ATCP 1.06(2)(a)4.4. The grounds for the hearing request, including material facts or legal issues that are in dispute. ATCP 1.06(2)(b)(b) The secretary may require the requester to file additional clarifying information, as necessary for the secretary to decide whether to grant or deny a hearing request. ATCP 1.06(3)(a)(a) The secretary shall grant or deny a contested case hearing request under sub. (1) within 20 days after a complete request is filed, unless the requester agrees to an extension or time. The secretary may grant a contested case hearing request if, upon preliminary review, it appears that the department has jurisdiction over the matter and that a contested case proceeding is warranted under s. 227.42, Stats., or other applicable law. ATCP 1.06(3)(b)(b) If the secretary grants a hearing request under sub. (1), the secretary shall initiate a contested case proceeding by issuing a hearing notice under s. ATCP 1.20. ATCP 1.06 NoteExample: Acme Foods, Inc. requests a hearing on the denial of a retail food establishment license for which Acme has applied. A hearing notice granting the request may be captioned as follows:
ATCP 1.06(3)(c)(c) If the secretary denies a hearing request under sub. (1), the secretary shall issue a written denial notice to the person who requested the hearing. The denial notice shall comply with the provisions of s. ATCP 1.31. The denial is subject to judicial review, to the extent provided under ss. 227.42 (2) and 227.52, Stats. ATCP 1.06(3)(d)1.1. A party may move for dismissal of a contested case at any point in a contested case proceeding. ATCP 1.06(3)(d)2.2. The final decisionmaker may dismiss a contested case at any point in a contested case proceeding if the final decisionmaker determines, based on the record, that the proceeding should be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction or other reasons. ATCP 1.06 NoteNote: For example, based on a party’s pre-hearing motion, the administrative law judge and final decisionmaker may conclude that a contested case should be dismissed for jurisdictional or other reasons notwithstanding the secretary’s action under par. (a).
ATCP 1.06 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1992, No. 437, eff. 6-1-92; am. (1), correction in (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; CR 09-054: am. (1), (3) (title), (a), r. and recr. (2), cr. (3) (d) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 22-062: am. (3) (a) Register April 2023 No. 808, eff. 5-1-23. ATCP 1.07ATCP 1.07 Request for declaratory ruling. ATCP 1.07(1)(1) Filing a petition. An interested person may petition the secretary for a declaratory ruling under s. 227.41, Stats., to determine the applicability to that person of any statute or rule enforced by the department. The petition shall comply with s. 227.41 (2), Stats., and shall be filed with the secretary. ATCP 1.07 NoteNote: A petition for declaratory ruling may be filed with the Secretary at the following address:
ATCP 1.07 NoteSecretary
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
2811 Agriculture Drive
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911
ATCP 1.07(2)(2) Response to petition. Within 30 days after a petition is filed under sub. (1), the secretary shall issue a written notice granting or denying the petition. If the petition is granted, the secretary shall initiate a contested case proceeding under s. 227.41 (1), Stats., by issuing a hearing notice under s. ATCP 1.20. If the petition is denied, the denial notice shall specify the reasons for the denial. ATCP 1.07 NoteExample: A notice denying a petition for declaratory ruling may be captioned as follows:
ATCP 1.07(3)(a)(a) A party may move for dismissal of a proceeding under this section at any point in the proceeding. ATCP 1.07(3)(b)(b) The final decisionmaker may dismiss a proceeding under this section at any point in the proceeding if the final decisionmaker determines, based on the record, that the proceeding should be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction or other reasons. ATCP 1.07 NoteNote: For example, based on a party’s pre-hearing motion, the administrative law judge and final decisionmaker may conclude that a proceeding for declaratory ruling should be dismissed for jurisdictional or other reasons notwithstanding the secretary’s action under sub. (2).
ATCP 1.07 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1992, No. 437, eff. 6-1-92; CR 09-054: am. (2), cr. (3) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11. ATCP 1.08ATCP 1.08 Request for recovery proceeding. ATCP 1.08(1)(1) Division filing. To initiate a recovery proceeding under subch. VII of ch. 126, Stats., the trade and consumer protection division shall file all of the following with the secretary: ATCP 1.08(1)(a)(a) A written request, signed by the division administrator, asking that a recovery proceeding be initiated. ATCP 1.08(1)(b)(b) Copies of one or more producer claims alleging a financial default, or other evidence of default under subch. VII of ch. 126, Stats. ATCP 1.08(2)(2) Claim filing order. Upon receiving documents from the trade and consumer protection division under sub. (1), the secretary may initiate a recovery proceeding by issuing a default claim filing order. If the secretary issues a default claim filing order, the department shall publish the default claim filing order as required by subch. VII of ch. 126, Stats. ATCP 1.08 NoteExample: A claim filing order in a dairy plant default proceeding may be captioned as follows:
ATCP 1.08(3)(3) Auditing claims; proposed decision. The trade and consumer protection division shall audit claims filed in response to the default claim filing order under sub. (2). Based on its audit, the trade and consumer protection division shall file with the secretary a proposed decision determining claims. The proposed decision shall do all of the following: ATCP 1.08(3)(a)(a) Specify proposed findings of fact, proposed conclusions of law and a proposed order determining claims and appropriate sources for payment of claims. ATCP 1.08(3)(b)(b) Allow or disallow each default claim according to s. 126.70 (4), Stats., and specify the amount of each allowed claim. ATCP 1.08(3)(c)(c) Specify, for each allowed claim, the amount that the department is authorized to pay under s. 126.71, Stats. ATCP 1.08(3)(d)(d) Specify the method, under s. 126.71, Stats., by which the department will pay the authorized amounts. ATCP 1.08(3)(e)(e) Explain a claimant’s right under s. 126.87 (4), Stats., to seek court recovery of that portion of an authorized claim that is not paid by the department. ATCP 1.08(3)(f)(f) Specify a date by which the contractor, claimant, surety or trade credit insurer may file written objections to the proposed decision. ATCP 1.08(3)(g)(g) If a respondent is covered by the department’s trade credit insurance policy, specify what claimants must do to qualify for coverage under the policy. ATCP 1.08(3)(h)(h) Include other provisions, if any, that the division finds necessary for the just and orderly determination of claims under ch. 126, Stats. ATCP 1.08(4)(a)(a) After the trade and consumer protection division files its proposed decision with the secretary under sub. (3), the department shall hold a class 2 contested case hearing on the proposed decision. To initiate the contested case proceeding, the secretary shall issue a hearing notice under s. ATCP 1.20. ATCP 1.08(4)(b)(b) The notice under par. (a) shall include a copy of the proposed decision under sub. (3). The notice shall invite affected parties to present their objections, if any, at the contested case hearing. The notice may require affected parties to file their objections in writing before the hearing, by a specified date. ATCP 1.08(4)(c)(c) The notice under par. (a) shall be issued to all of the following parties: ATCP 1.08(4)(c)1.1. The respondent who is alleged to have defaulted on payment obligations to producers. ATCP 1.08(4)(c)2.2. Any financial institution, insurance company or surety who may be obligated as a result of the default to pay the department. ATCP 1.08(4)(c)3.3. Each producer claimant who has filed a timely claim with the department. ATCP 1.08(4)(d)(d) If any party files a timely objection to the division’s proposed decision under sub. (3), the administrative law judge shall hear that objection in the contested case hearing under par. (a). ATCP 1.08(4)(e)(e) If, upon hearing under par. (a), there is no objection to the division’s proposed decision and order under sub. (3), the department may adopt that proposed decision and order as the department’s final decision and order in the proceeding, without further notice to the parties. ATCP 1.08 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1992, No. 437, eff. 6-1-92; corrections in (1) (b) and (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) b. 7., Stats., Register April 2003 No. 568; CR 09-054: am. (title), (1), (2), (4) (c) 2., (d), r. and recr. (3) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11. ATCP 1.10ATCP 1.10 Administrative law judge’s authority and duties. ATCP 1.10(1)(1) Authority. An administrative law judge may, on behalf of the department and according to this chapter, preside over a contested case proceeding and issue orders regulating the conduct of the proceeding. In a contested case proceeding, unless otherwise provided by the secretary, the administrative law judge may do all of the following: ATCP 1.10(1)(a)(a) Require the parties to submit supplementary pleadings in order to clarify positions or issues. ATCP 1.10(1)(b)(b) Consolidate proceedings and order the joinder of parties, as appropriate. ATCP 1.10(1)(h)(h) With the approval of the secretary, issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents. ATCP 1.10(1)(j)(j) Regulate discovery proceedings, and issue orders to compel or limit discovery. ATCP 1.10(1)(L)(L) Preside over hearings and regulate the course of hearings. ATCP 1.10(1)(m)(m) Require or permit the parties to file written briefs and arguments. ATCP 1.10(1)(n)(n) Supervise the creation of the contested case record for that portion of the contested case that is conducted under the auspices of the administrative law judge. ATCP 1.10(1)(o)(o) If necessary and with the secretary’s approval, order and supervise the preparation of a written transcript of oral proceedings conducted before the administrative law judge. ATCP 1.10(1)(q)(q) At the request of the final decisionmaker, advise the final decisionmaker on final decisions and orders. ATCP 1.10(1)(s)(s) Issue final decisions and orders if appointed as final decisionmaker by the secretary. ATCP 1.10(1)(t)(t) Certify the contested case record for that portion of the contested case that is conducted under the auspices of the administrative law judge, if certification is necessary for a judicial review proceeding. ATCP 1.10(2)(2) Limits on authority. The administrative law judge may not exercise any authority which is reserved to the secretary or final decisionmaker under this chapter, unless the secretary appoints the administrative law judge as final decisionmaker or delegates the secretary’s authority to the administrative law judge in writing. ATCP 1.10(3)(a)(a) An administrative law judge shall withdraw from a contested case if the administrative law judge determines that there is a conflict of interest or other circumstance which prevents the administrative law judge from acting impartially, or which creates an undue appearance of bias. ATCP 1.10(3)(b)(b) No person who participates in the investigation or advocacy of a case, or in the decision to initiate an enforcement action in that case, may act as administrative law judge in the case. ATCP 1.10(3)(c)(c) An administrative law judge is not disqualified solely because of the administrative law judge’s employment with the department, or solely because the administrative law judge has presided over cases involving the same parties, facts or issues in the past. ATCP 1.10(4)(4) Ex parte communications. If an administrative law judge receives an ex parte communication which violates s. 227.50 (1), Stats., the administrative law judge shall deal with the ex parte communication as provided under s. 227.50 (2), Stats. ATCP 1.10 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1992, No. 437, eff. 6-1-92; am. (1) (intro.) and (2) to (4), Register, June, 1999, No. 522, eff. 7-1-99; CR 09-054: am. (1) (intro.), (h), (n), (o), (q), (t) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11. ATCP 1.11ATCP 1.11 Failure to appear, answer or comply with administrative law judge’s order. ATCP 1.11(1)(1) Sanctions against disobedient party. If a party, without reasonable excuse, fails to file an answer or pleading as required by s. ATCP 1.21, fails to make a required appearance in a proceeding, fails to disclose witnesses or evidence under s. ATCP 1.23 (3), fails to comply with a subpoena or order issued by the administrative law judge, or fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter, the administrative law judge may take any of the following actions which the administrative law judge considers just in relation to the disobedient party’s failure: ATCP 1.11(1)(a)(a) Accept an opposing party’s allegations as true, and issue a decision and order in the case based on those allegations. ATCP 1.11(1)(b)(b) Adopt an opposing party’s proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law and order as the administrative law judge’s findings of fact, conclusions of law and order. ATCP 1.11(1)(c)(c) By order, disqualify the disobedient party from further participation in the proceedings. ATCP 1.11(1)(d)(d) By order, stay further proceedings until the disobedient party cures the failure. ATCP 1.11(1)(e)(e) By order, prohibit the disobedient party from arguing designated issues or introducing designated matters in evidence. ATCP 1.11(1)(f)(f) By order, dismiss the proceeding, or any part of the proceeding, if the proceeding was initiated at the request of the disobedient party. ATCP 1.11 NoteNote: A person who, in willful violation of a department subpoena or order, fails to appear as a witness or fails to produce evidence in a contested case proceeding, may be coerced as provided in ss. 93.14 (3) and 885.12, Stats., or may be subject to criminal penalties as provided under s. 93.21 (4), Stats.
