SB44: Bill Text

SB44, s. 2048 Section 2048. 134.80 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,831,2 134.80 Home heating fuel dealers. Any dealer selling fuel of any kind for the purpose of heating a private residence shall notify each private residential customer whose account is subject to disconnection of the existence of the fuel assistance programs provided by the department of administration under s. 16.385 16.27.

SB44, s. 2049 Section 2049. 136.03 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,831,5 136.03 (title) Duties of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection justice.

SB44, s. 2050 Section 2050. 136.03 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,831,11 136.03 (1) (intro.) The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection justice shall investigate violations of this chapter and of rules and orders issued under s. 136.04. The department of justice may subpoena persons and records to facilitate its investigations, and may enforce compliance with such subpoenas as provided in s. 885.12. The department of justice may in on behalf of the state:

SB44, s. 2051 Section 2051. 136.04 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,831,16 136.04 Powers of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection justice. (1) The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection justice may adopt such rules as may be required to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

SB44,831,20 (2) The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection justice after public hearing may issue general or special orders to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to determine and prohibit unfair trade practices in business or unfair methods of competition in business pursuant to s. 100.20 (2) to (4).

SB44, s. 2052 Section 2052. 138.052 (5) (am) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,832,4 138.052 (5) (am) 2. a. On January 1, 1994, and annually thereafter Annually, the division of banking for banks, the division of savings institutions for savings and loan associations, and savings banks, and the office of credit unions for credit unions, shall determine the interest rate that is the average of the interest rates paid, rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of a percent, on regular passbook deposit accounts by institutions under the division's or office's jurisdiction at the close of the last quarterly reporting period that ended at least 30 days before the determination is made.

SB44, s. 2053 Section 2053. 138.052 (5) (am) 2. b. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,832,12 138.052 (5) (am) 2. b. The office of credit unions and the division of banking shall report the rate calculated to the division of savings institutions within Within 5 days after the date on which the determination is made. The, the division of savings institutions banking shall calculate the average, rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of a percent, of the 3 rates determined by the division of banking and the office of credit unions and report that interest rate to the revisor of statutes within 5 days after the date on which the determination is made.

SB44, s. 2054 Section 2054. 138.055 (4) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

SB44, s. 2055 Section 2055. 138.056 (1) (a) 4. a. of the statutes is repealed.

SB44, s. 2056 Section 2056. 139.10 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,832,16 139.10 (title) Refunds by state treasurer secretary of administration.

SB44, s. 2057 Section 2057. 139.10 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,832,23 139.10 (1) On the certificate of the secretary, the state treasurer secretary of administration shall refund to any purchaser or any banking institution in Wisconsin the tax paid on intoxicating liquor or on whole cases or full kegs of fermented malt beverages which are spoiled or unfit to drink and the tax paid on fermented malt beverages sold to the U.S. armed forces or the secretary may make allowance of the amount of the tax.

SB44, s. 2058 Section 2058. 139.39 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,833,9 139.39 (4) No suit shall be maintained in any court to restrain or delay the collection or payment of the tax levied in s. 139.31. The aggrieved taxpayer shall pay the tax when due and, if paid under protest, may at any time within 90 days from the date of payment, sue the state to recover the tax paid. If it is finally determined that any part of the tax was wrongfully collected, the department secretary of administration shall issue a warrant on the state treasurer for pay the amount wrongfully collected, and the treasurer shall pay the same out of the general fund. A separate suit need not be filed for each separate payment made by any taxpayer, but a recovery may be had in one suit for as many payments as may have been made.

SB44, s. 2059 Section 2059. 146.185 (1) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,833,11 146.185 (1) (i) "State agency" has the meaning given in s. 16.70 (1) (1e).

SB44, s. 2060 Section 2060. 146.59 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,833,16 146.59 (3) (b) Any authorization under par. (a) shall comply with all applicable provisions of subch. V of ch. 111 and ch. 230, any delegation of authority by the department of employment relations administration to the board, and any collective bargaining agreement with respect to employees of the board.

SB44, s. 2061 Section 2061. 146.65 (1) (a) and (b) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB44,833,22 146.65 (1) (a) In state fiscal year 2001-02, not more than $618,000 and in fiscal year 2002-03 each fiscal year, not more than $232,000, to the rural health dental clinic located in Ladysmith that provides dental services to persons who are developmentally disabled or elderly or who have low income, in the counties of Rusk, Price, Taylor, Sawyer, and Chippewa.

SB44,834,2 (b) In fiscal year 2001-02, not more than $294,500 and in state fiscal year 2002-03 each fiscal year, not more than $355,600, to the rural health dental clinic located in Menomonie that provides dental services to persons who are developmentally disabled or elderly or who have low income, in the counties of Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix.

SB44, s. 2062 Section 2062. 146.93 of the statutes is repealed.

SB44, s. 2063 Section 2063. 146.946 of the statutes is created to read:

SB44,834,6 146.946 Pharmacy benefits purchasing pool for governmental units. (1) In this section:

SB44,834,7 (a) "Brand name" has the meaning given in s. 450.12 (1) (a).

SB44,834,8 (b) "Generic name" has the meaning given in s. 450.12 (1) (b).

SB44,834,15 (c) "Governmental unit" means the state, including any body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law; an instrumentality of the state or any corporation or other body created by the state; a political subdivision of the state; a special purpose district in this state; an instrumentality, corporation, or other body of a political subdivision or special purpose district; and any combination or subunit of any of the foregoing or of an instrumentality of the state and any of the foregoing.

SB44,834,16 (d) "Prescription drug" has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (20).

SB44,835,3 (2) Beginning on January 1, 2005, each governmental unit that offers or is required to provide health insurance coverage to any of its employees shall, together with every other such governmental unit, develop a common purchasing pool for pharmacy benefits that uses a preferred list of covered prescription drugs. The governmental units shall seek to develop the preferred list of covered prescription drugs under an evidence-based analysis that first identifies the relative effectiveness of prescription drugs within therapeutic classes for particular diseases and conditions and next identifies the least costly prescription drugs, including prescription drugs with generic names that are alternatives to prescription drugs with brand names, among those found to be equally effective. After the purchasing pool is developed, the pool shall be available to an employer to whom all of the following apply:

SB44,835,4 (a) The employer is not a governmental unit.

SB44,835,6 (b) The employer provides health insurance coverage to any of the employer's employees.

SB44,835,7 (c) The governor requests the employer's participation in the pool.

SB44, s. 2064 Section 2064. 146.997 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,835,14 146.997 (4) (a) Subject to par. (b), any Any employee of a health care facility or health care provider who is subjected to disciplinary action, or who is threatened with disciplinary action, in violation of sub. (3) may file a complaint with the department under s. 106.54 (6). If the department finds that a violation of sub. (3) has been committed, the department may take such action under s. 111.39 as will effectuate the purpose of this section.

SB44, s. 2065 Section 2065. 146.997 (4) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

SB44, s. 2066 Section 2066. 146.997 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,835,18 146.997 (4) (c) Section 111.322 (2m) applies to a disciplinary action arising in connection with any proceeding under par. (a) or (b).

SB44, s. 2067 Section 2067. 149.10 (8b) of the statutes is repealed.

SB44, s. 2068 Section 2068. 149.14 (5) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,836,5 149.14 (5) (e) Subject to sub. (8) (b), the department may, by rule under s. 149.17 (4), establish for prescription drug coverage under sub. (3) (d) copayment amounts, coinsurance rates, and copayment and coinsurance out-of-pocket limits over which the plan will pay 100% of covered costs under sub. (3) (d). The department may provide subsidies for prescription drug copayment amounts paid by eligible persons under s. 149.165 (2) (a) 1. to 5. Any copayment amount, coinsurance rate, or out-of-pocket limit established under this paragraph is subject to the approval of the board. Copayments and coinsurance paid by an eligible person under this paragraph are separate from and do not count toward the deductible and covered costs not paid by the plan under pars. (a) to (c).

SB44, s. 2069 Section 2069. 149.143 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

SB44, s. 2070 Section 2070. 149.143 (1) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is repealed.

SB44, s. 2071 Section 2071. 149.143 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is renumbered 149.143 (1) (am) and amended to read:

SB44,836,11 149.143 (1) (am) A total of 60% 58% from the following sources, calculated as follows:

SB44,836,20 1. First, from premiums from eligible persons with coverage under s. 149.14 (2) (a) set at a rate that is 140% to 150% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as are provided under the plan and from eligible persons with coverage under s. 149.14 (2) (b) set in accordance with s. 149.14 (5m), including amounts received for premium and, deductible , and prescription drug copayment subsidies under s. 149.144 and under the transfer to the fund from the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (4) (ah), and from premiums collected from eligible persons with coverage under s. 149.146 set in accordance with s. 149.146 (2) (b).

SB44,836,22 2. Second, from moneys specified under sub. (2m), to the extent that the amounts under subd. 1. a. are insufficient to pay 60% 58% of plan costs.

SB44,837,9 3. Third, by increasing premiums from eligible persons with coverage under s. 149.14 (2) (a) to more than the rate at which premiums were set under subd. 1. a. but not more than 200% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as are provided under the plan and from eligible persons with coverage under s. 149.14 (2) (b) by a comparable amount in accordance with s. 149.14 (5m), including amounts received for premium and, deductible , and prescription drug copayment subsidies under s. 149.144 and under the transfer to the fund from the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (4) (ah), and by increasing premiums from eligible persons with coverage under s. 149.146 in accordance with s. 149.146 (2) (b), to the extent that the amounts under subd. 1. a. subds. 1. and b. 2. are insufficient to pay 60% 58% of plan costs.

SB44,837,14 4. Fourth, notwithstanding subd. 2. par. (bm), by increasing insurer assessments, excluding assessments under s. 149.144, and adjusting provider payment rates, subject to s. 149.142 (1) (b) and excluding adjustments to those rates under s. 149.144, in equal proportions and to the extent that the amounts under subd. 1. a. to c. subds. 1. to 3. are insufficient to pay 60% 58% of plan costs.

SB44, s. 2072 Section 2072. 149.143 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes is renumbered 149.143 (1) (bm), and 149.143 (1) (bm) (intro.), as renumbered, is amended to read:

SB44,837,17 149.143 (1) (bm) (intro.) A total of 40% 42% as follows:

SB44, s. 2073 Section 2073. 149.143 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,837,23 149.143 (2) (a) (intro.) Prior to each plan year, the department shall estimate the operating and administrative costs of the plan and the costs of the premium reductions under s. 149.165 and, the deductible reductions under s. 149.14 (5) (a), and any prescription drug copayment reductions under s. 149.14 (5) (e) for the new plan year and do all of the following:

SB44, s. 2074 Section 2074. 149.143 (2) (a) 1. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,838,9 149.143 (2) (a) 1. a. Estimate the amount of enrollee premiums that would be received in the new plan year if the enrollee premiums were set at a level sufficient, when including amounts received for premium and, deductible, and prescription drug copayment subsidies under s. 149.144 and under the transfer to the fund from the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (4) (ah) and from premiums collected from eligible persons with coverage under s. 149.146 set in accordance with s. 149.146 (2) (b), to cover 60% 58% of the estimated plan costs for the new plan year, after deducting from the estimated plan costs the amount available for transfer to the fund from the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (4) (af) for that plan year.

SB44, s. 2075 Section 2075. 149.143 (2) (a) 1. b. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,838,12 149.143 (2) (a) 1. b. Estimate the amount of enrollee premiums that will be received under sub. (1) (b) 1. a. (am) 1.

SB44, s. 2076 Section 2076. 149.143 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,838,20 149.143 (2) (a) 2. After making the determinations under subd. 1., by rule set premium rates for the new plan year, including the rates under s. 149.146 (2) (b), in the manner specified in sub. (1) (b) 1. a. and c. (am) 1. and 3. and such that a rate for coverage under s. 149.14 (2) (a) is approved by the board and is not less than 140% nor more than 200% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as are provided under the plan.

SB44, s. 2077 Section 2077. 149.143 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,838,25 149.143 (2) (a) 3. By rule set the total insurer assessments under s. 149.13 for the new plan year by estimating and setting the assessments at the amount necessary to equal the amounts specified in sub. (1) (b) 1. d. and 2. a. (am) 4. and (bm) 1. and notify the commissioner of the amount.

SB44, s. 2078 Section 2078. 149.143 (2) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,839,5 149.143 (2) (a) 4. By the same rule as under subd. 3. adjust the provider payment rate for the new plan year, subject to s. 149.142 (1) (b), by estimating and setting the rate at the level necessary to equal the amounts specified in sub. (1) (b) 1. d. and 2. b. (am) 4. and (bm) 2. and as provided in s. 149.145.

SB44, s. 2079 Section 2079. 149.143 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,839,12 149.143 (2) (b) In setting the premium rates under par. (a) 2., the insurer assessment amount under par. (a) 3. and the provider payment rate under par. (a) 4. for the new plan year, the department shall include any increase or decrease necessary to reflect the amount, if any, by which the rates and amount set under par. (a) for the current plan year differed from the rates and amount which would have equaled the amounts specified in sub. (1) (b) (am) and (bm) in the current plan year.

SB44, s. 2080 Section 2080. 149.143 (2m) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,839,16 149.143 (2m) (a) 1. The amount of premiums received in a plan year from all eligible persons, including amounts received for premium and, deductible, and prescription drug copayment subsidies.

SB44, s. 2081 Section 2081. 149.143 (2m) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,839,21 149.143 (2m) (a) 2. The amount of premiums, including amounts received for premium and, deductible, and prescription drug copayment subsidies, necessary to cover 60% 58% of the plan costs for the plan year, after deducting the amount transferred to the fund from the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (4) (af).

SB44, s. 2082 Section 2082. 149.143 (2m) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,840,2 149.143 (2m) (b) 1. To reduce premiums in succeeding plan years as provided in sub. (1) (b) 1. b. (am) 2. For eligible persons with coverage under s. 149.14 (2) (a), premiums may not be reduced below 140% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as are provided under the plan.

SB44, s. 2083 Section 2083. 149.143 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,840,14 149.143 (3) (a) If, during a plan year, the department determines that the amounts estimated to be received as a result of the rates and amount set under sub. (2) (a) 2. to 4. and any adjustments in insurer assessments and the provider payment rate under s. 149.144 will not be sufficient to cover plan costs, the department may by rule increase the premium rates set under sub. (2) (a) 2. for the remainder of the plan year, subject to s. 149.146 (2) (b) and the maximum specified in sub. (2) (a) 2., by rule increase the assessments set under sub. (2) (a) 3. for the remainder of the plan year, subject to sub. (1) (b) 2. a. (bm) 1., and by the same rule under which assessments are increased adjust the provider payment rate set under sub. (2) (a) 4. for the remainder of the plan year, subject to sub. (1) (b) 2. b. (bm) 2. and s. 149.142 (1) (b).

SB44, s. 2084 Section 2084. 149.143 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,840,22 149.143 (3) (b) If the department increases premium rates and insurer assessments and adjusts the provider payment rate under par. (a) and determines that there will still be a deficit and that premium rates have been increased to the maximum extent allowable under par. (a), the department may further adjust, in equal proportions, assessments set under sub. (2) (a) 3. and the provider payment rate set under sub. (2) (a) 4., without regard to sub. (1) (b) 2. (bm) but subject to s. 149.142 (1) (b).

SB44, s. 2085 Section 2085. 149.144 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,841,14 149.144 Adjustments to insurer assessments and provider payment rates for premium and, deductible , and prescription drug copayment reductions. If the moneys transferred to the fund under the appropriation under s. 20.435 (4) (ah) are insufficient to reimburse the plan for premium reductions under s. 149.165 and deductible reductions under s. 149.14 (5) (a), or the department determines that the moneys transferred or to be transferred to the fund under the appropriation under s. 20.435 (4) (ah) will be insufficient to reimburse the plan for premium reductions under s. 149.165 and deductible reductions under s. 149.14 (5) (a), the The department may shall, by rule, adjust in equal proportions the amount of the assessment set under s. 149.143 (2) (a) 3. and the provider payment rate set under s. 149.143 (2) (a) 4., subject to ss. 149.142 (1) (b) and 149.143 (1) (b) 1. (am), sufficient to reimburse the plan for premium reductions under s. 149.165 and, deductible reductions under s. 149.14 (5) (a). If the department makes the adjustment under this section, the, and any prescription drug copayment reductions under s. 149.14 (5) (e). The department shall notify the commissioner so that the commissioner may levy any increase in insurer assessments.

SB44, s. 2086 Section 2086. 149.145 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,842,2 149.145 Program budget. The department, in consultation with the board, shall establish a program budget for each plan year. The program budget shall be based on the provider payment rates specified in s. 149.142 and in the most recent provider contracts that are in effect and on the funding sources specified in s. ss. 149.143 (1) and 149.144, including the methodologies specified in ss. 149.143, 149.144, and 149.146 for determining premium rates, insurer assessments, and provider payment rates. Except as otherwise provided in s. 149.143 (3) (a) and (b) and subject to s. 149.142 (1) (b), from the program budget the department shall derive the actual provider payment rate for a plan year that reflects the providers' proportional share of the plan costs, consistent with ss. 149.143 and 149.144. The department may not implement a program budget established under this section unless it is approved by the board.

SB44, s. 2087 Section 2087. 149.146 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB44,842,8 149.146 (2) (a) Except as specified by the department, the terms of coverage under s. 149.14, including deductible reductions under s. 149.14 (5) (a) and prescription drug copayment reductions under s. 149.14 (5) (e), do not apply to the coverage offered under this section. Premium reductions under s. 149.165 do not apply to the coverage offered under this section.

SB44, s. 2088 Section 2088. 149.16 (1) of the statutes is repealed.

SB44, s. 2089 Section 2089. 149.16 (1m) of the statutes is created to read: