Section 85.14. Payments by credit card or other electronic payment mechanism; electronic transactions.

 

(1)  

(a) The department may accept payment by credit card, debit card, or any other electronic payment mechanism of any fee that is required to be paid to the department. The department shall determine which fees may be paid by credit card, debit card, or any other electronic payment mechanism and the manner in which the payments may be made. If the department permits the payment of a fee by credit card, debit card, or any other electronic payment mechanism, the department may charge a convenience fee for each transaction in an amount to be established by rule. The convenience fee shall approximate the cost to the department for providing this service to persons who request it. If the department permits the payment of a fee by credit card, debit card, or any other electronic payment mechanism, the department may charge a service fee of $2.50 for each transaction until a rule is promulgated under this paragraph.

(b) If the secretary of administration assesses any charges against the department relating to the payment of fees by credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payment mechanisms, the department shall pay, from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (cg) , to the secretary of administration or to any person designated by the secretary of administration the amount of these assessed charges.

(c) The department may contract for services relating to the payment of fees by credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payment mechanisms under this subsection. Any charges associated with a contract under this paragraph shall be paid from the appropriations under s. 20.395 (5) (cg) and (cq) .

(2)  The department shall certify to the secretary of administration the amount of charges associated with the use of credit cards that is assessed to the department on deposits accepted under s. 345.26 (3) (a) by state traffic patrol officers and state motor vehicle inspectors, and the secretary of administration shall pay the charges from moneys under s. 59.25 (3) (j) and (k) that are reserved for payment of the charges under s. 20.907 (5) (e) 12e.

(3)  The department may establish procedures for conducting any transaction in an electronic format or using an electronic process. Any form prescribed by the department may be prescribed in an automated format to facilitate the department's authority under this subsection.

(4)  The department may promulgate rules requiring a person to pay an additional fee for conducting an in-person, telephone, or paper transaction in lieu of using an electronic filing or submission option when the department has made an electronic filing or submission option available. These rules providing for an additional fee shall not apply to individuals unless the department offered an electronic filing or submission option in connection with a service on July 1, 2011, and the department charged an additional fee to individuals for electing this option as of that date. These rules may provide for exemptions from the additional fee for designated categories of persons or transactions. The fee authorized under this subsection is in addition to any other fee that may be imposed by the department.

1985 a. 29 ; 1989 a. 31 ; 1991 a. 39 ; 1995 a. 201 ; 2003 a. 33 ; 2009 a. 28 ; 2011 a. 32 . Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 196 , Wis. adm. code.