October 2007 Wisconsin Small Business
Regulatory Alert
It's important for small businesses to have their voice heard
during the state rule-making process. To do this, you need to know when
rules are being developed by state agencies that may directly impact
your small business! Learn what state rules
are being promulgated or going to public hearing. In addition to
learning about rule development, the alerts will provide information
about trainings, workshops, conferences and other regulatory
information
important
to Wisconsin small businesses.
Following are proposed rules of possible interest to small
businesses published in the September 30 and October 15, 2007 Wisconsin
Administrative Register. During the comment period,
individuals have an opportunity to express their support or opposition
to the rule. Rules included in this Alert may affect the
following types of businesses:
Announcement of Hearings
Firewood Dealers -
The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection proposes
to
create a voluntary certification program for firewood dealers.
Bottomline: Certification may be
considered by those dealers who wish to supply firewood to Wisconsin
state parks (DNR rule prohibits the sale of firewood to a state park
unless the dealer is certified by DATCP). Included among in the
rule are the requirements for dealers to treat the wood.
Dealers will incur fumigation and storage costs in order to
comply with certification requirements.
To view the draft rule, and the notice of hearing click here.
Comments may be submitted until November 2, 2007 to
Robert.Dahl@datcp.state.wi.us. You may also contact the DATCP's Small
Business Regulatory Coordinator at Keeley.Moll@datcp.state.wi.us.
Amusement Ride
Businesses or Manufacturers or Installers of Amusement Rides -
The Department of Commerce proposes a rule to reflect current industry
practices and to evaluate administrative and enforcement aspects of the
program. This rule
development may occur in more than one rule-making endeavor.
Bottomline: This rule sets the requirements for
the amusement ride operators to acquire and maintain a specific amount
of liability insurance. The rule also creates a safety field attachment
or connection provision for amusement rides where passengers donning
harnesses are elevated.
To view the draft rule, and the notice of hearing click here.
Comments may be submitted until October 25, 2007 to jim.quast@wisconsin.gov.
This rule has been submitted to the Small Business Regulatory
Review Board as it may have a significant economic impact on small
business. The Small Business Regulatory Review Board is interested in
hearing from small businesses about the economic impact that this rule
may have on their business. Comments may be sent to the Small
Business Ombudsman until October 25, 2007 at carol.dunn@wi.gov.
Day Care Centers -
The Department of Health and Family Services purposes a rule requiring
that any student admitted to a day care center or a nursery
present written evidence of having completed the immunizations for each
vaccine required for the student's grade. A list of diseases for which
immunization applies is contained in the content of this rule.
Bottomline: Day care centers will experience some
increase in workload in tracking compliance with the requirement for
PCV, reporting compliance to the department and in referring
noncompliant students to the district attorney or corporation counsel
for enforcement action.
To view the draft rule and the notice of hearing click here.
Comments may be submitted through the administrative rule web site or
sent to huriemb@dhfs.state.wi.us
until October 25, 2007 or you may contact the DHFS Small Business
Regulatory Coordinator at Greerrj@dhfs.state.wi.us.
Retailers
Selling Lottery Tickets - The Department of Revenue purposes
a rule to creates language that permits the Lottery to revise billing
terms and also address the potential for accessing additional shipping
at a specified cost to the retailer
in situations where a retailer desires additional shipping options.
Bottomline: This rule package contains the
provisions for the suspension of a retailer's contracts, additional
charges for additional orders, reselling controls and the terms for
billing. While the rule may provide more time to sell a pack of
tickets, retailers may be responsible for larger sticker prices for
each pack of tickets.
To view the draft rule and the notice of hearing click here.
Comments and questions may be submitted through October 24, 2007 to james.amberson@revenue.wi.gov.
Questions can also be sent to the DOR Small Business Regulatory
Coordinator at Julie.Raes@wisconsin.gov.
Commercial
Driving Schools - The Department of Transportation purposes a
rule to amend the number of motorcycles allowed on the range, and
change the reporting time frame for site inspection reports. This rule
package also includes requirements related to background checks, and
insurance and
bond requirements.
Bottomline: Some commercial schools may not
currently have bonding.
To view the draft rule and the notice of hearing click here.
Comments and questions may be submitted through November 6 and can be
submitted electronically to ron.thompson@dor.state.wi.us.
You may also contact DOT's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator at ralph.sanders@dot.state.wi.us.
Elevator
Contractors, Elevator Mechanics and Apprentices/Helpers - The
Department of Commerce purposes a rule to create licensing criteria for
elevator contractors, elevator mechanics and elevator apprentices
and helpers.
Bottomline: Licensing criteria will require
that an applicant can demonstrate knowledge and skill related to the
installation or servicing of conveyance through experience, training or
examination.
To view the draft rule and notice of hearing click here.
Comments and questions may be submitted electronically through November
12, 2007 to lswaziek@commerce.state.wi.us.
You may also submit questions to the Small Business Regulatory
Coordinator at carol.dunn@wi.gov.
Businesses
that are a Major Source of Hazardous Air Polluntants and Have a Solid
Fired Boiler or Process Heater - The Department of Natural
Resources purposes a rule relating to the national emission standards
for hazardous air pollutants for
industrial, commercial and institutional boilers and process heaters.
Bottomline: Businesses will need to obtain
professional services from environmental scientists or engineers to
ensure their compliance with Ch. NR 462.
To view the draft rule and the notice of hearing click here.
Comments and questions may be submitted electronically through November
2, 2007 to Roger.Fritz@wisconsin.gov.
Announcement of Scope Statements
(Announcement that the
agency will begin rule development)
Insurance Agents -
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner purposes a rule relating to
the sale of life insurance and annuities to the military.
To view the scope statement click here.
You may also contact the OIC's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator at
eileen.mallow@wisconsin.gov.
Employers - The Department
of Workforce Development purposes a rule relating to unemployment
insurance rules for confidentiality of records. Among the changes, is
the requirement for record sharing agreements and the requirement of
payment of costs of disclosure of UI records as provided in the federal
rule.
To view the scope statement click here.
You may also contact the DWD's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator at
eileen.pridgen@dwd.state.wi.us.
News from State Regulatory
Agencies
Department of Commerce
Trade Show Grant
Program - The International Division provides a trade show
grant to encourage Wisconsin companies to seek out new international
markets. To review the grant criteria and learn about the reimburseable
expenses that are allowed as part of this grant program click here.
Applications
for Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification Now Being
Accepted
Woman-owned businesses who are 51% owned, actively managed and
controlled can now apply to be certified as a woman-owned business
through the Department of Commerce. To learn more about whether your
business qualifies, to review frequently asked questions or download an
application form, click here.
Presentations
by the Small Business Ombudsman
Is your association or business organization looking for a speaker to
provide information about the Wisconsin regulatory reforms that were
created to help small business? Contact Carol Dunn for more
information.
Small
Business Regulatory Review Board
Is there an existing state administrative rule that is creating
economic burdens for your small business? Is there a need for a state
agency to take action to revise an unnecessary existing rule? If so,
the Small Business Regulatory Review Board wants to hear from you. To
learn more about the Small Business Regulatory Review Board click here.
Other News for
Small Business
Small
Business Administration's Office of Advocacy Wants to Hear From You
- The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration is
looking for nominations of federal rules and regulations that need
review and reform. You can help update outdated or ineffective
rules by nominating those that are creating barriers for your business.
Nominate them by visiting the sba's web site at www.sba.gov/advo/r3.
Receive
Your Federal EIN Numbers in Minutes - Taxpayers can now
request an EIN through a web-based systems that instantly processes a
request and generates an identification number. To
learn more click here.
Stay on top of Wisconsin legislation that can affect your business
by receiving updates from the Wisconsin
Legislative Notification System. It allows anyone the opportunity
to follow legislation by receiving daily or weekly e-mails. You can
choose updates by subject and can select the
activities for which you would like to receive notifications.
The Regulatory Alert is sent to you by the Dept. of Commerce's Small
Business Ombudsman. If you find this information helpful, pass the word
onto other small businesses so that they may subscribe to this e-mail
service. Please refer them to commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-FAX-0905.html
to subscribe.
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