Rule-Making Notices (Hearing Notices)

Michigan: Michigan does not have comparable statutory requirement for chiropractors to obtain informed consent from their patients.

Minnesota: Minnesota does not have comparable statutory requirement for chiropractors to obtain informed consent from their patients.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies

No factual data or analytical methodologies were used in drafting the proposed rule due to the proposed rule being prompted by the passage of 2013 Wisconsin Act 345.

Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis

These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department's Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at [e-mail], or by calling [phone].

Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis

The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis are below.

Agency Contact Person

Shawn Leatherwood, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 151, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708; telephone [phone]; email at [e-mail].

Text of Rule

SECTION 1. Chapter Chir 13 is created to read:

CHAPTER CHIR 13

INFORMED CONSENT

Chir 13.01 Authority and purpose. (1) Authority. The rules in this chapter are adopted pursuant to the authority delegated by ss. 15.08 (5) (b), 227.11 (2) (a), and 446.08, Stats.

(2) Purpose. The purpose of the rules is to define the obligation of a chiropractor to communicate alternate modes of treatment to a patient.

Chir 13.02 Informed Consent. Any chiropractor who treats a patient shall inform the patient about the availability of reasonable alternate modes of treatment and about the benefits and risks of these treatments. The reasonable chiropractor standard is the standard for informing a patient. The reasonable chiropractor standard requires disclosure only of information that a reasonable chiropractor would know and disclose under the circumstances.

Chir 13.03 Exceptions to communication of alternate modes of treatment. (1) The chiropractor's duty to inform patients of alternate modes of treatment does not require disclosure of any of the following:

(a) Detailed technical information that in all probability a patient would not understand.

(b) Risks apparent or known to the patient.

(c) Extremely remote possibilities that might falsely or detrimentally alarm the patient.

(d) Information in emergencies where failure to provide treatment would be more harmful to the patient than treatment.

(e) Information in cases where the patient is incapable of consenting.

(f) Information about alternate modes of treatment for any condition the chiropractor has not included in their diagnosis at the time the chiropractor informs the patient.

Chir 13.04 Recordkeeping. A chiropractor's patient record shall include documentation that he or she has communicated alternate modes of treatment to their patient and has obtained informed consent from their patient in keeping with Chir 11.02 (5).

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. The rules adopted in this order shall take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register, pursuant to s. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats.

STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION DOA-2049 (R03/2012)	Division of Executive Budget and Finance 101 East Wilson Street, 10th Floor P.O. Box 7864 Madison, WI 53707-7864 FAX: [phone]
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Fiscal Estimate & Economic Impact Analysis

1. Type of Estimate and Analysis
X Original   ⍽ Updated   ⍽ Corrected
2. Administrative Rule Chapter, Title and Number
Chir 11
3. Subject
Duty to inform patients of treatment options
4. Fund Sources Affected			5. Chapter 20, Stats. Appropriations Affected
⍽ GPR   ⍽ FED   X PRO   ⍽ PRS   ⍽ SEG   ⍽ SEG-S			20.165(1)(g)
6. Fiscal Effect of Implementing the Rule
X No Fiscal Effect ⍽ Indeterminate	⍽ Increase Existing Revenues ⍽ Decrease Existing Revenues		⍽ Increase Costs ⍽ Could Absorb Within Agency's Budget ⍽ Decrease Cost
7. The Rule Will Impact the Following (Check All That Apply)
⍽ State's Economy ⍽ Local Government Units		⍽ Specific Businesses/Sectors ⍽ Public Utility Rate Payers ⍽ Small Businesses (if checked, complete Attachment A)
8. Would Implementation and Compliance Costs Be Greater Than $20 million? ⍽ Yes   X No
9. Policy Problem Addressed by the Rule
This proposed rule is a result of recent legislation. 2013 Wisconsin Act 345 instituted a new standard regarding how chiropractors are to obtain informed consent from their patients. Before Act 345, chiropractors were held to the reasonable person standard which required chiropractors to inform their patients of information necessary for a reasonable person to make an intelligent decision with regard to treatment. As a result of Act 345, chiropractors must obtain informed consent from their patients by advising them of reasonable alternate medical modes of treatment and the benefits and risks of those treatments in a manner consistent with the reasonable chiropractor standard. The reasonable chiropractor standard requires disclosure only of information that a reasonable chiropractor would know and disclose under the circumstances. The proposed rule will incorporate this new standard into the current chiropractic rules.
10. Summary of the businesses, business sectors, associations representing business, local governmental units, and individuals that may be affected by the proposed rule that were contacted for comments.
The proposed rule was posted on the Department and Professional Services website for 14 days in order to solicit comments from businesses, associations representing of Safety businesses, local governmental units and individuals that may be affected by the rule. No comments were received
11. Identify the local governmental units that participated in the development of this EIA.
No local governmental units participated in the development of this EIA.
12. Summary of Rule's Economic and Fiscal Impact on Specific Businesses, Business Sectors, Public Utility Rate Payers, Local Governmental Units and the State's Economy as a Whole (Include Implementation and Compliance Costs Expected to be Incurred)
This proposed rule will not have a significant impact on specific businesses, business sectors, public utility rate payers, local governmental units or the state's economy as a whole.
13. Benefits of Implementing the Rule and Alternative(s) to Implementing the Rule
Chiropractors will advise their patients in a manner that is consistent with current law. There is no alternative to implementing the proposed rule due to the changes being necessitated by passage of legislation.
14. Long Range Implications of Implementing the Rule
Chiropractors consistently advising patients of reasonable alternate medical modes of treatment options will result in chiropractors upholding their duty to inform patients in accordance with s. 446.08, Stats.
15. Compare With Approaches Being Used by Federal Government
None.
16. Compare With Approaches Being Used by Neighboring States (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota)
Illinois: Illinois does not have comparable statutory requirement for chiropractors to obtain informed consent from their patients. Iowa: Iowa does not have comparable statutory requirement for chiropractors to obtain informed consent from their patients Michigan: Michigan does not have comparable statutory requirement for chiropractors to obtain informed consent from their patients Minnesota: Minnesota does not have comparable statutory requirement for chiropractors to obtain informed consent from their patients
17. Contact Name				18. Contact Phone Number
Shawn Leatherwood				608-261-4438

This document can be made available in alternate formats to individuals with disabilities upon request.

Notice of Hearing

Transportation

rulemaking_notices EmR1426 EmR1426

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to ss. 227.17 and 227.24 (4), Stats., the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation (“WisDOT") will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, on an emergency rule that will amend Wis. Admin. Code Chapter Trans 327, relating to motor carrier safety.

Hearing Information

Date:   Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Time:   2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location:   Wisconsin Department of Transportation
  4802 Sheboygan Ave., Room 144B
  Madison, Wisconsin 53707

If you have special needs or circumstances regarding communication or accessibility at a hearing, please call Jennifer Peters, Administrative Rulemaking Coordinator, at [phone] prior to the hearing date. Accommodations such as ASL interpreters, English translators, or materials in audio format will be made available on request to the fullest extent possible.

Appearances at the Hearing, Submission of Written Comments, and Deadline for Submission

Interested persons are invited to appear at the hearing and will be afforded the opportunity to make an oral presentation of their positions. Persons making oral presentations are requested to submit their written comments. WisDOT will accept written comments until January 16, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. Written comments may be sent to: Alison Lebwohl, Bureau of Driver Services Section, Division of Motor Vehicles, WisDOT, 4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Room 809, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, or sent by email to: [e-mail].

Copies of the Rule

You may receive a paper copy of the rules or fiscal estimate by contacting Jennifer Peters, Administrative Rulemaking Coordinator at WisDOT Office of General Counsel, 4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Room 115B, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, or [e-mail]. A copy of the rule is available at http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov. This site allows you to view documents associated with this emergency rule promulgation.

Analysis Prepared by the Department of Transportation

Statutes interpreted

Sections 343.06 (3), 343.065 (3), 343.14 (2) (i) 1., 343.23 (2) (a), 343.265 (1r), and 343.27, Stats.

Statutory authority

Section 343.065 (3), Stats.

Explanation of agency authority

Current law requires the Department of Transportation to administer the driver license law for commercial motor vehicles contained in ch. 343, Wis. Stats. The state has declared its purpose and intent to implement and enforce the federal driver license laws so as to ensure receipt by this state of any federal highway aids. Federal law requires states to conform to federal regulations affecting commercial motor vehicles and their drivers, or face withholding of federal highway funds. See 49 CFR 384.401. The amounts to be withheld from a state that fails to conform to federal regulations affecting commercial motor vehicles or their drivers are 5% of federal highway aid for the first year of substantial nonconformity, and 10% per year of nonconformity thereafter. Current Wisconsin law also requires department rules affecting driver licenses not to conflict with, and be at least as stringent as, standards set by the federal commercial motor vehicle safety act, 49 USC 31301 to 31317 and the regulations adopted under that act.

On December 1, 2008, the federal motor carrier and safety administration (“FMCSA") issued its final rule concerning “Medical Certification Requirements as Part of the CDL [Commercial Driver License]" at 73 Federal Register 73096. Among other changes, the federal regulation requires commercial motor vehicle drivers to declare whether they intend to engage in driving operations that require the driver to maintain proof of medical examination showing the driver meets fitness qualifications, and requires the state driver licensing agency to “downgrade" the CDL of any driver that fails to timely make such certification or to maintain such proof on file. In response, Wisconsin enacted conforming statutory requirements as part of 2011 Wisconsin Act 32 (the 2011-13 biennial budget act), and required the Department of Transportation to: promulgate rules to define “downgrade" in accordance with federal law and regulations or guidance from the applicable federal agency; establish the process for downgrading a CDL, and whether or not a new CDL document will be issued after a CDL is downgraded; and to establish the process for reinstating a downgraded CDL after the department receives a valid medical certification or other appropriate certification of physical qualifications from the licensee. See s. 343.065 (3), Stats.

This rulemaking implements s. 343.065 (3), Stats. The objective of this rule is to: implement federal requirements for commercial drivers to declare their intended driving type; obtain from drivers federally required medical examiner's certificates to the department; electronically enter the driver's self-certification of driving type and the status of their federal medical examiner's certification online for access by the driver, employers and other state; and for the department to timely make those certificates available for inspection by other states in which the driver may drive.

Related statute or rule

See the “Statutes interpreted": section; chs. Trans 112 and 327, Wis. Adm. Code.

Plain language analysis

This proposed rule-making would bring Wisconsin into conformity with federal regulations requiring that commercial drivers certify where they drive in commerce (“Tier of Operation"), and require drivers engaged in non-excepted interstate commerce to keep a valid federal medical certificate on file with the licensing state. The federal medical examiner's certificate (“FedMed Card") is proof of a qualified medical examination that determined the driver meets federal medical qualifications for operating a commercial motor vehicle. This rule does not change the requirements for when commercial drivers must hold a valid FedMed Card. Specifically, under this rule-making:

•   All commercial drivers must certify their Tier of Operation to the Department. This may be: 1) interstate non-excepted (Tier 1); 2) interstate excepted (Tier 2); 3) intrastate non-excepted (Tier 3); or 4) intrastate excepted (Tier 4). Drivers can make the certification by mail, fax, online or by email, using a computer or a Smartphone, or at a DMV service center.

•   All commercial drivers certifying their tier of operations as Tier 1 must file a FedMed Card with the department, and keep it up-to-date. Drivers can file FedMed Cards by mail, fax, online or by email, using a computer or a Smartphone, or at a DMV service center.

•   The department will update that commercial driver's record shown on the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) within 10 days, showing the self-certified tier of operation and whether the driver has filed any required FedMed Card or medical variance.

•   The department will “downgrade" the CDL of any commercial driver who: 1) Does not certify his or her tier of operation by January 30, 2014; 2) Self-certifies himself or herself as a Tier 1 driver and does not provide a valid FedMed Card; or 3) Is a Tier 1 driver whose FedMed Card expires, or is removed or rescinded by FMCSA. Federal regulations require downgrading for these reasons. The department will “downgrade" the CDL by removing the CDL privilege from the holder's driver's license, and the driver cannot drive commercial motor vehicles again until he or she certifies a tier of driving other than Tier 1, or submits a valid FedMed Card or medical variance. The driver may reinstate the CDL privilege without additional testing by correcting the cause for the downgrade.

•   The department will notify commercial drivers by mail or another method, and notify enrolled employers through Employer Notify, no more than 55 days before a FedMed Card filed with the department expires, upon expiration of that FedMed Card, and immediately upon downgrade.

•   Drivers will be able to use the online application – and employers who have signed up to use Employer Notify will be able to use Employer Notify – to verify: downgrade or reinstatement of commercial privileges; tier of operation; and, for Tier 1 drivers, the expiration date of FedMed Cards.

•   Fraudulent FedMed Cards – whether presented online, in a DMV field station, or at a safety and weight enforcement facility operated by the Division of State Patrol scale – will be considered a false application and treated accordingly.

•   If future federal rule-making provides FedMed information directly to states, then commercial drivers are required to certify only their tier of operation, but not necessarily provide a copy of a current FedMed Card to the department.

Summary of, and preliminary comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation

This rule-making implements the final federal regulations concerning, “Medical Certification Requirements as part of the CDL" at 73 FR 73096 (Dec. 1, 2008). The rulemaking is intended to ensure Wisconsin's conformity with federal regulations in 49 CFR Part 383 and 391, requiring drivers of commercial motor vehicles to certify their type of driving to the department and submit a copy of their federal medical certificate to the department. All states are required to comply with these regulations.

Comparison with rules in the following states

The four states bordering Wisconsin all have requirements in place similar to those proposed herein. Specifically, all four states: require all CDL holders to certify their commercial driving as 1 of 4 types specified in federal law; require those drivers certifying their driving as “non-excepted interstate" to provide and maintain on file with the state driver licensing authority a valid federal medical certification or medical variance; “downgrade" a CDL by removing all commercial driving privileges, for all commercial drivers that do not complete the self-certification or do not provide the federal medical certificate, by January 30, 2014; and reinstate the downgraded driver that self-certifies a driving type other than non-excepted interstate, or provides a federal medical certification or medical variance. Iowa alone allows a grace period of 60 days after federally required deadlines before downgrading a CDL for noncompliance.

Illinois. Illinois administrative code requires all CDL holders on or after January 30, 2012 to self-certify one of four types of driving before January 30, 2014. Failure to self-certify will result in cancellation of the CDL privileges, per. Drivers who certify their driving as non-excepted interstate driving must submit and maintain on file a medical examiner's certificate and, if appropriate, a medical variance issued by the federal motor carrier safety administration (FMCSA). The removal of privileges remains in effect until the driver provides valid federal medical certification or medical variance, or certifies that the driver is not engaged in non-excepted interstate driving. These provisions of Illinois law are found at 92 Ill. Admin. Code 1030.22.

Iowa. Iowa requires all CDL holders to self-certify the type of commercial diving as one of four types, not later than January 30, 2014. Drivers who certify their operations as non-excepted interstate must provide the department of transportation a valid federal medical examiner's certificate. Iowa law prevents the licensing of any applicant for initial or renewal of a CDL who does not self-certify their driving or does not provide a federal medical certificate. Iowa law requires the downgrade of any driver certified as non-excepted. Iowa deems a CDL expired upon the expiration of a federal medical certificate, and 60 days thereafter will entirely remove the commercial driving privileges if the driver does not provide an updated federal medical certificate or self-certifies a type of driving other than non-excepted interstate. Similarly, Iowa does not remove the driving privileges from a driver who fails to make that self-certification until 60 days after that deadline. Drivers that are downgraded may reinstate a CDL by providing a valid federal medical certification or medical variance, or by self-certifying as driving something other than non-excepted interstate. These provisions of Iowa law are found at Iowa Admin. Code 761-607.50(321), and Iowa Statute at 321.182 and Iowa Code Supplement at 321.188 and 321.207.

Michigan. Michigan requires all CDL holders to declare one of four types of driving, and requires driver's who certify their driving as “non-excepted interstate" to provide a valid federal medical examiner's certificate". Michigan will remove all commercial driving privileges from the driver license if a driver fails to certify the type of driving or fails to provide and maintain a valid medical examiner's certificate or maintain. Although the Department was unable to find Michigan statutes or administrative code provisions related to this, the Michigan Secretary of State's website includes FAQs that describe the process summarized above, at: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-48296---F,00.html#5.1 under the heading “ Commercial Drivers — Self and Medical Certification". According to the Michigan Secretary of State website, “You will lose your privilege to operate a CMV if you fail to provide a self-certification to the Secretary of State's Office before your CDL expires or by January 30, 2014, whichever date comes first." and “If you self-certify as a non-excepted interstate driver, you must present a completed and signed Medical Examiner's Certificate, which is also known as a DOT Medical Card, to the Secretary of State to continue your CDL application."

Minnesota. Minnesota statutes require CDL applicants to self-certify one of four types of driving and, if required by federal law (i.e. certifies as a non-exempt interstate driver) to provide and maintain with the driver licensing authority a valid federal medical examiner's certificate. Minnesota downgrades the commercial driving privileges of any driver who has certified himself or herself as being required by federal law to provide a federal medical examiner's certificate, unless within 30 days following written notice to the driver that the medical examiner's certificate is expired, the driver self-certifies as not engaged in non-exempt interstate driving, or provides the required a federal medical examiner's certificate or medical waiver. Minnesota accomplishes the downgrade by removing the commercial driving privileges from the person's driver license. These provisions are found at Minnesota Statutes Annot. 171.162. Minnesota administrative rules allow a downgraded CDL driver to reinstate commercial driving privileges within one year or less by submitting a valid federal medical certificate or by self-certifying as driving in something other than non-excepted interstate driving. However, if the commercial driving privileges are downgraded for more than one year the CDL driver must apply as a new CDL applicant and retake the knowledge and driving skills tests. These provisions are found at Minnesota Admin. Code 7421.0800.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies used and how the related findings support the regulatory approach chosen

Wisconsin considered several options for implementing this federal rule: require all commercial drivers, regardless of their tier of operation, to keep a current FedMed Card on record with the department; require that certification or provision of FedMed Cards could only be done in DMV service centers, or only online; require downgraded drivers to appear at service centers to reinstate or repeat some or all of the CDL licensing process. The current approach was selected because it is the most flexible and driver-friendly, yet still meets the letter and spirit of the federal requirements.

Analysis and supporting documentation used to determine effect on small businesses

This rule-making will have a minor fiscal impact on independent truckers and small trucking companies. The new burdens placed on drivers include having to declare a type of operation to the department and, for drivers that declare themselves to be engaged in non-excepted interstate travel, to file and maintain a FedMed Card with the department. FMCSA estimates that 74% of all CDL holders are engaged in non-excepted interstate commerce. Neither the federal regulations nor this rulemaking change the requirements that drivers engaged in non-excepted interstate commerce maintain a FedMed Card on their person when driving a CMV in interstate commerce, so the burden of this rule is largely a reporting burden. However, this rule will simplify the process of drivers providing proof of a FedMed Card, as the federal regulations will make this information available to all employers, drivers and states through a national database, CDLIS. The department has minimized the driver's compliance costs in a variety of ways.

Effect on Small Business

The department has attempted to identify flexible and business-friendly methods of implementing and enforcing this rule, and has included them in this rule. The department expects the long-term effect on small business to be relatively minor. The requirements of self-certifying a CDL driver's tier of operation, and of Tier 1 drivers maintaining valid FedMed Cards with the department, will be jointly enforced by the Division of State Patrol (through implementation of the federal motor carriers safety regulations) and by DMV. Commercial drivers and trucking companies will need to ensure that they and their drivers have certified their tier of operation, and that Tier 1 drivers have a current FedMed Card on file with the department. FedMed requirements remain unchanged. There is no fee: to certify a tier of operation; to change a certification at any time to another tier of operation; to provide a FedMed Card; to verify one's own tier of operation or the expiration of a FedMed Card, or; to reinstate a CDL after being downgraded. Employers and drivers can check a driver's status online or through employer notification, for no charge. Both drivers and employers are notified 60 days before expiration of a FedMed Card, upon expiration and, if the driver does not provide a new, valid FedMed card or declare a tier of driving other than “non-excepted interstate", upon downgrade. The department has been providing outreach to individual drivers and to trucking companies to inform them of these new requirements, and will continue to do so.

Fiscal Effect

This rule imposes costs in three ways. First, applicants for a CDL are now required to self-certify the type of driving in which they intend to engage. The department estimates that this part of the application process can be completed in less than 1 minute.

Next, the rule requires current CDL holders to self-certify the type of driving in which they intend to engage. Because certification by existing drivers will not be done in conjunctions with a CDL application, the department estimates this will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

Last, drivers who certify that they engage in non-excepted interstate commerce will be required to file proof of their FedMed Card with the Department, and to refile proof at least once every 2 years when the FedMed card expires. The department believes this can be done in conjunction with the self-certification process, or separately, in no more than 5 minutes per driver.

In December 2012, there were 299,221 CDLs issued by this state, of which 235,808 were valid and 63,413 were withdrawn or expired. Assuming for purposes of estimating the greatest impact that each of 299,221 CDL holders will comply, and that each driver spends 5 minutes complying with the self-certification requirements of this rule, the aggregate compliance time will be 24,935 hours. CDLs are valid for 8 years, so assuming an even rate of CDL issuance and renewals, the aggregate compliance time may be 3,116 hours per year statewide. FMCSA estimates that 74% of CDL holders engage in non-excepted interstate commerce [See, 71 FR 66743 (Nov 16, 2006)]. If that is correct, as many as 221,423 drivers will also be required to file FedMed Cards with the department. If compliance takes 5 minutes to file a FedMed Card, the aggregate time spent on initial compliance may be 18,451 hours. The FedMed Card is generally valid for 2 years, but drivers with specific medical conditions may require more frequent medical fitness certification (for example, a FedMed Card for a driver with the following diagnoses is valid for one year: high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and vision exemption or waiver programs). Assuming that each FedMed Card is valid for 2 years, the aggregate annual time spent on compliance may be 9,226 hours. Taken together, the aggregate time spent to self-certify (3,116 hours) and file FedMed Cards (9,226 hours) could be 12,342 hours annually.

This rule requires the department to enter the self-certification on the CDLIS driving record of each driver. If each record entry can be completed in 2 minutes, the aggregate time to enter may be 1,246 hours, or 0.6 FTE. This figure assumes only one entry per driver every 8 years, which will increase if drivers change their self-certified type of driving during the 8-year CDL duration.

The rule also requires the department to enter a record on CDLIS for each FedMed Card it receives. If each record entry can be completed in 2 minutes, the aggregate time to complete those entries is 7,977 hours every two years, or 3,989 hours per year, or 1.9 FTE.

In all, it appears the department will require 2.5 FTE annually to complete the work required by this rule.

The department will incur ongoing costs to provide written notices to drivers that: 1) a FedMed card will expire within 60 days; 2) that a FedMed Card has expired; and 3) that a CDL is downgraded. It is unknown how many of the estimated 239,336 non-excepted interstate drivers will require such notices from the department, but these notices could be required for each driver every 2 years to coincide with the valid period of a FedMed Card. If 10% of all estimated 221,423 drivers required to file FedMed Cards require all 3 notices every 2 years the department will mail 33,213 notices per year as result of this rule. If half of those drivers have employers on file, mailing those notices to employers will require an additional 16,606 mailed notices.

Anticipated Costs Incurred by Private Sector

See the discussion above for the anticipated time required to comply with this rule. The department has identified flexible and business-friendly methods of implementing and enforcing this rule. As with small businesses, the department expects compliance with this rule to take no more than 10 minutes per driver, at no charge by the department, so overall costs incurred by the private sector are believed to be minimal per driver, and are the consequence of federal regulations. All commercial drivers and trucking companies will need to ensure that they and their drivers have certified their tier of operation and that Tier 1 drivers have a current FedMed Card on file with the department. FedMed Card requirements remain unchanged. There is no charge by the department to a driver to certify a tier of operation, to change one's tier of operation at any time, to provide a FedMed Card, to verify a tier of operation or the expiration of a FedMed Card, or to reinstate a CDL after being downgraded. Drivers and employers can verify a driver's status online or through employer notification, free of charge. Both drivers and employers are notified 60 days before expiration, upon expiration and upon downgrade. The department is also providing outreach to individual drivers and to trucking companies.

Agency Contact Person

Alison Lebwohl

Bureau of Driver Services Section, Division of Motor Vehicles

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Room 809