Bills to Watch

AB-469

Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Tax Credit

This bill would create a $100 nonrefundable income-tax credit for volunteer firefighters, emergency medical responders, and emergency medical services (EMS) practitioners who have served as responders for at least five years. In Door County, volunteer responders typically drive their own vehicle and incur costs associated with leaving work. Departments are also having a difficult time recruiting new volunteers, so this bill would add a small incentive to the role. Rep. Joel Kitchens and Sen. André Jacque are co-sponsors of the bill, which unanimously passed the Joint Committee on Finance and is expected to go before an Assembly vote on Oct. 10, after Pulse press time.

AB-325/SB-295

Green Bay Harbor Assistance Grant

This bill would provide $1.2 million from the Department of Transportation’s Harbor Assistance Program to the City of Green Bay to expand the city’s port and relocate massive coal piles on the shores of Green Bay. The city hopes to create a park, commercial properties and mixed-use development on the property. The bill is expected to go before an Assembly vote Oct. 10, after Pulse press time.

AB-113/SB-91

Water Pollution Trading Credits

This bill would set up a program in which farmers could implement water-quality practices and earn credits that could then be sold to other parties that need to reduce their own pollution discharge. The bill, authored by Rep. Joel Kitchens and Sen. Robert Cowles, was quiet throughout the summer, but the Assembly Committee on Local Government plans to consider it Oct. 16.