Locally authored bills pass the state assembly
Local legislators Reps. Bob Kulp, John Spiros and James Edming, all Republicans, on Friday applauded the assembly for passing bills they authored this past session.
Three bills authored by Rep. Kulp will be sent to either to the state senate or Gov. Tony Evers for his possible signature.
One bill provides state funding for Wisconsin’s farm tractor Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) Rebate program. The ROPS program helps farmers retrofit their tractors with a structure that keeps the driver safe in the event of a rollover.
“The bipartisan support for the bill demonstrates that farm safety is an issue that everyone supports,” said the Stratford representative.
A second bill allows people who participate in cancer clinical trials to be reimbursed for expenses.
“Our bill will help cancer patients who don’t have the personal funds to cover out-of-pocket expenses like gas mileage and hotel stays during their treatment, but who want to participate in a clinical trial,” Kulp said.
A third bill clarifies whether a breach of the peace occurs when a lender repossesses collateral or leased goods.
Rep. Edming, Glen Fora, also authored three bills that passed the assembly. One bill eliminates the current $10,000 cap on wildlife damage claims and creates an abatement option for farmers operating on leased land.
“This bill is a result of conversations with farmers in the 87th District and around northern Wisconsin about how the wildlife damage programs can work better for them,” said Edming.
A second bill includes crop insurance payments as income that won’t be taxed under the state’s manufacturing and agriculture tax credit.
The third bill allows a DNR agent or authorized person to shoot a beaver or muskrat causing damage to a public roadway.
Spiros lauded passage of his bill to increase the age to purchase cigarettes, tobacco, nicotine and vapor products from 18 to 21. The bill would penalize retailers who sell these products to people under age 21.
“By passing this bill, not only are we ensuring that Wisconsin does not lose federal grant money, but we are also helping to stop a public health crisis in its tracks,” said the Marshfield assemblyman. “After decades of smoking going down, suddenly the numbers have been spiking again. It is what can only be described as a public health crisis.”
