227.40 Annotation
The standard of review of administrative rules in Wisconsin. Zabrowski. 1982 WLR 691.
227.41
227.41
Declaratory rulings. 227.41(1)(1) Any agency may, on petition by any interested person, issue a declaratory ruling with respect to the applicability to any person, property or state of facts of any rule or statute enforced by it. Full opportunity for hearing shall be afforded to interested parties. A declaratory ruling shall bind the agency and all parties to the proceedings on the statement of facts alleged, unless it is altered or set aside by a court. A ruling shall be subject to review in the circuit court in the manner provided for the review of administrative decisions.
227.41(2)
(2) Petitions for declaratory rulings shall conform to the following requirements:
227.41(2)(a)
(a) The petition shall be in writing and its caption shall include the name of the agency and a reference to the nature of the petition.
227.41(2)(b)
(b) The petition shall contain a reference to the rule or statute with respect to which the declaratory ruling is requested, a concise statement of facts describing the situation as to which the declaratory ruling is requested, the reasons for the requested ruling, and the names and addresses of persons other than the petitioner, if any, upon whom it is sought to make the declaratory ruling binding.
227.41(2)(c)
(c) The petition shall be signed by one or more persons, with each signer's address set forth opposite the signer's name, and shall be verified by at least one of the signers. If a person signs on behalf of a corporation, limited liability company or association, that fact also shall be indicated opposite that person's name.
227.41(3)
(3) The petition shall be filed with the administrative head of the agency or with a member of the agency's policy board.
227.41(4)
(4) Within a reasonable time after receipt of a petition pursuant to this section, an agency shall either deny the petition in writing or schedule the matter for hearing. If the agency denies the petition, it shall promptly notify the person who filed the petition of its decision, including a brief statement of the reasons therefor.
227.41 History
History: 1985 a. 182 s.
27; Stats. 1985 s. 227.41;
1991 a. 316;
1993 a. 112.
227.41 Annotation
Doctrine of res judicata does not apply to proceedings of administrative agency, but this section requires internal consistency within proceeding by binding agency within that proceeding to its own declaratory ruling. Board of Regents v. Wisconsin Pers. Comm. 103 W (2d) 545, 309 NW (2d) 366 (Ct. App. 1981).
227.42
227.42
Right to hearing. 227.42(1)(1) In addition to any other right provided by law, any person filing a written request with an agency for hearing shall have the right to a hearing which shall be treated as a contested case if:
227.42(1)(a)
(a) A substantial interest of the person is injured in fact or threatened with injury by agency action or inaction;
227.42(1)(b)
(b) There is no evidence of legislative intent that the interest is not to be protected;
227.42(1)(c)
(c) The injury to the person requesting a hearing is different in kind or degree from injury to the general public caused by the agency action or inaction; and
227.42(2)
(2) Any denial of a request for a hearing shall be in writing, shall state the reasons for denial, and is an order reviewable under this chapter. If the agency does not enter an order disposing of the request for hearing within 20 days from the date of filing, the request shall be deemed denied as of the end of the 20-day period.
227.42(3)
(3) This section does not apply to rule-making proceedings or rehearings, or to actions where hearings at the discretion of the agency are expressly authorized by law.
227.42(4)
(4) This section does not apply if a hearing on the matter was conducted as a part of a hearing under
s. 293.43.
227.42(5)
(5) Except as provided under
s. 289.27 (1), this section does not apply to any part of the process for approving a feasibility report, plan of operation or license under
subch. III of ch. 289 or
s. 291.23,
291.25,
291.29 or
291.31, any decision by the department of natural resources relating to the environmental impact of a proposed action under
ch. 289 or
291 or
ss. 292.31 and
292.35, or any part of the process of negotiation and arbitration under
s. 289.33.
227.42(6)
(6) This section does not apply to a decision issued or a hearing conducted under
s. 291.87.
227.42 History
History: 1975 c. 414;
1977 c. 418; Stats. 1977 s. 227.064;
1979 c. 221;
1981 c. 374;
1983 a. 298;
1985 a. 182 s.
28; Stats. 1985 s. 227.42;
1995 a. 227.
227.42 Annotation
Person who satisfies conditions under (1) is entitled to hearing whether or not person has "other right provided by law". Milwaukee Met. Sewerage Dist. v. DNR, 126 W (2d) 63, 375 NW (2d) 649 (1985).
227.42 Annotation
See note to 1.11, citing Milwaukee Brewers v. DHSS, 130 W (2d) 56, 387 NW (2d) 245 (1986).
227.42 Annotation
Discussion of right to contested case hearing pursuant to (1). Metro. Greyhound Mgt. Corp. v. Racing Bd., 157 W (2d) 678, 460 NW (2d) 802 (Ct. App. 1990).
227.42 Annotation
Sub. (1) does not grant the right to a contested case hearing regarding the need for an environmental impact statement. North Lake Management Dist. v. DNR, 182 W (2d) 500, 513 NW (2d) 703 (Ct. App. 1994).
227.42 Annotation
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District v. DNR: Expanding the scope of state agency actions covered by contested case hearings. 1986 WLR 963.
227.43
227.43
Division of hearings and appeals. 227.43(1)
(1) The administrator of the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration shall:
227.43(1)(a)
(a) Serve as the appointing authority of all hearing examiners under
s. 230.06.
227.43(1)(b)
(b) Assign a hearing examiner to preside over any hearing of a contested case which is required to be conducted by the department of natural resources and which is not conducted by the secretary of natural resources.
227.43(1)(bg)
(bg) Assign a hearing examiner to preside over any hearing or review under
ss. 84.30 (18),
84.31 (6) (a),
85.013 (1),
86.073 (3),
86.16 (5),
86.195 (9) (b),
86.32 (1),
114.134 (4) (b),
114.135 (9),
114.20 (19),
175.05 (4) (b),
194.145 (1),
194.46,
218.01 (2) (bd) 2. and
(c) 2.,
(3) (b),
(c),
(f) 1.,
(fm) 1. and
(h) and
(3c) (d),
218.11 (7) (a) and
(b),
218.22 (4) (a) and
(b),
218.32 (4) (a) and
(b),
218.41 (4),
218.51 (5) (a) and
(b),
341.09 (2m) (d),
342.26,
343.69 and
348.25 (9).
227.43(1)(br)
(br) Assign a hearing examiner to preside over any hearing of a contested case which is required to be conducted by the department of transportation and which is not conducted by the secretary of transportation.
227.43(1)(bu)
(bu) Assign a hearing examiner to preside over any hearing of a contested case that is required to be conducted by the department of health and family services and that is not conducted by the secretary of health and family services.
227.43(1)(by)
(by) Assign a hearing examiner to preside over any hearing of a contested case that is required to be conducted by the department of workforce development under
subch. III of ch. 49 and that is not conducted by the secretary of workforce development.
227.43(1)(c)
(c) Supervise hearing examiners in the conduct of the hearing and the rendering of a decision, if a decision is required.
227.43(1)(d)
(d) Promulgate rules relating to the exercise of the administrator's and the division's powers and duties under this section.
227.43(1m)
(1m) Upon the request of an agency that is not prohibited from contracting with a 3rd party for contested case hearing services, the administrator of the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration may contract with the agency to provide the contested case hearing services and may assign a hearing examiner to preside over any hearing performed under such a contract.
227.43(2)(a)(a) The department of natural resources shall notify the division of hearings and appeals of every pending hearing to which the administrator of the division is required to assign a hearing examiner under
sub. (1) (b) after the department of natural resources is notified that a hearing on the matter is required.
227.43(2)(b)
(b) The department of transportation shall notify the division of hearings and appeals of every pending hearing to which the administrator of the division is required to assign a hearing examiner under
sub. (1) (br) after the department of transportation is notified that a hearing on the matter is required.
227.43(2)(c)
(c) The department of health and family services shall notify the division of hearings and appeals of every pending hearing to which the administrator of the division is required to assign a hearing examiner under
sub. (1) (bu) after the department of health and family services is notified that a hearing on the matter is required.
227.43(2)(d)
(d) The department of workforce development shall notify the division of hearings and appeals of every pending hearing to which the administrator of the division is required to assign a hearing examiner under
sub. (1) (by) after the department of workforce development is notified that a hearing on the matter is required.
227.43(3)(a)(a) The administrator of the division of hearings and appeals may set the fees to be charged for any services rendered to the department of natural resources by a hearing examiner under this section. The fee shall cover the total cost of the services less any costs covered by the appropriation under
s. 20.505 (4) (f).
227.43(3)(b)
(b) The administrator of the division of hearings and appeals may set the fees to be charged for any services rendered to the department of transportation by a hearing examiner under this section. The fee shall cover the total cost of the services less any costs covered by the appropriation under
s. 20.505 (4) (f).
227.43(3)(c)
(c) The administrator of the division of hearings and appeals may set the fees to be charged for any services rendered to the department of health and family services by a hearing examiner under this section in a manner consistent with a federally approved allocation methodology. The fees shall cover the total cost of the services.
227.43(3)(d)
(d) The administrator of the division of hearings and appeals may set the fees to be charged for any services rendered to the department of workforce development by a hearing examiner under this section in a manner consistent with a federally approved allocation methodology. The fees shall cover the total cost of the services.
227.43(3)(e)
(e) The administrator of the division of hearings and appeals may set the fees to be charged for any services contracted for under
sub. (1m).
227.43(4)(a)(a) The department of natural resources shall pay all costs of the services of a hearing examiner assigned to the department under
sub. (1) (b), according to the fees set under
sub. (3) (a).
227.43(4)(b)
(b) The department of transportation shall pay all costs of the services of a hearing examiner assigned under
sub. (1) (bg) or assigned to the department under
sub. (1) (br), according to the fees set under
sub. (3) (b).
227.43(4)(c)
(c) The department of health and family services shall pay all costs of the services of a hearing examiner, including support services, assigned under
sub. (1) (bu), according to the fees set under
sub. (3) (c).
227.43(4)(d)
(d) The department of workforce development shall pay all costs of the services of a hearing examiner, including support services, assigned under
sub. (1) (by), according to the fees set under
sub. (3) (d).
227.43(4)(e)
(e) The agency contracting out for contested case hearing services under
sub. (1m) shall pay all costs of the services of a hearing examiner, including support services, assigned under
sub. (1m), according to the fees set under
sub. (3) (e).
227.43(5)
(5) The department of transportation shall pay all costs of the services of a hearing examiner assigned under
sub. (1) (bg) or assigned to the department under
sub. (1) (br), according to the fee schedule under
sub. (3) (b).
227.44
227.44
Contested cases; notice; parties; hearing; records. 227.44(1)(1) In a contested case, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity for hearing after reasonable notice. Except in the case of an emergency, reasonable notice shall consist of mailing notice to known interested parties at least 10 days prior to the hearing.
227.44(2)(a)
(a) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing, including whether the case is a class 1, 2 or 3 proceeding.
227.44(2)(b)
(b) A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held, and, in the case of a class 2 proceeding, a reference to the particular statutes and rules involved.
227.44(2)(c)
(c) A short and plain statement of the matters asserted. If the matters cannot be stated with specificity at the time the notice is served, the notice may be limited to a statement of the issues involved.
227.44(2m)
(2m) Any person whose substantial interest may be affected by the decision following the hearing shall, upon the person's request, be admitted as a party.
227.44(2s)
(2s) The personnel commission may order consolidation of any case with any other case involving the same parties or one or more issues arising substantially out of the same circumstances or closely related circumstances.
227.44(3)
(3) Opportunity shall be afforded all parties to present evidence and to rebut or offer countervailing evidence.
227.44(4)(a)(a) In any action to be set for hearing, the agency or hearing examiner may direct the parties to appear before it for a conference to consider:
227.44(4)(a)2.
2. The necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings.
227.44(4)(a)3.
3. The possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents which will avoid unnecessary proof.
227.44(4)(a)5.
5. Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the action.
227.44(4)(b)
(b) The agency or hearing examiner presiding at a conference under this subsection shall make a memorandum for the record which summarizes the action taken at the conference, the amendments allowed to the pleadings and the agreements made by the parties as to any of the matters considered, and which limits the issues for hearing to those not disposed of by admissions or agreements of the parties. Such memorandum shall control the subsequent course of the action, unless modified at the hearing to prevent manifest injustice.
227.44(5)
(5) Unless precluded by law, informal disposition may be made of any contested case by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or default. In any proceeding in which a hearing is required by law, if there is no such hearing, the agency or hearing examiner shall record in writing the reason why no such hearing was held, and shall make copies available to interested persons.
227.44(6)
(6) The record in a contested case shall include:
227.44(6)(a)
(a) All applications, pleadings, motions, intermediate rulings and exhibits and appendices thereto.
227.44(6)(b)
(b) Evidence received or considered, stipulations and admissions.
227.44(6)(d)
(d) Questions and offers of proof, objections, and rulings thereon.
227.44(6)(e)
(e) Any proposed findings or decisions and exceptions.
227.44(6)(f)
(f) Any decision, opinion or report by the agency or hearing examiner.
227.44(7)
(7) All staff memoranda and staff data, not admitted as evidence in a contested case, which are submitted to the hearing examiner or officials of the agency in connection with their consideration of the case, are not part of the official record but shall be made a part of the file and shall be served on all parties. Any party may, within 10 days of service of such memoranda or data, submit comments thereon to the examiner or officials and such comments shall also be served on all parties and placed in the file.
227.44(8)
(8) A stenographic, electronic or other record of oral proceedings shall be made in any class 2 or class 3 proceeding and in any class 1 proceeding when requested by a party. Each agency may establish rules relating to the transcription of the record into a written transcript and the providing of free copies of the written transcript. Rules may require a purpose for transcription which is deemed by the agency to be reasonable, such as appeal, and if this test is met to the satisfaction of the agency, the record shall be transcribed at the agency's expense, except that in preparing the record for judicial review of a decision that was made in an appeal under
s. 227.47 (2) or in an arbitration proceeding under
s. 101.143 (6s) or
230.44 (4) (bm) the record shall be transcribed at the expense of the party petitioning for judicial review. Rules may require a showing of impecuniousness or financial need as a basis for providing a free copy of the transcript, otherwise a reasonable compensatory fee may be charged. If any agency does not promulgate such rules, then it must transcribe the record and provide free copies of written transcripts upon request. In any event, an agency shall not refuse to provide a written transcript if the person making the request pays a reasonable compensatory fee for the transcription and for the copy. This subsection does not apply where a transcript fee is specifically provided by law.
227.44(9)
(9) The factual basis of the decision shall be solely the evidence and matters officially noticed.
227.44 History
History: 1975 c. 414;
1977 c. 26,
418;
1985 a. 182 ss.
32,
52,
55 (1); Stats. 1985 s. 227.44;
1993 a. 16;
1997 a. 237.
227.44 Annotation
Hearing examiner did not abuse discretion in failing to use interpreter. Kropiwka v. DILHR, 87 W (2d) 709, 275 NW (2d) 881 (1979).
227.44 Annotation
Procedural due process is violated when scope of hearing exceeds notice; parties have right to be apprised of issues to insure right to be heard. Bracegirdle v. Board of Nursing, 159 W (2d) 402, 464 NW (2d) 111 (Ct. App. 1990).
