Final Regulatory Flexibility Analyses
1.
Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
(CR 98-118)
Ch. ATCP 30 - Pesticide Product Restrictions.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
Businesses Affected:
The amendments to the atrazine rule will affect small businesses in Wisconsin. The greatest small business impact of the rule will be on users of atrazine -- farmers who grow corn. The proposed prohibition areas contain approximately 13,000 acres. Assuming that 50% of this land is in corn and that 50% of these acres are treated with atrazine, then 3,250 acres of corn will be affected. This acreage would represent between 20 and 50 producers, depending on their corn acreage. These producers are small businesses, as defined by s. 227.114 (1)(a), Stats. Secondary effects may be felt by distributors and applicators of atrazine pesticides, crop consultants and equipment dealers. Since the secondary effects relate to identifying and assisting farmers in implementing alternative weed control methods, these effects will most likely result in additional or replacement business and the impacts are not further discussed in this document.
Specific economic impacts of alternative pest control techniques are discussed in the environmental impact statement for this rule.
Reporting. Recordkeeping and Other Procedures Required for Compliance:
The maximum application rate for atrazine use in Wisconsin is based on soil texture. This may necessitate referring to a soil survey map or obtaining a soil test. While this activity is routine, documentation would need to be maintained to justify the selected application rate. A map delineating application areas must be prepared if the field is subdivided and variable application rates are used. This procedure is already required under the current atrazine rule.
All users of atrazine, including farmers, will need to maintain specific records for each application. This procedure is already required under the current atrazine rule.
Atrazine cannot be used in certain areas of the State where groundwater contamination exceeds the atrazine enforcement standard in s. NR 140.10 Wis. Adm. Code.
Professional Skills Required to Comply:
The rule affects how much atrazine can be applied and on which fields. Because overall use of atrazine will be reduced in the State, alternative weed control techniques may be needed in some situations. These techniques may include different crop rotations, reduced atrazine rates, either alone or in combination with other herbicides, or combinations of herbicides and mechanical weed control measures.
While alternative weed control techniques are available, adoption of these techniques on individual farms will in some cases require assistance. In the past this type of assistance has been provided by University Extension personnel and farm chemical dealers. In recent years many farmers have been using crop consultants to scout fields, identify specific pest problems and recommend control measures. The department anticipates these three information sources will continue to be used as the primary source of information, both on whether atrazine can be used and which alternatives are likely to work for each situation.
Summary of Comments From Legislative Committees:
The rule was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Environmental Resources and Campaign Finance Reform on January 6, 1999 and to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture on January 12, 1999. Neither the Assembly Committee on Agriculture nor the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Environmental Resources and Campaign Finance Reform took any action on the rule during their review period.
S. NR 20.08 - Fishing tournament permitting.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This rule will not directly affect small business; therefore, a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
Summary of Comments by Legislative Review Committees:
The proposed rules were reviewed by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. There were no comments.
Ch. NR 47, Subch. 7 - Administration of the private forest landowner grant program.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
The proposed rule is a grant program for private forest landowners. Therefore, a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
Summary of Comments by Legislative Review Committees:
The proposed rules were reviewed by the Assembly natural Resources Committee and the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. There were no comments.
Ch. Tax 2 - The use of an alternative apportionment method.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
The proposed rule order does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses.
Summary of Comments:
No comments were reported.
Ch. Trans 101 - Demerit point assessment for operating after suspension and revocation offenses.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This regulatory change has no impact on small business.
Summary of Comments:
No comments were reported.
Ch. Trans 200 - The location for placement of utility work signs.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This proposed rule will have no adverse impact on small businesses.
Summary of Comments:
No comments were reported.
Ch. VA 2 - The expenditure limitation for dentures under the health care aid grant program.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This proposed rule will have no adverse impact on small businesses.
Summary of Comments:
No comments reported.
E x e c u t i v e O r d e r s
The following is a listing of recent Executive Orders issued by the Governor.
Executive Order 364. Relating to the Creation of the Governor's Wisconsin Works and Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Task Force.
Public Notice
Public Notice
Health and Family Services
(Medical Assistance Reimbursement for School-Based Services:
Statewide Contract Rate Schedule for School District Reimbursement)
The State of Wisconsin reimburses providers for school-based services provided to Medical Assistance recipients under the authority of Title XIX of the Social Security Act and ss. 49.43 to 49.47, Wisconsin Statutes. This program, administered by the State's Department of Health and Family Services, is called Medical Assistance (MA) or Medicaid. Federal statutes and regulations require that a state plan be developed that provides the methods and standards for reimbursement of covered services. A plan that describes the reimbursement system for the services (methods and standards for reimbursement) is now in effect.
The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services is proposing to modify the state plan provisions describing methods for calculating reimbursement for school districts for school-based services. This amendment removes the section of the state plan allowing school districts to create their own rates for reimbursement. No school district has selected that option. All school districts are now reimbursed under the statewide contract rate schedule, and will continue to be reimbursed under that rate schedule.
The Department's proposal involves no change in the amount of funds available to school districts or the amount of funds they are likely to receive. The benefits offered under the school based services will remain the same.
The Department is changing its methods and standards in this manner because no school district has selected the method of reimbursing a school district under a prospective district-specific cost-based rate schedule. As a result, the budget impact is zero dollars on both federal and state general purpose revenue monies.
Proposed Change
The proposed change is to eliminate the option for a school district to elect to be reimbursed under a prospective district-specific cost-based rate schedule.
Copies of the Available Proposed Change:
A copy of the proposed change may be obtained free of charge by calling or writing as follows:
Regular Mail:
Attention: State Plan Coordinator
Division of Health Care Financing
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-0309
Telephone:
James Johnston
Policy Section Chief
(608) 267-9474
