7. Comparison with similar rules in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota:
Minnesota has a similar program; however, it allows volunteers to serve as little as 5 years to receive a partial vesting payment starting with 40% up to 20 years and 100%.
Michigan also has a service award program, but there are not specific statutory provisions that govern the program at the state level similar to Wisconsin’s program.
Illinois has a volunteer incentive program; however, it is not similar to those established in Wisconsin, Michigan, or Minnesota.
Legislation to establish a service award program has been introduced to the Iowa legislature several times, but it has not passed.
8. Summary of the factual data and analytical methodologies that the agency used in support of the proposed rule and how any related findings support the regulatory approach chosen for the proposed rule:
The Department is proposing this rule to update existing rules and interpretations of existing statutes; therefore, the Department reviewed existing statutes and administrative rules in order to determine the necessary revisions to the administrative rules to implement the legislative directives.
9. Effect on small business:
There is no anticipated effect on small business from implementing the proposed rule.
10. Any analysis and supporting documents used in support of the agency’s determination of the rule’s effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact report:
The Department is proposing this rule to update existing rules and interpretations of existing statutes. There is no anticipated economic impact from implementing the proposed rule, other than incidental compliance work on the part of program administrators to update their administration of the program in light of the revised dollar amounts and vesting thresholds.
11. Email address and telephone number of agency contact person:
Dawn Vick, Division Administrator
Division of Intergovernmental Relations
Department of Administration
(608) 266-7043
12. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
Comments could be submitted at the public hearing, by regular mail, or by email to the contact information listed above.
A public hearing was held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Department of Administration building located at 101 E. Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703.
The published deadline for submission of comments was February 27, 2018.
RULE TEXT
Section 1: Adm 95.01 is amended to read:
Adm 95.01 Authority. Sections 16.004 (1) and 16.25 (2), (3), (4) and (5), Stats., and 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, section 9101 (10j) (e), authorize the department to promulgate rules for establishing a length of service award program for volunteer fire fighters, first emergency medical responders, and emergency medical technicians services practitioners. Section 2: Adm. 95.02 is amended to read:
Adm 95.02 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a program for length of service awards to VFF-EMT participants who provide services to municipalities that operate volunteer fire departments or volunteer fire companies, or authorize emergency medical and technical services, and to first emergency medical responders in any municipality that authorizes first emergency medical responders to provide first emergency medical responder services, and to establish qualifications and requirements for private sector individuals and organizations eligible to provide administrative and investment services for length of service award programs.
Section 3: Adm 95.03 (4s) is created to read:
Adm 95.03 (4s) “Emergency medical responder” has the meaning given in s. 16.25 (1) (am), Stats. Section 4: Adm 95.03 (5) is amended to read:
Adm 95.03 (5) “Emergency medical services” means medical care that is rendered to a sick, disabled, or injured individual based on signs, symptoms, or complaints, prior to the individual's hospitalization or while transporting the individual between health care facilities and that is limited to the use of the knowledge, skills, and techniques received from training required under s. 256.15, Stats., and ch. DHS 110, as a condition for being issued an emergency medical technician services practitioner license. Section 5: Adm 95.03 (5m) is created to read:
Adm 95.03 (5m) “Emergency medical services practitioner” has the meaning given in s. 16.25 (1) (at), Stats.
Section 6: Adm 95.03 (6m) is repealed.
Section 7: Adm 95.03 (14) is amended to read:
Adm 95.03 (14) “Service” includes fire fighting services, first emergency medical responder services, emergency medical services, or rescue services provided to a participating municipality by a volunteer fire fighter, first responder, or emergency medical technician VFF-EMT.
Section 8: Adm 95.03 (16) is repealed.
Section 9: Adm 95.03 (20) is amended to read:
Adm 95.03 (20) “VFF-EMT" means a volunteer fire fighter, first volunteer emergency medical responder, or volunteer emergency medical technician services practitioner.
Section 10: Adm 95.04 (1), (2) (Note), (3), (4), and (5) (a) and (b) are amended to read:
Adm. 95.04 (1) A municipality that operates a volunteer fire department or that contracts with a volunteer fire company organized under ch. 181 or 213, Stats., that authorizes first emergency medical responders to provide first emergency medical responder services or that authorizes volunteer emergency medical technicians services practitioners to provide emergency medical services, is eligible to become a participating municipality. (2) (Note) To request approval of a form for a resolution or ordinance, contact the Length of Service Award Program, c/o Department of Administration, Office of Legal Counsel Division of Intergovernmental Relations, P.O. Box 7864 8944, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7864 53708 or (608) 266-7043.
(3) Each participating municipality shall develop standards for determining the service required of the volunteer fire fighters, first emergency medical responders, and emergency medical technicians services practitioners it sponsors under the program in order to qualify for credit and an annual contribution.
(4) Municipalities that jointly operate or contract with a volunteer fire department or a volunteer fire company or that jointly authorize volunteer emergency medical technicians services practitioners, or that jointly authorize first emergency medical responders to provide first emergency medical responder services, may operate as a single participating municipality under the program, and may be required to do so by the program administrator.
(5) (a) A VFF-EMT may perform service for credit toward a length of service award to more than one volunteer fire department, volunteer fire company, first emergency medical responder service or entity authorized to provide volunteer emergency medical services.
(5) (b) A VFF-EMT may have only one account for each volunteer fire department, volunteer fire company, first emergency medical responder service, or entity authorized to provide volunteer emergency medical services to which the VFF-EMT provides service.
