NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to authority vested in the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors in ss.
15.08 (5) (b),
227.11 (2) and
443.015, Stats., the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors will hold a public hearing at the time and place indicated below to consider an order to create Chapter
A-E 11, relating to continuing education for landscape architects.
Hearing Information
Date: October 13, 2009
Time: 1:15 P.M.
Location: 1400 East Washington Avenue
(Enter at 55 North Dickinson Street)
Room 121A
Madison, Wisconsin
Appearances at the Hearing and Submission of Written Comments
Interested persons are invited to present information at the hearing. Persons appearing may make an oral presentation but are urged to submit facts, opinions and argument in writing as well. Facts, opinions and argument may also be submitted in writing without a personal appearance by mail addressed to: Pamela Haack, Paralegal, Department of Regulation and Licensing, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 152, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8935, or by email to
pamela.haack@wisconsin.gov. Comments must be received on or before October 23, 2009, to be included in the record of rule-making proceedings.
Copies of Proposed Rule
Copies of the proposed rule are available upon request to Pamela Haack, Paralegal, Department of Regulation and Licensing, 1400 East Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708, or by email at pamela.haack@ wisconsin.gov.
Analysis Prepared by the Department of Regulation and Licensing
Statutes interpreted
Statutory authority
Explanation of agency authority
The Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors may approve and adopt rules proposed by any section of the board.
Related statute or rule
There are no other statutes or rules other than those listed above.
Plain language analysis
This proposed rule-making order creates continuing education requirements for renewal of a credential for landscape architects within the jurisdiction of the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors as permitted by s.
443.015, Stats., created by
2007 Wisconsin Act 47.
Comparison with federal regulations
This is not an area which is regulated by federal law or subject to any proposed federal legislation. The standards for state licensure are regulated by each state.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
Illinois
There are no continuing education requirements for landscape architects.
www.idfpr.com
Iowa
Landscape architect continuing education requirements are 24 hours for each biennial renewal.
www.state.ia.us/ government/com/prof
Michigan
Minnesota
Landscape architects require 24 hours of continuing education for each biennial renewal. www.aelslagid. state.mn.us
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
The Landscape Architect Section of the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors examined models of continuing education from neighboring states and national organizations related to their profession, including the National Association of Landscape Architects.
The comparison information with the rules in adjacent states was obtained directly from contact with those states and a review of their rules. The comparison to the adjacent states demonstrates that the proposed rules are substantially consistent with the rules in those states.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business
Data was obtained from the Department of Regulation and Licensing's Credentialing Division Renewal Unit and research was conducted regarding the availability of continuing education credits offered via online courses, trade association sponsored seminars and other means, as well as the costs associated therewith. That data was compared with the requirements outlined in the proposed rules and based thereon, appears that these rules will have no significant impact on a substantial number of small businesses.
Section
227.137, Stats., requires an “agency" to prepare an economic impact report before submitting the proposed rule-making order to the Wisconsin Legislative Council. The Department of Regulation and Licensing is not included as an “agency" in this section.
Small Business Impact
These proposed rules will have no significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses, as defined in s.
227.114 (1), Stats.
The Department's Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at
hector.colon@wisconsin.gov, or by calling 608-266-8608.
Fiscal Estimate
State government fiscal effect
The department estimates that this rule will require staff time in the Office of Exams. The total one-time salary and fringe costs are estimated at $6,400. The total on-going salary and fringe costs are estimated at $9,600.
Anticipated costs incurred by the private sector
The department finds that this rule has no significant fiscal effect on the private sector.
Agency Contact Person
Pamela Haack, Paralegal
Department of Regulation and Licensing
1400 East Washington Avenue — Room 152
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, Wisconsin 53708
Phone: 608-266-0495
Notice of Hearing
Commerce
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss.
101.63 (1),
101.73 (1),
101.82 (1), Stats., the Department of Commerce will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule and emergency rule under Chapter
Comm 22 relating to the approved version of REScheck software used to show compliance with Uniform Dwelling Code thermal envelope requirements.
Hearing Information
The public hearing will be held as follows:
Date and Time:
|
Location:
|
October 21, 2009
Wednesday
1t 10:00 a.m.
|
Thompson Commerce Bldg.
Conference Room 3C
201 W. Washington Ave.
Madison, Wisconsin
|
This hearing is 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) 266-8741 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 a request from a person with a disability.
Appearances at Hearing and Submission of Written Comments
Interested persons are invited to appear at the hearing and present comments on the proposed rule. 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 November 4, 2009, 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 Larry Swaziek, at the Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 2689, Madison, WI 53701-2689, or Email at
larry.swaziek@wisconsin.gov.
Copies of Proposed Rule
The proposed rule and an analysis of the proposed rule is available on the Internet at the Safety and Buildings Division Web site at
www.commerce.wi.gov/SB/. Paper copies may be obtained without cost from Roberta Ward, at the Department of Commerce, Program Development Bureau, P.O. Box 2689, Madison, WI 53701-2689, or Email at
roberta.ward@wisconsin.gov, or at telephone (608) 266-8741 or (608) 264-8777 (TTY). Copies will also be available at the public hearing.
Analysis Prepared by Department of Commerce
Statutes interpreted
Statutory authority
Related statute or rule
Chapters
Comm 20 to
25, Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.
Explanation of Agency Authority
Under the statute sections listed above, the Department of Commerce has the authority to promulgate rules that establish uniform, statewide standards for the construction of one- and 2-family dwellings. Sections
101.63 (5) and
101.73 (8), Stats., require the department to review these rules on a biennial basis. Currently, the department has fulfilled this responsibility by promulgating the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, chapters Comm 20 to 25, effective April 1, 2009.
Summary of proposed rule
The proposed rule amends a provision that requires a specific version of REScheck software be used to calculate compliance with the dwelling thermal envelope requirements in chapter Comm 22. The amendment is necessary because Version 4.1.0, and some subsequent versions, that are specified in s.
Comm 22.31 (2) (b) do not meet nor support the requirements of Wisconsin's energy code. State-specific energy conversation provisions were not incorporated into REScheck software until Version 4.2.2.
Comparison with federal regulations
An Internet-based search of the code of federal regulations and the federal register did not identify any federal requirements relating to REScheck software editions and their compatibility to state-specific codes. There are no existing or proposed federal regulations that address the specific issue or impact the activities to be regulated by this rule.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
A search of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Energy Codes Program's web site found that Illinois, Iowa and Michigan use REScheck to show compliance with their energy codes. Minnesota, which has a state-specific code, is not REScheck compatible. Illinois does not have a state residential code while Iowa has adopted the 2006 IECC and Michigan the 2003 International Residential Code (IRC).
An Internet-based search of the residential regulatory programs in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota revealed that none of these states had rules regarding specific versions of REScheck as addressed by the Wisconsin rule being amended in this rule proposal.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
The proposed rule was developed using information gathered when the department learned that Wisconsin-specific energy calculations were incorporated into REScheck Version 4.2.2. Previous versions, including Version 4.1.0 which is specified in Comm 22.31 (2) (b), do not include these state-specific calculations and formulas, and therefore, do not support chapter Comm 22 that became effective April 1, 2009.
Small Business Impact
The department believes the proposed rule will not increase the effect on small businesses from what the current rules impose on them. An economic impact report has not been required pursuant to s.
227.137, Stats.
The small business regulatory coordinator for the Department of Commerce is Carol Dunn, who may be contacted at telephone (608) 267-0297, or Email at
carol.dunn@wisconsin.gov.