103.91 Migrant labor contractors.

(1) Registration required. No person may engage in activities as a migrant labor contractor without first obtaining a certificate of registration from the department. The certificate shall constitute a permit from this state to operate as a migrant labor contractor, and shall not be transferable to any person.

(2) Application.

(a) A migrant labor contractor shall apply to the department for a certificate in such manner and on such forms as the department prescribes. The migrant labor contractor may submit a copy of a federal application filed under 7 USC 2045 in lieu of the forms prescribed by the department under this paragraph.

(b)

1. Except as provided in subd. 2m., the department shall require each applicant for a certificate under par. (a) who is an individual to provide the department with the applicant's social security number, and shall require each applicant for a certificate under par. (a) who is not an individual to provide the department with the applicant's federal employer identification number, when initially applying for or applying to renew the certificate.

2. If an applicant who is an individual fails to provide the applicant's social security number to the department or if an applicant who is not an individual fails to provide the applicant's federal employer identification number to the department, the department may not issue or renew a certificate under par. (a) to or for the applicant unless the applicant is an individual who does not have a social security number and the applicant submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under subd. 2m.

2m. If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the department that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department. A certificate issued under par. (a) in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid.

3. The department of workforce development may not disclose any information received under subd. 1. to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 or the department of children and families for purposes of administering s. 49.22.

(3) Annual fees. Each certificate shall be renewed annually. The fee for the certificate or renewal shall be in an amount determined by the department. The department may not require an individual who is eligible for a fee waiver under the veterans fee waiver program under s. 45.44 to pay a fee for a certificate.

(4) Qualifications.

(a) The department may refuse to issue a certificate and may suspend or revoke any certificate previously issued whenever it finds that the applicant or registrant has:

1. Made a material misrepresentation or false statement in his or her application for a certificate.

2. Violated ss. 103.90 to 103.97, or any rules promulgated under such sections.

(b) The department of workforce development shall deny, suspend, restrict, refuse to renew, or otherwise withhold a certificate of registration under sub. (1) for failure of the applicant or registrant to pay court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses, or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse or for failure of the applicant or registrant to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857. Notwithstanding s. 103.005 (10), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided in the memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857 and not as provided in ch. 227.

(c) The department shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a certificate under sub. (1), or revoke such a certificate already issued, if the department of revenue certifies under. s. 73.0301 that the applicant or registrant is liable for delinquent taxes. Notwithstanding s. 103.005 (10), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided under s. 73.0301 (5) and not as provided in ch. 227.

(d)

1. The department may deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of registration under sub. (1), or revoke such a certificate already issued, if the department determines that the applicant or registrant is liable for delinquent contributions, as defined in s. 108.227 (1) (d). Notwithstanding s. 103.005 (10), an action taken under this subdivision is subject to review only as provided under s. 108.227 (5) and not as provided in ch. 227.

2. If the department denies an application or revokes a certificate of registration under subd. 1., the department shall mail a notice of denial or revocation to the applicant or registrant. The notice shall include a statement of the facts that warrant the denial or revocation and a statement that the applicant or registrant may, within 30 days after the date on which the notice of denial or revocation is mailed, file a written request with the department to have the determination that the applicant or registrant is liable for delinquent contributions reviewed at a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a).

3. If, after a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a), the department affirms a determination under subd. 1. that an applicant or registrant is liable for delinquent contributions, the department shall affirm its denial or revocation. An applicant or registrant may seek judicial review under s. 108.227 (6) of an affirmation by the department of a denial or revocation under this subdivision.

4. If, after a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a), the department determines that a person whose certificate is revoked or whose application is denied under subd. 1. is not liable for delinquent contributions, as defined in s. 108.227 (1) (d), the department shall reinstate the certificate or approve the application, unless there are other grounds for revocation or denial. The department may not charge a fee for reinstatement of a certificate under this subdivision.

(5) Real party in interest. The department may refuse to issue a certificate, and may suspend or revoke any certificate previously issued, whenever it determines that the real party in interest in any such application or certificate is a person who previously has applied for and has been denied a certificate, or is a person who previously had been issued a certificate which subsequently was revoked or suspended by the department.

(6) Penalties. Refusal to issue or to renew a certificate or the suspension or revocation of a certificate or renewal shall be in addition to any other penalties imposed.

(7) Agents exempt from registration. A full-time employee of any person holding a valid certificate under ss. 103.90 to 103.97 who has been designated as agent of the registrant and who is employed partly or solely for the purpose of engaging in activities as a migrant labor contractor on behalf of the registrant, shall not be required to obtain a certificate in his or her own name under this section. Every such agent shall have in his or her immediate possession, when engaging in activities as a migrant labor contractor, such identification as the department may require, showing such employee to be an agent of a registrant. Every agent shall be subject to ss. 103.90 to 103.97 and any rules promulgated under such sections to the same extent as if the agent were required to obtain a certificate in his or her own name. The department shall require that every registrant identify to the department all persons who have been, or who subsequently become, agents of the registrant, and may disallow, suspend or revoke the designation as agent of any person pursuant to the qualifications of registrants required by this section. For the purposes of ss. 103.90 to 103.97, every registrant shall be responsible for the activities of every agent designated by him or her, and shall be subject to any penalties, including the refusal, suspension or revocation of a certificate, proceeding from any act of any agent so designated, while the agent is engaged in activities as a migrant labor contractor. No agent shall be permitted separately to engage in activities as a migrant labor contractor.

(8) Duties. Every person engaged in activities as a migrant labor contractor and every agent of a migrant labor contractor shall:

(a) Carry at all times the certificate or other identification of such certification as the department may prescribe, and exhibit the same to all persons with whom he or she intends to deal as a migrant labor contractor prior to so dealing.

(b) File at the U.S. post office serving the address of such migrant labor contractor, a correct address within 10 days after a change of address.

(c) Promptly pay or deliver when due to the individuals entitled thereto, all moneys or other things of value entrusted to the contractor by any person.

(d) Comply with the terms and provisions of all legal agreements and contracts entered into between himself or herself as a migrant labor contractor and any person.

(e) Keep such records as the department prescribes and preserve such records for inspection by the department for such periods of time as the department shall prescribe.

(f) Obtain a policy of insurance from any insurance carrier authorized to do business in this state in an amount as prescribed by the department, which policy insures the migrant labor contractor against liability for damages to persons or property arising out of the operation or ownership by the migrant labor contractor or by his or her agent of any vehicle for the transportation of individuals or property in connection with activities as a migrant labor contractor. This paragraph shall not apply if the contractor furnishes transportation only as the agent of an employer who has obtained a policy of insurance against liability for damages arising out of the operation of motor vehicles.

(9) Prohibited activities. No person engaged in activities as a migrant labor contractor, and no person acting as an agent for any such person, may:

(a) Knowingly give to any migrant worker or a prospective migrant worker any false or misleading information, or fail to disclose fully to any such worker information concerning terms, conditions or existence of employment.

(b) Receive, disburse or withhold the wages of any worker except to immediately distribute a check payable to a worker.

(c) Charge or collect interest from any worker on account of any loan or extension of credit.

(d) Charge or collect from any worker for the provision of goods or services an amount in excess of the costs to him or her of providing such goods and services.

(e) Recruit any migrant worker except as provided in s. 103.915.

History: 1977 c. 17; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 191, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2009 a. 180; 2011 a. 209; 2013 a. 36.