Legislators on both sides of the aisle are seeking to recruit and retain more volunteer emergency responders by giving them tax credits.
Assembly Bill 302 would create up to $1,500 in refundable tax credits for volunteer medical responders, firefighters and ambulance drivers in good standing with their departments.
Republican Rep. Treig Pronschinske of Mondovi, a sponsor of the bill, has been a volunteer firefighter for the Mondovi Fire Department for 11 years. He said it has become hard to attract and retain volunteers, adding that those who do volunteer deserve to be rewarded.
"I see firsthand what these folks go through on a daily basis," Pronschinske said. "This is not a fix-all, but it's a good start to reward people who are there (for their community) at any given time."
Allison Hetz, a spokeswoman for Pronschinske, said there is not a conflict of interest in Pronschinske proposing the legislation because he does not meet the minimum work requirements to qualify for the credits. She added that his volunteer service gives him more insight into the needs of volunteer departments.