The Wisconsin State Legislature explicitly directed the department to promulgate rules governing WIC in the following statutory section:
(a) The department shall promulgate rules to establish all of the following:
1. Minimum qualification standards for the authorization of vendors and for the awarding of a contract to an entity under sub. (3m). 2. Standards of operation for authorized vendors and food distribution centers, including prohibited practices.
3. Minimum requirements for participants, including prohibited practices.
4. Procedures for approving or denying an application to be a participant, including appeal procedures.
5. Estimate of amount of time that state employees will spend developing the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
The department estimates that it will take approximately 600 hours to develop the proposed rule changes. This includes the time required for research and analysis, coordinating an advisory committee, rule drafting, preparing any related documents, holding a public hearing, and communicating with affected persons and groups.
6. List with description of all entities that may be affected by the proposed rule:
The department or designated WIC State Agency, WIC vendors, and WIC vendor applicants.
7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
On July 13, 2016, Title 7 CFR Part 246 was amended to require implementation of EBT in the WIC program by October 2020. The department proposes to conform ch. DHS 149 to federal requirements and guidance. 8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule:
The proposed rule is anticipated to have little to no economic impact if promulgated.
Contact Person:
Carrie Coenen
(608) 267-9744
