Passage of bill required for certain rules
Wis. Stat. § 227.139
in effect(1) If an economic impact analysis prepared under s. 227.137 (2), a revised economic impact analysis prepared under s. 227.137 (4), or an independent economic impact analysis prepared under s. 227.137 (4m) or 227.19 (5) (b) 3. indicates that $10,000,000 or more in implementation and compliance costs are reasonably expected to be incurred by or passed along to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any 2-year period as a result of the proposed rule, the agency proposing the rule shall stop work on the proposed rule and may not continue promulgating the proposed rule notwithstanding any provision authorizing or requiring the agency to promulgate the proposed rule, except as authorized under sub. (2).
(2)
(a) Any member of the legislature may introduce a bill authorizing an agency to promulgate a rule that the agency is prohibited from promulgating under sub. (1). The agency may resume the rule-making process as provided in this subchapter upon enactment of a bill introduced under this paragraph.
(b) If an agency is prohibited from promulgating a rule under sub. (1), the agency may modify the proposed rule, if the modification is germane to the subject matter of the proposed rule, to address the implementation and compliance costs of the proposed rule. If the agency modifies a proposed rule under this paragraph, the agency shall prepare a revised economic impact analysis under s. 227.137 (4). Following the modification, the agency may continue with the rule-making process as provided in this subchapter if the revised economic impact analysis prepared by the agency indicates, and any independent economic impact analysis prepared under s. 227.137 (4m) or 227.19 (5) (b) 3. subsequent to the agency’s modification also indicates, that $10,000,000 or more in implementation and compliance costs are not reasonably expected to be incurred by or passed along to businesses, local governmental units, and individuals over any 2-year period as a result of the proposed rule.
(3) This section does not apply to rules promulgated under s. 227.24.
(4)
(a) This section does not apply to a proposed rule of the department of natural resources relating to air quality if all of the following apply:
1. The rule is necessary to comply with an explicit call for a state implementation plan by the federal environmental protection agency under 42 USC 7410 (a) (1), 42 USC 7411 (c) (1) or (d) (1), or 42 USC 7412 (l) (1).
2. Any standard, requirement, or limitation proposed in the rule is consistent with and no more stringent in substance or form than what is required under the federal clean air act, 42 USC 7401 to 7671q, and regulations issued by the federal environmental protection agency under that act.
3. The rule proposes to regulate only those emissions or substances explicitly required to be regulated under a state implementation plan described in subd. 1.
(b) If the department of natural resources believes that par. (a) applies to a proposed rule, the department shall include a statement to that effect in any economic impact analysis prepared under s. 227.137 for the proposed rule.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/227.139Fetched: 10/7/2026