
Regulatory Reform
Wisconsin’s regulatory climate and permitting burdens are often viewed as among the most aggressive in the country. Every dollar a business spends on regulations that are too costly, complex and cumbersome is a dollar that can’t be spent to raise wages, hire additional workers or expand the business. WMC believes reforms are needed to improve Wisconsin’s regulatory climate and grow the state’s economy.
Regulatory Reform
Agenda
Align Wisconsin employment and environmental regulations with corresponding federal requirements to eliminate the additional cost and complexity of complying with overlapping and “Wisconsin-only” regulations.
Allow legal challenges to state agency rules to be brought like all other civil actions against the state – in the county selected by the Plaintiff. Current law treats litigation against state agency rules differently than all other litigation and requires it to be filed in the Plaintiff’s home county. In addition, remove the statutory presumption that agencies followed all legal requirements when promulgating a rule, as most agencies cut corners and do not follow the law.
Current law requires special considerations with respect to the cost and regulatory burden of rules impacting small businesses. Unfortunately, the agency writing the rule decides whether their rule has a small business impact, rendering
these protections largely useless. Strengthen the current protections to ensure all rules impacting small businesses are fully analyzed for impacts on small businesses.
Establish new criteria for agency regulations that require rules be written in simple and clear language, while considering the costs and benefits of the rule, and regulating in the least burdensome manner.
Promote a consistent, stable and transparent regulatory environment by holding state agencies accountable. When agencies and bureaucrats violate the law or exceed their regulatory authority, WMC will direct legal resources to push back.
Improve our regulatory environment by regularly reviewing existing administrative rules to repeal or reform obsolete, costly or cumbersome regulations
Oppose regulations and policies that negatively impact Wisconsin’s business climate. Oppose rules and policies that create uncertainty and are unnecessarily costly, complex or burdensome requirements on the regulated community. Support policies that incentivize investment and create an attractive business climate in Wisconsin so that our state continues to prosper.

Questions?
If you would like to learn more about our stance on environmental reform or have questions, contact Craig Summerfield, WMC’s Director of Environmental & Energy Policy.
Regulatory Reform
Latest Updates

Scott Manley on the Court Ruling in WMC v. DNR
WAUSAU- WMC’s Scott Manley joined Meg Ellefson on WSAU to discuss the final court ruling in WMC v. DNR. “We govern by the consent of
April 20, 2022

WMC Joins National Association of Manufacturers in Urging Congress to Pass the SHOP SAFE ACT and the INFORM CONSUMERS ACT
Congress is working to finalize China competition legislation and manufacturing and business leaders from across the country are urging Congress to include the SHOP SAFE
April 15, 2022

WMC Testifies to Assembly Special Committee on Trade and Supply Chain on Solutions to Supply Chain Issues
WMC Executive Vice President of Government Relations Scott Manley, testified to the Assembly Special Committee on Trade and Supply Chain on solutions to Wisconsin’s supply
March 28, 2022