1. Types of small businesses that will be affected by the rules.

The proposed rules will affect any businesses that own or operate a manufactured home park.

2. Reporting, bookkeeping and other procedures required for compliance with the rules.

The proposed rules are an update and consolidation of existing rules. Other than the requirement for submittal of 2 sets of plans, instead of one, for approval of a new or expanded manufactured home park, there are no new reporting, bookkeeping or other procedures required for compliance with the rules.

3. Types of professional skills necessary for compliance with the rules.

There are no types of professional skills necessary for compliance with the proposed rules.

4. Rules have a significant economic impact on small businesses.

Yes, rules submitted to Small Business Regulatory Review Board

Notice is hereby given that the Department has considered the environmental impact of the proposed rules. In accordance with chapter Comm 1, the proposed rules are a Type III action. A Type III action normally does not have the potential to cause significant environmental effects and normally does not involve unresolved conflicts in the use of available resources. The Department has reviewed these rules and finds no reason to believe that any unusual conditions exist. At this time, the Department has issued this notice to serve as a finding of no significant impact.

The Safety and Buildings Division is responsible for administering and enforcing the manufactured home parks rules. The proposed rules do not contain any changes in the Division's park permit fees charged for administering and enforcing the park program. Also, the proposed rules will not create any additional workload costs. Therefore, the proposed rules will not have any fiscal effect on the Division.

The proposed rules will not have a significant fiscal effect on the private sector. The anticipated costs that may be incurred by the private sector are the result of new street width and fire hydrant requirements for new manufactured home parks. These requirements are conditioned upon the availability of off-street parking and adequate water supply.

The proposed rules and an analysis of the proposed rules are available on the Internet at the Safety and Buildings Division Web site at www.commerce.wi.gov/SB/. Paper copies may be obtained without cost from Roberta Ward, at the Department of Commerce, Program Development Bureau, P.O. Box 2689, Madison, WI 53701-2689, or Email at rward@commerce.state.wi.us, or at telephone (608) 266-8741 or (608) 264-8777 (TTY). Copies will also be available at the public hearing.

The small business regulatory coordinator for the Department of Commerce is Carol Dunn, who may be contacted at telephone (608) 267-0297, or Email at cdunn@commerce.state.wi.us.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss. 560.205 (3) (d) and 560.275 (7) (b), Stats., as created by 2003 Wisconsin Act 255, the Department of Commerce will hold a public hearing on the emergency rule and proposed permanent rule under chapter Comm 129, relating to technology commercialization programs.

The public hearing will be held as follows:

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.

Room 3B, Thompson Commerce Center

201 West Washington Avenue

Madison

Interested persons are invited to appear at the hearing and present comments on the proposed rules. Persons making oral presentations are requested to submit their comments in writing. Persons submitting comments will not receive individual responses. The hearing record on this proposed rulemaking will remain open until January 26, 2005, to permit submittal of written comments from persons who are unable to attend the hearing or who wish to supplement testimony offered at the hearing. Written comments should be submitted to Ronald Acker, at the Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 2689, Madison, WI 53701-2689, or Email at racker@commerce.state.wi.us.

This hearing is held in accessible facility. If you have special needs or circumstances that may make communication or accessibility difficult at the hearing, please call (608) 266-8741 or (608) 264-8777 (TTY) at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Accommodations such as interpreters, English translators, or materials in audio tape format will, to the fullest extent possible, be made available upon a request from a person with a disability.

Statutory Authority: ss. 560.205 (3) (d) and 560.275 (7) (b), Stats., as created by 2003 Wisconsin Act 255

Statutes Interpreted: ss. 560.205 (3) (d) and 560.275 (7) (b), Stats., as created by 2003 Wisconsin Act 255

Under sections 560.205 and 560.275, Stats., of 2003 Wisconsin Act 255, the Department of Commerce has been directed to promulgate rules to administer an early stage business investment program and a technology commercialization grant and loan program. The rules under section 560.205 (3) (d), Stats., relate to angel investment tax credits and early stage seed investment tax credits. The rules under section 560.275 (7) (b), Stats., relate to the technology commercialization grant and loan program.

The proposed rules consist of the creation of chapter Comm 129 to contain the requirements to administer both programs. The following listing highlights the major items contained in the chapter.

• Creates the process for administration of the Early Stage Business Investment Program.

• Establishes a process for eligibility and for certifying qualified new business ventures and fund managers.

• Defines investment eligibility requirements, including “bona fide angel investment".

• Describes reporting requirements for Commerce and for investors under the program.

• Creates the process for administration of the Technology Commercialization Grant and Loan Program.

• Defines eligible businesses.

• Defines professional services and eligible project costs.

• Establishes a process for reporting, monitoring and auditing the program.

There are no existing or proposed federal regulations that address or impact the activities to be regulated by this rule.

An Internet search found no similar rules in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota.

1. Types of small businesses that will be affected by the rules.

Technology businesses with less than 100 employees may apply for these programs.

2. Reporting, bookkeeping and other procedures required for compliance with the rules.

The rules require semi-annual or annual reporting on the status of the technology-related project.

3. Types of professional skills necessary for compliance with the rules.

The rules require accounting skills necessary for financial management of the project, such as budget management tracking of the funds spent.

4. Rules have a significant economic impact on small businesses.

Yes, rules submitted to Small Business Regulatory Review Board

Notice is hereby given that the Department has considered the environmental impact of the proposed rules. In accordance with chapter Comm 1, the proposed rules are a Type III action. A Type III action normally does not have the potential to cause significant environmental effects and normally does not involve unresolved conflicts in the use of available resources. The Department has reviewed these rules and finds no reason to believe that any unusual conditions exist. At this time, the Department has issued this notice to serve as a finding of no significant impact.

The rule will have no fiscal effect on the department or local government. It establishes application processes for the venture capital and technology commercialization programs that are based on the statutory requirements of 2003 Wisconsin Act 255.

The fiscal effect on the private sector is indeterminable. Entities that apply for certification as a fund manager under the venture capital tax credit program, or for grants or loans under the technology commercialization program will face costs in developing their applications, but those costs are at the discretion of the applicant. No private sector entities will face mandated costs.

The proposed rules and an analysis of the proposed rules are available on the Internet at the Safety and Buildings Division Web site at www.commerce.wi.gov/SB/. Paper copies may be obtained without cost from Roberta Ward, at the Department of Commerce, Program Development Bureau, P.O. Box 2689, Madison, WI 53701-2689, or Email at rward@commerce.state.wi.us, or at telephone (608) 266-8741 or (608) 264-8777 (TTY). Copies will also be available at the public hearing.

The small business regulatory coordinator for the Department of Commerce is Carol Dunn, who may be contacted at telephone (608) 267-0297, or Email at cdunn@commerce.state.wi.us.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss. 77.82 (3) (g) and (7) (c) 3. and 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., interpreting subch. III of ch. 77, Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on revisions to ch. NR 46, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the administration of the Managed Forest Law. The proposed rules are being proposed to reflect the changes in subch. VI of ch. 77, Stats., in 2003 Wisconsin Act 228 and to implement one additional change recommended by the Governor's Council on Forestry. The proposed changes include:

• Managed Forest Law application changes including new application deadline (July 1 18 months prior to the effective date of land being entered under the law), establishment of a second deadline beginning November 15, 2005 (May 15 7½ months prior to the effective date of land being entered under the law), requirement that title documents be recorded and that existing certified survey maps be included with the application, and revises orders eligible for additions to new orders (entered 2005 or later) only.

• Development of a plan writer certification program for non-department foresters who will prepare management plans for managed forest law entries. Establishes requirement that plans be prepared by a certified plan writer or the department itself.

• Modification of open/closed acreage rules to allow up to 160 aces closed per ownership per municipality for new entries and to allow owners to change the open and closed designation of their lands up to two times during the order period.

• Fee changes including an increased transfer fee and application fee.

• Yield tax exemption for new entries during the first five years of the order period, excluding Forest Crop Law conversions to Managed Forest Law and Managed Forest Law land renewed at the end of the original order period.

• Definition of completed plan created and city is added to the definition of municipality.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to s. 227.114, Stats., the proposed rules may have an impact on small businesses. The initial regulatory flexibility analysis is as follows:

a. Types of small businesses affected: Small private forest landowners and forest industries who have enrolled or wish to enroll in the Managed Forest Law and consulting foresters who want to prepare plans for Managed Forest Law entries.

b. Description of reporting and bookkeeping procedures required: None

c. Description of professional skills required: Foresters must have a forestry degree in an accredited forest management curriculum from a university or college with a 4-year curriculum or accredited graduate degree in the management of forest resources.