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:
May 3, 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
3. Rules were adopted amending s. ATCP 60.19 (3) and (4), relating to drug residues in raw milk.
Finding of Emergency
The state of Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection (DATCP) finds that an emergency exists and that the following emergency rule is necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare. The facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
(1) Milk from Wisconsin dairy farms may not contain drug residues. Current rules under ch. ATCP 60, Wis. Adm. Code, require every dairy plant operator to perform a drug residue screening test on every bulk load of raw milk received by that operator. If the bulk load tests positive for any drug residue, the operator must test a milk sample from each producer milk shipment included in that bulk load. Current rules do not require a dairy plant operator to perform a confirmatory test if a producer sample tests positive on an initial test.
(2) If a producer sample tests positive for drug residue, the dairy plant operator may hold that producer financially responsible for contaminating the bulk load. In some cases, the cost of a contaminated tanker load of milk may be $5,000 or more. The department may also take enforcement action against the milk producer. Enforcement may result in financial penalties or suspension of the milk producer's license.
(3) In several enforcement actions, producers have argued that dairy plant drug residue tests were inaccurate. Producers claimed that there was no confirmatory testing, and no opportunity to confirm the accuracy of the dairy plant operator's test findings. Inaccurate findings may unfairly penalize affected producers, and result in severe financial losses to those producers. The lack of a confirmatory test aggravates conflicts between dairy plant operators and milk producers.
(4) Confirmatory testing of test-positive producer samples would provide greater assurance of fairness for milk producers, and would help avoid conflicts between dairy plant operators and producers. Dairy plant operators can perform confirmatory tests at reasonable cost. An emergency rule requiring confirmatory testing of producer samples is necessary to protect milk producers, and to promote the efficient operation and economic well-being of Wisconsin's dairy industry.
(5) Confirmatory testing of test-positive producer samples will enhance, and not reduce, the safety of Wisconsin milk supplies. Dairy plant operators will still be required to test bulk tanker loads of milk, and dispose of tanker loads that test positive for drug residues.
(6) This emergency rule will strengthen public health protection by requiring dairy plant operators to dispose of contaminated loads, or denature contaminated loads before transferring them to the custody of another person. Denaturing ensures that persons receiving custody of contaminated loads will not redirect them to human food use.
(7) Pending the adoption of rules according to normal administrative rulemaking procedures, it is necessary to adopt this emergency rule to do both of the following:
(a) Protect the public milk supply against drug residue contamination by assuring proper disposal of contaminated milk.
(b) Provide additional assurance that milk producers will not be subjected to serious penalties or financial losses based on inaccurate drug residue tests.
Publication Date:
April 30, 1999
Effective Date:
April 30, 1999
Expiration Date:
September 27, 1999
4. Rules adopted revising s. ATCP 10.45, relating to security of dairy plant payments to milk producers.
Finding of Emergency
(1) Section 100.06, Stats., is designed to provide “reasonable assurance” that dairy farmers will be paid for the milk they produce. Under ss. 97.20(2)(d)2. and l00.06, Stats., a dairy plant must, as a condition to licensing, comply with applicable security requirements under s. 100.06, Stats., and department rules under ch. ATCP 100, Wis. Adm. Code. Since dairy plant licenses expire on April 30 annually, dairy plants must comply with applicable security requirements in order to qualify for license renewal on May 1 of each year.
(2) Under s. 100.06, Stats., and ch. ATCP 100, a dairy plant operator who purchases milk from producers must do one of the following:
(a) File with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection (“department”) audited financial statements which show that the operator meets minimum financial standards established by s. 100.06, Stats.
(b) File security with the department in an amount equal to at least 75% of the operator's ”maximum liability to producers,” as calculated under s. ATCP 100.45(5).
(c) Enter into a dairy plant trusteeship under ch. ATCP 100, Subch. V.
(3) Under s. ATCP 100.45(5), a dairy plant operator's “maximum liability to producers” is based on the plant operator's largest monthly purchase of milk during the preceding license year. Milk prices hit all time record highs in 1998, dramatically increasing monthly dairy plant payrolls. Security requirements for the 1999 license year are currently based on these inflated 1998 monthly payrolls, even though 1999 monthly payrolls have dropped dramatically in response to price changes.
(4) Since December 1998, the average market price for raw milk has fallen by approximately 40%. Dairy economists expect BFP average prices to remain at least 12% to 16.2% below last year's average during 1999. Because of the dramatic decline in milk prices, dairy plants have smaller producer payroll obligations than they had in 1998.
(5) Prices received by Wisconsin dairy plants for processed dairy products have also fallen dramatically since December. This has created serious financial hardships for some dairy plants.
(6) Current security requirements, based on 1998 producer prices and payrolls, are excessive in relation to current payroll obligations and impose an added financial burden on dairy plants. Current security requirements under s. ATCP 100.45(5), based on last year's prices, are at least 31 to 48% higher than they would be if calculated at current prices.
(7) Because of the dramatic decline in dairy prices, some dairy plant operators are required to file large amounts of additional security, often amounting to millions of dollars. This is a major expense for affected operators. Operators may find it difficult, financially, to obtain and file the required security. If a dairy plant is unable to file the required security in connection with the May 1, 1999 license renewal, the department will forced to take action against the dairy plant's license. This could result in the forced closing of some unsecured dairy plants. The forced closing of an unsecured plant may, in turn, result in serious financial losses to producer patrons.
(8) By requiring excessive security based on last year's prices, current rules are making it unnecessarily difficult and expensive for dairy plants to obtain and file security. This could contribute to the financial failure of some dairy plants, or to the forced closing of some unsecured plants. Dairy plant financial failures or closings, if they occur, may cause serious and widespread financial injury to milk producers in this state. This constitutes a serious and imminent threat to the public welfare.
(9) In order to reduce the risk of dairy plant financial failures or forced closings, rule amendments are urgently needed to adjust dairy plant security requirements to appropriate levels based on current milk prices. The rule amendments will relieve financially stressed dairy plants from unnecessary financial burdens and will make it easier for those dairy plants to file security with the department. That, in turn, will reduce the risk of dairy plant financial failures, or the forced closing of unsecured plants, which may adversely affect milk producers.
(10) Rule amendments, to be effective, must be promulgated prior to the dairy plant license year beginning May 1, 1999. That is not possible under normal rulemaking procedures. Therefore, the following emergency rule is needed to protect the public welfare.
(11) Should milk prices rise beyond the levels currently anticipated for the license year beginning May 1, 1999, so that security filed under this emergency rule is less than 75% of a dairy plant operator's current monthly producer payroll, the operator is required to notify the department of that fact under s. 100.06, Stats., and s. ATCP 100.20(3). The department may demand additional security at that time.
Publication Date:
April 20, 1999
Effective Date:
April 20, 1999
Expiration Date:
September 17, 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
Extension Through:
July 8, 1999
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT
Commerce & Natural Resources
(Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Interagency Responsibilities, Ch. Comm 46)
Rules adopted revising 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 included in this order is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health, safety, and welfare.
The facts constituting the emergency are as follows. Under sections 101.143 and 101.144, Wisconsin Statutes, the Department of Commerce 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 directed 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. An emergency rule in response to that directive was adopted by the Department and became effective on January 1, 1999. Since that date, further improvements for jointly administering the PECFA fund have been developed, which are consistent with the JCRAR directive and which are expected to significantly mitigate the backlog of claims to this oversubscribed fund.
Publication Dates: February 23 & March 1, 1999
Effective Date:
February 23, 1999
Expiration Date:
July 23, 1999
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT (2)
Commerce
(Financial Resources for Communities,
Chs. Comm 105 to 128)
1. Rules adopted revising ch. Comm 113, relating to the annual allocation of volume cap on tax-exempt private activity bonds.
