MCP:amn
2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
October 9, 2017 - Introduced by Senators Cowles, Olsen, Marklein, Bewley and
Feyen, cosponsored by Representatives Swearingen, R. Brooks, Spreitzer,
Considine, Mursau, Meyers, Vruwink, E. Brooks, Steffen, Genrich,
Shankland and Nygren. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources and
Energy.
SB440,1,3 1An Act to amend 100.26 (1); and to create 100.70 of the statutes; relating to:
2authorizing the Wisconsin Propane Education and Research Council to levy an
3assessment.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill allows the Wisconsin Propane Education and Research Council to levy
an assessment on odorized propane against certain licensed propane retailers.
The bill requires the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association to conduct a
referendum among its retailer members on the question of whether to allow the
council to levy an assessment on odorized propane. The bill defines a “retailer" as
a person who sells propane at retail to the ultimate consumer and who is licensed to
do so by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. If approved in the
referendum, the council has the authority to levy an initial annual assessment
amount of no more than two-tenths of one cent per gallon of odorized propane sold
in this state. After the initial assessment, the council is required to set annual
assessments in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of programs developed by the
council, but the assessment amount may not be raised by more than one-twentieth
of one cent per gallon of odorized propane annually unless approved in a referendum
among retailer members of the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association and approved by
the council's board of directors.
Under the bill, the owner of propane immediately prior to its odorization or the
owner of odorized propane at the time of its import into this state is responsible for
collecting the assessments from retailers who purchase the odorized propane for use

in this state. The owner is required to remit the collected assessments to the council
on a monthly basis or be subject to an interest penalty on any amount that is not
timely remitted. The bill also allows the council to establish an alternative means
of collecting assessments.
The bill provides that a propane purchaser who pays an assessment may secure
a refund by submitting a written refund application to the council with proof of the
assessment that was charged. A purchaser who obtains a refund is not eligible for
any benefits provided under the council's programs.
The bill also allows the council to bring an action in circuit court to compel the
remittance of collected assessments and allows the council to recover its costs and
disbursements, including reasonable attorney fees, for bringing the action.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB440,1 1Section 1 . 100.26 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB440,2,52 100.26 (1) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, except s.
3100.18, 100.20, 100.206 or, 100.51 , or 100.70, for which no specific penalty is
4prescribed shall be fined not to exceed $200, or imprisoned in the county jail not more
5than 6 months or both.
SB440,2 6Section 2 . 100.70 of the statutes is created to read:
SB440,2,8 7100.70 Propane Education and Research Council. (1) Definitions. In
8this section:
SB440,2,119 (a) “Council" means the organization with the name “Wisconsin Propane
10Education and Research Council" that is designated as a nonprofit corporation under
11section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
SB440,2,1312 (b) “Retailer" means a person who sells propane at retail to the ultimate
13consumer and is licensed under s. 101.16 (3g) (a).
SB440,3,5 14(2) Referendum; authority to levy assessment. No later than 120 days after
15the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date], the Wisconsin Propane
16Gas Association shall conduct, at its own expense, a referendum among its members

1who are retailers on the question of whether to allow the council to levy the
2assessment described under sub. (3). Each member who is a retailer shall be entitled
3to one vote in the referendum. Upon approval of a majority of the members voting
4in the referendum, the council shall be authorized to levy an assessment on odorized
5propane as provided under sub. (3).
SB440,3,13 6(3) Assessment. (a) The council shall set the initial annual assessment at no
7greater than two-tenths of one cent per gallon of odorized propane sold in this state.
8After the initial assessment, the council shall set annual assessments sufficient to
9cover the costs of the plans and programs developed by the council. An assessment
10may not be raised by more than one-twentieth of one cent per gallon of odorized
11propane annually unless approved by a majority of those voting in a referendum
12among members of the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association who are retailers and by
13the board of directors of the council.
SB440,4,414 (b) The owner of propane immediately prior to its odorization or the owner of
15odorized propane at the time of its import into this state shall collect assessments
16from purchasers of the odorized propane who are retailers. The owner shall calculate
17the amount of the assessment based on the volume of odorized propane it sells for use
18in this state. The assessment shall be listed as a separate line item on the bill of sale
19for the odorized propane and titled “Wisconsin propane education and research
20assessment." The owner shall remit the collected assessments to the council on a
21monthly basis by the 25th day of the month following the month the assessment was
22collected. If the owner does not remit the collected assessments as required under
23this paragraph, an interest penalty of 1 percent of any amount that is not remitted
24shall be imposed against the owner for each month or fraction of a month after the
25due date, until final payment is made. The council may establish an alternative

1means of collecting assessments if the council determines that another method
2would be more efficient or effective and may establish an alternative late payment
3charge or interest penalty to be imposed on a person who fails to timely remit any
4collected assessments to the council.
SB440,4,9 5(4) Refunds. A purchaser of propane who has an assessment added as a line
6item to the sale price may secure a refund of the amount added by submitting a
7written application to the council with proof of the assessments charged. A
8purchaser who obtains a refund is not eligible for any benefits provided under the
9council's programs.
SB440,4,13 10(5) Compliance. The council may bring an action in any circuit court of this
11state to compel compliance with sub. (3) (b). Notwithstanding s. 814.04, the council,
12if successful in its action, shall be entitled to recover its costs and disbursements,
13including reasonable attorney fees.
SB440,4,1414 (End)
Loading...
Loading...