9. Inspector Training - Consider increasing inspector training requirements to improve understanding and application of construction codes.
10. Truss support and attachments - Consider adopting updated Truss Plate Institute Standards for attachments of trusses at both load bearing and non-load bearing walls.
11. Smoke detector location - Consider upgrading smoke detector required locations to improve detection and notification and to become more consistent with adjoining states and national code trends.
12. Notching and boring - Add notching and boring standards to top/bottom plates to improve construction practices.
13. Egress windows - Clarify inconsistency in minimum width requirements by eliminating special consideration for casement type windows.
14. Interior circulation - Clarify width of doors within bathrooms to allow access to fixtures. Also clarify text relating to bedroom door width.
15. Plumbing rules affecting Uniform Dwellings. - Review, adopt and clarify in the Uniform Dwelling code, any rule implemented in the Plumbing Codes that applies to 1-2 Family Dwellings.
Policy alternatives will be discussed during the council meetings. One alternative would be to leave the code as written; however, all of the above items scheduled for review have been identified by inspectors, builders and/or the Department as needing clarification or change to facilitate the understanding and application of the rules for construction and inspection of 1-2 family dwellings. In addition to the topics listed above, there are a number of code interpretations that must be incorporated, as well as a number of corrections and miscellaneous administrative and topical changes. Additional changes may be identified and proposed as a result of public hearing input.
Statutory authority for the rule:
Applicable sections of Wisconsin Statutes:
101.60 Establishes statewide construction standards for 1-2 family dwellings.
101.63 Requires Department to establish standards for construction and inspection.
101.63 (5) Requires Department to biennially review rules adopted.
101.64 (3) Permits Department to revise rules after consultation with dwelling code council.
Estimate of the amount of time that state employes will spend to develop the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
The following is the estimated work time between 10/96 and 11/97 that staff will be involved in these code change issues:
Dwelling code council meetings -
Average of 40 hr. x 8 meetings = 320 hr.
Code topics research, language drafts -
Average of 30 hr. x 15 topics = 450 hr.
Hearings, responses, revisions, etc. -
Average of 25 hr. x 15 topics = 375 hr.
Environmental assessment = 100 hr.
Total = 1,245 hr.
Commerce
Subject:
Chs. Comm 2, 5 and 18 - Relating to inspection of elevators and mechanical lifting devices.
Description of policy issues:
Description of the objective of the rule:
The rules are being changed to allow the Department to utilize additional inspectors to reduce the current backlog of elevator inspections.
Description of existing policies relevant to the rule and of new policies proposed to be included in the rule and an analysis of policy alternatives:
a) Existing policies. The Department inspects elevators and mechanical lifting devices to ensure these units are installed and operating in accordance with the elevator safety rules. Currently, the Department has a backlog of elevator inspections. To ensure the citizens of Wisconsin are safe when using elevators and other mechanical lifting devices, the Department must increase the number of people performing these safety inspections. On May 4, 1997, the Department published an emergency rule to change the fee code and to permit people holding a national certification as an elevator inspector to obtain an elevator inspector credential without taking another examination. The emergency rule is effective on June 1, 1997.
b) New policies. The following permanent rule changes and policies are proposed:
l Chapter Comm 5, Credential Code, will be modified to permit people who are certified by a national organization as an elevator inspector to obtain an elevator inspector credential without taking another examination.
l Chapter Comm 2, Fee Code, will be modified to increase the inspection fee and decrease the fee for plan review and for certificates of operation.
l Chapter Comm 18, Elevator Code, will be modified to be consistent with ch. Comm 5.
l Additional administrative changes may be identified and proposed as a result of public hearing testimony.
c) Analysis of policy alternatives. The Department has identified three policy alternatives:
1. The Department could utilize additional inspectors to reduce the current backlog of elevator inspections. This is the proposed alternative. The Department believes inspections must be performed annually by qualified inspectors.
2. The Department could continue to inspect as many elevators as possible with the current staffing levels; however, this method would still result in a backlog of elevators not being inspected.
3. The Department could change the frequency of inspections to a longer period of time between inspections; however, this alternative would not be consistent with the industry practice and as specified in the National Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.
Statutory authority for the rule:
The statutory authority for the rules is found under ss. 101.02, 101.12 and 101.17, Stats.
Estimate of the amount of time that state employes will spend to develop the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
The Department estimates it will take approximately 120 hours to develop this rule. This time includes drafting the rule, preparing related documents, and processing the rule through public hearings to adoption of the rules. The Department will assign existing staff to develop the rule. There are no other resources necessary to develop the rule.
Corrections
Subject:
Ch. DOC 350 (Jails) - Relating to classification systems for jails and houses of correction.
Description of policy issues:
Description of the objectives of the rule:
The objective of the rule is the development of minimum standards for classification systems in jails and houses of correction, including development of written policies and procedures. Most jails and houses of corrections use classification systems. This rule will require that those systems be included in the written policy and procedure manual under s. DOC 350.17 and meet minimum standards.
The alternative to the proposed policy would be to not require the development of written policies and procedures relating to classification systems in jails and houses of correction.
Statutory authority for the rule:
SS. 301.36 and 301.37, Stats.
Estimate of the amount of time state employes will spend to develop the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
The Department estimates that it will take approximately 20 hours to develop this rule, including drafting the rule and complying with rulemaking requirements.
Higher Educational Aids Board
Subject:
Ch. HEA 9 - Relating to the administration of the academic excellence scholarship.
Description of policy issues:
Action:
Chapter HEA 9 to be repealed and recreated.
Description of objective:
Mandated by s. 39.41 (8), Stats., and required for proper administration of the program.
Description of policies:
At its inception in 1989, this program was jointly administered by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB). Currently, DPI is no longer involved with the program; HEAB is now responsible for the administration of the entire program. Section 39.41 (8), Stats., directs HEAB to promulgate standards and procedures for the selection of scholarship recipients from high schools with enrollments of less than 80. HEAB will also, at the same time, write additional rules as needed to efficiently administer the program. New policies will specify qualifications to be a scholar, dates for enrollment figures to be used in determining the number of scholarships, deadlines that must be met in the naming of scholars, some characteristics of the GPA to be used in selecting scholars, and responsibilities of the high school in selecting scholars.
Statutory authority for rule-making:
SS. 39.41 (8) and 227.11 (2), Stats.
Estimates of staff time and other resources needed to develop the rules:
Estimated hours of staff time - 150 hours.
An advisory group consisting of superintendents, principals, and high school guidance counselors will be selected (using the CESA structure in Wisconsin) to advise HEAB on drafts of ch. HEA 9.
Natural Resources
(Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1--)
Subject:
Ch. NR 20 - Relating to revising Wis. Adm. Code pertaining to fishing regulations on Delavan Lake, Walworth County - Increase the minimum length limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass from 14” to 18” and reduce the daily bag limit from 5 to 1; establish a protected slot length limit for walleye, sauger, and their hybrids until 2000, with a 28” minimum length limit, 1 daily bag limit thereafter.
Description of policy issues:
Description of policy issues to be resolved, include groups likely to be impacted or interested in the issue:
In the case of the fishing regulations for walleye, sauger and hybrids thereof, these are interim measures to improve the growth rate of the walleye population, with the ultimate goal to maintain a relatively stable, mature population that contributes to a diverse, balanced fish community, maintains water quality, and provides a trophy fishing opportunity. This proposal will impact:
▶ The Delavan Lake Committee;
▶ Local anglers;
▶ Recreational users of the lake; and
▶ Fishing-related businesses in the area.
This action represents a change from past policy.
Explain the facts that necessitate the proposed change:
The goals of the Delavan Lake project are to improve water quality and replace the dominant rough fish community with a balanced, diverse sport fishery. As such, Delavan lake was chemically rehabilitated in 1989, with subsequent stocking of gamefish. To prevent re-establishment of rough fish as the dominant fish, restrictive size and bag limits were established to protect predatory gamefish, while still providing a quality fishery. Currently, the fish community is dominated by one extremely abundant, slow-growing walleye year-class (28 adults/acre and 7 years of age) that is suppressing recruitment of walleye and other gamefish. This condition prevents attainment of one of our goals (i.e., the establishment of a balanced, diverse fishery). Under the current fishing regulations (18” minimum length limit), 99% of this walleye population is protected from harvest because they are less than 18” in length; however, as the year-class approaches the 18” size range, harvest is expected to increase dramatically, resulting in a drop in the walleye population of at least 50% in a very short time period. This anticipated instability in the community will not be conducive to maintaining water quality or establishing a balanced, diverse fishery and may result in re-establishment of rough fish.
We feel it would be prudent to manage the anticipated decline of walleye more gradually while preserving the reproductive potential of the population. To do this, we recommend a protected slot length limit to allow harvest of the smaller fish in the year-class while protecting the reproductive potential of the population. This approach provides for walleye harvest opportunities, improved walleye growth rates and thus better potential for trophy-sized walleyes, improved walleye recruitment, and maintenance of existing water quality. As walleye density declines, a length and bag limit that maintains the population, encourages natural reproduction, and provides a trophy fishing opportunity will be instituted (28” length limit, 1 daily bag).
Fish survey data also indicates overharvest of bass larger than 14', with little natural recruitment of bass. To aid in establislunent of a balanced, diverse gamefish community, improve abundance and size structure of bass, encourage predation on rough fish, provide a trophy fishing opportunity, and maintain water quality, we recommend that the minimum length limit for bass be increased from 14” to 18” and that the daily bag limit for bass be decreased from 5 to 1.
Statutory authority for rule-making:
