TEXT OF RULE
Section 1. Trans 134.02 (intro.) is amended to read:
Trans 134.02 (intro.) Definitions. The words and phrases defined in s. ss. 341.14 (6r), 341.01, and 340.01, Stats., have the same meaning in this chapter, in that order of priority, unless a different definition is specifically provided. In this chapter:
Section 2. Trans 134.02 (3) is created to read:
Trans 134.02 (3) “Special plate” means a license plate imprinted with a message for an authorized special group or a decal plate for which stickers are issued for an authorized special group.
Section 3. Trans 134.03 (1) (b) and (f) are repealed.
Section 4. Trans 134.03 (2) (a), (b), (c), and (d) are amended to read:
Trans 134.03 (2) (a) Along with the application, the group shall submit a deposit of $15,500 by check made payable to the department of transportation. If the application is not approved, up to $12,000 of the deposit may be returned the department shall return the deposit to the group as provided in s. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 2. a., Stats.
(b) The department shall do an initial review of the group's application, and if the application is not acceptable after the initial review, the department shall return the application and the check deposit.
(c) If the department's initial review of the application indicates that further review is necessary, the department shall deposit the check funds received in the general fund and credit debit the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (cj), Stats.
(d) If the department rejects denies the group's application, it shall credit the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (cj), Stats., and refund the deposit to the group.
Section 5. Trans 134.03 (2) (d) (Note) is created to read:
Section 6. Trans 134.03 (2) (e) is amended to read:
Trans 134.03 (2) (e) A group may withdraw its application any time before the department has approved the application, and the department shall refund the entire deposit. If the application is withdrawn by an applicant, the department shall deny the application and refund the entire deposit. In order to receive a full refund, a notice of withdrawal must be received by the department prior to its any decision approving the application.
Section 7. Trans 134.03 (2) (f) is repealed.
Section 8. Trans 134.03 (2) (g) and (Note) are amended to read:
Trans 134.03 (g) If the group withdraws its application after the department has approved the application and after plates are ordered, the department shall retain the entire $15,500 deposit to offset the cost of data processing work and the cost of purchasing and issuing the plates may not issue any refund to the applicant.
Section 9. Trans 134.04 (1) (intro.) is amended to read:
Trans 134.04 (1) (intro.) The department shall approve an application by a group or organization for designation as an authorized special group if the department determines that the group or organization meets all of the criteria specified in s. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 1., Stats. all of the following conditions are met: Section 10. Trans 134.04 (1) (a) and (b) are created to read:
Trans 134.04 (1) (a) The applicant group or organization files a complete application and all required fees with the department.
(b) The department determines that the applicant group or organization meets all of the criteria specified in s. 341.14 (6r) (fm), Stats.
Section 11. Trans 134.04 (2) (a) is amended to read:
Trans 134.04 (2) (a) The department shall notify the group immediately after initial screening if the application is not acceptable and the notice shall specify why the application is not acceptable.
Section 12. Trans 134.04 (2) (b) and (c) are repealed.
Section 13. Trans 134.04 (2) (dm) and (Note) are created to read:
Trans 134.04 (2) (dm) Upon receiving a complete application and payment, the department shall follow the required steps set forth in s. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 1m., Stats., to determine whether there are objections to the group and, if objections are made, to obtain a decision on approval of designation from the appropriate standing committees of the legislature. The application shall not be considered approved unless each standing committee to which the application was referred under s. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 1m. c., Stats., expressly approves the application. If the legislative session ends and an application that has been referred to one or more committees of the legislature has not been approved by each of those committees, the department shall deny the application and refund fees to the applicant. a. Upon receiving a complete application and payment under subd. 2., the department shall post a notice of the application on the department's Internet site. The notice shall identify the group or organization applying for designation as an authorized special group, include the date that the notice is posted, and describe the process by which a person may object to designation of the group or organization as an authorized special group and the deadline under subd. 1m. b. for submitting the objection.
b. Subject to subd. 1r., any person may, within 30 days after the date of the department's notice under subd. 1m. a., object to designation of the group or organization as an authorized special group by submitting a written objection to the department in the manner prescribed by the department.
c. If no timely objection is received under subd. 1m. b., the department shall designate the group or organization as an authorized special group. If the department receives a timely objection under subd. 1m. b., the department shall refer the application to the standing committees of each house of the legislature dealing with transportation matters.
d. If an application is referred under subd. 1m. c. and the chairperson of each applicable standing committee does not notify the department within 14 days after the date on which the application is referred that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the application, the application is approved. If, within 14 days after the date on which the application is referred by the department, the chairperson of any applicable standing committee notifies the department that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the application, the application is approved only if each standing committee to which the application was referred under subd. 1m. c. expressly approves the application.
e. After referring an application to the standing committees under subd. 1m. c., the department shall designate the applicant as an authorized special group only if the application is approved under subd. 1m. d.
Section 14. Trans 134.04 (2) (e), (f), and (3) and (Note) are amended to read:
