In the past, there have been relatively few “correspondence courses" approved for CE. These changes would specifically allow correspondence courses and set some criteria for approval.
6. Summary of and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
There is no similar federal regulation covering these activities. Insurance is generally regulated on the state level with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners producing model procedures for states.
7. Comparison of similar rules in adjacent states as found by OCI:
Iowa:
Application fees: $50 per line
Renewal fees: $100, triennially on April 1
CE: 36 hours triennially due December 31 prior to license renewal
Illinois: 215 ILCS 5, Illinois Insurance Code
Application fees: $180 for residents & $250 for nonresidents
Renewal fees: $180 for residents & $250 for nonresidents
biennially on registration issuance date
CE: 30 hours biennially due on registration issuance date
Minnesota: Statutes chapter 60K and Rules chapter 2795
Application fees: $50 per line
Renewal fees: $50 per line, biennially on October 31
CE: 30 hours biennially due on October 31
Michigan:
Application fees: $10 application fee per line plus $60 testing fee per line
Renewal fees: Perpetual license
CE: 30 hours biennially due on individual compliance date based on last digit of the social security number and the first letters of producer's last name
8. A summary of the factual data and analytical methodologies that OCI used in support of the proposed rule and how any related findings support the regulatory approach chosen for the proposed rule:
These changes bring Wisconsin into conformance with the system used by many other states and preferred by the NAIC for uniformity. Once all states start billing in the agent's birth month, agents who are licensed in more than one state will have a better idea of when fees and continuing education is due in the various states.
9. Any analysis and supporting documentation that OCI used in support of OCI's determination of the rule's effect on small businesses under s.
227.114:
The small increase in fees will offset increased costs by OCI incurred for using on-line renewal and allowing credit card payment of fees. Agents using these services will not pay additional fees to use them with the costs being included in the renewal fee.
In addition, in the OCI technical bill, if passed, will eliminate certain existing fees for agent letters of certification, agent letters of clearance, replacement copies of new licenses and issuing of duplicate licenses. The net effect of all changes, including those in the OCI technical bill, will end up with no or a very small increase in revenue to OCI.
It is difficult to determine agent savings from reduced paperwork in the licensing process but there clearly is a reduction in cost. Similarly, agents licensed in other states will benefit from more uniform billing and renewal procedures but it is difficult to place a single dollar amount on this type of benefit.
10. If these changes may have a significant fiscal effect on the private sector, the anticipated costs that will be incurred by private sector in complying with the rule:
These changes will not have a significant fiscal effect on the private sector.
11. A description of the Effect on Small Business:
This rule will have an effect on small businesses but will not be a significant impact on small businesses. Many insurance agents are small businesses. This rule would minimally raise a biennial fee by $5 per year for resident agents and $10 per year for nonresident agents. These increases are very small. In addition, the increased fees will cover the additional cost of agents being able to renew on-line and pay with a credit card.
The changes promote efficiency by eliminating paperwork that agents currently are required to complete, mainly in the licensing process.
For agents that are licensed in other states, the new billing procedures are uniform with the direction others states are going. After all states adopt the new procedures, Wisconsin agents will be able to deal with licensing issues in all states on a more uniform basis.
12. Agency contact person:
A copy of the full text of the proposed rule changes, analysis and fiscal estimate may be obtained from the WEB sites at:
http://oci.wi.gov/ocirules.htm or by contacting Inger Williams, OCI Services Section, at:
Phone: (608) 264-8110
Address: 125 South Webster St – 2nd Floor
Madison WI 53702
Mail: PO Box 7873, Madison WI 53707-7873
13. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
The deadline for submitting comments is 4:00 p.m. on the 14th day after the date for the hearing stated in the Notice of Hearing.
Mailing address:
Robert Luck
Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins 6
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
PO Box 7873
Madison WI 53707-7873
Street address:
Robert Luck
Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins 6
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
125 South Webster St – 2nd Floor
Madison WI 53702
Notice of Hearing
Technical College System
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to s.38.41, Stats., and interpreting ss.
20.292 (1) (eh) and
38.41, Stats., the Wisconsin Technical College System Board will hold a public hearing to consider creation of rules relating to training program grants.
Hearing Information
Date: January 4, 2006
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Wis. Technical College System Office
345 West Washington Avenue
First Floor Meeting Room
Madison, Wisconsin
Analysis Prepared by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board
2. Statutory authority: Wis. Stats. s.
38.41.
3. Explanation of agency authority: Section
38.41 (4), Stats., authorizes the technical college system board to promulgate rules to implement and administer the awarding of grants to technical college district boards to provide skills training or other education related to the needs of business.
4. Related statute or rule: none
5. Plain language analysis: No grant award criteria are specified in statute. The purpose of the rule is to implement and administer the awarding of training program grants to technical college districts to provide skills training or other education related to the needs of business. To be eligible for grant awards, technical college districts will develop proposals with a business to provide skills training or education to improve employee skill levels, and workplace efficiency and productivity. Grant proposals will also be assessed for the extent to which the proposed training or education supports regional workforce and economic development efforts.
6. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulations: not applicable
7. Comparison with rules in adjacent states: not applicable
8. Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies: not applicable
9. Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact report: not applicable
10. Effect on small business: Small businesses may access training or education through the training program grants, but there is no mandated participation in the program.
11. Agency contact person: Morna Foy, Executive Assistant, Wisconsin Technical College System, 345 W. Washington Ave, P.O. Box 7874, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7874, telephone (608) 266-2449, e-mail
morna.foy@wtcsytem.edu.
It is the policy of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board (WTCSB) to provide accommodations to persons with disabilities which may affect their ability to access or participate in WTCS activities. Persons may request assistance or reasonable accommodation for the scheduled public hearing by contacting Morna Foy at (608) 266-2449 or accessing the telecommunications device for the deaf at (608) 267-2483 on or before December 28, 2005.
12. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission: Written comments will be accepted by the agency contact person listed above until 4:00 p.m. on January 4, 2006. Written comments will be given the same consideration as testimony presented at the hearing. People submitting comments will not receive individual responses.
TEXT OF RULE
Section 1. Chapter
TCS 17 (title) is created to read:
TRAINING PROGRAM GRANTS
TCS 17.01 PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures to implement and administer training grants to technical college districts to provide skills training or other education related to the needs of business s.
38.41, Stats.
TCS 17.02 DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1)
“Board" means the Technical College System Board established under ch. 15.94, Stats.
(2)
“District" means a technical college district established under ch.
38, Stats.
