CR 20-035 Rule Text

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IN THE MATTER OF RULEMAKING   :   ORDER OF THE

PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE     :   DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND     :   AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES  

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES     :   ADOPTING RULES

            :   (CLEARINGHOUSE RULE 20-035)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORDER

An order of the Department of Safety and Professional Services to amend SPS 305.45 (2) (c) 2. and 4., relating to continuing education.

Analysis prepared by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANALYSIS

Statutes interpreted:

Section 101.82 (1g) (d), Stats.

Statutory authority:

Sections 101.02 (15) (b), 101.82 (1g) (d), and 101.82 (1m), Stats.

Explanation of agency authority:

Section 101.02 (15) (b), Stats., requires the Department to administer and enforce, so far as not otherwise provided for in the statutes, the laws relating to licensed occupations.

Section 101.82 (1g) (d), Stats., requires the Department to regulate registered electricians.

Section 101.82 (1m), Stats., requires the Department to “[p]romulgate rules that establish criteria for the enrollment of registered electricians and for the registration of electrical apprentices.”

Related statutes or rules:

Section 106.13, Stats., provides for youth apprenticeship programs and for the Department of Workforce Development’s administration of youth apprenticeship programs.

Plain language analysis:

Current administrative rules require an enrolled registered electrician to complete at least 24 hours of continuing education in order to renew or reacquire their enrollment. The proposed rule will revise s. SPS 305.45 to exempt individuals participating in a youth apprenticeship program under s. 106.13, Stats., from this requirement.

Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal statutes and regulations:

None.

Comparison with rules in adjacent states:

Illinois: There is no statewide oversight of the licensing of electricians in Illinois. Licensing requirements, if any, for electricians are established by the municipality in which electrical work is performed.

Iowa: Iowa high school students may participate in an electrical pre-apprenticeship program. As an electrical pre-apprenticeship program combines classroom learning and limited hands-on experience, a participating individual is not required to be licensed.

Michigan: Michigan high school students may participate in a high school electrical apprenticeship program. An individual participating in a high school electrical apprenticeship program is required to be registered as an electrical apprentice. Registration as an electrical apprentice must be renewed annually, completion of continuing education is not required for renewal.

Minnesota: Minnesota high school students may participate in a youth electrical apprenticeship program. An individual participating in a youth electrical apprenticeship program is not required to be licensed.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:

Current administrative rules require a youth apprentice participating in a youth apprenticeship program under s. 106.13, Stats., as an enrolled registered electrician to complete at least 24 hours of continuing education in order to renew or reacquire their enrollment. As a youth apprentice is a high school junior or senior with an already significant academic workload, the requirement to complete continuing education makes it less likely for eligible individuals to join and complete a youth apprenticeship program. As such, the Department has determined the exemption from continuing education requirements in the proposed rules aligns with its mission to promote economic growth and stability while protecting the citizens of Wisconsin as designated by statute.

Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:

The proposed rules were posted for a period of 14 days to solicit public comment on economic impact, including how the proposed rules may affect businesses, local government units, and individuals. No comments were received.

Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:

The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis document is attached.

Effect on small business:

These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at [e-mail], or by calling [phone].

Agency contact person:

Dale Kleven, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8366; telephone [phone]; email at [e-mail].

Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:

Comments may be submitted to Dale Kleven, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, WI 53708-8366, or by email to [e-mail]. Comments must be received at or before the public hearing to be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 2, 2020, to be included in the record of rule-making proceedings.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXT OF RULE

Section 1.   SPS 305.45 (2) (c) 2. and 4. are amended to read:

SPS 305.45 (2) (c) 2. The renewal of an enrollment as a registered electrician shall be contingent upon the registered electrician obtaining at least 24 hours of acceptable continuing education prior to the expiration date of the enrollment as specified in s. SPS 305.08 and Table 305.06, except as provided in subd. 3. This subdivision does not apply to an individual who, at the time of applying for renewal of an enrollment, is participating in a youth apprenticeship program under s. 106.13, Stats.

4. A person who initially obtained a registered electrician enrollment and fails to renew the enrollment shall be required to complete at least 24 hours of acceptable continuing education within one year prior to date of application to reacquire the registered electrician enrollment. This subdivision does not apply to an individual who, at the time of applying for reacquisition of an enrollment, is participating in a youth apprenticeship program under s. 106.13, Stats.

Section 2.   Effective date. The rules adopted in this order shall take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register, pursuant to s. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(END OF TEXT OF RULE)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dated _________________   Agency __________________________________

            Secretary

          Department of Safety and Professional Services