RACINE – Governor Jim Doyle today signed three bills that
will help to honor Wisconsin firefighters and law enforcement agents, as
well as other public service employees and their families.
“Our first responders risk their lives each and every day
to protect and serve our citizens,” Governor Doyle said. “They deserve
and have earned our deepest respect and gratitude, and I am pleased
today to sign legislation that will help to honor their commitment and
service.”
Governor Doyle signed Senate Bill 414 to expand fee
remissions at the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Technical
College systems for spouses and children of firefighters, law
enforcement officers, and other certain public service employees who
sustained injuries on the job that eventually led to their death.
Current law requires such public service employees to be killed in the
line duty for their children and spouses to qualify for these benefits.
SB 414 will assist the families of public servants like
Brian Sanders, a member of the Racine Fire Department, who died from an
illness that resulted from his service as a firefighter. The bill will
ensure that the Sanders’ family, and others in similar situations, has
affordable access to higher education while coping with the loss of a
loved one. Brian Sanders' daughter, Shannon will be going to college
this fall and his son, Connor, is a high school student. Attending the
event were Linda Sanders, the wife of Brian Sanders, and Shannon and
Connor.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Dave Zien and Dave Hansen,
and Representatives Terry Moulton, Thomas Nelson, Robert Turner, John
Lehman, and Robin Vos for their work on this legislation.
Governor Doyle also signed Senate Bill 453 to allow
taxpayers to contribute to support the construction, improvement, and
maintenance of the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial in Wisconsin
Rapids by providing a new income tax check-off program for individual
donations.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Scott Fitzgerald and Ron
Brown, and Representatives John Gard and Marlin Schneider for their work
on this bill.
Governor Doyle also signed Assembly Bill 849 to broaden
and diversify leadership to the police and fire fighter relief
associations by increasing eligibility for election to the board of the
association. Under the bill, any member of the relief association,
including retirees and those who left the department with a
service-related disability, are eligible for election to the board of
the association.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Mark Honadel and
Peggy Krusick and Senators David Zien and Tim Carpenter for their work
on this legislation.
Finally, Governor Doyle signed Senate Bill 386 to protect
child passenger safety technicians and organizations that provide child
passenger safety programs from civil liability lawsuits, allowing them
to perform their services without fear of possible liability lawsuits,
unless services were done recklessly or intentionally wrong.
He thanked Senator Cathy Stepp and Representative Andy
Lamb for their work on this bill.
