Scope Statements
Commerce
Flammable, Combustible and Hazardous Liquids,
Ch. Comm 10
Subject
Revises Chapter Comm 10, relating to flammable, combustible and hazardous liquids.
Objective of the Rule
The planned rule changes would primarily clarify and refine the comprehensive update of this chapter that the Department adopted in 2008.
Policy Analysis
Under chapter 101 of the Statutes, the Department is required to adopt and administer rules for safe storage, handling and use of flammable, combustible and hazardous liquids. These liquids, such as gasoline, are an important and often essential element in daily life, business and industry. However, the liquid and vapor phases of these products migrate very easily, which can and has resulted in serious fire, environmental, life-safety, and health-exposure risks and damage.
In 2008 the Department completed an extensive and comprehensive update of the rules, which included several substantial changes that were needed to achieve consistency with overriding federal regulations. In implementing this extensive update, through numerous training sessions, plan reviews, inspections, and renewals of operating permits, the Department has found several aspects of the rules that could be made easier to understand and more practical to apply.
The alternative of not promulgating these rule changes would result in continuing, unnecessary difficulty in applying the current rules.
Statutory Authority
Sections 101.02 (15), 101.09 (3), 101.14 (1) (a) and (4) (a), 101.142, and 227.11 (2) (a) of the Statutes.
Comparison with Federal Regulations
Federal regulations for aboveground storage tanks do not address fire and public safety issues or groundwater pollution issues, except for protecting potable water supply sources. Federal regulations for underground storage tanks do not address fire and public safety issues or surface water pollution issues, except for protecting potable water supply sources.
The planned rule changes are not expected to conflict with these federal regulations.
Entities Affected by the Rule
The planned rule changes are expected to benefit entities that design, install, inspect or operate storage tank systems for flammable, combustible or hazardous liquids.
Estimate of Time Needed to Develop the Rule
The staff time needed to develop the rule changes is expected to range from 100 to 150 hours, depending upon the associated complexity. This includes research, rule drafting, and processing the rule changes through public hearings, legislative review and adoption. There are no other resources necessary to promulgate the rule changes.
Commerce
(Republished from Register 659, Nov. 30, 2010, to correct Agency heading.)
Financial Resources for Businesses and Communities, Chs. Comm 100
Subject
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
Sections 15.08 (5) (b), 227.11 (2) and 448.40(1), Stats.
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.
Loading...
Loading...
Links to Admin. Code and Statutes in this Register are to current versions, which may not be the version that was referred to in the original published document.