potential plant closings or relocations in a specific geographical region is limited. The proposed rule will allow Commerce to respond in a more comprehensive manner to rapidly changing economic conditions.
Statutory authority
Statute Interpreted: s.
560.04, Stats.
Staff time required
