Senate Bill 277 introduces a significant change to the Wisconsin Administrative Code by establishing a seven-year expiration period for each chapter unless it is readopted by the relevant agency. Currently, administrative rules remain in effect indefinitely unless repealed or amended. The bill mandates that agencies notify the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) and appropriate standing committees of their intention to readopt a chapter one year prior to its expiration. If no objections are raised, the chapter is automatically readopted; however, if there are objections, the chapter will expire unless the agency follows the standard rule-making process to readopt it.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to ensure that agencies avoid using outdated or derogatory language in their rules. It amends existing statutes to facilitate the readoption process and requires the legislative reference bureau to remove expired chapters from the code. New sections are created to outline the procedures for readoption notices, objections, and the legislative review process, while also renumbering and amending certain existing statutes to align with these changes. Overall, this bill aims to enhance the accountability and relevance of administrative rules in Wisconsin.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 227.114(2)(intro.), 227.114, 227.14(6)(c)1.(intro.), 227.14, 227.15(7), 227.15