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WI AB187

WI AB187
Training completion awards for volunteer firefighters. (FE)


summary

Introduced
04/15/2025
In Committee
02/27/2026
Crossed Over
06/24/2025
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, the Department of Administration administers a service award program to provide length-of-service awards to volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical responders, and volunteer emergency medical services practitioners. This bill expands the program to provide grants to volunteer fire departments and volunteer fire companies to make training completion awards to volunteer firefighters. Under the bill, in order to receive a grant, the municipality in which a department or company is organized must have a municipal ordinance that provides a 100 percent match. The completion award for a volunteer firefighter who completes 60 hours of training is $500. The bill also requires that any money a volunteer fire department or fire company receives beyond what it expends on awards each calendar year must be returned to DOA for deposit in the general fund. Finally, under the bill, DOA is required to provide a report to the legislature in the sixth, seventh, and eighth years after the start of the program that includes the number of people who received the grant through the preceding year and the number of those people who are still firefighters in Wisconsin. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill expands the existing service award program administered by the Department of Administration (DOA) to provide grants for training completion awards to volunteer firefighters. Specifically, the bill establishes that volunteer fire departments can receive a grant to provide a one-time $500 payment to volunteer firefighters who complete 60 hours of training. To be eligible for the grant, the municipality where the fire department is located must pass an ordinance providing a 100% matching payment. Any grant money received by a fire department that exceeds the amount spent on awards in a calendar year must be returned to DOA and deposited in the general fund. The bill also requires DOA to submit reports to the legislature in the sixth, seventh, and eighth years after the program's start, detailing the number of individuals who received grants and how many of those individuals are still active firefighters in Wisconsin. This legislation aims to incentivize training and support volunteer firefighters by providing financial recognition for their commitment to professional development and community service.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

Sponsors (17)

Last Action

Available for scheduling (on 03/03/2026)

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