(2) In reviewing a rule or guideline under this section, the agency shall consider all of the following:
(a) The continued need for the rule or guideline.
(b) The nature of the complaints and comments received from the public regarding the rule or guideline.
(c) The complexity of the rule or guideline.
(d) The extent to which the rule or guideline overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with federal regulations, other state rules, or local ordinances.
(e) The length of time since the rule or guideline has been evaluated.
(f) The degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the subject area affected by the rule or guideline since the rule or guideline was promulgated or established.
(3) The agency shall annually, on the first day of the 12th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], for the 5-year period, submit a report to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) describing the agency's review of its rules and guidelines and any actions taken regarding those rules or guidelines during the previous year. The agency shall send a copy of that report to the small business regulatory review board.
AB267, s. 14
Section
14. 227.40 (2) (f) of the statutes is created to read:
227.40 (2) (f) Proceedings under s. 227.114 (6m) or 227.14 (2t).
AB267, s. 15
Section
15. 227.485 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
227.485 (2) (c) "Small business" means a business entity, including its affiliates, which is independently owned and operated, and which employs 25 or fewer
than 25 full-time employees or which has gross annual sales of less than $2,500,000 $5,000,000.
AB267, s. 15t
Section 15t. 814.245 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
814.245 (2) (b) "Small business" means a business entity, including its affiliates, which is independently owned and operated, and which employs 25 or fewer
than 25 full-time employees or which has gross annual sales of less than $2,500,000 $5,000,000.
AB267, s. 16
Section
16. 814.245 (5) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
814.245 (5) (a) 2. Attorney or agent fees may not be awarded in excess of $75 $150 per hour unless the court determines that an increase in the cost of living or a special factor, such as the limited availability of qualified attorneys or agents, justifies a higher fee.
AB267, s. 17
Section
17. 895.59 of the statutes is created to read:
895.59 Liability exemption; disclosure of rule violations. (1) In this section:
(a) "Agency" has the meaning given in s. 227.01 (1).
(b) "Small business" has the meaning given in s. 227.114 (1), but does not include an entity, as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (b) or 50.065 (1) (c).
(2) A small business that voluntarily discloses information to the appropriate agency about an actual or potential violation of an administrative rule shall be immune from the imposition of a civil or criminal penalty that could be imposed for the violation if all of the following apply.
(a) The voluntary disclosure is made within 45 days after the small business knew that an actual or potential violation occurred.
(b) The small business making the disclosure initiates an appropriate and good faith effort to achieve compliance with the administrative rule, pursues compliance with due diligence and promptly corrects the noncompliance after discovery of the violation.
(c) The small business cooperates with any reasonable request by the agency in any investigation that results from the disclosure.
(3) A penalty may be imposed for the violation of an administrative rule notwithstanding sub. (2) if any of the following applies:
(a) The violation resulted in serious harm or endangerment to public health, safety, or welfare.
(b) The violation resulted in a substantial economic benefit that gave the violator a clear advantage over its business competitors.
(c) The small business that committed the violation has a pattern of continuous or repeated violations of administrative rules.
(1) Notwithstanding the length of terms specified for the representatives of small businesses of the small business regulatory review board under section 15.155 (5) of the statutes, as created by this act, 3 of the initial representatives of small businesses shall be appointed for terms expiring on May 1, 2005, and the other 3 initial representatives of small businesses shall be appointed for terms expiring on May 1, 2006.
(1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.
