Chapter 480

480.08   Registration.

480.10   Auctioneer examination.

480.12   Reciprocity.

480.14   Conduct of auctions.

480.16   Trust accounts.

480.18   Maintenance of records by auctioneers.

480.20   Advertisements of auctions.

480.22   Auction consumer protection fund.

480.24   Disciplinary proceedings and actions.

480.26   Penalties.

Ch. 480 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See definitions in s. 440.01.

Ch. 480 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. SPS 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, and 128, Wis. adm. code.

480.01 480.01 Definitions. In this chapter:

480.01(1) (1) “Auction” means a sale transaction conducted by means of oral or written exchanges between an auctioneer and prospective purchasers of goods or real estate that consist of a series of invitations made by the auctioneer to the prospective purchasers for offers for the purchase of goods or real estate and that culminate in the acceptance by the auctioneer of the highest or most favorable offer made by one of the prospective purchasers.

480.01(2) (2) “Auction company” means a person who manages an auction or who has primary responsibility for handling sales proceeds, downpayments, earnest money deposits or other trust funds received by an auctioneer, the person’s principal or any other person at or as a result of an auction.

480.01(3) (3) “Auction company representative” means:

480.01(3)(a) (a) If the auction company is an individual, that individual.

480.01(3)(b) (b) If the auction company is a partnership, association or corporation, any partner of the partnership, officer or director of the association or officer or director of the corporation.

480.01(4) (4) “Auctioneer” means an individual who engages in, or who by advertising or otherwise holds himself or herself out as being available to engage in, the calling for and the recognition and acceptance of offers for the purchase of goods or real estate at an auction.

480.01(5) (5) “Board” means the auctioneer board.

480.01(6) (6) “Registrant” means a person who is registered under this chapter.

480.01 History History: 1993 a. 102.

480.02 480.02 Applicability.

480.02(1) (1) This chapter applies after February 28, 1995.

480.02(2) (2) This chapter does not apply to any of the following:

480.02(2)(a) (a) An auction conducted by or under the direction of an official of the United States or of this state or a county, city, village or town in this state.

480.02(2)(b) (b) An auction required by a court order or judgment.

480.02(2)(c) (c) A sale of goods or real estate required by law to be a sale by auction.

480.02(2)(d) (d) An auction conducted by the owner of the goods or real estate for sale if the owner has held the goods or real estate for his or her personal use for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the auction.

480.02(2)(e) (e) An auction conducted by or under the direction of a religious, fraternal or benevolent society, a school or a nonprofit organization.

480.02(2)(f) (f) An auction conducted by or under the direction of a political organization or candidate if the proceeds of the auction will be used for political purposes.

480.02(2)(g) (g) An auction in which the total appraised value of the goods or services for sale is less than $500.

480.02(2)(h) (h) Fur auctions and fur auctioneers licensed by the department of natural resources under ch. 29.

480.02(2)(i) (i) Motor vehicle auction dealers licensed by the department of transportation under subch. VIII of ch. 218.

480.02(2)(j) (j) A person, other than a licensee as defined in s. 452.01 (5), who conducts an auction, or manages or has primary responsibility for handling sales proceeds, downpayments, earnest money deposits or other trust funds received at or as a result of an auction, while lawfully practicing within the scope of a license, permit or certificate granted to that person by a state governmental agency other than the department.

480.02 History History: 1993 a. 102.

480.04 480.04 General duties and powers of board.

480.04(1) (1) In addition to the other duties and powers of the board under this chapter, the board shall advise the secretary on matters relating to auctioneers or auction companies or to the board.

480.04(2) (2) The board does not have rule-making authority.

480.04 History History: 1993 a. 102.

480.06 480.06 Rules; review of rules.

480.06(1) (1) Before submitting any proposed rules relating to auctioneers or auction companies or to the board to the legislative council staff under s. 227.15, the department shall submit the proposed rules to the board for comment. The board shall have 30 days to submit comments on the proposed rules to the secretary.

480.06(2) (2) When promulgating emergency rules under s. 227.24, the department shall provide a copy of the rules to the board prior to publication of the rules in the official state newspaper.

480.06(3) (3) The chairperson of the board, or his or her designee from the board, may cochair with the secretary, or the secretary’s designee, any public hearing held by the department on proposed rules relating to auctioneers or auction companies or to the board.

480.06(4) (4) The department shall submit to the board a copy of the report required under s. 227.19 (2) on any proposed final rules relating to auctioneers or auction companies or to the board. The board may prepare a dissenting report stating its recommendations on the proposed final rules. Any dissenting report shall be prepared within 10 days from the date of receipt of the department’s report, attached to the department’s report and sent to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature and distributed under s. 227.19 (2). The department shall publish a statement to appear in the Wisconsin administrative register indicating that a dissenting report of the board has been submitted to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature.

480.06(5) (5) The department shall provide staff to assist the board in the review of administrative rules and preparation of comments or dissenting reports.

480.06 History History: 1993 a. 102.

480.06 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. SPS 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, and 128, Wis. adm. code.

480.08 480.08 Registration.

480.08(1) (1) Registration required.

480.08(1)(a) (a) No person may act as an auctioneer or use the title “auctioneer”, “registered auctioneer”, “certified auctioneer”, “licensed auctioneer” or any similar title unless the person is registered as an auctioneer under this chapter.

480.08(1)(b) (b) No person may act as an auction company unless the person is registered as an auction company or as an auctioneer under this chapter.

480.08(2) (2) Auctioneer registration. The department shall register as an auctioneer an individual who is at least 18 years old and does all of the following:

480.08(2)(a) (a) Submits an application for registration as an auctioneer to the department on a form provided by the department.

480.08(2)(b) (b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

480.08(2)(c) (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, submits evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she does not have an arrest or conviction record.

480.08(2)(d) (d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she holds a current permit issued under s. 77.52 (9).

480.08(2)(e) (e) Passes an examination conducted by the department to determine fitness as an auctioneer.

480.08(2m) (2m) Examination not required. Notwithstanding sub. (2) (e), the department shall register as an auctioneer under sub. (2) an individual who, not later than December 1, 1997, satisfies the requirements under sub. (2) (intro.) and (a) to (d); submits to the department a statement, signed by the individual, verifying that he or she has knowledge of the requirements for auctioneers under ss. 29.501 and 402.328, subch. III of ch. 77, subch. VIII of ch. 218, this chapter, and all other state laws that include requirements for auctioneers; and submits evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she has done any of the following:

480.08(2m)(a) (a) Been practicing as an auctioneer in this state for at least one year during the 2-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted, and has either conducted at least 2 auctions in this state or has had primary responsibility for handling the proceeds of at least 2 auctions in this state during the 2-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted.

480.08(2m)(b) (b) Had experience conducting auctions in this state or handling the proceeds of auctions in this state during the 5-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted that is substantially equivalent to the experience described in par. (a) in preparing the applicant to practice as an auctioneer in this state in a manner that does not adversely affect the public health, safety or welfare.

480.08(3) (3) Auction company registration. The department shall register as an auction company a person who is not registered as an auctioneer under this chapter and does all of the following:

480.08(3)(a) (a) Submits an application for registration as an auction company to the department on a form provided by the department.

480.08(3)(b) (b) Pays the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

480.08(3)(c) (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, submits evidence satisfactory to the department that the person does not have an arrest or conviction record and, if the person is a partnership, association or corporation, that no partner of the partnership, officer or director of the association or officer or director of the corporation has an arrest or conviction record.

480.08(3)(d) (d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the department that the person holds a current permit issued under s. 77.52 (9).

480.08(4) (4) Issuance of certificate. The department shall issue a certificate of registration to each registrant.

480.08(5) (5) Expiration and renewal. The renewal date for certificates granted under this chapter, other than temporary certificates granted under sub. (7), is specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), and the renewal fee for certificates granted under this chapter, other than temporary certificates granted under sub. (7), is determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). Renewal applications shall include evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant holds a current permit issued under s. 77.52 (9). A renewal application for an auctioneer certificate shall be accompanied by proof of completion of continuing education requirements under sub. (6).

480.08(6) (6) Auctioneer continuing education. The department may promulgate rules establishing requirements and procedures for registered auctioneers to complete continuing education programs or courses of study in order to qualify for renewal.

480.08(7) (7) Temporary auctioneer certificate.

480.08(7)(a) (a) Upon application, the department shall register as an auctioneer and issue a temporary certificate of registration to an individual who satisfies the requirements under sub. (2) (intro.) and (a) to (d) and has submitted an application to take the next available examination for registration as an auctioneer under s. 480.10.

480.08(7)(b) (b) A temporary certificate issued under this subsection shall be valid for a period designated by the department, not to exceed one year, and may not be renewed. An applicant for a temporary certificate shall pay the fee specified in s. 440.05 (6).

480.08 History History: 1993 a. 102; 1995 a. 225; 1997 a. 248; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 110.

480.08 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. SPS 121, 122, and 128, Wis. adm. code.

480.10 480.10 Auctioneer examination.

480.10(1) (1) The department shall conduct examinations for auctioneer registration at least semiannually at times and places determined by the department. The department shall provide public notice of each examination at least 60 days before the date of the examination.

480.10(2) (2) Examinations shall consist of written or oral tests, or both, requiring applicants to demonstrate minimum competency in services and subjects substantially related to conducting an auction.

480.10(3) (3) An individual is not eligible for examination unless the individual has satisfied the requirements for registration under s. 480.08 (2) (intro.) and (a) to (d) at least 30 days before the date of the examination.

480.10(4) (4) The department shall promulgate rules establishing standards for public notice of examinations and for acceptable examination performance by an applicant for registration as an auctioneer.

480.10 History History: 1993 a. 102.

480.10 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. SPS 121 and 122, Wis. adm. code.

480.12 480.12 Reciprocity.

480.12(1) (1) Upon application and payment of the fee specified in s. 440.05 (2), the department shall register as an auctioneer an individual who holds an auctioneer certificate in another state if the department determines that the requirements for obtaining the certificate in the other state are substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 480.08 (2).

480.12(2) (2) The department may enter into reciprocal agreements with officials of other states for registering auctioneers and issue certificates to applicants who are registered in those states according to the terms of the reciprocal agreements.

480.12 History History: 1993 a. 102.

480.14 480.14 Conduct of auctions.

480.14(1) (1) No auctioneer may conduct an auction unless the auctioneer or the auction company that is managing the auction has entered into a written contract with each owner or consignor of goods or real estate that may be sold at the auction. The contract shall specify the terms and conditions upon which the auctioneer or auction company accepts the goods or real estate for sale.

480.14(2) (2) An auctioneer shall comply with all reasonable requests of each owner or consignor of goods or real estate that may be sold at an auction that is conducted by the auctioneer and shall conduct the auction in a manner that ensures that the highest or most favorable offer for the goods or real estate is accepted.