Revises Chapter
Comm 138, relating to woody biomass harvesting and processing credit.
Objective of the Rule
The rules proposed would implement the provisions of
2009 Wisconsin Act 269 that relate to certifying applicants and allocating to them tax credits for equipment which is utilized primarily to harvest or process woody biomass for use as a fuel or as a component of fuel.
Policy Analysis
The Department has rules for several other programs associated with tax credits, but none of those programs are targeted specifically to equipment for harvesting or processing woody biomass.
The rules are expected to address (1) the eligibility requirements for applicants; (2) the documentation that must be submitted by applicants to become certified as eligible for the credit, and to receive acceptance of incurred expenses; (3) the Department's response to the submitted documentation; and (4) filing a claim with the Department of Revenue for the tax credit.
The alternative of not promulgating these rules would conflict with the directive in section
560.209 (4) of the Statutes – as created by
2009 Wisconsin Act 269 – that requires this promulgation, in consultation with the Department of Revenue.
Statutory Authority
Comparison with Federal Regulations
The 2008 Food, Conservation and Energy Act, P.L.
110-234, included a new, temporary tax credit that is available to qualified cellulosic biofuel producers, some of whom may process woody biomass into a material that is used to produce the biofuel. The credit is $1.01 per gallon and is available through December 31, 2012.
Entities Affected by the Rule
The rules may affect entities that incur expenses for equipment which is utilized primarily to harvest or process woody biomass for use as a fuel or as a component of fuel.
Estimate of Time Needed to Develop the Rule
The staff time needed to develop the rules is expected to range from 80 to 120 hours, depending upon the associated complexity. This includes research, rule drafting, and processing the rules through public hearings, legislative review, and adoption. There are no other resources necessary to promulgate the rules.
Medical Examining Board
Subject
Revising Wis. Admin. Code Chapter MED 8.
Objective of the Rule
The Medical Examining Board seeks to modernize Wis. Admin. Code Chapter MED 8 to reflect recent trends in the area of the number of physician assistants a physician may supervise at one time. The proposed revisions will consider how practice specialty, practice setting, and patient population influence the manner in which physicians supervise physician assistants and whether there is any correlation to patient safety.
Policy Analysis
The revisions will be based on a review of the model rule set forth by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), current trends in the laws and regulations in other states and the Medical Examining Board's assessment of necessary improvements to enforce the protection of public health and safety.
Statutory Authority
Comparison with Federal Regulations
None.
Entities Affected by the Rule
The entities affected by the rule include Medical Examining Board, licensed professionals including doctors and physician assistants, health care consumers, and employers of licensed health care professionals.
Estimate of Time Needed to Develop the Rule
It is estimated that 300 hours will be needed to promulgate the rule.
