Emergency rules now in effect
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.
Occasionally the Legislature grants emergency rule authority to an agency with a longer effective period than 150 days or allows an agency to adopt an emergency rule without requiring a finding of emergency.
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 or a statement of exemption from a 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.
Copies of emergency rule orders can be obtained from the promulgating agency. The text of current emergency rules can be viewed at www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code.
Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (2)
1.   Rules adopted creating ss. ATCP 99.13, 99.25, 100.13 and 101.25, relating to the partial refund of certain agricultural producer security assessments required of grain dealers, grain warehouse keepers, milk contractors and vegetable contractors.
Finding of emergency
(1) The Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection currently administers an agricultural producer security program under ch. 126, Stats. (“producer security law"). This program is designed to protect agricultural producers from catastrophic financial defaults by contractors who procure agricultural commodities from producers.
(2) Under the producer security law, contractors pay annual assessments to an agricultural producer security fund (“the fund"). If a contractor defaults in payments to producers, the department may compensate producers from the fund. A contractor's annual fund assessment is based, in large part, on the contractor's annual financial statement. The producer security law spells out a formula for calculating assessments. However, the department may modify assessments by rule.
(3) The fund assessment formula is designed to require higher assessments of contractors who have weak financial statements (and may thus present greater default risks). But the statutory formula may generate unexpectedly high assessments in some cases, where a contractor's strong financial condition is temporarily affected by financial transactions related to a merger or acquisition. This may cause unfair hardship, and may unfairly penalize some mergers or acquisitions that actually strengthen security for agricultural producers. This may have an unnecessarily adverse impact on contractors, producers and Wisconsin economic development.
(4) The department may adjust assessments by rule, in order to ameliorate unintended results. But the normal rulemaking process will require at least a year to complete. The temporary emergency rule is needed to address this matter in the short term, and to provide relief for contractors already affected.
Publication Date:   January 29, 2004
Effective Date:   January 29, 2004
Expiration Date:   June 27, 2004
Hearing Dates:   April 26 and 27, 2004
2.   Rules adopted creating ss. ATCP 99.135, 99.255, 100.135 and 101.255, relating to the reduction of certain annual agricultural producer security assessments required of grain dealers, grain warehouse keepers, milk contractors and vegetable contractors.
Finding of emergency
(1) The Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection ("DATCP") currently administers an agricultural producer security program under ch. 126, Stats. ("producer security law"). This program is designed to protect agricultural producers from catastrophic financial defaults by contractors who procure agricultural commodities from producers.
(2) Under the producer security law, contractors pay annual assessments to an agricultural producer security fund ("the fund"). If a contractor defaults in payments to producers, DATCP may compensate producers from the fund. Fund assessments are calculated according to a statutory formula, but DATCP may modify fund assessments by rule.
(3) The law directs DATCP to obtain bonds or other backup security for the fund. The backup security is intended to protect producers against large contractor defaults that may exceed the capacity of the fund. But changes in the insurance and bonding industry have prevented DATCP from obtaining any backup security (DATCP has received no acceptable bids).
(4) Before the fund was created in 2002, contractors who failed to meet minimum financial standards were required to file individual security (typically a bond or letter of credit) with DATCP. The amount of security was based on the size of the contractor's producer payroll (potential default exposure). DATCP returned much of this security after the fund was created. But because DATCP was unable to obtain backup security for the fund, DATCP retained security from some of the largest contractors. DATCP did this in order to protect agricultural producers against large contractor defaults that might exceed the capacity of the fund.
(5) DATCP's action protected agricultural producers against catastrophic defaults, but imposed additional costs on some large contractors. The affected contractors (approximately 6 contractors) must now pay security costs and fund assessments. This emergency rule reduces fund assessments for these contractors, to compensate for the added security costs that the contractors must incur.
(6) This temporary emergency rule will provide needed financial relief (assessment reductions) to the affected contractors in the current license year, pending the adoption of permanent rules to provide longer term relief. This emergency rule will provide cost savings and fairer treatment to the affected contractors, consistent with the original intent of the producer security law, pending the adoption of permanent rules. This emergency rule will promote the public welfare by helping to maintain the security, stability and competitiveness of Wisconsin's agricultural economy and processing industry.
Publication Date:   April 29, 2004
Effective Date:   April 29, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 26, 2004
Gaming
Rules adopting repealing s. Game 23.02 (2) of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, relating to the computation of purses.
Finding of emergency
The Wisconsin Department of Administration finds that an emergency exists and that a rule is necessary in order to repeal an existing rule for the immediate preservation of the public welfare. The facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
Section Game 23.02 (2) was created in the Department's rulemaking order (03-070). The Department is repealing this section due to the unforeseen hardship that it has created on the Wisconsin racetracks. This financial hardship presents itself in multiple ways. The racetracks rely on an outside vendor to compute the purses earned by all individuals. The vendor produces a similar system for most greyhound racetracks in the country. The purses are generated by the amount of money wagered on all races over a period of time. The current system does not provide for bonus purses to be paid out based upon the residency of certain owners. The current system would have to be reprogrammed at a significant cost to the racetracks. Although the bonus purses could be calculated and paid without a computer, it would create excessive clerical work that would also be costly to the racetracks.
Additionally, Geneva Lakes Greyhound Track committed to paying a minimum payout of purses to the greyhound and kennel owners that race in Delavan. Geneva Lakes Greyhound Track will supplement out of their own money any purse amount that does not exceed the minimum payout. As a result of paying the bonus purse to Wisconsin owned greyhounds, the variance between the actual purse and the minimum purse is increased and the financial liability to the racetrack is increased. Since this supplement is voluntary, the racetrack has indicated that it will probably have to cease the supplemental purses to the participants. This would result in reduced payments to the vast majority of the kennel owners and greyhound owners participating at the racetrack.
In creating this rule, the Department did not intend to create the disadvantages caused by this rule.
Publication Date:   January 8, 2004
Effective Date:   January 8, 2004
Expiration Date:   June 6, 2004
Hearing Date:   March 16, 2004
Natural Resources (2)
(Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1-)
1. Rules were adopted revising ch. NR 10, relating to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Wisconsin.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The state legislature has delegated to the department rule - making authority in 2001 Wisconsin Act 108 to control the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Wisconsin. CWD, bovine tuberculosis and other forms of transmissible diseases pose a risk to the health of the state's deer herd and citizens and is a threat to the economic infrastructure of the department, the state, it's citizens and businesses. These restrictions on deer baiting and feeding need to be implemented through the emergency rule procedure to help control and prevent the spread of CWD, bovine tuberculosis and other forms of transmissible diseases in Wisconsin's deer herd.
Publication Date:   September 11, 2003
Effective Date:   September 11, 2003
Expiration Date:   February 8, 2004
Hearing Date:   October 13, 2003
Extension Through:   June 6, 2004
2. Rules adopted creating ss. NR 1.016, 1.05, 1.06 and 1.07 relating to Natural Resources Board policies on protection and management of public waters.
Finding of emergency.
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit, or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
Natural Resources (10)
(Environmental Protection - Water Regulation, Chs. NR 300—)
1.   Rules adopted revising ch. NR 300, creating ch. NR 310 and repealing ch. NR 322, relating to timelines and procedures for exemptions, general permits and individual permits for activities in navigable waterways.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit, or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that 2003 Act 118 to speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for exemptions, general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
2.   Rules adopted revising ch. NR 320, relating to the regulation of bridges and culverts in or over navigable waterways.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit , or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that 2003 Act 118 to speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for exemptions, general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
3.   Rules adopted revising ch. NR 323, relating to fish and wildlife habitat structures in navigable waterways.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit , or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that 2003 Act 118 to speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for exemptions, general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
4.   Rules adopted revising ch. NR 325, relating to boathouses and fixed houseboats in navigable waterways.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit , or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that 2003 Act 118 to speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for exemptions, general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
5.   Rules adopted revising ch. NR 326, relating to regulation of piers, wharves, boat shelters, boat hoists, boat lifts and swim rafts in navigable waterways.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit, or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that 2003 Act 118 to speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for exemptions, general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
6.   Rules adopted revising ch. NR 328, relating to shore erosion control of inland lakes and impoundments.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit, or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that 2003 Act 118 to speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for exemptions, general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
7.   Rules adopted revising ch. NR 329, relating to miscellaneous structures in navigable waterways.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit , or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that 2003 Act 118 to speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for exemptions, general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
8.   Rules adopted revising ch. NR 340, and creating ch. NR 343, relating to regulation of construction, dredging, and enlargement of an artificial water body.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit , or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that 2003 Act 118 to speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for exemptions, general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
9.   Rules adopted revising ch. NR 345, relating to dredging in navigable waterways.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
2003 Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit, or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams (for example, all new riprap and culvert applications currently require public notices).
Unclear wording of exemptions currently puts property owners, contractors and consultants at risk of violation. Without clear procedures and standards established by emergency rule, many more people may request exemption determinations, slowing the decisions on individual permit applications.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that 2003 Act 118 to speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for exemptions, general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   April 19, 2004
Effective Date:   April 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   September 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   May 19, 2004
10.   Rules adopted repealing s. NR 340.02 (2), (8) and (19) and to creating ch. NR 341, relating to regulation of grading on the bank of a navigable waterway.
Finding of emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, to streamline the regulatory process for activities in public trust waters. The state has an affirmative duty to administer the new law in a manner consistent with the public trust responsibilities of the State of Wisconsin under Article IX, Section I of the Wisconsin Constitution.
Act 118 identifies certain activities that may be undertaken in public trust waters exempt from a permit, or under a general permit. Certain activities may not be undertaken in waters that are defined as “areas of special natural resource interest" or at other locations where the activity would cause detrimental impacts on public rights and interests in navigable waters. Without emergency rules to aid in administering the new law, the following severe problems will occur:
Until general permits are created by rule, any activity which is not exempt requires an individual permit with an automatic 30-day public notice. The required 30-day comment period will unnecessarily delay hundreds of construction projects that otherwise could go ahead with specified conditions for protecting lakes and streams.
Wording of exemptions and temporary grading jurisdiction puts lakes and streams at risk. Without standards as intended and described in the new law, exempted activities and grading along shorelines will cause inadvertent but permanent destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, loss of natural scenic beauty and reduced water quality. Rights of neighboring property owners may also be harmed. Cumulatively over one or two construction seasons, these impacts will have immediate and permanent effects on Wisconsin's water-based recreation and tourism industry.
To carry out the intention of the Legislature that Act 118 will speed decision-making but not diminish the public trust in state waters, these emergency rules are required to establish definitions, procedures and substantive standards for general permits and jurisdiction under the new law.
Publication Date:   May 19, 2004
Effective Date:   May 19, 2004
Expiration Date:   October 16, 2004
Hearing Date:   June 16, 2004
  (See Notice This Regiser)
Veterans Affairs
Rules adopted creating ch. VA 18, relating to the administration of the registered nurse education stipend program.
Exemption from finding of emergency
The legislature by Section 9158 of 2003 Wisconsin Act 33 provides an exemption from a finding of emergency for the adoption of the rule.
Analysis prepared by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Statutory authority: s. 45.365 (7), Stats.
Statute interpreted: s. 45.365 (7), Stats.
The creation of chapter VA 18 establishes the application process, eligibility criteria, stipend amount, repayment provisions, and employment requirements for the administration of the stipend program authorized by the legislature and governor in 2003 Wis. Act 33. The stipend program was enacted to provide stipends to individuals to attend school and receive the necessary credentials to become employed at the Veterans Homes operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs at King and Union Grove, Wisconsin.
Publication Date:   March 30, 2004
Effective Date:   March 30, 2004
Expiration Date:   August 27, 2004
Hearing Date:   June 18, 2004
  (See Notice This Regiser)
Workforce Development
(Labor Standards, Chs. DWD 270-279)
Rules adopted revising ss. DWD 274.015 and 274.03 and creating s. DWD 274.035, relating to overtime pay for employees performing companionship services.
Finding of emergency
The Department of Workforce Development finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. A statement of facts constituting the emergency is:
On January 21, 2004, pursuant to s. 227.26(2)(b), Stats., the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules directed the Department of Workforce Development to promulgate an emergency rule regarding their overtime policy for nonmedical home care companion employees of an agency as part of ch. DWD 274.
Analysis Prepared by the Department of Workforce Development
Statutory authority: Sections 103.005, 103.02, and 227.11, Stats.
Statutes interpreted: Sections 103.01 and 103.02, Stats.
Section 103.02, Stats., provides that “no person may be employed or be permitted to work in any place of employment or at any employment for such period of time during any day, night or week, as is prejudicial to the person's life, health, safety or welfare." Section 103.01 (3), Stats., defines “place of employment" as “any manufactory, mechanical or mercantile establishment, beauty parlor, laundry, restaurant, confectionary store, or telegraph or telecommunications office or exchange, or any express or transportation establishment or any hotel."
Chapter DWD 274 governs hours of work and overtime. Section DWD 274.015, the applicability section of the chapter, incorporates the statutory definition of “place of employment" and limits coverage of the chapter to the places of employment delineated in s. 103.01 (3), Stats., and various governmental bodies. Section DWD 274.015 also provides that the chapter does not apply to employees employed in domestic service in a household by a household.
Section 103.02, Stats., directs that the “department shall, by rule, classify such periods of time into periods to be paid for at the rate of at least one and one-half times the regular rates." Under s. DWD 274.03, “each employer subject to this chapter shall pay to each employee time and one-half the regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week." Section DWD 274.04 lists 15 types of employees who are exempt from this general rule and s. DWD 274.08 provides that the section is inapplicable to public employees.
Nonmedical home care companion employees who are employed by a third-party, commercial agency are covered by the overtime provision in s. DWD 274.03. Section DWD 274.03 applies to all employees who are subject to the chapter and not exempt under ss. DWD 274.04 or 274.08. The chapter applies to companion employees of a commercial agency because under s. DWD 274.015 a commercial agency is considered a mercantile establishment. Section DWD 270.01 (5) defines a mercantile establishment as a commercial, for-profit business. The chapter does not apply to companion employees of a nonprofit agency or a private household. In addition, none of the exemptions to the overtime section in ss. DWD 274.04 or 274.08 apply to companion employees of a commercial agency.
The Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules has directed DWD to promulgate an emergency rule regarding the overtime policy for nonmedical home care companion employees of an agency. This provision is created at s. DWD 274.035 to say that employees who are employed by a mercantile establishment to perform companionship services shall be subject to the overtime pay requirement in s. DWD 274.03. “Companionship services" is defined as those services which provide fellowship, care, and protection for a person who because of advanced age, physical infirmity, or mental infirmity cannot care for his or her own needs. Such services may include general household work and work related to the care of the aged or infirm person such as meal preparation, bed making, washing of clothes, and other similar services. The term “companionship services" does not include services relating to the care and protection of the aged or infirm person that require and are performed by trained personnel, such as registered or practical nurses.
This order also repeals and recreates the applicability of the chapter section and the overtime section to write these rules in a clearer format. There is no substantive change in these sections.
Publication Date:   March 1, 2004
Effective Date:   March 1, 2004*
Expiration Date:   July 29, 2004
* On April 28, 2004, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules suspended s. DWD 274.035 created as an emergency rule.
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