This rule modification updates the terms in the Rules of the Accounting Examining Board. The Department of Regulation and Licensing will revise and reprint books of the Administrative Code. Revising code books costs $500.00 for staff time and materials to revise the printed code and post on the Department's web site.

These proposed rules will be reviewed by the department through its Small Business Review Advisory Committee to determine whether there will be an economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1) (a), Stats.

Copies of this proposed rule are available without cost upon request to: Pamela Haack, Department of Regulation and Licensing, Office of Administrative Rules, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 171, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708 (608) 266-0495

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to ss. 16.004 (1), 227.11 (2) (a), 562.02 (1), 562.04 (2), 562.05 (2), 562.057 (5), 562.065 (1), and 562.09 Stats., and interpreting ss. 562.02 (1), 562.04, 562.05 (6) (e) 2., 562.057 (4m) (b), 562.065, 562.06 (2), 562.105, and 562.11, Stats., the Department of Administration will hold a public hearing to consider amendments to ch. WGC 1-24 and Game 3 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, relating to greyhound racing and pari-mutuel wagering.

Interested persons are invited to present information at the hearing. Persons appearing may make an oral presentation but are also urged to submit facts, opinions and arguments in writing as well. Written comments from persons unable to attend the public hearing, or who wish to supplement testimony offered at the hearing, should be directed to: Christopher Patton, Department of Administration-Division of Gaming, PO Box 8979, Madison, WI 53708-8979. Written comments must be received by August 19, 2003, to be included in the record of rule-making proceedings.

The Department proposes to revise its administrative code relating to greyhound racing and pari-mutuel wagering. The revision process was conducted in order to ensure the Department exercises its regulatory oversight functions in an effective and efficient manner. The proposed amendments reflect contemporary regulatory and industry standards. In many cases, the amendments raise regulatory standards and safeguards by conforming the administrative code to current practices in place at Wisconsin racetracks. The amendments afford Wisconsin racetracks and licensees greater flexibility while preserving and strengthening key regulatory safeguards that protect the health, welfare and safety of greyhounds and the public, and the integrity of pari-mutuel wagering and greyhound racing.

The amendments fall into three basic categories; enforcement and appeals, safety and integrity, and general racing and wagering. The rules provide specific procedures for the conduct of enforcement proceedings and the rights of licensees during these proceedings. Furthermore, the rules outline the enforcement authority of the Division of Gaming when conducting inspections of facilities and records, restricting the movement of greyhounds, and excluding persons from licensed facilities.

The revisions also advance the state's desire to protect the health, welfare and safety of racing animals and ensure the integrity of pari-mutuel wagering and racing. The proposed rules delineate additional prohibitions on licensee activities to safeguard against fraud and tampering with racing and wagering activities. In addition, safeguards are established to ensure the health and safety of racing greyhounds, racetrack employees and the public.

Finally general racing and wagering rules are revised to enable pari-mutuel facilities to offer wagering options and rules similar to other racetracks throughout the United States. Occupational licensing structure and fees are streamlined to reduce the impact fees have on racetrack operators to recruit and hire qualified applicants. A “Wisconsin Owned" program is established to encourage Wisconsin resident greyhound owners to race their greyhounds at Wisconsin racetracks.

The proposed rule amendments are expected to have a state fiscal effect resulting in a decrease in existing state revenues of approximately $25,000 per year due to changes in the occupational licensing fee schedule. The proposed rule amendments are expected to have no fiscal effect on local governments. The primary state fiscal effect is attributable to proposed modifications to the occupational license fee schedule.

To provide clarification, the Department has always viewed kennel operators as small businesses. Kennel operators supply the greyhounds that race at the racetracks. The Department believes that there will be an insignificant economic impact on small businesses. Additionally, any impact on small businesses should be cost savings as the primary economic impact results from proposed license fee reductions.

When determining the proposed amendments to the administrative code, the Department reviewed the criteria established in s. 227.114, Stats., in an effort to reduce the effect of the proposed order on small businesses. The Department notified all small business owners licensed by the Division of Gaming in writing, to seek their input prior to drafting proposed amendments to the administrative. Additionally, the Department provided written notice and the opportunity for all licensed small business owners to receive a copy of the draft amendments and offer informal comment on the proposed amendments during a written comment period and two public informational meetings.

Besides the insignificant economic impact, the operational impact of the proposed order is expected to be minimal. The Department does not foresee the businesses inheriting any additional bookkeeping, clerical, professional or administrative requirements to maintain compliance with Department's administrative code.

A copy of the full text of the rule amendments and fiscal estimate may be obtained free of charge on the internet at www.doa.state.wi.us/gaming, by contacting the Division of Gaming at (608) 270-2555, or by visiting the Division of Gaming office at the address listed below.

If you have any questions regarding the rule amendments, please contact:

Christopher Patton

Department of Administration – Division of Gaming

2005 W. Beltline Hwy., Suite 201

PO Box 8979

Madison, WI 53708-8979

Telephone (608) 270-2532

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to authority vested in the Medical Examining Board in ss. 15.08 (5) (b), 227.11 (2) and 448.40 (1), Stats., and interpreting s. 448.05 (6), Stats., the Medical Examining Board will hold a public hearing at the time and place indicated below to consider an order to amend Med 1.06 (3) (f) 1., 2. and 3., and to create Med 1.06 (3) (f) 4., relating to accepting examinations from the Medical Council of Canada.

Date:   August 20, 2003

Time:   8:30 A.M.

Location:   1400 East Washington Avenue
  Room 179A

  Madison, Wisconsin

Interested persons are invited to present information at the hearing. Persons appearing may make an oral presentation but are urged to submit facts, opinions and argument in writing as well. Facts, opinions and argument may also be submitted in writing without a personal appearance by mail addressed to the Department of Regulation and Licensing, Office of Administrative Rules, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708. Written comments must be received by August 20, 2003 to be included in the record of rule-making proceedings.

Statutes authorizing promulgation: ss. 15.08 (5) (b), 227.11 (2) and 448.40 (1), Stats.

Statutes interpreted: 448.05 (6), Stats.

Section 1 amends rules to reflect the capitalization of proper names.

Currently, s. Med 1.06 (3) (f) 3. provides that applicants who have passed all 3 components of the examination of the Medical Council of Canada taken on or after January 1, 1978, will be accepted in lieu of requiring further written or computer-based examinations. Section 2 creates s. Med 1.06 (3) (f) 4., which provides that applicants who have passed all 3 components of the examination of the Medical Council of Canada before January 1, 1978, will be accepted in lieu of requiring further written or computer-based examinations. The proposed rule change will provide another avenue for licensure by endorsement.

This proposed rule adds an additional category of licensed Canadian physicians that can be licensed in Wisconsin by endorsement. This category will apply to fewer than 12 physicians.

The Department of Regulation and Licensing will revise and reprint books of the Administrative Codes. Revising code books costs $500.00 for staff time and materials to revise the printed code and post on the Department's web site.

There may also be a slight, indeterminate, cost to revise credentialing checklist procedures.

These proposed rules will be reviewed by the department through its Small Business Review Advisory Committee to determine whether there will be an economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1) (a), Stats.

Copies of this proposed rule are available without cost upon request to: Pamela Haack, Department of Regulation and Licensing, Office of Administrative Rules, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 171, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708 (608) 266-0495.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss. 23.33 (9) and 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., interpreting s. 23.33 (9), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on the amendment of s. NR 30.01 (1) (h), Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the boundaries of established parts of intensive forest fire control areas in the Town of Irving, Jackson County. The Town of Irving, Jackson County, has petitioned the Department to have part of its lands removed from the Department's organized forest fire protection area. Approval of this request would result in the relegation of responsibility to local authority. If this petition is approved, the Town of Irving would become responsible for providing forest fire prevention, detection and suppression in that part of its lands removed from the organized forest fire protection area. The responsibility for these costs would belong to the Town of Irving.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to s. 227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have an economic impact on small businesses.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that 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.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the hearing will be held on:

Irving Town Hall, N3291 Nichols Road

Black River Falls

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call James Miller at (608) 266-0624 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.

The Township of Irving has a contract with the Black River Falls Fire Department to provide protection of the structures in the township. This is paid for on a yearly basis so any forest fire suppression would not, at this time, result in an added cost to the township.

There are no Emergency Fire Wardens (EFW) appointed by the DNR in the impacted area. It is estimated it would take one hour of local telephone calls by a Senior Forester (average cost of $28 per hour with benefits) to notify the EFWs they would no longer have to write burning permits for the impacted area. From 193 - 1997 to was an average of 32.4 burning permits written per year in the impacted area. Again, this was not a major cost factor to the DNR.

Written comment on the proposed rule may be submitted to James R. Miller, Bureau of Forest Protection, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 no later than August 26, 2003. Written comments will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the hearing. A copy of the proposed rule [FR-29-03] and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Mr. Randy Schott, Dept. of Natural Resources, 910 Highway 54 East, Black River Falls, WI 54615.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to s. 87.30 (1) and 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., interpreting s. 87.30 (1), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on the amendment of s. NR 116.15 (1) (c), Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the exclusion of costs to elevate a nonconforming building or a building with a nonconforming use from the 50% provisions of this paragraph. The Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules has directed the department to promulgate rules that would exclude the costs of floodproofing buildings in floodplain areas from the 50% value limitation currently placed on modifications, additions or repairs to legal nonconforming structures.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to s. 227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have an economic impact on small businesses.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that 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.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the hearing will be held on:

Room 027, GEF #2

101 South Webster St., Madison

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call Gary Heinrichs at (608) 266-3093 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.

The proposal would allow unlimited expenditures to floodproof a building in flood-prone areas. If enacted, this proposal would have no state fiscal effect since local units of government, not the state, regulate the development of floodplain areas. The costs or revenues to local units of government are negligible because very few buildings are located in areas where flood depths are significant enough to justify the costs of floodproofing; therefore, little permit activity is expected to be generated due to this proposed rule change.