The rule also creates a new expedited service (Expedited ER Reviews) to meet the needs of customers faced with very short deadlines for commencing project activities. The product is provided in a guaranteed, short timeframe (7 working days) for a higher fee: $140/hour with a minimum charge of three hours ($420). Stakeholders, both internal and external, requested this service to help enable projects on very short deadlines (e.g., stimulus projects) to comply with endangered species laws. The program has been piloting this service for the last six months to provide a mechanism for quickly reviewing proposed stimulus projects. The pilot was accomplished via contract for a similar but slightly lower fee ($100/hour, $360 minimum), and quality products were provided on time to customers. Based on the success of the initial pilot and consistent requests from stakeholders for this service, the Department is now proposing this change to allow Department staff to provide this service as a regular function of the ER Review Program.
The proposed rule clarifies that users with access to detailed NHI data may be required to take training and/or an exam to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to correctly access, interpret, apply and ensure the security of these sensitive data, and establishes that the Department may charge fees for training and exams to cover Department costs. The rule also directs the Department to establish a pilot certification program to allow external individuals with a documented biological background who demonstrate specific skills and knowledge be authorized to conduct preliminary evaluations of potential impacts of proposed projects on endangered resources. These changes are a response to training needs that have been identified consistently by both customers and Department staff, and were reiterated by stakeholders in the recent program review. Those requesting direct access to the NHI data are currently required to take online training (approximately four hours) and an exam before being provided access to the data. However, there is a need to create better and more comprehensive training targeting specific user groups to allow each to better understand, interpret, and apply these data to their specific projects and uses. And, there is a need to continue to ensure that this information has been effectively conveyed and understood through completion of an exam. In anticipation of this proposed rule change, the ER Review Program has been working with two small groups of stakeholders since Fall 2009 to develop a list of competencies, an exam, and a training plan for providing users of these data with the skills, tools, and information that they need to best use the data. One group consists of forestry users, while the second group encompasses other types of users (utilities, agencies, non-profit organizations, private consultants, and others). These groups are expected to finish their work in Fall 2010. The exam, training, and certification program will all be guided by the recommendations of these two working groups. More information about this initiative is available online at
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/review/proposedChanges.aspsarah.carter@wisconsin.gov.
Small Business Fiscal Impact
Pursuant to s.
227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have an economic impact on small businesses.
Environmental Impact
The Department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch.
NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department's consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives.
Fiscal Estimate
State fiscal effect
Increase existing revenues.
Increase costs - will not be possible to absorb within agency's budget.
Local government fiscal effect
Indeterminate.
Increase Costs — Permissive.
Types of local governmental units affected
Town, Villages, Cities, Counties.
Fund sources affected
SEG.
Affected Ch.
20 appropriations
Agency Contact Person
Sarah Carter
101 S. Webster Street
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
Phone: (608) 264-8968
Notice of Hearing
Public Instruction
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That pursuant to ss.
119.23 (2) (a) 6. c. and
227.11 (2) (a), Stats., the Department of Public Instruction will hold a public hearing to consider emergency rules creating section
PI 35.07, relating to establishing a nonrenewable waiver from the requirement that a teacher have a bachelor's degree in order to teach in a private school under the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.
Hearing Information
The hearing will be held as follows:
Date: July 12, 2010
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Madison
GEF 3 Building
125 South Webster Street
Room 041
The hearing site is fully accessible to people with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation to access any meeting, please call Robert Soldner, Director, School Management Services, (608) 266-7475 or leave a message with the Teletypewriter (TTY) at (608) 267-2427 at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Reasonable accommodation includes materials prepared in an alternative format, as provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Copies of Emergency Rule and Fiscal Estimate
Lori Slauson, Administrative Rules and Federal Grants Coordinator
Department of Public Instruction
125 South Webster Street
P.O. Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707
Submittal of Written Comments
Written comments on the proposed rules received by Ms. Slauson at the above mail or email address no later than July 15, 2010, will be given the same consideration as testimony presented at the hearing.
Analysis Prepared by Department of Public Instruction
Statute interpreted
Statutory authority
Explanation of agency authority
Section
119.23 (2) (a) 6. c., Stats., requires the department to, by rule, implement a process to issue a temporary, nonrenewable waiver to certain teachers that meet specific statutory requirements and who are employed by a private school participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) program.
Section
119.23 (11), Stats., requires the department to promulgate rules to implement and administer the MPCP.
Section
227.11 (2) (a), Stats., gives an agency rule-making authority to interpret the provisions of any statute enforced or administered by it, if the agency considers it necessary to effectuate the purpose of the statute.
SECTION 9139 (4r) of the nonstatutory provisions of
2009 Wisconsin Act 28 allows the department promulgate emergency rules without a finding of emergency or a statement as to why the rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, safety or welfare.
Related statute or rule
N/A
Plain language analysis
2009 Wisconsin Act 28, the 2009-11 biennial budget bill, made several modifications to the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program under s.
119.23, Stats. Several of the modifications require that the department develop rules to implement the statutory provisions. One of those modifications requires the department to develop a rule setting forth the process to issue a temporary, nonrenewable waiver for eligible teachers who have been teaching in a participating private school for at least 5 consecutive years immediately preceding July 1, 2010, but do not have a bachelor's degree.
By statute, a teacher may apply for a temporary, nonrenewable waiver if he or she:
•
Was employed by the private school participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) on July 1, 2010,
•
Has been teaching for at least the 5 consecutive years immediately preceding July 1, 2010, and
•
Does not have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education on July 1, 2010.
The statutes further require the applicant to submit to the department a waiver application designed by the department and a plan for satisfying the requirements under s.
119.23 (2) (a) 6. a., Stats., including the name of the accredited institution of higher education at which the teacher is pursuing or will pursue the bachelor's degree and the anticipated date on which the teacher expects to complete the bachelor's degree.
The rules include the statutory requirements described above and establish the process for requesting the temporary, nonrenewable waiver. The rules require specific information to be submitted by July 31, 2010, when applying for the waiver, including:
•
Information documenting that the institution of higher education is accredited.
•
The name and contact information of the accredited institution of higher learning.
•
A list of specific classes to be taken to complete the bachelor's degree, including updates of any changes that have occurred in the applicant's plan.
•
If applicable, an official transcript showing courses already completed that count toward the bachelor's degree.
•
Information demonstrating a bachelor's degree from the accredited institution of higher education can be issued within five years under the plan proposed by the applicant.
Finally, no waiver granted under these rules is valid after July 31, 2015.
The Act required permanent rules be submitted to the Legislative Council by October 1, 2009. The permanent rule process is nearly complete but emergency rules are being promulgated to establish the waiver application requirements prior to the July 1, 2010, teacher criteria deadline, established under s.
119.23 (2) (c), Stats.
Comparison with federal regulations
N/A
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota do not have rules relating to private school voucher programs.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
The waiver granted under these rules is only available to teachers that meet the requirements on July 1, 2010 and valid until July 31, 2015. The information required in the rule is typical of information requested from regular teachers in determining whether they are on-track to receiving proper certification.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business
N/A.
Anticipated costs incurred by private sector
N/A.
Small Business Fiscal Impact
The proposed rules will have no significant economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s.
227.114 (1) (a), Stats.
Fiscal Estimate
The rule sets forth the process to issue a temporary, nonrenewable waiver for eligible teachers who have been teaching in a participating private school but do not meet the new licensing requirement created by
2009 Wis. Act 28 under s.
119.23 (2) (a) 6. a, Stats.
The rules will have no local fiscal effect and will have no significant economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s.
227.114 (1) (a), Stats.
The costs associated with the new waiver application process and review will be absorbed by the department.
