Ad Hoc Advisory Councils Created by DATCP

General

• Under s. 15.04(l)(c), Stats., the DATCP Secretary is authorized to create temporary ("ad hoc") advisory councils to advise the department on matters within the department's jurisdiction.
• An ad hoc advisory council is a temporary council appointed to advise on a specific issue.
• If an advisory council continues for more than 3 years, it should normally be created as a standing advisory council rather than an ad hoc council.

It is not always easy to distinguish an "ad hoc advisory council" meeting from a routine staff meeting with other agencies or interested members of the public. However, the following circumstances may suggest a need to appoint an ad hoc advisory council on a formalized basis:

• The department will be meeting with the same group of people on a repeated basis to obtain their knowledgeable input on a specific matter having substantial public policy significance. The subject matter pertains to a general public policy issue, not just an individual case.
• The meetings are being sought by the department, rather than by outside parties, in order to obtain advice on programs or issues within the department's jurisdiction. The department is seeking advice and input -- not just providing information.
• The department, in order to obtain the attendance of the advisory group, is willing to pay their expenses if necessary.
• The department contemplates that the advisory group will make recommendations to the department as a group, rather than merely as individuals.
• In order to arrive at group recommendations, the group may be asked to vote on motions or proposals coming before the group.

The Secretary may create an ad hoc advisory council without DATCP Board approval. However, the Secretary frequently consults with the Board before appointing an ad hoc advisory council. Because ad hoc advisory councils are appointed on a temporary basis to advise the department on specific issues, council members are not appointed for any specific term.

Members of an ad hoc advisory council are not entitled to compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement of costs they are not required to take an oath of office. Each division is responsible for coordinating the affairs of ad hoc advisory councils assigned to that division. The division prepares advisory council agendas in consultation with the council chair.

DATCP issues open meeting notices, based on information provided by the responsible division. The division also takes minutes of each advisory council meeting. Minutes and other records of advisory council meetings are public records subject to Chapter 19, Wisconsin Statutes.

DATCP currently has the following ad hoc advisory councils attached to the following divisions (does not include interagency working groups consisting only of agency staff):

• CREP Implementation Committee
• Johnes’ Disease Advisory Committee