The public hearing will be held as follows:
Date and Time: Location:
January 11, 2002 Thompson Commerce Center
Friday Third Floor, Room 3B
9:30 a.m. 201 West Washington Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin
Analysis prepared by the Department of Commerce
Under the statutes cited, the Department awards grants for redevelopment of abandoned, idle, or underused industrial or commercial facilities or sites that are adversely affected by actual or perceived environmental contamination. Pursuant to s.
560.13 (6), Stats., these grants are applied for and administered in accordance with criteria that are contained in ch.
Comm 110, Wis. Adm. Code.
2001 Wisconsin Act 16 modified s.
560.13, Stats., by (1) expanding the listing of eligible grant applicants to include trustees and nonprofit organizations, and (2) prohibiting use of any grant funds to pay either delinquent real estate taxes, or lien claims of the Department of Natural Resources or the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
The proposed changes to ch.
Comm 110 would (1) modify the definitions to match the statutory listing of eligible applicants, (2) expand the limitations on use of grant funds to include the statutory prohibition relating to delinquent taxes or lien claims, and (3) update several aspects of the application procedure that have evolved since the chapter was initially created as an emergency rule in 1997.
Environmental Analysis
Notice is hereby given that the Department has considered the environmental impact of the proposed rules. In accordance with chapter Comm 1, the proposed rules are a Type III action. A Type III action normally does not have the potential to cause significant environmental effects and normally does not involve unresolved conflicts in the use of available resources. The Department has reviewed these rules and finds no reason to believe that any unusual conditions exist. At this time, the Department has issued this notice to serve as a finding of no significant impact.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Comm 110, relating to: Brownfields Redevelopment Grants.
1. Types of small businesses that will be affected by the rules.
Owners of abandoned, idle, or underused industrial or commercial facilities or sites that are adversely affected by actual or perceived environmental contamination.
2. Reporting, bookkeeping and other procedures required for compliance with the rules.
No significant new procedures.
3. Types of professional skills necessary for compliance with the rules.
No significant additional skills.
Fiscal Estimate
The Department currently administers brownfields redevelopment grants. The proposed rule replaces current requirements with requirements that are not expected to result in significant additional costs.
Copies of Rule and Contact Person
Interested persons are invited to appear at the hearing and present comments on the rules. Persons making oral presentations are requested to submit their comments in writing. Persons submitting comments will not receive individual responses. The hearing record on this rulemaking will remain open until January 23, 2002, to permit submittal of written comments from persons who are unable to attend the hearing or who wish to supplement testimony offered at the hearing. Written comments should be submitted to Sam Rockweiler at the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Budget and Policy Development, P.O. Box 2689, Madison, WI 53701-2689.
This hearing will be held in an accessible facility. If you have special needs or circumstances that may make communication or accessibility difficult at the hearing, please call (608) 266-0797 or (608) 264-8777 (TTY) at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Accommodations such as interpreters, English translators, or materials in audio tape format will, to the fullest extent possible, be made available upon a request from a person with a disability.
The emergency rules, which are identical to the proposed permanent rules, are available on the Internet at the Revisor of Statutes' web site at
www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code. Paper copies of the rules may be obtained without cost from Sam Rockweiler at the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Budget and Policy Development, P.O. Box 2689, Madison, WI 53701- 2689; or by E-mail at:
srockweiler@commerce.state.wi.us and at telephone (608) 266-0797 or (608) 264-8777 (TTY). Copies will also be available at the public hearing.
Notice of Hearing
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss. to ss.
227.14 (4m) and
227.17, Stats., the Department of Commerce will hold public hearings on proposed rules relating to Wisconsin Technology Zone Program.
The public hearing will be held as follows:
Friday, January 11, 2002 T .G. Thompson Commerce Ctr. 8:30 a.m. (WHEDA Bldg), Conf. Rm. 3C
201 West Washington Ave.
Madison, WI
Analysis prepared by the Department of Commerce
Statutes interpreted: s.
560.96, Stats.
Under s.
560.96 (5), Stats., the Department of Commerce has the responsibility of promulgating rules for the operation of the Wisconsin Technology Zone Program.
This rule is being created in response to
2001 Wis. Act 16, which provides authority for administering such a program, the designation of 8 technology zones, certification of high technology businesses, and the tax benefits available.
The following listing highlights the major items contained in this new chapter:
• Creates the process for application and designation of the 8 technology zones.
•Provides a means for modification of the boundary of a technology zone.
•Creates the process for application and certification of high tech businesses.
• Establishes criteria for eligibility to certify high tech business.
•Creates the process to determine and claim tax benefits and notify the Department of Revenue.
Environmental Analysis
The proposed administrative code revision is categorized in ch.
Comm 1, WEPA, Table 1.11-2 and determined to be a Type II action.
The proposed action is administrative in nature and has no potential direct effect on the quality of the human environment. The Department considers this action to have no potential for significant adverse impact.
The Department acknowledges that some projects receiving tax benefits under this chapter may result in new construction or expansion of existing structures or facilities These actions may involve new development or rehabilitation and an application for zoning and/or a conditional use permit may be required at the local level. The department acknowledges that these actions are under local jurisdiction and generally include provisions for the compliance with local, state or federal environmental review.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
1. Types of small businesses that will be affected by the rules.
The subject of the rules is to provide tax benefits for new and expanding high-technology businesses in 8 technology zones in the state. The expectation is that the creation of these zones will not only attract, promote and expand high-technology business in the area, create new jobs and investment, but also provide economic stimulus to other businesses in the area and throughout the state.
2. Reporting, bookkeeping and other procedures required for compliance with the rules.
High-technology businesses certified in a technology zone shall on an annual basis report to the department and may file tax claim verification with the Department of Revenue.
3. Types of professional skills necessary for compliance with the rules.
No professional skills are expected to be required by high-technology business applicants.
Fiscal Estimate
Section
560.96, Stats., as passed in the 2001/03 biennial budget, establishes the Wisconsin Technology Zone Program. Commerce is provided the authority to develop rules concerning the designation of technology zones and the certification of businesses within those zones. Chapter
Comm 107 thus relates mainly to establishing that process and defining key terms.
1. State Fiscal Effect
By instituting a rigorous application process, the proposed rule will increase the workload for the Department of Commerce by requiring staff to review applications and make preliminary determinations as to designation of technology zones. Commerce can absorb this new work by using existing staff.
2. Local Fiscal Effect
Under the proposed rules, towns, villages, cities, tribes, and counties, either separately or in concert, may submit technology zone applications. These applications are expected to be lengthy documents requiring a significant investment of time. Costs arising from the rules are, however, permissive since communities are not required to apply for participation in the program.
Copies of Rule and Contact Person
Interested persons are invited to appear at the hearings and present comments on the proposed rules. Persons making oral presentations are requested to submit their comments in writing. Persons submitting comments will not receive individual responses. The hearing record on this proposed rulemaking will remain open until Monday, January 28, 2002, to permit submittal of written comments from persons who are unable to attend a hearing or who wish to supplement testimony offered at a hearing.
Written comments should be submitted to:
Jean M. MacCubbin, Department of Commerce
Administrative Services Division
P.O. Box 2689
Madison, WI 53701-2689
These hearings are held in accessible facilities. If you have special needs or circumstances that may make communication or accessibility difficult at the hearing, please call (608) 266-8741 or (608) 264-8777 (TTY) at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Accommodations such as interpreters, English translators, or materials in audio tape format will, to the fullest extent possible, be made available upon request by a person with a disability.
Notice of Hearing
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss.
230.05 (5), Stats., and interpreting s.
230.05 (1), Stats., the Department of Employment Relations will hold a Public Hearing at the time and place shown below to consider the creation of permanent rules relating to career executive employment and various technical changes to bring the rules into consistency with the statutes and compensation plan.
Date, Time and Location:
January 22, 2002
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
3rd Floor Training Room
Department of Employment Relations
345 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
The hearing site is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate format or other accommodations for this meeting, please inform the contact person listed at the end of this notice before the hearing.
Written comments on the rules may be sent to the contact person by January 27, 2002. Written comments will receive the same consideration as written or oral testimony presented at the hearing.
A copy of the rule is printed below.
Analysis Prepared by the Department of Employment Relations
On June 9, 1999, the Joint Committee on Employment Relations (JCOER) approved the consolidation of certain positions assigned to former pay range 17 and all positions in former pay ranges 18 and 19 into compensation broadband 81-02 for non-represented positions in these ranges. Before this consolidation many non-represented pay range 18 positions were granted career executive status along with positions in the compensation broadband 81-01. Positions in pay range 17 were not eligible to be included in the career executive program under the provisions of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. Prior to March 12, 2000, there were approximate 900 positions in the career executive program. These positions performed general management duties. With the consolidation of broadband 81-02, the number of career executive positions expanded to 1500 including management positions responsible for highly technical programs and positions requiring various professional certifications or expertise.
These rule changes update the pay range references consistent with the compensation plan approved by JCOER. The changes eliminate references to compensation provisions that no longer apply. ER 30.085 is amended to make career executive temporary assignments regulations consistent with those for interchange of non career executive employees.
