September 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 August 15 and September 1, 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  
• Substance Abuse Professionals, Providers of Professional Education that markets to substance abuse professionals
• Announcement of Scope Statements
• Amusement Ride Businesses or Manufacturers or Installers of Amusement Rides
• Businesses involved with Boiler and Pressure Vessel Design, Construction, Installation, Operation, Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Repair or Alteration and Mechanical Refrigeration
• Insurance Agents, Travel Agencies, Sellers of Travel Insurance and Insurance Companies
• News from State Regulatory Agencies  
• Attraction Related Businesses Now Eligible to list their Business on Blue Highway Logo Signs
• Applications for Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification Now being Accepted
• Resources for Businesses Affected by Recent Wisconsin Flooding
• 2007 Minority Business Marketplace - October 11
• Presentations by the Small Business Ombudsman
• Small Business Regulatory Review Board
• Other News for Small Business
• Ideas to Profits -Innovation Commercialization Conference - September 28-29, Whitewater
• Employment Law and Mental Health Issues Training
• IRS e-News for Small Businesses
• Attention Employers Administering Certain Annuity Contracts, and Retirement Accounts
• Department of Labor E-Law Advisors

  Announcement of Hearings

  Substance Abuse Professionals, Providers of Professional Education that markets to substance abuse professionals - The Department of Regulation and Licensing proposes to amend the rules relating to definitions, certification requirements, supervised practice and scope of practice, education approval and professional liability insurance for substance abuse professionals.

Bottomline:  These rules will affect the existing 4,631 credential holders regulated by the department. Among the many changes is the increase in educational requirements including a minimum of an associates degree in a related behavioral science field, elimination of the existing system of pre-certification education and training from multiple and separate sources, and restrictions on supervision of in-training counselors.  There are some grandfathering provisions contained in this rule package.

To view the draft rule, and the notice of hearing click here. Comments may be submitted until September 14, 2007 to Pamela.Haack@drl.state.wi.us.  You may also contact the DRL's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator at larry.martin@drl.wi.gov.


Announcement of Scope Statements

(Announcement that the agency will begin rule development)

Amusement Ride Businesses or Manufacturers or Installers of Amusement Rides - The Department 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.

To view the scope statement click here. You may also contact the Commerce's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator at cdunn@commerce.state.wi.us.

  Businesses involved with Boiler and Pressure Vessel Design, Construction, Installation, Operation, Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Repair or Alteration and Mechanical Refrigeration - The Department Commerce proposes a rule to reflect current national standands and clarify requirements relating to materials used for discharge piping from pressure relief devices.  

To view the scope statement click here.  You may also contact the Commerce's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator at cdunn@commerce.state.wi.us.

  Insurance Agents, Travel Agencies, Sellers of Travel Insurance and Insurance Companies - The Office of the Insurance Commissioner purposes a rule to create a limited line of authority for travel insurance.  Once Wisconsin creates this line, agents could more easily obtain this authority in other states and non-resident Wisconsin agents could obtain the authority to sell this type of insurance in Wisconsin.  

To view the scope statement click here. You may also contact the OIC's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator at eileen.mallow@oci.state.wi.us.  



  News from State Regulatory Agencies


Department of Transportation

Attraction Related Business Now Eligible to list their Business on Blue Highway Logo Signs
Most motorists are likely familiar with the blue signs along freeways, expressways and some other state highways that direct travelers to nearby services such as gas, food, lodging and camping. Now, a new category of businesses—attractions—is eligible to utilize these familiar blue Specific Information Signs (SIS). A new state law creates the opportunity for qualifying Wisconsin attractions to apply to display their business name on a blue logo signs. An attraction may qualify if it has a primary purpose to "provide amusement, historical, cultural or leisure activities" to the public.  Businesses interested in applying for a spot on a sign should contact Derse, Wisconsin Highway Business Signs during the open application period that runs from August 1 through October 1, 2007.  Call Derse at 1-800-345-5772 or or John Noll at 608-266-0318.  You can also visit the Derse website for information www.wisconsinhighwaybusinesssigns.com.

Department of Commerce

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.  

Resources for Businesses Affected by Recent Wisconsin Flooding - During the recent Wisconsin flooding, many state agencies issued news alerts about assistance available to affected persons in the flood area.  To review the list of resources and assistance available, including the loan programs through the federal Small Business Administration, click here.


2007 Minority Business Marketplace - October 11 - Ho-Chunk Conference Center
Marketplace is the state's premier minority business capacity building conference of the year and is an  excellent opportunity for minority business entrepreneurs to network, identify and acquire capital, make deals, and advance professional development.  To learn more and register on-line 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

  Ideas to Profits -Innovation Commercialization Conference - The September 28-29, UW-Whitewater conference will offer manufacturers, technology entrepreneurs and independent inventors a number of workshops providing them with tools and techniques to use in their new product development.  To register and learn more click here. 


Employment Law and Mental Health Issues Training- This program is designed to provide employers with an opportunity to acquire knowledge and develop skills toward the effective recruitment, hiring and retention of workers with disabilities.  To learn more about this 1/2 day program held in Eau Claire on September 27, 2007 contact Charlie Grimm at 1-866-460-9602 or e-mail employment-specialist@worksourcewi.com. 

  IRS e-News for Small Businesses - This free electronic mail service provides tax information to small business owners and the self-employed.  Included with this service are tips to assist small businesses/self-employed with tax compliance.  To register click here.  

  Employers Administering Certain Annuity Contracts, and Retirement Accounts - New regulations that take effect on September 24, 2007 may require greater responsibilty and increased documentation by employers administering 403(b) annuity plans.  To learn more about the changes in the IRS regulations click here.  

  Department of Labor E-Law Advisors - There is on-line help to employers on a variety of human resource issues and updates on new federal wage and hour requirements.  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 www.commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-FAX-0905.html to subscribe.