Clean Energy Job Act - Recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming have been turned into twenty draft bills which recently came out as one big omnibus climate change bill. Biggest impact on our industry would be the implementation of a Low Carbon Fuels Standard, limiting use of Canadian oil sands in the production of motor fuel oil used in Wisconsin.

Introduced in early January 2010 as the “Clean Energy Jobs Act,”  Assembly Bill 649 and the companion Senate Bill 450 have been assigned to a special, newly created “Select Committee on Clean Energy.”  WPMCA staff has been meeting with legislators to discuss the Low Carbon Fuel Standard component of the bill.  If passed, crude oil from the Canadian tar sands refined into motor fuel would not be allowed to be sold in Wisconsin.  This means at least 50% of the fuel coming into our state would no longer be legal to sell!  Having this type of a Wisconsin-only fuel specification will isolate the state’s fuel supply, leaving it vulnerable to supply disruptions and price spikes.  A recent study shows that a LCFS could increase the price of gas by 60 cents a gallon*! 

• WPMCA memo to Global Warming Task Force Members on Low Carbon Fuel Standard
• Why a Low Carbon Fuel Standard is Wrong for Wisconsin
• Low Carbon Fuel Standard – Canadian Crude poster
• Economics of a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard
• Climate Change Bill Overview

Weights & Measures Inspection Fee Increases – The Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is proposing a rule (ATCP 92) to increase Weights and Measures inspection fees from $100 to $420 (annual fee) for establishments with food sales of $1 million or more and who process potentially hazardous food; for businesses with sales of $25,000 -$1 million the fee would increase from $45-$55; for those with  under $25,000 an increase from $25 to $45; and establish a $30 fee for retailers not engaged in food processing.  The rule will also establish new annual license fees and surcharges for vehicle tank meter operators and annual license fees and surcharges for liquefied petroleum gas meter operators.

SB 105 – Credit Card Disclosure Bill had a hearing in November 2009.  WPMCA testified in favor of the bill, which would require credit card companies/financial institutions to disclose fees, penalties or other changes.  A follow up meeting was recently held with WPMCA, the bankers, credit unions and bill author Senator Lassa.  They have asked our association for specific examples or issues our members have had with disclosure and charge backs. 

AB 414 – The Food Safety Handlers Recertification Bill had a hearing in early December 2009.  This bill would change the current requirements for recertifying those that have passed the food handlers safety test.  Currently, a person must initially pass a written examination that is approved by the Department of Health Services (DHS).  The certification is good for five years.  To renew their certification, individuals must complete an approved recertification training course.  This bill would require a test to be taken and passed for recertification.  The recertification training course would not be required if a person is capable of passing the test without it.   WPMCA is remaining neutral on this bill. 

AB 285 – Fuel Services for the Disabled Bill
WPMCA testified in favor of this bill in early January 2010.  The bill codifies existing federal requirements included in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

AB 408 – The Renewable Fuels Standard Bill that came out of the Special Committee on Domestic BioFuels had a public hearing in October 2009.  Major oil companies are lobbying against the bill due to language on offering unblended gasoline to motor fuel dealers.  There is concern that the way the bill is written it will impact fuel contracts.

AB 258 - Oil Filter Recycling – Now Act 2009 Act 86 – prohibits the disposal of used automotive oil filters and materials that have been used to absorb spilled or used automotive engine oil. The ban will take effect in December, 2010 and you will not be allowed to put used oil filters or oil absorbent materials into your dumpsters.  They will need to be recycled. 

SB 275 - Employment Discrimination Bill would make it unlawful to deny an applicant employment based solely on the person’s credit history. Specifically, it forbids employers from asking job applicants for permission to obtain the applicant’s credit history on a job application form.

Health Saving Accounts – AB639 and SB425  - WPMCA has signed on to support a bill  which would exempt Health Savings Accounts (HAS) from state income taxes for middle class Wisconsinites.  Wisconsin is one of only four states that tax an individual’s contribution to their HSA.  In Wisconsin, individuals may deduct 100 percent of contributions they make to health savings accounts on their federal income tax filing, but individuals may not claim a state income tax credit for any amount they or their employer contributes to a health savings account. 

Speculating/Future Market Reform – “Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (H.R. 4173) passed the House.  The bill attempts to impose aggregate position limits and bring transparency to the over the counter (OTC) markets, ending excessive speculation and bringing stability to the motor fuels and heating oil marketplace. 

• More detailed information.
• PMAA Testimony
• News Videos

Interchange Fees – The fight against swipe fees received a boost from a recent report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).  GAO’s report showed that Visa and MasterCard have been misleading the public about their swipe fees and the anti-competitive practices of VISA and Master Card have led to dramatically increased interchange rates.   The report also showed that increased retailer costs for card transactions may lead to higher prices for non-cardholding consumers, resulting in all customers paying higher prices for goods and services whether they use credit cards or not.

• Tell Congress it’s time to reform unfair credit/debit card swipe fees
• Hidden Credit Card Fees And Their Impacts On Retailers And Consumers
• Merchant Payment Coalition
• New York Times Article:  How VISA, Using Credit Card Fees Dominates a Market
  • Scroll down the Times article to view the video:  Visa Reigns With Silent Tax The growing use of debit cards has meant big profits for Visa, and there are concerns that the company's market power has led to unnecessarily high fees to merchants. (7 minute video with a great overview of interchange fees.)

Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act – WPMCA and members have sent letters thanking Senator Kohl for introducing federal legislation to level the playing field between small business retailers who legally sell tobacco products to adults, and those who avoid paying taxes by selling tobacco products over the Internet, phone or through the mail. The bill passed out of committee and must now pass the full Senate and then go through the US House of Representatives. 

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