2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
February 9, 2017 - Introduced by Joint Legislative Council. Referred to
Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer
Protection.
SB31,1,3 1An Act to amend 16.25 (3) (d) 1., 16.25 (3) (g) and 20.505 (4) (er) (title) of the
2statutes; relating to: revising the length-of-service awards program in the
3Department of Administration for volunteer emergency response personnel.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill is explained in the Notes provided by the Joint Legislative Council in
the bill.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
Joint Legislative Council prefatory note: This bill was prepared for the Joint
Legislative Council's Study Committee on Volunteer Firefighter and Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT) Shortages. The bill makes certain modifications to the service award
program, which is a program that provides a financial benefit to recognize length of
service by volunteer firefighters, first responders, and EMTs in participating
municipalities. The program is administered by the Department of Administration
(DOA).
Participation in the service award program is voluntary. A municipality can choose
to participate by resolution or ordinance. Each volunteer in a participating municipality
receives an individual account that is funded annually. The service award is a
tax-deferred benefit to the extent permitted by federal law, and the volunteer may only

collect funds from the account after vesting requirements are met. This bill modifies
funding and vesting rules applicable to the program.
Funding. Under current law, each volunteer in a participating municipality
receives an individual account, which is funded by contributions from the municipality
and DOA. Federal law limits these contributions to a total of $3,000 per year of service.
The municipality chooses how much it contributes. DOA is required to match the
municipality's contribution up to a yearly maximum, which is $250 per volunteer,
adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. In 2015, the match amount was
$343.77. The total amount appropriated for the program cannot exceed $2.5 million per
fiscal year. If the funds are not sufficient, the awards must be prorated.
The bill modifies DOA's annual payment responsibility. It requires DOA to double
rather than match all annual contributions paid by the municipality on behalf of a
volunteer, up to $500 rather than $250 per fiscal year. The maximum DOA contribution
amount is still adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. The bill does not
modify the total amount that may be appropriated for the program.
Vesting rules. Under current law, a vesting period of 10 years is required before
an individual may receive any benefits under the service award program. A volunteer
who has served for 20 years and reaches age 60 is considered fully vested and receives
the full amount contributed on his or her behalf. A volunteer who reaches age 60 and has
served for more than 10 but less than 20 years is considered partially vested and, by
administrative rule, is entitled to half of his or her account plus 5% of the value for each
additional year above 10 that was served.
The bill modifies the requirements for full vesting in the program. Under the bill,
a volunteer who has served for 15 years and reaches age 53 is considered fully vested and
will receive the full amount contributed to the individual's account. The bill does not
modify the partial vesting requirements.
SB31,1 1Section 1. 16.25 (3) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB31,2,122 16.25 (3) (d) 1. Subject to subd. 2., the department shall match double all
3annual municipal contributions paid for volunteer fire fighters, first responders, and
4emergency medical technicians up to $250 $500 per fiscal year, other than
5contributions paid for the purchase of additional years of service under par. (e), to be
6paid from the appropriation account under s. 20.505 (4) (er). This amount shall be
7adjusted annually on July 1 to reflect any changes in the U.S. consumer price index
8for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the U.S. department of
9labor, for the 12-month period ending on the preceding December 31. The
10department shall pay all amounts that are matched doubled under this paragraph
11to the individuals and organizations offering the plans selected by the
12municipalities.
SB31,2
1Section 2. 16.25 (3) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB31,3,162 16.25 (3) (g) A volunteer fire fighter, first responder, or emergency medical
3technician shall be paid a length of service award either in a lump sum or in a manner
4specified by rule, consisting of all municipal and state contributions made on behalf
5of the volunteer fire fighter, first responder, or emergency medical technician and all
6earnings on the contributions, less any expenses incurred in the investment of the
7contributions and earnings, after the volunteer fire fighter, first responder, or
8emergency medical technician attains 20 15 years of service for a municipality and
9reaches the age of 60 53. If a volunteer fire fighter, first responder, or emergency
10medical technician has satisfied all vesting requirements under the program but has
11less than 20 15 years of service for a municipality or has not reached the age of 60
1253, the program shall provide for the payment of a length of service award either in
13a lump sum or in a manner specified by rule in an amount to be determined by the
14department, but less than the amount paid to a volunteer fire fighter, first responder,
15or emergency medical technician who has attained 20 15 years of service for a
16municipality and has reached the age of 60 53.
SB31,3 17Section 3. 20.505 (4) (er) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB31,3,1818 20.505 (4) (er) (title) Service award program; state matching awards.
SB31,4 19Section 4. Initial applicability.
SB31,3,2120 (1) The treatment of section 16.25 (3) (d) 1. of the statutes first applies to
21contributions that are paid on the effective date of this subsection.
SB31,3,2422 (2) The treatment of section 16.25 (3) (g) of the statutes first applies to a person
23who attains or has attained 15 years of service, or reaches or has reached the age of
2453 during the year in which this subsection takes effect.
SB31,3,2525 (End)
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