Scope statements
Commerce
Subject
Chapter
Comm 70, relating to historic buildings.
Policy Analysis
Objective of the rule. The objective of the rule is to revise the provisions of the Department's administrative rules relating to the renovation, alteration and reuse of historic buildings. The revision is intended to update the current method of evaluating historic buildings for compliance with building construction requirements without compromising the historic significance of the structures.
Section
101.121, Stats., requires the Department to develop alternative standards for the preservation or restoration of buildings or structures designated as historic buildings. Chapter
Comm 70, Historic Buildings Code, establishes alternative building requirements that facilitate preserving or restoring buildings or structures designated as historic buildings, encourages energy conservation, permits cost-effective approaches to historic preservation and restoration, provides for the health, safety and welfare of occupants and visitors, and provides reasonable access for people with disabilities.
The Historic Buildings Code uses a safety evaluation methodology that is based upon certain aspects of the current Commercial Building Code. The Department adopted the International suite of building codes, including the International Building Code
® (IBC), as the base construction standards in Wisconsin as of July 1, 2002. Chapter
Comm 70 was also updated to cross-reference the applicable code sections in the new IBC relating to the building safety parameters used in the historic building evaluation method. In order that the Historic Buildings Code remains reasonable and focused on its statutory objectives, the Division needs to evaluate and update the code and its standards.
The alternative of not evaluating and revising the historic building code may result in several consequences, including:
1. The elimination of other alternatives to help preserve, restore and reuse historic and older existing buildings Wisconsin.
2. The imposition of over-burdensome or unreasonable standards.
3. The risk of deficient or inadequate standards that do not fulfill statutory objectives.
Statutory authority
Staff time required
The Department estimates that it will take approximately 920 hours to develop these rules. This time includes forming and meeting with an advisory council, researching and drafting the rule, and processing the rules from public hearing to adoption. The Department will assign existing staff to develop the rule. There are no other resources necessary to develop the rule.
Commerce
Subject
Chapter
Comm 118, relating to the Agricultural Development Zone Program.
Policy Analysis
Objective of the Rule. The
2001 Wis. Act 16 provides for Commerce to administer a program for the attraction, promotion, retention, and expansion of agricultural businesses in the state.
Through the authority given in s.
560.798, Stats., Commerce is hereby proposing to create administrative rules, ch.
Comm 118 -- Agricultural Development Zone Program. This chapter shall at least address the following:
•
Creation of the process for application and designation of an agricultural development zone.
•
Provisions for a means for modification of the boundary of an agricultural development zone.
•
Creation of the process for application and certification of agricultural businesses within an agricultural development zone.
•
Establishment of criteria for eligibility to certify agricultural businesses.
•
Creation of the process to determine and claim tax benefits and notify the Department of Revenue.
Existing policies. Commerce, being the state agency with primary authority for economic development in the state, recognizes that there is a verified need to attract, promote retain, and expand Wisconsin agricultural businesses. For example, over the past 50 years, Wisconsin has experienced an average of six dairy farms leaving production each day. In the year 2001, state milk production declined by more than on billion pounds, resulting in a near 5% decline in production. Western states have increased their cheese production, while Wisconsin experiences declining milk production and dairy processing activities; this program would assist Wisconsin in regaining it's prominence in dairy and dairy processing production.
New policies. This is a new Wisconsin program initiative for the attraction, promotion, retention, and expansion of agricultural businesses in the state.
Policy alternatives. The alternative of not creating the code chapter will result negatively in the State's ability to maintain a world-class dairy production and milk processing state. The creation of this program combined with other economic development programs in the state is expected to increase the competitiveness Wisconsin's dairy industry.
Statutory authority
Staff time required
The time estimated to develop the rule is as follows:
Rule drafting and internal processing to announce public hearings = 82 hrs.
Conducting public hearings and summarizing hearing comments = 40 hrs.
Preparing rules in final draft form for legislative review = 44 hrs.
Meet with Legislators on subject rules = 4 hrs.
Prepare rule for adoption and file adopted rule = 30 hrs.
Total hours = 200
Health and Family Services
Subject
The Department proposes to create ch.
HFS 118, rules governing the development and operation of Wisconsin's Statewide Trauma Care System. The system's objective is to reduce death and disability resulting from traumatic injury by decreasing the incidence of trauma, providing optimal care of trauma victims and their families, and collecting and assessing trauma-related data.
Policy Analysis
Trauma is a sudden physical injury caused by the application of an external force or violence, such as a motor vehicle accident, a fall or a blow from a blunt or penetrating instrument. Trauma is the leading cause of death in Wisconsin among people under age 35 and is the fourth leading cause of death among the general Wisconsin population. Trauma care may, directly or indirectly, affect all Wisconsin residents and visitors. Section
146.56, Stats., directs the Department of Health and Family Services to develop and implement a statewide trauma care system. Through a statewide trauma system, health care and public safety participants will best be able to respond to and address the needs of trauma victims and their families. The Statewide Trauma Advisory Council, established under s.
15.197 (25), Stats., and appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services, has been collaborating with the Department for the past two years towards the development and implementation of Wisconsin's Statewide Trauma Care System. Wisconsin's Statewide Trauma Care System, when fully implemented, will enhance community health through an organized system of injury prevention, acute care and rehabilitation that is fully integrated with the public health care system in a community.
The Department's proposed rules will contain all of the following:
1. A method by which to classify the emergency care capabilities of all Wisconsin hospitals.
2. Policies guiding the development and use of Regional Trauma Advisory Councils for the purpose of developing, implementing and monitoring the trauma care system.
3. Policies governing the establishment and operation of a statewide trauma registry; triage and transfer protocols among trauma care providers; and the promotion of improved trauma provider performance.
Data collected from the state trauma registry on injury incidence, patient care and outcomes will help identify problems and evaluate the performance of the existing trauma care system. Through this information, communities will be able to assess the nature of trauma injuries in Wisconsin and establish appropriate injury prevention programs to reduce the occurrence of injuries, expedite patients' recovery and minimize the lasting effects of injuries.
Statutory authority
The Department's statutory authority to promulgate ch.
HFS 118, relating to Wisconsin's Statewide Trauma Care System is under ss.
146.56 (2) and
227.11 (2), Stats.
Staff time required
The Department estimates it will take 160 hours of staff time to develop initial proposed rules. The Department will consult with the State Trauma Advisory Council and trauma experts during the drafting of the rules, as well as trauma care participants with a particular expertise in trauma and EMS.
Regulation and Licensing
Subject
To promulgate rules needed to implement the sections of
2001 Wisconsin Act 80 that regulate music, art and dance therapy.
