Under s. 227.24, Stats., state agencies may promulgate rules without complying with the usual rule-making procedures. Using this special procedure to issue emergency rules, an agency must find that either the preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare necessitates its action in bypassing normal rule-making procedures.
Emergency rules are published in the official state newspaper, which is currently the Wisconsin State Journal. Emergency rules are in effect for 150 days and can be extended up to an additional 120 days with no single extension to exceed 60 days.
Extension of the effective period of an emergency rule is granted at the discretion of the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules under s. 227.24 (2), Stats.
Notice of all emergency rules which are in effect must be printed in the Wisconsin Administrative Register. This notice will contain a brief description of the emergency rule, the agency finding of emergency, date of publication, the effective and expiration dates, any extension of the effective period of the emergency rule and information regarding public hearings on the emergency rule.
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT (2)
Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
1. Rules adopted amending ss. ATCP 81.50 (2), 81.51 (2), and 81.52 (2), relating to grade standards for colby and monterey (jack) cheese.
Finding of Emergency
The state of Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection (DATCP) finds that an emergency exists and that an emergency rule is necessary for economic reasons to protect the public welfare of the citizens of Wisconsin. The facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
(1) DATCP has adopted standards for grades of cheese manufactured and sold in Wisconsin under s. 97.177, Stats., and ch. ATCP 81, Wis. Adm. Code. Any cheese which carries a state grade mark must conform to the standards and characteristics of the labeled grade.
(2) Under current rules, colby and monterey (jack) cheese must contain numerous mechanical openings in order to be labeled or sold as Wisconsin certified premium grade AA or Wisconsin grade A (Wisconsin state brand).
(3) Changes in cheese manufacturing technology, packaging and equipment have made it extremely difficult for many processors and packagers to achieve the numerous mechanical openings or open body character required by these top two grade categories. A majority of today's wholesale buyers and packagers prefer a closed body cheese for a variety of reasons, including ease of shredding and the ability to package “exact-weight” pieces with minimal variation and waste.
(4) Currently, a closed body cheese may be labeled or sold as Wisconsin grade B or “not graded.” It cannot be labeled or sold as Wisconsin certified premium grade AA or Wisconsin grade A (Wisconsin state brand), nor can it command the premium price associated with these top two grade categories.
(5) Wisconsin is the only state with its own grade standards for colby and monterey (jack) cheese. The United States Department of Agriculture modified its grade standards for colby and monterey jack cheese in 1995 and 1996, respectively, in response to industry requests to allow an open or closed body. Buyers who cannot obtain the desired graded product in Wisconsin will likely switch to suppliers from other states. Once customers are lost they are difficult to regain.
(6) Wisconsin's dairy industry plays a major role in our state's economy. Approximately $3 billion or 90% of Wisconsin's milk production goes into the manufacture of cheese. Lost business revenues harm the dairy industry, cause increased unemployment, and have a negative impact on the state's economy.
(7) Pending the adoption of rules according to the normal administrative rulemaking procedures, it is necessary to adopt emergency rules under s. 227.24, Stats. to protect the public welfare based on an economic emergency for the state's dairy industry and the subsequent impact on the general economy and citizens of this state.
Publication Date:
August 8, 1998
Effective Date:
August 8, 1998
Expiration Date:
January 4, 1999
Hearing Date:
September 14, 1998
Extension Through:
March 4, 1999
2. Rules were adopted creating ss. ATCP 10.68 and 11.58, relating to fish farms and imports of live fish.
Finding of Emergency
(1) This emergency rule implements s. 95.60, Stats., which was created by 1997 Wis. Act 27.
(2) Under s. 95.60, Stats., a person who operates a fish farm must register annually with the Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection (DATCP). A person who imports live fish or fish eggs into Wisconsin must meet fish health requirements and obtain an import permit from DATCP. DATCP must establish registration and import permit standards by rule.
(3) On December 9, 1998, the Board of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP Board) approved final draft “permanent” rules to implement s. 95.60, Stats. Among other things, the rules establish fish farm registration standards and fish import standards. Before DATCP may adopt these final draft “permanent” rules, it must submit them for legislative committee review under s. 227.19, Stats. DATCP must then adopt and file the rules under s. 227.20, Stats., and publish them under s. 227.21, Stats. As a result, the final draft “permanent” rules will not take effect for several months.
(4) Current fish farm registration certificates will expire on December 31, 1998, before the final draft “permanent” rules take effect. The department must adopt a temporary emergency rule so it can process registration renewals pending the effective date of the final draft “permanent” rules. This emergency rule adopts, on a temporary basis, registration provisions contained in the department's proposed final draft “permanent” rules.
(5) This emergency rule also adopts, on a temporary basis, rules to prevent imports of diseased live fish and fish eggs that threaten the health of fish in Wisconsin fish farms and the Wisconsin natural environment. These temporary import requirements are based on requirements previously administered by the Wisconsin department of natural resources (DNR). The final draft “permanent” rules, when adopted, will expand upon these interim requirements.
(6) This emergency rule is needed to protect the public peace, health safety and welfare. Without this rule, DATCP would not be able to process fish farm registrations for 1999, or issue permits for live fish imports. Without the protections afforded by this emergency rule, Wisconsin fish farms and wild fisheries would also be exposed to an unnecessary risk of disease.
Publication Date:
December 28, 1998
Effective Date:
December 28, 1998
Expiration Date:
May 27,1999
Hearing Date:
February 3, 1999
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT
Commerce
(Flammable & Combustible Liquids, Ch. Comm10)
Rules adopted revising ch. Comm 10, relating to regulation of flammable and combustible liquids.
Finding of Emergency
The Department of Commerce finds that an emergency exists and that adoption of a rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health, safety, welfare and the environment.
The facts constituting the emergency are as follows. Under ss. 101.09, 101.142 and101.144, Stats., the Department protects public health, safety, welfare and the environment by promulgating rules for and administering the regulation of petroleum product storage tank systems and the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids. The purpose of the regulatory effort is to guarantee that storage tank systems and their contents are managed in a manner that is protective of life safety and the environment.
On December 22, 1998, a ten-year upgrade deadline comes to an end, and all tank systems falling under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's rules are required to have been upgraded to comply with new and environmentally protective construction standards. After the final compliance date, the Department and its contracted agents will conduct inspections to guarantee that tank systems which are not in compliance have been shut down in accordance with state and federal rules. In those instances where owners or operators have not complied with the upgrade or shutdown requirements, immediate action must be taken to either prevent the tank systems from continuing to be used or prevent the delivery of additional petroleum product to the systems.
The shut down of noncomplying tank systems is a core environmental and financial issue. The tank systems that are not in compliance pose a continuing high-risk threat to the environment, and delay in action will continue an unnecessary environmental hazard. Additionally, new releases from these non-upgraded tank systems will add to the financial burden of the PECFA program, which is significantly over-subscribed. The rule included with this order is in response to environmental issues associated with non-upgraded tank systems.
Publication Date:
December 11, 1998
Effective Date:
December 11, 1998
Expiration Date:
May 10, 1999
Hearing Date:
March 3, 1999
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT
Commerce
(Uniform Dwelling, Chs. Comm 20-25)
Rules adopted revising Chs. Comm 20,21,22 and 23, relating to energy efficiency in one- and 2-family dwellings.
Finding of Emergency
The Department of Commerce finds that an emergency exists and that the adoption of a rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health, safety and welfare. The facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
The rule change that was to go into effect on February 1, 1999 consists of a complete rewrite of chapter Comm 22, which relates to energy efficiency in one- and 2-family dwellings, as well as miscellaneous changes to chapters Comm 20, 21 and 23. The department planned for a lead time of approximately 2 months between the time the code was made available and the code effective date. Because of difficulties in preparing and printing the code, the anticipated lead time could not be achieved. Several constituent groups, including builders, inspectors, and the Uniform Dwelling Code Council have asked for extra time to become familiar with the changes, once the complete code is made available. If this is not done, a great deal of confusion and economic hardship could result for builders, as well as homeowners. Enforcement of the new requirements could very greatly from one municipality to the next.
This emergency rule delays the effective date of the proposed changes to chs. Comm 20, 21, 22 and 23 from February 1, 1999 to May 1, 1999.
Publication Date:
January 23, 1999
Effective Date:
February 1, 1999
Expiration Date:
July 1, 1999
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT
Commerce & Natural Resources
(Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Interagency Responsibilities, Ch. Comm 46)
Rules were adopted creating ch. Comm 46, relating to the Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Interagency Responsibilities.
Finding of Emergency
The Departments of Commerce and Natural Resources find that an emergency exists and that adoption of a rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health, safety, and welfare.
The facts constituting the emergency are as follows. Under ss. 101.143 and 101.144, Stats., the Department protects public health, safety, and welfare by promulgating rules for and administering the Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund (PECFA Fund). The purpose of the fund is to reimburse property owners for eligible costs incurred because of a petroleum product discharge from a storage system or home oil tank system. In administering this fund, the Department has relied upon a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Natural Resources for classifying contaminated sites, disbursing funds, and addressing other statements of policy that affect the two Departments.
On September 17, 1998, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules adopted a motion pursuant to s. 227.26(2)(b), Stats., that directs the Department and the Department of Natural Resources to jointly adopt the above portions of the Memorandum of Understanding and related policy issues as an Emergency Rule. The rule included with this order is in response to that directive.
Publication Dates: January 1 & February 5, 1999
Effective Date:
January 1, 1999
Expiration Date:
May 31, 1999
Hearing Dates:
March 11 and 25, 1999
[See Notices this Register]
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT (2)
Commerce
(Financial Resources for Communities,
Chs. Comm 105 to 128)
1. Rules adopted creating ch. Comm 118, relating to the Wisconsin Promise Challenge Grant Program.
Finding of Emergency
On July 16, 1998, 1997 Wis. Act 237, took effect. The act created Section 1901(lz) which appropriated $424,000 for fiscal year 1998-99 that may be awarded in the form of grants by the National and Community Service Board attached to the Department of Commerce to any countywide consortium. Countywide consortiums who agree to provide five fundamental resources intended to mentor, nurture, protect, teach and serve persons under the age of 26 years are eligible to receive Wisconsin Promise Challenge Grants. The amount of the grant ranges from $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number of underserved youth who are to receive the five fundamental resources. In order to be eligible, the grant recipient is required to match the grant, in cash, in an amount that is not less than twice the amount of the grant money received. In addition the law, specifies conditions on the use of the grant monies and requires documentation on the number of underserved youths who received the five fundamental resources and the positive outcomes and result of those efforts. Since funds are only available for this fiscal year and the law sunsets on January 1, 2000, the Department is promulgating an emergency rule in order to make these funds and the grant program available as quickly as possible so counties may provide the five fundamental resources to underserved youth.
This emergency rule was developed in consultation with the National and Community Service Board, the Department of Health and Family Services and the Department of Administration.
Publication Date:
September 12, 1998
Effective Date:
September 12, 1998
Expiration Date:
February 9, 1999
Hearing Date:
November 30, 1998
2. Rules adopted revising ch. Comm 113, relating to the annual allocation of volume cap on tax-exempt private activity bonds.
Finding of Emergency & Rule Analysis
The Department of Commerce finds that an emergency exists and that the adoption of a rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health, safety and welfare.
Several areas in the State of Wisconsin have recently experienced severe economic distress due to large plant closings which have put hundreds of Wisconsin residents out of work. As a result of two large paper mills being shut down a year ago, 1997 Wisconsin Act 237 created s. 560.147, Stats., authorizing the Rapid Response Fund within the Wisconsin Development Fund. The fund is part of the Rapid Response Initiative, which assists areas affected by these and future closings. Commerce is now proposing as part of this initiative a Rapid Response Set Aside within the volume cap allocation process which will enable businesses in these distressed areas to obtain the financing they need to make the necessary capital investments to create and retain jobs. Several projects are pending in that need this change in order to move forward with their plans. Allocation of volume cap is in highest demand in the spring and summer due to the construction cycle. The Rapid Response set-aside must be in place as soon as possible in order for projects to receive allocation and begin construction as soon as possible. Jobs cannot be created or retained until projects go forward.
Publication Date:
January 15, 1999
Effective Date:
January 15, 1999
Expiration Date:
June 14, 1999
